Operating device

Abstract

The purpose is to reduce the burden on the user in a calibration mode that calibrates the positional discrepancy between the user's touch position on the touch panel and the recognized position recognized by the controller as that touch position. [Solution] An operating device according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a resistive touch panel that displays an image and accepts touch operations by a user, and a controller that controls the operation of the touch panel, wherein in the calibration mode, a game is executed on the touch panel that involves touch operations at predetermined positions, and the positional deviation is calibrated based on the touch operations received while the game is being executed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an operating device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an operating device including a resistive touch panel that displays an image and receives a touch operation by a user, and a controller that controls the operation of the touch panel, has been known. In such an operating device, there may be a displacement between the touch position of the user on the touch panel and the recognition position recognized by the controller as the touch position. Regarding this, for example, there is a touch panel described in Patent Document 1.

[0003] The touch panel of Patent Document 1 includes a touch panel main body and a controller connected to the touch panel main body via a connection cable. The touch panel main body includes a lower glass substrate, an upper film substrate, and a double-sided adhesive that adheres the lower glass substrate and the upper film substrate to each other. The lower glass substrate has a glass substrate, a transparent resistive film laminated on the glass substrate, and conductive patterns for Y coordinate detection arranged along the X axis at both end edges in the Y axis direction of the glass substrate. The upper film substrate has a film substrate, a transparent resistive film laminated on the film substrate, and conductive patterns for X coordinate detection arranged along the Y axis at both end edges in the X axis direction of the film substrate.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In an operating device like the one described in Patent Document 1, the controller performs a calibration mode to calibrate the positional misalignment between the touch position and the recognition position, and calibrates the misalignment based on the touch operation received while the calibration mode is being performed. However, Patent Document 1 does not consider reducing the burden on the user in this calibration mode.

[0006] Therefore, this disclosure aims to reduce the burden on the user in a calibration mode that calibrates the positional discrepancy that occurs between the user's touch position on the touch panel and the recognized position recognized by the controller as said touch position. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An operating device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a resistive touch panel that displays an image and accepts touch operations by a user, and a controller that controls the operation of the touch panel, wherein the touch panel includes a detection circuit that detects the user's touch position on the touch panel, the detection circuit has a first transparent conductive film and a second transparent conductive film that faces the first transparent conductive film in the thickness direction, the detection circuit is closed when the touch panel accepts the touch operation by the first transparent conductive film and the second transparent conductive film coming into contact, the controller, when the detection circuit is closed, estimates a recognition position corresponding to the touch position based on the contact position of the first transparent conductive film and the second transparent conductive film, and executes a calibration mode that calibrates the positional misalignment between the touch position and the recognition position, the controller executes a game involving the touch operation at a predetermined position on the touch panel in the calibration mode, and calibrates the positional misalignment based on the touch operation received while the game is being executed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, in a calibration mode that calibrates the positional discrepancy between the user's touch position on the touch panel and the recognized position recognized by the controller as that touch position, the burden on the user can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the equipment system according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a front view of the remote control according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic circuit diagram showing a detection circuit for detecting the user's touch position on the touch panel of the remote control according to the embodiment. [Figure 5A] Figure 5A is a schematic diagram showing the state of the touch panel of the remote control according to the embodiment, before the positional misalignment between the touch position and the recognition position is calibrated. [Figure 5B] Figure 5B is a schematic diagram showing the state of the touch panel of the remote control according to the embodiment after the positional misalignment between the touch position and the recognition position has been calibrated. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a process performed by the control unit of the remote control according to this embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing the touch panel circuit and detection circuit of the remote control according to the embodiment. [Figure 8A] Figure 8A is a schematic diagram showing the water temperature adjustment screen displayed on the touch panel of the remote control according to this embodiment. [Figure 8B] Figure 8B is a schematic diagram showing an advertising screen displayed on the touch panel of a remote control according to this embodiment. [Figure 9A] Figure 9A shows a slot-type game screen displayed on the touch panel in calibration mode by the control unit of the remote control according to this embodiment. [Figure 9B] Figure 9B shows a rhythm-type game screen displayed on the touch panel in calibration mode by the control unit of the remote control according to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] 1. Equipment and Machinery System Hereinafter, preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, the same or corresponding elements throughout all the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted. Further, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an equipment and machinery system 1 according to an embodiment.

[0012] This equipment and machinery system 1 includes a water heater 2 (for example, a combustion heating type water heater) as an example of equipment and machinery, remote controllers 3A and 3B dedicated to the water heater that are communicably connected to the water heater 2, and a management server 5 which is a server device connected to a communication network 4 such as the Internet. In this aspect, the remote controller 3A constitutes an operating device. One remote controller 3A incorporates a relay device (external communication unit 36 described later) for relaying communication between the water heater 2 and the management server 5 inside the housing. The management server 5 communicates with the remote controller 3A via the communication network 4 and a router (wireless LAN router) 6 connected to this communication network 4. The wireless LAN router 6 is owned by the resident (user) of the house where the water heater 2 is installed.

[0013] Note that there may be one house where the water heater 2 is installed, but usually there are many. The number of water heaters 2 constituting the equipment and machinery system 1 may be one, but usually there are many. Here, for the sake of representation, only one water heater 2 is illustrated, and also the remote controllers 3A and 3B and the router 6 corresponding only to that water heater 2 are illustrated. In the following, the illustrated components will be described.

