Touch panel controller, touch panel system, method for controlling a touch panel controller, control program, and recording medium.

Abstract

To provide a resistive touch panel configured to mitigate an operation that is not intended by a user.SOLUTION: A touch panel controller (10) is provided with: a touch determination unit (11) that determines whether the position of touches on a touch panel (20) has been changed from one to two or from two to one; and a touch processing unit (12) that outputs, when the position of touches has been changed from one to two or from two to one, a signal indicating that all touches have separated, and outputs a new touch position after the change.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0005]

[0001] The present invention relates to a touch panel controller that controls the output of a resistive film type touch panel and the like.

Background Art

[0002] As a method for detecting a touch on a touch panel, there is a method called a resistive film method. A resistive film type touch panel has a two-layer structure in which substrates such as transparent films with transparent electrodes formed thereon, called resistive films, are bonded together so that the transparent electrodes face each other. When the touch panel is pressed, the upper substrate deflects, and the upper and lower electrodes come into contact and conduct, thereby detecting the touch position.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a touch panel device including a resistive film type touch panel that stores the midpoint coordinates at two points touched on the touch panel and outputs the coordinates of the touch position.

[0004] Patent Document 2 describes a touch panel control device that specifies the position where pressure is applied when the position where pressure is applied to the touch panel and the position where pressure is applied again within a predetermined time are within a predetermined distance.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In resistive touch panels as described above, the method for calculating the coordinates of the touched position differs depending on whether one point is touched or two points are touched. Therefore, when transitioning from a one-point touch to a two-point touch, or from a two-point touch to a one-point touch, there is a risk of unintended behavior occurring.

[0007] However, the conventional technologies described above do not address this unintended behavior by the user.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention has been made in view of this problem, and its object is to realize a touch panel controller, etc., that reduces unintended actions by the user that occur when transitioning from a one-point touch to a two-point touch, or from a two-point touch to a one-point touch, in a resistive touch panel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To solve the aforementioned problems, a touch panel controller according to one aspect of the present invention is a touch panel controller that detects touches on a resistive touch panel and outputs the detected touch position, comprising: a touch determination unit that determines whether or not there has been a change in the touch on the touch panel from one point to two points, or from two points to one point; and a touch processing unit that, when the touch determination unit determines that the touch on the touch panel has been changed from one point to two points, or from two points to one point, outputs a signal indicating that all touches have been released, and then outputs the changed touch position.

[0010] To solve the aforementioned problems, a control method for a touch panel controller according to one aspect of the present invention includes a touch determination step in which the touch panel controller detects a touch on a resistive touch panel and outputs the detected touch position, and determines whether the touch on the touch panel has changed from one point to two points, or from two points to one point, and a touch processing step in which, if the touch determination step determines that the touch on the touch panel has changed from one point to two points, or from two points to one point, outputs a signal indicating that all touches have been released, and then outputs the changed touch position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to mitigate unintended actions by the user that occur when transitioning from a one-point touch to a two-point touch, or from a two-point touch to a one-point touch. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a functional block diagram showing the main components of a touch panel system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This diagram illustrates a method for determining changes in the number of touches and detecting touch locations. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart showing the processing flow in a touch panel controller. [Figure 4] This diagram shows the relationship between the touch position calculated by the touch panel and the position touched by the user in one-point and two-point touch operations on a resistive touch panel. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] [Reasons why problems arise] First, with reference to Figure 4, the reasons for the problems that the present invention solves will be explained. Figure 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the position touched by the user and the touch position calculated by the touch panel in one-point and two-point touch. Figure 401 shows the relationship between the position touched by the user and the touch position calculated by the touch panel in one-point touch. Figure 402 shows the relationship between the position touched by the user and the touch position calculated by the touch panel in two-point touch.

[0014] In resistive touch panels, when a single point touch occurs, the coordinates are calculated based on the measured voltage value. Since the measured voltage value changes depending on the touch location, if the relationship between the voltage value and the touch location is known in advance, the touch location can be identified by the voltage value. Therefore, in the case of a single touch, as shown in 401 of Figure 4, the position Ta touched by the user and the coordinates Px(Xa1,Ya1) calculated by the touch panel coincide.

