JP2010066899A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve input operability to the panel display surface of a touch panel. <P>SOLUTION: A control part detects a depressing operation to a panel display surface 3, and detects a depressed position. An operation reference position 40 is preliminarily set on the panel display surface 3, and a reference position recognition part 41 for making a user recognize that the finger of the user has been brought into contact with the panel display surface 3 at the operation reference position 40 by a tactile feeling is installed at the operation reference position 40. The control part sets the operation input position having a prescribed range in any region other than the reference position 40 on the panel display surface 3. When the depressing operation at the operation input position is detected, the control part executes prescribed processing preliminarily set according to the operation input position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device having a touch panel.

  In an input device having a touch panel, an operation input is performed by pressing a button icon displayed on the touch panel.

JP 2004-171512 A

  In the case of an input device having a plurality of buttons having a three-dimensional shape, a user who is accustomed to operation input continuously determines the next operation input position based on the tactile sensation of the finger when pressing the button. It is possible to quickly perform the operation input. For example, in the case of a portable terminal device, when the user becomes accustomed to the input operation using the thumb of the hand holding the terminal device, the next operation input position can be instantaneously determined based on the tactile sensation of the thumb.

  However, a general touch panel cannot recognize an input position by tactile sensation. For this reason, in an input device that employs a touch panel, it is difficult to sensuously determine the next operation input position based on the tactile sensation of the finger, leading to a decrease in input operability.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an input device with good input operability.

  The input device of the present invention comprises display means, input detection means, operation reference position, reference position contact notification means, operation input position setting means, processing execution means, and display control means.

  The display means has a panel display surface. The input detection means detects a pressing operation on the panel display surface and detects a position where the pressing operation is performed.

  The operation reference position is set in advance with respect to the panel display surface. The reference position notification means allows the user to recognize that the user's finger is in contact with the panel display surface at the operation reference position.

  The operation input position setting means sets an operation input position having a predetermined range for an area other than the reference position on the panel display surface. When the input detection unit detects a pressing operation at the operation input position, the process execution unit executes a predetermined process set in advance corresponding to the operation input position. The display control means displays a predetermined icon indicating the operation input position on the display means.

  According to the present invention, the input operability on the panel display surface is improved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Each embodiment is an exemplification of the present invention, does not limit the present invention, and can be arbitrarily changed within the scope of the present invention.

[Embodiment 1]
As shown in FIG. 1, the input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a portable terminal device 1.

(1) Configuration <External configuration of terminal device>
The terminal device 1 has a rectangular plate shape and includes a panel display surface 3 on the front surface. In addition, the terminal device 1 includes a speaker 15 and a microphone 16 (shown in FIG. 2), an infrared port (not shown), a USB terminal, an external memory housing unit, a charging terminal, a power switch, and the like. The external memory accommodating portion accommodates an external memory 21 (shown in FIG. 2) such as a memory stick or a memory card.

<System configuration of terminal device>
The system configuration of the terminal device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic system configuration of a main part of the terminal device 1.

  The terminal device 1 includes a control unit 11, an output interface 12, an input interface 13, a backlight 14, the speaker 15, the microphone 16, a storage unit 17, a GPS unit 18, a wireless unit 19, an external input terminal interface 20, and the like. Yes.

  The storage unit 17 includes a main memory including a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory).

  The control unit 11 includes a main control unit including a central processing unit (CPU) and peripheral devices thereof, and an image control unit including an image processing unit (GPU: Graphic Processing Unit) that performs drawing in a frame buffer. And a sound control unit including a sound processing unit (SPU) that generates musical sounds, sound effects, and the like.

  The main control unit includes a CPU and a peripheral device control unit that performs interrupt control, direct memory access (DMA) transfer control, and the like.

  The voice control unit includes an SPU that generates musical sounds, sound effects, and the like under the control of the main control unit, and a sound buffer in which waveform data and the like are recorded by the SPU. Is output from the speaker 15. For example, the SPU reproduces waveform data stored in the sound buffer, and ADPCM decoding function that reproduces audio data that is adaptive predictive coding (ADPCM: Adaptive Differential PCM) using 16-bit audio data as a 4-bit differential signal. Thus, a reproduction function for generating sound effects and the like, a modulation function for modulating and reproducing waveform data stored in the sound buffer, and the like are provided. The SPU also has a function of supplying audio data supplied from the microphone 16 to the CPU. When an external sound is input, the microphone 16 performs A / D conversion based on a predetermined sampling frequency and the number of quantization bits, and supplies the audio data to the SPU.

