JP3276079B2 - Flat input device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a pointing device, and more particularly to a flat input device used as a pointing device of an information processing apparatus such as a computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, personal computers, especially notebook-type portable personal computers (hereinafter referred to as notebook-type personal computers).
, Flat input devices that are operated by a user touching the surface thereof are widely used as pointing devices.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the structure of such a conventional flat input device will be described. First,
As shown in FIG. 9, a conventional flat input device TSPc is
It roughly includes a circuit board 101 having a coordinate detection sensor (not shown) on one side and a top sheet 102. The flat input device TSPc is configured by superposing a top sheet 102 on the side of the circuit board 101 on which the coordinate detection sensor surface is provided.

As shown in FIG. 10, a flat input device TS
Pc is the input operation surface frame 1 surrounding the periphery of the topsheet 102.
05. Note that the inside of the top sheet 102 surrounded by the input operation surface frame 105 is the input operation surface 104 operated by the user. In such a state, the flat input device TSPc is often used by being attached to a front surface of a notebook personal computer (not shown).

When the user touches the surface of the top sheet 102, that is, the input operation surface 104, with a finger, the coordinate detection sensor is pressed, and the coordinates indicating the position where the circuit board 101 is pressed are detected. To move the cursor on the screen of the notebook personal computer using this flat input device, place a finger on the input operation surface 104 and slide the finger as it is in the desired direction. Circuit board 101
Outputs the coordinates of the position where the finger is first placed on the coordinate detection sensor. Then, the coordinates of the position where the finger is moved are sequentially detected, and the CPU of the notebook personal computer is detected.
Send a signal to Based on this signal, the CPU moves the position of the cursor displayed on the display unit of the notebook personal computer in accordance with the movement of the finger.

The flat-type input device TSPc has a function of moving a cursor displayed on the display unit and a function of designating absolute coordinates on the input operation surface 104. Using this absolute coordinate designation function, input operation surface 1
A flat-type input device capable of assigning various functions to an absolute coordinate designation area on the input device 04 (hereinafter, referred to as “function-assigned flat-type input device”) has been developed. In this function assignment type flat input device, a user can select a specific function from a plurality of functions or set a function arbitrarily and assign it to an arbitrary position on the input operation surface 104. The portion on the input operation surface 104 to which such a specific function is assigned is called a function area.

In FIG. 10, a first function area 106 and a second function area 10 provided on an input operation surface 104 are provided.
7 is indicated by a dotted line. First functional area 1 in upper left corner
When the finger touches 06, the circuit board 101 detects the absolute coordinates of the contact point and sends a coordinate signal to the CPU of the notebook personal computer. The CPU determines whether the sent coordinate signal is a cursor movement command or an assignment function execution command. If the CPU determines that the command is the execution command of the assignment function, the CPU executes the function assigned to the absolute coordinates in advance, and displays the result on the display unit of the notebook personal computer.

If the function assigned to the first function area 106 is, for example, an ENTER key input function, touching the first function area 106 with a finger causes the user to press the ENTER key provided on the keyboard. The same instruction is executed. In other words, EN during operation of the flat input device
Even when it is necessary to press the TER key, simply moving the finger on the input operation surface 104 of the flat-panel input device causes ENT to be pressed.
This is convenient because the same input operation as pressing the ER key can be performed. Similarly, for example, if a vertical scroll function is assigned to the second functional area 107, a vertical scroll can be realized by touching the second functional area 107 with a finger and sliding the finger up and down.

As described above, the flat input device is a flat device of about 3 × 4 cm connected to the personal computer, and the cursor is moved on the display screen of the personal computer by tracing the input surface with a finger or the like. be able to. Further, by lightly pressing the input surface once with a finger (hereinafter, referred to as “tap operation”), it can be used as an alternative to a mouse click operation. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-311746 discloses prevention of a malfunction associated with a tap operation.

[0010] Further, as a normal click operation, an application program or a menu can be activated by tapping a specific area at four corners of the flat input device which is rarely used. When the menu is displayed, operations such as maximizing or minimizing the display of the application program that has been focused before displaying the menu by a tapping operation, or terminating the application program (hereinafter referred to as “window operation”) Name)
It can be performed.

