U.S. patent application number 12/892019 was filed with the patent office on 2011-03-31 for information input display apparatus, information processing method and computer program.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sony Corporation. Invention is credited to Koji Ozaki.
Application Number | 20110074720 12/892019 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36950310 |
Filed Date | 2011-03-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110074720 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ozaki; Koji |
March 31, 2011 |
INFORMATION INPUT DISPLAY APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD
AND COMPUTER PROGRAM
Abstract
An information input display apparatus is provided. The
apparatus includes: an information display unit formed with a
flexible material; an information input unit provided at a back of
the information display unit and including keys onto which input of
data is performed with a pressing-down process involving a
deformation of the information display unit; and a control unit
adapted to perform control processing of display information
supplied to the information display unit, and key setting
processing such that a key of the information input unit at a
position corresponding to a data input portion contained in the
display information is set as an information input key
corresponding to the displayed data input portion.
Inventors: |
Ozaki; Koji; (Kanagawa,
JP) |
Assignee: |
Sony Corporation
|
Family ID: |
36950310 |
Appl. No.: |
12/892019 |
Filed: |
September 28, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11498105 |
Aug 3, 2006 |
7817144 |
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12892019 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
345/173 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/0412
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/173 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/041 20060101
G06F003/041 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 5, 2005 |
JP |
2005-227517 |
Claims
1. An information input display apparatus comprising: an
information display unit formed with a flexible material; an
information input unit provided at a back of the information
display unit and including keys onto which input of data is
performed with a pressing-down process involving a deformation of
the information display unit; and a control unit adapted to perform
control processing of display information supplied to the
information display unit, and key setting processing such that a
key of the information input unit at a position corresponding to a
data input portion contained in the display information is set as
an information input key corresponding to the displayed data input
portion.
2. The information input display apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein: the information input unit includes a key matrix including
more than one information input key; and the control unit is
configured to set plural keys of the information input unit, which
is disposed at a position corresponding to a data input portion
contained in the display information of the information display
unit, as an information input keys corresponding to the displayed
data input portion.
3. The information input display apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein: the information input unit includes a key matrix including
more than one information input key; and the control unit is
configured to set plural keys of the information input unit, which
is disposed at a position corresponding to a data input portion
contained in the display information of the information display
unit, as an information input keys corresponding to the displayed
data input portion, and execute a process to invalidate one or more
keys not corresponding to the data input portion.
4. The information input display apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein: the information display unit is configured to allow
display of the display information requiring no power supply; and
the control unit is configured to perform display processing for
displaying display information requiring no power supply if the
power is turned off.
5. The information input display apparatus according to claim 4,
wherein: the control unit is configured to perform display
processing for displaying display information indicating a power-on
switch as the display information requiring no power supply if the
power is turned off.
6. The information input display apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein: the control unit is configured to perform processing for
changing a display mode of the data input portion if pressing-down
of a key is detected, the key being included in the information
input unit and disposed at the position corresponding to the
displayed data input portion on the information display unit.
7. An information processing method comprising: performing display
control processing of display information supplied to an
information display unit, the information display unit and an
information input unit being stacked on one another and forming an
information input/display apparatus, the information input unit
including keys for data input, the keys being formed on the back of
the information display unit; performing key setting processing
such that a key of the information input unit at a position
corresponding to a data input portion contained in the display
information is set as an information input key corresponding to the
displayed data input portion; and performing operation detection
processing for detecting input of information, the input being
performed by pressing one of the information input keys with
deformation of the information display unit.
8. The information processing method according to claim 7, wherein:
the information input unit includes a key matrix including more
than one information-input key; and the key setting processing sets
plural keys of the information input unit, which is disposed at a
position corresponding to a data input portion contained in the
display information of the information display unit, as an
information input keys corresponding to the displayed data input
portion.
9. The information processing method according to claim 7, wherein:
the information input unit includes a key matrix including more
than one information input key; and the key setting processing sets
plural keys of the information input unit, which is disposed at a
position corresponding to a data input portion contained in the
display information of the information display unit, as an
information input keys corresponding to the displayed data input
portion, and execute a process to invalidate one or more keys not
corresponding to the data input portion.
10. The information processing method according to claim 7,
wherein: the information display unit is configured to allow
display of the display information requiring no power supply; and
the information processing method further includes performing of
display processing for displaying display information requiring no
power supply if the power is turned off.
11. The information processing method according to claim 10,
further comprising: performing display processing for displaying
display information indicating a power-on switch as the display
information requiring no power supply if the power is turned
off.
12. The information processing method according to claim 7, further
comprising: performing processing for changing a display mode of
the data input portion if pressing-down of a key is detected, the
key being included in the information input unit and disposed at
the position corresponding to the displayed data input portion on
the information display unit.