  The image control unit includes a geometry transfer engine (GTE), a GPU, a frame buffer, and an image decoder. The GTE includes, for example, a parallel operation mechanism that executes a plurality of operations in parallel, and performs operations such as coordinate conversion, light source calculation, matrix, or vector at high speed in response to a calculation request from the CPU. Then, the main control unit defines a three-dimensional model as a combination of basic unit graphics (polygons) such as a triangle and a quadrangle based on a calculation result by GTE, and assigns each polygon for drawing a three-dimensional image. The corresponding drawing command is sent to the GPU. The GPU performs drawing of a polygon (polygon) or the like on the frame buffer in accordance with a drawing command from the main control unit. The frame buffer stores an image drawn by the GPU. The frame buffer is formed of a so-called dual port RAM, and can perform drawing from the GPU or transfer from the main memory of the storage unit 17 and reading for display at the same time. In addition to the display area output as video output, the frame buffer stores a CLUT area in which a color look-up table (CLUT) referred to when the GPU performs drawing of polygons and the like is stored. In addition, a texture area is provided in which a material (texture) to be inserted (mapped) into a polygon or the like that is coordinate-converted at the time of drawing and drawn by the GPU is stored. These CLUT area and texture area are dynamically changed according to the change of the display area. Under the control of the main control unit, the image decoder decodes still image data or moving image data stored in the main memory of the storage unit 17 and compressed and encoded by orthogonal transform such as discrete cosine transform, and stores it in the main memory. Remember.

  The ROM of the storage unit 17 stores a program such as an operating system for controlling each unit of the terminal device 1. The CPU of the control unit 11 reads the operating system stored in the ROM into the main memory of the storage unit 17 and controls the entire terminal device 1 by executing the read operating system. Further, the ROM has a control program for controlling each part of the terminal device 1 and various peripheral devices connected to the terminal device 1, a video playback program for playing back video content, and a function for playing games in the CPU. Various programs such as a game program to be realized are stored.

  The main memory of the storage unit 17 stores various data such as a program read from the ROM by the CPU and data used when executing various programs.

  The GPS unit 18 receives a radio wave transmitted by the artificial satellite under the control of the control unit 11, obtains position information (latitude, longitude, altitude, etc.) of the terminal device 1 using this and outputs it to the control unit 11. .

  The wireless communication unit 19 performs wireless communication with other terminal devices via the infrared port under the control of the control unit 11.

  The external input terminal interface 20 includes a USB terminal and a USB controller, and USB connection is performed with an external device via the USB terminal.

  The external memory 21 accommodated in the external memory accommodating unit is connected to the control unit 11 via a parallel I / O interface (PIO) and a serial I / O interface (SIO) (not shown).

  The output interface 12 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) 22 and an LCD controller 23. The LCD 22 is obtained by modularizing an LCD panel 26 (shown in FIG. 4), a driver circuit, and the like. The LCD controller 23 has a built-in RAM that temporarily stores the image data output from the frame buffer of the control unit 11, and the image data in the RAM is stored at a predetermined timing under the control of the control unit (main control unit) 11. Is read out and output to the LCD 22.

  The input interface 13 includes a resistive touch panel 24 and a touch panel controller 25. On the surface (outer surface) of the touch panel 24, the exterior panel 2 formed in a thin plate shape with a transparent resin material is attached in a close state. The surface (outer surface) of the exterior panel 2 constitutes a panel display surface 3 that receives a pressing operation from a user's finger, pen, or the like.

  The touch panel 24 has a structure in which a plurality of electrode sheets on which transparent electrodes are formed are arranged at predetermined intervals with the electrode surfaces facing each other, and is arranged on the display screen of the LCD 22 (LCD panel 26). (See FIG. 4). When the panel display surface 3 of the exterior panel 2 is pressed (pressed down) with a user's finger or pen, the electrode sheets of the touch panel 24 come into contact with each other, and the resistance value on each electrode sheet changes. The touch panel controller 25 detects a pressed position (operation input position) as a coordinate value by detecting a resistance change on each electrode sheet, and the control unit 11 uses the coordinate value as operation input position information (operation signal). Output to. That is, the input interface 13 functions as an input detection unit that detects a pressing operation from the user's finger on the panel display surface 3 and detects a position where the pressing operation is performed.

  The touch panel 24 has a transparent thin plate shape, and is closely arranged on the display screen of the LCD 22. Therefore, the image on the display screen of the LCD 22 is easily visible from the panel display surface 3 through the touch panel 24 and the exterior panel 2, and the LCD 22, the touch panel 24, and the exterior panel 2 constitute display means. ing. Further, the position of the image on the LCD 22 (apparent position) seen on the panel display surface 3 via the exterior panel 2 and the touch panel 24 and the position of the image on the display screen of the LCD 22 (actual position) are almost shifted. Match without.