Further, by sliding a finger or the like on the input surface, moving the cursor to select each item included in the menu, and determining the selected item by a tap operation or the like, the selected item can be handled. Function can be executed.

[0012]

Generally, a flat input device is often arranged adjacent to an input device such as a keyboard. Therefore, when inputting using the keyboard, the user tends to unintentionally touch the input surface (particularly, four corners of the input surface) of the flat input device. In such a case, the personal computer erroneously recognizes the user's unintended contact as an intentional tap operation. As a result, an erroneous operation such as the activation of an application program occurs against the intention of the user.

When a menu is displayed and a window operation is performed, it is necessary to move the cursor accurately. However, since accurate cursor movement operation is difficult with a flat input device, the user cannot quickly perform menu display and window operation. Another object of the present invention is to provide a flat input device that prevents the above-described erroneous operation and has improved operability .

[0014]

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention The first invention is a flat-type input device, and when an indicator is brought into contact with a flat input surface , a position where the indicator contacts the input surface is determined.
A plane operation unit for detecting contact point information including time and time information, a function area provided on the input surface to which a specific function is assigned , and a peripheral area provided on the input surface adjacent to the function area.
Comprising a side area, a storage unit for storing an operation corresponding to the function assigned to the functional area, and a control unit for reading the operation assigned to the serial憶部or al features area, the control unit may contact
Based on the point information, the functional area or peripheral area
When touched, the touched area is recorded as the first touch area.
Based on the first contact area storage unit to remember and the contact point information,
Function touched within a predetermined time after touching the first touch area
A second area for storing an area or a peripheral area as a second contact area;
A first contact area and a second contact area including a contact area storage unit
Is different from the assigned function area,
The operation is read out .

As described above, in the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent an application program or a menu from being erroneously displayed just by touching a finger.

According to a second aspect, in the first aspect, the control is provided.
The unit includes a second contact area when the first contact area is a functional area.
Whether the touch area is a peripheral area that is not adjacent to the first contact area,
Alternatively, it is determined whether the functional area is different from the first contact area.
However, if the first contact area is a peripheral area, the second contact area
Whether the area is a functional area that is not adjacent to the surrounding area, or
Or, determine if it is a peripheral area different from the first contact area
When the first contact area is a functional area, the second contact area
Area is a peripheral area that is not adjacent to the first contact area.
Disconnection or when the second contact area differs from the first contact area
When it is determined that the functional area is
If the contact area is the peripheral area, the second contact area is the peripheral area
When it is determined that the area is a non-adjacent functional area,
Is determined to be a peripheral area different from the first contact area.
Contact within a predetermined time after the contact of the second contact area
The function region or the peripheral region set as the first contact region .

As described above, in the second invention, 2
Function area where the first tapping is different from the first tapping
The second tap is an error if
Is determined to exist, and the selection process by double tap is canceled.
Celling allows users to make mistakes based on user tap mistakes.
Prevent malfunction due to certification .

According to a third aspect, in any one of the first and second aspects , a display for displaying a plurality of windows is provided.
Further comprising a storage unit, wherein the storage unit is assigned to the functional area.
The operation that targets the active window as a function
It is further characterized by storing .

[0019] As described above, in the third aspect, A
Window operation instead of application
By directly assigning to the
Now let's execute the window operation. Result, window operation
You can execute the work quickly.

In the fourth invention, a specific function is assigned.
And a peripheral area adjacent to the functional area.
Contacting the input surface of a flat input device
Device assigned to the function area provided on the input surface
Function to execute the function,
A step of storing an operation corresponding to the function, an instruction unit
When you touch the input surface, the position and time information
Generating a touch point information including, based on the contact point information
When the functional area or peripheral area is touched for the first time
In the first, a contact area is stored as a first contact area.
Based on the contact area storing step and the contact point information, the first
Function area touched within a specified time after touching the touch area
Area where the area or the peripheral area is stored as the second contact area.
Touch area storing step, a first contact area and a second contact area,
Are different, assigned to the touched functional area,
And reading out the stored operation.

