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JP2000137576A TOUCH PANEL TYPE INPUT DEVICE

Applicants: NEC CORP

Inventors: KUMAGAI YASUHIRO

Classifications:
IPC G06F3/033; G06F3/041; H01H13/70; H01H3/50; (IPC1-7): G06F3/033; H01H13/70; H01H3/50;

Priorities: JP31011598A 1998-10-30

Application: JP31011598A·1998-10-30

Publication: JP2000137576A·2000-05-16

Published as: JP2000137576A

TOUCH PANEL TYPE INPUT DEVICE

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a touch panel type input device capable of confirming key touch by oscillation and to
provide a user inter-face except for display screen and sound in a portable game machine having a touch panel. SOLUTION:
The touch panel type input device is provided with a liquid crystal display unit(LCD) 2, an LCD display control part 6 for
controlling the display of characters or graphics on the LCD 2, a transparent touch panel 1 arranged on the upper part of the
LCD 2 and capable of reading out the display contents of the LCD 2 from the upper part, a touch panel detection part 5
capable of detecting the depression of the panel 1 and its detecting position when prescribed depressing operation to the
panel 1 executed, an oscillation unit 3 for generating oscillation in accordance with an instruction from the detection part 5
and transmitting the oscillation to a user's finger tip, an oscillation unit driving part 7 for controlling the drive of the unit 3, and
a CPU 4 for controlling the detection part 5, the control part 6 and the driving part 7.

https://worldwide.espacenet.com/patent/search/family/018001367/publication/JP2000137576A?q=JP2000137576A 1/1
 JP2000137576A TOUCH PANEL TYPE INPUT DEVICE

Data originating from sources other than the EPO may not be accurate, complete, or up to
date.

The wording below is an initial machine translation of the original publication. To generate
a version using the latest translation technology, go to the original language text and use
Patent Translate.

1. A liquid crystal display unit (LCD), an LCD display control unit for controlling display of
characters or figures displayed on the LCD, and a transparent display unit arranged above the
LCD so that the display contents of the LCD can be read from above. A touch panel, a touch
panel detection unit that performs push detection and push position detection when a
predetermined push operation is performed on the touch panel, and a vibration unit that
generates vibration according to an instruction from the touch panel detection unit and
transmits this vibration to a fingertip, A touch panel type input device comprising: a vibration
unit controller that controls the drive of the vibration unit; and a CPU that controls the touch
panel detector, the LCD display controller, and the vibration unit driver.

2. The touch panel type input device according to claim 1, wherein the vibration unit vibrates
for a time period during which the touch panel is pressed or a preset arbitrary time period.

3. The touch panel input according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the vibration unit control unit
can arbitrarily set a vibration time, a magnitude of vibration, or a vibration pattern in
accordance with a pressing state of the touch panel. apparatus.

4. The vibrating unit control unit can arbitrarily set the presence or absence of vibration, the
time of vibration, or the vibration pattern depending on which area of the display screen the
touch panel is pressed according to the display content of the LCD. The touch panel type
input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
 JP2000137576A TOUCH PANEL TYPE INPUT DEVICE

Data originating from sources other than the EPO may not be accurate, complete, or up to
date.

The wording below is an initial machine translation of the original publication. To generate
a version using the latest translation technology, go to the original language text and use
Patent Translate.

[0001] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present

invention relates to a touch panel type input device provided with a liquid crystal display
device, and more particularly to a function of causing the input device itself to vibrate by an
input operation.

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an ATM (Automatic Payment

Deposit Machine) equipped with a liquid crystal display device with a touch panel, an OA
device such as a facsimile, an FA facility used in a factory, etc., when a touch panel is used to
perform an input operation. The one that makes a beeping key touch sound to let the user
confirm that the key has been input has been put into practical use. As a means for
confirming the key input, there is a method such as changing the display content of the liquid
crystal display screen by the key input, but intuitively, a means of hearing a key touch sound
is effective.

[0003] However, the above-described method of confirming the key input by the key touch
sound has a problem that the key touch sound is difficult to hear due to the ambient noise,
which hinders the operation. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-13507 discloses a mobile
phone having no touch panel that vibrates an incoming call display vibrator (vibrator) of the
mobile phone when a numeric keypad or the like is pressed to transmit the vibration to an
operator. However, none of the touch panel type input devices generate vibration by input.

