Electronic apparatus, input control method, and program

Abstract

To enable a plurality of functions (modes) to be realized with a single touch pen without requiring complicated operations.SOLUTION: A touch panel 15 accepts input operations from a touch pen 30 having a first pen tip 32a and a second pen tip 32b that impart different electrical characteristics to the touch panel 15. A pen tip identification unit 102 identifies whether the input operation by the touch pen 30 is performed by the first pen tip 32a or the second pen tip 32b. A mode setting unit 104 selectively sets one reception mode from among a plurality of reception modes to the touch pen 30. A display control unit 104 controls a display content of a display unit 14 based on the input operation by either the first pen tip 32a or the second pen tip 32b and one of the reception modes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device, an input control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] As a pen input device, for example, a technique has been disclosed in which pen tips of different thicknesses for writing and erasing are provided at both ends of a pen, and different processes are performed depending on the thickness of the pen tip (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 07-200133 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the above-mentioned pen input device only performs specific processing according to the thickness of each pen tip, and therefore has the problem of being unable to accommodate various input situations.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to realize multiple functions (modes) with one touch pen without performing complicated operations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The electronic device of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a touch panel that accepts input operations using a touch pen having a first end and a second end that impart different electrical characteristics to a contact object; a pen tip identification unit that identifies whether the input operation is performed using the first end or the second end when the input operation is performed; a mode setting unit that selectively sets one of a plurality of predetermined reception modes to the touch panel, which reception modes accept the input operation using the first end of the touch pen and the input operation using the second end as different input operations; and a display control unit that controls the display content of a display unit based on the input operation using either the first end or the second end identified by the pen tip identification unit and the one of the reception modes set by the mode setting unit.

[0007] The input control method of the present invention is an input control method by a control unit of an electronic device, and is characterized by including the steps of: accepting an input operation by a touch panel using a touch pen having a first end and a second end that impart different electrical characteristics to a contact object; identifying whether the input operation is by the first end or the second end when the input operation is performed; a reception mode that accepts the input operation by the touch pen using the first end and the input operation by the touch pen using the second end as different input operations, and selectively setting one of a plurality of predetermined reception modes for the touch panel; and controlling the display content of a display unit based on the input operation by either the first end or the second end and the one of the reception modes.

[0008] The program of the present invention is characterized in that it causes a computer of an equipment having a control unit to realize an input operation reception function that receives, on a touch panel, input operations made by a touch pen having a first end and a second end that impart different electrical characteristics to a contact object; a pen tip identification function that identifies whether the input operation is made by the first end or the second end when the input operation is made; a mode setting function that selectively sets one of a plurality of predetermined reception modes for the touch pen, which reception modes accept the input operation made by the touch pen using the first end and the input operation made by the second end as different input operations; and a display control function that controls the display content of a display unit based on the input operation made by either the first end or the second end identified by the pen tip identification function and one of the reception modes set by the mode setting function. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to this invention, a plurality of functions (modes) can be realized with one touch pen without performing complicated operations. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is an external view showing the configuration of a handheld terminal and a touch pen according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a pen tip member of a touch pen used in the handheld terminal according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a handheld terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 5A to 5C are conceptual diagrams for explaining the pen tip identifying operation in the handy terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a mode (combination of functions (modes) of the pen tip) that can be set to the touch pen in the handy terminal according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6]5 is a flowchart for explaining a touch pen detection process of the handy terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an external view showing the configuration of a handheld terminal and two touch pens according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 10 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the pen tip members of two touch pens used in the handheld terminal according to the second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a handheld terminal according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are conceptual diagrams for explaining the pen tip identifying operation in the handy terminal according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a mode (combination of functions (modes) of the pen tip) that can be set to the touch pen in the handy terminal according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart for explaining a touch pen identification process in the handy terminal according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart for explaining touch pen detection processing with a first touch pen of the handy terminal according to the second embodiment. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart for explaining touch pen detection processing with a second touch pen of the handy terminal according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] A first embodiment of the present invention, in which an electronic device is applied to a handheld terminal 1 shown in Fig. 1, will be described with reference to the drawings. The handheld terminal 1 is a portable electronic device used, for example, by a distribution company or other such installation site. The handheld terminal 1 has a scanning function for reading barcodes and two-dimensional codes affixed to products, shelves, etc. The handheld terminal 1 has an input unit 19 and a display unit 14 disposed on a housing 1a, and a barcode scanner 16 (described later) and a camera 17 disposed on the back side (not shown). A touch panel 15 for sensing touch input using a touch pen 30 is provided on the display panel of the display unit 14.

