JP2007272755A - Information apparatus, display device and input method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information apparatus which does not damage operability while suppressing cost required in an input device, and to provide a display device and an input method. <P>SOLUTION: The information apparatus comprises: a detecting means for detecting a connected input device; an input means for connecting a plurality of types of input devices in a detachable way and acquiring input information from the connected input devices; an input screen generation means for generating a screen with the information acquired from the input means attached thereto on an input screen corresponding to an input device detected among a plurality of types of input screens prepared in each type of the input devices; and a display screen generating means for generating a display screen including the screen generated by the input screen generation means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information device having an image display function, and more particularly to an information device capable of freely selecting an input device.

  Various input devices can be used for man-machine I / Fs for operating information devices such as PCs (Personal Computers). In a commonly used input device, a UI (User Interface) that is easy to input often varies depending on the type of input device. For example, a mouse is advantageous for pointing, but a keyboard is much more advantageous for character input. However, if a plurality of input devices and a UI suitable for each of them are provided at all times, the cost of the product increases, and erroneous operations may increase, leading to a decrease in operability. It is preferable to use an input device and UI suitable for each occasion.

In the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, an information processing apparatus that detects that a jog dial has been operated and displays an operation screen suitable for the operation with the jog dial only at that time has been proposed.
JP 2002-333937 A

  If the information device is equipped with a plurality of different types of input devices and a UI suitable for each type to cope with various usage situations, the cost may be increased and the operability may be lowered.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information device, a display device, and an input method that suppress the cost of the input device and do not impair the operability.

  With the information device according to the present invention, a detection unit that detects a connected input device, an input unit that detachably connects a plurality of types of input devices, and acquires input information from the connected input device, and an input An input screen generating means for generating a screen in which information acquired from the input means is added to an input screen corresponding to the input device detected by the detecting means among a plurality of types of input screens prepared for each type of apparatus; There is provided an information device comprising display screen generation means for generating a display screen including the screen generated by the input screen generation means.

  According to the display device of the present invention, a detecting means for detecting a connected input device, an input means for detachably connecting a plurality of types of input devices, and acquiring input information from the connected input devices, and an input An input screen generating means for generating a screen in which information acquired from the input means is added to an input screen corresponding to the input device detected by the detecting means among a plurality of types of input screens prepared for each type of apparatus; Provided is a display device comprising: a display screen generating unit that generates a display screen including a screen generated by the input screen generating unit; and a display unit that displays the display screen generated by the display screen generating unit. Is done.

  Further, according to the input method according to the present invention, there is a method of inputting while displaying information being input on a display device having a screen, and there is an input device being connected to an input device that is detachably connected. If the input device is detected, the input screen corresponding to the detected input device is obtained from the input screens prepared for each type of the input device, and the input information input from the detected input device. And a display screen including the generated screen is generated by generating a screen with the acquired input information added to the obtained input screen.

  As an effect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an information device, a display device, and an input method that can reduce the cost of the input device and do not impair the operability.

  The present embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display system according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, an information device 100, a keyboard 101, a mouse 102, a remote controller 103, and a game pad 104 are shown.

  The information device 100 includes a display screen and has a function of displaying an image on the display screen according to information input from various input devices. Although the information device 100 according to the present embodiment can recognize and use various input devices, the information device 100 does not include these input devices when viewed from the device itself. These input devices are appropriately connected to the information device 100 according to the usage pattern of the user from time to time, and can input an operation instruction to the information device 100.

  The keyboard 101 is an input device having a shape in which a plurality of keys are regularly arranged. One or more characters or functions are assigned to each key, and the user can designate the character to be input or the function to be executed by pressing the corresponding key.

  The mouse 102 is used to move a cursor displayed on the screen in the operating direction and select a desired position on the screen or a graphic or icon displayed at the position. The mouse has one or more buttons. For example, when the cursor is on a desired position or figure and this button is depressed (clicked), the user can input the position or figure.

  The remote controller 103 has a function of giving a predetermined instruction to the information device 100 from a remote location. The instruction may be transmitted via a wired or wireless transmission medium, but in the present embodiment, a remote controller that can be remotely operated by infrared rays is assumed. The remote controller 103 includes a plurality of keys like a keyboard and the like, and a predetermined instruction is input by pressing these keys. Not only the key operation but also a function of voice recognition or handwriting instruction by a tablet, for example, may be provided.

  The game pad 104 refers to an input device developed to be suitable for video game operations. Many of the known devices are equipped with a cross key, a joystick, and several buttons for instructing up, down, left, and right. Depending on the content of the game, various shapes suitable for it are considered.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a block diagram of the information device 100 according to the present embodiment. 2 shows a CPU 200, a memory 201, an input / output unit 202, a connector 203, a remote control light receiving unit 204, a remote control receiving unit 205, a display image generating unit 206, and a display unit 207.