[0004] Also, home video game consoles, etc. that vibrate a game operation controller
connected by a cable from the main body have already been commercialized, but portable
game consoles have a liquid crystal display device with a touch panel. It does not exist, and is
operated mainly by independent operation buttons, cross buttons, etc. In order to increase
interest in games, it has been a challenge to realize a function of operating a portable game
machine on a touch panel and vibrating the game machine itself by touch panel input.

[0005] The present invention has been made under such a background, and in addition to
providing an input confirmation means of a touch panel that generates vibration by key touch,
the input confirmation means informs the user whether or not it is an input effective area.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a touch panel type input device that
improves the user interface such as confirmation of irreversible operation execution such as
data deletion and provides a new operation feeling when used in a game machine or the like.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid crystal
display unit (LCD), an LCD display control section for controlling display of a character or a
graphic to be displayed on the LCD, and an upper portion of the LCD. A transparent touch
panel that is provided and can read the display contents of the LCD from above, a touch panel
detection unit that performs push detection and push position detection when a predetermined
push operation is performed on the touch panel, and the touch panel detection unit The
vibration unit that generates vibration according to the instruction to transmit the vibration to
the fingertip, the vibration unit control unit that controls the driving of the vibration unit, the
touch panel detection unit, the LCD display control unit, and the control of the vibration unit
drive unit. Provided is a touch panel type input device provided with a CPU for performing.

[0007] The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the time during which the
vibration unit vibrates can be set to a time during which the touch panel is pressed down or an
arbitrary time set in advance. To provide a touch panel type input device.

[0008] The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the vibrating unit control
unit can arbitrarily set a vibrating time, a magnitude of a vibrating, or a vibrating pattern in
accordance with a pressing state of the touch panel. A touch panel type input device
described in 1 or 2 is provided.

[0009] In the invention according to claim 4, whether or not vibration is generated, a

vibration time, or a vibration pattern depends on which area of the display screen is pressed
by the vibration unit control unit depending on the display content of the LCD. The touch
panel type input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the touch panel input
device can be set arbitrarily.

[0010] In order to solve the above-described problems, the touch panel input device of the
present invention includes a liquid crystal display device on its lower surface and a vibration
unit for generating vibration. The vibration magnitude and vibration pattern of the vibration
unit can be set in advance, or can be set in association with the time when the touch panel is
pressed. Further, depending on the display content displayed by the liquid crystal display
device on the lower surface of the touch panel, the presence/absence of vibration, the
vibration time, and the vibration pattern can be arbitrarily set depending on which area on the
display screen is pressed.

[0011] DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the

present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a
diagram showing a configuration of a touch panel type input device according to an
embodiment of the present invention. The components will be described with reference to
FIG. Reference numeral 1 denotes a touch panel, and here, a resistance film type analog
touch panel is used, but any type of touch panel may be used. It may be digital.

[0012] Reference numeral 2 denotes a liquid crystal display unit (LCD), and the display
contents of the LCD 2 can be read from above through the transparent touch panel 1. 3 is a
vibration unit, the structure of which will be described later. Reference numeral 5 denotes a
touch panel detection unit that detects a touch panel depression and a depression position. An
LCD display control unit 6 controls the display of characters and figures displayed on the
LCD 2. Reference numeral 7 denotes a vibration unit drive unit, which controls the drive of
the vibration unit 3. Control vibration time, vibration magnitude, and vibration pattern.

[0013] Reference numeral 4 denotes a central processing unit (CPU), which includes the
touch panel detection unit 5, the LCD display control unit 6, the vibration unit driving unit 7,
and other parts of the device including the input device (not shown). Perform combined
control. Although the touch panel 1, the LCD 2 and the vibrating unit 3 are shown separately
in FIG. 1 for the sake of explanation, in reality, as shown in FIG.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the structure of the vibration unit used in the present
invention. The components in this figure will be described. Reference numeral 21 is a motor,
22 is a rotating shaft of the motor, 23 is a weight asymmetrical to the shaft, 24 is a mounting
screw hole, and 25 is a lead wire for supplying a drive current to the motor 21. When the
motor 21 is rotated, the weight 23 is asymmetrical with respect to the rotation shaft 22, so
that vibration occurs. When the drive current is increased, the magnitude of vibration also
increases.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention. The
components in FIG. 3 will be described. Reference numeral 1 is the touch panel described
above, 2 is the LCD described above, and 3 is the vibration unit described above. Reference
numeral 8 is a frame for supporting the input device of this embodiment. This frame need not
be metal. Reference numeral 9 denotes a spring, and in this embodiment, four springs are
used at the four corners of the lower surface of the LCD 2. This spring is necessary to vibrate
only a portion of the input device independent of the device on which the input device is
mounted. However, when applied to a portable game machine, the spring can be omitted
because the game machine body may vibrate in addition to the touch panel surface of the
input device. Reference numeral 10 is a makeup plate.