[0012] The touch pen 30 is a passive type touch pen, and by touching the surface of the touch panel 15 with its tip, an input function assigned to the tip is activated. The touch pen 30 has a first tip 32a and a second tip 32b at both ends of its body 31. The handheld terminal 1 determines whether the tip of the touch pen 30 has made contact by detecting a change in capacitance on the touch panel 15. In the first embodiment, the first tip 32a and the second tip 32b are made of materials that cause different changes in capacitance on the touch panel 15 when they make contact with the touch panel 15, making it possible to distinguish whether the first tip 32a or the second tip 32b has made contact.

[0013] In the first embodiment, the first pen tip 32a and the second pen tip 32b are made of the same material but have different shapes that provide different contact areas when the pen tips are brought into contact with the touch panel 15. As shown in FIG. 2, the first pen tip 32a is made of conductive rubber and has a first shape that provides a smaller contact area with the touch panel 15 than the second pen tip 32b. On the other hand, the second pen tip 32b is also made of conductive rubber and has a second shape that provides a larger contact area with the touch panel 15 than the first pen tip 32a. Note that, while conductive rubber is used for the first pen tip 32a and the second pen tip 32b in the first embodiment, this is not a limitation. For example, metal may be used for both, or the first pen tip 32a may be made of conductive rubber and the second pen tip 32b may be made of metal. Furthermore, a material such as conductive resin may be used instead of conductive rubber. In other words, any material (materials having different electrical properties (capacitance, conductivity)) may be used that produces a sufficient difference in capacitance (detection voltage) on the touch panel 15 so that the detection voltage that detects the touch on the handheld terminal 1 side can be distinguished between the first pen tip 32a and the second pen tip 32b when the touch panel 15 is touched.

[0014] 3, the handheld terminal 1 according to the first embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 11, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, an output unit 13, a display unit 14, a touch panel 15, a barcode scanner 16, a camera 17, a wireless communication unit 18, and an input unit 19. The CPU 10 controls each unit of the handheld terminal 1 in accordance with a system program and an application program stored in the ROM 11. In the first embodiment, the CPU 10 includes, as its functions, a touch determination unit 101, a pen tip identification unit 102, a display control unit 103, and a mode setting unit 104. The touch determination unit 101 detects a touch (contact) of the touch pen 30 on the touch panel 15.

[0015] As described above, the first pen tip 32a and the second pen tip 32b of the touch pen 30 are shaped to have different contact areas with the touch panel 15. Therefore, a difference occurs in the change in capacitance between the touch panel 15 and the touch pen 30 when touching with the first pen tip 32a and when touching with the second pen tip 32b. As shown in FIG. 4, the touch determination unit 101 detects a difference between the detected voltages V1 and V2 when detecting a touch on the touch panel 15. When the touch determination unit 101 detects a detected voltage equal to or greater than the threshold value Th1 shown in FIG. 4, it determines that a touch input has been made with the touch pen 30. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, when touching with the first pen tip 32a, which has a relatively small contact area, the detected voltage is relatively low (V1), and when touching with the second pen tip 32b, which has a relatively large contact area, the detected voltage is relatively high (V2).

[0016] As shown in Fig. 4, the pen tip identification unit 102 compares the detected voltage with predetermined thresholds Th1 and Th2 to identify whether the touch was made with the first pen tip 32a or the second pen tip 32b. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 4, if the detected voltage V1 is equal to or greater than the threshold Th1 and less than the threshold Th2, the pen tip identification unit 102 identifies that the touch was made with the first pen tip 32a, and if the detected voltage V2 is equal to or greater than the threshold Th2, the pen tip identification unit 102 identifies that the touch was made with the second pen tip 32b. If the pen tip identification unit 102 identifies that the touch was made with the first pen tip 32a, the display control unit 103 controls drawing on the display unit 14 using the function set for the first pen tip 32a (e.g., "black pen"), and if the pen tip identification unit 102 identifies that the touch was made with the second pen tip 32b, the display control unit 103 controls drawing on the display unit 14 using the function set for the second pen tip 32b (e.g., "eraser").

