JP2001184167A - Input device and input method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device to enable quick input of data. SOLUTION: The input device has system constitution provided with a display part 12 and an input part 14 and is physically constituted as a touch panel. The display part 12 displays plural buttons related to respective functions on a display picture developed on a touch panel. The input part 14 selects a function related to a button including a specified point on the display picture developed on the touch panel, and in more details, successively selects functions related to buttons existing on a route continuously traced on the display picture. When the specification of a point in an area having the size of one grid (4×4 dots) on the display picture is continuously detected twice or more, the input part 14 regards that the specification of the route is started, and when the specification of any point on the display picture can not be continuously detected twice or more, ends the specification of the route.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an input device such as a touch panel and an input method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, a function selection area (hereinafter, referred to as a button) associated with a function is displayed on a display screen, such as a touch panel, and by touching this button, an input for selecting a function associated with the button is made. The device is widely used. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-102990 discloses a method of selecting and inputting specific data from data scanned a predetermined number of times in order to enable relatively quick input while preventing erroneous input such as chattering. Is disclosed.

[0003]

However, the input device according to the above prior art has the following problems. That is, in the above-described conventional input device, specific data is selected from data scanned a predetermined number of times and input is determined in order to prevent erroneous input such as chattering. When used, input cannot be performed quickly enough. In particular, when a plurality of functions associated with each of a plurality of buttons are sequentially selected, it takes a long time to input.

Therefore, the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and enables an input device and an input method capable of promptly inputting even when a plurality of functions associated with a plurality of buttons are sequentially selected. The task is to provide

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an input device of the present invention displays a plurality of function selection areas associated with functions on a display screen. Input means for selecting a function associated with the included function selection area, wherein the input means sequentially selects a function associated with the function selection area on a path continuously specified on the display screen It is characterized by doing.

In the case where a plurality of functions associated with each of the plurality of function selection areas are sequentially selected by sequentially selecting the functions associated with the function selection areas existing on the path continuously designated on the display screen. It is not necessary to sequentially designate a plurality of points included in each of the plurality of function selection areas.

In the input device according to the present invention, the input means detects a point designated on the display screen at regular intervals, and continuously detects a point having a predetermined size on the display screen at least a fixed number of times. The designation of the route is started when the designation of a point in the area is detected, and the designation of the route is terminated when the designation of any point on the display screen is not detected continuously for a certain number of times or more. It may be a feature.

[0008] By starting the route specification when a point within a region of a certain size is detected continuously for a certain number of times or more, the start of the route specification by the user's will is distinguished from noise. Becomes easier. In addition, by ending the route designation when no point designation is continuously detected for a certain number of times or more, it becomes easy to distinguish the end of the route designation by the user from noise.

[0009] In particular, in the input device of the present invention, the input means is a touch panel, and the input device is configured to sequentially select a function associated with the function selection area on a route continuously traced on the display screen. Preferably, it is a feature.

By using a touch panel, the above input device can be easily realized.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input method, comprising: displaying a plurality of function selection areas associated with functions on a display screen; An input step of selecting a function associated with the selection area is provided, and the input step sequentially selects functions associated with the function selection area on a path continuously specified on the display screen. And

In the case where a plurality of functions associated with each of the plurality of function selection areas are sequentially selected by sequentially selecting the functions associated with the function selection areas existing on the path continuously designated on the display screen. It is not necessary to sequentially designate a plurality of points included in each of the plurality of function selection areas.

[0013] In the input method of the present invention, the input step detects a point designated on the display screen at regular intervals, and continuously scans an area of a constant size on the display screen at least a fixed number of times. The designation of the above-mentioned route is started when the designation of a point within is detected, and the designation of the above-mentioned route is ended when the designation of any point on the above-mentioned display screen is not detected continuously more than a fixed number of times. It may be.

By starting the route specification when a point within a region of a certain size is detected continuously for a certain number of times or more, the start of the route specification by the user's will is distinguished from noise. Becomes easier. In addition, by ending the route designation when no point designation is continuously detected for a certain number of times or more, it becomes easy to distinguish the end of the route designation by the user from noise.

In particular, in the input method of the present invention, the input step is an input step using a touch panel,
It is preferable that a function associated with the function selection area existing on a path continuously traced on the display screen is sequentially selected.

By using a touch panel, the above input method can be easily realized.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An input device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration of the input device according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of the input device according to the present embodiment.