[0016] Next, the operation of the first application example of the embodiment of the present
invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 shows an example
of a screen displayed on the input device of the present invention. This screen requires the
user to enter a personal identification number. Pressing on this screen is effective only within
the square area where the numbers 1, 2,..., 0 are displayed on the screen.

[0017] In FIG. 1, when the user presses the surface of the touch panel 1, the touch panel
detection unit 5 detects that there is a press input on the touch panel and the pressed position
on the touch panel (position on X, Y coordinates). .. A description of the detection method is
omitted because it is a known technique. The touch panel detection unit 5 notifies the central
processing unit (CPU) 4 of the detected information. In the CPU 4, the touch panel detection
unit 5 notifies the CPU 4 of the position of the character/graphic displayed on the LCD 2
through the LCD display control unit 6 (the position on the X and Y coordinates, which is
equal to the position on the touch panel 1). Compare the positions. As a result of comparison,
if the pressed position on the touch panel 1 is within the square area where the numbers 1,
2,..., 0 are displayed, the vibrating unit 3 is caused to vibrate with respect to the vibrating unit
driving unit 7. Give instructions.

[0018] When the effective area is pressed, an instruction is given to vibrate for a short time
(for example, 0.5 seconds). The vibrating unit driving section 7 has a structure shown in FIG.
2 in which a driving current is supplied to the vibrating unit 3 for 0.5 seconds. When the
driving current is supplied from the lead wire 25 in FIG. The rotation shaft 22 of the motor 21
rotates. Since the weight 23 is asymmetric with respect to the rotating shaft 22, vibration is
generated. The motor 21 is firmly fixed to the lower surface of the LCD 2 of FIG. 1 with a
screw by using a mounting screw hole, so that the vibration is transmitted to the surface of
the touch panel 1 through the LCD 2. Since the user's finger touches the surface of the touch
panel 1, this vibration is transmitted to the user's finger, and the user can know that the
correct area has been pressed.
[0019] As shown in FIG. 3, the input device of the present invention is supported by the
spring 9. This spring is necessary to vibrate only part of the input device, independent of the
device on which it is mounted. When the pressed position on the touch panel 1 is not within
the square area in which the numbers 1, 2,..., 0 are displayed, the CPU 4 does not issue a
vibration instruction to the vibration unit drive unit 7 because it is an invalid area. .. The user
can know that the area is an invalid area because there is no reaction when pressed.

[0020] Next, the operation of the second application example will be described in detail with
reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 shows an example of a screen displayed on the input device
of the present invention. This screen requires the user to select one of three types of
processing: data saving, data erasing, and all data erasing. Pressing on this screen is effective
only within the three horizontally long rectangular areas in which the numbers 1, 2, 3 and the
instruction text are displayed.

[0021] When the rectangular area of “1. Save this data” is pressed, the vibration unit is
vibrated for a short time (for example, 0.5 seconds) by the same method as in the first
application example.

[0022] When the rectangular area of “2. Erase this data” is pressed, the once erased data
cannot be restored, so the vibrating unit is vibrated for a little longer time (for example, 2
seconds) for the purpose of issuing a warning. The CPU 4 of FIG. 1 issues a vibration
instruction for 2 seconds to the vibration unit driving unit 7. After this vibration, although not
shown, the screen is switched through the LCD display control unit 6 and [Data is erased. Is
it OK. Display the contents of "Yes" and "No".

[0023] If the user presses in the rectangular area of “3. Erase all data”, if all data is
accidentally erased, the user will be seriously damaged and the user will be warned. Issues a
vibration instruction to the vibration unit driving section 7 with a vibration larger than ever.
Although not shown, switch the screen and select [Delete all data. The system will not
continue to operate. Display the contents of "Yes" and "No". Next, the vibration is continued
until the user presses either "Yes" or "No".

