Program, touch panel controller, information processing device, and control method of touch panel

Abstract

To provide a program, a touch panel controller, an information processing device, and a control method of a touch panel that can continuously realize movement processing of a cursor and determination processing of an input position, without performing an operation of switching an operation mode of a touch panel.SOLUTION: A touch panel driver 7 or a touch panel controller 3 acquires data 30A based on a touch input of a touch panel 4, determines whether or not an input area of the touch input is equal to a threshold or larger, converts the data 30A to data 30B including device data 35 for operating the touch panel 4 as a tablet if the input area is equal to the threshold or larger, but converts the data 30A to data 30B including device data 35 for operating the touch panel 4 as a mouse if the input area is less than the threshold, and outputs the data 30B to an application 6.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a program, a touch panel controller, an information processing device, and a method for controlling a touch panel. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a technique for displaying a cursor at a position corresponding to the area of ​​the contact area where the user is in contact with the touch panel when performing a touch operation (see, for example, Patent Document 1). There is also known a technique for displaying a pointer when the contact area during a touch operation on the input surface of an input operation unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (see, for example, Patent Document 2). Also, there is known a touch panel device that can detect a contact area that is independent of the input position (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

[0003] A touch panel is an absolute coordinate input device that allows you to directly specify the desired input position, and the input is confirmed when you touch it. On the other hand, a mouse or touchpad is a relative coordinate input device that does not allow you to directly specify the desired input position, and the input is confirmed by moving the cursor and then clicking or tapping. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2010 / 073329 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-193423 [Patent Document 3] Patent Publication No. 2021-179799 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When performing relative coordinate input using a touch panel, which is an absolute coordinate input device, the user must set the operation mode of the touch panel to a relative coordinate input device within the application.It is possible to move the cursor in the relative coordinate input operation mode, and then confirm the input position by switching the operation mode of the touch panel from a relative coordinate input device to an absolute coordinate input device within the application.In this case, the user must switch the operation mode of the touch panel within the application.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a program, a touch panel controller, an information processing device, and a method for controlling a touch panel that can continuously perform cursor movement processing and input position confirmation processing without performing an operation to switch the touch panel's operating mode within an application. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The program of the present invention causes a computer connected to a resistive touch panel to function as an acquisition means for acquiring first data based on touch input on the touch panel, a determination means for determining whether the input area of ​​the touch input is equal to or greater than a threshold, a conversion means for converting the first data into second data that causes the touch panel to operate as an absolute coordinate input device if the input area is equal to or greater than the threshold, and converting the first data into third data that causes the touch panel to operate as a relative coordinate input device if the input area is less than the threshold, and an output means for outputting the second data or the third data to an application. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to continuously perform the cursor movement process and the input position determination process without performing an operation to switch the operation mode of the touch panel device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of a system including a touch panel controller and a computer according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1A is a block diagram showing the configuration of a computer, and FIG. 1B is a block diagram showing the configuration of a touch panel controller. [Figure 3] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating examples of data structures. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing a data conversion process performed by a touch panel driver. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing a data conversion process performed by a touch panel driver. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a data conversion process performed by a touch panel controller. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing a data conversion process performed by a touch panel controller. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing by a CPU that executes an application. [Figure 9] 10A to 10C are diagrams showing examples of operation screens of an application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a system including a touch panel controller and a computer according to the present embodiment.

[0012] The system 1 includes a computer 2 as an information processing device, a touch panel controller 3 connected to the computer 2, and a touch panel 4 connected to the touch panel controller 3. The computer 2 is a personal computer, a server, a smartphone, a kiosk terminal, a ticket vending machine, or the like. The touch panel 4 is a resistive touch panel.

[0013] The touch panel controller 3 is a controller that controls the operation of the touch panel 4, and is capable of detecting the contact area between the surface of the touch panel 4 and an input member such as a finger or a pen, i.e., the input area of ​​the touch input. For example, a touch panel device that is a combination of a touch panel and a touch panel controller that can detect the input area of ​​the touch input is described in JP 2021-179799 A. As long as the touch panel controller 3 is capable of detecting the input area of ​​the touch input, a touch panel controller other than the touch panel controller described in JP 2021-179799 A may be used. Furthermore, the configuration of the touch panel device and the method for detecting the input area of ​​the touch input are not limited to the device configuration and detection method described in JP 2021-179799 A.

