JPH08190456A - Input method in touch panel device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] To simplify various input operations on the touch panel device. Prevents touch panel wear and extends product life. [Structure] Screen display area 10 of touch panel section 101
A plurality of input buttons 109 are provided outside the screen display area 103 around the area 2. Keyboard input information, special key input information, and special command execution information are stored in the file 105 in association with the input buttons 109. The information corresponding to the touched input button 109 is stored in the file 105.
From the keyboard interface 10 if the information is keyboard input information or special key input information.
The application 107 is activated via 6 to perform keyboard input processing. If the information extracted from the file 105 is the special command execution information, the corresponding special command execution application program 108 is activated.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an input method in a touch panel device as an input means for a personal computer, a mini computer or the like.

[0002]

Prior Art and Problems to be Solved by the Invention First,
The prior art of the first invention will be described. In a touch panel device, the following two methods are generally used as a normal keyboard input method, special key data input method, and special command execution method. In the first method, as shown in FIG. 24, a keyboard 501 is connected to or built in the touch panel device 500Z, and general keyboard input or special key data input is performed directly from the keyboard 501 via the keyboard interface 502. Is passed to the application program (hereinafter, simply referred to as application) 503 for processing.

Further, when executing a special command, the application 503 has execution command information corresponding to an arbitrary key of the keyboard 501 in the file 504 or the like, and based on the execution command information, the keyboard interface 502 is used. It is determined by the key input processing whether the passed key data is a key for executing a command, and if so, the special command execution application 505 is activated by the special command execution processing.

As a second method, as shown in FIG. 25, a touch panel device 50 having a touch panel 511.
A keyboard function is built in or connected to 0Y, and a key called a pop-up key 510 is assigned. When the pop-up key 510 is pressed, the pop-up key processing application 508 causes the keyboard graphic 509 to be displayed in the screen display area via the keyboard interface 502.
Is displayed to prompt for input.

Keys to be input, special keys, and keys for executing special commands are previously assigned to the displayed keyboard graphic 509, and the assigned information is saved in the file 504 or the like as key assignment information. .
When a predetermined key on the keyboard graphic 509 is touched,
The pop-up key processing application 508 determines whether it is general key input or special key information by coordinate input processing based on the key assignment information, and if it is such input, the keyboard interface 5
The general application 506 is started via 02,
If it is the special command execution information, the special command execution application 505 is activated according to the information.

In the method of FIG. 24, the touch panel device 50 is used.
0Z must have a built-in or connected keyboard,
There are problems that the cost increases and it is difficult to downsize the touch panel device 500Z. Moreover, in the method of FIG.
In addition to these problems, an input operation must be performed after the keyboard figure 509 is displayed on the touch panel device 500Y, which makes the operation complicated.

Therefore, in the first invention, general keyboard input, special key input, and special command execution can be performed by a simple operation without incorporating or connecting an external input device such as a keyboard. The purpose is to provide an input method.

Next, the prior art of the second invention will be described.
This prior art relates to an input method when a touch panel device is used as an alternative input means of a mouse in a personal computer, a minicomputer or the like which uses a mouse as a coordinate input device. Conventionally, the touch input of the touch panel device is performed by substituting one of the input buttons that the mouse has with the most frequently used button input. By adopting this method, it is possible to input position information and one button input information when inputting with a mouse from the touch panel device with one touch.

However, when the other button inputs of the mouse are replaced by the touch panel device, as shown in the procedure of FIG. 26, other button inputs than the currently set button input (S1) are performed. Therefore, it is necessary to activate the input button switching program before the touch operation of the input position (S2), and then change the setting of the input button to be replaced when the input position is touched (S3). Then, by touching the target input position (S4), predetermined coordinate input is executed.

That is, conventionally, the button input when touched is always held, and when inputting using a button other than the currently set button, after changing the input button By touching, the touch panel device can realize a plurality of button inputs of the mouse. However, in the method as described above, when a plurality of mouse button inputs are to be replaced by a touch panel device, it is necessary to operate while changing the settings of the input buttons, which increases the number of input operations and complicates the operation. There is a drawback that

Therefore, a second invention is to provide an input method capable of easily substituting a plurality of button inputs of a mouse without requiring a complicated operation such as changing an input button setting. And

Next, the prior art of the third invention will be described. This prior art relates to a window size change input method in a touch panel device equipped with a window system. Conventionally, in a device that operates by displaying a plurality of windows in a screen display area of a touch panel device, there are the following three methods for changing the size of the displayed window.

As a first method, as shown in FIG. 27, the size of the window 512 is changed by touching any of the portions (1) to (5) of the window 512 whose size is to be changed and dragging the window 512 in the direction to be changed.

