JP2008276369A - Operation input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operation input device capable of preventing erroneous operation. <P>SOLUTION: When an operation area 52A of a touch panel facing an operation key 55 shown in a display screen 51C is operated and its positional information is output from the touch panel, the operation key 55 corresponding to the positional information is not selected but only notified on the display screen 51C (the figure 4(a)) if pressing force to the operation area 52A is less than a predetermined threshold value. Subsequently, when the pressing force exceeds the threshold value, the operation key 55 corresponding to the positional information is selected (the figure 4(b)). A user can select the operation key 55 by increasing the pressing force to the operation area 52A beyond the threshold value after checking notification of the operation key 55 corresponding to the positional information by performing operation to any position inside the operation area 52A, thereby preventing erroneous operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation input device, and more particularly to a touch panel type operation input device in which a user performs an operation on an operation region facing a display screen.

  A general touch panel type operation input device includes a liquid crystal display that performs a predetermined display on a display screen, and a touch panel that is disposed so as to face the display screen. The touch panel is a thin and transparent sheet-like member, and when the user touches any position in the operation area formed on the surface, the position information is output. It is like that.

In such an operation input device, when the operation area on the touch panel facing the operation key displayed on the display screen of the liquid crystal display is operated and the position information is output from the touch panel, the operation key is selected. A process corresponding to the operation key is performed (for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-195188 A

  However, in a conventional touch panel type operation input device, when there is a deviation between the operation key area displayed on the display screen and the operation area on the touch panel corresponding to the operation key, a desired operation key is set. It may not be possible to select well.

  That is, the touch panel on which position information corresponding to the operation key is output in response to the user operation even though the user performs an operation on a position facing a desired operation key in the operation area on the touch panel. Since the upper operation area is shifted, the position information corresponding to the operation key may not be output from the touch panel, and the operation key may not be selected. In such a case, another operation key adjacent to the desired operation key may be selected and an erroneous operation may occur.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an operation input device capable of preventing erroneous operations.

  An operation input device according to a first aspect of the present invention has a display means for displaying an operation key on a display screen, an operation area facing the display screen, and an operation is performed on any position in the operation area. Position information output means for outputting the position information when pressure is detected, pressure detection means for detecting a pressing force for the operation area, which is greater than when the position information can be output, Operation key notifying means for notifying the operation key corresponding to the position information in the first mode when the position information is output from the position information output means in a state where the pressing force is not detected; An operation key selecting means for selecting the operation key corresponding to the position information when the pressing force is detected when the position information is output from the position information output means. That.

  According to such a configuration, when an operation is performed on any position in the operation area in a state where the pressing force is not detected, the operation key corresponding to the position information is not selected, and the operation key is In contrast to the notification, when an operation is performed with the pressing force or higher, an operation key corresponding to the position information is selected.

  Therefore, the user performs an operation on any position in the operation area in a state where the pressing force is not detected, confirms the operation key corresponding to the position information by notification, and then performs the operation on the operation area. The operation key can be selected by performing the operation with a pressing force or higher. That is, if the operation key notified when the operation area is operated in a state where the pressing force is not detected is not a desired operation key, the operation key is selected unless the operation area is operated with the pressing force or more. Since this is not done, erroneous operation can be prevented.

  In the operation input device according to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the operation key notifying unit displays the operation key selected by the operation key selecting unit in a second mode different from the first mode. It is comprised so that it may alert | report.

  According to such a configuration, when an operation is performed on any position in the operation area in a state where the pressing force is not detected, the operation key corresponding to the position information is notified in the first aspect, When the operation is performed at a pressure equal to or higher than the pressing force, the fact that the operation key corresponding to the position information has been selected can be easily notified in a second mode different from the first mode.

  In addition to the above configuration, the operation input device according to the third aspect of the present invention is configured such that the operation key notifying means notifies by displaying on the operation key on the display screen.