The input device 10 according to the present embodiment has the configuration shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the system configuration includes a display unit 12 and an input unit 14, and is physically configured as a touch panel. Hereinafter, each component will be described in detail.

The display unit 12 displays a plurality of function selection areas (hereinafter, buttons) associated with functions on a display screen developed on a touch panel. Specifically, FIG.
As shown in (1), buttons 20a to 20h associated with the respective functions A to H are displayed on the display screen. The "functions" include a double-sided printing function, a sorting function, a density automatic adjustment function, and the like, for example, when the input device 10 is connected to an image forming apparatus and used.

The input unit 14 selects a function associated with a button including a designated point on the display screen developed on the touch panel. The input unit 14 sequentially selects a function associated with a button existing on a path continuously specified (continuously traced) on the display screen. Specifically, in the above display screen, FIG.
When a path P indicated by a solid line in the middle is continuously specified from the point P1 to the point P5 (that is, when the path P is continuously traced), the input unit 14 controls the buttons 20a, The functions A, B, C, G, and H associated with each of 20b, 20c, 20g, and 20h are sequentially selected.
Here, the input unit 14 detects points designated on the display screen at regular intervals (for example, 20 ms), and points P1 to P5 (designated by black circles in FIG. 3) at which designation is detected at regular intervals. (Shown) are formed to form the path P. Further, the input unit 14 detects a point (P1 and P2 in FIG. 3) within an area of one grid (4 × 4 dots) on the display screen two or more times in succession.
It is assumed that the specification of the path P has been started, and the specification of the path P ends when the specification of any point on the display screen is not detected twice or more consecutively. That is, even if the point specification is detected only once when the specification of the path P has not been started yet, the input unit 14 sets the detection as noise and does not start the specification of the path P. Further, even if there is only one timing at which no point designation is detected after the start of the designation of the path P, the input unit 1
4 does not end the designation of the path P. Note that once the designation of the route P is started, the route P is sequentially extended each time one point (points P3 to P5) on the display screen is designated (detected once).

Subsequently, the input device 10 according to the present embodiment
And the input method according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for selecting a function associated with a button on a display screen using the input device 10 according to the present embodiment.

When a function associated with a button on a display screen is selected using the input device 10 according to the present embodiment, a display screen as shown in FIG. Further, the input unit 14 detects points designated on the display screen at regular intervals.

In this state, the input unit 14 uses the input screen 14 to display a point in a region of one grid (4 × 4 dots) on the display screen two or more times continuously, for example, at points P1 and P2 shown in FIG. When the designation of a point is detected (S1), the designation of the path P is started (S2). More specifically, FIG.
Is the starting point of the route P, and the line connecting the points P1 and P2 is the current route P.

Thereafter, when a point different from the previously detected point is detected (S3), the path from the previously detected point to the subsequently detected point is designated as the path P. More specifically, when the path P is started by specifying the points P1 and P2 shown in FIG. 3 and then the points P3, P4, and P5 are sequentially specified, the line connecting the points P1 to P5 becomes the path P. Is specified as Here, when the designation of the route P is started, it is necessary to detect the designation of the points (points P1 and P2) in the area of one grid size at least twice consecutively. ,
Once the specification of the path P is started, the path P is sequentially extended each time one point (points P3 to P5) on the display screen is specified.

When the route P is designated on the display screen, the functions associated with the buttons on the route P are sequentially selected by the input unit 14 (S4). Specifically, when the route P extending from the point P1 to the point P5 is designated on the display screen as shown by the solid line in FIG. 3, the input unit 14 causes the buttons 20a, 20b, 20c,
Functions A, B, respectively associated with 20g, 20h
C, G, and H are sequentially selected. In this case, more specifically, as shown by the crosses in FIG. 3, points on the route P are extracted at regular intervals d, and the function associated with the button including the extracted points is sequentially selected. Is done. Here, it is desirable that the fixed interval d be substantially equal to the length d 'of the short side of each of the buttons 20a to 20h displayed as a rectangular area on the display screen. Button 2 for the fixed interval d
By making the length of the short side d ′ of each of 0a to 20h approximately equal, the function associated with the button on the route P can be selected without exception. When the sizes of the plurality of buttons displayed on the display screen are different, it is preferable that the constant interval d be substantially equal to the length of the shortest short side among the short sides of the plurality of buttons. Is not rectangular, the fixed interval d is determined so that the functions associated with the buttons on the route P can be selected without exception.