According to a fifth aspect, in the fourth aspect , the first aspect is provided.
If the contact area is a functional area, the second contact area
1 the peripheral area not adjacent to the contact area, or
It is determined whether the function area is different from the first contact area, and the first contact area is determined.
If the touch area is a peripheral area, the second contact area is
The peripheral area is a non-adjacent functional area or the first area
Step of judging whether or not the functional area is different from the touch area
And when the first contact area is a functional area, the second contact area
Area is a peripheral area that is not adjacent to the first contact area.
Or when the second contact area is different from the first contact area
If it is determined that the area is a functional area, the first contact
If the area is a peripheral area, the second contact area is a peripheral area
Is determined to be a non-adjacent functional area, or
When it is determined that it is a peripheral area different from one contact area
Is contacted within the predetermined time by the contact of the second contact area.
The function area or the peripheral area thus set as the first contact area.
It further comprises a step.

As described above, in the fifth aspect, the
It has the same effect as the second invention .

A sixth invention is a fourth invention and a fifth invention.
The function assigned to the functional area
The corresponding action is to target the active window.
Operations.

[0024]

FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG.
A flat input device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The flat-type input device according to the present embodiment has been devised to achieve the above-described object of the present invention.

First, referring to the block diagram shown in FIG.
A configuration of the flat input device TSP2 according to the present embodiment will be described. The flat input device TSP2 is roughly divided into a flat input unit 2101, a control unit 2102, and a storage unit 21.
03 is included.

The plane input unit 2101 detects that the user has been traced by a finger or the like and that a tap operation has been performed.
In addition, as the plane input unit 2101, a capacitance type tablet is preferably used, but another type such as a pressure-sensitive type may be adopted. Further, a flat input device having a launcher function can also be used for the flat input unit 2101.

The storage unit 2103 stores specific operations for realizing the functions assigned to the function areas of the plane input unit 2101. The relationship between the functional area of the plane input unit 2101 and the operation stored in the storage unit 2103 will be described below with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 6, the first column located at the left end indicates the "position" of each functional area on the input surface of the plane input unit 2101. The second column located in the center is
The “area” of each functional area on the input surface of the plane input unit 2101 is represented by coordinates. The third column located at the right end represents “operation” assigned to each functional area. Note that, in the drawing, the effective area of the input surface of the plane input unit 2101 is a range represented by a resolution of width 1024 and height 768, and each area has a width of 100 and a height of 100. I have.

That is, the coordinates (0,0)-(100,10
A function for performing a menu display operation is assigned to an area defined in the upper left corner of the input surface of the plane input unit 2101 defined by 0).

Similarly, the coordinates (462, 0)-(562,
A function for activating the mail software is assigned to an area defined in the upper center of the input surface of the plane input unit 2101 defined by the above (100).

The coordinates (924, 0)-(1024, 10
A function for performing an operation of setting an access point is assigned to an area defined in (0) at the upper right corner of the input surface of the plane input unit 2101.

In a region defined by the coordinates (0,668)-(0,768) and located at the lower left corner of the input surface of the plane input unit 2101, a function for maximizing / returning the focus window is provided. Have been assigned.

Coordinates (462, 668)-(562, 76)
A function for performing a menu display operation of the focus window is assigned to an area defined in 8), which is located at the lower center of the input surface of the plane input unit 2101.

Then, the coordinates (924, 668)-(10
24, 768), a function of performing an operation of closing the focus window is assigned to an area located at the lower right corner of the input surface of the plane input unit 2101.

Returning to FIG. 1, the control unit 2102 performs a tap operation (hereinafter, referred to as “double tap” or “double tap”) that is rapidly performed twice in or near a function area provided on the input surface of the plane input unit 2101. Operation). Then, a function such as application start or window operation assigned to the functional area where the double tap has been performed is extracted from the storage unit 2103 and executed.

Next, referring to FIG.
The division of the functional area formed on one input surface will be described. A normal cursor movement and tap operation are assigned to the function area 2201. Functional area 220
2, 2203, 2204, 2205, 2206, and the function area 2207 are assigned the functions of the above-described double tap processing different from the normal operation.

