Input device and input method

Abstract

To provide an input device which can easily output a plurality of control commands by using one operating element, and can easily confirm a state change due to the outputted control command.SOLUTION: An input device comprises: an operating element which accepts first operation, and accepts second operation in which an operation mode with respect to the operating element is different from the first operation; an output unit which outputs a first command corresponding to the first operation, and a second command corresponding to the second operation to other devices; and a display unit which performs first display corresponding to a first state which is a state in which the first command has been outputted, and second display corresponding to a second state which is the state in which the second command has been outputted. The display unit is disposed adjacently to the periphery of the operating element. The display unit is divided into a first display region and a second display region. The first display includes the state in which the first display region is displayed, and the second display includes the state in which the second display region is displayed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an input device and an input method. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a switching device that switches between function modes by rotating a dial switch rotatably installed on a display panel. The switching device has a plurality of indicator color light-emitting elements behind each pictorial display that provide backlighting in an indicator color corresponding to the operation instruction on the dial switch. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-133085 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The device of Patent Document 1 uses a single operating element for a uniform rotational operation, and therefore cannot easily output a plurality of control commands by a rotational operation.

[0005] One object of this embodiment is to provide an input device that can easily output multiple control commands using one operator and that can easily check state changes caused by the output control commands. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The input device includes an operator that accepts a first operation and accepts a second operation, the operation mode of which is different from the first operation, an output unit that outputs a first command corresponding to the first operation and a second command corresponding to the second operation to another device, and a display that displays a first display corresponding to a first state in which the first command is output and a second display corresponding to a second state in which the second command is output. The display is disposed close to and around the operator. The display is divided into a first display area and a second display area. The first display includes a state in which the first display area is displayed, and the second display includes a state in which the second area is displayed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of control commands can be easily output using one operator, and state changes resulting from the output control commands can be easily confirmed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an audio conference system 1. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of room 3. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the appearance of the input device 10. [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an input device 10. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a signal processing device 20. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the input device 10. [Figure 7] 1 is an external plan view of an input device 10 according to a first modification. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an input device 10 according to a first modification. [Figure 9] 2 is an external plan view showing state transitions of the input device 10. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an audio conference system 1 according to this embodiment. The audio conference system 1 includes a plurality of input devices 10, a signal processing device 20, a microphone 30A, a microphone 30B, a speaker 40A, and a speaker 40B. The signal processing device 20 is connected to the plurality of input devices 10, the microphone 30A, the microphone 30B, the speaker 40A, and the speaker 40B. The signal processing device 20 is connected to a remote PC or the like via a network. Alternatively, the signal processing device 20 is connected to a PC via a USB or the like, and is then connected to the remote PC via the PC. Note that the plurality of input devices 10, the microphone 30A, the microphone 30B, the speaker 40A, and the speaker 40B may be connected to the signal processing device 20 via a network.

[0010] 2 is a schematic perspective view of room 3. Room 3 is a conference room that can be divided into a first room 3A and a second room 3B by a movable partition. Microphone 30A and microphone 30B are installed on the ceiling of the room, for example. Microphone 30A is installed in a position corresponding to first room 3A, and microphone 30B is installed in a position corresponding to second room 3B.

[0011] Speaker 40A and speaker 40B are installed on the wall surface of the room, for example. Speaker 40A is installed at a position corresponding to first room 3A, and speaker 40B is installed at a position corresponding to second room 3B.

[0012] The input devices 10 are installed on desks and walls in a room, for example. In the example of FIG. 2, four input devices 10 are installed in room 3.

[0013] As an example, the signal processing device 20 is installed on the floor at a position corresponding to the first room 3 A. However, the installation position of the signal processing device 20 is not limited to the example of FIG.

[0014] Fig. 3 is a plan view of the appearance of input device 10, and Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of input device 10. Input device 10 has a thin cylindrical shape and is circular in plan view. Input device 10 includes a communication I / F 21, a control unit 22, a flash memory 23, a RAM 24, an operator 25, an LED 26A, and an LED 26B.

[0015] The operator 25 is, for example, a circular push button in a plan view, and is disposed in the center of the input device 10 in a plan view.