  The input interface is not limited to the resistive touch panel 24, and has a function of detecting a pressing operation from the user's finger on the panel display surface and detecting a position where the pressing operation is performed. I just need it. For example, instead of the resistive film method, various types of input interfaces such as a capacitance method, an image recognition method, and an optical method can be used. In the capacitance method, an operation input position is detected by forming a low-voltage electric field on the entire surface of the touch panel and detecting a change in surface charge when a finger touches the touch panel. In the image recognition method, an image such as a finger that contacts the LCD display screen is captured by a plurality of image sensors arranged in the vicinity of the LCD display screen, and an operation input position is detected by analyzing the captured image. In the optical system, a light emitter is arranged on one of the vertical walls and one of the horizontal walls of the peripheral wall surrounding the LCD display screen, and a light receiving unit is arranged on the other of the vertical walls and the other of the horizontal walls. The operation input position is detected by detecting the vertical and horizontal positions of the light blocked by the touching finger. That is, in the image recognition method and the optical method, it is not necessary to provide a touch panel, and the image display surface of the LCD is a panel display surface that receives a pressing operation from the user.

  The backlight 14 is disposed on the back side of the LCD 22 (LCD panel 26), and irradiates light from the back side of the LCD 22 toward the front side under the control of the control unit 11. Note that the backlight 14 may emit light in accordance with control from the LCD controller 23.

<Software configuration of terminal device>
With reference to FIG. 3, the software configuration of the terminal device 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic software configuration of a main part of the terminal device 1.

  In the software configuration of the device terminal 1, a device driver layer, a framework layer, a device middleware layer, and an application layer are defined from the lower side.

  The device driver layer is software for operating the control unit 11 and hardware connected to the control unit 11. For example, a device driver for operating the audio conversion module, an LCD driver for operating the LCD, a driver for operating the backlight driver, and the like are included as appropriate.

  The framework layer is software that provides general-purpose functions to application programs and manages various resources operated by a device driver. For example, the framework layer transmits a command generated by any application program executed in a middleware layer or an application layer described later to the device driver. The framework layer is commonly used by many application software, such as input / output of data to / from the storage unit 17 and the external memory 21 and management of input / output functions such as operation input from the touch panel 24 and screen output to the LCD 22. Provides the basic functions used and manages the entire system.

  The middleware layer is configured by middleware that operates on the framework and provides application programs with higher-level and specific functions than the framework. Here, as middleware, a voice synthesis middleware for providing a basic function of a technique for synthesizing an output voice from the speaker 15 and a basic function of a technique for recognizing a voice input from the microphone 16 are provided. Voice recognition middleware, multi-touch detection middleware for providing a basic function of technology for detecting operation input from the touch panel 24, and video output middleware for providing a basic function of technology for outputting video to the LCD 22 Etc. are prepared.

  Various application programs are executed in the uppermost application layer. In the terminal device 1, for example, communication application, web browser, file exchange application, audio player, music search application, music streaming, recording tool, photo viewer (Photo Viewer), text editor (Text Editor), game application, etc. In addition to these applications, menu display tools, setting tools, etc., an application manager for managing these application software and a development environment are provided.

<Configuration of exterior panel>
As shown in FIG. 1, an operation reference position 40 having a predetermined range is set at a predetermined position on the left and right of the panel display surface 3 in a state where the terminal device 1 is disposed horizontally. Each operation reference position 40 is formed with a reference position recognition unit 41 that allows the user to recognize that the user's finger is in contact with the panel display surface 3 at the operation reference position 40 by the tactile sensation of the finger. Note that the operation reference position 40 of the present embodiment is set to a position that can be pressed by the thumb of the hand holding the terminal device 1 when the user uses the terminal device 1 by hand.

  As the reference position recognition unit 41, for example, an outer surface shape such as a convex portion 42 (shown in FIG. 4) integrally protruding from the panel display surface 3 or a concave portion 43 (shown in FIG. 5) recessed from the panel display surface 3 is used. There may be. Moreover, the structure which provided the partial hollow part 44 (shown in FIG. 6) inside the exterior panel 2, and formed the thin part 45 in the panel display surface 3 side may be sufficient. In this case, since the thin portion 45 is easily bent when the operation reference position 40 is pressed with a finger, the user can recognize the operation reference position 40 by its tactile sensation. It should be noted that when viewing the image on the LCD 22 from the panel display surface 3 side, the difference in appearance is unlikely to occur between the place where the hollow portion 44 is provided (operation reference position 40) and other places. A liquid, gel, elastomer or the like having the same or similar refractive index as that of the exterior panel 2 may be sealed in the hollow portion 44.

In addition, you may comprise the exterior panel 2 as a member of the touch panel 24 as a surface sheet which covers the electrode sheet of the touch panel 24, without making it separate from the touch panel 24. FIG.
Further, in the following, in order to distinguish the left and right operation reference positions 40 and the reference position recognition unit 41, description will be made by appropriately assigning an L code on the left side and an R code on the right side.

