JP2008129690A - Input device equipped with touch panel and its input method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To precisely perform input through a touch panel while providing simple operability. <P>SOLUTION: This input device equipped with a touch panel is provided with a storage means for storing input contents (for example, digits) by associating it with the model of the trajectory of a touch position at the predetermined end of the touch panel; a touch position acquisition means for acquiring the trajectory of the touch position at the touch panel; a trajectory extraction means for extracting the trajectory equivalent to the orbit of the predetermined end of the touch panel among the trajectory of the touch position acquired by the touch position acquisition means; and an input content specification means for specifying the input contents by using the information of the storage means from the trajectory extracted by the trajectory extraction means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an input technique using a touch panel.

  There is an input device that includes a touch panel and recognizes an input number (see Patent Document 1). For example, the operator draws a number with a single stroke on the touch panel, and the input number is determined from the locus.

JP-A-7-195962

  However, if it is left to the discretion of the operator, numbers of various shapes are drawn, and the recognition accuracy decreases. On the other hand, if the operator is forced to use a special input method, the operability is degraded.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to perform input through a touch panel with high accuracy while providing easy operability.

  In order to solve the above problems, a first aspect of the present invention is an input device including a touch panel, which is acquired by a touch position acquisition unit that acquires a locus of a touch position on the touch panel, and the touch position acquisition unit. Input content specifying means for specifying the input content using a track corresponding to the track of the end of the touch panel among the track of the touched position.

  The second aspect of the present invention is an input device including a touch panel, and information for determining input contents corresponds to a model of a locus of a touch position on a predetermined end of the touch panel. Storage means for storing information, touch position acquisition means for acquiring a trajectory of the touch position on the touch panel, and a touch position trajectory acquired by the touch position acquisition means of a predetermined end of the touch panel. A trajectory extracting means for extracting a trajectory corresponding to the trajectory and an input content specifying means for specifying the input content from the trajectory extracted by the trajectory extracting means using information in the storage means.

  A frame protruding from the surface of the touch panel may be disposed on the edge of the touch panel.

  Moreover, the 3rd aspect of this invention is an input device provided with the touchscreen, Comprising: The flame | frame which protruded from the surface of the said touchscreen is distribute | arranged to the outer edge of the said touchscreen, The locus | trajectory of the touch position to the said touchscreen is shown. Means for acquiring, and means for determining input content using a trajectory of the touch position in an end region having a predetermined width along the outer edge of the touch panel.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an in-vehicle navigation device 1 to which an input device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. As shown in the figure, the in-vehicle navigation device 1 includes a control device 10, a current position calculation device 20, an input device 30, and a display device 40.

  The current position calculation device 20 is a device for calculating the current position, and includes a vehicle speed sensor, a gyro sensor, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver, and the like.

  The input device 30 is a device for receiving an instruction from a user. The input device 30 includes a touch panel 31 provided on the front surface of the display device 40 and transmitting the display screen. The touch panel 31 outputs information specifying the touched position. Note that the input device 30 may include a hard switch (not shown).

  The display device 40 includes a liquid crystal display device and the like, and is a unit that displays graphics information generated by the control device 10.

  FIG. 2 is an external view of the display device 40. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the display device 40. A touch panel 31 through which the display screen 41 can be seen is arranged in the direction of the display screen 41 of the display device 40. In addition, a rectangular frame F is disposed on the casing of the display device 40 so as to surround the edge of the touch panel 31. The frame F protrudes from the surface of the touch panel 31 as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. The frame F serves as a guide when the user slides his / her finger along the edge of the touch panel 31. In other words, if the user hooks and moves his / her finger on the frame F, the user can slide the finger along the end edge of the touch panel 31 while drawing a substantially linear locus P.

  Returning to FIG. The control device 10 is a device for controlling other devices (current position calculation device 20, input device 30, display device 40, etc.). The control device 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), an interface with other devices (current position calculation device 20, input device 30, display device 40, etc.), these It is constituted by a general-purpose computer system including a bus for connecting the two.

  The control device 10 includes a process execution unit 11, an input content analysis unit 12, and a number determination unit 13 as functional units.

  The process execution unit 11 is a central unit that performs various processes. For example, from the output of the current position calculation device 20, the current position is calculated by map matching processing using the map data 14 stored in the storage device. In addition, a user request is received via the input content analysis unit 12 and a process corresponding to the request is executed.

  The input content analysis unit 12 analyzes a request from the user input via the input device 30 and sends the result to the process execution unit 11. When the input mode is the number input acceptance mode, the movement method (trajectory) of the position touched on the touch panel 31 (referred to as “touch position”) is acquired, sent to the number determination unit 13, and the input number Instructs the determination.

