Touch input device

Abstract

A remote controller (200), which is a touch input device, is provided with: a touch panel unit (160) provided with a plurality of keys; a display unit (120) provided with a graphic display unit (130) that displays a graphic corresponding to each of the plurality of keys; and a processing unit (140) that determines whether or not the key input is invalid when any one of the plurality of keys is pressed, and displays the graphic corresponding to the pressed key in different display forms when the key input is invalid and when the key input is valid.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a touch input device including a touch input apparatus. Background Art

[0002] When a touch-type input device, such as a touch panel, has multiple keys, a user may touch and press a key that is different from the one they intended. However, since touch-type input devices do not have a keystroke, the user cannot experience a click sensation. Therefore, it is difficult for users of touch-type input devices to identify which key they actually pressed. Therefore, touch-type input devices require easy identification of the key pressed by the user to improve operability.

[0003] Furthermore, if a user places their hand on a touch input device mounted on a wall and leans against it, they may accidentally long-press any of the multiple keys. Therefore, if a key press that may be against the user's intention is detected, the key press is not accepted and invalidated, and the user is notified of the fact that a key press that may be against the user's intention has been made. Users who intentionally pressed a key that was invalidated need to be urged to repeat the operation.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a touch input device that includes a backlight function that illuminates the light-emitting portion corresponding to the key pressed by the user, making it easier to identify which key the user has pressed. The user of the touch input device disclosed in Patent Document 1 can determine whether the key has been pressed based on whether the light-emitting portion corresponding to the pressed key is illuminated.

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-157157

[0006] However, the touch input device disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires a light-emitting element to realize a backlight function, and thus has a problem of increasing the number of components. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a touch input device that enables a user to recognize which key the user has pressed and whether the key pressing is accepted, without using a light-emitting element that realizes a backlight function.

[0008] To address the aforementioned issues and achieve the objectives, the touch input device disclosed herein includes: a touch panel unit having a plurality of keys; and a display unit having a graphics display unit for displaying graphics corresponding to the plurality of keys. The touch input device also includes a processing unit that, when any of the plurality of keys is pressed, determines whether the key input is invalid and displays the graphics corresponding to the pressed key in different display modes depending on whether the key input is invalid or valid.

[0009] The touch input device disclosed herein can enable a user to recognize which key the user has pressed and whether the key pressing is accepted without using a light-emitting element that realizes a backlight function. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the appearance of the remote controller according to the first embodiment.

[0011] Figure 2 This is a functional block diagram of the remote controller according to the first embodiment.

[0012] Figure 3 This is a flowchart showing the flow of operations of the remote controller according to the first embodiment.

[0013] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing an example of a state in which two keys are pressed simultaneously in the remote controller according to the first embodiment.

[0014] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the appearance of a remote controller according to Embodiment 2.

[0015] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the appearance of a remote controller according to a third embodiment.

[0016] Figure 7 This is a flowchart showing the flow of operations of the remote controller according to the third embodiment.

[0017] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a processing unit of a remote controller according to any one of the first to third embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Hereinafter, a touch input device according to an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0019] Implementation method 1.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the appearance of the remote controller according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 This is a functional block diagram of a remote controller according to Embodiment 1. A remote controller 200 as a touch input device according to Embodiment 1 is connected to a water heater 100. The remote controller 200 includes a transceiver circuit unit 110, a display unit 120, a processing unit 140, and a touch panel unit 160.

[0021] The transceiver circuit unit 110 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving signals with the water heater 100 .

[0022] Touch panel 160 includes a hot water key 21 for switching the hot water supply mode on and off, up and down keys 22 for changing the hot water set temperature, and a shift key 23 for switching to off-mode. Up and down keys 22 include an up key 221 for increasing the hot water set temperature and a down key 222 for decreasing the hot water set temperature. Up key 221 increases the set temperature, while down key 222 decreases the set temperature.

[0023] The display unit 120 includes a text and image display unit 121 for displaying text and images, and a light-emitting diode 20 for indicating abnormalities. The text and image display unit 121 can be formed using a liquid crystal panel or an organic electroluminescent panel. In Embodiment 1, the display unit 120 is formed using a monochrome thin-film transistor liquid crystal panel, which is a high-visibility liquid crystal. The text and images displayed on the text and image display unit 121 include an up icon 122 and a down icon 123. The up icon 122 is an upward-facing image. The down icon 123 is a downward-facing image.