  According to such a configuration, since the operation key corresponding to the position in the operation area operated by the user can be notified in an easy-to-understand manner by displaying the operation key, an erroneous operation can be effectively prevented.

  The operation input device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the liquid crystal display in which, in addition to the above configuration, the display means has a first surface and a second surface facing each other, and the display screen is formed on the first surface. Provided with a displacement means, wherein the pressure detection means is opposed to the second surface of the liquid crystal display and is displaced by a pressing force with respect to the operation area, and the pressing force is detected based on the displacement of the displacement means. Configured to do.

  According to such a configuration, when the operation area facing the display screen formed on the first surface of the liquid crystal display is operated, the second of the liquid crystal display that moves to the pressure detection means side by the pressing force. The displacement means can be displaced by the surface. Thus, by adopting a configuration in which the displacement means is displaced on the second surface of the relatively low-flexibility liquid crystal display to detect the pressing force, the liquid crystal is operated with respect to the operation at each position in the operation area. A wider range on the second surface of the display can be moved to the pressure detection means side. Thereby, since the pressing force with respect to the whole operation area | region can be detected with a smaller number of displacement means, manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  According to the present invention, the user performs an operation on any position in the operation area in a state where the pressing force is not detected, and confirms the operation key corresponding to the position information by notification, and then operates the operation area. Since the operation key can be selected by performing an operation on the above with the above pressing force, an erroneous operation can be prevented.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an operation input device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and shows a digital multifunction machine 1 as an example of the operation input device. The digital multi-function peripheral 1 transmits a copy function for printing an image on a sheet by a printer mechanism 3 based on image data of a document read by the scanner 2 and transmits the image data of the document read by the scanner 2 by facsimile from the communication unit 4. It has a facsimile function.

  In addition to the scanner 2, printer mechanism 3, and communication unit 4, the digital multifunction device 1 includes an operation display unit 5 and a memory 6, and these operations are controlled by a control unit 7 including a processor. It is like that. The memory 6 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read-Only Memory).

  The scanner 2 is a document reading unit that irradiates light toward a document and receives reflected light from the document, thereby outputting a signal corresponding to the amount of received light to the control unit 7. Image data of a document is generated based on the signal from the scanner 2, and the generated image data is stored in the memory 6. The printer mechanism 3 is a printing unit that prints an image based on the image data stored in the memory 6 on a sheet. Since the printer mechanism 3 is a well-known printing unit including a photosensitive drum, a charger, a developing device, a transfer device, a fixing device, and the like, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  The communication unit 4 is a communication unit that performs communication with a counterpart terminal such as a facsimile machine. When the digital multi-function peripheral 1 performs facsimile transmission, the communication unit 4 establishes a connection state with the counterpart facsimile machine, and then the image data of the original read by the scanner 2 is transmitted. On the other hand, when performing facsimile reception, image data is received from the other party's facsimile apparatus via the communication unit 4, and an image based on the image data is printed on a sheet by the printer mechanism 3.

  The operation display unit 5 includes a liquid crystal display 51, a touch panel 52, an operation display substrate 53, and a pressure detection switch 54. The liquid crystal display 51 is display means for performing various displays such as operation keys on the display screen. The touch panel 52 is a position information output unit having an operation area facing the display screen of the liquid crystal display 51, and outputs coordinate information as position information of the operation position based on a user operation on the operation area. The pressure detection switch 54 is a pressure detection unit that detects a pressing force with respect to the operation area of the touch panel 52. The liquid crystal display 51, the touch panel 52, and the pressure detection switch 54 are configured as an integral operation display unit 5 by being attached to the operation display substrate 53.

  FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a configuration example of the operation display unit 5. In the operation display unit 5, a plurality of pressure detection switches 54 are attached on the substrate surface 53 </ b> A of the operation display substrate 53. A liquid crystal display 51 is provided so as to face the pressure detection switches 54, and a liquid crystal display is provided. A touch panel 52 is provided so as to face the display 51 opposite to the operation display substrate 53.