[0024] The vibration unit driving section 7 can generate a larger vibration by causing a larger
driving current to flow through the vibration unit 3. When the area other than the three
horizontally long rectangular areas is pressed, no vibration is generated.

[0025] Next, the operation of the third application example will be described in detail with
reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 shows an example of a display screen when the input device
of the present invention is applied to a portable game machine. On this screen, the user
(player) has a mission to destroy the fortress of the enemy army with a missile. In FIG. 6, 1,
2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 are fortresses of the enemy army. The fortress hides nuclear weapons,
conventional weapons, or food, but there are also camouflaged fortresses that are empty only
in shape.

[0026] The player must quickly destroy the fortress of the enemy army in the ever-changing
game screen. The attack is performed by touching the touch panel on the screen with the
fingertip. If you touch a hidden fortification of a conventional weapon, it vibrates three times
with a moderate vibration magnitude, and then informs the player of the outcome of the
attack. If you touch the hidden fortress of nuclear weapons, Buru Buru Buru Buru, Buru
Rururun! Then, a small vibration is made at first, and a large vibration is made at the end to
notify a big battle result.

[0027] If you touch the food pan, give it a short, medium-sized vibration. If you touch the
camouflaged fortress, vibrate it very short and small. If you touch anywhere other than the
fortress, do not vibrate. In this way, in this example, the vibration pattern is changed to
increase the amount of bodily sensation information to the player. As a method of changing
the pattern, as described above, the time, the magnitude of the vibration, the interruption of
the vibration, and the continuous change of the magnitude of the vibration are used. The
magnitude of vibration can be controlled by the magnitude of current supplied to the
vibration unit.

[0028] When the present invention is applied to a portable game machine, the vibration is
transmitted to the entire game machine, which rather increases the interest of the game.
Therefore, the support structure of the input device by the spring shown in FIG. 3 is not
taken.

[0029] To summarize the above, when the user presses the touch panel, the touch panel
detects this and vibrates the vibration unit. The vibration of the vibration unit vibrates the
entire input device, and the vibration is transmitted to the user's finger. The user can feel the
reaction of the input through the fact that the vibration is transmitted to his/her finger. When
the touch panel is pressed, it can be vibrated for a certain period of time, or it can be vibrated
only for the time of pressing.

[0030] Further, the magnitude of the vibration can be set in advance, and it can be set to such
a magnitude that the vibration can be recognized, or it can be set to a vibration large enough
to surprise the user. The vibration can be gradually increased while the button is being
pressed, or the magnitude of the vibration can be changed depending on the operation step.

[0031] In addition, when the display content displayed on the liquid crystal display device on
the bottom surface of the touch panel is, for example, an icon of an operation button, when
the correct button is pressed in the current operation step, short vibration is performed and the
wrong button is pressed. If it does, you can set it to vibrate longer. The long vibration allows
the operator to know an erroneous operation. This is an analogy that the key touch sound is
short in the case of correct input and long in the case of subsequent input, and is an operation
interface that is easy for the user to understand. When applied to a game machine, it can be
made to increase interest in the game, such as generating a large vibration when an operation
that hits the opponent is performed on the touch panel.

[0032] The operation of one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail
above with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to this
embodiment, and there are design changes and the like within the scope not departing from
the gist of the present invention. Are also included in the present invention.

[0033] As described above, the first effect of the present invention is that the user can
confirm the key touch even in an environment where the key touch sound is difficult to hear.
The reason is that the surface of the touch panel vibrates at the time of key touch, and this is
transmitted to the user's finger so that the key touch can be visually confirmed.
[0034] The second effect is that the user can confirm the key touch even in a deaf person who
cannot hear the key touch sound. The reason is that the surface of the touch panel vibrates at
the time of key touch, and this is transmitted to the user's finger so that the key touch can be
visually confirmed.

[0035] The third effect is that it can be used for the purpose of issuing a warning depending
on the area touched with a key. The reason is that the vibration pattern (magnitude of
vibration, time, etc.) can be selectively changed by detecting the touch position and
comparing the display contents.

[0036] A fourth effect is that, when applied to a game machine such as a portable game
machine, interest in the game is improved as compared with the case where only the display
content and sound of the screen are used. The reason is that an effective vibration pattern can
be used depending on the touch position depending on the content of the game.