JP3769885B2 - Data input device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a data input device that has a touch panel and inputs data by touching the touch panel.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, information terminals that require information input do not have an input means such as a keyboard in order to improve operability and reduce size and weight, and fingers and pens are used for menus and buttons displayed on a display unit such as a display. Input data by touching with. In this type of data input device, a transparent touch panel is disposed on the screen of the display unit, and data is input by touching the surface of the touch panel.
[0003]
Now, the coordinates on the touch panel and the coordinates of the display unit are consistent, and it is determined that the button has been pressed when the touch panel on the button displayed on the display unit is touched.
[0004]
At that time, the menus and buttons displayed on the display have an identification range based on the coordinates on the screen. If the coordinates on the touch panel corresponding to the identification range are not touched with a finger, a pen or the like, the buttons are displayed. It is not determined that the button has been pressed. Note that there are a resistance pressure type, a capacitance type, a magnetic type, an optical type, and the like as means for outputting by coordinates what part of the touch panel is touched when the user touches the touch panel.
[0005]
By the way, in this type of data input device, if the coordinates of the moment when the finger touches the touch panel or the coordinates of the moment when the finger is released from the touch panel are within the button identification range, it is determined that the button is pressed. It is common to do. Therefore, in a data input device using a conventional touch panel, it is necessary to accurately touch the touch panel on the button to be pressed.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the data input device as described above, it is possible for the healthy person to touch the touch panel without any problem, but for the disabled person or the elderly person, especially for the handicapped person, it is accurate to press the button. Since it is difficult to touch the touch panel, there is a problem that erroneous input is likely to occur and is very troublesome.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and the object of the present invention is to provide data input that allows the user to press a button displayed on the display without feeling the troublesomeness of input such as erroneous input. To provide an apparatus.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems ]
[0010]
The invention according to claim 1 is a display unit, a touch panel disposed on the display unit, and a coordinate detection unit that detects which part of the display unit the part touching the touch panel corresponds to. In a data input device including a button identification determination unit that determines whether or not a button displayed on the display unit is pressed by touching the touch panel, a time during which the touch panel is continuously touched is predetermined. The button is pressed when the coordinate average value of the part touching the touch panel detected within the pressing time is within the button identification range assigned to the button. This is characterized in that the button identification determination unit makes the determination.
[0014]
According to a second aspect of the invention, in the data input device according to claim 1 Symbol placement, while the part that touches the touch panel is moving preset predetermined movement amount or more per unit time as not touching the touch panel The button identification determination unit makes the determination.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of a data input device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a data input device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a data input device according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a data input device according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the state of the screen displayed in the test mode according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the button layout of the data input device and the locus of the finger movement on the user's touch panel. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state of screen enlargement in the data input device according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a data input device according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a schematic external view of the data input device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state of a screen displaying buttons on the data input device.
[0019]
[First Reference Embodiment] A schematic configuration of a data input device according to this reference embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Reference numeral 1 denotes a touch panel, which is disposed on the screen of the display unit 2 such as a display. That is, when the user tries to touch a menu or button displayed on the display unit 2, the user actually touches the touch panel 1 provided on the screen.
[0020]
Reference numeral 3 denotes coordinate detection means, which detects the coordinates of the portion when the user touches the touch panel 1. Note that the coordinates developed on the touch panel 1 coincide with the coordinates developed on the screen of the display unit 2.
[0021]
Reference numeral 4 denotes a screen display information section, which displays various data on the display section 2 based on input from an external device, and identifies the coordinates of the button identification range assigned to each button displayed on the screen. The data is sent to the determination unit 5.
[0022]
The button identification determination unit 5 receives the coordinates of the user touching the touch panel 1 from the coordinate detection unit 3 and the coordinates of the button identification range from the screen display information unit 4. When the user touches the touch panel 1, the button identification determination unit 5 If the user touches the coordinates within the button identification range of the button displayed on the display unit 2 continuously for a time (hereinafter referred to as a pressing time), an identification determination process is performed to determine that the user has pressed the button. Do.