In the second method, as shown in FIG. 28, the window operation menu 516 displayed in the window 512 is touched to display the contents of the submenu 517, and the size change menu therein is touched. . Then, the size of the window 512 is changed by operating the cursor key 515 corresponding to the change direction of the display size from the keyboard 514 built in the touch panel device 500X or the external keyboard. In addition,
513 is a screen display area in the touch panel unit 511.

The third method is the touch panel device 500X.
Using the keyboard 514 built-in or the external keyboard, everything from the selection operation of the window operation menu 516 to the size change operation in the second method is performed.

The method of FIG. 27 has a problem that the surface of the touch panel portion is worn by the drag operation and the product life is shortened. Further, the method of FIG. 28 and the third method which is a modification thereof have a problem that they are complicated because the number of operations until the size is changed is large.

Therefore, it is an object of the third invention to provide an input method in which the window size can be changed by a simple operation without fear of shortening the product life.

Next, the prior art of the fourth invention will be described. This conventional technique relates to a window movement input method in a touch panel device equipped with a window system. Conventionally, in a device that operates by displaying a plurality of windows on the screen display unit of the touch panel device,
There are three methods to move the displayed window to the specified position.

As a first method, as shown in FIG. 29, the window 512 is moved to a desired position by touching the window title portion 518 of the window 512 to be moved and dragging it in the desired direction.

In the second method, as shown in FIG. 30, the window operation menu 516 displayed in the window 512 is touched to display the contents of the submenu 517, and the move menu in the submenu 517 is touched. And
Keyboard 51 built in the touch panel device 500W
The window 512 is moved to a desired position by operating the cursor key 515 corresponding to the desired direction from the keyboard 4 or an external keyboard.

The third method is the touch panel device 500W.
Using the keyboard 514 built in or the external keyboard, all operations from the selection operation of the window operation menu 516 to the movement operation in the second method are performed.

In the method of FIG. 29, as in the case of FIG. 27, there is a problem that the surface of the touch panel portion is worn by the drag operation and the product life is shortened. Also,
In the method of FIG. 30 and the third method which is a modification thereof, there is a problem that it becomes complicated because the number of operations until the window is moved is large.

Therefore, it is an object of the fourth invention to provide an input method capable of moving a window to a desired position by a simple operation without fear of shortening the product life.

Next, the prior art of the fifth invention will be described.
This conventional technique relates to a method of substituting a double-click input with a mouse with a touch panel device. The following two methods are generally known as methods for substituting a double-click input with a mouse using a touch panel device.

The first method is to perform a double-click input with a normal mouse by placing the mouse cursor at the desired input position and pressing the mouse button twice within a certain period of time, so double-click from the touch panel device. Even when inputting, the position to be input is touched twice within a certain period of time. Then, when the first touched time is held, and when the second touched, the double click input is made when the difference between the held time and the current time is within a certain time. Notify the application.

In the second method, as shown in FIG. 31, the input mode setting program 519 presets whether the touch input is single-click or double-click before touch input, and a file is stored as touch input information. Save it in 504. And the touch panel device 5
When there is a touch input on the touch panel unit 511 of 00V, either the single click or the double click is notified to the application 518 via the touch panel device interface 507 based on the touch input information.

The first method has a drawback that it is difficult to operate because it is necessary to touch the position to be double-clicked twice within a short time and further to touch the same position twice. Further, the second method of FIG. 31 has a problem that the operation becomes complicated because it is necessary to set the input mode in advance, that is, the setting of single-click input or double-click input.

Therefore, a fifth aspect of the present invention provides an input method which can be realized by simply selecting a single-click input or a double-click input without requiring a difficult operation or setting a touch input mode in advance. With the goal.

Finally, the prior art of the sixth invention will be described. This related art relates to an input method of a touch panel device in which a certain item is selected from a plurality of items by touch input and then a plurality of processes corresponding to the item are distributed. FIG. 32 shows a conventional touch panel device 50.
The flow of the sorting process by 0U is shown, and the sorting operation described above is executed by selecting and touching the item button 520 in the touch panel unit 511, and then touching the processing button 521 corresponding to the process to be executed. It

In this method, a plurality of processing buttons 521, which is equal in number to the processing to be distributed, are provided in advance on the touch panel unit 5.
11 is installed, and the process corresponding to each process button 521 is stored in the file 504 or the like as distribution process definition information. When the item button 520 is touched, the touched item is notified to the sorting process, and the sorting process internally holds the touched item information. After that, when the processing button 521 is touched, the distribution processing acquires the processing information corresponding to the touched processing button 521 from the distribution processing definition information in the file 504, and passes the internally held item information to the execution processing. To run. In this way, a plurality of processes are distributed to one selection item.

However, in the above method, the processing button 521 must be touched after the item button 520 is touched, and the processing button 521 must be prepared in the touch panel section 511. there were.

