JP2011227703A - Touch panel input device capable of two-point detection - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a practical touch panel input device utilizing a touch panel capable of two-point detection.SOLUTION: Input is performed on the basis of the relative positional relation of first components in one side direction of two simultaneously touched points on a rectangular touch panel display surface, the relative positional relation of second components in the other side direction vertical to it and time information. The input is performed by the relative size relation of the first components with each other or the second components with each other of the two points at the same time. The input is performed by a relative distance between the two points at the same time. When the positions of the two points do not change for the predetermined time, the input is established. The input is performed by the combination of the absolute positions of the two points and a relative position change from there. Even when the touch of the two points deviates, it is recognized that the two points are touched when it is within the predetermined time. When the touch of the second point after the predetermined time from the touch of the first point is detected, the input is performed separately. The input is performed by the detection of parallel movement of the two points. The input is performed by the relative relation change of only the first components or the second components of the two points. When the change directions of the first components and the second components of the two points are opposite, it is recognized as the input of a circle.

Description

  The present invention relates to a touch panel input device.

Various proposals have been made regarding touch panel input devices. For example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 propose analog resistance film type touch panels capable of detecting two touch positions.
JP 2009-146191 A JP 2010-26641 A

  However, there are various problems that need to be specifically examined in the use of touch panels, and practical studies are still insufficient for touch panels that can detect multiple points.

  In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a practical touch panel input device utilizing a touch panel capable of detecting two points.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a touch panel display screen having a display and a touch panel function, a relative positional relationship between first position components at two points touched simultaneously on the touch panel display screen, and a first component. There is provided a touch panel input device capable of two-point detection, characterized by having an input control unit that inputs information based on the relative positional relationship between different second components and time information regarding two-point touch. As a result, information input utilizing the two-point detection capability becomes possible. According to a specific feature of the present invention, the touch panel display screen has a rectangular shape, the first direction component is a direction parallel to one side of the rectangular shape, and the second direction component is the other side perpendicular to the one side. Is parallel to the direction.

  According to another specific feature of the present invention, the input control unit performs input control based on a relative magnitude relationship in one of the two first components and the second component at the same time. Thus, for example, an input based on the vertical relationship or the horizontal relationship between two points is possible, and furthermore, since these relationships are relative, an input that does not depend on the exact absolute position of the two points is possible.

  According to another specific feature of the present invention, the input control unit performs input control based on a relative distance between two points at the same time. As a result, input based on the distance between the two points regardless of the direction becomes possible, and furthermore, since the relative distance is information, it is possible to input without depending on the exact absolute position of the two points.

  According to a more specific feature of the present invention, the input of the input control unit based on the relative distance between one or two points of the first component and the second component of the two points at the same time is the position of the two points for a predetermined time. Determined when does not change. As a result, it is possible to prevent an unexpected input when two points are touched by mistake, and to perform an input when the touch positions of the two points are intentionally maintained without moving for a predetermined time.

  According to another feature of the present invention, the input control unit performs input based on a combination of two absolute positions based on the absolute position of the two points and the relative position change of the two points as time elapses from the absolute position. . As a result, it is possible to reliably perform a combination of two absolute positions for determining input information and the input. According to a more specific feature, when the position of the second point changes with the first point as a fulcrum, the input control unit detects this as a change in the relative position of the two points with the passage of time.

  According to another feature of the present invention, the input control unit performs input control based on the two-point touch when the two-point touch is detected within a predetermined time, and performs the second touch from the first touch detection. When the detection time exceeds a predetermined time, input control different from input control based on two-point touch is performed. Accordingly, it is possible to perform input based on the two-point touch without strictly touching the two points simultaneously, and to perform input different from the two-point simultaneous touch by the first point touch and the second point touch. More specifically, the input control unit performs input control of the first touch based on the second touch when the time from the first touch detection to the second touch detection exceeds a predetermined time. Performs different input controls. It should be noted that if the predetermined time for performing the two-point touch and the predetermined time for performing the input different from the first point touch for the second point touch are set differently, the erroneous operation is eliminated and the operator's intention is more met. Can be input.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the input control unit performs input control based on a two-point touch based on detection of parallel movement over time at two points. As a result, it is possible to perform an input by a two-point operation without placing an operational burden on the hand. According to a more specific feature, the input control unit performs input control based on a two-point touch based on detection of a relative movement of two points at the same time and a parallel movement according to the passage of time. Thereby, the relative position information of the two points for determining the input information and the execution of the input can be surely performed.

  According to another feature of the present invention, the input control unit performs input control based on a change in the relative relationship between one of the two first components and the second component over time. As a result, even if the two-dimensional positions of the two points are not precise, it is possible to easily input by changing the relative relationship of one of the first and second components in the position dimension.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the input control unit reverses the change direction of the relative relationship between the two first components over time and the change direction of the relative relationship between the two second components over time. Input control is performed based on the above. As a result, it is possible to perform an input by an operation of twisting the two touch positions.

  As a more specific example of the torsional motion detection of the two touch positions, the input control unit may change the direction of the relative relationship between the two first components with time and the second second component with time. When the relative change direction of the circle is opposite, the circle input control is performed. Thus, a circle can be input by a natural operation of drawing an arc with two fingers. According to a more specific feature, the input control unit sets a relative distance between two points touched at a predetermined time as the diameter of the circle. Thus, for example, by touching two points first, after determining the diameter, a circle can be input by drawing a roughly short arc. This is a very efficient and easy input means compared to drawing a circle at one point.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a touch panel input device that can input various useful information and is intuitive and easy to operate.

It is a block diagram which shows Example 1 of the touchscreen input device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. Example 1 FIG. 6 is a display screen diagram when menu selection is performed when a menu selection operation is performed with the left hand from the driver's seat side of the right-hand drive vehicle in the resistive touch panel display unit of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a display screen diagram when a menu selection operation is performed with the right hand from the passenger seat side of the right-hand drive vehicle in the resistive touch panel display unit of FIG. 1. It is a display screen figure in the case of performing destination input operation in the resistive film type touch panel display part of FIG. It is a screen figure explaining the difference between left-hand operation and right-hand operation in the case of carrying out map enlargement / reduction operation during traveling on the resistive touch panel display unit of FIG. It is a screen figure which shows operation which expands the rectangular area | region decided by the absolute position of two points from the state of FIG. 5 (B) to the resistive film type touch panel display part. FIG. 7 is a screen diagram illustrating an operation of reducing the map to a wide area side with a predetermined reduction rate centered on a desired point when there is a history of the map being enlarged through the progress of FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a screen diagram when a map enlargement operation is performed from the state of FIG. 5A regardless of where the absolute positions of the two points are; FIG. 6 is a screen diagram when a map reduction operation is performed from the state of FIG. 5A regardless of where the absolute positions of the two points are. It is a flowchart of operation | movement of the control part in Example 1 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of step S10 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of step S16 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of step S24 of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows Example 2 of the touchscreen input device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. (Example 2) FIG. 6 is a screen diagram illustrating a subject image displayed on a resistive film type touch panel display unit of Example 2. 10 is a flowchart of an operation of a control unit in the second embodiment. The screen figure at the time of enlarging a map in Example 3 of the touch panel input device concerning an embodiment of the invention from the state of Drawing 5 (A) used regardless of where the absolute position of two points is. It is. (Example 3) In Example 3, it is a screen figure at the time of reducing a map regardless of where the absolute position of two points is from the state of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the map touch process of FIG.10 S24 used in Example 3. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows Example 4 of the touchscreen input device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. Example 4 FIG. 10 is a screen diagram showing a subject image during zooming that is displayed in a horizontally long state on the resistive touch panel display unit according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a screen diagram illustrating a subject image at the time of reduction zoom displayed in a horizontally long state on the resistive touch panel display unit according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a screen diagram illustrating a subject image during zooming displayed in a vertically long state on the resistive touch panel display unit according to the fourth embodiment. 10 is a flowchart of an operation of a control unit in the fourth embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of step S204 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of step S230 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of step S234 of FIG. It is a flowchart of operation | movement of the control part in Example 5 of the touchscreen input device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. (Example 5) It is a flowchart which shows the detail of step S314 of FIG. It is a screen figure which shows the reproduction | regeneration image displayed on the resistive film type touch panel display part of Example 2 of FIG. 14 or Example 4 of FIG. It is a screen figure which shows the other reproduction | regeneration image displayed on the resistive touch panel display part of Example 2 of FIG. 14 or Example 4 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of step S174 of FIG. 16 or FIG. 24 with step S176.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing Example 1 of the touch panel input device according to the embodiment of the present invention. The first embodiment constitutes a vehicle navigation system device (hereinafter referred to as a car navigation device) 2, which has a control unit 4 composed of a computer for controlling the entire device, and the car navigation device according to the operation of the operation unit 6 by the driver. 2 is controlled. The function of the control unit 4 is executed by software stored in the storage unit 8. The storage unit 8 also temporarily stores various data necessary for controlling the car navigation device 2. Further, the control unit 4 controls the display of the resistive touch panel display unit 12 via the display driver 10, displays a GUI display necessary for the operation of the operation unit 6, and displays a control result.

  The resistive touch panel display unit 12 is a display unit and a touch panel input device, and is a GUI operation unit that performs an input operation by directly touching the display. In addition, the resistive touch panel display unit 12 is connected to the control unit 4 by four output lines (in FIG. 1, shown as a single line indicating the information transmission direction for simplicity) that outputs the touch position information of the top, bottom, left, and right. The controller 4 is connected, and the four-wire output is analyzed to detect the two touch positions and their movement. Details of the input by detecting the touch position of these two points will be described later.

  The GPS unit 18 obtains latitude, longitude, and altitude information, which are absolute position information of the vehicle on which the car navigation device 2 is mounted, from the satellite and the nearest broadcasting station based on the GPS system and sends the information to the control unit 4. The control unit 4 processes the absolute position information from the GPS unit 14 and displays the position of the vehicle on the map provided by the map storage unit 16 on the resistive touch panel display unit 12.

  The car navigation device 2 includes a wireless communication unit 18 and an input / output unit 20 via a cable in order to communicate with the outside wirelessly in order to update map information stored in the map storage unit 16. The wireless communication unit may be a normal telephone line or a dedicated short-range wireless communication unit. In addition to obtaining map information, these wireless communication unit 18 and input / output unit 20 may communicate with the outside to obtain such information when a function upgrade or maintenance data is generated for a car navigation system or a GPS system. it can. The operation information input to the control unit 4 can be performed by voice from the microphone 19 in addition to the operation from the operation unit 6 or the resistive touch panel display unit 12. In addition to the display on the resistive touch panel display unit 12, information output to the driver or the like can be performed by voice through the speaker 21.

  2 to 9 are display screen diagrams for explaining various functions related to display and two-point touch detection in the resistive touch panel display unit (hereinafter, abbreviated as “display unit”) 12 of FIG. . In the car navigation system, the display unit 12 is usually arranged near the center of the vehicle, but the driver or passenger in the passenger seat uses the touch panel on the display unit 12 as an example of a right-hand drive vehicle. How to perform various GUI operations will be described.

  First, FIG. 2 shows a case where a GUI operation for selecting a menu is performed by touching a menu displayed on the display unit 12. FIG. 2 shows a case where the driver is operating. In this case, the operating hand is the left hand 22. To touch two points, using either the thumb or any other finger (for example, the middle finger) is the most flexible in various operations, but the driver sitting in the driver's seat naturally holds the left hand 22 When placed on the display portion 12, the fingertip of the thumb is positioned lower than the fingertips of the other fingers as shown in FIG. Therefore, the line connecting the touch position 26 of any other finger (for example, the middle finger, which will be described below by taking the middle finger as an example) is usually downwardly to the right.

  When the control unit 4 detects that two lower right points are in the simultaneous touch state based on the information from the display unit 12, the control unit 4 instructs the display driver 10 to display the left-hand menu layout as shown in FIG. Display. Specifically, in the left-hand menu layout, the destination menu 28, the audio menu 30, and the air conditioner menu 32 where a touch other than the thumb of the left hand 22 is scheduled are arranged on the upper left side of the display unit 12, and the touch of the thumb The decision area 34 scheduled for is arranged near the lower right side of the display unit 12. When the control unit 4 instructs the left hand menu display, the absolute position of the thumb touch position 24 and the middle finger touch position 26 may be anywhere, and the line connecting the two points in the simultaneous touch state is relatively lower right. Only that is the determination information.

  Next, menu selection in such a left-hand layout will be described. For example, when it is determined that the middle finger is touched on one of the menus (for example, the destination menu 28) and the thumb is touched on the decision area 34 at the same time, the absolute positions of the thumb touch position 24 and the middle finger touch position 26 are detected. In response to this, the destination menu 28 and the decision area 34 in which a touch is detected are displayed in a thick frame as shown in FIG. In this state, it is also possible to select another menu by shifting the touch position of the middle finger while continuing to touch the determination area 34 of the thumb, and in response to this, a thick frame display is displayed from the destination menu 28 as an audio. Move to menu 30 or air conditioner menu 32. Such menu selection can be moved by moving the left hand 22 up and down as indicated by the white arrow 36. The determination area 34 is set to be long in the vertical direction so that the touch state is maintained even when the thumb moves in parallel up and down as indicated by the white arrow 38 by the parallel movement of the left hand 22.