[0014] The water heater 2 includes a water heater main body 21 and a controller 22 connected to the water heater main body 21 and including a main control unit 23 that controls the water heater main body 21. The water heater main body 21 is installed at a predetermined location outdoors or indoors of the house, and has, for example, a water heating function at a predetermined water heating location such as a bathroom or a kitchen, and a supplementary heating function for the bath. The controller 22 is usually provided inside the housing of the water heater main body 21.

[0015] The controller 22 includes a main control unit 23, a storage unit 24, and a communication unit 25. The main control unit 23 includes a microcontroller or an integrated circuit composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc. A signal path (not shown) for controlling each electrical component is provided between the main control unit 23 and each electrical component such as a blower and a bath pump that constitute the water heater main body 21. The storage unit 24 is composed of, for example, a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory. The main control unit 23 executes various controls of the water heater main body 21 according to a control program stored in the storage unit 24. The control program includes various programs related to the operation of each electrical component, and each electrical component is controlled based on these programs.

[0016] <{ In the present embodiment, the remote controllers 3A and 3B are configured as wall-mounted remote controllers (dedicated remote controllers) installed on an indoor wall surface or the like for remotely operating the water heater main body 21. The controller 22 and the remote controllers 3A and 3B are communicably connected to each other by a communication line 7. The main control unit 23 communicates with the remote controllers 3A and 3B via the communication unit 25. The remote controllers 3A and 3B are configured to be able to output an operation signal to the main control unit 23.

[0017] For this purpose, the remote control 3A includes an operation unit 31 for user input operations, a notification unit 32 for notifying information from the water heater main unit 21, a communication unit 33 for communicating with the water heater 2 (main control unit 23), a storage unit 34, and a remote control unit 35. The operation unit 31 includes a resistive touch panel 60, which will be described later. The remote control unit 35 includes a control unit 90 (controller) for controlling the operation of the touch panel 60. Although not shown, the remote control 3B also includes an operation unit 31, a notification unit 32, a communication unit 33, a storage unit 34, and a remote control unit 35, similar to the remote control 3A. The operation unit 31, notification unit 32, communication unit 33, storage unit 34, remote control unit 35, and the detector 85, which will be described later, are configured to communicate with each other via a communication bus 37. The notification unit 32, although not shown in the figures, includes a display (display unit) that shows, for example, the current set temperature for hot water supply and / or bath water, an operation confirmation display, the current time, etc., and a speaker (voice output unit) that outputs a set temperature arrival sound, a warning sound, a predetermined announcement, etc.

[0018] The operation unit 31, as will be described later, is equipped with, for example, multiple operation buttons. The remote control unit 35 is composed of a microcontroller or the like, and when any of the multiple operation buttons is pressed, it generates an operation signal corresponding to the pressed operation button. The generated operation signal is sent to the main control unit 23 via the communication units 33 and 25, and the main control unit 23 controls the water heater unit 21 based on the received operation signal.

[0019] Figure 1 shows two remote controls 3A and 3B for one water heater 2. For example, remote control 3A is a kitchen remote control installed in the kitchen, and remote control 3B is a bathroom remote control installed in the bathroom. Note that the number of remote controls is not limited to these; there may be one or three or more. Also, the installation location of each remote control is not limited to the above.

[0020] The communication line 7 is, for example, a two-core communication line that can superimpose communication information onto a power line. The water heater 2 has a power supply unit (not shown) that converts the AC voltage supplied from an external AC power source (commercial power source) to generate a predetermined DC voltage. The DC voltage generated by this power supply unit is used internally and also supplied to the remote controls 3A and 3B via the communication line (two-core communication line) 7 as their operating power supply voltage.

[0021] The information communicated between the water heater 2 (main control unit 23) and the remote controls 3A and 3B includes command data related to hot water supply (such as switching between the operation on mode and operation off mode of the water heater 2, and changing the hot water supply set temperature), and data on the hot water supply status (such as measurement results from various sensors, notifications of reaching the bath set temperature, and abnormality notifications).

[0022] As described above, remote control 3A, one of the two remote controls 3A and 3B, is equipped with an external communication unit 36 ​​that communicates with the router 6 as a relay device between the water heater 2 and the management server 5. The external communication unit 36 ​​is directly connected to the communication line 7 and is configured to communicate with the main control unit 23 (communication unit 25) and the remote control control unit 35 (communication unit 33), etc. The external communication unit 36 ​​performs communication processing with the main control unit 23, as well as communication processing with the management server 5 via the router 6 and the communication network 4. For example, the external communication unit (relay device) 36 receives device information from the main control unit 23, converts the communication format, and transmits it to the management server 5 via the router 6 and the communication network 4.

[0023] The management server 5 is equipped with a storage unit 50 that stores equipment information. Here, the equipment information includes equipment configuration information that is first transmitted from the main control unit 23 to the external communication unit 36 ​​after power is turned on, operating status information indicating the operating status of the water heater unit 21 that is transmitted periodically (for example, every hour) from the main control unit 23 to the external communication unit 36, and error information. Here, the equipment configuration information is information indicating the type of water heater unit 21, and the operating status information includes information such as the hot water supply set temperature, the number of combustion operations, and the combustion operation time of the water heater unit 21. Error information is information indicating an abnormality that occurs in the water heater unit 21, and this information is also displayed on each remote control 3A and 3B.