Therefore, it is an object of the sixth invention to provide an input method capable of allocating a plurality of processes corresponding to a touched selection item without providing a process button in the touch panel.

[0033]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the first invention is to provide a plurality of input buttons outside the screen display area formed around the screen display area of the touch panel section. , Keyboard input information, special key input information, and special command execution information are stored in the storage means in correspondence with these input buttons,
When the input button is touched, the information corresponding to the input button is retrieved from the storage means, and if the information is keyboard input information or special key input information, an application program is started via the keyboard interface to perform keyboard input processing. If the information fetched from the storage means is special command execution information, the corresponding special command execution application program is started.

According to the present invention, keyboard input or special command execution operation can be performed only by touching the input button.

A second aspect of the present invention is an input method in which a touch panel device is used to substitute button inputs other than the most frequently used button among a plurality of buttons of a mouse, and an alternative input button is provided in the touch panel section, or
The keyboard is provided with alternative input keys, and button definition information relating to button inputs other than the most frequently used button is stored in the storage means in association with these alternative input buttons or the alternative input keys, respectively, and When the alternative input button is touched after the input position is touched or the alternative input key is pressed, the alternative input button or button definition information corresponding to the alternative input key is taken out from the storage means and defined. The button input is notified to the mouse interface to start the application program.

According to the present invention, by simply touching the input position on the touch panel and then operating the alternative input button or the alternative input key once, a button input other than the most frequently used button among a plurality of mouse buttons can be performed. Substitute with a touch panel device.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in a window size change input method in a touch panel device equipped with a window system, a size change button is provided on the touch panel section or a size change key is provided on the keyboard for each direction in which the window size is changed. And the button definition information including the window size change direction data is stored in the storage means in association with the size change button or the size change key, and the size change button is touched or the size change key is pressed. When pressed, the button definition information corresponding to the size change button or the size change key is retrieved from the storage means, and the defined window size change direction data is passed to the window system to set the active window to the window size change mode. And, then, is to change the window size based touch the resizing position of the active window and outside the window size change direction data.

According to the present invention, the window size can be changed in a desired direction only by the operation of the size change button or the size change key and the touch operation of the size change positions inside and outside the active window.

In a fourth aspect of the present invention, in a window movement input method in a touch panel device equipped with a window system, a movement button is provided on the touch panel portion or a movement key is provided on the keyboard, and these movement buttons or movement keys are provided. Button definition information including window movement mode data is stored in the storage means in association with each other, and when the movement button is touched or the movement key is pressed, the movement button or button definition information corresponding to the movement key. From the storage means,
A window is moved by passing the defined window movement mode data to the window system to set the active window to the window movement mode, and then touching the movement position of the active window and passing the position data to the window system. .

According to the present invention, the window can be moved to a desired position only by the operation of the move button or the move key and the touch operation of the intended moving position.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is an input method for substituting a double-click input of a mouse with a touch panel device. When a position on the touch panel is touched, time monitoring and touch range monitoring are started, and the touch time is fixed. If it is time or more, and if the touch position is within a certain effective range centered on the first touch position, the application program is notified that the coordinate data of the first touch position and the double click input have been made, A click sound indicating double-click input is generated.

According to the present invention, double-click input can be performed by continuously touching within an effective range centered on a certain position of the touch panel unit for a certain time or longer. Also, if the touch operation is not continued for a certain period of time, it is recognized as a single click input, and if the touch position goes out of the effective range, the time monitoring is stopped and the coordinate data after the change is input to the application program. Notice.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in a touch panel device input method in which a plurality of processes corresponding to an item selected by touch input are distributed, the selected item provided on the touch panel unit is continuously touched. Depending on the number of times the selected item is touched within a certain time or a certain monitoring time, the execution process is stored in advance in the storage means as the distribution process definition information, and the execution process corresponding to the touch time or the number of touches is executed. The selection item is taken out from the storage means, passed to the execution process, and this process is started.

According to the present invention, only the button or the like indicating the selection item is provided on the touch panel unit, and a plurality of processes can be distributed based on the touch time of the selection item or the number of touches within the constant monitoring time.

[0045]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 1 shows a device configuration to which an embodiment of the first invention is applied. In the figure, the touch panel device 10
There is a screen display area outside 103 around the 0A screen display area 102, and a plurality of input buttons 109 are provided there. The definition information of these input buttons 109 is stored in the file 105 as external information of the screen display area. Note that the input button 109 is located outside the screen display area 1
If it is 03, any number can be defined regardless of the size, shape, and position of the button.

When the touch panel portion 101 of the touch panel device 100A is touched, the coordinate data of the touched portion is sent to the touch panel device interface 104. In this interface 104, whether the received coordinate data belongs to the screen display area 102 or the screen display area outside 1
No. 03 of the screen display area 102 (SA1 NO), the coordinate data is notified to the application 107 as touch panel coordinate input (SA).
2).