[0015] On the other hand, in the case of a two-point touch, the coordinates are calculated based on the measured voltage and current values. These voltage values ​​do not indicate the exact touch location, but rather the midpoint of the two touched points. Therefore, in the case of a two-point touch, as shown in 402 of Figure 4, there is a discrepancy between the user's touch locations Ta and Tb and the coordinates Pa(Xa2,Ya2) and Pb(Xb2,Yb2) calculated by the touch panel.

[0016] When a user performs a two-point touch, there is often a slight delay that the user is unaware of. In other words, even if the user thinks they are touching simultaneously, in reality, they often touch in the order of one point → two points. In the example shown in Figure 4, the user performs a two-point touch by touching the second point Tb while still touching the first point Ta.

[0017] However, even if the user believes that the position Ta has not changed, the touch panel may recognize that there is a single touch at point Px and then a two-finger touch at points Pa and Pb. That is, even though the user has not changed the position of the finger, the first touch position is changed from point Px to point Pa. As a result, there is a possibility that an unintended operation may be performed in the application launched on the touch panel.

[0018] Also, the same problem occurs with the following operation. That is, while fixing the first touch position, touch the second point and spread the distance from the first touch position, and then release the second touch once. Next, perform the second touch at approximately the same position as the previous second touch and spread the distance from the first touch position. Repeat this operation. This operation will result in frequent transitions from single-touch to two-finger touch and from two-finger touch to single-touch. Therefore, in this case, unintended operations by the user will occur frequently. Such operations are likely to occur on a large touch panel. They are also likely to occur when operated by a child with short fingers, etc.

[0019] Examples of unintended operations by the user include enlargement, reduction, blinking, flickering, etc. of the application screen.

[0020] 〔Configuration of the present invention〕 Next, referring to FIG. 1, the touch panel controller 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the main configuration of a touch panel system 1 including the touch panel controller 10.

[0021] The touch panel controller 10 detects a touch on the touch panel 20 and calculates the detected touch position. Then, it outputs the coordinates indicating the calculated position to the application processing unit 30. The application processing unit 30 processes the application displayed on the touch panel 20.

[0022] The touch panel 20 is a resistive touch panel. Specifically, the touch panel 20 has a two-layer structure in which two substrates, such as transparent films with transparent electrodes formed on them, are bonded together so that the electrodes face each other. When the touch panel 20 is pressed, the upper substrate flexes, causing the upper and lower electrodes to come into contact and conduct electricity.

[0023] The touch panel controller 10 detects touches on the touch panel 20 at predetermined cycles and outputs coordinates indicating the touch position to the application processing unit 30.

[0024] As shown in Figure 1, the touch panel controller 10 includes a touch detection unit 11, a touch processing unit 12, a touch position calculation unit 13, and a touch panel control unit 14.

[0025] The touch detection unit 11 determines whether the touch on the touch panel 20 has changed from a one-point touch to a two-point touch, or from a two-point touch to a one-point touch.

[0026] More specifically, the touch detection unit 11 performs the above determination using the difference in the value of the current flowing through the resistive film. This will be explained with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the method for determining a change in the number of touches and detecting the touch position.

[0027] Figure 2 shows a touch panel 20 including resistive films MA and MB. A voltage Vcc is applied to one end of resistive film MA via resistor RS, and the other end is grounded via an ammeter. Similarly, a voltage Vcc is applied to one end of resistive film MB via resistor RL, and it is grounded via a voltmeter. Here, if the total resistance of resistive films MA and MB is RM, then RL >> RM >> RS.

[0028] First, as shown in Figure 2, 201, when there is no touch on the touch panel 20, the ammeter value is Ic (=Vcc / (RS+RM)). Here, RM is the total resistance of the resistive film MA. The voltmeter value remains Vcc.

[0029] When there is a single touch on the touch panel 20, the value of the ammeter is the same as when there is no touch, i.e., Ic (= Vcc / (RS + RM)). On the other hand, the value of the voltmeter indicates the voltage V1 (< Vcc) based on the touched position.