  Note that the menu selection is not limited to the case where the left hand 22 is translated up and down as described above, and any two-point touch can be performed according to the natural movement of the left hand. Examples of other hand movements will be described later. In addition, it is not always necessary to move the hand while maintaining the two-point touch state as described above, and once the finger is completely removed from the display unit 12, the middle finger and the thumb are then touched for a new selection. You may go. Further, it is not necessary to touch the two points completely at the same time. First, one of the menus may be touched with the middle finger and the decision area 34 may be touched with the thumb. Conversely, the decision area 34 may be first touched with the thumb and then touched on any of the menus with the middle finger as a fulcrum. In the menu selection screen after the left-hand layout is displayed as shown in FIG. 2, the menu and the decision area are thickened in response to any of the menus and the decision area 34 unless two simultaneous touch states are detected. There is no change to the frame display.

  In order to confirm the menu selection, for example, in the state where the destination menu 28 and the decision menu 34 are displayed in a thick frame as shown in FIG. Slide your thumb toward the middle finger as shown. The decision area 34 is dragged toward the destination menu 24 by the movement of the thumb. For example, when the two are overlapped with each other, the selection of the destination menu 28 is confirmed. When the left hand 22 is released from the display unit 12, as shown in FIG. 2B, the display color of the destination menu 28 for which the selection has been confirmed changes, indicating that the menu selection has been confirmed.

  FIG. 3 is a display screen diagram when the display unit 12 is operated from the passenger seat side of the right-hand drive vehicle. In this case, the operating hand is the right hand 42. When the passenger sitting in the passenger seat naturally places the right hand 42 on the display unit 12, the fingertip of the thumb of the right hand 42 is lower than the fingertips of the other fingers as shown in FIG. Therefore, the line connecting the touch position 44 of the thumb and the touch position 46 of the middle finger is usually left-down.

  In this case, when the control unit 4 detects that two points on the lower left are in the simultaneous touch state based on the information from the display unit 12, the control unit 4 instructs the display driver 10 to display the right-hand menu layout as shown in FIG. This is displayed on the unit 12. More specifically, in the right-hand menu layout, the destination menu 48, the audio menu 50, and the air conditioner menu 52 are arranged near the upper right of the display unit 12, and the decision area 54 where a thumb touch is scheduled is displayed on the display unit. 12 is arranged on the lower left side. In this way, the layout when operating with the right hand from the left side of the display unit 12 in FIG. 3 is symmetrical to the case of operating with the left hand from the right side of the display unit 12 as shown in FIG. There is no confusion. As in the case of determining the left-hand layout, at the stage where the control unit 4 instructs the right-hand menu display, only the fact that the line connecting the two points in the simultaneous touch state is relatively lower left is the determination information. .

  Next, menu selection in the right-hand layout in FIG. 3 will be described. Since it is basically the same as the right-hand layout shown in FIG. For example, if it is determined that the middle finger is touched on one of the menus (for example, the audio menu 50) and the thumb is touched on the decision area 54 at the same time, the thumb touch position 44 and the middle finger touch position are determined as in FIG. The absolute position 46 is detected, and in response to this, the audio menu 50 and the decision area 54 in which a touch is detected are displayed in a thick frame as shown in FIG. In the following, FIG. 3 shows an example of a two-point touch by a different hand movement from that in FIG. 2, but the two-point touch by a natural hand movement is possible without being limited to FIG. 2 and FIG. Needless to say.

  In FIG. 3, by touching the thumb determination area 34 as a fulcrum, the right hand 42 is rotated as shown by a white arrow 56 to shift the touch position of the middle finger, and another menu can be selected. . Further, the thumb does not necessarily have to be fixed, and may naturally move in the decision area 54. In response to the movement of the touch position of the middle finger, the thick frame display moves from the audio menu 50 to the destination menu 48 or the air conditioner menu 52.

  Note that such a menu selection change does not necessarily have to be performed while maintaining the two-point touch state as described above, and once the finger is completely removed from the display unit 12, and then the middle finger and the new finger are selected for a new selection. The thumb touch may be performed as in the case of FIG. Similarly to the case of FIG. 2A, it is not necessary to touch two points completely at the same time. Even in the right-hand layout as shown in FIG. 3, on the menu selection screen after this layout is displayed, unless a simultaneous touch state of any of the menus and the decision area 54 is detected, the menu is reacted accordingly. This is because the decision area does not change to a thick frame display.

  The menu selection is confirmed in the same manner as in FIG. 3A, for example, when the audio menu 50 and the decision menu 54 are displayed in a thick frame as shown in FIG. If the user continues to slide the thumb toward the middle finger as indicated by the black arrow 58 and drags the decision area 54 toward the audio menu 50, the selection of the audio menu 50 is finalized when the two overlap. Then, when the right hand 42 is released from the display unit 12, the display color of the audio menu 50 whose selection has been confirmed changes as shown in FIG. 3B, indicating that the menu selection has been confirmed.

  Note that the control unit 4 does not display the left-hand layout of FIG. 2 when the vehicle is traveling even when the right-down two-point simultaneous touch state is detected, The menu change operation is prohibited ”is notified to the driver by display on the display unit 12 or announcement of the speaker 21. This is to prevent accidents caused by the operation of the driver while traveling. Note that when the control unit 4 detects a two-point simultaneous touch state with a lower left, the left-hand layout of FIG. 3 is displayed whether the vehicle is stopped or traveling, You can ask the passenger in the passenger seat to change the menu. Here, when the layout for the right hand is displayed, it is not impossible to make a two-point touch to the lower right due to the unnatural posture of the driver's right or left hand, but the driver is Thoroughly notify the user in advance in order to avoid taking them.

  FIG. 4 shows a display screen diagram for destination input that is automatically displayed when the selection of the destination menu is determined as shown in FIG. FIG. 4A shows a left-hand layout, which is displayed by detecting that the line connecting the two touched points is relatively lower right as in FIG. 2A. In FIG. 4, two relative positions of the touch position 60 of the thumb and the touch position 62 of a finger other than the thumb (for example, the index finger in FIG. 4) are detected.

  In the left-hand layout of the display screen for destination input shown in FIG. 4A, each line other than “A” of “Akasata Hamawara” where a touch other than the thumb of the left hand 22 is scheduled is indicated. K ”,“ S ”,“ T ”,“ N ”,“ H ”,“ M ”,“ Y ”,“ R ”,“ W ”consonant button group 64 (for simplicity, only“ K ”is representative. Numbering) is arranged in the vicinity of the upper end of the screen of the display unit 12 and “a”, “i”, “u”, “e”, A group of “o” vowel buttons 66 (for simplicity, only “a” is numbered as a representative) is arranged near the right end of the screen of the display unit 12.

  Next, input of kana characters in the left-hand layout as described above will be described. For example, if it is determined that the index finger is touched on one of the consonant button groups 64 (for example, “T”) and the thumb is touched on one of the vowel button groups 66 (for example, “u”), the thumb touches. The absolute position of the position 60 and the touch position 62 of the index finger is detected, and in response to this, the consonant button “T” and the vowel button “u” whose touch is detected are displayed in a thick frame as shown in FIG. . These combinations mean the Roman letter “Tu”, that is, the kana “tsu”. In this way, any combination of consonants and vowels can be specified by two-point touch of any one of the consonant buttons with a finger other than the thumb and the vowel button with the thumb. The pseudonym of the “A” line can be designated by touching the blank button 68 with a finger other than the thumb and two-point touching with a vowel button with the thumb. Furthermore, “n” can be designated by touching the blank button 68 with a finger other than the thumb and two-point touch of the “n” button 70 with the thumb.

  Note that the above input does not allow you to input muddy sounds, semi-turbid sounds, repellent sounds, prompt sounds, stuttering, etc., but the destination input is not a new input, it is information for searching place names etc. originally registered on the map. As the number of generated character strings increases, the corresponding portion is automatically corrected to muddy sound, semi-turbid sound, repelling sound, sounding sound, and roaring sound by inferring from the arrangement by software. If the number of consonant buttons such as “G”, “P”, and “Ky” is increased on the display unit, it is also possible to directly input a muddy sound, a semi-turbid sound, a repellent sound, a prompt sound, and a stuttering sound.

  In the kana input, it is not necessary to touch the two points completely at the same time. First, the forefinger first touches either the consonant button group 64 or the blank button 68, and then the vowel button group 66 or the “n” button 70 with the thumb. Either of these may be touched or vice versa. In order to confirm the input of the kana specified by the combination of two points, for example, as shown in FIG. 4A, the “T” button of the consonant button group 64 and the “u” button of the vowel button group 66 are bold. In the displayed state, the thumb is slid toward the index finger as indicated by the black arrow 72 while touching the index finger and thumb. By the movement of the thumb, the “u” button of the vowel button group 66 is dragged from the decision area 34 of the consonant button group 64 toward the destination menu 24. Determine. Then, the kana whose input has been newly confirmed is displayed in capital letters after the confirmed character in the input window 74 as “T”. By dragging the vowel button to the consonant button as described above, the operation for confirming the kana becomes an operation according to the romanized writing of the kana, and there is little discomfort. This is suitable for Japanese Romaji input, but is also suitable for inputting Korean characters with a similar consonant and vowel combination character structure. In the case of a Hangul character, the addition of the patch is continued by inputting the basic structure of the character and then combining the combination of the patch button and the consonant button arranged in the row of vowel buttons like the “n” button 70 or 80 in FIG. Input by specifying the additional.

  In the destination input destination input display screen of FIG. 4, a numeric keypad 76 for inputting numbers is further displayed near the center of the screen of the display unit 12. Such an arrangement of the numeric key buttons 76 arranges the consonant button group 64 in the vicinity of the upper end of the screen of the display unit 12 and arranges the vowel button group 66 in the vicinity of the right end of the screen of the display unit 12 to secure an empty space in the center of the screen. This is possible. Numeric input using the numeric key buttons 76 is performed by one-point touch in which one of the numeric key buttons is touched as usual. In this case, in order to avoid confusion with the first touch of the two-point touch at an arbitrary position in the left-hand layout determination, wait for a predetermined time (for example, one second) after the ten-point touch of the numeric keypad is detected, After confirming that the second point is not touched continuously, confirm the number input. Conversely, when performing a two-point touch, the user is required to perform the second point touch within a predetermined time after the first point touch, although it is not necessary to be simultaneous. Become. In this way, identification of one-point touch or two-point touch is performed by setting the predetermined time.

  FIG. 4B shows a right-hand layout for a destination input, and it is detected that a line connecting two touched points is relatively leftward as in FIG. 3A. Is displayed. In the right-hand layout shown in FIG. 4B, the consonant button group 64 and the blank button 68 that are expected to be touched except for the thumb of the right hand 42 are located near the upper end of the screen of the display unit 12 in the same manner as in FIG. Be placed. At this time, for convenience of operation, the layout is shifted slightly to the right as shown in FIG. However, the consonant arrangement order itself is the same as in FIG. 4A to avoid confusion. If there is a margin for the layout, the consonant button group 64 and the blank button 68 may be completely the same for the left-hand layout in FIG. 4A and the right-hand layout in FIG. 4B.

  On the other hand, in the layout for the right hand in FIG. 4B, the vowel button group 78 and the “n” button 80 that are expected to touch the thumb of the right hand 42 are different from the layout for the left hand in FIG. The display unit 12 is arranged near the left end of the screen. However, the arrangement of the buttons in the vertical direction is the same as that in FIG. 4A to avoid confusion. In the layout for the right hand, such a layout allows the kana to be input with the natural posture of the right hand in the same manner as in FIG. The specification of kana by the combination of consonant buttons and vowel buttons in the right-hand layout of FIG. 4B and the confirmation of kana input by dragging the vowel buttons are the same as in the left-hand layout of FIG. To do. However, the input window 82 is shifted to the left of the screen in FIG. The arrangement of the numeric key buttons 76 in the right-hand layout in FIG. 4B is the same as that in the left-hand layout in FIG.

  When a desired destination is displayed in the input window 78 or 82 as a result of the destination input shown in FIG. 4, when the input window 78 or 82 is touched, a map including the vehicle position is displayed on the display unit 12, and navigation is started. The In the same way as in FIG. 2, the control unit 4 does not display the left-hand layout in FIG. 4A when the vehicle is traveling even when the two-point simultaneous touching state of lower right is detected. Instead, the driver is informed by the display on the display unit 12 or the announcement of the speaker 21 that the menu change operation is prohibited by the driver while driving.