  The number determination unit 13 determines the number input by the user using the number determination data 14 based on the locus of the touch position on the touch panel 31. For this reason, the number determination data 14 stores a model of the locus of the touch position corresponding to each number. Details will be described later.

  These functional units are achieved by executing a program loaded into the memory by the CPU. Therefore, a program for performing each process is stored in the ROM.

  [Description of Operation] Next, the characteristic operation of the vehicle-mounted navigation device 1 of this embodiment will be described. Note that description of navigation processing such as route search and route guidance, which are the original basic operations, is omitted.

  The in-vehicle navigation device 1 according to the present embodiment can accept numeric input via the touch panel 31.

  That is, the process execution unit 11 shifts to a mode (numerical input mode) for receiving numerical input in a scene where numerical input such as address address input, telephone number input, and option number is necessary.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the number determination process performed in the number input mode.

  The input content analysis unit 12 monitors the touch on the touch panel 31 from the user (S11). When a touch is detected (Y in S11), the locus of the touch position is recorded until a non-touch state (a state where the user releases the finger from the touch panel 31) (N in S13) (S12). Note that the locus of the touch position is represented by the elapsed time from the start of the touch and the coordinates of the touch position.

  When a non-touch state is entered (N in S13), the input content analysis unit 12 instructs the number determination unit 13 to perform number determination.

  In response to this, the number determination unit 13 attempts to specify the number input by the user based on the touch position locus recorded by the input content analysis unit 12 using the number determination data 14 (S14).

  Here, the method of number determination will be specifically described.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the touch panel 31 and a rectangular frame F arranged on the edge thereof. For example, when the user draws numbers in the inner region 32S of the touch panel 31, the locus P2 has a large variation due to individual differences. This reduces the accuracy of number recognition. On the other hand, if the finger is slid along the frame F, the variation of the locus P1 due to individual differences is small.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the end region of the touch panel 31 is set as a recognition region. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, a protruding frame F is arranged on the outer edge of the touch panel 31 so as to surround four sides of the outer edge. If the user slides his / her finger along the frame F, the trajectory P1 is linear, and variations due to individual differences can be reduced.

  That is, the recognition area for determining the numbers is limited to the upper side area 32U, the lower side area 32B, the right side area 32R, and the left side area 32L along the four sides of the touch panel 31. The width of each area is determined based on the thickness of a general user's finger, and is preset in the storage device.

  Therefore, the number determination data 14 stores a model of the locus of the touch position with respect to the end region 32 for each number.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a model for number determination stored in the number determination data 14.

  For example, the model of the trajectory of the number “1” includes “movement of the touch position from the top to the bottom with respect to the right side region 32R of the touch panel 31 and the end point immediately after that”. The model of the trajectory of the number “2” is “the movement of the touch position from the left to the right with respect to the upper side area 32U of the touch panel 31, the movement of the touch position from the top to the lower side with respect to the right side area 32R, and the right with respect to the lower side area 32B. The left-to-right touch position, the left-to-right touch position for the lower side region 32B, and the end point immediately thereafter.

  In addition, when the user tries to input numbers by a natural drawing method, the user may be forced to touch the inner area 32S (see FIG. 5).

  For example, in the number “5” represented by the letter S, the locus of the touch position passes through the inner region 32S (see the dotted line portion of the model of the number “5” in FIG. 6). The locus of this portion is a portion that tends to vary due to individual differences. Therefore, the locus in the inner region 32S is not included in the number determination model. That is, the number determination model is made up of trajectories in the end regions 32U, 32B, 32R, and 32L, which have little variation due to individual differences.

  For example, the model of the number “5” is “the movement of the touch position from the right to the left with respect to the upper side area 32U of the touch panel 31 and the movement of the touch position from the upper side to the middle of the left side area 32L. , The movement of the touch position from substantially the center to the bottom with respect to the right side area 32R, the movement of the touch position from the right to the left with respect to the lower side area 32B, and the end point immediately after that.

  Note that these models are appropriately set by the developer and are not limited to those shown in FIG. The trajectory model is preferably close to how a general user draws one-stroke numbers.

  The number determination unit 13 extracts the locus of the part corresponding to the recognition region (upper side region 32U, lower side region 32B, right side region 32R, left side region 32L) from the touch position locus acquired from the input content analysis unit 12. Then, the extracted trajectory is subjected to a matching test with each number model stored in the number determination data 14, and the matching degree is calculated to identify the number with the highest matching degree.