[0014] The touch input may be performed using a member with a variable input area. For example, the touch input may be performed using a tool whose input area increases or decreases depending on the pressing force, a tool whose input area increases or decreases by operating a switch, or a finger whose input area is variable, such as a fingertip or the pad of a finger.

[0015] The computer 2 includes an operating system (OS) 5, an application 6, a touch panel driver 7, and an I / F driver 8. The application 6 is a program that runs on the OS 5. The touch panel driver 7 is a program that outputs data related to touch inputs, such as input coordinates, to the application 6. The I / F driver 8 is a program that controls an interface that connects to the touch panel controller 3.

[0016] In this embodiment, in order to switch the operation mode of the touch panel 4 to the tablet mode or the mouse mode (or the keyboard mode), the touch panel driver 7 or the touch panel controller 3 executes data conversion.

[0017] For example, a program (specifically, firmware) incorporated into the touch panel controller 3 acquires data related to touch input such as input coordinates from the touch panel 4, converts the data related to the touch input into data processable by the application 6, and outputs the data processable by the application 6 to the application 6 via the touch panel driver 7 and the I / F driver 8. In this case, the touch panel driver 7 outputs the data processable by the application 6 to the application 6 as is, without performing data conversion.

[0018] When the touch panel driver 7 performs data conversion, the touch panel driver 7 acquires data related to touch input, such as input coordinates, from the touch panel 4 via the touch panel controller 3 and the I / F driver 8, converts the data related to touch input into data processable by the application 6, and outputs the data processable by the application 6 to the application 6. In this case, the touch panel controller 3 outputs the data related to touch input to the touch panel driver 7 as is, and does not perform data conversion.

[0019] FIG. 2A is a block diagram showing the configuration of the computer 2, and FIG. 2B is a block diagram showing the configuration of the touch panel controller 3. As shown in FIG.

[0020] 2(A), the computer 2 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a memory 12, a mass storage medium 13, an interface (I / F) unit 14, an audio input / output unit 15, and a vibration generating unit 16. The CPU 11, the memory 12, the mass storage medium 13, the I / F unit 14, the audio input / output unit 15, and the vibration generating unit 16 are connected to one another via a bus 17.

[0021] The CPU 11 controls the overall operation of the computer 2. The memory 12 temporarily stores data and functions as a working area for the program. The mass storage medium 13 is a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD), for example. The I / F unit 14 is an interface for connecting to the touch panel controller 3, for example, a serial port or a universal serial bus (USB) port. The program according to this embodiment is stored in the memory 12 or the mass storage medium 13, and is read and executed by the CPU 11. The audio input / output unit 15 is a microphone for inputting audio and a speaker for outputting audio. The vibration generating unit 16 is, for example, a piezoelectric element that vibrates the input surface of the touch panel 4. The computer 2 does not necessarily have to include the audio input / output unit 15 and the vibration generating unit 16.

[0022] 2(B), the touch panel controller 3 includes a CPU 21, a memory 22, an AD conversion unit 23, and an I / F unit 24. The CPU 21, the memory 22, the AD conversion unit 23, and the I / F unit 24 are connected to one another via a bus 25.

[0023] The CPU 21 controls the overall operation of the touch panel controller 3. The memory 22 stores data and programs and functions as a working area for the programs. The AD conversion unit 23 reads the voltage value at the time of touch input and converts it into digital data. The I / F unit 24 is an interface for connecting to the computer 2, and is, for example, a serial port or a USB port.

[0024] The CPU 21 functions as an application unit 21A and a detection unit 21B. The application unit 21A controls the application of voltage to each of the plurality of electrodes included in the touch panel 4. The detection unit 21B acquires voltage values ​​related to the plurality of electrodes measured by the AD conversion unit 23, and detects the input area and input coordinates of the touch input based on these voltage values.

[0025] For example, the CPU 21, memory 22, and AD conversion unit 23 may be configured on a single IC (Integrated Circuit) chip. An ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) may be used instead of the CPU 21. The program according to this embodiment is stored in the memory 22, and is read out and executed by the CPU 21.

[0026] 3A to 3C are diagrams showing examples of data structures.

[0027] In this embodiment, the structure of the data output by the touch panel controller 3 differs when the touch panel driver 7 performs the data conversion and when the touch panel controller 3 performs the data conversion. Therefore, we will first explain the case where the touch panel driver 7 performs the data conversion.