  FIG. 5 to FIG. 9 are screen views illustrating a map enlargement / reduction operation in a state where a map 86 including the position 84 of the host vehicle is displayed on the display unit 12 and navigation is performed. First, FIG. 5 is a screen diagram for explaining the difference between the left hand operation and the right hand operation during traveling. As described above, in the case of a right-hand drive vehicle, the left hand operation is performed by the driver, and the right hand operation is performed by the passenger in the passenger seat. Due to this difference, the present invention is configured so that the right-hand operation and the left-hand operation are different from each other to prevent danger by not placing a burden on the driver, and an operation that more reflects the intention can be performed from the passenger in the passenger seat. It is configured as follows.

  In FIG. 5A, it is detected that the line connecting the two points of the thumb touch position 88 and the index finger touch position 90 is relatively right-down, and as a result, the left-hand operation is recognized. To do. In this case, since the subsequent processing is performed using only the relative position as information regardless of where the absolute position of the two points is, only the natural touch of the left hand is required without requiring an accurate touch position from the driver. Processing is performed based on this. On the other hand, in FIG. 5B, it is detected that the line connecting the two points of the thumb touch position 92 and the index finger touch position 94 is relatively left-down, and as a result, the right-hand operation is performed. Recognize that there is. In this case, the absolute position of the two points of the thumb touch position 92 and the index finger touch position 94 is detected, and a rectangular region 96 having a diagonal line connecting the two points is recognized, and the subsequent processing is performed. The amount increases. For this recognition, in the case of a right-hand operation by the passenger, an accurate two-point touch is expected.

  FIG. 6 is a screen diagram showing an operation for enlarging the area to the display unit 12 when the rectangular area 96 is recognized on the map 86 as shown in FIG. To enlarge the rectangular area 96, as shown in FIG. 6A, the thumb and index finger are slid away from each touch position 92 and 94 as indicated by black arrows 98 and 100, and then The right hand 42 is moved away from the display unit 12. The control unit 4 recognizes this movement as an enlargement operation, and enlarges the map portion in the rectangular area 96 in FIG. 6A to the full display unit 12 as in the map 102 in FIG. Thus, in the right-hand operation while traveling, a desired portion of the displayed map can be cut out and enlarged to the full display unit 12.

  FIG. 7 is a screen diagram showing an operation of reducing the map to a wide area side at a predetermined reduction rate centering on a desired point when there is a history of the map being enlarged through the process of FIG. That is, the reduction operation is performed when there is a history of operations performed with the right hand before that. In FIG. 7A, the center position 106 of the reduced map is determined by detecting the touch point 104 of the index finger of the right hand 42. In this case, since it is a one-point touch, it waits for a predetermined time (for example, one second) in order to distinguish it from the first point touch of the two-point touch. When the right hand 42 is released from the display unit 12 after the center position 106 is determined, the reduced map 108 is displayed so that the center position 106 is at the center of the map as shown in FIG. At this time, the reduction rate is reduced at a predetermined rate every time one-point touch is performed. Therefore, when further reduction is desired, one-point touch with the index finger is repeated. It is optional to change the center point of the enlargement in the middle of these operations.

  6 and 7 are described as a right-hand operation when a left-pointing two-point touch is detected. However, when the vehicle is stopped, a right-down two-point touch is detected. A rectangular area as shown in FIG. 5B is set. This is because, when not driving, the driver may request an accurate operation without danger, and the driver stops the vehicle so that the desired area on the map is enlarged and the desired one point is obtained. The map at the center can be reduced.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the line connecting the two points of the thumb touch position 88 and the index finger touch position 90 is relatively right, regardless of where the absolute positions of the two points are. FIG. 11 is a screen diagram when a map enlargement operation is performed in the case of detecting only that it is falling. To enlarge the map in this state, as shown in FIG. 8A, the thumb and index finger are slid away from each touch position 88 and 90 as indicated by white arrows 110 and 112, and then the left hand 22 is separated from the display unit 12. The control unit 4 recognizes this movement as an enlargement operation, and displays the map 114 enlarged at a predetermined magnification while fixing the center of the map as shown in FIG. 8B. In this way, in the left-hand operation while traveling, only the enlargement operation is detected without specifying the map position, and the map center is fixed and enlarged. Further, since there is no designation of an enlargement rate, the map is enlarged at a predetermined rate every time an enlargement operation is detected. Therefore, when further enlargement is desired, the separation operation of the two-point touch position is repeated.

  In FIG. 9, the line connecting the two points of the thumb touch position 88 and the index finger touch position 90 is relatively right, regardless of where the absolute positions of the two points are, as shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a screen diagram when a map reduction operation is performed contrary to FIG. 8 in the case of detecting only a downward movement. In order to reduce the map 114 in this state, the thumb and index finger are slid toward each other as indicated by white arrows 120 and 122 from the respective touch positions 116 and 118 as shown in FIG. The left hand 22 is moved away from the display unit 12. The control unit 4 recognizes this movement as a reduction operation, and displays a map 124 that is reduced at a predetermined magnification while fixing the center of the map as shown in FIG. 9B. In this way, in the left-hand operation while traveling, the reduction is performed in the case of the reduction operation. There is no designation for the reduction rate, and the map is reduced at a predetermined rate each time a reduction operation is detected. Accordingly, when further reduction is desired, the approaching operation at the two-point touch position is repeated.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the operation of the control unit 4 in the first embodiment of FIG. The flow starts when the input / output unit 20 informs that the vehicle engine (or “motor” in the case of an electric vehicle, hereinafter “engine”) is turned on, and the flow of the map to be displayed in step S2 starts. An initial scale is set. This initial scale may be stored and used when the engine was previously turned off, or may be adopted at a predetermined scale each time the engine is turned on. Next, GPS information indicating the vehicle position from the GPS unit 14 is acquired from the GPS unit 14 in step SS4, and the map centering on the vehicle position is displayed on the display unit 12 at the magnification set in step S2 in step S6. Is done.

Next, in step S8, it is checked whether an operation for obtaining menu display has been performed by the operation unit 6. When it is detected in step S8 that the menu display operation has been performed, the process proceeds to the menu selection process in step S10. This is a process for executing the operation described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the details of which will be described later. When the menu processing is completed, in step S12, it is checked whether the menu selection has been confirmed. If so, the process proceeds to step S14 to check whether the destination input menu has been selected. If the selection of the destination input menu is confirmed, the destination input process of step S16 is executed, and the process proceeds to the map display of step S18 based on the result. Details of the destination input process will be described later.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S14 that the destination input menu is not selected, the process proceeds to step S20, where other menu processing such as audio processing or air conditioning processing is performed, and the process proceeds to map display in step S18. If the confirmation of menu selection is not confirmed in step S12, the process immediately shifts to the map display in step S18.

When a map is displayed in step S18, it is checked in step S22 whether or not a touch on the map has been detected. If no menu display operation is detected in step S8, the map display in step S6 is continued and the process proceeds to map touch detection in step S22. When a map touch is detected in step S22, the map touch process in step S24 is started. Details thereof will be described later. When the map touch process is completed, the process proceeds to step S26. On the other hand, when no map touch is detected in step S22, the process directly proceeds to step S26. In step S26, it is checked whether or not the engine has been turned off. If engine off is not detected, the process returns to step S4. Hereinafter, unless engine off is detected in step S26, step S2 to step S26 are repeated. When each operation is not detected, the map information is continuously updated while the GPS information acquired in step S4 is updated. When each operation is performed, it corresponds to it. On the other hand, when engine-off is detected in step S26, the flow ends.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing details of the menu selection process in step S10 of FIG. 10. When the flow starts, it is first checked in step S32 whether the vehicle is a right-hand drive vehicle. If the vehicle is not a right-hand drive vehicle, in step S34, “right” and “left” in the following processing are reversed to “left” and “right”, respectively, and a reading process is performed, and the process proceeds to step S36. On the other hand, if it is confirmed that the vehicle is a right-hand drive vehicle, the process directly proceeds to step S36. These left and right reversing processes are required when the car navigation device 2 is installed in the vehicle. Information on whether the vehicle is a right-hand drive vehicle or a left-hand drive vehicle is obtained from the vehicle by the wireless communication unit 18 or the input / output unit 20. Acquired by exchanging information. The decision on whether to perform left-right reverse reading is the same after the car navigation device 2 is once installed in the vehicle, but it is a portable one that the car navigation device 2 can take out, and then the right-hand drive car also has a left-hand drive. If there is a possibility of being brought into a car, it is meaningful to automatically avoid accidents caused by confusion in processing.

  Step S16 and subsequent steps show processing for the case of a right-hand drive vehicle when left / right reverse reading in step S34 is not performed. First, in step S36, a right-hand layout is displayed and counting for a predetermined time is started. In step S38, it is checked whether a predetermined time has elapsed after the right-hand layout display. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, it is checked in step S40 whether a two-point simultaneous touch state is detected. When the two-point simultaneous touch state is detected, the process proceeds to step 42, and it is checked whether or not the two detected points are lowered to the right. Then, if it is detected that the point is two points to the lower right, it is considered that the driver has performed a left-hand operation, and the process proceeds to step S44 to check whether the vehicle is traveling. If it is confirmed that the vehicle is not traveling, the process proceeds to step S46, where the left hand layout display is performed instead of the right hand layout display, and the driver can perform the left hand operation, and the process proceeds to step S48.

  On the other hand, if it is detected in step S44 that the vehicle is traveling, the process proceeds to step S50, the driver is informed that the menu selection operation is prohibited during traveling, the right-hand layout is displayed in step S52, and the process proceeds to step S48. Transition. Step S52 is for displaying a right-hand layout instead of the left-hand layout when the left-hand layout is displayed, and when the right-hand layout is displayed from the beginning. No right-hand layout display is continued. If it is not detected that the two points detected in step 42 are right-down, it corresponds to detection of two points left-down, which means that the right-hand operation is performed by a passenger in the passenger seat. Therefore, the right-hand layout display is performed in step S54, and the process proceeds to step S48. Note that step S54 is also for performing right hand layout display when step S54 is reached when left hand layout display is being performed, and in step S54 when the right hand layout is displayed from the beginning. The right hand layout is continued and the process proceeds to step S48.

  In step S48, as shown in FIG. 2 (A) or FIG. 3 (A), it is checked whether a touch on one of the menu and the decision area 34 has been detected, and if there is a detection, the step is performed based on the detection information. In S56, the two points are updated and stored, and the area corresponding to the two points is displayed in a thick frame. If there is no change in the memory of the two detected points without change in the touch position, the same information is overwritten and updated, and the area displayed in a thick frame is not changed. Then, the process proceeds to step S58, the predetermined time count started in step S36 is reset, the time count is started again, and the process proceeds to step S60.

  In step S60, it is checked whether an approach drag to the menu of the decision area 34 or 54 as shown by the black arrow 40 in FIG. 2A or the black arrow 58 in FIG. When the approach drag is detected, the process proceeds to step S62, the menu selection is confirmed, and the flow ends. If the passage of the predetermined time is detected in step S38, the flow is immediately terminated. On the other hand, when the approach drag is not detected in step S60, the process returns to step S38. Hereinafter, unless the approach drag is detected in step S60 or the elapse of the predetermined time is not detected in step S38, steps S38 to S60 are repeated. Corresponds to changes in driving and stopping situations and touch changes to menus. Note that when the two-point simultaneous touch state is not detected in step S40, or when the two-point touch between one of the menus and the determination area is not detected in step S54, the process returns to step S38.

  In the flow of FIG. 11, the menu selection is confirmed when the approach drag is detected in step S60. Even if two points are touched accidentally, the menu selection is not confirmed immediately, and another one-step confirmation operation is performed. Means safety measures. However, when priority is given to simplifying the operation over such safety measures, step S58 and step S60 are omitted, and a two-point touch between one of the menus and the decision area is detected in step S48, and step S54 is performed. After proceeding from step S56 to step S56, the process may proceed to step S62 immediately to confirm the menu selection. In such a configuration, when a touch on one of the menu and the decision area 34 is detected in FIG. 2A or FIG. 3A and the touched area changes like a thick frame. The menu selection is confirmed with.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing details of the destination input process in step S16 of FIG. 10. When the flow starts, the left / right reverse process is first performed in step S72. This is the same as step S32 and step S34 in FIG. When the left / right reverse processing in step S72 ends, the flow proceeds to step S74 and thereafter. In the same manner as in FIG. 11, in step S74 and subsequent steps, processing for the case of a right-hand drive vehicle when left-right reverse reading is not performed in the left-right reverse processing is shown.

  First, in step S76, a right-hand layout is displayed and a predetermined time is started. Then, after displaying the right hand layout in step S76, it is checked whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, it is checked in step S78 whether or not a one-point touch is detected. When a one-point touch state is detected, the process proceeds to step 80 to check whether a predetermined identification time has elapsed. This identification time is based on the premise that two-point touches are not performed at exactly the same time, and is the one-point touch when the one-point touch detected in step S78 is intended for two-point touch, or is intended. This is to identify whether the touch is one point. If it is not detected in step S80 that the identification time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S82 to check whether or not a two-point simultaneous touch state is detected. If this detection is not possible, the process returns to step S80, and thereafter, steps S80 and S82 are repeated unless the identification time elapses or a two-point simultaneous touch state is detected.