If the coordinate data is from the screen display area outside 103 (SA1 YES), the screen display area outside information is extracted from the file 105 (SA3), and the input button 109 is defined in the coordinate data by referring to this information. Confirm that it has been done. Next, the corresponding input information is extracted from the screen display area external information, and if it is keyboard input or special key input information (SA4 NO), the extracted information is notified to the keyboard interface 106 (SA
5), the application 107 performs keyboard input processing. If the extracted input information is the special command execution information (SA4 YES), the special command execution application 108 is started through the special command execution process (SA6).

According to this embodiment, general keyboard input, special key input, and special command input can be performed by one-time operation of the input buttons provided on the touch panel device without connecting or incorporating an external input device such as a keyboard. Execution operation can be realized. In particular, keyboard input and special key input can be used in a system using the touch panel device as an input device without modifying a general application by passing data through the standard keyboard interface 106.

Next, an embodiment of the second invention will be described. The present invention is a case where a touch panel device substitutes an input operation of a mouse having a plurality of buttons.
Shows the operating procedure according to the present embodiment. In this embodiment, among the plurality of buttons of the mouse, the button most frequently used is the fixed button, and normally when a predetermined input position on the touch panel is touched (SB1), the input of other buttons or the like is performed. Unless otherwise specified, the fixed button is recognized as being pressed and input.

However, when the pressed position is input by a button other than the most frequently used button (SB2 YES), after touching the predetermined input position as described above,
This is done by touching the alternative input button provided on the touch panel unit or by pressing the alternative input key of the keyboard (SB3). Here, the correspondence between the figure, position, area, etc. of the alternative input button and the button input contents, and the correspondence between the key code of the alternative input key and the button input contents are stored in a file as button definition information.

In this operation procedure, since the input operation corresponding to the other button input is performed after the touch operation at the input position corresponding to the fixed button, one area is operated by one touch using different buttons. The device does not allow input using buttons other than fixed buttons. However, in devices that generally use multiple mouse buttons for input operations, fixed buttons are often used to select items and are often processed with meaning for the next mouse operation. It has practicality.

FIG. 3 shows a device configuration to which this embodiment is applied, and the touch panel device 100B is provided with a built-in keyboard 110. The keyboard 110 is necessary only when the input operation using a plurality of mouse buttons is replaced by pressing a key.
A keyboard externally attached to 0B may be used. Also,
In the case of substituting an input operation with a plurality of mouse buttons by touching buttons without using the keyboard, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, which will be described later, an alternative input button displayed in a button figure in an arbitrary area 113 of the touch panel unit 101. 11
4 or the alternative input button 114 set in the fixed area 115 is used.

The alternative input operation of the mouse in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3. When the touch panel unit 101 is touched or a key of the built-in keyboard 110 is pressed, the data is touch panel device interface 1.
Passed to 04. The interface 104 searches the button definition information in the file 105 based on the passed data. Then, if the corresponding button definition information is found, the defined information is displayed in the mouse interface 111.
And the application 107 is activated.

If there is no button definition information and the data passed to the interface 104 is the data of the touch panel section 101, the coordinate data of the touched position this time and the input information of the fixed button touched before that are input by the mouse. If the data notified to the interface 111 and the data passed to the interface 104 is the data by the key operation of the built-in keyboard 110, the key data is notified to the keyboard interface 106 and the application 10
Start 7.

FIG. 4 shows the button definition when a plurality of alternative input buttons 114 are provided in the arbitrary area 113 of the touch panel section 101. The button definition information in the file 105 is composed of a display figure (button figure), a figure display position, and button information (information regarding input of a button other than the button that is most frequently used) for each figure to be displayed. By comparing the coordinates and the like of the touched position of 101 with the button definition information, it is determined whether or not this corresponds to the touch of the alternative input button 114. A portion of the button definition information corresponding to button 1 corresponds to a fixed button, and the fixed button is provided at a predetermined input position other than the arbitrary area 113.
Further, the display graphic and the graphic display position in the button definition information can be appropriately changed by the application.

FIG. 5 shows a button definition when a plurality of alternative input buttons 114 are set in the fixed area 115, and the button definition is made for each button area by area information including respective positions and button information. Information is composed. In this case as well, by comparing the coordinates of the touched position of the touch panel unit 101 with the button definition information, it is determined whether or not the touch of the alternative input button 114 is equivalent.

FIG. 6 shows a case in which the keys of the built-in keyboard 110 are made to correspond to the mouse buttons as the alternative input keys 135, and the button definition information is composed of a key code and button information for each key. There is. In this case, it is determined based on the content of the button definition information whether the pressed key corresponds to the alternative input key 135.

