JP2014063366A - Touch panel device - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a touch panel device that prevents erroneous input while fully utilizing the area of the touch panel that displays images and accepts processing to be executed.
A touch panel device includes a plurality of detection units for detecting contact in a frame portion surrounding the touch panel. The detection part is arrange | positioned at each edge | side of a frame part, and a touch panel apparatus determines whether the detection part of 2 or more sides detected contact. When it is determined that two or more detection units have detected contact, an invalid area that invalidates the received acceptance is set on the touch panel. If the detection units of two or more sides do not determine that contact has been detected, the invalid area is not set on the touch panel.
[Selection] Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to a touch panel device that prevents erroneous input.

  A touch panel that displays an image and accepts a process to be executed and a touch panel device that includes a frame-shaped casing that surrounds the touch panel have been put into practical use. The touch panel has an image display panel that displays an image and a reception panel that accepts input. The touch panel accepts the image based on the display content on the image display panel corresponding to the position where the reception is performed. Perform the appropriate process.

  In order to make the touch panel device portable, there is a user demand for a reduction in size and weight. There is also a user's request to view a large display image although it is reduced in size and weight. That is, there is a user's request for an enlargement of the touch panel portion with respect to the touch panel device as well as a reduction in size and weight. In response to these demands, a touch panel device in which a casing portion surrounding the periphery of the touch panel is made narrower, that is, a touch panel device with a narrow frame has been put into practical use.

  In a touch panel device with a narrow frame, since the width of the casing surrounding the touch panel is narrow, when the user tries to operate the touch panel device with his / her hand, his / her hand is held against the user's intention. May touch the touch panel. When the touch panel is touched with a hand that is held, there is a risk of erroneous input to the touch panel device.

  Patent Document 1 proposes prevention of erroneous input of a touch panel device using a touch panel device provided with a touch panel portion that accepts processing for displaying and executing an image and an acceptance prohibition portion that prohibits acceptance of the touch panel at the center of the touch panel. Yes. In the touch panel device of Patent Document 1, the reception prohibited portion surrounds the touch panel portion along the inner periphery of the frame-shaped housing, and the instruction input received at the touch panel portion is invalidated when an instruction input to the reception prohibited portion is detected. ing.

JP 2012-008923 A

  When the reception prohibition part is provided along the inner periphery of the housing, the area of the part of the touch panel that receives the display of the image and the process to be executed becomes smaller. Therefore, it is difficult to say that the conventional attempt to prevent erroneous input of the touch panel device fully utilizes the area of the touch panel.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a touch panel device that prevents erroneous input while fully utilizing the area of the touch panel.

  The touch panel device according to the present invention includes a touch panel that accepts a process to be executed based on a contact portion where contact with one surface occurs, a frame that surrounds the touch panel, and an invalid area that invalidates acceptance. In the touch panel device including a setting unit set on a surface, the frame includes a plurality of detection units that detect contact with the frame, and the setting is performed when the plurality of detection units detect contact. The section is configured to set an invalid area.

  In the touch panel device described above, it is detected whether or not the user's hand has touched the frame. When the user operates the touch panel device with his / her hand, it is assumed that a finger is applied to a plurality of places on the frame surrounding the touch panel and the fingertip touches the touch panel unintentionally. Therefore, when a contact with a plurality of positions on the frame is detected, an invalid area that invalidates the acceptance performed by the touch panel is set on the touch panel.

  When the user operates the touch panel device on a desk or the like, a situation in which the user operates without holding and fixing the frame body is estimated. Thus, even when there is no contact with the frame, when the user accepts the region near the frame on the touch panel, a part of the finger may come into contact with a part of the frame unintentionally. There is sex. If the invalid area is set up to such a case, there may be a situation where the process intended by the user cannot be accepted. Therefore, in the touch panel device described above, the invalid area is set when contact with a plurality of positions of the frame is detected.

  Moreover, the touch panel device according to the present invention is characterized in that the detection unit is provided at a location facing the touch panel.

  When the user operates the touch panel device with his / her hand, it is estimated that the user's hand touches two or more opposing positions sandwiching the touch panel in the frame. For example, in the case of an elliptical touch panel device, it is presumed that the operation is performed by fixing at least two locations above and below the frame by hand. Therefore, in the touch panel device described above, the invalid area is not set on the touch panel when contact is not detected at a plurality of opposing positions across the touch panel in the frame.

  In the touch panel device, the frame body is rectangular, and the detection unit is provided on each of two opposing sides of the frame body.

  When a user operates a touch panel device including a rectangular frame by hand, the possibility that the user's hand touches two opposite sides of the frame is extremely high. Therefore, in the touch panel device described above, the invalid area is set on the touch panel when contact with two opposite sides is detected.