[0024] This device information is transmitted from the external communication unit 36 ​​to the management server 5 along with the identification number of the external communication unit 36 ​​acting as a relay device. The management server 5 then stores the received device information in the storage unit 50, associating it with the identification number of the relay device.

[0025] Furthermore, the external communication unit 36 ​​acquires information transmitted from the management server 5 via the communication network 4 and router 6, and, if necessary, converts the communication format and transmits it to the main control unit 23.

[0026] Furthermore, the remote control 3B, which does not have a built-in relay device, is not equipped with an external communication unit 36.

[0027] 2. About the remote control (operating device) 2.1. Basic Configuration Figure 2 is a front view of the remote control 3A according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 2, the remote control 3A includes an operation switch 58 and a touch panel 60. The operation switch 58 can be pressed by the user to switch between an operation ON mode in which the water heater 2 can provide hot water and an operation OFF mode in which the water heater 2 cannot provide hot water. The touch panel 60 displays images and can accept touch operations from the user.

[0028] Figure 2 shows the touch panel 60 displaying the top screen 61 in normal mode. The top screen 61 includes a "Temperature" display image 62 showing the set temperature of the hot water supplied from the water heater 2, a "Date and Time" display image 63 showing the date and time, a "Menu" button image 64, a "Reheat" button image 65, and a "Automatic Bath" button image 66.

[0029] Touching the "Menu" button image 64 transitions the user from the top screen 61 to a lower-level screen, displaying various menus on the touch panel 60. Touching the "Reheat" button image 65 initiates the reheating of the bathwater. Touching the "Automatic Bath" button image 66 initiates the filling of the bathtub so that the water reaches a preset level and temperature.

[0030] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 3, the touch panel 60 comprises a first transparent substrate 71, a second transparent substrate 72 molded from a different material than the first transparent substrate 71 and positioned below the first transparent substrate 71 so as to overlap it when viewed in the thickness direction, a first transparent conductive film 73 laminated on the lower surface of the first transparent substrate 71 to detect the X coordinate of a Cartesian coordinate system defined on the touch panel 60, and a second transparent conductive film 74 laminated on the upper surface of the second transparent substrate 72 to detect the Y coordinate of the Cartesian coordinate system, and facing the first transparent conductive film 73 in the thickness direction. The Cartesian coordinate system may be defined, for example, on the display screen of the touch panel 60, with the left-right direction as the X-axis direction, the up-down direction as the Y-axis direction, and the center as the origin.

[0031] The first transparent substrate 71 may be, for example, a transparent film (PET film) molded from polyethylene terephthalate. The second transparent substrate 72 may be, for example, transparent glass (cover glass). The first transparent conductive film 73 and the second transparent conductive film 74 may be, for example, transparent films (ITO films) molded from indium tin oxide.

[0032] The touch panel 60 further comprises a plurality of dot spacers 75 that connect the first transparent conductive film 73 and the second transparent conductive film 74 with a gap between them, a liquid crystal display 77 positioned below the second transparent substrate 72 so as to overlap the first transparent substrate 71, the second transparent substrate 72, the first transparent conductive film 73, and the second transparent conductive film 74 when viewed in the thickness direction, and double-sided tape 76 that adheres the liquid crystal display 77 to the lower surface of the second transparent substrate 72.

[0033] Figure 4 is a schematic circuit diagram showing a detection circuit 80 for detecting the user's touch position on the touch panel 60 of the remote control 3A according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, the touch panel 60 is an analog 4-wire type. The touch panel 60 includes a detection circuit 80 for detecting the user's touch position. The detection circuit 80 includes the first transparent conductive film 73 and the second transparent conductive film 74 described above, a first electrode 81 arranged along the Y-axis direction at one end of the first transparent conductive film 73 in the X-axis direction, a second electrode 82 arranged along the Y-axis direction at the other end of the first transparent conductive film 73 in the X-axis direction, a third electrode 83 arranged along the X-axis direction at one end of the second transparent conductive film 74 in the Y-axis direction, and a fourth electrode 84 arranged along the X-axis direction at the other end of the second transparent conductive film 74 in the Y-axis direction. The detection circuit 80 is closed when the first transparent conductive film 73 and the second transparent conductive film 74 come into contact when the touch panel 60 receives a touch operation at the recognition position A corresponding to the touch position. The detection circuit 80 may estimate the recognition position A corresponding to the touch position using, for example, a known detection method. Specifically, it is as follows:

[0034] The resistance is uniform on the first transparent conductive film 73. Therefore, the ratio (a:b) of the distance a from the recognition position A to the first electrode 81 to the distance b from the recognition position A to the second electrode 82 is equal to the ratio (R1:R2) of the resistance R1 from the recognition position A to the first electrode 81 to the resistance R2 from the recognition position A to the second electrode 82. Thus, the resistance values ​​R1 and R2 can be calculated based on the distances a and b, the distance c from the first electrode 81 to the second electrode 82, and the resistance R3 from the first electrode 81 to the second electrode 82. When the device is touched, the first transparent conductive film 73 bends at the recognition position A and comes into contact with the second transparent conductive film 74, thereby closing the detection circuit 80. The resistance is also uniform on the second transparent conductive film 74. Therefore, the resistance value R4 from the recognition position A to the third electrode 83 can be calculated based on the distance d from the recognition position A to the third electrode 83, the distance e from the third electrode 83 to the fourth electrode 84, and the resistance value R5 from the third electrode 83 to the fourth electrode 84. As the touch position changes, the contact position between the first transparent conductive film 73 and the second transparent conductive film 74 changes (in other words, the closed state of the detection circuit 80 changes), and this change in contact position appears as a change in potential difference V. As described above, when a voltage VCC is applied between the first electrode 81 and the second electrode 82, and a touch operation is received and the detection circuit 80 is closed, the recognition position A corresponding to the touch position can be estimated based on the voltage division law by detecting the potential difference V between the first electrode 81 and the third electrode 83.

[0035] If the remote control 3A is used for a certain period of time, a positional discrepancy may occur between the user's touch position on the touch panel 60 and the recognized position that the control unit 90 recognizes as that touch position.

[0036] Figure 5A is a schematic diagram showing the state of the touch panel 60 of the remote control 3A according to the embodiment before calibration of the positional misalignment between the touch position and the recognition position. Figure 5B is a schematic diagram showing the state after the positional misalignment has been calibrated. In Figures 5A and 5B, the touch panel 60 has a touch-operable area 67 that can be touch-operated. This touch-operable area 67 is, for example, the entire surface of the touch panel 60. The control unit 90 has a recognition area 68 that can recognize touch operations, corresponding to the touch panel 60.

[0037] As the touch panel 60 continues to be used, the recognition area 68 shifts from the touch-operable area 67, as shown in Figure 5A. This results in a misalignment between the user's touch position 67a on the touch panel 60 and the recognition position 68a recognized by the control unit 90 as the touch position 67a, as shown in Figure 5A. Therefore, for example, even if the user touches the center of the touch panel 60, the control unit 90 may recognize that the lower right portion of the touch panel 60 was touched.

[0038] Therefore, the control unit 90 executes a calibration mode to calibrate the positional misalignment between the touch position 67a and the recognition position 68a, and aligns the recognition area 68 with the touch-operable area 67, as shown in Figure 5B. As a result, the positional misalignment is calibrated, as shown in the same figure.

[0039] 2.2. Example of processing by the control unit The following describes an example of processing performed by the control unit 90 (controller) of the touch panel 60, based on Figures 6 to 9B.

[0040] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the process.

[0041] First, when the user presses the operation switch 58 and the water heater 2 enters operation ON mode, the control unit 90 executes the normal mode (step S1 in Figure 6) and displays the top screen 61 shown in Figure 2 on the touch panel 60. After executing step S1, the control unit 90 may execute subsequent processes while in normal mode, or it may execute subsequent processes while in an operation sound ON mode other than normal mode and calibration mode.

[0042] Next, the control unit 90 determines whether there is a positional discrepancy between the user's touch position on the touch panel 60 and the recognized position recognized by the control unit 90 as that touch position (step S2 in Figure 6). Specifically, it is as follows:

[0043] The control unit 90 may obtain a voltage drop value or resistance value detected by the detector 85 (described later) when the touch panel 60 is not accepting touch operations, and determine whether a positional misalignment has occurred between the touch position and the recognition position based on a comparison of the detected value with a reference value for the voltage drop value or resistance value. Specifically, this is as follows:

[0044] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing a touch panel circuit 88 and a detector circuit 89 of a remote control according to an embodiment. As shown in Figure 7, the remote control 3A further includes a detector 85 that detects a voltage drop value or resistance value at a predetermined location on the touch panel 60, and a detector power supply 86 that drives the detector 85. The detector power supply 86 and the control unit 90 are connected by a wire 87a, the detector 85 and the control unit 90 are connected by a wire 87b, and the detector power supply 86 and the detector 85 are connected by a wire 87c. The connection point P1 of the wire 87a and the touch panel 60 are connected by a wire 87d, and the connection point P2 of the wire 87b and the touch panel 60 are connected by a wire 87e. A switch SW1 is located in the portion of the wire 87a between connection point P1 and the control unit 90. A switch SW2 is located in the portion of the wire 87b between connection point P2 and the control unit 90. A switch SW3 is placed in the portion of the conductor 87a between connection point P1 and the detector power supply 86. A switch SW4 is placed in the portion of the conductor 87b between connection point P2 and the detector 85. The opening and closing operations of switches SW1 to SW4 can be controlled by the control unit 90. If the detector 85 includes a microcontroller, the microcontroller may control the opening and closing operations of switches SW1 to SW4 instead of the control unit 90. The touch panel circuit 88 includes a touch panel 60, a control unit 90, and switches SW1 and SW2. The detector circuit 89 includes a detector power supply 86, a touch panel 60, a detector 85, and switches SW3 and SW4.