  When the two-point simultaneous touch state is detected in step S82, the left / right layout switching process in step S84 is started. This process is the same process as step S42 to step S46 and step S50 to step S54 in FIG. 11, and is for switching the right hand layout and the left hand layout and prohibiting the left hand layout during traveling. Then, when the left and right layout switching process in step S84 is completed, the process proceeds to step S86.

  In step S86, as shown in FIG. 4, whether a touch on one of the consonant button group 64 or the blank button 68 and one of the vowel button group 66 (or 78) or the “n” button 70 (or 80) has been detected. If there is a detection, the two points are updated and stored in step S88 based on the detection information, and the area corresponding to the two points is displayed in a thick frame, and the process proceeds to step S90. Similar to the flow of FIG. 11, the same information is overwritten and updated, and the area displayed in a thick frame does not change if there is no change in the memory of the two detected points without change in the touch position.

  In step S90, an approach drag to the consonant button (or blank button) of the vowel button (or “N” button) as shown by the black arrow 72 in FIG. 4A or the black arrow 82 in FIG. 4B is performed. Check if it was broken. When the approach drag is detected, the process proceeds to step S92, where the input of one character of kana characters is confirmed and stored, and the process proceeds to step S94. On the other hand, when the elapse of the identification time is detected in the step, it is considered that the touch is one point, and the process proceeds to step S96, and it is checked whether this is a touch on one of the numeric keys 76 in FIG. If it is a numeric keypad touch, the process proceeds to step S98, the numeric input is confirmed, and the process proceeds to step S94. As described above, for the numeric input, the numeric input for one character is determined only by one point touch and the identification time.

  In step S94, the count is reset for a predetermined time, the count is started again, and the process proceeds to step S100. Since the predetermined time reset start here is meaningful for the next character input operation, it can be set to a time suitable for character input waiting different from the predetermined time started in step S74. If it is not detected in step S96 that the touch is on one of the numeric keys, the touch is regarded as meaningless one-point touch, and no input is confirmed and the process immediately proceeds to step S100.

  In step S100, it is checked whether the destination can be estimated from the stored kana character string including the one character newly determined and stored in step S92. If the number of characters is small and cannot be estimated, the process returns to step S76 in order to allow further characters to be input. Further, when a one-point touch is not detected at step S78, or when a touch on one of the consonant button group and one of the vowel button group is not detected at step S86, or within a predetermined time at step S90. Even when the vowel button drag cannot be detected, the process returns to step S76. Thereafter, unless it is determined in step S100 that the destination can be estimated or the elapse of a predetermined time is detected in step S76, step S76 to step S100 are repeated to enable new character input and travel. It responds to changes in the situation of stop and right hand / left hand layout.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S100 that the destination can be estimated, the process proceeds to step S102, where the destination is estimated based on the input character string, and the flow ends. Note that when the passage of the predetermined time is detected in step S76, the flow is immediately terminated. In the flow of FIG. 12, the kana input is confirmed by detecting the approaching drag in step S90, as in the case of FIG. This means a safety measure with a one-step confirmation operation. However, when priority is given to simplifying the operation over such safety measures, step S90 is omitted as in the case of FIG. 11, and one of the consonant button group and one of the vowel button group and the like are omitted in step S86. If two two-point touches are detected, the process may immediately proceed to step S92 to confirm the kana input. In the case of such a configuration, in FIG. 4, when a two-point touch such as one of consonant buttons and one of vowel buttons is detected and the touched area changes like a thick frame, the menu selection is performed. Determine.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing details of the map touch process in step S24 of FIG. 10. When the flow starts, the left / right reverse process is first performed in step S112. This is the same as step S32 and step S34 in FIG. 11 as in step S72 in FIG. When the left / right reverse processing in step S112 ends, the flow proceeds to step S114 and the subsequent steps. Similarly to FIGS. 11 and 12, in step S <b> 114 and subsequent steps, processing for the case of a right-hand drive vehicle when left / right reverse reading is not performed in the left / right reverse processing is shown.

  First, in step S114, it is checked whether a two-point simultaneous touch state is detected within a predetermined time after the map touch is detected in step S22 of FIG. When the two-point simultaneous touch state is detected, the process proceeds to step 116, and it is checked whether the two detected points are lowered to the right. Then, if it is detected that the point is two points to the lower right, it is considered that the driver has performed a left hand operation, and the process proceeds to step S118 to check whether the vehicle is traveling. When it is detected that the vehicle is traveling, the process proceeds to step S120.

  Steps S120 to S126 correspond to the operations in FIGS. First, in step S120, it is checked whether or not dragging is performed so that the two points relatively approach within a predetermined time after the two-point simultaneous touch state is detected in step S114. If an approach drag is detected, the process proceeds to step S122, the center of the displayed map is fixed, the map is reduced at a predetermined ratio, and the process proceeds to step S124. This corresponds to the operation of FIG. On the other hand, when the approach drag within the predetermined time cannot be detected in step S120, the process directly proceeds to step S124.

  In step S124, it is checked whether or not a drag that relatively separates the two points has been performed within a predetermined time after the two-point simultaneous touch state is detected in step S114. When the separation drag is detected, the process proceeds to step S126, the center of the displayed map is fixed, the map is enlarged at a predetermined ratio, and the flow is ended. This corresponds to the operation of FIG. On the other hand, if the separation drag within the predetermined time cannot be detected in step S124, the flow is immediately terminated. In this case, the map scale does not change. In FIG. 13, the positions of steps S120 and S122 may be replaced with the positions of steps S124 and S126.

  On the other hand, when the two points that are descending to the right are not detected in step S116, it means that the two detected points are descending to the left. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S128, and the absolute position of the detected two points is determined. Remember. This corresponds to the state of operation in FIG. Next, in step S130, it is checked whether or not a predetermined time has passed. If no progress has been detected, the process proceeds to step S132, and it is checked whether or not a drag that relatively separates the two detected points has been performed. If no separation drag is detected, the process returns to step S130, and thereafter, steps S130 and S132 are repeated to wait for a drag between two points within a predetermined time. When a drag between two points is detected in step S132, the process proceeds to step S134, the map in the area determined and stored in step S128 is enlarged to the full display unit 12, and the flow ends. This corresponds to the state of operation in FIG. On the other hand, when the elapse of the predetermined time is detected in step S130, the flow is immediately terminated. In this case, the map is not enlarged.

  Further, in step S114, when the two-point simultaneous touch state within a predetermined time after the map touch is detected in step S22 of FIG. 10, it means that the one-point touch is detected in step S22 of FIG. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S136. In step S136, it is checked whether or not there is a history of enlargement of the map in the area determined at the two-point touch position immediately before the map touch is detected in step S22 of FIG. If there is such a history, the process proceeds to step S138, the map is reduced at a predetermined ratio around the touch position detected in step S22 of FIG. 10, and the flow is terminated. This corresponds to the operation of FIG. On the other hand, if no enlargement history is detected in step S136, the flow is immediately terminated. In this case, the map is not enlarged.

  The various features shown in the first embodiment are not limited to the specific implementation, but can be utilized in various implementations as long as the disclosed advantages can be enjoyed. For example, in the first embodiment, the switching between the right-hand layout and the left-hand layout is associated with detection of whether or not the vehicle is traveling, which allows the driver to perform a certain operation with relatively little danger even while traveling. , Passengers in the passenger seat can perform operations that require complex ancestors and accuracy even while driving, and can be operated more flexibly than when operating in a uniform manner It is useful in that. Further, in the first embodiment, whether the operation is performed by the driver or the passenger is determined based on whether two lower right points or two left lower points are detected. This is useful in that it does not require any other means for discriminating between passengers and passengers. However, if it is important to prevent accidents caused by the driver operating the right-hand layout in an unreasonable posture, an infrared detector that distinguishes between the driver and passenger is provided separately. You may attack to switch between layout and left-hand layout. In addition, when priority is given to simplifying the configuration and preventing accidents due to car navigation operations, it is configured to prohibit complex operations while driving regardless of whether the layout is for the right hand or the left hand. May be. In any of the above cases, switching between the right hand layout and the left hand layout in accordance with the hand structure is useful for facilitating the two-point operation by hand.

  Moreover, although the said Example 1 showed implementation in a car navigation system, some of the various disclosed features are not restricted to implementation in a car navigation system, and can be implemented in various devices as long as they can enjoy the disclosed advantages. For example, it can be widely used in a touch panel display unit in a digital still camera and a digital movie camera, and a touch panel display unit in a mobile device such as a mobile phone. Furthermore, some of various features such as switching between the two-point touch operation with the right hand and the two-point touch operation with the left hand disclosed above can also be used in a touch panel having no display function.

  FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing Example 2 of the touch panel input device according to the embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment constitutes a digital camera 202, has a control unit 204 that is a computer that controls the entire apparatus, and controls the digital camera 202 in accordance with the operation of the operation unit 206 by the digital camera operator. The function of the control unit 204 is executed by software stored in the storage unit 208. The storage unit 208 also temporarily stores various data necessary for controlling the digital camera 202. Further, the control unit 204 controls the display of the resistive touch panel display unit 212 via the display driver 210, displays a GUI necessary for the operation of the operation unit 206 and displays a control result.

  The resistive touch panel display unit 212 is a display unit and a touch panel input device, and is a GUI operation unit that performs an input operation by directly touching the display. Further, the configuration of the resistive touch panel display unit 212 is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and the control unit 204 analyzes the output of the four lines of the resistive touch panel display unit 212 to obtain two points. It is possible to detect the touch position and its movement.

  In the second embodiment, parts that can be understood by applying the description of the first embodiment to the first embodiment are given the numbers of the 200 series in which the numbers of the tenth place and the first place are common, and the explanation is omitted in principle. The configuration will be described. First, in the shooting mode, the digital camera 202 converts an optical increase formed by the focus-adjustable optical system 252 into an electronic image by the imaging unit 254, and performs image processing including compression by the image processing unit 256 of the control unit 204. And store it in the image storage unit 258. The image storage unit 258 is configured as an image memory built in the digital camera 202 or a memory card that can be attached to and detached from the digital camera 202.

  In the above photographing mode, the image captured by the imaging unit 254 is displayed on the resistive touch panel display unit 212 by the display driver 210. That is, in such an imaging mode, the resistive touch panel display unit 212 functions as a finder screen that displays a subject image for determining an imaging composition. At this time, by touching a desired portion of the subject image displayed on the resistive touch panel display unit 212 with, for example, a thumb, the touch position is stored, and the focus mechanism 260 automatically focuses the subject portion corresponding to the stored position. Is done. The focus adjustment determination for autofocus is performed by the control unit 204 based on information from the image processing unit 256. The exposure control unit 262 controls exposure by controlling the aperture of the optical system 252 and the exposure time and gain of the imaging unit 254 based on the subject portion corresponding to the stored touch position. Determination of exposure control is also performed by the control unit 204 based on information from the image processing unit.

Note that once the thumb is released from the resistive touch panel display unit 212, the storage of the touch position is canceled and the next touched position is newly stored. By storing the first touched position as long as the touch continues as described above, the touch position is inadvertently changed from a desired position by the finger being displaced on the resistive touch panel display unit 212 when the touch is continued. Can be prevented. Then, for example, when an arbitrary position on the resistive touch panel display unit 212 is touched with the index finger while the touch is continued, shutter release is performed, and photographing is completed.

  The image stored in the image storage 258 by the shooting mode can be reproduced and displayed on the resistive touch panel display unit 212 by setting the reproduction mode. Such a reproduced image can be enlarged or reduced, and the operation described in the first embodiment can be applied mutatis mutandis.

  Here, when a little supplement is made to the configuration of FIG. 14 that is not described above, first, the information of the GPS unit 214 is stored in the image storage unit together with the image as shooting location information. The speaker 221 is used for operation guidance of the digital camera 202. Further, the input / output unit 220 and the wireless communication unit 218 can be used when an image stored in the image storage unit 258 is transmitted to the outside of the digital camera 202.

  FIG. 15 is a screen diagram showing a subject image displayed on the resistive touch panel display unit 212 in the photographing mode of the digital camera 202 shown in the second embodiment. FIG. 15A shows a state where a desired position of the resistive touch panel display unit 212 is touched with the thumb of the right hand 264, and a touch position display 266 is performed in response to this touch. The touch position display indicates a touched position and indicates that the touch position is stored. The touch position display 266 does not move even if the position of the thumb is shifted in such a one-point touch state with the thumb. Further, when the thumb is released from the resistive touch panel display unit 212, the touch position storage is canceled and the touch position display 266 disappears, so that the storage position can be set by a new touch.

  In determining the composition before shooting, the subject image displayed on the resistive touch panel display unit 212 also moves when the digital camera 202 is shaken. At this time, if both the image and the stored touch position move together, the reference is lost and it becomes difficult to specify the desired position of the image. However, by temporarily storing the first touch position as described above, Even if the image moves, the touch position and the desired position of the original image can be easily matched to each other by moving the digital camera 202.