[0028] [Data conversion by Touch Panel Driver 7] When the touch panel driver 7 performs data conversion, Fig. 3(A) shows the data structure of data output by the touch panel controller 3. Fig. 3(B) shows the data structure of data output by the touch panel driver 7 when the operation mode of the touch panel 4 is switched to tablet mode or mouse mode. Fig. 3(C) shows the data structure of data output by the touch panel driver 7 when the operation mode of the touch panel 4 is switched to keyboard mode.

[0029] 3A includes status data 31 indicating whether the touch input is on or off, X coordinate data 32 and Y coordinate data 33 indicating the position of the touch input, and input area data 34 indicating the input area of ​​the touch input. The data 30A functions as first data.

[0030] 3B includes status data 31, X coordinate data 32, Y coordinate data 33, input area data 34, and device data 35 indicating whether the operation mode of the touch panel 4 is an absolute coordinate input device (e.g., a tablet) or a relative coordinate input device (e.g., a mouse). When the device data 35 indicates an absolute coordinate input device (e.g., a tablet), the data 30B functions as second data, and when the device data 35 indicates a relative coordinate input device (e.g., a mouse), the data 30B functions as third data. Note that an absolute coordinate input device is a device that directly outputs data indicating a designated position on the screen of the touch panel 4 to a computer or the like, and a relative coordinate input device is a device that outputs data indicating the amount of movement of a cursor from the current position to a computer or the like.

[0031] The data 30C in FIG. 3C includes device data 35 indicating that the operation mode of the touch panel 4 is a keyboard, and an 8-bit key code 36.

[0032] If the input area data 34 of data 30A in Figure 3(A) is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the touch panel driver 7 sets a value indicating that the operating mode of the touch panel 4 is the absolute coordinate input device mode as device data 35, converts the data 30A in Figure 3(A) to data 30B in Figure 3(B), and outputs the data 30B to the application 6.

[0033] If the input area data 34 of data 30A in Figure 3(A) is less than a predetermined threshold, the touch panel driver 7 sets a value indicating that the operating mode of the touch panel 4 is that of a relative coordinate input device (e.g., a mouse) as device data 35, sets status data 31 to OFF, converts data 30A in Figure 3(A) to data 30B in Figure 3(B), and outputs data 30B to the application 6.

[0034] Alternatively, if the input area data 34 of data 30A in FIG. 3(A) is less than a predetermined threshold, the touch panel driver 7 sets a value as device data 35 indicating that the operating mode of the touch panel 4 is a keyboard mode operating as a relative coordinate input device, converts the data 30A in FIG. 3(A) to data 30C in FIG. 3(C), and outputs the data 30C to the application 6.

[0035] Next, a case where the touch panel controller 3 executes data conversion will be described.

[0036] [Data conversion by touch panel controller 3] When the touch panel controller 3 performs data conversion, Fig. 3(A) shows the data structure of data generated internally by the touch panel controller 3. Fig. 3(B) shows the data structure of data output by the touch panel controller 3 when the operation mode of the touch panel 4 is switched to tablet mode or mouse mode. Fig. 3(C) shows the data structure of data output by the touch panel controller 3 when the operation mode of the touch panel 4 is switched to keyboard mode.

[0037] The data structures of data 30A in Figure 3(A), data 30B in Figure 3(B), and data 30C in Figure 3(C) are the same as the data structures of data 30A, data 30B, and data 30C in the case of data conversion by touch panel driver 7, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0038] If the input area data 34 of data 30A in FIG. 3(A) is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the touch panel controller 3 sets a value indicating that the operating mode of the touch panel 4 is the absolute coordinate input device mode as device data 35, converts the data 30A in FIG. 3(A) to data 30B in FIG. 3(B), and outputs the data 30B to the application 6 via the touch panel driver 7 and the I / F driver 8.

[0039] If the input area data 34 of data 30A in Figure 3(A) is less than a predetermined threshold, the touch panel controller 3 sets a value indicating that the operating mode of the touch panel 4 is that of a relative coordinate input device (e.g., a mouse) as device data 35, sets status data 31 to OFF, converts data 30A in Figure 3(A) to data 30B in Figure 3(B), and outputs data 30B to the application 6 via the touch panel driver 7 and I / F driver 8.

[0040] Alternatively, if the input area data 34 of data 30A in FIG. 3(A) is less than a predetermined threshold, the touch panel driver 7 sets a value as device data 35 indicating that the operating mode of the touch panel 4 is a keyboard mode operating as a relative coordinate input device, converts the data 30A in FIG. 3(A) to data 30C in FIG. 3(C), and outputs the data 30C to the application 6 via the touch panel driver 7 and the I / F driver 8.