[0023]
If the button identification determination unit 5 determines that the button displayed on the display unit 2 has been pressed, the information is output to the external device.
[0024]
Next, the operation of the present reference embodiment. Here, consider a case of using the data input device according to this reference embodiment to the medical information terminal.
[0025]
First, the user reads a screen displayed on the display unit 2 through the touch panel 1. Since the user wants to call a nurse through this information terminal, the “Nurse Call” button among the “Nurse Call”, “Vital Data Input”, “Schedule Management”, etc. buttons displayed on the display unit 2 When the user touches the upper touch panel 1 with a finger, a pen or the like, the coordinate detection unit 3 detects which coordinate on the touch panel 1 is pressed by the user, and the coordinates are output to the button identification determination unit 5.
[0026]
In the button identification determination unit 5, if the time when the user continuously touches the coordinates within the button identification range of the “nurse call” button obtained from the external device via the screen display information unit 4 is equal to or longer than the pressing time. It is determined that the button has been pressed by the user, and a message to that effect is output to the external device. The external device receives this output, activates a predetermined device, and notifies that there is a nurse call request.
[0027]
According to this reference form, even if a button different from the button to be pressed is accidentally pressed, it is not determined that the button has been pressed until the pressed time has elapsed, so the button is erroneously pressed until the pressed time has elapsed. If it is noticed that the button has been touched and the finger or the like is removed from the touch panel 1 or the finger is moved to the button to be pressed, it is possible to prevent the external device from being driven.
[0028]
[Second Reference Mode] In this reference mode, the operation of the button identification determination unit 5 is different from that of the first reference mode. This part will be described below.
[0029]
The invention according to this reference embodiment, the user has a slight trembling in the hands, although it may be tentatively touch of a button identification range of the touch panel 1, in which the assumption that can not be directly continuously depressed. In this reference form, after the user touches the coordinates within the button identification range of the button to be pressed, the user can touch the touch panel 1 until the pressing time elapses. The button identification determination unit 5 determines that is pressed. In other words, once the user touches the button identification range of the button to be pressed, it is determined that the button is pressed even if the button identification range is not touched until the pressing time elapses. .
[0030]
According to this reference embodiment, an input such as a finger or a pen was in identifying the range of the button to be depressed, even though the button had moved until it is determined to have been pressed, again touching again the touch panel 1 Can be eliminated. In particular, it has an excellent effect for a user who cannot press one point because the fingertip has a tremor.
[0031]
In the first embodiment: This embodiment, since the operation of the first reference embodiment and the button identification judging section 5 is different only, describes this part below.
[0032]
The invention according to the present embodiment assumes a case where the user has a severe tremor in his hand and can continue to press only near the button identification range of touch panel 1. In the present embodiment, a trajectory that has been moved from when the user's finger or pen touched the touch panel 1 until the pressing time has elapsed is stored, and the average coordinate value of the button displayed on the display unit 2 is stored in the button identification range. If the button is within, the button identification determination unit 5 determines that the user has pressed the button.
[0033]
The average coordinate is calculated by detecting the coordinates of the finger or the like touching the touch panel 1 every predetermined time until the pressing time elapses after the touch panel 1 is touched, and the detected X coordinate and Y coordinate respectively. Derived by dividing the sum by the number of detections. Note that the method for calculating the average coordinates is not limited to this method, and any method may be used as long as the user can touch the touch panel 1 within the pressing time.
[0034]
According to the present embodiment, the average coordinates of the trajectory of a finger, pen, etc. that touched the touch panel 1 from the time when the touch panel 1 is touched until the pressing time elapses, and this average value is the button of the button to be pressed. If the button is within the identification range, it is considered that the button has been selected. Therefore, even if the touch panel 1 corresponding to the button cannot be accurately touched due to tremors in the hand, the entire area around the desired button is pressed. As long as this is done, it is determined that this button has been pressed. For this reason, it is possible to easily press a desired button even for a user who cannot touch a predetermined position of the touch panel 1 accurately because his / her hand shakes.