[0017] The ROM 11 stores system programs and application programs. The RAM 12 is a volatile memory used as a work area for temporarily storing various data and programs. The RAM 12 also holds a mode table 121. As shown in FIG. 5, the mode table 121 registers a plurality of reception modes M1 to M3 (combinations of functions; the number is not limited) for accepting an input operation using the first pen tip 32a and an input operation using the second pen tip 32b of the touch pen 30 as different input operations. Furthermore, in each of the plurality of reception modes M1 to M3, a function (mode) to be executed by the first pen tip 32a and the second pen tip 32b is registered. 5, reception mode M1 has "black pen" registered to the first pen tip 32a and "eraser" registered to the second pen tip 32b, reception mode M2 ​​has "red pen" registered to the first pen tip 32a and "blue rubber" registered to the second pen tip 32b, and reception mode M3 has "black pen" registered to the first pen tip 32a and "highlighter pen" registered to the second pen tip 32b. The mode setting unit 104 selectively sets one reception mode Mi (i = 1 to 3) from the plurality of reception modes M1 to M3 on the touch panel 15. Furthermore, the mode setting unit 104 can set (change) the functions (modes) to be set to the first pen tip 32a and second pen tip 32b of reception modes M1 to M3, respectively, in accordance with user operation. Therefore, when a touch operation is performed using the touch pen 30, the display content of the display unit 14 is controlled by the function (mode) associated with the reception mode Mi (i = 1 to 3) set by the mode setting unit 104 for the touch panel 15 from among the multiple reception modes M1 to M3.

[0018] The output unit 13 is composed of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes), a speaker, etc., and turns the LEDs on and off and outputs sound from the speaker under the control of the CPU 10. The display unit 14 is composed of a display panel such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Organic Electro-Luminescence: OEL) and displays various information. The touch panel 15 is a capacitive touch panel provided on the display panel of the display unit 14 and accepts touch input using a touch pen 30. The barcode scanner 16 captures and reads barcodes (including two-dimensional codes). The camera 17 is provided on the back surface of the housing 1a and has an optical system and an imaging element. It captures an image of a subject and generates image data. The wireless communication unit 18 is a communication unit that uses a wireless communication method such as NFC (Near Field Communication) and performs short-range wireless communication with a communication partner. The input unit 19 is composed of a physical key unit and is arranged on the housing 1a as described above.

[0019] The CPU 10 repeatedly executes the touch pen detection process at predetermined time intervals according to the flowchart shown in Fig. 6. The touch determination unit 101 determines whether a touch has been detected (step S10), and if it determines that a touch has not been detected (NO in step S10), the touch pen detection process ends. On the other hand, if the touch determination unit 101 determines that a touch has been detected (YES in step S10), the pen tip identification unit 102 determines whether the detected voltage is equal to or greater than a threshold value Th2 (step S12).

[0020] If the detected voltage is not equal to or greater than the threshold value Th2 (NO in step S12), the pen tip identification unit 102 identifies the touch as being with the first pen tip 32a (see FIG. 4). The display control unit 103 draws on the display unit 14 with the function (mode) set for the first pen tip 32a in accordance with the reception mode set for the touch panel 15 at that time (step S14). For example, if the reception mode M1 shown in FIG. 5 is set for the touch panel 15, the "black pen" is executed and drawing is performed in black on the display unit 14. Thereafter, the touch pen detection process ends.

[0021] On the other hand, if the detected voltage is equal to or greater than the threshold value Th2 (YES in step S12), the pen tip identification unit 102 identifies the touch as being by the second pen tip 32b (see FIG. 4). The display control unit 103 draws on the display unit 14 using the function (mode) set for the second pen tip 32b in accordance with the reception mode set for the touch panel 15 at that time (step S16). For example, if the reception mode M1 shown in FIG. 5 is set for the touch panel 15, the "eraser" is executed to erase the image drawn on the display unit 14. Thereafter, the touch pen detection process ends.