[0041] [Data conversion process by Touch Panel Driver 7] 4 and 5 are flowcharts showing the data conversion process by the touch panel driver 7. Fig. 4 shows an example of switching the operation mode of the touch panel 4 between tablet mode and mouse mode, and Fig. 5 shows an example of switching the operation mode of the touch panel 4 between tablet mode and keyboard mode.

[0042] 4, when there is a touch input on the touch panel 4 (S1), the touch panel controller 3 creates data 30A of FIG. 3(A) based on the touch input on the touch panel 4 and outputs it to the touch panel driver 7 via the I / F driver 8 (S2). At this time, the touch panel driver 7 functions as an acquisition unit that acquires the data 30A from the touch panel controller 3 based on the touch input on the touch panel 4.

[0043] The touch panel driver 7 determines whether the input area data 34 of the data 30A in FIG. 3A is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value (S3).

[0044] If the input area data 34 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (YES in S3), the touch panel driver 7 converts the data 30A in Fig. 3(A) to the data 30B in Fig. 3(B) and sets a value indicating the tablet mode (the mode of the absolute coordinate input device) to the device data 35 of the data 30B (S4). At this time, the status data 31, the X coordinate data 32, the Y coordinate data 33, and the input area data 34 of the data 30B are the same as the status data 31, the X coordinate data 32, the Y coordinate data 33, and the input area data 34 of the data 30A.

[0045] The touch panel driver 7 outputs the converted data 30B to the application 6 (S5), and this process ends.

[0046] If the input area data 34 is less than a predetermined threshold (NO in S3), the touch panel driver 7 converts the data 30A in Fig. 3(A) to the data 30B in Fig. 3(B), sets the device data 35 of the data 30B to a value indicating the mouse mode (the mode of the relative coordinate input device) (S6), and sets the status data 31 of the data 30B to OFF (S7). At this time, the X coordinate data 32, the Y coordinate data 33, and the input area data 34 of the data 30B are the same as the X coordinate data 32, the Y coordinate data 33, and the input area data 34 of the data 30A.

[0047] The touch panel driver 7 outputs the converted data 30B to the application 6 (S8), and this process ends.

[0048] According to this process, the touch panel driver 7 switches the operation mode of the touch panel 4 depending on the input area of ​​the touch input. When outputting data 30B in mouse mode, the status data 31 is set to OFF, allowing cursor movement operations that cannot be performed in tablet mode.

[0049] Furthermore, the touch panel driver 7 changes the data output to the application 6 depending on the input area of ​​the touch input, so the user can move the cursor in mouse mode by touching with the tip of his / her finger, and confirm the input position in tablet mode by touching with his / her finger. In other words, this process allows the user to continuously move the cursor and confirm the input position without switching the operation mode of the touch panel 4.

[0050] In FIG. 5, only the processing that differs from FIG. 4 will be explained.

[0051] 5, if the input area data 34 is less than a predetermined threshold (NO in S3), the touch panel driver 7 converts the data 30A in FIG. 3(A) to the data 30C in FIG. 3(C) and sets the device data 35 of the data 30C to a value indicating a keyboard mode in which the keyboard operates as a relative coordinate input device (S9). At this time, the key code 36 of the data 30C is created based on, for example, the status data 31, the X coordinate data 32, and the Y coordinate data 33 of the data 30A, and a conversion rule that associates these data with the key code. The conversion rule is assumed to be stored in advance in the memory 12 or the mass storage medium 13.

[0052] The touch panel driver 7 outputs the converted data 30C to the application 6 (S10), and this process ends.

[0053] According to this process, the touch panel driver 7 changes the data output to the application 6 depending on the input area of ​​the touch input, so the user can change the input candidate keys in keyboard mode by touch input with the tip of his / her finger, and confirm the key selection in tablet mode by touch input with his / her finger. In other words, according to this process, the user can consecutively change the input candidate keys and confirm the key selection without performing an operation to switch the operation mode of the touch panel 4.

[0054] [Data conversion processing by touch panel controller 3] 6 and 7 are flowcharts showing the data conversion process by the touch panel controller 3. Fig. 6 shows an example of switching the operation mode of the touch panel 4 between tablet mode and mouse mode, and Fig. 7 shows an example of switching the operation mode of the touch panel 4 between tablet mode and keyboard mode.