[0016] LED 26A and LED 26B are examples of indicators. LED 26A and LED 26B are arranged close to the periphery of operator 25 in a plan view of input device 10. LED 26A and LED 26B are arranged so as to divide the area around operator 25 into two in a plan view. In other words, the indicators are divided into LED 26A, which is a first display area, and LED 26B, which is a second display area.

[0017] The control unit 22 controls the overall operation of the input device 10 by reading out an operating program from the flash memory 23 into the RAM 24. The program does not need to be stored in the flash memory 23 of the input device itself. The control unit 22 may download the program from a server or the like and read it into the RAM 24 each time. The control unit 22 accepts user operations via the operation unit 25.

[0018] Operator 25 accepts, for example, a short-time pressing operation as a first operation. Operator 25 also accepts, for example, a long-time pressing operation as a second operation whose operating mode is different from the first operation. A short time is, for example, a continuous pressing operation for one second or less, and a long time is, for example, a continuous pressing operation for more than one second.

[0019] The control unit 22 outputs various control commands corresponding to the operation of the operator 25 to the signal processing device 20, which is another device, via the communication I / F 21. A first command corresponding to a first operation and a second command corresponding to a second operation are output to the signal processing device 20, which is another device, via the communication I / F 21. When the control unit 22 receives a first operation related to a short-time pressing operation from the input device 10 placed on a desk in a position corresponding to the first room 3A, for example, the control unit 22 outputs a control command to mute the microphone 30A to the signal processing device 20.

[0020] 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the signal processing device 20. The signal processing device 20 includes a processor 14, a memory 15, and an interface (I / F) 16.

[0021] The memory 15 is a storage medium that stores an operation program for the processor 14. The processor 14 reads the operation program from the memory 15 and performs various operations. The program does not have to be stored in the memory 15. For example, the program may be stored in a storage medium of an external device such as a server. In this case, the processor 14 simply reads the program from the server and executes it each time.

[0022] The processor 14 receives sound signals acquired by the microphone 30A and the microphone 30B. For example, the microphones 30A and 30B are array microphones each having multiple microphones. The processor 14 performs predetermined sound processing on the sound signals acquired by the microphones 30A and 30B. For example, the processor 14 performs beamforming. Beamforming is a process of forming a sound collection beam with directionality toward a predetermined direction by adding delays to the sound signals acquired by the microphones 30A and 30B and combining the signals. The sound collection beam can also be formed with directionality that focuses on a predetermined position. For example, when a speaker's voice is detected, the processor 14 forms a sound collection beam that focuses on the speaker's position. The processor 14 detects the speaker's position by, for example, calculating a correlation value between the sound signals of the multiple microphones to determine the difference in sound acquisition timing (phase difference). The processor 14 can uniquely determine the speaker's position by calculating the difference in sound acquisition timing between three or more microphones. The processor 14 can acquire the speaker's voice with high sensitivity by forming a directivity that focuses on the determined speaker's position. Multiple sound collection beams can also be formed simultaneously. Note that at least two or more microphones can form a sound collection beam.

[0023] The processor 14 outputs a sound signal related to the sound collection beam to the I / F 16. The I / F 16 is a communication I / F such as LAN, USB, HDMI (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The I / F 16 is connected to a network via, for example, a LAN. The signal processing device 20 transmits the sound signal related to the sound collection beam to a PC or the like in a remote location via the network.

[0024] The signal processing device 20 receives an audio signal from a remote PC via a network. The processor 14 outputs the audio signal received via the network to the speakers 40A and 40B. The speakers 40A and 40B receive the audio signal and output sound.

[0025] This allows the user of the signal processing device 20 to hold an audio conference with a user in a remote location.

[0026] Room 3 in this embodiment is a conference room that can be divided into a first room 3A and a second room 3B by a movable partition. That is, room 3 in this embodiment has a first state in which the entire room 3 is used, and a second state in which it is divided into first room 3A and second room 3B for use.