<Functional configuration of terminal device>
A configuration relating to an operation input management process realized by executing the input operation management program by the control unit 11 of the terminal device 1 having the above system configuration and software configuration will be described. The input operation management program may be stored in the storage unit 17 as a single application, or may be stored in the storage unit 17 or the external memory 21 in a state of being included in an individual application such as a game application. Good. When the input operation management program is stored as a single application, the input operation management program may be executed under the management of another application. In the following, unless otherwise specified, the process executed by the control unit 11 in accordance with the operation input management process is referred to as a main process.

  In the operation input management process, the control unit 11 specifies one input display pattern from among a plurality of input display patterns stored in advance, and indicates a plurality of input operation positions according to the specified input display pattern. The input position display icon 30 is displayed at a predetermined position on the panel display surface 3. Each input operation position has a predetermined range, and the input position display icon 30 is displayed in substantially the same range as the input operation position. Each input operation position (display position of each display icon 30) is set in advance in the area excluding the two operation reference positions 40 on the panel display surface 3 with the operation reference position 40 as a reference.

  As a plurality of input display patterns, for example, a game button display pattern (shown in FIG. 1) suitable for game execution, a keyboard display pattern suitable for character input with both hands, and music data input, although not particularly shown. A keyboard display pattern suitable for the mobile phone, a mobile phone display pattern suitable for character input with one hand and both hands, and the like are set. In the present embodiment, a case where a game button display pattern is displayed will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the game button display pattern, in the left region of the panel display surface 3 in a state where the terminal device 1 is arranged horizontally, the left and right operation reference positions 40L (reference position recognition unit 41L) are vertically and horizontally In addition, the up direction key icon 31U, the down direction key icon 31D, the left direction key icon 31L, and the right direction key icon 31R are respectively used as the input position display icon 30 (hereinafter referred to as the left icon group 30L) as a reference position recognition unit 41L. Is displayed close to. Further, in the right area of the panel display surface 3, a △ button icon 32B, a x button icon 32D, a □ button icon 32C, and a ◯ button icon 32A are provided on the upper, lower, left and right sides of the right operation reference position 40R (reference position recognition unit 41R). Are displayed in the vicinity of the reference position recognition unit 41R as the input position display icon 30 (hereinafter referred to as the right icon group 30R). Each button icon 31U, 31D, 31L, 31R, 32A, 32B, 32C, 32D is combined with a mark for identifying the button (for example, the up arrow for the up direction key icon 31U and the circle for the ○ button icon 32A). Is displayed. Note that the operation input position 30 of the present embodiment is set to a position where the user can press the terminal device 1 with both thumbs when using the terminal device 1 with both hands.

  The control unit 11 may specify a preset input display pattern immediately after the start of the operation input management process, and may specify one input display pattern according to the subsequent operation input from the user. A predetermined input display pattern may be specified according to (for example, a game application).

  When the control unit 11 receives the operation input position information from the input interface 13 in a state where the game button display pattern is displayed, the coordinate position indicated by the operation input position information corresponds to the position corresponding to the display area of the input position display icon 30 ( It is determined whether or not a predetermined input operation has been performed by the user, and corresponding to the input position display icon 30 (input operation position) in advance. The attached control signal is supplied to the main processing. That is, the control unit 11 sets an operation input position having a predetermined range with respect to an area of the panel display surface 3 excluding the operation reference position 40, and the input interface 13 is the operation input position. When a pressing operation is detected, it functions as a process execution means for executing a process set in advance corresponding to the operation input position. Note that the range of the operation input position and the display range of the input position display icon 30 do not have to be substantially the same, and it is sufficient that the ranges of both are at least overlapping.

  On the other hand, when the coordinate position indicated by the operation input position information received from the input interface 13 is the operation reference position 40, the control unit 11 does not particularly supply a control signal to the main process.

  In addition, when the control unit 11 receives operation input information corresponding to a plurality of operation input positions from the input interface 13 at the same time, the combination of the operation input positions is an appropriate combination that is set in advance or is not set properly. It is determined whether it is a proper combination. When it determines with the said combination being appropriate, the control part 11 supplies the control signal previously matched with the combination with respect to the main process.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the above combination is inappropriate, it is estimated that the pressing operation is an erroneous operation. Therefore, the control unit 11 invalidates all the pressing operations for the plurality of operation input positions, and performs the main process. Control signal is not output. For example, regarding the four operation input positions around the left operation basic position 40L, two sets of operation input positions (a combination of the up key icon 31U and the down key icon 31D) that face each other across the operation basic position 40L. The combination of the left direction key icon 31L and the right direction key icon 31R) is set as inappropriate. The four operation input positions around the operation basic position 40R on the right side are two operation input positions (a combination of the △ button icon 32B and the x button icon 32D and the □ button) facing each other across the operation basic position 40R. The combination of the icon 32C and the ○ button icon 32A) is set as inappropriate.