[0030] Also, when there are two touches (Qa, Qb) on the touch panel 20 as shown in 202 of FIG. 2, the value of the ammeter is as follows. Let Ra be the resistance from the side where the voltage Vcc is applied to the touch position Qa in the resistive film MA, R2 be the resistance from the touch position Qa to the touch position Qb, and Rb be the resistance from the touch position Qb to the ground side. At the touch positions Qa and Qb, since the resistive film MA and the resistive film MB are in contact, the resistance R2 is in parallel from the touch position Qa to the touch position Qb. Therefore, the value of the ammeter is Ic2 = Vcc / (RS + Ra + R2 / 2 + Rb). Here, since Ra + R2 + Rb = RM and Ic = Vcc / (RS + RM), Ic2 = Vcc / (RS + RM - R2 / 2) > Ic.

[0031] Therefore, Ic2 becomes a value larger than Ic. Thus, the touch determination unit 11 can determine whether there is a touch by acquiring the change in the voltage value, and further, by acquiring the change in the current value, it can determine whether there has been a change from a single touch to a two - touch or from a two - touch to a single touch. For example, the touch determination unit 11 can determine whether there has been a change from a single touch to a two - touch or from a two - touch to a single touch by determining whether the change in the current value exceeds a threshold value.

[0032] When the touch detection unit 11 determines that there has been a change from a one-point touch to a two-point touch, or from a two-point touch to a one-point touch, the touch processing unit 12 does not output the touch position calculated by the touch position calculation unit 13 directly to the external application processing unit 30. Instead, it first outputs a signal (information) indicating that the touch has been released, i.e., that the touch has been released, and then outputs the coordinates of the changed touch position. The touch processing unit 12 may output the coordinates of the changed touch position several cycles after outputting the signal indicating that the touch has been released. Alternatively, it may output the coordinates of the changed touch position after a predetermined time (for example, several milliseconds) has elapsed after outputting the signal indicating that the touch has been released. The cycle referred to here is the cycle in which the touch panel controller 10 performs touch detection and outputs the coordinates of the touch position, as described above.

[0033] For example, if the touch detection unit 11 determines that there has been a change from a one-point touch to a two-point touch, the touch processing unit 12 does not simply output the coordinates of the two-point touch immediately after the coordinates of the one-point touch that the touch position calculation unit 13 had calculated up to that point. Instead, it first outputs a signal indicating that the touch has been released, and then outputs the coordinates of the two-point touch.

[0034] Furthermore, if the touch detection unit 11 determines that there has been a change from a two-point touch to a one-point touch, the touch processing unit 12 does not simply output the coordinates of the one-point touch immediately following the coordinates of the two-point touch that the touch position calculation unit 13 had calculated up to that point. Instead, it first outputs a signal indicating that the touch has been released, and then outputs the coordinates of the one-point touch.

[0035] The touch position calculation unit 13 calculates the touch position on the touch panel 20. More specifically, in the case of a single-point touch, the touch position calculation unit 13 calculates the touch position using the voltage value measured by the voltmeter shown in Figure 2. This is because, in the case of a single-point touch, the voltage value is based on the touch position.

[0036] Furthermore, in the case of a two-point touch, the touch position calculation unit 13 calculates the touch position using the current value measured by the ammeter and the voltage value measured by the voltmeter shown in Figure 2. In the case of a two-point touch, the voltage value indicates the midpoint of the two touched points.

[0037] The touch panel control unit 14 controls the voltage supplied to the touch panel 20, etc., to enable the detection of touches on the touch panel 20. Since the control of the touch panel 20 can be done using known techniques, a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0038] The application processing unit 30 processes the application displayed on the touch panel 20. The application processed by the application processing unit 30 can be of any kind, and various processes are executed based on the touch position output from the touch panel controller 10.

[0039] [Processing flow in the touch panel controller 10] Next, the processing flow in the touch panel controller 10 will be explained with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the processing flow in the touch panel controller 10.

[0040] As shown in Figure 3, when the touch panel controller 10 detects a touch on the touch panel 20 (YES in S101), the touch position calculation unit 13 determines whether it is a single-point touch or not (S102). If it is a single-point touch (YES in S102), it calculates the coordinates of the single-point touch position (S103). If it is not a single-point touch (NO in S102), it proceeds to step S107, which will be described later. The touch panel controller 10 then outputs the calculated coordinates (touch position) to the application processing unit 30 (S104).