13. A computer program adapted to perform, on a computer,
processing applicable to an information input display unit, the
computer program comprising: performing display control processing
of display information supplied to an information display unit, the
information display unit and an information input unit being
stacked on one another and forming the information input display
unit, the information input unit including keys for data input, the
keys being formed on the back of the information display unit;
performing key setting processing such that a key of the
information input unit at a position corresponding to a data input
portion contained in the display information is set as an
information input key corresponding to the displayed data input
portion; and performing operation detection processing for
detecting input of information, the input being performed by
pressing one of the information input keys with deformation of the
information display unit.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an information input and
display apparatus, an information processing method, and a computer
program. More specifically, the present invention relates to an
information input and display apparatus (below, referred to as
information input/display apparatus), an information processing
method and a computer program that are all adaptable to realize
both of input of information capable of improving ease of user's
operation and display of information capable of enhancing
visibility.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Arts
[0004] An information input/display apparatus having both of an
information input unit and an information display unit has been
used as one of user interfaces in various types of information
processing apparatuses. Use of the information input display
apparatus providing both of a data display function and a data
input function is required for an operating unit etc. of an
apparatus such as a bank terminal, a ticket machine, a copying
machine and a facsimile apparatus, in addition to an electronic
apparatus such as a digital camera, a display apparatus and an
image recording/reproducing apparatus, for instance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] As one example of the information input/display apparatus of
this type, there is an apparatus including a liquid crystal display
apparatus with a touch panel functionality to be used as an input
unit. However, the information input display apparatus of this type
is adapted to detect input of information when a user touch a hard
panel. Accordingly, some erroneous input may happen even when
user's cloth has just touched the touch panel screen. Further, this
information input/display apparatus uses the touch with a user's
finger to perform the input of information. Such an input operation
may not provide a user with much sense of actual operation, and the
user may not be able to feel that the input of information is
completed. Japanese Patent Application Publication JP S59-131990
discloses an example of such technologies of the information
input/display apparatus of the type adapted for both of information
display and information input.
[0006] Further, in the information input/display apparatus, in a
case of a configuration having both of the information input unit
and the information display-unit needs to display information input
keys and display information in arrangement on a limited display
area, and is thus forced to take a measure of reducing a display
information size and/or a key size, resulting in an issue such that
the user may also find difficulty in viewing and operating the
display information and the information input keys.
[0007] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide, in a configuration
having both an information input unit and an information display
unit, an information input/display apparatus, an information
processing method and a computer program that are all adaptable to
realize input of information capable of improving ease of user's
operation and/or display of information capable of enhancing
visibility. The present invention has been undertaken in view of
the above issues.
[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, there is
provided an information input/display apparatus. The apparatus
includes: an information display unit formed with a flexible
material; an information input unit provided at a back of the
information display unit and including keys onto which input of
data is performed with a pressing-down process involving a
deformation of the information display unit; and a control unit
adapted to perform control processing of display information
supplied to the information display unit, and key setting
processing such that a key of the information input unit at a
position corresponding to a data input portion contained in the
display information is set as an information input key
corresponding to the displayed data input portion.
[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, there is
provided the information input/display apparatus configured such
that the information input unit includes a key matrix including
more than one information input key, and the control unit is
configured to set plural keys of the information input unit, which
is disposed at a position corresponding to a data input portion
contained in the display information of the information display
unit, as an information input keys corresponding to the displayed
data input portion.
[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, there is
provided the information input/display apparatus configured such
that the information input unit includes a key matrix including
more than one information input key, and the control unit is
configured to set plural keys of the information input unit, which
is disposed at a position corresponding to a data input portion
contained in the display information of the information display
unit, as an information input keys corresponding to the displayed
data input portion, and execute a process to invalidate one or more
keys not corresponding to the data input portion.
[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, there is
provided the information input/display apparatus configured such
that the information display unit is configured to allow display of
the display information requiring no power supply, and the control
unit is configured to perform display processing for displaying
display information requiring no power supply if the power is
turned off.
[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, there is
provided the information input/display apparatus configured such
that the control unit is configured to perform display processing
for displaying display information indicating a power-on switch as
the display information requiring no power supply if the power is
turned off.
[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, there is
provided the information input/display apparatus configured such
that the control unit is configured to perform processing for
changing a display mode of the data input portion if pressing-down
of a key is detected, the key being included in the information
input unit and disposed at the position corresponding to the
displayed data input portion on the information display unit.
[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, an information
processing method is provided. The method includes: performing
display control processing of display information supplied to an
information display unit, the information display unit and an
information input unit being stacked on one another and forming an
information input/display apparatus, the information input unit
including keys for data input, the keys being formed on the back of
the information display unit; performing key setting processing
such that a key of the information input unit at a position
corresponding to a data input portion contained in the display
information is set as an information input key corresponding to the
displayed data input portion; and performing operation detection
processing for detecting input of information, the input being
performed by pressing one of the information input keys with
deformation of the information display unit.