[0045] When the control unit 90 closes switches SW1 and SW2 and opens switches SW3 and SW4, the touch panel 60 operates and becomes ready to accept touch operations. On the other hand, when the control unit 90 opens switches SW1 and SW2 and closes switches SW3 and SW4, the touch panel 60 stops operating and becomes ready to accept touch operations, and voltage is applied to the touch panel 60 from the detector power supply 86 so that the detector 85 can detect the voltage drop or resistance value at a predetermined location on the touch panel 60. In this state, the control unit 90 obtains the detected voltage drop or resistance value from the detector 85 and determines whether there is a positional misalignment between the touch position and the recognition position based on a comparison of the detected value with a reference value for the voltage drop or resistance value. The predetermined location on the touch panel 60 may be the part between the first electrode 81 and the third electrode 83, which is the potential difference V shown in Figure 4. The detected value at the predetermined location deviates from the reference value if a positional misalignment occurs between the touch position and the recognition position. Therefore, the control unit 90 can determine whether a positional misalignment has occurred between the touch position and the recognition position based on a comparison between the detected value and the reference value. The control unit 90 may normally keep the touch panel 60 in a state where it can accept touch operations by closing switches SW1 and SW2 and opening switches SW3 and SW4. The control unit 90 may then, for example, open switches SW1 and SW2 and close switches SW3 and SW4 at predetermined intervals (for example, every day) to detect and acquire the detected value using the detector 85. If the detector 85 has a built-in memory unit, the control unit 90 may store the detected value in the memory unit and acquire the detected value from the detector 85 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the detector 85 detected the value. The control unit 90 may also perform the above process described with reference to Figure 7 when the operation off mode is running.

[0046] Alternatively, the control unit 90 may determine whether a positional misalignment has occurred between the touch position and the recognition position based on a touch operation received when displaying an image on a predetermined screen (for example, the hot water adjustment screen 100 and the advertising screen 105 described later) that is a predetermined area within the touchable area 67 for accepting touch operations (for example, the "+" button image 103, the "-" button image 104, and the "×" button image 107 described later) that is smaller than a predetermined threshold, in a mode other than calibration mode (for example, the normal mode described above). Specifically, this is as follows.

[0047] Figure 8A is a schematic diagram showing the hot water adjustment screen 100 displayed on the touch panel 60 of the remote control 3A according to the embodiment. Figure 8B is a schematic diagram showing the advertisement screen 105 displayed on the touch panel 60. As shown in Figure 8A, for example, in normal mode, the hot water adjustment screen 100 displayed on the touch panel 60 includes a "temperature" display image 101 representing the hot water temperature, a "close" button image 102 to close the hot water adjustment screen 100 and transition to another screen, a "+" button image 103 to increase the hot water temperature, and a "-" button image 104 to decrease the hot water temperature. Also, as shown in Figure 8B, for example, in normal mode, the advertisement screen 105 displayed on the touch panel 60 includes an "ABCDEFGH" advertisement image 106 showing an advertisement, and a "×" button image 107 to close the advertisement screen 105. In this embodiment, the "+" button image 103, the "-" button image 104, and the "×" button image 107 constitute the touch operation area. The area of ​​the "+" button image 103, the "-" button image 104, and the "×" button image 107 is smaller than a predetermined threshold. The control unit 90 may determine, for example, that a positional misalignment has occurred between the touch position and the recognition position when a touch operation is performed on the outer edge of each of the "+" button image 103, the "-" button image 104, and the "×" button image 107. In this case, the control unit 90 may determine that a positional misalignment has occurred when a touch operation is performed on the outer edge once, when a touch operation is performed on the outer edge a predetermined number of times or more, or when the number of touch operations performed on the outer edge and the inside of the outer edge is equal to or greater than a predetermined proportion.

[0048] After the control unit 90 determines that a positional misalignment has occurred between the touch position and the recognition position (YES in step S2 in Figure 6), it executes a calibration mode to correct the misalignment (step S3 in Figure 6). The control unit 90 may execute the calibration mode as soon as it determines that the misalignment has occurred. Alternatively, the control unit 90 may execute the calibration mode after a predetermined time has elapsed after it has determined that the misalignment has occurred.

[0049] The control unit 90 may display a query screen on the touch panel 60 asking whether to start the calibration mode before executing the calibration mode. The control unit 90 may then execute the calibration mode if it receives a touch operation indicating that it will execute the calibration mode on the query screen, and not execute the calibration mode if it receives a touch operation indicating that it will not execute the calibration mode, and may, for example, transition to the state immediately before the query screen was displayed on the touch panel 60. If the control unit 90 receives a touch operation indicating that it will not execute the calibration mode on the query screen, it may display the query screen again after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0050] In calibration mode, the control unit 90 executes a game involving touch operations at predetermined positions on the touch panel 60 (step S4 in Figure 6). This will be explained in detail later with reference to Figures 9A and 9B. The predetermined positions include a plurality of positions aligned along a correction direction, which is one predetermined direction from the X-axis and Y-axis in the Cartesian coordinate system defined on the touch panel 60. The correction direction may be the X-axis direction if the elasticity of the first transparent substrate 71 is higher than that of the second transparent substrate 72, and the Y-axis direction if the elasticity of the first transparent substrate 71 is lower than that of the second transparent substrate 72.