  The liquid crystal display 51 is formed in a thin plate shape having a first surface 51 </ b> A and a second surface 51 </ b> B facing each other, the first surface 51 </ b> A is opposed to the touch panel 52, and the second surface 51 </ b> B is the operation display substrate 53. It arrange | positions so as to oppose the substrate surface 53A. On the first surface 51A of the liquid crystal display 51, a display screen 51C for performing various displays such as operation keys is formed.

  The touch panel 52 covers the entire display screen 51C of the liquid crystal display 51, and an area facing the display screen 51C forms an operation area 52A in which position information is output in response to a user operation. The touch panel 52 is composed of a thin sheet-like member having at least an operation region 52 </ b> A and is formed as a member having higher flexibility than the liquid crystal display 51 by being formed thinner than the liquid crystal display 51. Has been.

  The touch panel 52 is a pressure-sensitive touch panel that outputs position information of an operation position when an operation is performed with respect to any position in the operation area 52A with a pressing force equal to or greater than a predetermined first threshold value. is there. In the operation display unit 5, when the user touches the operation area 52 </ b> A on the touch panel 52 facing the operation key displayed on the display screen 51 </ b> C of the liquid crystal display 51, position information corresponding to the operation key is obtained. The operation key is output from the touch panel 52, and the operation key is selected based on the output signal.

  The pressure detection switch 54 is provided with a displacement portion 54 </ b> A that faces the second surface 51 </ b> B of the liquid crystal display 51 and is displaced by a pressing force applied to the operation area 52 </ b> A of the touch panel 52. That is, when the liquid crystal display 51 is bent by an operation on the operation area 52A of the touch panel 52, the second surface of the liquid crystal display 51 is moved, and the displacement portion 54A is pressed by the second surface, so that the operation display substrate 53 side. To be displaced.

  When the displacement amount of the displacement portion 54A toward the operation display substrate 53 side reaches a predetermined value, wiring that conducts through the conduction portion formed in the displacement portion 54A on the substrate surface 53A of the operation display substrate 53. Is formed (not shown). Thereby, the pressure detection switch 54 is based on the fact that the wiring is conducted when the operation area 52A of the touch panel 52 is pressed with a predetermined pressing force and the displacement amount of the displacement portion 54A reaches the predetermined value. A predetermined pressing force can be detected. The predetermined pressing force is set to a second threshold value that is larger than the first threshold value at which position information can be output from the touch panel 52 by an operation on the operation region 52A.

  In this example, the operation display unit 5 is provided with five pressure detection switches 54 facing the four corners and the center of the second surface 51B of the liquid crystal display 51. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and for example, a configuration in which the pressure detection switches 54 are provided only at the four corners of the second surface 51B of the liquid crystal display 51 may be used. The configuration may be such that only one pressure detection switch 54 is provided at the center of the surface 51B.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the control unit 7. Based on the position information output from the touch panel 52, the control unit 7 notifies the operation key corresponding to the position information on the display screen 51C of the liquid crystal display 51, selects the operation key, and selects the operation key. It is a control means which performs control which performs the process corresponding to an operation key. The control unit 7 includes an operation key notification unit 71, an operation key selection unit 72, and a process execution unit 73, and each of these functional blocks is realized by a computer program executed by the control unit 7.

  The memory 6 stores position information in association with each operation key displayed on the display screen 51C of the liquid crystal display 51. That is, the coordinate range corresponding to each operation key in the operation area 52A of the touch panel 52 is stored in the memory 6 as position information. Therefore, when an operation is performed on the operation area 52A of the touch panel 52, an operation key whose coordinates of the operation position are included in the coordinate range may be specified based on the position information stored in the memory 6. it can.

  The operation key selection unit 72 specifies the corresponding operation key on the display screen 51C of the liquid crystal display 51 based on the position information output from the touch panel 52, and based on the detection signal from the pressure detection switch 54, It is an operation key selection means for selecting the specified operation key. The process execution unit 73 executes a process corresponding to the operation key selected by the operation key selection unit 72.