[0024] The graphic display unit 130 displays graphics 31, 32, and 33 corresponding to the hot water key 21, the up / down keys 22, and the transfer key 23 on the touch panel unit 160, respectively, to allow the user to identify which key has been pressed. The graphics 31, 32, and 33 displayed on the graphic display unit 130 can be displayed by at least one of lighting up and flashing. The graphics 31, 32, and 33 displayed on the graphic display unit 130 are at least one of a bar, a circle, and a polygon. In the first embodiment, the graphics 31, 32, and 33 are bar-shaped. Graphic 32 corresponds to both the up key 221 and the down key 222. Therefore, the number of graphics 31, 32, and 33 is less than the number of the hot water key 21, the up key 221, the down key 222, and the transfer key 23.

[0025] Graphics 31, 32, and 33 are displayed on the graphic display unit 130 at positions corresponding to the keys on the touch panel unit 160. Graphic 31 corresponding to the hot water key 21 is displayed on the graphic display unit 130 directly above the hot water key 21. Furthermore, graphic 32 corresponding to the up / down key 22 is displayed directly above the up / down key 22, and graphic 33 corresponding to the shift key 23 for shifting to the off mode is displayed directly above the shift key 23.

[0026] The processing unit 140 can be configured using a microcontroller. Alternatively, the processing unit 140 may be provided with an external memory such as an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory.

[0027] Processing unit 140 detects an input signal from a key pressed by a user on touch panel unit 160 and outputs information about the pressed key based on the input signal. Thus, processing unit 140 transmits a command to water heater 100 via transceiver circuit unit 110, controlling water heater 100 to perform an action corresponding to the key pressed on touch panel unit 160.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation flow of the remote control in Embodiment 1. In step S101, processing unit 140 detects input signals from keys pressed by the user. In step S102, processing unit 140 detects whether the input of the pressed key is invalid. A valid input for a pressed key means that any of the hot water key 21, up key 221, down key 222, and transfer key 23 is pressed for a shorter time than a preset time. For example, if a user intends to press a key but also touches a different key, pressing multiple keys simultaneously can make it difficult for processing unit 140 to accurately determine which key the user intended to press. Furthermore, if a user rests their hand on a wall, for example, where remote control 200 is installed, they may press and hold any key for a long time. Therefore, in Embodiment 1, processing unit 140 determines that the input of the pressed key is invalid when multiple keys are pressed simultaneously or when any key is pressed or held simultaneously for a long time.

[0029] If the input of the pressed key is invalid, the answer is yes in step S102. In step S103, processing unit 140 determines the reason why the input of the pressed key was invalid. Here, processing unit 140 determines whether the input was invalidated due to pressing multiple keys simultaneously or due to a long key press. By determining the reason why the input of the pressed key was invalidated, processing unit 140 determines whether there are multiple keys whose input has become invalid.

[0030] In step S104, processing unit 140 flashes the graphic corresponding to the pressed key. For example, if the input is invalidated by long-pressing hot water key 21, graphic 31 corresponding to hot water key 21 flashes. Alternatively, if hot water key 21 and down key 222 are pressed simultaneously, graphic 31 corresponding to hot water key 21 and graphic 32 corresponding to up / down key 22 flash. In step S105, processing unit 140 illuminates light-emitting diode 20 for indicating an abnormality. After step S105, processing returns to step S101.

[0031] On the other hand, if the input of the pressed key is valid, the answer is NO in step S102 , and in step S106 , the processing unit 140 lights up the graphic corresponding to the pressed key and then ends the processing.

[0032] In this way, in the remote control 200 of embodiment 1, the hot water key 21, the up and down keys 22, and the transfer key 23 on the touch panel unit 160 and the graphics 31, 32, 33 corresponding to the hot water key 21, the up and down keys 22, and the transfer key 23 in the graphic display unit 130 are arranged in the upper and lower directions respectively, so that by lighting up the graphics 31, 32, 33 corresponding to the pressed key, the user can identify which key has been pressed.

[0033] Furthermore, if the input of the pressed key is invalid, processing unit 140 flashes graphics 31, 32, and 33 corresponding to the input key, displays them on graphic display unit 130, and illuminates light-emitting diode 20, based on the reason for determining the key input to be invalid. Therefore, remote control 200 according to Embodiment 1 can notify the user that the key has been pressed longer than required when any key is long pressed, allowing the user to recognize that a long press is unnecessary. Furthermore, the time period for determining a key long press can be changed by the user. Furthermore, remote control 200 according to Embodiment 1 can warn the user not to press multiple keys simultaneously when two or more keys are pressed simultaneously.