  For example, the extracted trajectory is “the movement of the touch position from left to right in the upper side area 32U, the movement of the touch position from top to bottom in the right side area 32R, and the right to left touch position in the lower side area 32B. In the case of the movement, the movement of the touch position from the left to the right in the lower side region 32B, and the end point immediately after that, the number having a high matching degree is “2”.

  The number determination unit 13 determines whether or not the matching degree of the number specified in S14 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. If the degree of matching is less than the predetermined value, it is determined that the number determination has failed (N in S15 in FIG. 4). To the input content analysis unit 12. The input content analysis unit 12 displays “please input again” or the like on the display device 40 via the processing execution unit 11, returns to S11, and waits for re-input from the user.

  On the other hand, when the matching degree of the number specified in S14 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the number determination unit 13 outputs the specified number to the input content analysis unit 12 assuming that the number determination is successful (Y in S15). To do. The input content analysis unit 12 outputs the specified number to the process execution unit 11 (S16), and ends the flow of FIG.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

  According to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to improve the recognition accuracy of numeric input by the touch panel. Moreover, since it is sufficient for the user to input along the frame of the touch panel 31, stable input is possible and operability is improved. That is, the position of the user's hand may not be stable due to the shaking of the vehicle, but in the above embodiment, the finger is slid along the frame where the edge of the touch panel 31 protrudes. Variations can be reduced.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The above embodiment can be variously modified.

  For example, when inputting numbers, it may be better that the display content on the display screen is not hidden by the user's finger. For example, there is a case where important information or guidance information for input is displayed at a predetermined place on the display screen. In such a case, the range on the touch panel 31 that accepts numeric input is limited. In this case, the recognition area can be an end area of a part of the side instead of the end areas of the four sides of the touch panel 31. Further, it is possible to limit not the entire end region but the right part, the left part, the upper part, the lower part, and the like.

  FIG. 7 shows a case where the right half 32UR of the upper side area and the upper half 32RU of the right side area are used as recognition areas when a numeric input is made in the upper right part when the touch panel 31 is divided into four. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a number determination model in such a case. In FIG. 8, the upper right part of the touch panel 31 divided into four parts is shown in an enlarged manner. A solid line part is a locus used for number judgment. The dotted line portion is a locus that the user will trace, but is not used for numeric determination.

  Specifically, when the number determination unit 13 acquires the locus of the touch position from the input content analysis unit 12, the number determination unit 13 extracts a portion corresponding to the right half 32UR of the upper side region or the upper half 32RU of the right side region from the locus. . Then, the locus of the extracted part is tried to match with a numerical model.

  For example, the extracted trajectory is “the movement of the touch position from the left to the right in the right half 32UR of the upper side area, the movement of the touch position from the top to the lower in the upper half 32RU of the right side area, and again, In the case of “appearance of the touch position below the upper half 32RU of the right side region and the end point of the locus at that position”, the number determination unit 13 determines the number “2”.

  FIG. 9 shows a case where the right half 32UR of the upper side region, the right side region 32R, or the right half 32BR of the lower side region is used as a recognition region when a number is input on the right half of the touch panel 31. In this way, since the left half of the display screen 40 is not hidden by the user's finger, guidance for accepting input can be displayed on the left half.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a number determination model in such a case. A solid line part is a locus used for number judgment. The dotted line portion is a locus that the user will trace, but is not used for numeric determination.

  Specifically, when the number determination unit 13 acquires the locus of the touch position from the input content analysis unit 12, the number determination unit 13 corresponds to the right half 32UR, the right side region 32R, or the right half 32BR of the lower side region of the locus. The part to be extracted is extracted. Then, the locus of the extracted part is tried to match with a numerical model.

  For example, the extracted trajectory is “the movement of the touch position from left to right in the right half 32UR of the upper side area, the movement of the touch position from top to bottom in the right side area 32R, and the right in the right half 32BR of the lower side area. In the case of the movement of the touch position to the left, the movement of the touch position from the left to the right in the right half 32BR of the lower side region, and the end point of the locus at that position, the number determination unit 13 2 ”.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11, a recognition area 32M may be provided in the internal area 32S and used for improving the recognition rate. For example, in the case of the numeral “5” shown in the model of FIG. 6, the actual trajectory of the user's finger passes through the internal region 32S. In view of this, a recognition region 32M having a predetermined width parallel to the bottom side is provided at substantially the center of the touch panel 31. Then, from the touch position trajectory acquired in S12 of FIG. 4, the end recognition area (upper side area 32U, lower side area 32B, right side area 32R, left side area 32L) or a part corresponding to the central recognition area 32M is extracted. Then try to match the model. In such a case, the model includes the movement of the touch position with respect to the central recognition region 32M depending on the number. For example, for “5”, “6”, and “9” in FIG. 6, the dotted line portion is also included in the locus of the model.