  The operation key notifying unit 71 is an operation key notifying unit that notifies the user of the operation key by changing the display mode of the operation key on the display screen 51C of the liquid crystal display 51. The operation key notifying unit 71 identifies a corresponding operation key on the display screen 51C of the liquid crystal display 51 based on the position information output from the touch panel 52, and changes the display mode of the operation key on the display screen 51C. As a result, the operation key is notified to the user. Further, when any operation key on the display screen 51C of the liquid crystal display 51 is selected by the operation key selection unit 72, the operation key notifying unit 71 changes the display mode of the operation key to change the operation key. Informs the user of the operation key.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a notification mode of the operation key 55 on the display screen 51C of the liquid crystal display 51. FIG. (B) has shown the case where the pressing force with respect to 52 A of operation areas is more than a 2nd threshold value.

  When the user operates the operation area 52A of the touch panel 52 facing any one of the operation keys 55 displayed on the display screen 51C of the liquid crystal display 51, the pressing force is not less than the first threshold and less than the second threshold. If there is, the position information is output from the touch panel 52, and the operation key 55 corresponding to the position information is notified on the display screen 51C. However, at this time, the detection signal from the pressure detection switch 54 is not output, and the process of selecting the operation key 55 corresponding to the position information is not performed.

  That is, when position information is output from the touch panel 52 in a state where the pressure detection switch 54 has not detected a pressing force equal to or greater than the second threshold value on the operation area 52A of the touch panel 52, the operation key 55 corresponding to the position information is output. Is not selected, and the operation key 55 is notified to the user. In this example, as shown in FIG. 4A, the operation key on the display screen 51 </ b> C of the liquid crystal display 51 is displayed according to the first mode in which only a part of the operation key 55 corresponding to the position information is displayed in reverse video. Notification is performed by display on 55.

  In this state, when the user increases the pressing force on the operation area 52A of the touch panel 52 and the pressing force becomes the second threshold value or more, a detection signal is output from the pressure detection switch 54, and the position information of the operation position A process of selecting the operation key 55 corresponding to is performed. That is, when the position information is output from the touch panel 52 and the pressure detection switch 54 detects a pressing force equal to or greater than the second threshold value on the operation area 52A of the touch panel 52, the operation key corresponding to the position information. 55 is selected.

  At this time, on the display screen 51C of the liquid crystal display 51, the selected operation key 55 is notified in a mode different from the first mode. In this example, as shown in FIG. 4B, the operation key 55 on the display screen 51 </ b> C of the liquid crystal display 51 is displayed by the second mode in which the entire operation key 55 corresponding to the position information is displayed in reverse video. The notification is made by displaying the above.

  The notification mode as shown in FIG. 4 is used when the area of the operation key 55 displayed on the display screen 51C of the liquid crystal display 51 is sufficiently larger than the area of a general user's fingertip. It is valid.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a modified example of the notification mode of the operation key 55 on the display screen 51C of the liquid crystal display 51. FIG. 5A is a diagram in which the pressing force on the operation region 52A is equal to or higher than the first threshold and lower than the second threshold. In the case, (b) shows a case where the pressing force on the operation region 52A is equal to or larger than the second threshold value.

  In this example, when position information is output from the touch panel 52 in a state where the pressure detection switch 54 has not detected a pressing force equal to or greater than the second threshold value on the operation area 52A of the touch panel 52, an operation corresponding to the position information is performed. The key 55 is not selected, and the operation key 55 is notified to the user in a manner as shown in FIG. That is, according to the first mode in which the entire operation key 55 corresponding to the position information is displayed in reverse video, the notification is performed by displaying the operation key 55 on the display screen 51C of the liquid crystal display 51. .

  On the other hand, when the position information is output from the touch panel 52 and the pressure detection switch 54 detects a pressing force equal to or greater than the second threshold value on the operation area 52A of the touch panel 52, an operation key corresponding to the position information. 55 is selected, and the operation key 55 is notified to the user in a manner as shown in FIG. That is, in accordance with the second mode in which the entire operation key 55 corresponding to the position information is displayed in a blinking manner, notification is performed by displaying the operation key 55 on the display screen 51C of the liquid crystal display 51. .