That is, these functional areas 2202-22
In each of 07, when the double tap operation by the user is recognized, the operation (function) assigned to the corresponding function area, such as activation of an application program or window operation, is executed. When a single tap operation is recognized in the function areas 2202 to 2207, or when a double tap is recognized in an area other than the function areas 2202 to 2207, a normal cursor movement or a tap operation may be executed. .

As an example, a functional area 2202 shown in FIG.
With reference to the enlarged view of the surroundings, functional areas 2202 to 220
2207 will be described. Hereinafter, these functional areas 2202 to 2207 are referred to as double tap functional areas for identification.

In this embodiment, the double tap function area 22
02 has a rectangular shape defined by a vertical A2 and a horizontal A1. Around the double tap function region 2202, a band-shaped peripheral region 2302 having a predetermined width is provided in close contact with the double tap function region 2202. The peripheral region 2302 has a vertical length of B2 (A2> B2) in the vertical direction and extends in the horizontal direction of the double tap function region 2202 in parallel with the horizontal band-like region 2302h.
> B1) and has a vertical band-like region 2302v extending in the vertical direction of the double tap function region 2202.

The horizontal band area 2302h has a total length A1 + B1 of the horizontal length A1 of the double tap function area 2202 and the width B1 of the vertical band area 2302v in the horizontal direction.
Just extend. Similarly, the vertical band-shaped area 2302v is vertically aligned with the vertical length A2 of the double tap function area 2202.
And the total length A of the vertical length B2 of the horizontal strip region 2302h
Extends by 2 + B2.

As described above, the peripheral area 2302 is an area defined as the vicinity of the double tap function area 2202, and is arranged so as to surround the double tap function area 2202. Landscape A1 of double tap function area 2202
In addition, the vertical length A2 and the width B1 and the vertical length B2 of the peripheral region 2302 are set to appropriate values based on the properties of the flat input device.

As described above, double tap function area 220 located at the upper left corner of the input surface of plane input unit 2101
2, the peripheral area provided around the double tap function area has been described. Similarly, the plane input unit 2101
Double tap function areas 2204, 2205, and 220 located at the upper right, lower left, and lower right corners of the input surface of
7 also surround the peripheral region 2 (not shown).
304, 2305, and 2307 are provided.

That is, the peripheral region 2304 is composed of a vertical band-like region 2304v extending parallel to the vertical direction of the double tap function region 2204 and a horizontal band region 2304h extending parallel to the horizontal direction of the double tap function region 2204. Is formed. The peripheral region 2305 is a vertical band-like region 2 extending in parallel with the vertical direction of the double tap function region 2205.
305v and a horizontal band-like area 2305h extending in parallel to the horizontal direction of the double tap function area 2205. The peripheral region 2307 is formed of a vertical band-like region 2307v extending in the vertical direction of the double tap function region 2207 and a horizontal band-like region 2307h extending in the horizontal direction of the double tap function region 2207. I have.

Double tap function areas 2203 and 2203 located at the center of the side of the input surface of plane input section 2101
Although not shown in FIG.
3 and 2206 are provided. However, the peripheral region 2303 is a vertical band-like region 2303v extending in parallel to both sides of the double tap function region 2203 in the vertical direction.
L and 2303vR, double tap function area 220
3 horizontal band-like regions 2303h extending in parallel to the horizontal direction. Peripheral region 2306 includes vertical band-like regions 2306vL and 2306vR extending in parallel on both sides in the vertical direction of double tap function region 2206, respectively.
And a horizontal band-shaped region 2306h extending in parallel to the horizontal direction of the double tap function region 2206.

Although not illustrated in FIG. 2, the double tap function area can be provided at an arbitrary position on the plane input surface 2101. Therefore, the peripheral area is formed by the required number of horizontal band-shaped areas and vertical band-shaped areas so as to cover all the surroundings in accordance with the position where the double tap function area is provided. In the above description, the example in which the functional area 2202 to the functional area 2207 are represented by rectangles has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to rectangles and can be assigned as an area having an arbitrary shape such as an ellipse.

Referring to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, a process based on a double tap performed by the user in the flat input device TSP2 will be described. Flat input device TS
The power is turned on to P2, and the operation starts.