According to this embodiment, when the touch panel device is used to substitute an input using a button other than the most frequently used button among the plurality of buttons of the mouse, after touching the input position of the touch panel unit, By selecting the alternative input button or the alternative input key, a plurality of mouse button operations can be easily replaced by the touch panel device without switching the input button as in the conventional case.

Next, an embodiment of the third invention will be described.
The present invention relates to a window size change input method in a touch panel device. FIG. 7 shows a touch panel device 100C in the embodiment. In the figure, a button for changing the size of the window 118 is displayed in the screen display area 1 for each direction in which the size is changed.
02 is provided as a size change button 112 in an arbitrary area, or is provided as a size change button 117 in a fixed area in the touch panel unit 101. Alternatively, a size change key 116 assigned to each key of the built-in keyboard 110 is provided. An external keyboard may be used as the size change key 116.

These size change buttons 112 and 11
7. The size change key 116 is used for the touch panel device 100.
Depending on the usage etc. of C, it is mounted alone or in combination. The mounting position is also the size change button 112.
For the size change button 1 in the screen display area 102
17 can be freely set in the touch panel unit 101, and the size change key 116 can be freely set in the built-in keyboard 110 or an external keyboard.

When changing the window size, the size change buttons 112 and 117 and the size change key 116 are used.
Touch or press the button or key in the direction you want to change from, and then, with respect to the window 118, at the position corresponding to the direction you want to press, that is, if it is the upward direction
If it is the downward direction, the right direction, the left direction, the upper right direction, the lower right direction, the upper left direction, the lower left direction, the position is touched.

FIG. 8 shows the overall apparatus configuration to which this embodiment is applied. Resize button 112, 11
7 and the size change key 116 are assigned in the same manner as in FIG. 7, and the information is stored in the file 105 as button definition information. When the touch panel unit 101 is touched or the key of the built-in keyboard 110 is pressed, these data are passed to the touch panel device interface 104 directly or via the keyboard interface 106. The touch panel device interface 104 searches for button definition information in the file 105 based on the passed data, and if the button definition information is found, the defined window size change direction data is transferred to the window system 119 via the keyboard interface 106. hand over.

In the window system 119, the currently active window (active window) 120 is set to the window size changing mode. At this time, when the window size change direction data is “right” and the window size is increased, the outside size change position 121 is touched on the touch panel unit 101, and conversely, when it is desired to decrease the size, the inside size is changed. It is executed by touching the change position 122.
Similarly, for “left direction”, “upward direction”, “downward direction”, “upper right direction”, “lower right direction”, “upper left direction”, and “lower left direction”, the active window 120 depends on each direction.
By touching the outside or inside of the touch panel 101, the window size is changed.

FIG. 9 shows an arbitrary area 1 of the screen display area 102.
13 is an example of definition of a size change button 112 provided in No. 13.
These size change buttons 112 are displayed as button figures in order to clarify the display area. The button definition information in the file 105 includes a display graphic, a graphic display position, and window size change direction data for each button, and the window size change direction is determined based on these pieces of information. The display graphic and the graphic display position can be arbitrarily changed by the application.

FIG. 10 shows an example of definition of the size change button 117 provided in the fixed area 115 of the touch panel section 101. The button definition information in the file 105 includes area information and window size change direction data for each button, and the window size change direction is determined based on these pieces of information. FIG. 11 shows the definition when the fixed key of the built-in keyboard 110 is assigned to the size change key 116. The button definition information in the file 105 includes, for each key, a key code and window size change direction data, and the window size change direction is determined based on these pieces of information.

According to this embodiment, the window size is changed only by touching or pressing the size change button or the size change key and touching the size change position without dragging the touch panel unit as in the conventional case. Therefore, it is possible to prevent abrasion of the surface of the touch panel,
The product life can be extended. Further, since it is possible to shift to the window size changing mode by one operation, there is an advantage that the number of operations until changing the display size is reduced and the operation can be simplified.

Next, an embodiment of the fourth invention will be described. The present invention relates to a window moving method in a touch panel device. FIG. 12 shows a touch panel device 100D to which this embodiment is applied. In the figure, a move button 123 for moving a window is provided in an arbitrary area of the screen display area 102, or a move button 124 is similarly provided in a fixed area of the touch panel unit 101. Alternatively, the built-in keyboard 110
The movement key 125 in the inside is assigned to the key for moving the window.

These movement buttons 123, 124 or movement keys 125 are provided individually or in combination according to the usage of the touch panel device, and their mounting positions can be set arbitrarily. The keyboard may be external.

To move a window, first activate the window to be moved and then activate window 1
20 and move buttons 123 and 124 or move key 1
The active window 120 is moved to the target position by touching or pressing any one of 25 and then touching the target moving position 126 (for example, a corner portion of the window).