  The CPU 200 has a function of executing a program and controlling the entire information device 100. In general, CPU is a general term for arithmetic processing devices, and is not limited to processing devices for specific applications such as for PCs and embedded devices.

  The memory 201 has a function of reading or storing data in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 200. Information stored in the memory 201 is a program code executed by the CPU 200, status information being executed, and the like. In the present embodiment, a memory composed of a semiconductor that can be accessed at a higher speed than a magnetic disk device or the like is assumed.

  The input / output unit 202 has a function of controlling input / output of external data in response to an instruction from the CPU 200. Specifically, it controls detection of connected devices, communication with connected devices, and interrupt arbitration between devices associated with data input / output when there are multiple connected devices.

  The connector 203 is a connector for connecting the keyboard 101, the mouse 102, and the game pad 104 to the information device 100. In the present embodiment, these input devices comply with a common connection standard, and any input device can be connected via the connector 203. For example, USB (Universal Serial Bus), IEEE1394, RS-232C, etc. are known as connection standards.

  The remote control light receiving unit 204 has a function of receiving infrared rays emitted from the remote control 103 and converting them into electrical signals. Since it is assumed that the user gives some instruction using the remote controller 103 while the user uses the information device 100, the remote controller light receiving unit 204 directs the light receiving surface toward the side where the user is using the information device 100. Is provided.

  The remote control receiving unit 205 has a function of processing an electrical signal emitted from the remote control 104 and obtained from the remote control light receiving unit 204 and connecting to the input / output unit 202.

  The display image generation unit 206 has a function of generating image information of one image to be displayed. This function includes a function for storing image information for one screen and a function for rewriting stored information corresponding to a predetermined area on the screen in order to change display contents.

  The display unit 207 has a function of displaying an image on the display screen in accordance with image information sent from the display image generation unit 206. Specifically, a CRT (Cathode Ray Cube) or an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is known as the display unit 207. By using this, the user can recognize one image generated by the display image generation unit 206 as one image.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing flow diagram of the information device 100 according to the present embodiment.

  First, the CPU 200 determines whether any input device is connected to the connector 203 by the connected device detection function of the input / output unit 202 (step S01). When it is determined that nothing is connected (No), the CPU 200 generates a remote control operation screen suitable for the operation by the remote controller 103 and displays it on the display unit 207 (step S02).

  If it is determined in step S01 that any input device is connected (Yes), it is sequentially determined which input device is connected.

  First, it is determined whether or not a keyboard is connected (step S03). If the connected input device is a keyboard (Yes), the CPU 200 generates a keyboard operation screen suitable for operation with the keyboard and displays it on the display unit 207 (step S04).

  If the connected input device is not a keyboard (No), it is next determined whether or not a mouse is connected (step S05). If the connected input device is a mouse (Yes), the CPU 200 generates a mouse operation screen suitable for operation with the mouse and displays it on the display unit 207 (step S06).

  If the connected input device is not a mouse (No), it is next determined whether or not a game pad is connected (step S07). If the connected input device is a game pad (Yes), the CPU 200 generates a pad operation screen suitable for operation with the game pad and displays it on the display unit 207 (step S08).

  When the connected input device is not a game pad (No), that is, when an input device not supported by the information device 100 is connected, when it is determined that no input device is connected Similarly, CPU 200 generates a remote control operation screen suitable for operation by remote controller 103 and displays it on display unit 207 (step S02).

  As described above, when no external input device usable in the information device 100 is connected, a machine that must be installed in the information device 100 itself if it can be operated at least by the remote controller 103. Thus, the device itself can be made small. Furthermore, instructions that can be instructed by the remote controller 104 can always be operated regardless of whether or not the input device is connected.

  As another aspect in the case where a plurality of input devices can be connected at the same time, an operation screen for the last connected input device is displayed regardless of the order of determination of the input device as shown in the above flow when connection of the input device is detected. You may make it display on the display part 207. FIG. In this case, when the input device that is currently displaying the operation screen is removed, the screen is returned to the operation screen of the previously connected input device. With this configuration, when another input device is desired to be used temporarily, the operation screen of the original input device can be restored at the stage where the input is completed, and the operability is further improved.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of the information device 100 according to the present embodiment. FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D respectively show a remote control operation screen, a keyboard operation screen, a mouse operation screen, and a game pad operation screen.

  In FIG. 4A, when an operation button on the remote controller 103 is pressed, a graphic representing the operation button that has been pressed is displayed. FIG. 4A shows an example when the playback button is pressed, for example. This operation screen can be configured such that normally nothing other than display content is displayed on the screen, and a graphic representing the function is displayed when the operation button is pressed.