  FIG. 15B shows a state in which an arbitrary position 268 of the resistive touch panel display unit 212 is touched while continuing to touch the thumb of the right hand 264, and the control unit 204 is in such a two-point touch state. If it is determined that the shutter release operation has been performed, the image information of the imaging unit 254 in that state is processed by the image processing unit 256 and stored in the image storage unit 258.

  In the second embodiment, since the shutter release button position is an arbitrary position on the resistive touch panel display unit 212, it is possible to concentrate on determining the composition and simplify the operation. However, the configuration in which the shutter release is performed by touching the second point is not limited to this. For example, the shutter button may be displayed at a position that is easy to operate, such as a position 268 in FIG. Such shutter button position display is performed at the same time as the first touch position 266 is stored. According to such a configuration, the shutter release cannot be performed by the second point touch at an arbitrary position, but on the other hand, the shutter release is erroneously performed by inadvertently touching other than the displayed shutter button position. Can be prevented. The second embodiment may be configured such that such a shutter release button display mode can be selected by a custom setting of the user of the digital camera 202.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the operation of the control unit 204 in the second embodiment of FIG. When the power on operation of the digital camera 202 is performed, the flow starts. In step S142, the digital camera is started up. In step S144, the shooting mode is set as an initial state, and the process proceeds to step S146. In step S146, it is checked whether the reproduction mode setting manual operation has been performed. If there is no operation, the process proceeds to step S148.

  In step S148, it is checked whether a one-point touch is detected. When the one-point touch state is detected, the process proceeds to step 148, and the position where the touch is detected is stored. On the other hand, when a one-point touch is not detected in step S148, the process proceeds to step S146, and thereafter, steps S146 and S148 are repeated to wait for a one-point touch detection unless a playback mode setting operation is performed. When the detected position is stored in step S150, the process proceeds to step S152 to display the stored position. This display corresponds to the touch position display 266 in FIG.

  In step S154, the control unit 204 instructs the focus mechanism 260 based on the information of the image processing unit 256 for the subject imaged at the storage position to drive the optical system 252, and the contrast of this part is maximized. Adjust the focus. As a result, the subject in the portion of the touch position display 266 in FIG. 15A is brought into focus. In step S156 after the focus instruction, the control unit 204 issues an instruction to the exposure control unit 262 based on the information of the image processing unit 256 with respect to the subject imaged at the storage position, and the exposure of the aperture of the optical system 252 and the exposure of the imaging unit 254. Control the time. As a result, exposure control is performed so that the subject in the portion of the touch position display 266 in FIG.

  Next, in step S158, it is checked whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the one-point touch was detected in step S148. The predetermined time is, for example, about 2 seconds, and is set as a time for waiting for a shutter release by the second point touch detection after the subject portion of interest is determined by the first point touch. As will be described later, when the second point touch is not detected within the predetermined time, the storage of the first point touch is cancelled.

  When the elapse of the predetermined time is not detected in step S158, the process proceeds to step S160, and it is checked whether or not the one-point touch is released. If the one-point touch release is not detected, the process proceeds to step S162 to check whether the two-point simultaneous touch state has occurred as a result of continuing the first point touch and touching the second point. When the two-point simultaneous touch state is detected, the process proceeds to step S164, shutter release is performed, and the process proceeds to the imaging process in step S166. On the other hand, if the two-point simultaneous touch state is not detected in step S162, the process returns to step S158, and then the second point touch is repeated by repeating steps S158 to S162 unless a predetermined time elapses or the one-point touch is released. Wait for.

  The imaging process in step 166 is a process of performing image compression by the image processing unit and storing the compressed image in the image storage unit 258. In the imaging process, images to be stored in parallel are displayed as still images on the resistive touch panel display unit 212 for a predetermined time. When the imaging process of step S166 is completed, the process proceeds to step S168, and it is checked whether or not the digital camera 202 is turned off. When the power-off operation is detected, the flow ends.

  On the other hand, when the elapse of a predetermined time is detected in step 158, or when one-point touch release is detected in step S160, the process proceeds to step S170, and the memory of one-point touch is canceled, and in FIG. ) Cancels the touch position display 266 position display as shown in FIG. With such functions of step S170 and step S172, determination of a new first point touch position can be entered.

  On the other hand, when a reproduction mode setting operation is detected in step S146, the process proceeds to step S174, and reproduction mode processing is performed. In the playback mode processing, full-screen playback by sending images in a predetermined order starting from the latest image, image selection by thumbnail images, slide show display, and the like are possible. In the playback mode process, the process periodically proceeds to step S176 to check whether or not there is a shooting mode setting operation. If there is no operation, the process returns to step S174 to continue the playback mode. If a shooting mode setting operation is detected in step S176, the shooting mode is set in step S178, and the process proceeds to step S168.

  As described above, the flow ends when the power-off operation is detected in step S168, but if the power-off operation is not detected, the process returns to step S146. Thereafter, unless a power-off operation is detected in step S168, steps S146 to S168 are repeated, basically corresponding to various operations in the shooting mode, as well as operations for switching to the playback mode and returning to the shooting mode as appropriate. To do.

As apparent from the flow of FIG. 16 described above, in the second embodiment, the function of identifying whether the detected touch is the first point or the second point and responding to each is changed. As a specific example, the screen position designation function responds by the first point touch, and the shutter release function responds by the second point touch. However, this feature of the present invention is not limited to the use of the screen position designation function and the shutter release function, and the first point touch and the second point touch detection can be assigned to various different functions.

  In the flow of FIG. 16, if the digital camera 202 is shaken after the first point touch position is stored, the image displayed at the stored touch position portion on the screen is also moved. Accordingly, the subject portion that is subject to focus adjustment and exposure adjustment also changes. Therefore, by adjusting the desired subject to the touch position display 266 of FIG. 15A by shaking the digital camera 202, focus adjustment and exposure adjustment can be performed on the subject portion. On the other hand, the focus lock and the exposure adjustment lock mode are also possible in the second embodiment. When such a lock mode is selected, the touch position is stored and the touch position 266 is displayed and the image is captured at the time of the touch position storage. Image data of the corresponding subject portion of the unit 254 is also stored, and focus adjustment and exposure adjustment are performed based on the stored image data. Therefore, in such a lock mode, even if the digital camera 202 is shaken after the first point touch, it is possible to maintain the focus adjustment and exposure adjustment state for the subject portion that was at the touch position at the time of the first point touch.

  The case where the lock mode is performed will be described with reference to FIG. 16. A step for checking whether or not the lock mode is set is inserted between steps S152 and S154. After the step of storing the image data of the corresponding part, the process proceeds to step S154. Therefore, in this case, step S154 and step S156 are performed based on the subject part data stored as described above, not the subject part data corresponding to the stored touch position acquired from the imaging unit 254 in real time. Become. When the process proceeds to step S170 in the lock mode, the storage of the subject image data is canceled after step S172, and the process proceeds to step S168.

  Next, Example 3 of the touch panel input device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. The third embodiment relates to a car navigation system for a vehicle, and most of the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment. Therefore, FIG. 1 to FIG. 13 are basically diverted, the same numbers are used for the same parts, and only different points are described. In the third embodiment, in the same manner as in the first embodiment, when an operation by a driving driver is performed, the line connecting the two points is relatively lower right regardless of where the absolute positions of the two touched points are. It is configured to detect a certain thing and to perform a map enlargement operation with a simple touch position movement without danger. However, in the first embodiment, enlargement or reduction is determined depending on whether the distance between two points is separated or approached as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, whereas in the third embodiment, enlargement / reduction is performed by another operation method. Configured to do. In other respects, the third embodiment is common with the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 17 shows an example of the above-described third embodiment in which the driver is operating without danger from the left-hand operation detection state shown in FIG. 5A regardless of where the absolute positions of the two points are. It is a screen figure at the time of enlarging a map. However, in FIG. 17, it is assumed that a two-point touch is performed with the thumb and middle finger in order to increase the interval between touch positions. Needless to say, the position of the touch is a problem in detection, and any finger can be operated as long as a natural touch can be made. In FIG. 17A, the left and right thumbs 302 and 306 are touched at the touch positions 304 and 306, respectively, and as shown by white arrows 308 and 310, the distance between the fingers is basically unchanged and moved in parallel. It shows a state in which the left hand 302 is moved away from the display unit 12 after that. At this time, the control unit 4 determines whether the interval 312 between the two touched points is larger than the reference interval 314.

  In the case of FIG. 17A, since the interval 312 between the two touched points is larger than the reference interval 314, it is recognized as an enlargement operation based on the determination and the parallel movement of the white arrows 308 and 310. As shown in FIG. 17 (B), the center of the map is fixed and the map 114 enlarged from FIG. In this way, also in the third embodiment, when the left hand operation is performed during traveling, the center of the map is fixed by detecting only the enlargement operation without specifying the map position. Magnify. The control unit 4 further determines the slide amount and the slide speed for the operation until the hand 302 is moved away from the display unit 12, that is, the slide trajectory indicated by the white arrows 308 and 310, after performing the parallel movement after the touch, and based on the product of both. To determine the enlargement ratio. In this way, the operator can adjust the enlargement ratio by roughly changing the slide amount and speed. In FIG. 17B, an enlarged map 114 enlarged according to the magnification determined in this way is displayed. If the enlargement ratio is smaller than desired, a wide two-point touch and parallel slide as shown in FIG. 17 are repeated. In addition, if the image is enlarged too much, the map can be reduced by an operation described below.

  FIG. 18 shows a map reduction according to the third embodiment from the left-hand operation detection state as shown in FIG. 5 (A) by a dangerous operation by the driving driver regardless of where the absolute positions of the two points are. It is a screen figure at the time of performing. In FIG. 18, it is assumed that a two-point touch is performed with a thumb and an index finger with a narrow interval. In FIG. 18 (A), the left hand 302 and the forefinger are touched at the touch positions 316 and 318, respectively, and from there, as indicated by white arrows 320 and 322, the finger spacing is basically unchanged without changing. It shows a state in which the left hand 302 is moved away from the display unit 12 after that. At this time, similarly to FIG. 17, the control unit 4 determines whether or not the interval 324 between the two touched points is larger than the reference interval 314 similar to FIG.

  In the case of FIG. 18A, since the interval 324 between the two touched points is smaller than the reference interval 314, it is recognized as a reduction operation based on the determination and the parallel movement of the white arrows 320 and 322. As shown in FIG. 18 (B), the center of the map is fixed and the map 124 reduced from FIG. 18 (A) is displayed on the display unit 12. In this way, in the third embodiment, when a left hand operation is performed during traveling, only the reduction operation is performed without specifying the map position, and the map center is fixed and the reduction is performed. . As in the case of FIG. 17, the control unit 4 determines the slide amount and slide speed for the slide trajectory indicated by the white arrows 320 and 322, and determines the reduction ratio based on the product of both. Thus, even in the case of reduction, the operator can adjust the reduction ratio by roughly changing the slide amount and speed. In FIG. 18B, a reduced map 124 reduced in accordance with the reduction rate determined in this way is displayed. As in the case of enlargement, when the reduction ratio is smaller than desired, narrow two-point touch and parallel slide as shown in FIG. 18 are repeated. If the image is excessively reduced or enlarged, the map can be enlarged by the wide two-point touch and the parallel slide shown in FIG.

  The reference interval 314 in FIG. 17A or FIG. 18A in the third embodiment is wide or narrow based on the finger interval that is easy to operate by the operator when performing a two-point touch of wide and narrow. The range in which such identification can be appropriately performed can be set in advance by trial and error. As shown in the third embodiment, according to the present invention, the width between touch positions can be used as input information in a two-point touch. In addition, a touch position change in which the two-point touch state is continued can be used as input information.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing details of the map touch processing in step S24 of FIG. 10 in the case of the third embodiment. Most of them are the same as those in FIG. 13 relating to the first embodiment, and therefore common steps are given common step numbers, and description thereof is omitted unless necessary. Specifically, step S112 to step S118, step S136, and step S13 in FIG. 19 are the same as those in FIG. As described above, the third embodiment relates to the left-hand operation performed by the driver who is driving, and therefore the processing after it is detected that the vehicle is traveling in step S118 in FIG. 19 is different from that in FIG. This process is related to the operations shown in FIGS.

  In FIG. 19, when it is detected that the vehicle is traveling in step S118, the process proceeds to step S182, and the two points are touched within a predetermined time after the two-point simultaneous touch state is detected in step S114. Check if it was slid parallel. When a parallel slide is detected, the process proceeds to step S184, and the slide amount corresponding to the white arrows 308 and 310 in FIG. 17A or the white arrows 320 and 322 in FIG. Further, in step S86, the slide speed at the white arrows 308 and 310 or the white arrows 320 and 322 is determined.