[0035]
Further, in the present embodiment, when the user touches the touch panel 1, the user touches a place slightly away from the button identification range of the button to be pressed, and the buttons are gradually increased while maintaining the touched state of the touch panel 1. Consider a situation where a finger or pen moves near the identification range. At this time, in order to reduce the influence of the state of touching the place away from the initial button identification range on the calculation of the average coordinates, a long pressing time is set in advance, that is, the user touches the touch panel 1. It is necessary to collect a lot of data on which part of the body is touched. Then, it takes a lot of time and a storage capacity for identifying the button press. Therefore, data of a predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as non-reference time) after touching the touch panel 1 may not be used for calculating the average coordinates.
[0036]
According to the present embodiment, when trying to touch the part of the touch panel 1 corresponding to the button to be pressed, the initial data of touching the touch panel 1 that is most likely to touch the position away from the button or the wrong position. Can be excluded from the calculation of the average coordinates, so that it is possible to accurately determine whether or not the button is pressed without setting a long pressing time in advance.
[0037]
Figure 2 [Second Embodiment] is a block diagram of a data input device according to the present invention. In the present embodiment, the data input device shown in FIG. 1 has a configuration in which a time adjustment means 7 is added that can freely adjust parameters relating to time such as a pressing time and a non-reference time held by the button identification determination unit 5. ing.
[0038]
According to the present embodiment, it is possible to freely set the pressing time and the non-reference time in the time adjustment means 7 according to the degree of failure of the user, and the convenience of the user can be improved. It becomes.
[0039]
[ Third Embodiment] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a data input apparatus according to the present invention. In the present embodiment, the data input device shown in FIG. 2 includes time parameter automatic setting means 8 for automatically setting parameters relating to time such as pressing time and non-reference time. The time parameter range to be set is set in advance.
[0040]
The operation of the above data input device will be described below.
First, in the present embodiment, a test mode for automatically setting parameters as shown in FIG. In the test mode, a test button 9 having the same size and shape as the button actually displayed on the display unit 2 is displayed.
[0041]
Next, the user touches the touch panel 1 to press the test button 9 displayed on the touch panel 1.
[0042]
At that time, like the actual button pressing operation, the touch panel 1 is touched for a preset pressing time and the coordinate data in which the finger or the like moves during that time is stored in the automatic setting means 8.
[0043]
Next, after the pressing time has elapsed, the variance value is calculated from the data accumulated in the automatic setting means 8. The result of this variance value is defined as a calculated variance value Vp.
[0044]
Then, the result Vp is compared with the preset minimum variance value Vmin and maximum variance value Vmax. When the calculated variance value Vp is smaller than the minimum variance value Vmin, the operation of the touch panel 1 is equivalent to that of a healthy person. As a result, the set time of the pressing time and the non-reference time is set to the minimum value.
[0045]
On the other hand, when the calculated variance value Vp is larger than the maximum variance value Vmax, it is considered that the pressing operation of the buttons on the touch panel 1 is inconvenient, so the setting time of the pressing time and the non-reference time is set to the maximum value and used. The troublesome input that the user has is eliminated.
[0046]
If the calculated variance value Vp is between the minimum variance value Vmin and the maximum variance value Vmax, a value proportional to the calculated variance value Vp within the range of the time parameter given in advance is set as the pressing time or non-reference time. .
[0047]
According to the present embodiment, it is possible to automatically set the optimal pressing time and non-reference time according to the user.
[0048]
[ Fourth Embodiment] In the first to third embodiments, consider a case where a user moves a finger, a pen, or the like touching the touch panel 1 quickly per unit time. Thus, in the situation where the user quickly moves the finger touching the touch panel 1, the user is worried about which button of the touch panel 1 should be pressed, rather than the operation of the user trying to press the button. There are situations where the user touches the touch panel 1 to move the finger quickly in order to press the target button from a location away from the button to be pressed. In such a situation, accumulating coordinate data such as a finger touching the touch panel 1 is not necessary data for determining which button is to be pressed.