[0034] Furthermore, when two or more keys are pressed simultaneously, if the areas touched by the finger on each key are different, the processing unit 140 may determine that the key with the larger area touched by the finger is pressed. Figure 4 1 is a diagram showing an example of a state where two keys are pressed simultaneously in the remote controller according to the first embodiment. Figure 4 In FIG, it is shown that area A is the part touched by the user's finger. Figure 4 In the example shown, the area of lower key 222 touched by the user's finger is larger than that of upper key 221, so processing unit 140 determines that lower key 222 has been pressed. By processing unit 140 determining that the key touched by the larger finger area has been pressed, even if the user presses a key near the boundary between multiple keys, the input is less likely to be invalid, thereby improving operability.

[0035] When the graphic display unit 130 displays only the graphic 32, the user cannot identify which of the up and down temperature keys 22 is pressed for changing the hot water set temperature. Therefore, the upper icon 122 or the lower icon 123 can be lit simultaneously with the graphic 32 in the text image display unit 121.

[0036] As described above, the remote controller 200 according to the first embodiment can allow the user to recognize which key the user has pressed and whether the key pressing has been accepted, without using a light-emitting element that realizes a backlight function.

[0037] Implementation method 2.

[0038] Figure 5This figure shows the appearance of a remote control according to Embodiment 2. In remote control 200, which serves as a touch input device according to Embodiment 2, graphics 32 corresponding to up and down keys 22 include an upward-pointing triangle 321 and a downward-pointing triangle 322. Specifically, in remote control 200 according to Embodiment 2, graphics 32 include an upward-pointing triangle 321 corresponding to up key 221 and a downward-pointing triangle 322 corresponding to down key 222. Therefore, in remote control 200 according to Embodiment 2, the number of graphics 31, 33, upward-pointing triangles 321, and downward-pointing triangles 322 is the same as the number of hot water key 21, up key 221, down key 222, and transfer key 23. Graphics 31, 33, upward-pointing triangles 321, and downward-pointing triangles 322 correspond one-to-one to hot water key 21, up key 221, down key 222, and transfer key 23. Other than that, the remote control is the same as remote control 200 according to Embodiment 1.

[0039] Processing unit 140 illuminates upward-pointing triangle 321 when up key 221 is pressed, and illuminates downward-pointing triangle 322 when down key 222 is pressed. Furthermore, when up key 221 is pressed and held, or when multiple keys including up key 221 are pressed simultaneously, processing unit 140 flashes upward-pointing triangle 321. Furthermore, when down key 222 is pressed and held, or when multiple keys including down key 222 are pressed simultaneously, processing unit 140 flashes downward-pointing triangle 322.

[0040] The remote controller 200 of the second embodiment can distinguish between the up key 221 and the down key 222 without using a light-emitting element that realizes a backlight function, and can recognize which key is pressed by the user and whether the key pressing is accepted.

[0041] Implementation method 3.

[0042] Figure 6 This figure shows the appearance of a remote control according to Embodiment 3. Remote control 200, a touch input device according to Embodiment 3, displays a segmented bar 34 on graphic display unit 130. Segmented bar 34 is displayed across the portion of graphic display unit 130 above hot water key 21, above up / down keys 22, and above shift key 23. Segmented bar 34 corresponds to all of hot water key 21, up / down keys 22, and shift key 23. In remote control 200 according to Embodiment 3, the number of segmented bar 34 graphics displayed on graphic display unit 130 is less than the number of hot water key 21, up key 221, down key 222, and shift key 23.

[0043] Figure 7 This is a flowchart showing the flow of operations of the remote controller according to Embodiment 3. The operations in Steps S101 and S102 are the same as those of the remote controller 200 according to Embodiment 1.

[0044] If the input of the pressed key is invalid, the answer is YES in step S102, and in step S107, the processing unit 140 flashes one-segment bar 34. Step S105 is the same as the operation of the remote controller 200 in the first embodiment.

[0045] On the other hand, if the input of the pressed key is valid, the answer is NO in step S102 , and the processing unit 140 lights up one segment of the bar 34 in step S108 , and then ends the processing.