  Next, at step S188, the map enlargement ratio or reduction ratio is determined based on the product value obtained by multiplying the slide amount determined at step S184 and the slide speed determined at step S186. That is, the enlargement rate or reduction rate determined in step S188 is doubled when the slide amount is the same and the slide speed is double, or when the slide amount is double and the slide speed is the same, for example. For example, when the slide amount and the slide speed are both doubled, the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio determined in step S188 is four times. As described above, the slide amount and the slide speed are both information on the slide state, and in step S188, the degree of enlargement or reduction determined as the sensuous and polite slide is performed is small, and fine adjustment is performed. The larger the sensory slide, the greater the expansion or reduction.

  When the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio is determined in step S188, the process proceeds to step S190, and it is checked whether the distance between the two touched points is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference. This predetermined reference corresponds to the reference interval 214 in FIG. 17 (A) or FIG. 18 (A). If it is confirmed in step S190 that the distance between the two points is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S192, the center is fixed, and the map is enlarged based on the enlargement ratio determined in step S188, and the flow is finished. . On the other hand, if it is confirmed in step S190 that the distance between the two points is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S194, the center is fixed, and the map is reduced based on the reduction ratio determined in step S188, and the flow is ended. .

  Step S196 in FIG. 19 illustrates step S128 to step S134 in FIG. 13 as a two-point determination area map enlargement process, and the contents thereof are the same as those in FIG. That is, step S196 in FIG. 19 is executed when a left-pointing two-point touch is detected in step S116 in the same manner as in FIG. 13, and the two points are determined based on the absolute positions of the two touched points. The map in the area determined by is expanded to the full display unit 12, and the flow ends.

  The various features of the present invention are not limited to the above embodiments and can be widely used. For example, in the third embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, information is input by determining the width of two touched points and sliding the two points in parallel. This prevents accidental input when two points are inadvertently touched, and waits for the slide after the two-point touch to execute input. However, if priority is given to quick input, two-point touch is performed. It may be configured to execute input immediately upon detecting this. In this case, steps S182 to S188 are omitted in the flow of FIG. 19, and after detecting that the vehicle is traveling in step S118, the determination of the distance between the two points in step S190 is started immediately.

  FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing Example 4 of the touch panel input device according to the embodiment of the present invention. The fourth embodiment constitutes the digital camera 402, but most of the contents are the same as those of the digital camera 202 in the second embodiment of FIG. Accordingly, common portions are denoted by common numbers and description thereof is omitted. In addition, although the configuration is slightly different, parts that can be understood according to the second embodiment are given numbers in the 400s in common with the 10's and 1's, and explanations are added as necessary. Note that these additional explanation portions are not particularly specific to the fourth embodiment, and the second embodiment may be arbitrarily configured to have such a configuration.

  As is the case with the second embodiment of FIG. 14, the resistive touch panel display unit 212 of the fourth embodiment of FIG. 20 is a large-sized one provided over almost the entire back surface of the digital camera 402, and the optical system. When the hand 452 is held with both hands and pointed at the subject, the subject image can be observed from the back of the digital camera 402 and the resistive touch panel display 212 is naturally touched with the thumbs of both hands held by the digital camera 402. It is the structure which can do.

  In Example 4 of FIG. 20, the optical system 452 is a zoom lens system, and the zoom mechanism 470 drives the lens configuration of the optical system 452 under the control of the control unit 404 to change the focal length thereof. Zoom. Zooming is operated by touching the resistive touch panel display unit 212. In response to this operation, zooming is performed using not only the optical zoom by the optical system 452 as described above but also the electronic zoom by the image processing unit 256. . As described above, the zoom operation can be naturally performed with the thumbs of both hands on the resistive touch panel display unit 212 while observing the subject while holding the digital camera 402 with both hands.

  Further, the acceleration sensor 472 can detect a change in posture of the digital camera 402 and can detect gravitational acceleration even in a stationary state, and a zooming operation on the resistive touch panel display unit 212 causes the digital camera 402 to move vertically. It is detected whether it was done by holding it or holding it sideways. The zoom operation by the resistive touch panel display unit 212 will be described in detail below.

  FIG. 21 is a screen diagram illustrating a subject image displayed on the resistive touch panel display unit 212 in a state where the digital camera 402 according to the fourth embodiment is held sideways with both hands, and when the subject image is enlarged by zooming up. The state of is shown. More specifically, FIG. 21A shows the left and right sides of a range 478 to be expanded by touching the resistive touch panel display unit 212 with the thumb 474 of the right hand and the thumb 476 of the left hand when the digital camera is held with both hands. In this state, the horizontal distance between the two touched points is increased by sliding the both thumbs outward as indicated by arrows 480 and 482 while the touch is continued.

  After that, when the thumb of both hands is released from the resistive touch panel display unit 212 at an arbitrary point during the slide, the enlarged range 478 designated in the state of FIG. As described above, the enlarged image 484 is enlarged and displayed on the full screen of the resistive touch panel display unit 212. Here, when both thumbs are slid apart from the resistive touch panel display unit 212 while touching the back surface of the digital camera 402, it is recognized that both thumbs are separated from the resistive touch panel display unit 212.

  Note that the slide operation for increasing the horizontal distance between two points after the two-point simultaneous touch with both thumbs in FIG. 21A may be performed at an arbitrary speed. That is, the enlargement ratio from FIG. 21A to FIG. 21B depends exclusively on the size of the enlargement range 478 in FIG. 21A, and the enlargement range 478 is resistant regardless of the slide speed of the thumb. Zoom-in is performed at the highest speed that can be processed until the screen of the membrane touch panel display unit 212 is enlarged. At this time, if the optical zoom cannot cope, an electronic zoom is also mobilized. However, if the enlargement range 478 is too small and exceeds the zoom capability range for full-screen enlargement, the zoom-up is stopped when the maximum possible enlargement is performed.

  By the way, the designation of the enlargement range 478 in FIG. 21A is only a guide for the enlargement ratio, and the section 478 itself as the absolute position designated by the left thumb 474 and the right thumb 476 is the same as that shown in FIG. Is not enlarged. That is, the enlargement is performed concentrically based on the horizontal distance between the left and right sides regardless of the absolute position of the section 478. This is because optical zoom is performed concentrically about the center of the screen due to its nature. Originally, it is difficult to accurately specify the center portion of the screen with the left thumb 474 and the right thumb 476, but this makes it possible to specify the enlargement ratio sensuously regardless of the absolute position of the section 468. Therefore, in an extreme case, even if the section 478 is significantly left or right, the horizontal distance between the left and right sides of the section 478 information is used as information for calculating the enlargement magnification. It is not adopted as absolute position information for cutting out and enlarging as shown in FIG. Thus, the section designation information in the zoom operation of the present invention has a different meaning from the cutout information of a part of the image. In the electronic zoom, it is possible to cut out and enlarge the portion based on the absolute position of the designated section 478. However, for consistency with the optical zoom as described above, the electronic zoom is used in the fourth embodiment. Also in zooming, the designation information of the section 478 is handled as relative information for calculating the enlargement magnification, not absolute information for cutting out the screen. Therefore, the enlargement of the electronic zoom is also performed concentrically according to the calculated enlargement ratio regardless of the absolute position of the section 478.

  FIG. 22 is a screen view showing a subject image displayed on the resistive touch panel display unit 212 in a state where the digital camera 402 according to the fourth embodiment is held sideways with both hands as in FIG. Shows a state when the subject image is reduced. More specifically, FIG. 22A shows an arrow in which the resistive touch panel display unit 212 is touched with the thumb 474 of the right hand and the thumb 476 of the left hand when the digital camera is held with both hands and the touch is continued thereafter. A state in which the horizontal distance between the two touched points is decreased by sliding both thumbs inward as indicated by 486 and an arrow 488 is shown.

  Thereafter, when the thumb of both hands is released from the resistive touch panel display unit 212 at an arbitrary point during the slide, the portion displayed in full screen in FIG. 22 (A) responds to this and corresponds to FIG. 22 (B). An image that is reduced to the portion 490 and has a wide shooting range is displayed on the resistive touch panel display unit 212. When reducing, the image outside the corresponding portion 490 in FIG. 22B cannot be seen in the state of FIG. 22A before reduction, and it is intuitive to specify the reduction designation as a section on the screen. Insignificant. Therefore, the reduction ratio in the case of reduction is determined by the product of the movement amount and the movement speed of the arrows 486 and 488 in FIG. For example, when the moving amount is the same and the moving speed is double, or when the moving amount is double and the moving speed is the same, the reduction magnification is doubled, and when both are double, the reduction magnification is 4 times. Thereby, it is possible to intuitively specify the reduction ratio linked to the movement of the thumb.

  As described above, in the fourth embodiment, in order to specify the enlargement magnification, the enlargement target range is designated on the screen by the initial finger touch position as shown in FIG. In addition, when designating the reduction ratio, as shown in FIG. 22 (A), the designation is made according to the degree of intensity of finger movement. However, both the enlargement and reduction may be configured to specify the rate according to the initial finger touch position, or both the enlargement and reduction may be performed according to the degree of intensity of finger movement. In any case, even if the user does not know the principle of specifying the enlargement ratio and the reduction ratio, the user can perform desired zoom by intuitively moving the thumbs of both hands apart or approaching after touching. If the zoom is insufficient or excessive, it can be corrected by performing the reverse operation, and it becomes possible to grasp an appropriate finger movement by learning such an operation.

  FIG. 23 is a screen diagram illustrating a subject image displayed on the resistive touch panel display unit 212 in a state where the digital camera 402 of Example 4 is held vertically with both hands. Also in this case, zooming up and zooming down according to the increase or decrease in the horizontal distance between two touch points on the resistive touch panel display unit 212 due to the horizontal movement of the right thumb 478 and the left thumb 476 indicated by the arrows 492 and 494, respectively. Is possible. At this time, it is determined that the direction is parallel to the short side of the resistive touch panel display 212 by the gravitational acceleration detection by the acceleration sensor 472 of FIG. In this way, the longitudinal and lateral direction detection by the acceleration sensor 472 causes a change in the distance between two points parallel to the long side of the resistive touch panel display unit 212 in FIGS. 21 and 22, and in FIG. 23 the resistive touch panel display unit. Changes in the distance between two points parallel to the short side of 212 are respectively detected as zoom operations. The details of zoom-up and zoom-down in the vertical position holding state in FIG. 23 are the same as those in the horizontal position holding state in FIGS.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart of the operation of the control unit 404 in the fourth embodiment of FIG. The flowchart of FIG. 24 has many parts similar to the operation of the control unit 204 of the digital camera of the second embodiment in FIG. 16, and therefore, common steps are denoted by the same step numbers and description thereof is omitted, and different steps are performed. Specify in bold.

  In the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 24, when a one-point touch is detected in step S148, the process proceeds to step S202, and after the one-point touch is detected, the second point is touched within a predetermined time and two points are touched simultaneously. Check if the condition is detected. This predetermined time is set to an extremely short time (for example, 0.5 seconds), and even if there is a slight deviation in what the operator intends to touch at two points simultaneously, it falls within this predetermined time. Designed to be recognized as simultaneous point touch. That is, the purpose of the installation in step S202 is to discriminate between what the operator intends to touch the second point after the first point touch and what is intended to simultaneously touch the two points. When a substantial two-point simultaneous touch is detected in step S202, the zoom process proceeds to step S204. When this is completed, the process returns to step S146. The above steps S202 and S204 correspond to the zoom function by simultaneous touching with both thumbs described in FIGS. 21 to 23, and details of step S204 will be described later.

  On the other hand, if a two-point simultaneous touch within a predetermined time is not detected in step S202, the process proceeds to step S206, and it is checked whether or not the first touch position detected in step S148 is unchanged for a predetermined time. When this reaches step S206 from step S148 to step S202, it is assumed that it is an operation for designating the focus and exposure adjustment position in the subject, and it is checked whether or not the position has been maintained for a predetermined time. It means to do. The predetermined time in step S206 is, for example, 1 second, and is set as a natural time width in which the operator stops the finger at the touch position with the intention of specifying the focus and exposure adjustment position. When it is confirmed in step S206 that the first touch position is unchanged for a predetermined time, the process proceeds to the focus and exposure adjustment process in step S208. The contents of step S208 are the same as steps S150 to 156 in FIG. On the other hand, if a shift of the first point touch position occurs within a predetermined time in step S206, it is determined that the position designation is erroneous, and the process returns to step S146 to wait for the first point retouch in step S148. That is, in the second embodiment of FIG. 16, the focus and exposure adjustment are started immediately after the one-point touch detection in step S148. In the fourth embodiment of FIG. 24, there is no discrimination from the zoom operation and no erroneous operation. After confirming the above, the focus and exposure adjustment for the one-point touch detection position is entered.

  FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing details of the zoom process in step S204 of FIG. When the flow starts, first, the horizontal direction is detected by the acceleration sensor 472 in step S212, and the horizontal distance between the two touched points based on the detection result, that is, the short side direction of the resistive touch panel display unit 212 is detected. Alternatively, the distance between two points in the direction component parallel to one of the long side directions is calculated. Thereby, even if the two touched points are shifted in the vertical direction, only the horizontal component is calculated as the horizontal distance between the two points. In step S216, the value calculated in step S214 is stored as the horizontal distance between the two points at the start of touching, and the time is stored.