[0051] Based on Figure 9A, the case where the stretchability of the first transparent substrate 71 is higher than that of the second transparent substrate 72, and the correction direction is the X-axis direction, will be described. Figure 9A is a diagram showing a slot-type game screen 110 displayed on the touch panel 60 in calibration mode by the control unit 90 of the remote control 3A according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 9A, the control unit 90 can execute a slot-type game in calibration mode. At this time, the slot-type game screen 110 displayed on the touch panel 60 includes a "slot" image 111 indicating a slot, and pattern display areas 112a to 112c defined within the "slot" image 111. The pattern display areas 112a to 112c are the above-mentioned multiple positions, and are arranged along the X-axis direction as the correction direction. Multiple types of patterns are variably displayed within each of the pattern display areas 112a to 112c. This variable display may be, for example, a vertical scrolling display or an updating display. When the control unit 90 receives a touch operation on the pattern display areas 112a to 112c, it stops the variable display within the pattern display areas 112a to 112c and continues to display the pattern that was displayed within the pattern display areas 112a to 112c at the time the touch operation was received. The user performs touch operations on the pattern display areas 112a to 112c in order to align the patterns displayed in the pattern display areas 112a to 112c. Touch operations on the pattern display areas 112a to 112c may be performed at different times or at the same time, for example, within a predetermined time. If the control unit 90 does not receive touch operations on the pattern display areas 112a to 112c within a predetermined time, it may display an error screen on the touch panel 60 and then return to step S2.

[0052] Based on Figure 9B, the case where the stretchability of the first transparent substrate 71 is lower than that of the second transparent substrate 72, and the correction direction is the Y-axis direction, will be explained. Figure 9B is a diagram showing a rhythm-type game screen 115 displayed on the touch panel 60 in calibration mode by the control unit 90 of the remote control 3A according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 9B, the control unit 90 can execute a rhythm-type game in calibration mode. At this time, the rhythm-type game screen 115 displayed on the touch panel 60 includes three "musical note" images 116a to 116c that move along the X-axis direction from the left to the right of the touch panel 60, and three musical note passing regions 117a to 117c that are aligned along the Y-axis direction as a plurality of positions aligned along the correction direction. The "musical note" images 116a to 116c pass through each of the musical note passing regions 117a to 117c. When the control unit 90 receives a touch operation on the note passage areas 117a to 117c, it stops the movement of the corresponding "note" images 116a to 116c at the time the touch operation is received. The user performs a touch operation on the note passage areas 117a to 117c to stop the "note" images 116a to 116c within the note passage areas 117a to 117c. The touch operations on the note passage areas 117a to 117c may be performed at different times or at the same time, for example, within a predetermined time. If the control unit 90 does not receive a touch operation on the note passage areas 117a to 117c within a predetermined time, it may display an error screen on the touch panel 60 and then return to step S2.

[0053] The control unit 90 calibrates the positional discrepancy between the touch position and the recognized position based on the touch operation received while the game in step S4 is running (step S5 in Figure 6). Known methods can be used to calibrate this positional discrepancy.

[0054] Finally, the control unit 90 grants a reward to the user who played the game (step S6 in Figure 6). The reward may be, for example, points usable for shopping, various operation sounds for the remote control 3A, the right to participate in a lottery to win various prizes, or various goods (for example, character goods, anniversary goods, or small items). Granting a reward here includes the control unit 90 storing or updating information indicating that it has granted the reward to the user, for example, in the storage unit 50 of the management server 5. For example, the control unit 90 may grant the reward to the user by storing information regarding the granting of the reward in the storage unit 50 of the management server 5 via the communication network 4. Then, for example, the manufacturer of the equipment system 1 may, based on the information stored in the storage unit 50, request a delivery company to deliver the reward to the user.

[0055] 2.3. Effects According to the configuration described above, the control unit 90 executes a game that involves touch operations at predetermined positions on the touch panel 60, and calibrates the positional discrepancy between the touch position and the recognized position based on the touch operations received while the game is running. Therefore, the user's burden can be reduced in calibration mode.

[0056] The control unit 90 calibrates the positional deviation in a predetermined correction direction, which is one of the X-axis and Y-axis directions, based on touch operations received while the game is running. Therefore, it is not necessary to receive touch operations in the game to calibrate positional deviations in the other direction of the X-axis and Y-axis that is not the correction direction. Consequently, the burden on the user can be further reduced in calibration mode. In addition, the processing load on the control unit 90 can be reduced compared to cases where positional deviations in both the X-axis and Y-axis directions are calibrated.

[0057] In the game, the predetermined positions that are touch-controlled include multiple positions aligned along the correction direction. This allows for precise calibration of positional deviations in that correction direction based on touch inputs received while the game is running.

[0058] When the first transparent substrate 71 expands or contracts, the first transparent conductive film 73 laminated on the first transparent substrate 71 also expands or contracts, which can cause a positional displacement along the X-axis. Similarly, when the second transparent substrate 72 expands or contracts, the second transparent conductive film 74 laminated on the second transparent substrate 72 also expands or contracts, which can cause a positional displacement along the Y-axis. Therefore, as described above, by defining the correction direction as the X-axis when the expandability of the first transparent substrate 71 is higher than that of the second transparent substrate 72, and as the Y-axis when the expandability of the first transparent substrate 71 is lower than that of the second transparent substrate 72, it is possible to calibrate the positional displacement in one of the two directions, the X-axis and the Y-axis, that is more likely to occur.