[0022] According to the first embodiment described above, at least two pen tips are provided at both ends of one touch pen 30, and by using the at least two pen tips appropriately, one of a plurality of reception modes indicating a combination of functions (modes) to be executed in response to input operations using the at least two pen tips can be selectively set on the touch panel 15, and the display content of the display unit 14 is controlled in accordance with the function (mode) registered in the set reception mode in response to the pen tip that touches the touch panel 15.Therefore, multiple functions (modes) can be realized simply by changing the grip of and using one touch pen 30, without performing complicated operations.

[0023] A second embodiment of the present invention, in which an electronic device is applied to a handheld terminal 1 shown in Fig. 7, will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that parts corresponding to those in Fig. 1 are given the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted. In this second embodiment, as shown in Fig. 7, input is performed using at least two touch pens, a first touch pen 40 and a second touch pen 50. The first touch pen 40 has a first pen tip 42a and a second pen tip 42b at both ends of its body 41. The second touch pen 50 has a first pen tip 52a and a second pen tip 52b at both ends of its body 51.

[0024] In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8 , the first pen tip 42a of the first touch pen 40 is made of conductive rubber, and the second pen tip 42b is made of metal. Meanwhile, the first pen tip 52a of the second touch pen 50 is made of conductive rubber, and the second pen tip 52b is made of metal. However, the conductive rubber of the first pen tip 42a of the first touch pen 40 and the conductive rubber of the first pen tip 52a of the second touch pen 50 differ in shape (contact area, etc.) or electrical characteristics (capacitance, conductivity) to the extent that the detected voltage when a touch is detected on the handheld terminal 1 can be distinguished. While the second embodiment uses conductive rubber or metal, this is not limiting. Materials such as conductive rubber, metal, or conductive resin with different conductivities, or even a combination of these, may be used. In other words, any material may be used as long as it generates a difference in the detected voltage when the touch panel 15 is touched.

[0025] In the second embodiment, when a user uses the handheld terminal 1, the CPU 10 displays a circle at a predetermined position on the display unit 14 as shown in FIG. 7, along with a message "Touch Pen Recognition" indicating that the touch pen will be recognized and a message "Please input with touch pen" prompting input using the touch pen to be used (touch pen identification screen). The user checks the display on the display unit 14 and touches within the circle with the first pen tip (42a or 52a) of the touch pen to be used, either the first touch pen 40 or the second touch pen 50. That is, if the user uses the first touch pen 40, the user touches within the circle with the first pen tip 42a, and if the user uses the second touch pen 50, the user touches within the circle with the first pen tip 52a. Note that the touch pen identification screen may also display a message prompting the user to specify the pen tip to be used for touch input. If the first pen tip 42a of the first touch pen 40 has a smaller (thinner) contact area with the touch panel 15 than the second pen tip 42b, and the first pen tip 52a of the second touch pen 50 has a smaller (thinner) contact area with the touch panel 15 than the second pen tip 52b, for example, a message may be displayed saying, "Please perform touch input with the thinner end of the touch pen." Alternatively, an image indicating the pen tip that should perform touch input may be displayed on the touch pen identification screen. This prevents a user who is unfamiliar with operating the handheld terminal 1 from performing touch input on the touch pen identification screen with the second pen tip 42b of the first touch pen 40 or the second pen tip 52b of the second touch pen 50. In other words, if the settings are such that there is a difference in the detected voltage between the second pen tip 42b of the first touch pen 40 and the second pen tip 52b of the second touch pen 50, a message can be displayed encouraging the user to touch inside the circle with the second pen tip 42b or the second pen tip 52b.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 9, the CPU 10 of the handheld terminal 1 according to the second embodiment has, as one of its functions, a pen tip identification unit 106 instead of the pen tip identification unit 102 in the configuration of the first embodiment described above. The CPU 10 also has, as one of its functions, a new pen determination unit 105. The RAM 12 also holds a mode table 122 instead of the mode table 121. In a touch pen identification process that is executed before using the handheld terminal 1 or when changing the touch pen to be used between the first touch pen 40 and the second touch pen 50, the pen determination unit 105 determines whether the touch was made with the first pen tip 42a of the first touch pen 40 or the first pen tip 52a of the second touch pen 50 when the user touches inside the circle.