  Next, in step S218, the elapse of a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) is checked. If not, the process proceeds to step S220, and it is checked whether or not the distance between the two points has changed as a result of the finger slide. When a change is detected, the process proceeds to step S222, the horizontal distance between the two points after the change and the time are stored, and the process proceeds to step S224. In step S224, it is checked whether or not the two-point touch is released. If there is no release, the process returns to step S218. Note that if the horizontal distance between the two points does not change in step S220, the process returns to step S218. Thereafter, unless the two-point touch is released until the predetermined time elapses, steps S218 to S224 are repeated, and each time the horizontal distance between the two points changes, the distance and time are updated and stored in step S222.

  On the other hand, when the release of the two-point touch is detected in step S224, the process proceeds to step S226, and the two-point swimming distance and time at the time of the touch release are determined based on the latest information of the storage update result in step S222. In step S228, it is checked whether the horizontal distance between the two points is increased or not by comparing the horizontal distance between the two points at the touch start time and the touch end time. When the increase is confirmed, the enlargement zoom process of step S230 is performed, and the process proceeds to step S232, where all the memories related to the horizontal distance between the two points are erased, and the flow ends. Details of the enlargement zoom processing will be described later. On the other hand, if the increase in the horizontal distance between the two points is not confirmed in step S228, it means that the 2 TANKAN horizontal distance has decreased, the process proceeds to step S234, the reduction zoom process is performed, and the process proceeds to step S232. Details of the reduction zoom processing will also be described later. If it is confirmed in step S218 that the horizontal distance between the two points has not changed or the predetermined time has passed without the two-point touch being released even if there is a change, the process directly proceeds to step S232 and the zoom operation is performed. The memory is erased without performing and the flow is ended.

  FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing details of the enlargement zoom process in step S230 of FIG. When the flow starts, first, in step S242, the two-point horizontal distance at the touch start time is divided by the horizontal distance between the left and right sides of the resistive touch panel display unit 212 to obtain an enlargement magnification. Here, the two-point horizontal distance at the touch start time is stored in step S216 in FIG. 25 and corresponds to the horizontal distance between the left and right sides of the desired enlargement range 478 in FIG.

  In step S244, it is checked whether the digital camera 402 is currently in the electronic zoom area. Here, being in the electronic zoom region means that the optical image is zoomed up to the telephoto end (the telephoto side zoom end) by optical zooming, and then the image is further enlarged by image processing. If it is not the electronic zoom region, zooming to the tele side by optical zoom is possible, so the process proceeds to step S246, and it is checked whether or not the enlargement magnification calculated in step S242 has been reached. Naturally, since the enlargement magnification has not yet reached at the beginning of zoom-up, the process proceeds to step S248, and the zoom mechanism 470 is driven at a predetermined speed (the highest possible speed in terms of mechanism) to perform a predetermined amount (the smallest possible unit) of zoom-up. Next, in step S250, it is checked whether or not the optical zoom has reached the tele end. If it is not the tele end, the process returns to step S246 and the steps from step S246 to step S250 are repeated until the enlargement magnification is reached or the optical zoom reaches the tele end.

  When it is confirmed in step S246 that the enlargement magnification has been reached, the desired zoom-up has been achieved and the flow is immediately terminated. On the other hand, if it is confirmed in step S250 that the optical zoom has reached the telephoto end, the magnification cannot be achieved with only the optical zoom, and the process proceeds to step S252. In step S252, it is checked whether the enlargement magnification obtained by subtracting the zoom-up deceleration correction amount has been achieved. Here, the deceleration correction is for eliminating the uncomfortable feeling between the optical zoom and the electronic zoom, and imitates the mechanical drive stop by the optical zoom by reducing the zoom speed near the end of the electronic zoom. The deceleration correction amount means a change in magnification for the deceleration correction in the electronic zoom.

  If it is not confirmed in step S252 that the enlargement magnification obtained by subtracting the zoom-up deceleration correction amount is reached, the process proceeds to step S254, and zoom zoom-in is performed at a predetermined enlargement speed and enlargement amount simulating the maximum speed of the optical zoom. The enlargement in this case is performed concentrically with the image center as a reference. Next, in step S256, it is checked whether or not the electronic zoom has reached the enlargement limit (tele end) by subtracting the zoom-up deceleration correction amount, and if it is not the tele end, the process returns to step S252 to subtract the deceleration correction amount. Steps S252 to S256 are repeated until the enlargement magnification is reached or the telephoto end is reached. When it is confirmed in step S252 that the enlargement magnification obtained by subtracting the deceleration correction amount is reached, the flow proceeds to step S258, the enlargement magnification is achieved by performing the enlargement processing of the remaining by the enlargement electronic zoom deceleration stop processing, and the flow ends. To do. On the other hand, if it is confirmed in step S256 that the electronic zoom has reached the tele end after subtracting the deceleration correction amount, the process proceeds to step S258, and the enlargement magnification is performed by performing the remaining enlargement process by the enlargement electronic zoom deceleration stop process. To complete the flow.

  If it is detected in step S244 that the current area is the electronic zoom area, the process advances to step S260 to check whether the electronic zoom is already at the tele end. If it is not the tele end, the process proceeds to step S252, and thereafter, the same processing as that in step S252 is performed via the optical zoom. On the other hand, if it is confirmed in step S260 that the electronic zoom has reached the tele end, the flow is immediately terminated.

  FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing details of the reduction zoom process in step S234 of FIG. When the flow starts, first, the amount of change in the horizontal distance between the two points is calculated in step S262, and the rate of change in the horizontal distance between the two points is calculated in step S264. These are based on the stored values in step S216 and step S222 of FIG. In step S266, the reduction ratio is obtained based on the product of the change amount and the change speed of the horizontal distance between the two points.

  In step S268, it is checked whether the digital camera 402 is currently in the electronic zoom area. When it is detected that the current area is the electronic zoom area, the process proceeds to step S270, and it is checked whether or not the reduction magnification calculated in step S266 is achievable by the electronic zoom. This means that the image information captured because the reduction magnification is too large is not sufficient, and it is checked whether the reduction magnification cannot be achieved unless image information of a wider angle is obtained by optical zoom.

  If it is confirmed in step S270 that the reduction ratio is not achievable with only the electronic zoom, the process proceeds to step S272, and zoom-down image processing is performed at a predetermined reduction speed and reduction amount simulating the maximum speed of the optical zoom. As for the reduction process in this case, concentric reduction process is performed based on the center of the image. In step S274, it is checked whether or not the electronic zoom is at the wide end, which is the limit of the imaging information. If it is not the wide end, the process returns to step S272, and steps S272 and S274 are repeated until the electronic zoom reaches the wide end to execute the electronic zoom. When the electronic zoom reaches the wide end, the process immediately proceeds to step S276. As described above, when it is confirmed in advance in step S270 that the reduction ratio cannot be achieved by only the electronic zoom, the electronic zoom decelerating process is not performed, and the process immediately proceeds to the zoom-down by the optical zoom in step S276 and the subsequent steps.

  In step S276, it is checked whether or not the reduction ratio calculated in step S266 has been reached. Naturally, since the reduction ratio has not yet reached at the beginning of the transition from step S274, the process proceeds to step S278, and the zoom mechanism 470 is driven at a predetermined speed (the highest possible mechanical speed) in the same manner as in the case of zooming up to a predetermined amount ( Zoom down the smallest possible unit. Next, in step S280, it is checked whether or not the optical zoom has reached the wide end. If it is not the wide end, the process returns to step S276 to repeat the steps S276 to S280 until the reduction magnification is reached or the optical zoom reaches the wide end.

  When it is confirmed in step S276 that the enlargement magnification has been reached, the desired zoom-down has been achieved and the flow is immediately terminated. On the other hand, if it is confirmed in step S280 that the optical zoom has reached the wide end, further zoom-down is impossible, and the flow is terminated. If it is confirmed in step S268 that the current region is not the electronic zoom region, the process immediately proceeds to step S276, and the zoom-down by the optical zoom similar to that described in the case of via the electronic zoom in step S274 is executed.

  On the other hand, when it is confirmed in step S270 that the reduction ratio calculated in step S266 can be achieved by electronic zoom, the process proceeds to step S282, and the maximum speed of the optical zoom is simulated in the same manner as in step S272. The zoom-down image processing is performed at the predetermined reduction speed and reduction amount. The reduction process in this case is also a concentric reduction process based on the image center. In step S284, it is checked whether or not a reduction ratio obtained by subtracting the zoom-down deceleration correction amount has been achieved. Here, the deceleration correction amount is for eliminating the uncomfortable feeling between the optical zoom and the electronic zoom as in the case of zooming up. The zoom speed is reduced near the end of the electronic zoom, and step S276 or step S280 is performed. The imitation of the mechanical drive stop by the optical zoom in the case of ending the flow.

  If it is not confirmed in step S282 that the reduction ratio obtained by subtracting the zoom-down deceleration correction amount is reached, the process returns to step S282, and thereafter, steps S282 and S284 are performed until the electronic zoom reaches the reduction magnification after subtracting the deceleration correction amount. repeat. When it is confirmed in step S284 that the reduction magnification obtained by subtracting the deceleration correction amount is reached, the flow proceeds to step S286, the remaining reduction processing is performed by the reduction electronic zoom deceleration stop processing, and the reduction enlargement magnification is achieved. finish. As described above, in the case of reduction, when the reduction magnification can be achieved only with the electronic zoom, the deceleration stop process simulating the optical zoom is performed, and when the reduction process is succeeded to the optical zoom, the deceleration stop process is performed as described above. Without moving to optical zoom.

Next, Example 5 of the touch panel input device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. The fifth embodiment relates to a digital camera, and is configured to be capable of moving image shooting in addition to still image shooting. Since the basic configuration is the same as that of the fourth embodiment, FIG. As for the zooming operation, zooming up and down is performed by separating and approaching the thumbs of both hands holding the digital camera as shown in FIGS. However, in the case of moving image shooting, a zooming operation is performed during shooting, not before shooting, and an operation in the middle of zooming including not only the zooming arrival point but also the zoom speed is important. FIG. 28 is a flowchart for explaining the function of the control unit 404 when the configuration of FIG. 20 is used focusing on such a moving image shooting mode.

Also for the digital camera 404 of the fifth embodiment, when the power-on operation is performed, the flow of FIG. 28 starts, the digital camera startup processing is performed in step S292, and the still image shooting mode is set as the initial state in step S294. Is set and the process proceeds to step S294. In step S294, it is checked whether or not a manual operation in the moving image shooting mode has been performed. If an operation is detected, the process proceeds to step S298.

  In step S298, it is checked whether a one-point touch is detected within a predetermined time after the moving image shooting mode is set. The predetermined time is set to a relatively long time, for example, about 10 seconds. When the elapse of this time is detected in step S298, the moving image shooting mode is temporarily ended and the process returns to step S296. When the setting of the moving image shooting mode is confirmed again in step S296, the process proceeds to step S298 and waits for detection of a one-point touch. When a one-point touch state within a predetermined time is detected in step S298, the process proceeds to step 300, and subject information at the position where the touch is detected is stored. That is, the significance of the one-point touch in the moving image shooting mode is to store the main subject tracking information, and the color, pattern, and feature point of the one-point touch portion on the subject displayed on the resistive touch panel display unit 212 are recorded. The arrangement and the like are stored as main subject specifying information in step S300.

  Next, in step S302, processing for preparing tracking focus and tracking exposure adjustment for the main subject during moving image shooting is performed based on the information stored in step S300, and the process proceeds to step S304. The execution of the tracking focus and tracking exposure adjustment prepared in step S302 is continued from the start to the end of recording. In step S304, it is checked whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the one-point touch was detected in step S298. This predetermined time is, for example, about 2 seconds, and is set as a time for waiting for the start of moving image shooting by the second point touch detection after the main subject to be tracked is determined by the first point touch. As will be described later, when the second point touch is not detected within the predetermined time, the storage of the tracking information based on the first point touch is cancelled.

  When the elapse of the predetermined time is not detected in step S304, the process proceeds to step S306 to check whether the one-point touch is released. If the one-point touch release is not detected, the process proceeds to step S308 to check whether the two-point simultaneous touch state has occurred as a result of continuing the first point touch and touching the second point. When a two-point simultaneous touch state is detected, the process proceeds to step S310 to start recording. As a result, the image processing unit 256 performs the moving image compression and starts the process of storing the compressed image in the image storage unit 258, and continues until the recording stop instruction. On the other hand, if the two-point simultaneous touch state is not detected in step S308, the process returns to step S304, and then the second point touch is repeated by repeating steps S304 to S308 unless a predetermined time elapses or the one-point touch is released. Wait for.