[0059] The control unit 90 determines whether a positional misalignment has occurred based on a comparison of the detected voltage drop value or resistance value when the touch panel 60 is not accepting touch input with a reference value for the voltage drop value. Therefore, user touch operation is not required when making this determination. Consequently, the burden on the user can be further reduced.

[0060] In modes other than calibration mode, the control unit 90 determines whether a positional misalignment has occurred based on touch operations received when displaying an image in which the area of ​​the touch operation area that can accept touch operations is smaller than a predetermined threshold (for example, the "+" button image 103, the "-" button image 104 in Figure 8A, or the "×" button image 107 in Figure 8B). Therefore, it does not require user touch operations solely for the purpose of making this determination. Consequently, the burden on the user can be further reduced. Furthermore, by making the determination as described above, positional misalignment can be detected relatively early. This is because, for example, if the touch operation area of ​​an image is larger than the predetermined area, the touch position may vary within that image. On the other hand, if the touch operation area of ​​an image is smaller than the predetermined area as described above, the touch position is less likely to vary within that image. Therefore, the control unit 90 can detect positional misalignment relatively early based on touch operations received when displaying that image.

[0061] The games are either slot-type or rhythm-type games. These games involve intuitive touch controls and have relatively simple rules. Therefore, they further reduce the burden on the user in calibration mode.

[0062] The control unit 90 provides rewards to users who play the game, thereby increasing the probability that users will play the game.

[0063] 2.4. Variations From the above description, many improvements and other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the above description should be interpreted as illustrative only and is provided for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the disclosure. The details of its structure and / or function can be substantially modified without departing from the spirit of the disclosure.

[0064] In the above embodiment, the case in which the first transparent substrate 71 and the first transparent conductive film 73 are positioned above the second transparent substrate 72 and the second transparent conductive film 74 has been described. However, the invention is not limited to this case, and the first transparent substrate 71 and the first transparent conductive film 73 may be positioned below the second transparent substrate 72 and the second transparent conductive film 74. In this case, the expansion and contraction ratio of the first transparent conductive film 73 may be higher than that of the second transparent conductive film 74.

[0065] In the above embodiment, the case where the resistive touch panel 60 is an analog 4-wire type has been described. However, the resistive touch panel 60 is not limited to this case, and may be, for example, an analog 5-wire type or a digital type. When the resistive touch panel 60 is a digital type, the control unit 90 may determine whether there is a positional misalignment between the touch position and the recognition position in the manner described with respect to Figures 5A and 5B, rather than in the manner described with respect to Figure 4.

[0066] In the above embodiment, a case was described in which the control unit 90 calibrates the positional deviation in a predetermined correction direction, which is one of the X-axis and Y-axis directions, based on touch operations received while the game is running. However, the control unit 90 is not limited to this case, and may also calibrate the positional deviation in both the X-axis and Y-axis directions based on touch operations received while the game is running.

[0067] In the above embodiment, the case described was one in which the predetermined positions that are touch-operated in the game are three positions aligned along the correction direction. However, the embodiment is not limited to this case, and the predetermined positions may be one position, two or four or more positions aligned along the correction direction, or multiple positions that are not aligned along the correction direction.

[0068] In the above embodiment, the case in which remote control 3A constitutes the operating device was described. However, the invention is not limited to this case, and remote controls 3A and 3B may each constitute the operating device, or remote control 3B may constitute the operating device instead of remote control 3A.

[0069] In the above embodiment, a water heater 2 was given as an example of equipment to which the remote control 3A (operating device) is applied. However, the operating device according to this disclosure is not limited to this, and can also be applied to, for example, a hot water heat source unit (hot water equipment) that has functions other than hot water supply. Furthermore, the operating device according to this disclosure can be applied not only to residential equipment systems equipped with residential equipment, but also to commercial equipment systems such as commercial bathhouse systems equipped with commercial equipment. Moreover, the operating device according to this disclosure may not be a remote control for remotely operating various devices, but may be installed on the surface of various devices (for example, a printer) to directly operate various devices.