  In the notification mode as shown in FIG. 5, the area of the operation key 55 displayed on the display screen 51C of the liquid crystal display 51 is the same as or smaller than the area of a general user's fingertip. It is effective in the case.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing performed by the digital multi-function peripheral 1 when an operation is performed on the operation area 52 </ b> A of the touch panel 52. When the user performs an operation by pressing any position in the operation area 52 </ b> A of the touch panel 52, if the pressing force is equal to or greater than the first threshold (Yes in step S <b> 101), the position information is read from the touch panel 52. Is output (step S102).

  At this time, if the pressing force on the operation area 52A of the touch panel 52 is less than the second threshold value (No in step S103), the detection signal from the pressure detection switch 54 is not output, and the operation corresponding to the position information of the operation position. The key 55 is notified in the first mode (step S106). After that, while the pressing force on the operation area 52A is maintained at the first threshold value or more and less than the second threshold value (Yes in Step S107, No in Step S103), the operation key 55 on the display screen 51C of the liquid crystal display 51 is displayed. The notification is maintained in the first mode.

  From this state, when the pressing force on the operation area 52A of the touch panel 52 is weakened to less than the first threshold value, such as when the user stops the operation on the touch panel 52 (No in step S107), the liquid crystal display device The notification of the operation key 55 on the display screen 51C of 51 ends.

  On the other hand, when the pressing force on the operation area 52A of the touch panel 52 rises to the second threshold or more (Yes in step S103), a detection signal is output from the pressure detection switch 54, and corresponds to the position information of the operation position. Processing for selecting the operation key 55 is performed (step S104). At this time, the operation key 55 corresponding to the position information of the operation position is notified in a second mode different from the first mode (step S105).

  In the present embodiment, an operation is performed at a position within the operation region 52A with a pressure greater than or equal to the first threshold value in a state where the pressure detection switch 54 does not detect a pressure greater than or equal to the second threshold value. Sometimes, the operation key 55 corresponding to the position information is not selected and only the operation key 55 is notified, whereas when operated with a pressing force equal to or greater than the second threshold, the position information corresponds to the position information. The operation key 55 is selected.

  Accordingly, the user performs an operation on any position in the operation area 52A in a state where the pressing force equal to or greater than the second threshold is not detected, and confirms the operation key 55 corresponding to the position information by notification, The operation key 55 can be selected by setting the pressing force on the operation region 52A to be equal to or greater than the second threshold value. That is, when the operation key 55 notified when the operation area 52A is operated in a state where the pressing force equal to or greater than the second threshold is not detected, the pressing force applied to the operation area 52A is equal to or greater than the second threshold. Otherwise, the operation key 55 is not selected, so that an erroneous operation can be prevented.

  In the present embodiment, when an operation is performed on any position in the operation region 52A in a state where the pressure detection switch 54 does not detect a pressing force equal to or greater than the second threshold, an operation corresponding to the position information is performed. When the key 55 is notified in the first mode and is operated with a pressing force equal to or greater than the second threshold, the second mode is different from the first mode in that the operation key 55 corresponding to the position information is selected. It is possible to inform in an easy-to-understand manner. At the time of these notifications, the operation key 55 corresponding to the position in the operation area 52A operated by the user can be notified in an easy-to-understand manner by displaying on the operation key 55, so that an erroneous operation can be effectively prevented.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the operation area 52A facing the display screen 51C formed on the first surface 51A of the liquid crystal display 51 is operated, the liquid crystal moves to the pressure detection switch 54 side by the pressing force. The displacement portion 54A can be displaced by the second surface 51B of the display 51. As described above, the displacement portion 54A is displaced by the second surface 51B of the relatively inflexible liquid crystal display 51 to detect the pressing force, so that the operation at each position in the operation region 52A can be performed. On the other hand, a wider range on the second surface 51B of the liquid crystal display 51 can be moved to the pressure detection switch 54 side. Thereby, since the pressing force with respect to the whole operation area | region 52A can be detected with a smaller number of displacement parts 54A, manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  In the above embodiment, the pressure-sensitive touch panel 52 has been described as an example, but it is also possible to employ an electrostatic touch panel that outputs position information based on a change in capacitance within the operation region. . In this case, the first threshold, which is a pressing force when position information can be output from the touch panel, may be “0”.