[0041] In this state, if the touch detection unit 11 determines that there is another touch (YES in S105, touch detection step), the touch processing unit 12 outputs a signal indicating that the first touch has been released, that is, that the touch has been released (S106, touch processing step). Then, the touch position calculation unit 13 calculates the coordinates of the two touch positions (S107). After that, the touch panel controller 10 outputs the calculated coordinates of the two points (S108).

[0042] Furthermore, if the touch detection unit 11 determines that the touch has been changed to a single-point touch (YES in S109, touch detection step), the touch processing unit 12 determines that the two-point touch has been released. That is, it outputs a signal indicating that both points of touch have been released (S110, touch processing step). The touch position calculation unit 13 then calculates the coordinates of the single point that is being touched (S111). After that, the touch panel controller 10 outputs the calculated coordinates of the single point (S112). After that, the process returns to step S105.

[0043] On the other hand, if there is no other touch in step S105 (NO in S105) and the touch is released (YES in S121), a signal indicating that the touch has been released is output (S122), and the process returns to step S101.

[0044] Furthermore, if the touch is not changed to a single-point touch in step S109 (NO in S109), and both points are released from touch (YES in S131), a signal indicating that both points have been released from touch is output (S132), and the process returns to step S101.

[0045] The above describes the processing flow in the touch panel controller 10.

[0046] As described above, the touch panel controller 10 according to this embodiment is a touch panel controller 10 that detects touches on a resistive touch panel 20 and outputs the detected touch position. The touch panel controller 10 includes a touch determination unit 11 that determines whether there has been a change from one touch to two touches, or from two touches to one touch, and a touch processing unit 12 that, if the touch determination unit 11 determines that the touches on the touch panel have changed from one touch to two touches, or from two touches to one touch, outputs a signal indicating that all touches have been released, and then outputs the changed touch position.

[0047] According to the above configuration, if a two-point touch is detected after a one-point touch has been detected, the touch positions of the two-point touch are not output immediately. Instead, the system first assumes that the touch has been released. After that, the coordinates of the two points of the two-point touch are output.

[0048] This eliminates the impact of changes in the coordinates of the first point, so the application receiving the output will only perform processing based on the coordinates of the two-point touch. Therefore, it can reduce unintended actions that may occur when switching from a one-point touch to a two-point touch.

[0049] Similarly, if a single touch is detected after a two-point touch has been detected, even if one of the two touches is still active, the touch position of the single touch will not be output. Instead, the system will treat it as if both touches have been released. After that, the coordinates of the single touch will be output.

[0050] This eliminates the impact of changes in touch coordinates when switching from two-point touch to one-point touch, so the application receiving the output will only perform processing based on the coordinates of the one-point touch. Therefore, it can reduce unintended behavior that may occur when switching from two-point touch to one-point touch.

[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, unintended actions by the user can be mitigated solely by the processing of the touch panel controller 10, eliminating the need for specific processing in the application that receives the coordinate output. Therefore, unintended actions by the user can be mitigated while continuing to use conventional applications.

[0052] [Examples of implementation using software] The functions of the touch panel controller 10 (hereinafter referred to as "device") are programs that cause the device to function as a computer, and can be realized by programs that cause the computer to function as each control block of the device (particularly the touch detection unit 11, the touch processing unit 12, the touch position calculation unit 13, and the touch panel control unit 14).

[0053] In this case, the device includes a computer having at least one control device (e.g., a processor) and at least one storage device (e.g., memory) as hardware for executing the program. By executing the program using this control device and storage device, each of the functions described in the above embodiment is realized.

[0054] The program may be recorded on one or more computer-readable recording media, not temporary ones. These recording media may or may not be provided by the device. In the latter case, the program may be supplied to the device via any wired or wireless transmission medium.

[0055] Furthermore, some or all of the functions of each control block can also be implemented by logic circuits. For example, an integrated circuit in which logic circuits functioning as each of the control blocks are formed is also included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, it is also possible to implement the functions of each control block using, for example, a quantum computer.