  Note that the input interface 13 may be configured not to output the operation input position information when the panel display surface 3 is pressed at the operation reference position 40. Such an input interface 13 can be realized by various structures. As an example, in the case of the input interface 13 including the resistive film type touch panel 24, a structure in which an electrode sheet is not provided at the operation reference position 40 or an insulator is disposed between the electrode sheets may be used.

  In the example of FIG. 1, the left and right reference position recognition units 41 are set to a size that is not adjacent to each input position display icon 30, but the relationship between the two is not limited thereto. As shown in FIG. 7, the left and right reference position recognition units 41 may be set to a shape and size that enter between the input position display icons 30 and are adjacent to the input position icons 30.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the reference position recognition unit 41 is provided that allows the user to recognize that the user's finger is in contact with the panel display surface 3 at the operation reference position 40 by the tactile sensation of the finger. Without providing the position recognition unit 41, the user may be made to recognize that the user's finger is in contact with the panel display surface 3 at the operation reference position 40 by another method. For example, when the coordinate position indicated by the operation input position information received from the input interface 13 is the operation reference position 40, the control unit 11 causes a predetermined part of the panel display surface 3 to flash and emit light, or output a notification sound from the speaker 15. For example, the above state may be notified. Furthermore, if it is the terminal device 1 which has a vibration function, you may alert | report the said state by vibrating the terminal device 1. FIG. In addition, the above state may be notified by applying weak electrical stimulation or warm / cold stimulation to the user's finger.

  Further, the control unit 11 associates in advance with the input position display icon 30 pressed by the user, on the condition that the pressing operation of at least one of the left and right operation reference positions 40L and 40R is detected. The generated control signal may be supplied to the main process. In such a configuration, the control corresponding to the input operation position is performed only when it is estimated that the user appropriately supports the operation terminal 1 (when the pressing operation is detected at the operation reference position 40). Since the signal is supplied to the main process, the operation input management process is erroneously started while the user is not using the mobile terminal 1 (for example, while being carried in a bag or the like). Even so, the main process unintended by the user is not executed.

(2) Operation Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

  The user performs an operation input to the terminal device 1 by pressing the input position display icon 30 displayed on the panel display surface 3 with a finger.

  In this operation input, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the user holds both left and right sides of the terminal device 1 in the landscape orientation with both hands, and places the left and right thumbs at the left and right operation reference positions 40 (reference position recognition unit 41). Then, with the reference position recognition unit 41 as the home position, a desired input display icon 30 is pressed while appropriately moving the thumb from the reference position recognition unit 41 in the vertical and horizontal directions as necessary.

  As described above, by using the reference position recognition unit 41 as the home position, it is possible to perform an operation input while recognizing the operation reference position 40 (reference position recognition unit 41) based on the feeling of the skin of the finger. Therefore, the user can sensibly determine the next operation input position based on the tactile sensation of the finger in the reference position recognition unit 41. Further, continuous operation input can be quickly performed as the user gets used to the input operation.

  When the user simultaneously presses a plurality of operation input positions in an inappropriate combination, the control unit 11 invalidates the operation and does not supply a control signal to the main process. Therefore, an inappropriate control signal is not provided to the main process due to such an erroneous operation, and the possibility that the controller 11 malfunctions due to the inappropriate control signal can be eliminated.

[Embodiment 2]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that, in each of the following embodiments, description of portions common to the first embodiment will be omitted.

  In the first embodiment, the control unit 11 that has received operation input information corresponding to two operation input positions at the same time determines whether or not the combination of the operation input positions is an appropriate combination set in advance, If it is determined that the above combination is inappropriate, both pressing operations for the two operation input positions are invalidated, and no control signal is output to the main process. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the control unit 11 functions as a pressing range detection unit, and when it is determined that the above combination is inappropriate, the operation input intended by the user among the pressing operations for the two operation input positions is performed. By estimating the position, one is determined to be successful and the other is determined to be invalid. The control unit 11 outputs a control signal corresponding to the pressing operation determined to be valid to the main process, and does not output a control signal corresponding to the pressing operation determined to be invalid.

  For example, when two operation input positions (first operation input position and second operation input position) that are an inappropriate combination are pressed simultaneously, the control unit 11 includes a plurality of information indicated by the received operation input position information. On the basis of the coordinate position, a pressing range (area) included in the first operation input position and a pressing range (area) included in the second operation input position are respectively obtained and included in the first operation input position. The pressed range to be compared with the pressed range included in the second operation input position. As a result of the comparison, the operation input position in the wider range is estimated as the operation input position intended by the user, and the pressing operation is determined as an effective input, while the operation input position in the narrower range is determined by the user. An unintended operation input position is estimated, and the pressing operation is determined as an invalid input. Then, the control signal corresponding to the operation input position determined to be valid is supplied to the main process, and the control signal corresponding to the operation input position determined to be invalid is not supplied to the main process. When the touch panel 24 is configured to be able to detect the pressing pressure, instead of or in addition to the pressing range (area), an effective operation input position is determined based on the pressing pressure at each operation input position. May be.