First, in step S202 (ST1), a tap operation detection flag N indicating whether a tap operation is detected is initialized and set to zero. Note that a tap operation detection flag N of 0 indicates a state where a tap operation is not detected, and a tap operation detection flag N of 1 indicates a state where a tap operation is detected. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S204.

In step S204, it is determined whether the system is finished, that is, whether or not the double tap operation control of the flat input device TSP2 is finished. If Yes, the process ends. On the other hand, if No, the process proceeds to the next step S206.

In step S206, plane input unit 2
It is determined whether the input operation by the user on the input surface of 101 is a tap operation. If it is determined that the input operation is not a tap operation, the process proceeds to step S208.

In step S208, the processing is performed as if the user had instructed normal cursor movement.
That is, a display device (not shown) is provided in response to a user input.
Move the cursor above to display it. Then, the process returns to step S204.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S206 that the operation is a tap operation, the process proceeds to step S2.
Go to 10.

In step S210, it is determined whether or not the tap operation detection flag N is 1. If the tap operation detection flag N is not 1, that is, if no control has been performed on the detected tap operation,
If No is determined, the process proceeds to step S212.

In step S212, the tap operation position (X, Y) at which the tap operation is detected is determined by the plane input unit 21.
It is determined whether or not it is inside any of the double tap function areas provided on the input surface 01 or near the double tap function area. Note that the vicinity of the double tap function area refers to the inside of a peripheral area provided around the double tap function area described with reference to FIG. If the first tap operation has not been performed in the double tap function area and the surrounding area, it is determined as No, and the process proceeds to step S214.

In step S214, the process for the normal tap operation is executed, and the tap operation detection flag N is set to 0. Then, the process proceeds to step S2
Return to 04.

On the other hand, if the first tap operation has been performed in the double tap function area and the surrounding area, it is determined as Yes in step S212, and the process proceeds to step S216. In this case, it is assumed that the tap operation is performed to specify a specific double tap function area.

In step S216, a first tap operation time T1 indicating the time at which the tap operation is detected, and a first tap operation position P1 indicating the position at which the tap operation is detected
(X1, Y1) and the tap operation detection flag N is set to 1. Then, the process returns to step S204.

On the other hand, Yes in step S210, that is, if the tap operation detection flag N is 1 in step S216 described above.
Is set in step S218, the process proceeds to step S218.
Proceed to.

In step S218, the position (X, Y) at which the tap operation is detected is determined in step S216.
1st tap operation position (X1, Y1) stored at
Is determined to be within or around the double-tap function area determined to belong. If No,
The specific double tap function area temporarily assumed to be specified by the first tap operation in step S216 described above can be regarded as not specifying the second tap operation. Therefore, in step S216, it is determined that the act that temporarily assumed that the user has designated the specific double-tap function area in the first tap operation was an unintended malfunction by the user. Then, the process proceeds to step S220.

In step S220, a process for a normal tap operation is executed and the tap operation detection flag N is set to 0, as in step S214 described above. That is, the first tap operation is ignored, and normal processing corresponding to the current tap operation is executed. Then, the process returns to step S204 described above.

On the other hand, in step S218, Yes
In the case of, the specific double tap function area temporarily assumed to be specified by the first tap operation in step S216 described above can be regarded as also specifying the second tap operation. That is, it can be determined that the user may have attempted to specify the double tap function area in the same manner by performing two consecutive tap operations. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S222.

In step S222, similarly to step S216, the second tap operation time T2 indicating the time at which the tap operation was detected this time and the second tap operation coordinate (X2 , Y2)
Is stored. However, the tap operation detection flag N remains set to 1. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S
Proceed to 224.

In step S224, a time difference ΔT between the first tap operation time T1 and the second tap operation time T2 is obtained, and it is determined whether the obtained time difference ΔT is smaller than a threshold value Tth corresponding to a predetermined time. Is determined. This threshold Tth
Is a time value appropriately set based on a time interval between two tap operations when the user designates a specific area by a normal double tap operation. Time difference ΔT is threshold T
If it is greater than th, it is determined as No. And the process is
The process returns to step S204.