[0070] Each of the following embodiments is a disclosure of a preferred embodiment. [Aspect 1] A resistive touch panel that displays images and accepts touch operations from the user, The system includes a controller for controlling the operation of the touch panel, The touch panel includes a detection circuit that detects the user's touch position on the touch panel. The detection circuit comprises a first transparent conductive film and a second transparent conductive film facing the first transparent conductive film in the thickness direction, and is closed when the first transparent conductive film and the second transparent conductive film come into contact when the touch panel receives the touch operation. The controller is, When the detection circuit is closed, the recognition position corresponding to the touch position is estimated based on the contact position between the first transparent conductive film and the second transparent conductive film. A calibration mode is executed to calibrate the positional misalignment between the touch position and the recognition position. An operating device that, in the calibration mode, executes a game involving touch operations at predetermined positions on the touch panel, and calibrates the positional deviation based on the touch operations received while the game is being played. [Aspect 2] The control device according to embodiment 1, wherein the controller calibrates the positional deviation in a correction direction which is one predetermined direction among the X-axis and Y-axis directions in the Cartesian coordinate system defined on the touch panel, based on the touch operation received while the game is being played. [Aspect 3] The operating device according to embodiment 2, wherein the predetermined position includes a plurality of positions aligned along the correction direction. [Aspect 4] The aforementioned touch panel is First transparent substrate and The system further comprises a second transparent substrate, which is molded from a different material than the first transparent substrate and is arranged to overlap the first transparent substrate when viewed from the thickness direction, The first transparent conductive film is laminated on the first transparent substrate to detect the X coordinate of the Cartesian coordinate system, The second transparent conductive film is laminated on the second transparent substrate to detect the Y coordinate of the Cartesian coordinate system, The operating device according to embodiment 2 or 3, wherein the correction direction is the X-axis direction when the elasticity of the first transparent substrate is higher than the elasticity of the second transparent substrate, and the Y-axis direction when the elasticity of the first transparent substrate is lower than the elasticity of the second transparent substrate. [Aspect 5] The touch panel further includes a detector that detects a voltage drop or resistance value at a predetermined location, The controller is, When the touch panel is not accepting the touch operation, the detected voltage drop value or resistance value is obtained from the detector. Based on a comparison between the detected voltage drop value or the resistance value and the reference value of the voltage drop value or the resistance value, it is determined whether the positional misalignment has occurred. An operating device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 4, which, after determining that the aforementioned positional misalignment has occurred, executes the calibration mode. [Aspect 6] The controller is, In modes other than the calibration mode, when displaying an image in which the area of ​​the touch operation area, which is a predetermined area for accepting touch operations, is smaller than a predetermined threshold, it is determined whether the positional misalignment has occurred based on the touch operation received. An operating device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 4, which, after determining that the aforementioned positional misalignment has occurred, executes the calibration mode. [Aspect 7] The operating device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 6, wherein the game is a slot-type game or a rhythm-type game. [Aspect 8] The controller is an operating device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 6, which provides a reward to a user who has played the game. [Aspect 9] An operating device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 8, which is a remote control for remotely operating a hot water appliance. [Industrial applicability]

[0071] This disclosure is useful for calibrating the positional discrepancy that occurs between the user's touch position on a touch panel and the recognized position recognized by the control unit as that touch position. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0072] 1. Equipment and Systems 2. Water heater (hot water equipment) 3A Remote control (operating device) 60 Touch Panel 71 First transparent substrate 72 Second transparent substrate 73 First transparent conductive film 74 Second transparent conductive film 80 Detection Circuit 85 detectors

Claims

1. A resistive touch panel that displays images and accepts touch operations from the user, The system includes a controller that controls the operation of the touch panel, The touch panel includes a detection circuit that detects the user's touch position on the touch panel. The detection circuit comprises a first transparent conductive film and a second transparent conductive film facing the first transparent conductive film in the thickness direction, and is closed when the first transparent conductive film and the second transparent conductive film come into contact when the touch panel receives the touch operation. The controller is, When the detection circuit is closed, the recognition position corresponding to the touch position is estimated based on the contact position between the first transparent conductive film and the second transparent conductive film. A calibration mode is executed to calibrate the positional misalignment between the touch position and the recognition position. An operating device that, in the calibration mode, executes a game involving touch operations at predetermined positions on the touch panel, and calibrates the positional deviation based on the touch operations received while the game is being played.

2. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the controller calibrates the positional deviation in a correction direction which is one predetermined direction among the X-axis and Y-axis directions in a Cartesian coordinate system defined on the touch panel, based on the touch operation received while the game is being played.

3. The operating device according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined position includes a plurality of positions aligned along the correction direction.

4. The aforementioned touch panel is First transparent substrate and The present invention further comprises a second transparent substrate, which is molded from a different material than the first transparent substrate and is arranged to overlap the first transparent substrate when viewed from the thickness direction, The first transparent conductive film is laminated on the first transparent substrate to detect the X coordinate of the Cartesian coordinate system. The second transparent conductive film is laminated on the second transparent substrate to detect the Y coordinate of the Cartesian coordinate system, The operating device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the correction direction is the X-axis direction when the elasticity of the first transparent substrate is higher than the elasticity of the second transparent substrate, and the Y-axis direction when the elasticity of the first transparent substrate is lower than the elasticity of the second transparent substrate.

5. The touch panel further includes a detector that detects a voltage drop or resistance value at a predetermined location, The controller is, When the touch panel is not accepting the touch operation, the detected voltage drop value or resistance value is obtained from the detector. Based on a comparison between the detected voltage drop value or the resistance value and the reference value of the voltage drop value or the resistance value, it is determined whether the positional misalignment has occurred. An operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which, after determining that the aforementioned positional misalignment has occurred, executes the calibration mode.

6. The controller is, In modes other than the calibration mode, when displaying an image in which the area of ​​the touch operation area, which is a predetermined area for accepting touch operations, is smaller than a predetermined threshold, it is determined whether the positional misalignment has occurred based on the touch operation received. An operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which, after determining that the aforementioned positional misalignment has occurred, executes the calibration mode.

7. The operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the game is a slot-type game or a rhythm-type game.

8. The control device is an operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the controller provides a reward to the user who played the game.

9. An operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is a remote control for remotely operating a hot water appliance.

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