  The touch panel device is characterized in that the setting unit sets the invalid area in the vicinity of a detection unit that detects contact.

  When the user operates the touch panel device while holding the frame by hand, a situation is assumed in which the fingertip of the hand holding the frame unintentionally touches the touch panel. Therefore, in the touch panel device described above, the invalid area is set in the area on the touch panel in the vicinity of the contact portion of the frame.

  In the present invention, the contact with the frame is detected, and the invalid area is set on the touch panel based on the detection result. When the user operates the touch panel device with his / her hand, the invalid area is set on the touch panel based on the assumption that the user's hand will touch two or more places on the frame. Therefore, it is possible to widen the reception area of the touch panel for the entire touch panel device and prevent erroneous input while fully utilizing the area of the touch panel.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the external appearance of a portable touch panel apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of a portable touch panel apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state in which the user had the portable touch panel apparatus in his hand. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state in which the user had the portable touch panel apparatus in his hand. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the method of recording the range of an invalid area | region in a recording part. It is explanatory drawing which shows another example of the method of recording the range of an invalid area | region in a recording part. It is a flowchart which shows a process sequence about the process of reception control of the instruction | indication input by a control part.

  Hereinafter, the portable touch panel device is taken as an example, and the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings illustrating embodiments thereof.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an appearance of the portable touch panel device 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the portable touch panel device 1. The portable touch panel device 1 includes a rectangular touch panel 2 and a frame portion (frame body) 3 disposed on the periphery of the touch panel 2. The mobile touch panel device 1 also includes a control unit 4 that controls each unit of the mobile touch panel device 1 and a recording unit 5 that records a program related to processing of the mobile touch panel device 1.

  The touch panel 2 includes an image display panel 21 that displays an image and a reception panel 22 that receives a process to be executed. The image display panel 21 and the reception panel 22 are formed in a rectangular flat shape, and the reception panel 22 is disposed on the image display panel 21.

  The image display panel 21 is configured by a liquid crystal panel, an EL (electroluminescence) panel, or the like, and displays an image based on control by the control unit 4.

  The reception panel 22 detects to which position in the reception panel 22 contact has occurred by a method such as a resistance film method or a capacitance method, and outputs position data indicating the detected position to the control unit 4.

  The control unit 4 is configured by a CPU that executes calculations, and controls the execution of various processes in the portable touch panel device 1 based on a program recorded in the recording unit 5. Further, the control unit 4 controls each unit so as to execute processing according to acceptance by contact based on the output result from the reception panel 22.

  The recording unit 5 is configured by a recording medium such as a RAM, a ROM, and an HDD, and records a program used for each process of the portable touch panel device 1.

  The frame portion 3 has a frame shape including a frame-shaped portion that surrounds the periphery of the touch panel 2 and a cover portion that covers the rear surface side of the touch panel 2 that displays an image on the front surface, and a plurality of contacts on each side of the frame shape A detection unit 31 is provided. The contact detection unit 31 detects whether or not the user's hand has touched the frame portion 3 by a method such as a resistance film method or a capacitance method, and outputs it to the control unit 4. Therefore, the frame part 3 gives the control part 4 information regarding the part of the frame part 3 that the user's hand has contacted. The frame portion 3 has a frame shape in which the width of the frame-shaped portion is narrow so that the area of the touch panel 2 with respect to the entire portable touch panel device 1 is sufficiently widened.

  3 and 4 are explanatory views showing a state where the user holds the portable touch panel device 1 in his / her hand. When the user tries to fix the portable touch panel device 1 by hand, it is presumed that there is a high possibility that the finger is brought into contact with a plurality of positions of the frame portion 3 facing the touch panel 2. Specifically, it is estimated that there is a high possibility that the finger is brought into contact with two opposite sides of the frame part 3. Therefore, FIGS. 3 and 4 show an example in which the portable touch panel device 1 is fixed by the user's hand coming into contact with two opposite sides of the frame portion 3.

  Since the frame portion 3 is narrowed, the user's finger may touch the touch panel 2 unintentionally when the user fixes the portable touch panel device 1 by hand. In that case, there is a possibility that the acceptance panel 22 accepts due to an unintended contact, and the control unit 4 executes processing due to erroneous input. Therefore, when it is detected that two or more sides of the frame portion 3 are in contact with the user's finger via the contact detection unit 31, the control unit 4 touches the fingertip of the hand whose contact detection unit 31 has detected contact. An area on the touch panel 2 that is expected to be present is set on the touch panel 2 as an invalid area 23 that invalidates acceptance. In addition, the control unit 4 invalidates the acceptance performed from the invalid area 23. Therefore, the control unit 4 controls each unit so as not to execute the process according to the acceptance performed from the invalid area 23. With such a configuration, even when the user fixes the portable touch panel device 1 by hand, it is possible to prevent erroneous input while suppressing a decrease in the reception area with respect to the entire portable touch panel device 1.