On the other hand, in the case of Yes in step S224, in order to specify the double-tap function area temporarily assumed to have been specified by the user in the above-described step S216 in the above-mentioned step S216, it is assumed that the user has performed the double-tap operation . Then, the process proceeds to the next step S2
Proceed to 26.

In step S 226, the operation corresponding to the function assigned to the function area designated by the user by the double tap operation is retrieved from storage unit 2103 and executed. For example, when the functional area 2202 shown in FIG. 2, that is, the upper left corner is selected, it is understood that the menu should be displayed based on the example shown in FIG.

By preventing the processing in steps S214, S220 and S226 from being performed, it is possible to prevent an accidental input to a specific area of the flat input device which is easily touched by a finger or the like during a keyboard operation.

FIG. 5 shows an example of two tap operation positions when the function area 2202 shown in FIG. 2, that is, the upper left corner is selected. P1 indicates the position (X1, Y1) where the first tap operation was performed, and exists in the peripheral area 2302. P2 is the position (X2,
Y2) and exists in the double tap function area 2202. In such a case, at least one tap operation position, that is, P2 is the double tap function area 2202.
, And both tap operation positions P1 and P2 are present in the double tap function area 2202 or the peripheral area 2302, so that the upper left corner is selected.

Hereinafter, a modification of the flat input device TSP2 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this modification, a window operation is executed instead of activating an application by two tap operations, and the configuration and processing method of the device are basically the same as those shown in FIGS. FIG.
5 and FIG. 5, only the differences will be described.

FIG. 6 shows a plane input unit 2 in this modification.
An example of a window operation assigned to the functional area 101 will be described. That is, the functions of “maximize / return focus window”, “display focus window menu”, and “close focus window” are provided in the lower left corner, lower center, and lower right corner of plane input unit 2101, respectively. Have been assigned.

FIG. 7 shows a display device (not shown) of a personal computer in which the flat input device TSP2 is incorporated.
FIG. 11 shows an example in which the second window 702 with focus is displayed on the first window 703. For the window 702 with focus,
The maximize 704, the menu 705, and the close 706 can be operated without moving the cursor 707.

With reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, the operation at the time of executing the window operation will be described.

In step S240, it is determined whether or not an application program corresponding to the area portion where the double tap operation has been performed has been allocated to storage unit 2103, that is, whether or not an operation relating to the focused window has been allocated. . (In FIG. 6, it corresponds to the operation on the lower left corner, lower center, and lower right corner area). If no window operation has been assigned, that is, if an application program has been assigned, it is determined as No, and the process proceeds to step S242.

In step S242, an application program is started.

On the other hand, in step S240, Ye
If s, that is, if a window operation is assigned, the process proceeds to the next step S246.

In step S246, a window identification handle is obtained using a system call or the like.
Then, the process proceeds to the next step S248.

In step S248, it is determined whether the attribute of the window specified by the identification handle obtained in step S246 is operable. N
In the case of "o", the process is terminated. On the other hand, in the case of Yes,
The process proceeds to the next step S250.

In step S250, a window message for performing a window operation is given to the identification handle, or a key macro or a system call is executed on the identification handle, so that the same window operation as when the user selects the window operation is performed. Perform processing.

In the above description, an example of an operation relating to a window having focus has been described. However, an operation relating to the entire system can be similarly performed regardless of the focus window. As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, there is obtained an advantageous effect that a malfunction in which an application or a menu is activated only by touching a finger can be prevented, and a window operation can be executed quickly without moving a cursor.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a flat input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of a double tap function area provided on the plane input unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a double tap function area and its peripheral area shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the flat input device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a tap operation position by a user when a double tap function area is selected.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an operation corresponding to each of the functional regions provided in the plane input unit in the plane input device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a window operation performed in a modification of the flat input device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of the flat input device shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of a conventional flat input device.

FIG. 10 is a front view showing an input operation surface of a conventional flat input device.