[0027] As described above, the first pen tip 42a and second pen tip 32b of the first touch pen 40, and the first pen tip 52a and second pen tip 52b of the second touch pen 50, use materials that cause a difference in the change in capacitance on the touch panel 15 when the touch panel 15 is touched. Therefore, when touching with the first pen tip 42a and second pen tip 32b, and the first pen tip 52a and second pen tip 52b, a difference occurs in the change in capacitance between the touch panel 15 and each pen tip. Therefore, a difference occurs in the detection voltage when a touch is detected.

[0028] 10, the detected voltage V1 when touched with the first pen tip 42a of the first touch pen 40 is relatively lowest, and the detected voltage V2 when touched with the second pen tip 42b is relatively high. Furthermore, the detected voltage V3 when touched with the first pen tip 52a of the second touch pen 50 is relatively medium, and the detected voltage V4 when touched with the second pen tip 52b is relatively high. In the touch pen identification process, if the detected voltage when the user touches inside the circle is less than threshold value Th2, the pen determination unit 105 determines that the touch was made with the first pen tip 42a of the first touch pen 40, and if the detected voltage is greater than or equal to threshold value Th2, the pen determination unit 105 determines that the touch was made with the first pen tip 52a of the second touch pen 50.

[0029] When the pen determination unit 105 determines that the first touch pen 40 is being used, the pen tip identification unit 106 determines that the touch was made with the first tip 42a of the first touch pen 40 if the detected voltage at the time of the touch is less than a threshold value Th2 in a touch pen detection process described below, and determines that the touch was made with the second tip 42b of the first touch pen 40 if the detected voltage is equal to or greater than the threshold value Th2. Furthermore, when the pen determination unit 105 determines that the second touch pen 50 is being used, the pen tip identification unit 102 determines that the touch was made with the first tip 52a of the second touch pen 50 if the detected voltage at the time of the touch is less than a threshold value Th3 in a touch pen detection process described below, and determines that the touch was made with the second tip 52b of the second touch pen 50 if the detected voltage is equal to or greater than the threshold value Th3. Note that the threshold values ​​Th1, Th2, and Th3 shown in FIG. 10 are merely examples, and may be set appropriately according to the detected voltages V1 to V4.

[0030] In addition, as shown in FIG. 11, the mode table 122 in this second embodiment has registered therein a plurality of reception modes P1-M1 to P1-M3 (combinations of functions) for accepting an input operation using the first pen tip 42a of the first touch pen 40 and an input operation using the second pen tip 42b as mutually different input operations, and a plurality of reception modes P2-M1 to P2-M3 (combinations of functions) for accepting an input operation using the first pen tip 52a of the second touch pen 50 and an input operation using the second pen tip 52b as mutually different input operations. In the example shown in Figure 11, for input operations using the first touch pen 40, the reception mode P1-M1 is registered as "black pen" for the first pen tip 42a and "eraser" for the second pen tip 42b, the reception mode P1-M2 is registered as "black pen" for the first pen tip 42a and "highlighter pen" for the second pen tip 42b, and the reception mode P1-M3 is registered as "red pen" for the first pen tip 42a and "black pen" for the second pen tip 42b. Furthermore, for input operations using the second touch pen 50, reception mode P2-M1 is registered as "black pen" for the first pen tip 52a and "red pen" for the second pen tip 52b, reception mode P2-M2 is registered as "blue pen" for the first pen tip 52a and "eraser" for the second pen tip 52b, and reception mode P2-M3 is registered as "black pen" for the first pen tip 52a and "highlighter pen" for the second pen tip 52b.