  Even if the portable touch panel device 1 is small, a situation in which the mobile touch panel device 1 is placed on a desk or the like is also conceivable. In such a situation, when the user performs an operation by touching an area on the touch panel 2 in the vicinity of the frame part 3, the frame part 3 may be unintentionally touched. Even in this case, if the invalid area 23 is set, there may be a situation in which the user cannot operate the portable touch panel device 1. However, when the user touches an area on the touch panel 2 in the vicinity of the frame part 3 and performs an operation in a situation where the portable touch panel device 1 is placed on a desk or the like, two sides of the frame part 3 are not intended. It is rare to touch the above. Therefore, when it is detected that only one side of the frame portion 3 is in contact with the user's finger via the contact detection unit 31, the invalid area 23 is not set, and two frames 3 are connected via the contact detection unit 31. The invalid area 23 is set when it is detected that more than the side is in contact with the user's finger.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a method for recording the range of the invalid area 23 in the recording unit 5. FIG. 5 illustrates an example in which the range of the rectangular invalid area 23 on the touch panel 2 is recorded using coordinates (X, Y). In FIG. 5, a contact detection unit 31 with hatching indicates the contact detection unit 31 that has detected contact. A hatched area on the touch panel 2 indicates a range of the invalid area 23 that invalidates the received acceptance. Using the touch panel 2, the rectangular range of the invalid area 23 when one contact detection unit 31 detects contact is recorded in the recording unit 5 using the X and Y values of the coordinates (FIG. 5A). By this recording, when one contact detection unit 31 detects a contact, the vicinity range on the touch panel 2 in the vicinity of the contact detection unit 31 that has detected the contact is set on the touch panel 2 as an invalid area 23 (see FIG. 5A). Specifically, when the user touches the detection unit, the invalid area 23 is set in a range on the touch panel 2 that the user's fingertip will touch. When a plurality of contact detection units 31 arranged continuously on one side of the frame portion 3 that has detected contact detect contact, in the vicinity range on the touch panel 2 in the vicinity of the contact detection unit 31 that has detected contact. Thus, a range including an overlapping area for each contact detection unit 31 that detects contact is set as an invalid area 23 on the touch panel 2 (FIG. 5B). In addition, when a plurality of contact detection units 31 sufficiently separated on one side of the frame 3 detect a contact, the vicinity range on the touch panel 2 in the vicinity of each contact detection unit 31 that detects the contact is an invalid area 23. Is set on the touch panel 2 (FIG. 5C).

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of a method for recording the range of the invalid area 23 in the recording unit 5. An example in which the range of the arcuate invalid area 23 on the touch panel 2 is recorded using the coordinates (X, Y) has been described. In FIG. 6, a contact detection unit 31 with hatching indicates the contact detection unit 31 that has detected contact. A hatched area on the touch panel 2 indicates a range of the invalid area 23 that invalidates the received acceptance. Using the touch panel 2, the arcuate range of the invalid area 23 when one contact detection unit 31 detects contact is recorded using the X value and the Y value of the coordinates (FIG. 6A). By this recording, when one contact detection unit 31 detects a contact, a set range on the touch panel 2 in the vicinity of the contact detection unit 31 that has detected the contact is set on the touch panel 2 as an invalid area 23 ( FIG. 6A). When a plurality of contact detection units 31 arranged continuously on one side of the frame 3 detect a contact, the touch detection unit 31 is in the vicinity of the touch detection unit 31 in the vicinity of the contact detection unit 31 that detects the contact. A range including an overlapping area for each detected contact detection unit 31 is set as an invalid area 23 on the touch panel 2 (FIG. 6B). In addition, when a plurality of contact detection units 31 sufficiently separated on one side of the frame 3 detect a contact, the vicinity range on the touch panel 2 in the vicinity of each contact detection unit 31 that detects the contact is an invalid area 23. Is set on the touch panel 2 (FIG. 6C).