[Explanation of symbols]

TSP2, TSPc Planar input device 2101 Planar input unit 2102 Control unit 2103 Storage unit 2202, 2203, 2204, 2205, 2206,
2207 Double tap function area 2302, 2303 Peripheral area 2302v, 2303vL, 2303vR Vertical band area 2302h, 2303h Horizontal band area 702 Focus window 703 First window 704 Maximize icon 705 Menu 706 Close icon 707 Cursor P1, P2 Detection position 101 Circuit Substrate 102 Top sheet 104 Input operation surface 105 Input operation surface frame 106 First functional area 107 Second functional area

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A Contacting the instruction means in a plane of the input surface, the position and the time the instruction means is in contact with the input surface
A plane operation unit for detecting contact point information including time information, a function area assigned to a specific function provided on the input surface, and a periphery provided on the input surface adjacent to the function area
Comprising a region, a storage unit for storing an operation corresponding to the function assigned to the functional area, and a control unit for reading the operation assigned to the functional area from the storage unit, the control unit, the contact point Based on the information, the functional area or the periphery
When the edge area is touched for the first time, the touched area is
A first contact area storing unit that stores the information as a first contact area, and whether the first contact area is in contact based on the contact point information.
From the functional area or the periphery
Second contact area storage for storing the side area as the second contact area
And the first contact area and the second contact area are both peripheral areas.
Assigned to the touched functional area, except in some cases
A flat-type input device for reading out an operation performed . 2. The control section according to claim 1 , wherein the first contact area is functional.
If the second contact area is the first contact area,
Or a peripheral region not adjacent to the region, or, the first
It is determined whether it is a functional area different from the contact area, and if the first contact area is a peripheral area, the second contact area is determined.
The contact area is a functional area where the peripheral area is not adjacent
Or a peripheral area different from the first contact area.
It is determined whether the first contact area is a functional area.
The touch area is a peripheral area that is not adjacent to the first contact area.
Is determined, or the second contact area is the first contact area.
When it is determined that the function area is different from the contact area,
Further, when the first contact area is a peripheral area, the second contact area
It is determined that the touch area is a functional area in which the peripheral area is not adjacent.
When disconnected or in a different area than the first contact area
When it is determined that the area is the area, the contact of the second contact area is determined.
A functional area contacted within the predetermined time by touch or
The flat input device according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral area is a first contact area . 3. A display unit for displaying a plurality of windows.
And the storage unit stores the functions assigned to the functional area.
More actions for active windows
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the information is stored.
A flat-type input device according to any one of the claims. 4. A functional area to which a specific function is assigned
And an input in which a peripheral area is provided adjacent to the functional area
A flat input device having a surface, in contact with the input surface,
Machine assigned to the function area provided on the input surface
A method for executing capacity, serial operations corresponding to the functions assigned to the functional area
And when the pointing means touches the input surface,
Generating contact point information including time and time information, and based on the contact point information,
When the edge area is touched for the first time, the touched area is
First contact area storing step of storing as a first contact area
And whether the first contact area is in contact based on the contact point information.
From the functional area contacted within a predetermined time from
A second contact area that stores the peripheral area as a second contact area
And the first contact area and the second contact area are both peripheral areas.
Assigned to the touched functional area, except in some cases
Reading the stored and stored operations
Method. 5. The case where the first contact area is a functional area.
The second contact area may not be adjacent to the first contact area.
Surrounding area or different from the first contact area.
It is determined whether the first contact area is a peripheral area. If the first contact area is a peripheral area, the second contact area is determined.
The contact area is a functional area where the peripheral area is not adjacent
Or, der different peripheral region and said first contact area
Determining whether the first contact area is a functional area;
The touch area is a peripheral area that is not adjacent to the first contact area.
Is determined, or the second contact area is the first contact area.
When it is determined that the function area is different from the contact area,
Further, when the first contact area is a peripheral area, the second contact area
It is determined that the touch area is a functional area in which the peripheral area is not adjacent.
When disconnected or in a different area than the first contact area
When it is determined that the area is the area, the contact of the second contact area is determined.
A functional area contacted within the predetermined time by touch or
The method further includes the step of setting the peripheral area as a first contact area.
The method of claim 4, wherein 6. A function assigned to the function area.
Respond to active windows
A method according to any one of claims 4 and 5, further comprising an operation.
The described method.