[0055] 6, when there is a touch input on the touch panel 4 (S11), the touch panel controller 3 creates data 30A of FIG. 3(A) based on the touch input on the touch panel 4 (S12). At this time, the touch panel controller 3 functions as an acquisition unit that acquires the data 30A based on the touch input on the touch panel 4.

[0056] The touch panel controller 3 determines whether or not the input area data 34 of the data 30A in FIG. 3(A) is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value (S13).

[0057] If the input area data 34 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (YES in S13), the touch panel controller 3 converts the data 30A in Fig. 3(A) into the data 30B in Fig. 3(B) and sets a value indicating the tablet mode (mode of the absolute coordinate input device) to the device data 35 of the data 30B (S14). At this time, the status data 31, X coordinate data 32, Y coordinate data 33, and input area data 34 of the data 30B are the same as the status data 31, X coordinate data 32, Y coordinate data 33, and input area data 34 of the data 30A.

[0058] The touch panel controller 3 outputs the converted data 30B to the application 6 via the touch panel driver 7 and the I / F driver 8 (S15), and ends this process.

[0059] If the input area data 34 is less than a predetermined threshold (NO in S13), the touch panel controller 3 converts the data 30A in Fig. 3(A) to the data 30B in Fig. 3(B), sets the device data 35 of the data 30B to a value indicating the mouse mode (the mode of the relative coordinate input device) (S16), and sets the status data 31 of the data 30B to OFF (S17). At this time, the X coordinate data 32, the Y coordinate data 33, and the input area data 34 of the data 30B are the same as the X coordinate data 32, the Y coordinate data 33, and the input area data 34 of the data 30A.

[0060] The touch panel controller 3 outputs the converted data 30B to the application 6 via the touch panel driver 7 and the I / F driver 8 (S18), and then ends this process.

[0061] According to this process, the touch panel controller 3 switches the operation mode of the touch panel 4 depending on the input area of ​​the touch input. When outputting data 30B in mouse mode, the status data 31 is set to OFF, thereby enabling cursor movement operations that cannot be performed in tablet mode.

[0062] Furthermore, since the touch panel controller 3 changes the data output to the application 6 depending on the input area of ​​the touch input, the user can move the cursor in mouse mode by touching with the tip of his / her finger, and confirm the input position in tablet mode by touching with his / her finger. In other words, this process allows the user to continuously perform the cursor movement process and the input position confirmation process without switching the operation mode of the touch panel 4.

[0063] In FIG. 7, only the processing that differs from FIG. 6 will be explained.

[0064] 7, if the input area data 34 is less than a predetermined threshold (NO in S13), the touch panel controller 3 converts the data 30A in FIG. 3(A) to the data 30C in FIG. 3(C), and sets the device data 35 of the data 30C to a value indicating a keyboard mode in which the keyboard operates as a relative coordinate input device (S19). At this time, the key code 36 of the data 30C is created based on, for example, the status data 31, the X coordinate data 32, and the Y coordinate data 33 of the data 30A, and a conversion rule that associates these data with the key code. The conversion rule is assumed to be stored in advance in the memory 12 or the mass storage medium 13.

[0065] The touch panel controller 3 outputs the converted data 30C to the application 6 via the touch panel driver 7 and the I / F driver 8 (S20), and then ends this process.

[0066] According to this process, the touch panel controller 3 changes the data output to the application 6 depending on the input area of ​​the touch input, so the user can change the input candidate keys in keyboard mode by touch input with the tip of his / her finger, and can confirm the key selection in tablet mode by touch input with his / her finger. In other words, according to this process, the user can successively change the input candidate keys and confirm the key selection without performing an operation to switch the operation mode of the touch panel 4.

[0067] Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the CPU 11 executing the application 6. Figs. 9(A) to 9(C) are diagrams showing examples of operation screens for the application 6. Here, a magnifying glass application is used as the application 6.

[0068] First, the CPU 11 determines whether or not a value indicating the tablet mode is set in the device data 35 of the data 30B received by the application 6 (S21).

[0069] If a value indicating tablet mode is set in the device data 35 (YES in S21), the CPU 11 executes on / off control of input on the application 6 based on the status data 31, X coordinate data 32, and Y coordinate data 33 included in the received data 30B (S22), and ends this process.