[0056] Furthermore, each of the processes described in the above embodiments may be performed by AI (Artificial Intelligence). In this case, the AI ​​may operate on the control device, or it may operate on other devices (for example, an edge computer or a cloud server).

[0057] 〔summary〕 A touch panel controller according to embodiment 1 of the present invention is a touch panel controller that detects touches on a resistive touch panel and outputs the detected touch position, comprising: a touch determination unit that determines whether or not there has been a change in the touch on the touch panel from one point to two points, or from two points to one point; and a touch processing unit that, when the touch determination unit determines that the touch on the touch panel has been changed from one point to two points, or from two points to one point, outputs a signal indicating that all touches have been released, and then outputs the changed touch position.

[0058] In the touch panel controller according to embodiment 2 of the present invention, in embodiment 1, the detection and output of the touch position are performed in a predetermined cycle, and the touch processing unit outputs the modified touch position several cycles after outputting the signal.

[0059] In the touch panel controller according to embodiment 3 of the present invention, in embodiment 1, the touch processing unit outputs the changed touch position after a predetermined time has elapsed since outputting the signal.

[0060] A touch panel system according to aspect 4 of the present invention includes a touch panel controller and a resistive touch panel on which touch is detected by the touch panel controller.

[0061] A control method for a touch panel controller according to aspect 5 of the present invention includes a touch determination step in which the touch panel controller detects a touch on a resistive touch panel and outputs the detected touch position, and determines whether the touch on the touch panel has changed from one point to two points, or from two points to one point, and a touch processing step in which, if the touch determination step determines that the touch on the touch panel has changed from one point to two points, or from two points to one point, outputs a signal indicating that all touches have been released, and then outputs the changed touch position.

[0062] Each aspect of the present invention may be implemented by a computer, in which case a control program for the touch panel controller that enables the computer to implement the touch panel controller by operating the computer as each part (software element) of the touch panel controller, and a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded, also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0063] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, new technical features can be formed by combining the technical means disclosed in each embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1. Touch panel system 10 Touch panel controller 11 Touch detection unit 12 Touch Processing Unit 13 Touch position calculation unit 14 Touch Panel Control Unit 20 Touch Panel 30 Application Processing Unit

Claims

1. A touch panel controller comprising a touch processing unit that detects a single-point touch on a resistive touch panel, outputs the position of the detected single-point touch, and detects a two-point touch, outputs the positions of the two detected points, The system includes a touch detection unit that determines whether or not there has been a change in the number of touches on the touch panel from one point to two points, or from two points to one point. The aforementioned touch processing unit, When the touch detection unit determines that the touch on the touch panel has changed from one point to two points, it outputs a signal indicating that all touches have been removed, and then outputs the two changed touch positions. A touch panel controller that, when the touch detection unit determines that the touch on the touch panel has changed from two points to one point, outputs a signal indicating that all touches have been removed, and then outputs the changed single-point touch position.

2. The detection and output of the touch position are performed in a predetermined cycle. The touch processing unit outputs the modified touch position several cycles after outputting the signal, as described in claim 1, for the touch panel controller.

3. The touch processing unit outputs the changed touch position after a predetermined time has elapsed since outputting the signal, as described in claim 1.

4. A touch panel controller according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A touch panel system including a resistive touch panel on which a touch is detected by the aforementioned touch panel controller.

5. A method for controlling a touch panel controller, A touch processing step that, when a single touch is detected on a resistive touch panel, outputs the position of the detected single touch, and when a two-point touch is detected, outputs the positions of the two detected touches. The step includes determining whether the touch on the touch panel has changed from one point to two points, or from two points to one point, In the aforementioned touch processing step, If the touch detection step determines that the touch on the touch panel has changed from one point to two points, a signal indicating that all touches have been removed is output, and then the two changed touch positions are output. A control method for a touch panel controller, in which, if it is determined in the touch detection step that the touch on the touch panel has changed from two points to one point, a signal indicating that all touches have been removed is output, and then the changed single-point touch position is output.

6. A control program for causing a computer to function as a touch panel controller according to claim 1, wherein the control program causes the computer to function as the touch detection unit and the touch processing unit.

7. A computer-readable recording medium that stores the control program described in claim 6.

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