[0031] As in the first embodiment, the reception mode set on the touch panel 15 can be selectively set (changed) by the user. Furthermore, the functions set on the pen tip of each of the reception modes P1-M1 to P1-M3 and P2-M1 to P2-M3 can also be selectively set (changed) by the user as appropriate. Therefore, in a touch operation using the first touch pen 40 or the second touch pen 50, one of the reception modes P1-Mi (i = 1 to 3) or P2-Mj (j = 1 to 3) set on the touch panel 15 is selected from the plurality of reception modes P1-M1 to P1-M3 or the plurality of reception modes P2-M1 to P2-M3, depending on the touch pen used for the touch operation. The display content on the display unit 14 is controlled by the function (mode) associated with the selected reception mode depending on the pen tip used for input operation.

[0032] The CPU 10 executes the touch pen identification process according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 12. The touch pen identification process is executed when the power is turned on or when a user gives an instruction. The CPU 10 first displays a message prompting the user to touch with the touch pen to be used on the touch pen identification screen of the display unit 14 shown in FIG. 7 (step S20). The touch determination unit 101 determines whether a touch has been detected on the touch pen identification screen (step S22). If it determines that a touch has not been detected (NO in step S22), the CPU 10 waits until a touch is detected in step S22. On the other hand, if the touch determination unit 101 detects a touch (YES in step S22), the pen determination unit 105 determines whether the detected voltage at the time of the touch is less than the threshold value Th2 (step S24). If the detected voltage is less than the threshold value Th2 (YES in step S24; see the detected voltage V1 in FIG. 7), the pen determination unit 105 determines that the touch was made by the first pen tip 42a of the first touch pen 40, and ends the touch pen identification process. On the other hand, if the detected voltage at the time of touch is equal to or greater than the threshold value Th2 (NO in step S24; see detected voltage V2 in Figure 7), the pen determination unit 105 determines that the touch was made by the first pen tip 52a of the second touch pen 50, and terminates the touch pen identification process.

[0033] Next, CPU 10 repeatedly executes touch pen detection processing at predetermined time intervals in accordance with the flowchart shown in Fig. 13 or 14. First, the touch pen detection processing when the first touch pen 40 is determined in the above-described touch pen identification processing will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 13. After the touch pen identification processing, touch determination unit 101 determines whether a touch has been detected (step S30), and if it determines that a touch has not been detected (NO in step S30), the touch pen detection processing ends. On the other hand, if touch determination unit 101 determines that a touch has been detected (YES in step S30), pen tip identification unit 102 determines whether the detected voltage at the time of the touch is equal to or greater than threshold value Th2 (step S32).

[0034] If the detected voltage is not equal to or greater than the threshold value Th2 (NO in step S32), the pen tip identification unit 102 identifies the touch as being made by the first pen tip 42a (see detected voltage V1 in FIG. 10). The display control unit 103 draws on the display unit 14 in a function (mode) corresponding to the input operation with the first pen tip 42a, in accordance with the reception mode (one of P1-M1 to P1-M3) set for the touch panel 15 that is applied when a touch operation is made with the first touch pen 40 at that time (step S34). For example, if the reception mode P1-M1 shown in FIG. 11 is set for the touch panel 15, the "black pen" is executed, and drawing is made in black on the display unit 14. Thereafter, the touch pen detection process ends.

[0035] On the other hand, if the detected voltage at the time of touch is equal to or greater than the threshold value Th2 (YES in step S12), the pen tip identification unit 102 identifies the touch as being made by the second pen tip 42b (see detected voltage V2 in FIG. 10). The display control unit 103 draws on the display unit 14 in a function (mode) corresponding to the input operation with the second pen tip 42b, in accordance with the reception mode (one of P1-M1 to P1-M3) set for the touch panel 15 that is applied when a touch operation is made with the first touch pen 40 at that time (step S36). For example, if the reception mode P1-M1 shown in FIG. 11 is set for the first touch pen 40 on the touch panel 15, the "eraser" is executed, and the image drawn on the display unit 14 is erased. Thereafter, the touch pen detection process ends.