Thereafter, when no designation of any point on the display screen is detected twice or more consecutively by the input unit 14 (S5), the designation of the path P is completed (S5).
6).

Next, the operation and effect of the input device according to the present embodiment will be described. The input device 10 according to the present embodiment sequentially selects the functions associated with the buttons 20a to 20h on the path P that is continuously specified on the display screen, and thereby, the plurality of buttons associated with the plurality of buttons, respectively. When sequentially selecting functions, it is not necessary to sequentially designate a plurality of points included in each of the plurality of buttons. As a result, even when a plurality of functions associated with each of the plurality of buttons are sequentially selected, the input can be performed quickly.

The input device 10 according to the present embodiment
Starts the specification of a path P when a point within a region of one grid size is detected two or more times in succession, thereby distinguishing the start of the specification of the path P from the user's will from noise. It becomes easy to do. In addition, by ending the designation of the route P when no designation of any point is detected two or more times in a row, it becomes easy to distinguish the end of the designation of the route P by the user from noise. on the other hand,
Once the designation of the route P is started, the route P is sequentially extended each time one point on the display screen is designated, and the function associated with the button existing on the route P is sequentially selected.
Therefore, when sequentially selecting a plurality of functions associated with each of the plurality of buttons, it is possible to perform an extremely quick input.

The input device 10 according to the present embodiment
Since the input unit is realized by the touch panel, an input device that sequentially selects a plurality of functions associated with a plurality of buttons as described above can be easily realized.

Here, the input device 1 according to the embodiment described above.
0, the input means is realized by a touch panel, but this may be realized by an optical input device using a light pen or the like.

[0031]

According to the input device and the input method of the present invention, by sequentially selecting the functions associated with the function selection areas existing on the path continuously specified on the display screen, each of the plurality of function selection areas can be selected. When sequentially selecting a plurality of associated functions, it becomes unnecessary to sequentially designate a plurality of points included in each of the plurality of function selection areas. As a result, even when a plurality of functions associated with each of the plurality of buttons are sequentially selected, the input can be performed quickly.

Further, in the input device and the input method according to the present invention, when the designation of a point in a region of a fixed size is detected continuously for a fixed number of times or more, the designation of the route is started, thereby enabling the user to specify the route. It is easy to distinguish the start of the route specification by the will from the noise. In addition, by ending the route designation when no point designation is continuously detected for a certain number of times or more, it becomes easy to distinguish the end of the route designation by the user from noise.

In the input device and the input method of the present invention, the input device or the input method can be easily realized by using a touch panel.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an input device.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a display screen.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a route specified on a display screen.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for selecting a function associated with a button on a display screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 input device, 12 display unit, 14 input unit, 20 ...
Display screen

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Koujiro Oishi 2274 Hongo, Ebina-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masahiro Tose 2274 Hongo, Ebina-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. (72 ) Inventor Koji Amano 2274 Hongo, Ebina-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shuichi Ozawa 2274 Hongo, Ebina-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.F-term (reference) DD09 DE03 5E501 AA02 AC37 BA01 BA20 CA03 CB05 EA10 EB05 FA03

Claims (6)

[Claims] An input means for displaying a plurality of function selection areas associated with a function on a display screen, and selecting a function associated with the function selection area including a designated point on the display screen, The input device, wherein the input unit sequentially selects a function associated with the function selection area existing on a path continuously specified on the display screen. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the input unit detects a point designated on the display screen at regular intervals, and designates a point in a region of a constant size on the display screen continuously for a fixed number of times or more. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the designation of the route is started when the designation is made, and the designation of the route is terminated when designation of any point on the display screen is not detected continuously for a certain number of times or more. Input device. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input unit is a touch panel, and sequentially selects a function associated with the function selection area on a path continuously traced on the display screen. Input device. 4. An input step of displaying a plurality of function selection areas associated with a function on a display screen, and selecting a function associated with the function selection area including a designated point on the display screen, The input method, wherein the inputting step sequentially selects functions associated with the function selection area on a path continuously specified on the display screen. 5. The input step detects points designated on the display screen at regular intervals, and designates points within a region of a given size on the display screen continuously for a given number of times or more. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the designation of the route is started when the designation is made, and the designation of the route is terminated when designation of any point on the display screen is not detected continuously for a certain number of times or more. input method. 6. The input step is an input step using a touch panel, wherein a function associated with the function selection area on a path continuously traced on the display screen is sequentially selected. The input method according to claim 4, wherein