  In FIG.5 and FIG.6, the invalid area | region 23 is in the range on the touch panel 2 nearest to each contact detection part 31 which detects a contact, and the range on the touch panel 2 nearest to the contact detection part 31 arrange | positioned on both sides. An example of setting is shown. However, it is also estimated that the fingertip touches not the range on the touch panel 2 closest to the contact detection unit 31 but a range slightly away from the closest range (a range slightly separated from the contact detection unit 31). Accordingly, an area on the touch panel 2 that the user's finger will touch when the portable touch panel device 1 is held by hand, such as a configuration in which the invalid area 23 is set in a range slightly separated from the contact detection unit 31, is appropriately estimated. Then, a range to be set as the invalid area 23 may be recorded based on the estimation result. The invalid area 23 is not set for the entire inner periphery of the touch panel 2 but the invalid area 23 is set only for a part along each side of the touch panel 2. Can be restricted.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for the instruction input acceptance control by the control unit 4. The control unit 10 determines whether contact has been detected on two or more sides of the frame portion 3 via the contact detection unit 31 (step S11). When it is not determined that contact is detected on two or more sides of the frame part 3 (S11: NO), the control unit 10 repeats step S11. When it is determined that contact is detected on two or more sides of the frame portion 3 (S11: YES), the control unit 10 refers to the recorded content of the recording unit 5 and invalidates the vicinity range of each contact detection unit 31 that has detected contact. The area 23 is set on the touch panel 2 (step S12).

  The controller 10 again determines whether or not contact has been detected on two or more sides of the frame 3 after a certain period of time has elapsed (step S13). If it is determined that contact has been detected on two or more sides of the frame part 3 (S13: YES), the control unit 10 refers to the recorded content of the recording unit 5 and invalidates the vicinity range of each contact detection unit 31 that has detected contact. The setting on the touch panel 2 is updated as the area 23 (step S14), and step S13 is repeated. When it is not determined that contact is detected on two or more sides of the frame part 3 (S13: NO), the control unit 10 cancels the setting of the invalid area 23 on the touch panel 2 (step S15) and ends the process. .

  In the invalid area 23 set on the touch panel 2, the acceptance performed by touch is invalidated. That is, the process according to acceptance by contact with the invalid area 23 is not executed. Therefore, even when the user operates the portable touch panel device 1 with his / her hand, it is possible to prevent erroneous input caused by touching two or more sides of the frame portion 3 by holding the portable touch panel device 1 with his / her hand. . In addition, when the portable touch panel device 1 is placed on a desk or the like and the user unintentionally touches one side of the frame part 3, the touch is not detected on two or more sides of the frame part 3, so it is invalid. Since the area 23 is not set on the touch panel 2, processing according to acceptance is executed. Therefore, it is possible to fully utilize the area of the touch panel and prevent erroneous input.

  In the above-described embodiment, the contact detection unit 31 that detects contact by a resistance film method or a capacitance method is used. However, the contact detection unit 31 is configured by using a physical switch that detects contact. Also good. In the above-described embodiment, the plurality of contact detection units 31 are spread on each side of the frame 3, but only at the positions where the fingers are expected to touch on each side (for example, the finger touches in FIG. 3). It is good also as a structure which arrange | positions the contact detection part 31 (only in the position currently performed). Further, the entire frame portion 3 may be configured as one contact detection unit, and the contact detection unit may have a plurality of contact detection parts on each side of the frame portion 3.

  In the embodiment described above, the range of the invalid area 23 is set and recorded via the touch panel 2. However, the range of the invalid area 23 is recorded in the recording unit 5 as a default at the time of shipment. May be. In addition, the range of the invalid area 23 is recorded using coordinates (X, Y). However, the range is actually identified by touching the touch panel 2 with a finger, and the identified range is defined as the invalid area 23. You may comprise so that it can record so that it may become a range.

  The mobile touch panel device 1 described above may be a mobile phone including the touch panel 2 or a tablet terminal.

  The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered as restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not only by the contents exemplified above but also by the scope of claims for patent, and it is intended to include all the updates within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims for patent.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Portable touch panel apparatus 2 Touch panel 21 Image display panel 22 Reception panel 23 Invalid area 3 Frame part 31 Contact detection part 4 Control part 5 Recording part

Claims (4)

A touch panel that accepts processing to be executed based on a contact portion where contact with one surface occurs, a frame that surrounds the touch panel, and a setting unit that sets an invalid area for invalidating acceptance on the one surface In the touch panel device provided,
The frame includes a plurality of detection units for detecting contact with the frame,
The touch panel device, wherein when the plurality of detection units detect contact, the setting unit sets an invalid area. The touch panel device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is provided at a location facing the touch panel across the touch panel. The frame is rectangular,
The touch panel device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is provided on each of two opposing sides of the frame. The touch panel device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the setting unit is configured to set the invalid area in the vicinity of a detection unit that detects contact.

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