[0049]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, a predetermined movement amount per unit time is set in advance, and while the finger touching the touch panel 1 moves more than the predetermined movement amount, that is, the touch panel 1 is touched. Deriving the amount of movement from the previously detected coordinates and the currently detected coordinates using the fixed period of detecting the coordinates of the finger or pen, and while this amount of movement is greater than or equal to a predetermined value The button identification determination unit 5 determines that the touch panel 1 is not touched by a finger or the like.
[0050]
It should be noted that the predetermined movement amount may be freely set in order to match the usage status of the user.
[0051]
[ Fifth Embodiment] In the first to fourth embodiments, when various buttons are closely arranged on the display unit 2 as shown in FIG. If the finger or pen touching the touch panel 1 in the vicinity of the button to be pressed follows the locus L from the start point to the end point as shown in FIG. It may not be selected. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, when the user first touches the touch panel 1, the buttons near the user may be enlarged and displayed on the screen.
[0052]
According to the present embodiment, even if a screen on which buttons are arranged close to each other is displayed on the display unit 2, it is possible to prevent the user from making an erroneous input.
[0053]
[ Sixth Embodiment] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a data input apparatus according to the present invention. In the present embodiment, the sensor 10 is added around the touch panel 1 in the data input device shown in FIG. FIG. 8 shows a schematic external view of the data input device in the present embodiment. In the data input device according to the present embodiment, when the user brings his / her hand close to the touch panel 1 by the sensor 10, a part of the screen as shown in FIG. As shown, it is enlarged.
[0054]
According to the present embodiment, a portion that requires data input by the user is automatically enlarged and displayed, so that erroneous input by the user can be prevented.
[0055]
[Effect of the invention ]
[0057]
In the first aspect of the present invention, the display unit, the touch panel disposed on the display unit, and the coordinate detection unit that detects which part of the display unit the part touching the touch panel corresponds to. In a data input device including a button identification determination unit that determines whether or not a button displayed on the display unit has been pressed by touching the touch panel, a time when the touch panel is continuously touched is predetermined The button identification determination unit determines that the button has been pressed when the coordinate average value of the part touching the touch panel detected within the pressing time is within the button identification range assigned to the button while exceeding the time. As a result, the button can be pressed without having to touch the button identification range accurately.
[0061]
Those In the second aspect of the invention, in the data input device according to claim 1 Symbol placement, while the part that touches the touch panel is moving preset predetermined movement amount or more per unit time is not touching the touch panel Since the button identification determination unit determines that the button is pressed, it is necessary to accumulate data that is not necessary for determining whether the user has pressed the button, such as deciding which button to press while touching the touch panel. There is no effect.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a data input device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a data input device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a data input device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state of a screen displayed in a test mode according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a button layout of a data input device and a locus of a finger on a touch panel of a user.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state of screen enlargement in the data input device according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a data input device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a schematic external view of a data input device according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state of a screen displaying buttons on the data input device.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Touch panel 2 Display part 3 Coordinate detection means 5 Button identification judgment part 7 Time adjustment means 8 Time parameter automatic setting means 10 Sensor

Claims (2)

  The display unit, the touch panel disposed on the display unit, coordinate detection means for detecting which part of the display unit the part touching the touch panel corresponds to, and touching the touch panel In a data input device including a button identification determination unit that determines whether or not a button displayed on the display unit has been pressed, a time during which the touch panel is continuously touched exceeds a predetermined pressing time, The button identification determining unit determines that the button has been pressed when the coordinate average value of the part touching the touch panel detected within the pressing time is within the button identification range assigned to the button. A data input device characterized by that. Claim 1 while the portion touching the touch panel is moving more than a predetermined amount of movement predetermined unit time, characterized in that so as to determine at the button identification judging section as not touching the touch panel serial mounting of the data input device.

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