  In the above configuration, when the user simultaneously presses two operation input positions that are an inappropriate combination, the control unit 11 estimates one operation input position as the position intended by the user, and corresponds to the operation input position. Control signals to be supplied to the main processing. Therefore, an inappropriate control signal is not provided to the main process due to such an erroneous operation, and the possibility that the controller 11 malfunctions due to the inappropriate control signal can be eliminated. In addition, since a control signal corresponding to the operation input position estimated to have been intended by the user is supplied to the main process, it is possible to reduce the need for repeated input for a user who has performed a pressing operation with an inappropriate combination. As a result, the input operability is improved.

[Embodiment 3]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the range of the input operation position is changed and set according to the size of the user's finger. The control unit 11 functions as a pressing range detection unit, and executes the following input operation position change process at the start of the operation input management process.

  In the input operation position changing process, a sentence such as “determine the size of the finger” is displayed on the panel display surface 3 to notify the user of the start of this process. After the notification, when the coordinate position indicated by the operation input position information received from the input interface 13 is included in the two operation reference positions 40 (when the operation input position information is received by pressing the operation reference position 40), it is received simultaneously. Based on the plurality of coordinate positions indicated by the operation input position information, the pressing range (area) including each operation reference position 40 is obtained, and it is determined whether or not the pressing range is equal to or less than a predetermined range set in advance. . At this time, the determination may be performed for each pressing range of the two operation reference positions 40, or the determination may be performed on the average value (average pressing range) of both.

  When the pressed range is equal to or smaller than the predetermined range, it is estimated that the size of the user's thumb is a normal size or smaller, and the first range (for example, in the case of the input position display icon 30R on the right side, a solid line in FIG. 9). The input operation position is set in the range shown), and the input position display icon 30 is displayed in substantially the same range as the first range. On the other hand, when the pressed range exceeds the predetermined range, it is estimated that the size of the user's thumb exceeds the normal size, and a second range wider than the first range (in FIG. 9, a two-dot chain line). The input operation position is set in the range shown), and the input position display icon 30 is displayed in substantially the same range as the second range. The display range of the input position display icon 30 may be the first range. When the input operation position is set, the input operation position changing process is terminated. The second range includes the first range and is set to expand in a direction away from the operation reference position 40.

  The input operation position change process may be executed at the start of the operation input management process, or may be selectively executed according to an instruction from the user. Moreover, you may perform according to the instruction | indication from a user in the middle of execution of the operation input management process. As an instruction from the user, for example, the two operation reference positions 40 can be simultaneously pressed twice (double-clicked), or the panel display surface 3 can be double-clicked within a predetermined range. When double-clicking two operation reference positions 40 is used as an instruction to start input operation position change processing, operation input position information of at least one of the pressing operations before and after the double-clicking is stored, and the pressing range is based on this You may ask for. Further, when the acceleration sensor 28 is provided in the terminal device 1 and the acceleration sensor 28 detects an acceleration equal to or higher than a predetermined value in a state where the pressing operation at the two operation reference positions 40 is detected (the user operates two operation references). It is also possible to start the input operation position changing process when the terminal operation 1 is shaken at an acceleration of a predetermined value or more while the position 40 is pressed.

  Further, instead of the operation reference value 40, as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1, two pressing range detection positions 70 are separately set in advance on the panel display surface, and range detection positions indicating the respective pressing range detection positions 70 are set. Each icon 71 may be displayed.

  Further, as described above, instead of or in addition to increasing the input operation position range according to the pressing range, the input operation position range may be decreased according to the pressing range. In this case, the input operation position range may be set so as to decrease in a direction away from the operation reference position 40.

  In this embodiment, since the range of the operation input position is increased or decreased according to the size of the user's thumb, the input operability is improved. In addition, when the user's thumb is large, the range of the operation input position is expanded in a direction away from the operation reference position 40, so that the operation input position is erroneously pressed by the thumb placed at the operation reference position 40. There is little possibility, and it is difficult for an erroneous operation unintended by the user to occur.

[Embodiment 4]
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the input operation position changing process, the control unit 11 according to the third embodiment obtains a pressing range (area) for the panel display surface 3 and determines the input operation position range (area) according to the size of the pressing range. Increase or decrease. In contrast, in the input operation position change process, the control unit 11 according to the present embodiment determines in which direction the pressing range when the user presses the operation reference position 40 is biased with respect to the operation reference position 40. The input operation position is moved and set according to the determination.