[0046] Thus, in the remote controller 200 of the third embodiment, if the input to any of the hot water key 21, up / down key 22, and shift key 23 is valid, the processing unit 140 lights up the one-segment bar 34. On the other hand, if the input to any of the hot water key 21, up / down key 22, and shift key 23 is invalid, the processing unit 140 flashes the one-segment bar 34 and lights up the abnormality display light emitting diode 20.

[0047] Although the remote controller 200 of the third embodiment does not distinguish between the hot water key 21 , the up and down keys 22 , and the transfer key 23 , the user can recognize whether key input is valid or invalid, thereby improving operability.

[0048] In the remote control 200 of the third embodiment, only one segment of the bar 34 is displayed on the graphic display unit 130. Therefore, there is no need for processing to select the graphic displayed on the graphic display unit 130 according to the type of key pressed, which can reduce the processing load of the processing unit 140. Therefore, compared with the remote control 200 of the first embodiment, a computing device with lower processing power can be used for the processing unit 140.

[0049] Figure 8 1 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a processing unit of a remote controller according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 3. Figure 8 As shown, the processing unit 140 includes a processor 101 , a memory 102 , a storage device 103 , and an interface circuit 104 . The processor 101 , the memory 102 , the storage device 103 , and the interface circuit 104 can exchange data with each other via a bus 105 .

[0050] The processor 101 performs the functions of the processing unit 140 by reading and executing the processing program stored in the storage device 103. Furthermore, part or all of the processing unit 140 may be implemented by hardware, such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). In other words, the processing circuitry that implements part or all of the processing unit 140 may be dedicated hardware.

[0051] Alternatively, the processor 101 can read the processing program from one or more storage media including a magnetic disk, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, an optical disk, a compact disc, and a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) via an interface (not shown), store the program in the storage device 103, and execute the program.

[0052] The configurations shown in the above embodiments are merely examples of the contents, and may be combined with other known technologies, or part of the configurations may be omitted or modified without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0053] Description of Reference Numerals

[0054] 20...light-emitting diode; 21...hot water button; 22...up and down buttons; 23...shift button; 31, 32, 33...graphics; 34...a bar; 100...water heater; 101...processor; 102...memory; 103...storage device; 104...interface circuit; 105...bus; 110...transmitter / receiver circuit unit; 120...display unit; 121...text / image display unit; 122...up icon; 123...down icon; 130...graphic display unit; 140...processing unit; 160...touch panel unit; 200...remote control unit; 221...up button; 222...down button; 321...upward triangle; 322...downward triangle.

Claims

1. A touch input device, characterized in that: include: a touch panel portion having a plurality of keys; a display unit including a graphic display unit for displaying graphics corresponding to the plurality of keys; as well as The processing unit determines whether the key input is invalid when any one of the plurality of keys is pressed, and displays the graphic corresponding to the pressed key in different display modes depending on whether the key input is invalid or valid.

2. The touch input device according to claim 1, wherein: The graphic display unit is arranged above the touch panel unit and adjacent to the touch panel unit. The plurality of keys are arranged in a left-right direction, Graphics corresponding to the plurality of keys are arranged above each of the plurality of keys.

3. The touch input device according to claim 2, wherein: The plurality of keys include a key for increasing a set value and a key for decreasing the set value. The graphic corresponding to the key for increasing the set value is upward, and the graphic corresponding to the key for decreasing the set value is downward.

4. The touch input device according to claim 2, wherein: The plurality of keys include a key for increasing a set value and a key for decreasing the set value. The display unit includes a text and image display unit for displaying text and images. When the key for increasing the set value is pressed, the processing unit displays the image corresponding to the key for increasing the set value on the text image display unit, and when the key for decreasing the set value is pressed, the processing unit displays the image corresponding to the key for decreasing the set value on the text image display unit.

5. The touch input device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein: The number of the graphics is less than the number of the plurality of keys, and at least one of the graphics is associated with two or more of the plurality of keys.

6. The touch input device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The display mode when the key input is invalid and the display mode when the key input is valid are: one is lit and the other is blinking.

7. The touch input device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The processing unit determines that the key input is invalid when at least any one of the plurality of keys is long pressed.

8. The touch input device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The processing unit determines that the key input is invalid when two or more of the plurality of keys are pressed simultaneously.

9. The touch input device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The display unit includes a light emitting diode for abnormality display. The processing unit lights up the light emitting diode when the key input is invalid.

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