FIG. 13 shows the overall apparatus configuration to which this embodiment is applied. A window move button or move key is assigned in the same manner as in FIG. 12, and the information is stored in the file 105 in advance as button definition information.
When the touch panel unit 101 is touched or the key of the built-in keyboard 110 is pressed, the data is passed to the touch panel device interface 104 directly or via the keyboard interface 106.

Touch panel device interface 104
Searches the button definition information in the file 105 on the basis of the passed data, and if the button definition information is found, the window movement mode data is obtained from the keyboard interface 1
It is passed to the window system 119 via 06. The window system 119 sets the currently active active window 120 in the window moving mode. After that, the moving position 126 on the touch panel unit 101
When is touched, the position data is transferred to the window system 11 via the touch panel device interface 104.
9, the active window 120 moves to the target position.

FIG. 14 shows a definition example of the move button 123 provided in an arbitrary area of the screen display area 102. This move button 123 is for clarifying its button area.
It is displayed as a button figure in the screen display area 102. Therefore, the button definition information in the file 105 includes the window movement mode data, the display figure of the move button 123, and the figure display position. Based on these information, it is determined whether the move button 123 is touched. The display figure and display position of the move button 123 can be arbitrarily changed by the application.

FIG. 15 shows a definition example of the move button 124 provided in the fixed area of the touch panel section 101.
The button definition information in the file 105 includes area information of the move button 124 in addition to the window move mode data. Based on this information, it is determined whether the move button 124 has been touched. 16 shows the built-in keyboard 110.
7 shows an example of the definition of the fixed moving key 125. The button definition information in the file 105 includes the window move mode data and the key code of the move key 125.
Based on this information, it is determined whether the move key 125 has been pressed.

According to this embodiment, the touch panel section 10
Since the window can be moved to a desired position without dragging 1, the wear of the surface of the touch panel unit 101 can be prevented and the product life can be extended. Further, it is possible to shift to the window moving mode only by touching or pressing the move buttons 123 and 124 or the move key 125.
After that, since the moving operation can be performed only by touching the moving position 126, the number of operations until the window is moved can be reduced and the operation can be simplified.

Next, an embodiment of the fifth invention will be described.
The present invention relates to an input method for substituting a double-click input of a mouse with a touch panel device. FIG. 17 shows a device configuration to which this embodiment is applied. When the touch panel unit 101 of the touch panel device 100E is touched, the touched position information and state information are notified to the touch panel device interface 104 as coordinate data. The touch panel device interface 104 includes a time monitoring mechanism 127 and a touch input processing mechanism 128, and the coordinate data notified is the touch input processing mechanism 12.
8, when the touch panel unit 101 is pressed, the Make state is notified, when the touch panel unit 101 is released, the Break state is notified, and during the touch, the Repeat state is notified at a constant cycle.

FIG. 18 shows a processing flow of the coordinate data notified to the touch input processing mechanism 128. (1) If the coordinate data is in the Make state (SC1 YE
S), start time monitoring and touch range monitoring (SC2,
SC3), notifies the application that there is a click sound once and the notified coordinate data and a single click input (SC4, SC5). The application performs a single-click input process at this timing.

(2) If the coordinate data is in the Break state (SC6 YES), the time monitoring and the touch range monitoring are ended (SC7, SC8).

(3) If the coordinate data is in the Repeat state (SC9 YES), the time monitoring and the touch range monitoring are checked as follows, and the application is notified that there is a double click input.

(3-1) That is, if the time is not being monitored (NO in SC10), coordinate data of the touch position is notified to the application (SC13). By this notification, the application performs the drag process.

(3-2) When time monitoring is in progress (SC1
0 YES), if the touch range continuously touched is invalid (SC10 NO), the time monitoring is ended (SC12) and the coordinate data of the touch position is notified to the application (SC13). In this case, the touch position deviates from the initial position and deviates from the effective range described below, and it is not recognized as a double-click input.

(3-3) When the touch range is valid (SC
11 YES), when a certain time has elapsed from the first touch by time monitoring (SC14 YES), the click sound is emitted once again (SC15) to notify the application of the notified coordinate data and double-click input. (SC16), end time monitoring (SC1
7). The application performs the double-click input process at this timing.

By the processes of (3-1) to (3-3), the application receives a single-click input when the touch panel unit 101 is touched, and if the effective range is continuously touched as it is, a predetermined time elapses. Receive double-click input. Further, it can be seen that a single click was input when the click sound was once, and a double click was input when the click sound was twice.