  For example, when the coordinate position indicated by the operation input position information received from the input interface 13 is included in the two operation reference positions 40 after the input operation position change process is started, based on the coordinate position indicated by the operation input position information received simultaneously. Thus, it is determined in which direction (upward, downward, and left-right direction in FIG. 1) the pressed range including each operation reference position 40 is biased (displaced). It is determined whether or not the distance is equal to or less than a predetermined distance set in advance. When the displacement is equal to or smaller than the predetermined distance, it is estimated that the user's thumb is accurately pressing the center of the operation reference position 40, and in the case of the first range (for example, the right input position display icon 30R, FIG. The input operation position is set in a range indicated by a solid line), and the input position display icon 30 is displayed in substantially the same range as the first range. On the other hand, when the displacement exceeds the predetermined distance, it is estimated that the user's thumb is pressing the position shifted from the center of the operation reference position 40, and the displacement is performed by the predetermined distance set in advance from the first range. The input operation position is set in the second range moved in the direction of (the second range when moved upward is indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 9), and the input position is displayed in substantially the same range as the second range. Icon 30 is displayed. The display range of the input position display icon 30 may be the first range. When the input operation position is set, the input operation position changing process is terminated.

  In the input operation position changing process of the present embodiment, the input operation position may be moved as described above, and the range may be increased or decreased to the input operation position as in the third embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, even if the user's target pressed position and the actual pressed position are shifted due to the user's operation posture or habit, the operation input position is moved according to the shift. Therefore, the input operability is improved. Moreover, there is little possibility that the operation input position is erroneously pressed by the thumb placed at the operation reference position 40, and an erroneous operation unintended by the user is unlikely to occur.

[Embodiment 5]
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the first embodiment, two operation reference positions 40 are set, and these two operation reference positions are used as a reference for setting an input operation position. On the other hand, in this embodiment, three or more (6 in this embodiment) operation reference positions 40 are set in advance, and two of them are appropriately used as a reference for setting the input operation position.

  The operation terminal 1 includes an acceleration sensor 28 (shown in FIG. 2). The acceleration sensor 28 detects acceleration generated in the operation terminal 1 and outputs the detected acceleration to the control unit 11. The control unit 11 determines the attitude of the terminal device 1 (a horizontally long attitude described later) based on the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 28. Or vertical orientation). Note that another sensor such as a gyro sensor may be provided as a sensor capable of detecting the attitude of the operation terminal 1.

  As shown in FIG. 11, on the panel display surface 3, in addition to the two operation reference positions 40 (reference position recognition unit 41), the terminal device 1 is placed in a horizontally long state (a horizontally long posture). Operation reference positions 50 (reference position recognizing unit 51) disposed at two positions above and below the operation reference position 40L, and operation reference positions 60 (reference position recognizing unit 61) disposed at two positions above and below the right operation reference position 40R. ) Is preset.

  The main process executed by the control unit 11 is a process for one user (for example, a game application for one person), and the long side 1a of the long side 1a and the short side 1b of the operation terminal 1 is on the upper side. When the terminal device 1 is used in a horizontally long posture, as shown in FIG. 11, as described in the first embodiment, the input operation position (input position display icons 30L, 30L, 30R) is set.

  When the main process executed by the control unit 11 is a process targeting one user and the terminal device 1 is used in a vertically long posture with the short side 1b facing upward, as shown in FIG. Input operation positions (input position display icons 30L and 30R) are set based on the left and right operation reference positions 50. In this case, the user may support the left and right corners below the terminal device 1 with both hands and perform a pressing operation on the input position display icons 30L and 30R with the thumbs of both hands.

  When the main process executed by the control unit 11 is a process for two users, as shown in FIG. 13, an input operation position where one user performs an operation input regardless of the attitude of the terminal device 1. (Input position display icons 30L and 30R) are set based on the operation reference position 50, and input operation positions (input position display icons 30L and 30R) where the other user performs operation input are based on the operation reference position 60. Is set. In this case, one user only needs to support both corners of one short side 1b of the terminal device 1 with both hands and perform a pressing operation on the input position display icons 30L and 30R with the thumbs of both hands. May support both corners of the other short side 1b of the terminal device 1 with both hands, and press the input position display icons 30L and 30R with the thumbs of both hands.

  In order to realize the operation input position setting process, the control unit 11 according to the present embodiment is configured so that the main process to be executed is a process for one user or two users in the operation input management process. In the case of processing for two users, as shown in FIG. 13, the operation reference position 50 and the operation reference position 60 are used as the input operation position setting reference. In the case of processing for one user, the attitude of the terminal device 1 is determined based on the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 28. When the terminal device 1 is in the landscape orientation, as shown in FIG. 11, the operation reference position 40 is used as a setting reference for the input operation position. When the terminal device 1 is in a vertically long posture, the operation reference position 50 is used as a setting reference for the input operation position as shown in FIG.

  In the above configuration, the operation reference position used as the input operation position setting reference among the plurality of set operation reference positions 40, 50, 60 is appropriately determined according to the main process executed by the terminal device 1 and the attitude of the terminal device 1. Since it is selected, convenience is improved.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the portable terminal device 1 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be widely applied to various devices having a touch panel.