[0027] In the first state in which the entire room 3 is used, the microphone 30A and the microphone 30B pick up sound from the entire space of the room 3. Also, in the first state, the speaker 40A and the speaker 40B output sound to the entire space of the room 3. In the first state, the signal processing device 20 mixes the sound signals picked up by the microphone 30A and the microphone 30B and transmits them to the same remote location. Also, in the first state, the signal processing device 20 distributes and outputs sound signals received from a remote location to the speaker 40A and the speaker 40B.

[0028] In the second state in which the room is divided into a first room 3A and a second room 3B, the microphone 30A picks up sound from the first room 3A, and the microphone 30B picks up sound from the second room 3B. Also, in the second state, the speaker 40A outputs sound to the first room 3A, and the speaker 40B outputs sound to the second room 3B. In the second state, the signal processing device 20 transmits sound signals picked up by the microphone 30A and the microphone 30B to corresponding different remote locations (first remote location and second remote location), respectively. Also, in the second state, the signal processing device 20 outputs sound signals received from the first remote location to the speaker 40A, and outputs sound signals received from the second remote location to the speaker 40B.

[0029] Therefore, the user needs to change the settings related to sound processing of the signal processing device 20 between the first state and the second state. That is, the user needs to set the first setting data related to the first sound processing in the signal processing device 20 in the first state, and set the second setting data related to the second sound processing in the signal processing device 20 in the second state.

[0030] In this embodiment, a user can easily output multiple control commands using a single operator and easily check the state change resulting from the output control commands. More specifically, a user can output a first command for calling up first setting data by pressing operator 25 for a short time, and can output a second command for calling up second setting data by pressing operator 25 for a long time. In addition, a user in this embodiment can easily check the state change resulting from the output command based on the lighting status of LEDs 26A and 26B.

[0031] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the input device 10. When the input device 10 detects a pressing operation on the operator 25, the input device 10 starts the operation shown in Fig. 6. First, the input device 10 determines whether or not the pressing operation has been continuously performed on the operator 25 for a predetermined time or more (S10). If the input device 10 determines that the duration of the pressing operation has not exceeded the predetermined time (NO in S10), it further determines whether or not the pressing operation has ended (S11). If the input device 10 determines that the pressing operation has not ended (NO in S11), it returns to the determination in S10.

[0032] When the input device 10 determines that the pressing operation has ended (when S11 is YES), it outputs a first command to the signal processing device 20 (S12). The input device 10 turns on only the LED 26A as a first display corresponding to the first state in which the first command has been output (S13). By checking that only the LED 26A is turned on, the user can easily confirm that the first state in which the first command has been output is reached.

[0033] When the signal processing device 20 receives the first command, it calls up first setting data related to the first sound processing. Based on the first setting data, the signal processing device 20 mixes the sound signals picked up by the microphone 30A and the microphone 30B and transmits the mixed signals to the same remote location. Also, based on the first setting data, the signal processing device 20 distributes and outputs the sound signals received from the remote location to the speaker 40A and the speaker 40B.

[0034] When the input device 10 determines that the duration of the pressing operation has exceeded a predetermined time (when S10 is YES), it outputs a second command to the signal processing device 20 (S14). When S10 is YES, the input device 10 may further determine whether or not the pressing operation has ended. When the input device 10 determines that the pressing operation has not ended, it may return to the determination of S10, and when it determines that the pressing operation has ended, it may output the second command to the signal processing device 20. The input device 10 lights up only LED 26B as a second display corresponding to the second state in which the second command has been output (S15). By checking that only LED 26B is lit, the user can easily confirm that the second state in which the second command has been output is reached.

[0035] Upon receiving the second command, the signal processing device 20 calls second setting data related to the second sound processing. Based on the second setting data, the signal processing device 20 transmits the sound signals collected by the microphone 30A and the microphone 30B to the corresponding different remote locations (first remote location and second remote location). Based on the second setting data, the signal processing device 20 also outputs the sound signal received from the first remote location to the speaker 40A and the sound signal received from the second remote location to the speaker 40B.

[0036] In this way, the user of the input device 10 of this embodiment can selectively and easily output the first command or the second command using the single push button, the operator 25. Furthermore, the user can easily confirm the state change caused by the output command by checking the lighting states of the LEDs 26A and 26B.