[0036] Next, the touch pen detection process when the touch pen 50 is determined to be the second touch pen in the touch pen identification process described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 14. After the touch pen identification process, the touch determination unit 101 determines whether a touch has been detected (step S40), and if it determines that a touch has not been detected (NO in step S40), the touch pen detection process ends. On the other hand, if the touch determination unit 101 determines that a touch has been detected (YES in step S40), the pen tip identification unit 102 determines whether the detected voltage at the time of the touch is equal to or greater than threshold value Th3 (step S42).

[0037] If the detected voltage is not equal to or greater than the threshold value Th3 (NO in step S42), the pen tip identification unit 102 identifies the touch as being made by the first pen tip 52a (see detected voltage V3 in FIG. 10). The display control unit 103 draws on the display unit 14 in a function (mode) corresponding to the input operation made by the first pen tip 52a, in accordance with the reception mode (one of P2-M1 to P2-M3) set for the touch panel 15 that is to be applied when a touch operation is made with the second touch pen 50 at that time (step S44). For example, if the reception mode P2-M1 shown in FIG. 11 is set for the touch panel 15, the "black pen" is executed, and drawing is made in black on the display unit 14. Thereafter, the touch pen detection process ends.

[0038] On the other hand, if the detected voltage at the time of touch is equal to or higher than the threshold value Th3 (YES in step S42), the pen tip identification unit 102 identifies the touch as being made by the second pen tip 52b (see detected voltage V4 in FIG. 10). The display control unit 103 draws on the display unit 14 in a function (mode) corresponding to the input operation with the second pen tip 52b, in accordance with the reception mode (one of P2-M1 to P2-M3) set for the touch panel 15 that is applied when a touch operation is made with the second touch pen 50 at that time (step S46). For example, if the reception mode P2-M1 shown in FIG. 11 is set for the touch panel 15, the "red pen" is executed, and drawing is made in red on the display unit 14. Thereafter, the touch pen detection process ends.

[0039] According to the second embodiment described above, the pen tips of the two first and second touch pens 40 and 50 are made of a material at both ends that causes a difference in the capacitance on the touch panel 15 when the two touch pens are brought into contact with the touch panel 15, and based on the difference in the change in capacitance on the touch panel 15 when the two touch pens are brought into contact with the touch panel 15, it is identified as either the first touch pen 40 or the second touch pen 50. Depending on the identified first touch pen 40 or second touch pen 50, the display content of the display unit 14 is controlled according to the pen tip that performed the input operation, in accordance with the reception mode set for the touch panel 15.Therefore, the user can easily select the touch pen to use from the first touch pen 40 or the second touch pen 50 by simply touching the touch panel 15 with the pen tip of the touch pen they wish to use, without having to perform complicated setting (switching) operations.

[0040] In the first and second embodiments, the change in capacitance (detected voltage) on the touch panel 15 is varied by changing the shape and material of the pen tip member. However, this may be achieved by combining various shapes and materials of the pen tip member as long as the detected voltages for each pen tip detected by the touch determination unit 101 when the touch panel 15 is touched are sufficiently different to be distinguished. For example, a touch pen 30 may be used in which the first pen tip 32a (contact area with the touch panel 15) and the second pen tip 32b (contact area with the touch panel 15) have the same shape, but the first pen tip 32a and the second pen tip 32b are made of different materials (i.e., have different electrical characteristics). The same applies to the first touch pen 40 and the second touch pen 50 in the second embodiment. In the first and second embodiments, the handheld terminal 1 is described, but the present invention is not limited thereto and may be applied to any touch input device.

[0041] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, an example was described in which a rod-shaped touch pen with two pen tips was used, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a touch pen with three or more pen tips, such as a Y-shape or a polygonal shape (in which case each vertex becomes a pen tip), may be used. For example, when a touch pen with three pen tips is used, a first function (mode) may be associated with a first pen tip, a second function (mode) may be associated with a second pen tip, and a third function (mode) may be associated with a third pen tip in each reception mode set according to the touch pen.

[0042] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, functions (modes) set to the pen tip were described as functions related to drawing such as drawing lines and erasing, but the functions (modes) in each reception mode are not limited to this. For example, as reception mode M4 in the first embodiment, a function (mode) may be set to perform a zoom-in operation on the first pen tip 32a and a zoom-out operation on the second pen tip 32b.