  That is, the description of each embodiment described above is an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the above-described embodiment is within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. It goes without saying that various modifications can be made in other than the embodiment.

  The present invention is applicable to an input device having a touch panel.

It is a perspective view which shows the terminal device which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the schematic system configuration | structure of the principal part of a terminal device. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the schematic software structure of the principal part of a terminal device. It is sectional drawing of a reference position recognition part. It is sectional drawing of the other example of a reference | standard position recognition part. It is sectional drawing of the further another example of a reference position recognition part. FIG. 10 is a plan view of still another example of the reference position recognition unit. It is a perspective view which shows the use condition of a terminal device. It is a principal part enlarged view of FIG. 1 for demonstrating the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a principal part enlarged view of FIG. 1 for demonstrating the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the terminal device 1 for demonstrating the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the terminal device 1 for demonstrating the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the terminal device 1 for demonstrating the 5th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Terminal device, 2 ... Exterior panel, 3 ... Panel display surface, 11 ... Control part, 12 ... Output interface, 13 ... Input interface, 22 ... LED, 24 ... Touch panel, 30 ... Input position display icon, 31U, 31D, 31L, 31R ... Direction key icon, 32A, 32B, 32C, 32D ... Button icon, 33, 34, 35 ... Key Icon, 40, 50, 60 ... operation reference position, 41, 51, 61 ... reference position recognition unit

Claims (13)

Display means having a panel display surface;
An input detecting means for detecting a pressing operation on the panel display surface and detecting a position of the pressing operation;
A preset operation reference position with respect to the panel display surface;
Reference position contact notifying means for allowing the user to recognize that the user's finger is in contact with the panel display surface at the operation reference position;
An operation input position setting means for setting an operation input position having a predetermined range with respect to an area other than the operation reference position on the panel display surface;
Processing execution means for executing a predetermined process set in advance corresponding to the operation input position when the input detection means detects a pressing operation at the operation input position;
Display control means for displaying a predetermined icon indicating the operation input position on the display means;
An input device comprising: The input device according to claim 1,
A pressing range detection position set in advance for the panel display surface;
A pressing range detection means for detecting the pressing range when the panel display surface is pressed at the pressing range detection position;
The input device characterized in that the operation input position setting means changes and sets the operation input position according to the pressing range detected by the pressing range detection means. The input device according to claim 2,
The input device characterized in that the operation input position setting means increases or decreases the range of the operation input position according to the pressing range detected by the pressing range detection means. The input device according to claim 2,
The input device characterized in that the operation input position setting means moves the operation input position according to a pressing range detected by the pressing range detection means. The input device according to claim 1,
The operation input position set by the operation input position setting means includes a first operation input position and a second operation input position respectively arranged in the vicinity of the operation reference position,
When the input detecting unit detects a pressing operation at the first operation input position and a pressing operation at the second operation input position at the same time, the process execution unit detects the first operation input position and the first operation input position. An input device that executes a predetermined process corresponding to one operation input position among the second operation input positions and does not execute a predetermined process corresponding to the other operation input position. The input device according to claim 5,
When the panel display surface is pressed simultaneously at the first operation input position and the second operation input position, the pressing range included in the first operation input position and the second operation input position are included. A pressing range detecting means for detecting the pressing range to be detected,
The operation input position setting unit compares the press range included in the first operation input position detected by the press range detection unit with the press range included in the second operation input position. An input device that executes predetermined processing corresponding to an operation input position in a range and does not execute predetermined processing corresponding to an operation input position in a narrower range. The input device according to claim 1,
The input device characterized in that the operation input position setting means sets the operation input position with reference to the operation reference position. The input device according to claim 7,
A posture detecting means for detecting the posture of the input device;
A plurality of the operation reference positions are set according to the posture of the input device,
The operation input position setting means determines an operation reference position as a setting reference for the operation input position from the plurality of operation reference positions according to the attitude of the input device detected by the attitude detection means. Characteristic input device. The input device according to claim 7,
A plurality of the operation reference positions are set according to a predetermined process executed by the process execution unit,
The operation input position setting means determines an operation reference position as a setting reference for the operation input position from the plurality of operation reference positions according to the predetermined process executed by the process execution means. An input device. The input device according to claim 1,
A plurality of the operation reference positions are set,
The process execution means executes the predetermined process on the condition that the input detection means detects a pressing operation at at least one operation reference position among the plurality of operation reference positions. Input device. The input device according to claim 1,
The input device, wherein the reference position contact notification means is at least one of a convex portion protruding from the panel display surface or a concave portion recessed from the panel display surface. The input device according to claim 1,
The input device, wherein the input detection means does not detect a pressing operation at the reference operation position. The input device according to claim 1,
The input device is a portable terminal device,
The operation reference position and the operation input position are respectively set to positions that can be pressed by a thumb of a hand holding the terminal device when the user uses the terminal device by hand. Input device.

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