[0070] On the other hand, if a value indicating tablet mode is not set in the device data 35, that is, if a value indicating mouse mode is set in the device data 35 (NO in S21), the CPU 11 moves the mouse cursor on the application 6 based on the X coordinate data 32 and the Y coordinate data 33 included in the received data 30B (S23). For example, as shown in FIG. 9(A), the user moves the mouse cursor (arrow) with the tip of his / her finger.

[0071] The CPU 11 acquires an image of the area around the mouse cursor based on the X coordinate data 32 and Y coordinate data 33 included in the received data 30B (S24). The image of the area around the mouse cursor is an image of a certain range including the mouse cursor. The CPU 11 enlarges the image of the area around the mouse cursor (S25) and displays a magnifying glass window at the position of the mouse cursor (S26). The CPU 11 displays the enlarged image of S25 in the magnifying glass window (S27), and ends this processing. For example, as shown in FIG. 9(B), when the user moves the mouse cursor (arrow) with the tip of his / her toe, a magnifying glass window containing an enlarged image of the area around the mouse cursor is displayed in the application 6.

[0072] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 9(C), when the user presses the icon with the pad of his / her finger, a value indicating tablet mode is set in the device data 35 of the data 30B received by the application 6 (YES in S21), and the CPU 11 turns on input on the application 6 (selects an icon in FIG. 9(C)) based on the status data 31, X coordinate data 32, and Y coordinate data 33 included in the received data 30B (S22).

[0073] The magnifying glass application is merely an example of the application 6, and various applications can be used as the application 6.

[0074] For example, an application that enables input of an area larger than the input area actually touch-inputted may be adopted as application 6. In this case, application 6 increases the input area to be larger than the input area of ​​input area data 34 of data 30B. This allows application 6 to provide the user with a function that makes it easier to select an icon when an icon is small and difficult to select or when assisting input by a visually impaired person.

[0075] For example, an application that outputs a voice of the selection from the voice input / output unit 15 only when an icon is selected may be adopted as the application 6. This allows a visually impaired person to confirm whether or not an icon has been selected.

[0076] For example, the application 6 may be an application that invalidates the input area data 34 of the data 30B when the input area actually touch-inputted is larger than a predetermined area.

[0077] For example, an application that distinguishes between an input area for an adult's finger and an input area for a child's finger and prohibits input with a child's finger may be adopted as application 6.

[0078] For example, an application in which input control is performed in proportion to the input area of ​​the finger may be adopted as application 6. For example, the thickness of the input may be determined according to the input area, like the stop, stroke, and stroke of calligraphy.

[0079] As described above, the touch panel driver 7 or the touch panel controller 3 acquires data 30A based on the touch input on the touch panel 4 (S2 in FIG. 4 or S12 in FIG. 6), determines whether the input area of ​​the touch input is equal to or greater than a threshold (S3 in FIG. 4 or S13 in FIG. 6), and if the input area is equal to or greater than the threshold, converts the data 30A into data 30B including device data 35 that causes the touch panel 4 to operate as a tablet (absolute coordinate input device), and if the input area is less than the threshold, converts the data 30A into data 30B including device data 35 that causes the touch panel 4 to operate as a mouse (relative coordinate input device), and outputs the data 30B to the application 6 (S5 in FIG. 4, S15 in FIG. 6, S8 in FIG. 4, S18 in FIG. 6).

[0080] As a result, data 30B output to application 6 is changed according to the input area, so the user can move the cursor as a mouse by touching with the tip of their finger, and determine the input position as a tablet by touching with their finger. In other words, the user can continuously move the cursor and determine the input position without switching the operation mode of touch panel 4.

[0081] The data 30B includes device data 35 indicating whether the operation mode of the touch panel 4 is an absolute coordinate input device or a relative coordinate input device, and therefore can notify the application 6 of whether the operation mode of the touch panel 4 is an absolute coordinate input device or a relative coordinate input device.

[0082] When the touch panel 4 is operated as a mouse, the touch panel driver 7 or the touch panel controller 3 sets the status data 31 included in the data 30B to status data indicating that touch input is off, thereby enabling operation of only moving the mouse cursor.

[0083] Furthermore, the above-described processes performed by the touch panel driver 7 or the touch panel controller 3 may be realized by executing the program in either the touch panel controller 3 connected to the touch panel 4 or the computer 2 connected to the touch panel controller 3. In this case, the program is firmware incorporated in the touch panel controller or a touch panel driver incorporated in the computer 2.