  When recording is started in step S310, in parallel with this, in step S312, it is checked whether or not there is a two-point simultaneous touch and slide within a predetermined time. The predetermined time here is the same as that in step S202 of FIG. 24, and is for detecting an intentional two-point touch operation for zooming with both thumbs. When this is detected, the moving image shooting zoom process of step S314 is performed. Details thereof will be described later. When the moving image shooting zoom process in step S312 is completed, it is detected in step S316 whether one point of double touch has been performed. This is detection that the touches are continuously performed at a predetermined interval so that the two-point simultaneous touch state does not occur, and the position of the double touch may be anywhere and may not be a touch at the same place. When a double touch is detected, the process proceeds to step S318, the recording is stopped, and the process proceeds to step S320. If no one-point double touch is detected in step S316, the process returns to step S312 to continue moving image shooting while enabling a zooming operation.

  On the other hand, when the elapse of a predetermined time is detected in step S304, or when one-point touch release is detected in step S306, the process proceeds to step S422, the tracking preparation process in step S302 is canceled, and the process proceeds to step S320. If the moving image shooting mode setting is not detected in step S296, the process immediately proceeds to the still image shooting mode and playback mode processing in step S324. This step S324 is the same processing as step S146 to step S148, step S202 to step S208, step S158 to step S166, and step S170 to step S178 of the fourth embodiment in FIG.

  Further, step S320 in FIG. 28 is the same as step S168 in FIG. 24, and it is checked whether or not the power-off operation of the digital camera 202 has been performed. When the power-off operation is detected, the flow ends. On the other hand, if no power-off operation is detected in step S320, the process returns to the still image shooting mode and returns to step S296. Hereinafter, unless a power-off operation is detected in step S320, steps S296 to S320 are repeated to correspond to the operation of starting and stopping shooting and zooming when the moving image shooting mode is set based on the operation of the still image shooting mode. In addition, it corresponds to an operation for shifting to the reproduction mode and an operation for returning to the still image shooting mode.

  FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing details of the moving image shooting zoom process in step S314 of FIG. When the flow starts, first, in step S322, it is checked whether the horizontal distance between the two points has increased by a predetermined amount. This predetermined amount is the smallest unit that can be detected and controlled. When a predetermined amount increase in the horizontal distance between the two points is detected, the process proceeds to step S334 to check whether the optical zoom is at the tele end. If it is not the tele end, the process proceeds to step S336, the optical zoom is performed to zoom in by a predetermined amount corresponding to the detection in step S332, and the process proceeds to step S338. On the other hand, if an increase in the predetermined amount of the horizontal distance between the two points is not detected in step S332, or if it is detected in step S334 that the optical zoom is at the tele end, the process proceeds directly to step S338.

  In step S338, it is checked whether the horizontal distance between the two points has decreased by a predetermined amount. This predetermined amount is also the smallest unit that can be detected and controlled. When a predetermined amount decrease in the horizontal distance between the two points is detected, the process proceeds to step S340, and it is checked whether the optical zoom is at the wide end. If it is not the wide end, the process proceeds to step S342, the optical zoom is performed to zoom down by a predetermined amount corresponding to the detection in step S338, and the process proceeds to step S344. On the other hand, if a decrease in the predetermined amount of the horizontal distance between the two points is not detected in step S338, or if it is detected in step S340 that the optical zoom is at the wide end, the process directly proceeds to step S344.

  In step S344, it is checked whether or not the two simultaneous touch state has been released. When the two-point simultaneous touch release is detected, the flow ends. On the other hand, if the simultaneous two-point touch release is not detected in step S344, the process proceeds to step S346, and it is checked whether or not the state in which the distance between the two points remains unchanged for a predetermined time continues. When the unchanged state is detected, the flow ends. On the other hand, if no change is detected in step S346, the zoom operation is continued, so the process returns to step S332, and the following steps are performed unless the simultaneous release of two points or the change in the distance between two points over a predetermined time is detected. Steps S <b> 332 to S <b> 346 are repeated to correspond to a zoom operation during moving image shooting. As understood from the flow, the zoom operation can arbitrarily be up and down. The zoom speed can be arbitrarily changed by the movement of the thumbs of both hands that determines the horizontal distance between the two points.

  FIG. 30 is a screen diagram showing a playback image displayed on the resistive touch panel display unit 212 in the playback mode of the digital camera of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 14 or the digital camera of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. FIG. 30A shows an operation of cutting and storing a reproduction image 502 in a rectangular shape for editing when the reproduced image 502 is displayed on the full screen. The touch position 506 of the thumb of the right hand 504 and the touch position 508 of the index finger are shown. A rectangular region 510 whose diagonal is a line connecting two points is recognized. This recognition is performed after confirming that the two-point touch position does not change for a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds) in order to avoid an erroneous operation. That is, when viewed from the operation side, it is possible to execute designation and storage of a cut-out portion by consciously touching two points that are diagonal to the rectangle with two fingers for a predetermined time. When two points are recognized, a rectangular area 510 is cut out as shown in FIG. 30B, and the image data is stored separately.

  31 is a reproduction image displayed on the resistive touch panel display unit 212 in the reproduction mode of the digital camera of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 14 or the digital camera of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. FIG. In the case of FIG. 31A, an operation of cutting and storing a part of the reproduced image 502 displayed on the full screen in a circular shape for editing is shown, and the initial touch positions 512 and 514 of the thumb and index finger of the right hand 504 are shown. Is memorized first. Then, the movement status of the thumb and index finger indicated by arrows 516 and 518 as a result of sliding the right hand 512 within a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds) from the initial touch is detected. In the example of FIG. 31A, the right hand 504 is rotated clockwise, but as a result, the vertical spacing between the two points decreases as indicated by arrows 520 and 522, while indicated by arrows 524 and 526. Thus, the horizontal distance between the two points increases. In this way, when it is detected that the change direction of the horizontal interval (X-axis direction component) and the vertical interval (Y-axis direction component) of the two points are opposite, the touching thumb and index finger each arc. It is determined that it has been drawn and rotated, and a circular area 528 whose diameter is the touch position 512 of the thumb and the touch position of the index finger that are initially stored is recognized. Then, as shown in FIG. 31B, the recognized circular area 528 is cut out, and the image data is stored separately.

  FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing the details of the playback mode in step S 174 together with step S 176 in the flowchart of FIG. 16 relating to the operation of the digital camera of the second embodiment or the flowchart of FIG. 24 relating to the operation of the digital camera of the fourth embodiment. When the flow starts, first, in step S352, the latest photographed image is displayed on the full screen on the resistive touch panel display unit 212. In step S354, it is checked whether a slide show operation has been performed. If there is no operation, it is checked in step S356 whether or not there is an image feed operation. If there is an operation, the process proceeds to step S358, and the full-screen display image is changed to the previous and subsequent images according to the operation, and the process proceeds to step S360. If there is no operation, the process proceeds to step S356 or directly to step S360.

  In step S360, it is checked whether or not there is an operation for performing thumbnail display. If there is an operation, the process proceeds to the thumbnail display and selection process in step S362. This process first displays a list of thumbnails of a plurality of images, responds to the feeding operation as necessary, and further selects one of the thumbnails. When a thumbnail is selected, the process proceeds to step S464, the selected image is displayed on the full screen, and the process proceeds to step S366. On the other hand, if no thumbnail operation is detected in step S360, the process directly proceeds to step S366. As described above, when step S366 is reached, the latest captured image is displayed in full screen in step S352, or the image changed by image feed in step S358 is displayed in full screen, or the result of thumbnail selection in step S364 is displayed. One of the displayed images is displayed on the full screen.

  In step S366, it is checked whether or not a one-point touch is detected in such an image full-screen display state. When the one-point touch state is detected, the process proceeds to step 368, and it is checked whether the second point is touched within a predetermined time after the one-point touch detection and the two-point simultaneous touch state is detected. This predetermined time is set to an extremely short time (for example, 0.5 seconds), and even if there is a slight deviation in what the operator intends to touch at two points simultaneously, it falls within this predetermined time. Designed to be recognized as simultaneous point touch. That is, the purpose of the installation in step S368 is to discriminate between what the operator intends to touch the second point after the first point touch and what is intended to simultaneously touch the two points. If a substantial two-point simultaneous touch is detected in step S368, the process proceeds to step S370, and the two touch positions are stored.

  Next, it is checked whether or not the positions of the two points touched for a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds) or more are kept unchanged with reference to the two point positions stored in step S372. If there is a change in the two-point position, the process proceeds to step S374, and as a result of the change in the two-point touch position, the change directions of the two-point horizontal interval (X-axis direction component) and the vertical interval (Y-axis direction component) are reversed. Check if it is. As a result of this check, if it is detected that the two-point interval XY-axis component change direction is reversed, it proceeds to step S376 and determines that a rotation operation has been performed, and proceeds to step S378. In step S378, a circular area whose diameter is the touch position of the two points stored in step S370 is recognized, and an image of the recognized circular area is cut out and stored, and the process proceeds to step S176. This corresponds to the function shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is confirmed that the position of the two points touched for a predetermined time or longer is maintained unchanged with reference to the two point positions stored in step S372, the process proceeds to step S380, and step S370 is performed. Recognize a rectangular area whose diagonal line is a line connecting two points stored in. Then, the image of the recognized rectangular area is cut out and stored, and the process proceeds to step S176. This corresponds to the function shown in FIG.

  Step S176 describes the steps of the flowchart of FIG. 16 or the flowchart of FIG. 24 for easy understanding of the function of FIG. 32, and checks whether or not a shooting mode setting operation has been performed. If this setting is not detected, the flow returns to step S352 at the beginning of FIG. If it is detected in step S354 that a slide show operation has been performed, the process proceeds to a slide show process in step S382, and the slide show is executed. When the slide show is completed in the slide show process, the process returns to step S452. Hereinafter, unless a playback mode end operation is detected in step S167, steps S352 to S382 and step S176 are repeated to correspond to various operations in the playback mode. When the shooting mode setting operation is detected in step S176, the process proceeds to step S168 in FIG.

The present invention can be applied to a touch panel input device such as a vehicle navigation system or a digital camera.

12, 212 Touch panel display screen 4, 204, 404 Input control unit

Claims (16)

  Relative positional relationship between the first direction component of the touch panel display screen having a display and a touch panel function, the position of two points touched simultaneously on the touch panel display screen, and the second component different from the first component And a touch panel input device capable of two-point detection, comprising: an input control unit that inputs information based on time information related to the two-point touch.   The touch panel display screen has a rectangular shape, the first direction component is a direction parallel to one side of the rectangular shape, and the second direction component is a direction parallel to another side perpendicular to the one side. The touch panel input device capable of two-point detection according to claim 1.   The touch panel capable of two-point detection according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the input control unit performs input control based on a relative magnitude relationship between one of the first component and the second component at two points at the same time. Input device.   The touch panel input device capable of two-point detection according to claim 1, wherein the input control unit performs input control based on a relative distance between two points at the same time.   5. The touch panel input device capable of two-point detection according to claim 3, wherein the input control unit determines the input control when the position of the two points does not change for a predetermined time.   The input control unit performs input based on a combination of the absolute positions of the two points based on the absolute positions of the two points and a relative position change of the two points as time elapses from the absolute position. Or the touch-panel input device of 2 points | pieces detection of 2 description.   7. The two-point detection according to claim 6, wherein when the position of the second point changes with the first point as a fulcrum, the input control unit detects this as a change in the relative position of the two points with the passage of time. Touch panel input device.   The input control unit performs input control based on a two-point touch when a two-point touch is detected within a predetermined time, and when the time for detecting the second touch from the first touch detection exceeds a predetermined time The touch panel input device capable of two-point detection according to claim 1 or 2, wherein input control different from input control based on two-point touch is performed.   When the time for detecting the second touch from the first touch detection exceeds a predetermined time, the input control unit is different from the input control for the first touch based on the second touch. The touch panel input device capable of two-point detection according to claim 8.   The touch panel input device capable of two-point detection according to claim 1, wherein the input control unit performs input control based on two-point touch based on detection of parallel movement according to the passage of time of the two points.   The two-point detection is possible according to claim 10, wherein the input control unit performs input control based on a two-point touch based on detection of a relative position of the two points at the same time and a parallel movement according to the passage of time. Touch panel input device.   3. The two-point detection according to claim 1, wherein the input control unit performs input control based on a change in a relative relationship between one of the first component and the second component at two points as time elapses. Touch panel input device.   3. The two-point detection according to claim 1, wherein the input control unit performs input control based on a change in a relative relationship between one of the first component and the second component at two points as time elapses. Touch panel input device.   The input control unit performs input control based on the fact that the change direction of the relative relationship between the two first components with the passage of time is opposite to the change direction of the relative relationship between the two second components with the passage of time. The touch panel input device capable of two-point detection according to claim 1, wherein the touch panel input device performs the two-point detection.   The input control unit performs input control of a circle when the change direction of the relative relationship between the two first components with the passage of time is opposite to the change direction of the relative relationship between the two second components with the passage of time. The touch panel input device capable of two-point detection according to claim 14.   The touch panel input device capable of two-point detection according to claim 15, wherein the input control unit sets a relative distance between two points touched at a predetermined time as a diameter of the circle.