  In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the pressure detection switch 54 as the pressure detection means is provided on the operation display substrate 53 side with respect to the liquid crystal display 51 has been described. The structure provided in the touch panel 52 side with respect to the indicator 51 may be sufficient. In this case, a configuration in which a transparent pressure detecting means is provided between the liquid crystal display 51 and the touch panel 52 may be employed.

  In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the notification of the operation key 55 displayed on the display screen 51C of the liquid crystal display 51 is performed by the display on the operation key 55 on the display screen 51C has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and a configuration in which display is performed on an area different from the operation key 55 on the display screen 51C may be used. Further, the configuration is not limited to the configuration in which the operation key 55 is notified by the display on the display screen 51C of the liquid crystal display 51, and the configuration in which the notification is performed in other modes such as voice may be used.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the digital multi-function peripheral 1 as an example of the operation input device has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the digital multi-function peripheral, and an operation in which a user faces the display screen. The present invention can also be applied to other operation input devices that can perform an operation on a region.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an operation input device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and illustrates a digital multi-function peripheral as an example of the operation input device. It is the disassembled perspective view which showed the structural example of the operation display part. It is the functional block diagram which showed the structural example of the control part. It is the figure which showed an example of the alerting | reporting mode of the operation key in the display screen of a liquid crystal display, (a) is when the pressing force with respect to an operation area is more than a 1st threshold value and less than a 2nd threshold value, (b) is with respect to an operation area. The case where the pressing force is equal to or greater than the second threshold is shown. It is the figure which showed the modification of the alerting | reporting mode of the operation key in the display screen of a liquid crystal display, (a) is a case where the pressing force with respect to an operation area is more than a 1st threshold value and less than a 2nd threshold value, (b) is an operation area. The case where the pressing force with respect to is the second threshold value or more is shown. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing by the digital multi-function peripheral when an operation is performed on an operation area of the touch panel.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital multifunction machine 5 Operation display part 6 Memory 7 Control part 51 Liquid crystal display 51A 1st surface 51B 2nd surface 51C Display screen 52 Touch panel 52A Operation area 53 Operation display board 54 Pressure detection switch 54A Displacement part 55 Operation key 71 Operation key Notification unit 72 Operation key selection unit 73 Processing execution unit

Claims (4)

Display means for displaying operation keys on the display screen;
A position information output unit that has an operation area facing the display screen and outputs position information when an operation is performed on any position in the operation area;
Pressure detecting means for detecting a pressing force with respect to the operation area, which is larger than when the position information can be output;
Operation key notifying means for notifying the operation key corresponding to the position information in the first mode when the position information is output from the position information output means in a state where the pressing force is not detected; ,
And an operation key selection unit that selects the operation key corresponding to the position information when the pressing force is detected when the position information is output from the position information output unit. Operation input device to do.   2. The operation input device according to claim 1, wherein the operation key notifying unit notifies the operation key selected by the operation key selecting unit in a second mode different from the first mode.   The operation input device according to claim 1, wherein the operation key notifying unit performs notification by displaying the operation key on the display screen. The display means includes a liquid crystal display having a first surface and a second surface facing each other, and the display screen is formed on the first surface.
The pressure detection means includes a displacement means that is opposed to the second surface of the liquid crystal display and is displaced by a pressing force with respect to the operation area, and detects the pressing force based on a displacement of the displacement means. The operation input device according to claim 1.

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