  Further, as described above, the locus of the touch position of the user in the internal region 32S is likely to vary, and the reliability is low. Therefore, the number determination unit 13 may make the matching degree of the locus in the recognition region 32M of the internal region 32S lower than the locus of the end region. Specifically, the number determination unit 13 directly calculates the degree of matching with the trajectory of the model for the trajectory of the portion corresponding to the end region of the trajectory acquired in S12, and The trajectory is calculated by multiplying the degree of matching of the trajectory with the model by a predetermined coefficient (1 or less). Then, the two are summed to obtain a matching degree with the model of the number.

  In this way, the weight can be lowered while adopting a part (inner area) with low reliability, and the accuracy of the number determination is improved.

  Note that the frame F serving as a guide when the user touches the touch panel 31 is not necessarily provided integrally with the display device 40 or the touch panel 31. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, when the display device 40 is fitted in the instrument panel 2 of the vehicle, the frame 21 with respect to the display device 40 provided integrally with the instrument panel 2 is not touched by the user. Become a guide. Even in such a case, the number determination unit 13 can perform the number determination with high accuracy by using the end of the touch panel 31 as a recognition area.

  In the above-described embodiment, the input of numbers has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to input of characters and symbols. In such a case, in order to determine the input content from the locus of the touch position of the portion corresponding to the set recognition area, it is only necessary to determine a locus model corresponding to each character or symbol in the set recognition area.

  In addition, the map display apparatus of this invention is not limited to a vehicle-mounted navigation apparatus, It can apply to the various input devices which receive an input with a touch panel.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an in-vehicle navigation device to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is an external view of the display device. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the display device. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the number determination process in the number input mode. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the recognition area. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a trajectory model for each number. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the recognition area. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a trajectory model for each number. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the recognition area. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a trajectory model for each number. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the recognition area. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a display device set in the vehicle.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... In-vehicle navigation device,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Control apparatus, 11 ... Processing execution part, 12 ... Input content analysis part, 13 ... Number determination part, 14 ... Number determination data 20 ... Current position calculation apparatus 30 ..Input devices, 31 ... touch panel,
40 ... Display device F ... Frame

Claims (7)

An input device equipped with a touch panel,
Touch position acquisition means for acquiring a locus of a touch position on the touch panel;
An input device comprising: input content specifying means for specifying input content using a trajectory corresponding to a trajectory of an end of the touch panel among touch position trajectories acquired by the touch position acquisition means. An input device equipped with a touch panel,
Storage means for storing information for determining input contents in association with a model of a locus of a touch position to a predetermined end of the touch panel;
Touch position acquisition means for acquiring a locus of a touch position on the touch panel;
A trajectory extracting means for extracting a trajectory corresponding to a predetermined end trajectory of the touch panel from the trajectories of the touch position acquired by the touch position acquiring means;
An input device comprising: input content specifying means for specifying the input content from the trajectory extracted by the trajectory extracting means using information in the storage means. The input device according to claim 1 or 2,
An input device, characterized in that a frame protruding from the surface of the touch panel is arranged on an edge of the touch panel. An input device equipped with a touch panel,
A frame protruding from the surface of the touch panel is arranged on the outer edge of the touch panel,
Means for acquiring a locus of a touch position on the touch panel;
An input device comprising: means for determining an input content using a locus of the touch position in an end region having a predetermined width along an outer edge of the touch panel. An input method of an input device provided with a touch panel,
The input device is:
A touch position acquisition step of acquiring a locus of a touch position on the touch panel;
An input content specifying step for specifying an input content using a trajectory corresponding to a trajectory of an end portion of the touch panel among touch trajectories acquired in the touch position acquiring step. input method. An input method of an input device provided with a touch panel,
The input device is:
Storage means for storing information for determining input contents in association with a model of a locus of a touch position to a predetermined end of the touch panel;
A touch position acquisition step of acquiring a locus of a touch position on the touch panel;
A trajectory extraction step of extracting a trajectory corresponding to a trajectory of a predetermined end of the touch panel from the trajectory of the touch position acquired by the touch position acquisition unit;
An input method of an input device, comprising: performing an input content specifying step of specifying input content from the track extracted by the track extracting unit using information in the storage unit. An input method of an input device provided with a touch panel,
A frame protruding from the surface of the touch panel is arranged on the outer edge of the touch panel,
The input device is:
Acquire the locus of the touch position on the touch panel,
An input method for an input device, wherein an input content is determined using a locus of the touch position in an end region having a predetermined width along an outer edge of the touch panel.

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