[0043] Furthermore, it goes without saying that the detailed configuration and detailed operation of each component of the handheld terminal 1 in the first and second embodiments can be appropriately modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes the scope of the invention set forth in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 1... handy terminal (electronic device), 14... display unit, 15... touch panel, 101... mode setting unit, 103, 106... pen tip identification unit, 104... display control unit

Claims

1. a touch panel that accepts an input operation by a touch pen having a first end and a second end that impart different electrical characteristics to a touch object; a pen tip identification unit that identifies, when the input operation is performed, whether the input operation is performed by the first end or the second end; a mode setting unit that selectively sets one of a plurality of predetermined reception modes to the touch panel, the reception mode being a reception mode in which the input operation using the first end of the touch pen and the input operation using the second end of the touch pen are received as different input operations; and a display control unit that controls display content on a display unit based on the input operation by either the first end or the second end identified by the pen tip identification unit and the one of the reception modes set by the mode setting unit; and An electronic device comprising:

2. The display control unit When the input operation is performed using the first end portion, the display content of the display unit is controlled by a first function registered in any one of the reception modes set by the mode setting unit, and when the input operation is performed using the second end portion, the display content of the display unit is controlled by a second function registered in any one of the modes.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. The display control unit When the input operation is performed using the first end portion, drawing is performed using the first function, and when the input operation is performed using the second end portion, a deletion operation of the content drawn using the first function is performed using the second function.

3. The electronic device according to claim 2, further comprising:

4. The display control unit When the input operation is performed using the first end portion, drawing is performed using the first function, and when the input operation is performed using the second end portion, drawing is performed using the second function.

3. The electronic device according to claim 2, further comprising:

5. The first end and the second end are made of a material that causes a change in capacitance on the touch panel to differ when the first end and the second end are brought into contact with the touch panel.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising:

6. The first end and the second end are made of members having shapes that cause different changes in capacitance on the touch panel when the first end and the second end are brought into contact with the touch panel.

6. The electronic device according to claim 5, further comprising:

7. The first end and the second end are made of a material that causes a change in capacitance on the touch panel to differ when the first end and the second end are brought into contact with the touch panel.

6. The electronic device according to claim 5, further comprising:

8. The touch panel further includes a pen determination unit that determines which touch pen is selected from among a plurality of touch pens based on a difference in a change in capacitance on the touch panel when the touch pen is brought into contact with the touch panel, The display control unit When the pen determination unit determines that the touch pen is a first touch pen, the display content of the display unit is controlled based on a first reception mode set by the mode setting unit, and when the pen determination unit determines that the touch pen is a second touch pen, the display content of the display unit is controlled based on a second reception mode set by the mode setting unit.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising:

9. the touch panel is a capacitance type touch panel, and the pen tip identification unit identifies whether an input operation by the touch pen is performed by the first end or the second end based on a change in capacitance of the touch panel.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising:

10. An input control method by a control unit of an electronic device, comprising: receiving, on a touch panel, an input operation by a touch pen having a first end and a second end that impart different electrical characteristics to a touch object; When the input operation is performed, identifying whether the input operation is performed by the first end or the second end; a step of selectively setting one of a plurality of predetermined reception modes on the touch panel, the reception mode being a reception mode in which the input operation using the first end of the touch pen and the input operation using the second end of the touch pen are received as different input operations; controlling display content of a display unit based on the input operation performed by either the first end portion or the second end portion and the one of the reception modes; An input control method comprising:

11. The computer of the device that has the control unit an input operation reception function for receiving, on the touch panel, an input operation by a touch pen having a first end and a second end that impart different electrical characteristics to a touch object; a pen tip identification function for identifying whether the input operation is performed by the first end or the second end when the input operation is performed; a mode setting function for selectively setting one of a plurality of predetermined reception modes for the touch pen, the reception mode being a reception mode for receiving the input operation using the first end portion of the touch pen and the input operation using the second end portion of the touch pen as different input operations; a display control function that controls the display content of a display unit based on the input operation by either the first end portion or the second end portion identified by the pen tip identification function and the one of the reception modes set by the mode setting function; A program characterized by realizing the above.

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