[0037] The lighting modes of LED 26A and LED 26B are not limited to the above example. For example, both LED 26A and LED 26B may be lit in the first state, and only one of LED 26A or LED 26B may be lit in the second state. Alternatively, for example, both LED 26A and LED 26B may be lit blue in the first state, and only one of LED 26A or LED 26B may be lit blue and the other may be lit red in the second state.

[0038] (Variation 1) Fig. 7 is an external plan view of input device 10A according to Modification 1, and Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of input device 10A according to Modification 1. The same components as those of input device 10 in Figs. 3 and 4 are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. Input device 10A includes four LEDs: LED 26A, LED 26B, LED 26C, and LED 26D.

[0039] The display of Modification 1 is divided into a first display area (LED 26A), a second display area (LED 26B), a third display area (LED 26C), and a fourth display area (LED 26D). The display of Modification 1 performs a first display in which only LED 26A is lit, a second display in which only LED 26B is lit, a third display in which only LED 26C is lit, and a fourth display in which only LED 26D is lit. Input device 10A has four states: a first state in which a first command is output, a second state in which a second command is output, a third state in which a third command is output, and a fourth state in which a fourth command is output.

[0040] For example, by pressing the control 25 for a short time, the user can output a first command for calling up the first setting data, and by pressing it for a longer time, the user can output a second command for calling up the second setting data. By pressing it for an even longer time (for example, two seconds or more), the user can output a third command for calling up the third setting data. By pressing it for an even longer time (for example, three seconds or more), the user can output a fourth command for calling up the fourth setting data. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the user can easily check the state changes caused by the output commands from the lighting states of LEDs 26A, LED 26B, LED 26C, and LED 26D.

[0041] When the signal processing device 20 receives a first command, it calls first setting data related to the first sound processing. When the signal processing device 20 receives a second command, it calls second setting data related to the second sound processing. When the signal processing device 20 receives a third command, it calls third setting data related to the third sound processing. When the signal processing device 20 receives a fourth command, it calls fourth setting data related to the fourth sound processing.

[0042] As a result, input device 10A of modification 1 can easily output a larger number of control commands for a wider variety of indoor layouts using one operator 25, and can also easily check state changes resulting from the output control commands.

[0043] (Variation 2) When the operator 25 is pressed for a predetermined time or longer, the input device 10 according to the second modification transitions to a selection state in which a selection operation of the first command and the second command is accepted. In the selection state, the input device 10 accepts a change in the selection of the first command and the second command when a short-time pressing operation is accepted. That is, in the selection state, the input device 10 switches between the selection state of the first command and the selection state of the second command each time a short-time pressing operation is accepted. When a long-time pressing operation is accepted, the input device 10 outputs either the first command or the second command that is selected at that time.

[0044] The same is true for the input device 10A that outputs a plurality of commands (for example, four) as shown in Modification 1. FIGS. 9A to 9E are external plan views showing state transitions of the input device 10A. For example, when the input device 10A is in the first state in which the first command is output, the input device 10A lights up the LED 26A as shown in FIG. 9A. When the input device 10A receives a press operation on the operating element 25 for a predetermined period of time or longer, the input device 10A transitions to a selection state in which the input device 10A receives a selection operation of the first command, the second command, the third command, and the fourth command. For example, when the input device 10A is in the selection state for the first command, the input device 10A flashes the LED 26A as shown in FIG. 9B.

[0045] In the selection state, the input device 10A accepts a change in the selection of the first command, the second command, the third command, and the fourth command when a short press operation is received. That is, in the selection state, the input device 10A switches between the selection state of the first command, the selection state of the second command, the selection state of the third command, and the selection state of the fourth command each time a short press operation is received. For example, when the input device 10A is in the selection state of the first command, if the input device 10A accepts a short press operation, the input device 10A transitions to the selection state of the second command and causes the LED 26B to flash as shown in FIG. 9(C). For example, when the input device 10A is in the selection state of the second command, if the input device 10A accepts a short press operation, the input device 10A transitions to the selection state of the third command and causes the LED 26C to flash as shown in FIG. 9(D). For example, when the input device 10A is in the selection state of the third command, if the input device 10A accepts a short press operation, the input device 10A transitions to the selection state of the fourth command and causes the LED 26D to flash as shown in FIG. 9(E). For example, when the input device 10A receives a short press operation while the fourth command is selected, the input device 10A transitions to the first command selection state and causes the LED 26A to blink as shown in FIG. 9(B).