[0084] Application 6 executes a process for determining an input position based on data 30B including device data 35 for operating touch panel 4 as a tablet, and executes a process for moving a cursor indicating the input position based on data 30B including device data 35 for operating touch panel 4 as a mouse, so that the user can move the cursor as a mouse by touch inputting with the tip of his / her finger, and can determine the input position as a tablet by touch inputting with the pad of his / her finger. In other words, the user can continuously execute the process for moving the cursor and the process for determining the input position without switching the operation mode of touch panel 4.

[0085] Furthermore, application 6 displays an enlarged image of the area around the cursor including the cursor while the input position is being confirmed and the cursor is being moved, providing the user with a so-called magnifying glass function, allowing the user to enlarge and check small characters, small icons, etc.

[0086] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented in various modified forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 1 System, 2 Computer, 3 Touch panel controller, 4 Touch panel, 5 Operating system, 6 Application, 7 Touch panel driver, 8 I / F driver, 30A to 30C Data, 31 Status data, 32 X coordinate data, 33 Y coordinate data, 34 Input area data, 35 Device data, 36 Key code

Claims

1. A computer connected to a resistive touch panel, acquiring means for acquiring first data based on a touch input on the touch panel; a determination means for determining whether or not an input area of ​​the touch input is equal to or greater than a threshold; a conversion means for converting the first data into second data for causing the touch panel to function as an absolute coordinate input device when the input area is equal to or greater than the threshold, and for converting the first data into third data for causing the touch panel to function as a relative coordinate input device when the input area is less than the threshold; an output means for outputting the second data or the third data to an application; A program characterized by functioning as follows.

2. the first data includes status data indicating whether the touch input is on or off, coordinate data indicating a position of the touch input, and input area data indicating the input area; The program of claim 1, characterized in that each of the second data and the third data comprises the status data, the coordinate data, the input area data, and device data indicating whether the operating mode of the touch panel is the absolute coordinate input device or the relative coordinate input device.

3. 3. The program according to claim 2, wherein the conversion means sets the status data included in the third data to data indicating that the touch input is off.

4. 3. The program according to claim 1, wherein the program is executed by either a touch panel controller connected to the touch panel or an information processing device connected to the touch panel controller.

5. the first data includes status data indicating whether the touch input is on or off, coordinate data indicating a position of the touch input, and input area data indicating the input area; the second data includes the status data, the coordinate data, the input area data, and first device data indicating that the operation mode of the touch panel is the absolute coordinate input device; 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the third data includes second device data indicating that the operation mode of the touch panel is the relative coordinate input device, and key code data indicating a key of a keyboard.

6. 3. The program according to claim 1, wherein the touch input is performed by a member whose input area is variable.

7. A touch panel controller connected to a resistive touch panel, acquiring means for acquiring first data based on a touch input on the touch panel; a determination means for determining whether or not an input area of ​​the touch input is equal to or greater than a threshold; a conversion means for converting the first data into second data for causing the touch panel to function as an absolute coordinate input device when the input area is equal to or greater than the threshold, and for converting the first data into third data for causing the touch panel to function as a relative coordinate input device when the input area is less than the threshold; an output means for outputting the second data or the third data to an application; A touch panel controller comprising:

8. An information processing device connected to a resistive touch panel, acquiring means for acquiring first data based on a touch input on the touch panel; a determination means for determining whether or not an input area of ​​the touch input is equal to or greater than a threshold; a conversion means for converting the first data into second data for causing the touch panel to function as an absolute coordinate input device when the input area is equal to or greater than the threshold, and for converting the first data into third data for causing the touch panel to function as a relative coordinate input device when the input area is less than the threshold; an output means for outputting the second data or the third data to an application; An information processing device comprising:

9. The information processing device according to claim 8, characterized in that the application receives the second data or the third data, performs an input position confirmation process based on the second data, and performs a cursor movement process indicating the input position based on the third data.

10. 10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the application displays an enlarged image of an area including the cursor and surrounding the cursor during the process of determining the input position and the process of moving the cursor.

11. A method for controlling a resistive touch panel, comprising: acquiring first data based on a touch input on the touch panel; determining whether an input area of ​​the touch input is equal to or greater than a threshold; If the input area is equal to or greater than the threshold, converting the first data into second data that causes the touch panel to operate as an absolute coordinate input device, and if the input area is less than the threshold, converting the first data into third data that causes the touch panel to operate as a relative coordinate input device; Outputting the second data or the third data to an application A method for controlling a touch panel.

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