  With this configuration, when a predetermined operation such as an image playback device is mainly used and it is sufficient to be able to confirm whether a desired instruction is accepted at the beginning of the operation, it is ensured without disturbing the content being displayed. There is an advantage that operation instructions can be issued. It is suitable mainly for remote control operations of AV (Audio Visual) functions such as video recorders, players, and video cameras.

  FIG. 4B shows an example of a screen display showing a scene in which when the keyboard 101 is pressed, characters input along with it are sequentially displayed in a predetermined area of the screen. There is an advantage that the inputted characters can be confirmed quickly and fine character correction by keyboard input is easy. This operation screen is extremely effective when various characters can be directly input like a keyboard, but other types of input devices not only bother character selection but also block part of the screen, There is a tendency that it is difficult to use.

  FIG. 4C shows an operation screen in which a mouse cursor that follows the movement of the mouse 102 is displayed on the screen. In this operation screen, it is very easy to point the position on the display screen or the displayed figure, but it is difficult to use in other scenes. For example, in the case of an operation instruction involving button operation or key operation, the mouse 102 is equipped with at most about three buttons, and each of them is usually assigned a specific function in advance. Even when pointing to a predetermined position on the screen, it is troublesome to accurately point a small area, and in some cases, it is inferior to other input methods in terms of operability.

  FIG. 4D shows an example of a screen for operation by the game pad 104 developed so that a specific operation such as a video game can be instructed quickly and accurately. In the case of a video game or the like, in many cases, it can be seen that the flow of the game changes in time by the operation of the pad, and there is a case where it is not necessary to display the process of inputting with an input device such as the game pad 104 on the screen. On the other hand, since an input device such as the game pad 104 has only an input means specialized for a game, character input and screen position pointing are often difficult. Also, the buttons of the game pad 104 are not assigned functions so that they can be used universally in various games, and there is a risk of erroneous operation when inputting instructions.

  As described above, it cannot be denied that there is a weak point in the input method according to the characteristics of the input device. Like the information device 100 according to the present embodiment, by providing an operation screen suitable for an input device according to the connected input device, the operability is not impaired while suppressing the cost of the input device. It can be an information device.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the components without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

It is a figure which shows an example of the display system concerning this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the block diagram of the information equipment concerning this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the processing flowchart of the information device concerning this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a display screen of the information device concerning this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Information equipment, 101 ... Keyboard, 102 ... Mouse, 103 ... Remote control, 104 ... Gamepad, 200 ... CPU, 201 ... Memory, 202 ... Input / output , 203... Connector, 204... Remote control light receiving unit, 205... Remote control reception unit, 206... Display image generation unit, 207.

Claims (6)

Detection means for detecting the connected input device;
An input means for detachably connecting a plurality of types of input devices, and acquiring input information from the connected input devices;
An input screen generating means for generating a screen in which information acquired from the input means is added to an input screen corresponding to the input device detected by the detecting means among a plurality of types of input screens prepared for each type of input device; ,
An information device comprising: a display screen generating unit that generates a display screen including the screen generated by the input screen generating unit. When a plurality of the input devices are connected,
The information device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects an input device connected last, and the input unit acquires input information from the input device connected last. Detection means for detecting the connected input device;
An input means for detachably connecting a plurality of types of input devices, and acquiring input information from the connected input devices;
An input screen generating means for generating a screen in which information acquired from the input means is added to an input screen corresponding to the input device detected by the detecting means among a plurality of types of input screens prepared for each type of input device; ,
Display screen generating means for generating a display screen including the screen generated by the input screen generating means;
A display device comprising: display means for displaying the display screen generated by the display screen generating means. When a plurality of the input devices are connected,
The display device according to claim 3, wherein the detection unit detects an input device connected last, and the input unit acquires input information from the input device connected last. A method of inputting while displaying information being input on a display device having a screen,
If there is an input device that is connected to an input device that is detachably connected, it detects what the input device is,
Find the input screen corresponding to the detected input device among the input screens prepared for each type of input device,
While acquiring the input information input from the detected input device, generate a screen with the acquired input information added to the obtained input screen,
An input method to a display device, wherein a display screen including the generated screen is displayed. A method of inputting while displaying information being input on a display device having a screen,
If there is an input device that is connected to an input device that is detachably connected, the input device that is connected last is detected.
Find the input screen corresponding to the detected input device among the input screens prepared for each type of input device,
While acquiring the input information input from the detected input device, generate a screen with the acquired input information added to the obtained input screen,
An input method to a display device, wherein a display screen including the generated screen is displayed.

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