[0046] When input device 10A receives a long press operation, it outputs any one of the currently selected commands, namely, first command, second command, third command, and fourth command. For example, when input device 10A receives a long press operation with first command selected, it outputs first command and turns on LED 26A as shown in FIG. 9(A).

[0047] As a result, the input device 10A according to the second modification can perform more complicated input operations even with two operation modes, namely, a short-time pressing operation and a long-time pressing operation.

[0048] In the above embodiment, the first command includes a command to call first setting data related to the first sound processing, and the second command includes a command to call second setting data related to the second sound processing. However, the commands output by the input device are not limited to setting data related to sound processing. For example, when the signal processing device 20 performs video processing on a video signal, the first command may include a command to call first setting data related to the first video processing, and the second command may include a command to call second setting data related to the second video processing.

[0049] In the above embodiment, a push button is shown as the operator. However, the operator is not limited to a push button. For example, the operator may be a touch panel that accepts a touch operation by the user. In the above embodiment, either a first operation or a second operation is accepted based on the difference in the length of time the push button is pressed. However, either a first operation or a second operation may also be accepted based on the difference in the number of push operations within a predetermined time. For example, one push operation within one second may be considered the first operation, and two push operations within one second may be considered the second operation.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the display area is divided into two or four areas for one operator, but this is not limited to this. The input device may be configured to assign multiple functions to one operator. In this case, the display area may be divided into (1 to N) areas for multiple functions (1 to N).

[0051] The description of the present embodiment should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined not by the above-described embodiments but by the claims. Furthermore, the scope of the present invention includes the scope equivalent to the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1: Audio conference system, 3: Room, 3A: First room, 3B: Second room, 10: Input device, 14: Processor, 15: Memory, 16: I / F, 20: Signal processing device, 21: Communication I / F, 22: Control unit, 23: Flash memory, 24: RAM, 25: Operator, 26A: LED, 26B: LED, 26C: LED, 26D: LED, 30A: Microphone, 30B: Microphone, 40A: Speaker, 40B: Speaker

Claims

1. an operator that accepts a first operation, the second operation being an operation manner for the operator that is different from the first operation; an output unit that outputs a first command corresponding to the first operation and a second command corresponding to the second operation to another device; a display that displays a first display corresponding to a first state in which the first command is output, and a second display corresponding to a second state in which the second command is output; and The display is disposed adjacent to the operator, the display is divided into a first display area and a second display area; the first display includes a state in which the first display area is displayed, and the second display includes a state in which the second display area is displayed. Input device.

2. the first command includes a command to call first setting data related to a first sound process, the second command includes a command to call second setting data related to second sound processing; The input device according to claim 1 .

3. The operator includes a push button.

3. The input device according to claim 1.

4. the operator accepts either the first operation or the second operation based on the difference in the length of time the push button is pressed; The input device according to claim 3 .

5. the output unit transitions to a selection state in which it accepts a selection operation of the first command and the second command when the push button is pressed for a predetermined time or longer; when a press operation for less than a predetermined time is accepted in the selected state, a change in selection of the first command and the second command is accepted, and when the press button is pressed for a predetermined time or more, the first command or the second command selected at that time is output. The input device according to claim 4 .

6. an operator that accepts a first operation, and accepts a second operation whose operation mode for the operator is different from the first operation, outputting a first command corresponding to the first operation and a second command corresponding to the second operation to another device; displaying, on a display device, a first indication corresponding to a first state in which the first command has been output and a second indication corresponding to a second state in which the second command has been output; The display is disposed adjacent to the operator, the display is divided into a first display area and a second display area; the first display includes a state in which the first display area is displayed, and the second display includes a state in which the second display area is displayed. Input method.

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