FIG. 19 is a time chart showing the processing of the time monitoring mechanism 127. Time monitoring mechanism 1
27 registers a timer notification in the system so that the time is notified in a fixed cycle, and when the time monitoring is notified, the count value is incremented each time the timer is notified. Then, when the count value becomes a certain value or more, that is, when it becomes 5 or more in the example of FIG. 19, the time monitoring mechanism 127 is in a state of detecting the passage of a certain time. By using this mechanism, the touch input processing mechanism 128 starts time monitoring when touched, and the time monitoring mechanism 12
When 7 detects the passage of a certain time, a double-click notification is given.

FIG. 20 shows a neighborhood area around the first touch position 129 of the touch panel section 101.
The touch range is monitored by the touch input processing mechanism 128, and a certain range centered on the touch position 129 when the touch is first performed is set as the valid range 130, and the outside thereof is set as the invalid range 131. While being touched continuously
If the touch position is within the valid range 130 without shifting, the touch is validated, and the touch position shifts and the invalid range 131
When it moves to, the time monitoring is stopped and the touch position coordinate data in the invalid range 131 is notified to the application. As a result, a slight shift in the touch position during the touch can be rounded, and the double-click input operation by the touch panel device can be facilitated and the usability can be improved.

Next, an embodiment of the sixth invention will be described. The present invention relates to an input method for allocating an item selected by touching a touch panel unit to a plurality of processes. FIG. 21 shows the overall configuration of the embodiment. When a selection item 132 such as a button graphic provided on the touch panel unit 101 of the touch panel device 100F is touched, the touch time is monitored in the sorting process 133 and a fixed time is set. Start counting the number of touches within the monitoring time. Selection item 1
When 32 is continuously touched, the information of the execution process 134 corresponding to the touch time is acquired from the distribution process definition information in the file 105 as the process distribution according to the length of the touch time, and the selected process is selected. Pass item information and execute.

The distribution process definition information in the file 105 has a definition of a process to be executed corresponding to the length of the touch time and a definition of a process to be executed corresponding to the number of touches within a certain monitoring time. ing.

FIG. 22 shows a time chart of a method of distributing a plurality of processes to the length of touch time. If a certain selection item 132 is continuously touched, a beep sound is emitted at a constant cycle, and the execution process 134 is distributed based on the number of times. That is, the beep sound sounds five times in the first touch in FIG. 22, processing 5 of the execution processing 134 is executed at the moment when the touch is stopped, and the beep sound sounds three times in the second touch, and the touch is stopped. Processing 3 is executed at the instant when the process is completed.

FIG. 23 is a time chart of a method of distributing a plurality of processes to the number of touches. The monitoring of the touch input is started by the first touch within a certain monitoring time, and the processing is sorted according to the number of touches during the touch input monitoring. That is, in FIG. 23, since the touch is touched three times during the first touch input monitoring, the process 3 of the execution processes 134 is executed, and since the touch is touched twice during the next touch input monitoring, the process 2 is executed. To be done. The monitoring time of the touch input is always a fixed time, and the processing is distributed according to the number of touches within this fixed time.

According to this embodiment, a plurality of processes for selected items are distributed according to the length of the touch time on the touch panel unit or the number of touches within a fixed monitoring time. It is possible to distribute a plurality of processes without providing a process button.

[0090]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the invention, general keyboard input, special key input, and special command execution can be performed by a single operation without incorporating or externally attaching an external input device such as a keyboard. You can enter.

According to the second aspect of the invention, when the touch panel device is used to substitute button inputs other than the most frequently used button among the plurality of buttons of the mouse,
It is possible to substitute the input of a plurality of mouse buttons only by touching the input position and the alternative input button or key operation without requiring the setting change of the input button.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the window size can be changed without dragging the touch panel portion, wear of the touch panel portion can be prevented, the product life can be extended, and the number of operations reduces. Can be simplified. Further, according to the fourth aspect, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the above with respect to the movement of the window.

According to the fifth invention, the single-click input and the double-click input can be selected by one touch input operation without the need to change the setting of the click input mode, so that the operation can be simplified. .

According to the sixth invention, since a plurality of processes can be distributed according to the selection item based on the touch time or the number of touches, it is not necessary to provide a plurality of process buttons on the touch panel portion, and the operation is simplified. And so on.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram to which an embodiment of a first invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of the second invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram to which an embodiment of the second invention is applied.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram to which an embodiment of the second invention is applied.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram to which an embodiment of the second invention is applied.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram to which an embodiment of the second invention is applied.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram to which an embodiment of the third invention is applied.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram to which an embodiment of the third invention is applied.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram to which an embodiment of the third invention is applied.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram to which an embodiment of the third invention is applied.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram to which an embodiment of the third invention is applied.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram to which an embodiment of the fourth invention is applied.

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram to which an embodiment of the fourth invention is applied.

FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram to which an embodiment of the fourth invention is applied.

FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram to which an embodiment of the fourth invention is applied.

FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram to which an embodiment of the fourth invention is applied.

FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram to which an embodiment of the fifth invention is applied.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the fifth invention.

FIG. 19 is a time chart showing an embodiment of the fifth invention.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of a touch range according to the fifth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 21 is a configuration diagram to which an embodiment of the sixth invention is applied.

FIG. 22 is a time chart showing an example of the sixth invention.

FIG. 23 is a time chart showing an embodiment of the sixth invention.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram of the prior art of the first invention.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram of the prior art of the first invention.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating a conventional technique of the second invention.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram of the prior art of the third invention.

FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram of the prior art of the third invention.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram of the prior art of the fourth invention.

FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram of the prior art of the fourth invention.

FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram of the prior art of the fifth invention.

FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram of the prior art of the sixth invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 100E,
100F Touch panel device 101 Touch panel part 102 Screen display area 103 Screen display area External 104 Touch panel device interface 105 File 106 Keyboard interface 107 Application 108 Special command execution application 109 Input button 110 Built-in keyboard 111 Mouse interface 112 Size change button 113 Arbitrary area 114 Alternative input Button 115 Fixed area 116 Size change key 117 Size change button 118 Window 119 Window system 120 Active window 121 Outside size change position 122 Inner size change position 123 Move button 124 Move button 125 Move key 126 Move position 127 Time monitoring mechanism 128 Touch input processing Mechanism 129 touch Location 130 Scope 131 invalid area 132 choices 133 distribution process 134 execution 135 alternate input keys

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of input buttons are provided outside the screen display area formed around the screen display area of the touch panel unit, and keyboard input information, special key input information, and special input buttons are provided in correspondence with these input buttons. The command execution information is stored in the storage means, and when the input button is touched, the information corresponding to the input button is retrieved from the storage means, and if the information is keyboard input information or special key input information, a keyboard interface. An input method in a touch panel device, characterized in that an application program is started via a keyboard to perform keyboard input processing, and if the information retrieved from the storage means is special command execution information, a corresponding special command execution application program is started. 2. An input method in which a touch panel device substitutes button inputs other than the most frequently used button among a plurality of buttons of a mouse, wherein a substitute input button is provided on the touch panel portion or a substitute input is made on a keyboard. A key is provided, and button definition information relating to button inputs other than the most frequently used button is stored in the storage means in association with these alternative input buttons or the alternative input keys, and the input position of the touch panel is touched. Then, when the alternative input button is touched or the alternative input key is pressed, the alternative input button or button definition information corresponding to the alternative input key is taken out from the storage means, and the defined button input is performed by the mouse. Notify interface and start application program Input method in a touch panel device according to claim and. 3. A window size change input method in a touch panel device equipped with a window system, wherein a size change button is provided on the touch panel unit or a keyboard is provided with a size change key for each direction in which the window size is changed. When the size change button is touched or the size change key is pressed, the button definition information including the window size change direction data is stored in the storage means in association with each of these size change buttons or size change keys. First, the button definition information corresponding to the size change button or the size change key is fetched from the storage means, the defined window size change direction data is passed to the window system, and the active window is set to the window size change mode. Input method in a touch panel device, characterized in that to change the window size based touch the resizing position of the active window and out to change the direction data the window size. 4. A window movement input method in a touch panel device equipped with a window system, wherein a movement button is provided on the touch panel portion or a movement key is provided on the keyboard, and these movement buttons or movement keys are made to correspond respectively. Button definition information including window movement mode data is stored in the storage means, and when the movement button is touched or the movement key is pressed, the movement button or button definition information corresponding to the movement key is stored in the storage means. The active window by moving the defined window movement mode data to the window system to set the active window to the window movement mode, and then touching the movement position of the active window to pass the position data to the window system. Input method in a touch panel device, characterized in that the dynamic. 5. In an input method in which double-click input of a mouse is performed by a touch panel device as an alternative, when a position on the touch panel is touched, time monitoring and touch range monitoring are started, and the touch time is a certain time or more. If the touch position is within a certain effective range centered on the first touch position, the application program is notified that the coordinate data of the first touch position and the double click input have been made, and the double click input is performed. An input method in a touch panel device, characterized in that a click sound is generated. 6. An input method in a touch panel device in which a plurality of processes corresponding to an item selected by touch input are distributed, in a touch time period during which a selected item provided in a touch panel unit is continuously touched, or Depending on the number of times the selected item is touched within a certain monitoring time, the execution process is stored in advance in the storage unit as distribution process definition information, and the execution process corresponding to the touch time or the number of touches is retrieved from the storage unit. An input method in a touch panel device, wherein the selected item is passed to the execution process and the process is activated.