[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, there is
provided the information processing method configured such that the
information input unit includes a key matrix including more than
one information input key; and the key setting processing sets
plural keys of the information input unit, which is disposed at a
position corresponding to a data input portion contained in the
display information of the information display unit, as an
information input keys corresponding to the displayed data input
portion.
[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, there is
provided the information processing method configured such that the
information input unit includes a key matrix including more than
one information input key; and the key setting processing sets
plural keys of the information input unit, which is disposed at a
position corresponding to a data input portion contained in the
display information of the information display unit, as an
information input keys corresponding to the displayed data input
portion, and execute a process to invalidate one or more keys not
corresponding to the data input portion.
[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, there is
provided the information processing method configured such that the
information display unit is configured to allow display of the
display information requiring no power supply; and the information
processing method further performs display processing for
displaying display information requiring no power supply if the
power is turned off.
[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, there is
provided the information processing method configured such that the
information processing method further includes performing of
display processing for displaying display information indicating a
power-on switch as the display information requiring no power
supply if the power is turned off.
[0019] In one embodiment of the present invention, there is
provided the information processing apparatus configured such that
the information processing method further includes performing of
processing for changing a display mode of the data input portion if
pressing-down of a key is detected, the key being included in the
information input unit and disposed at the position corresponding
to the displayed data input portion on the information display
unit.
[0020] In one embodiment of the present invention, there is
provided a computer program adapted to perform, on a computer,
processing applicable to an information input display unit. The
computer program includes: performing display control processing of
display information supplied to an information display unit, the
information display unit and an information input unit being
stacked on one another and forming the information input display
unit, the information input unit including keys for data input, the
keys being formed on the back of the information display unit;
performing key setting processing such that a key of the
information input unit at a position corresponding to a data input
portion contained in the display information is set as an
information input key corresponding to the displayed data input
portion; and performing operation detection processing for
detecting input of information, the input being performed by
pressing one of the information input keys with deformation of the
information display unit.
[0021] It should be noted that the computer program of the present
invention is specified as a computer program adaptable to be
provided, for a general-purpose computer system allowing various
types of program codes to run, through a storage medium or a
communication medium provided in a computer readable form, or a
storage medium such as a CD, a FD and a MO or a communication
medium such as a network. Use of the above type of computer program
provided in the computer readable form permits the processing
suited to the program to be implemented on the computer system.
[0022] It should also be noted that the system referred to in the
present specification is specified as more than one logical
aggregate of apparatuses, and is not limited to a system of a type
requiring that the apparatuses in each logical aggregate be
installed in the same casing.
[0023] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there
is provided an information input display apparatus including: an
information display unit formed with a flexible material; an
information input unit provided at a back of the information
display unit and including keys onto which input of data is
performed with a pressing-down process involving a deformation of
the information display unit; and a control unit adapted to perform
control processing of display information supplied to the
information display unit, and key setting processing such that a
key of the information input unit at a position corresponding to a
data input portion contained in the display information is set as
an information input key corresponding to the displayed data input
portion.
[0024] Accordingly, the information input display apparatus
according to the present embodiment enables a user to make the
input of data by pressing-down action that involves deformation of
the information display unit, thereby allowing the user to confirm,
along with a sense of higher operability, that the input of data is
completed.
[0025] Further, the information input display apparatus of the
present embodiment enables to prevent the user from performing
incorrect information input operation as much as possible by
selecting only valid keys, which are keys to be used in the current
operation mode, depending on content of the information display
unit, and making those keys available for information input while
setting the other keys as invalid keys.
[0026] Furthermore, the embodiments of the present invention are
capable of improving ease of operation and visibility through
effective use of a limited display area without taking any measure
to reduce a displayed character size and the like.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] The features and advantages of the present invention will
become more apparent in the following description of embodiments of
the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
in which:
[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates one configuration of an information
input/display apparatus according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates one manner of using the information
input/display apparatus according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0030] FIG. 3 illustrates one example of display on the information
input/display apparatus according to one embodiment of the present
invention, together with an example of utilizing the example of
display;
[0031] FIG. 4 illustrates another example of display on the
information input/display apparatus according to one embodiment of
the present invention, together with an example of utilizing the
another example of display;
[0032] FIG. 5 illustrates another example of display on the
information input/display apparatus according to one embodiment of
the present invention, together with an example of utilizing the
another example of display;
[0033] FIG. 6 illustrates another example of display in a case of
applying the information input/display apparatus according to one
embodiment of the present invention to a digital camera, together
with an example of utilizing the another example of display;
[0034] FIG. 7 illustrates another example of display in the case of
applying the information input/display apparatus according to one
embodiment of the present invention to a digital camera, together
with an example of utilizing the another example of display;
[0035] FIG. 8 is a flowchart that describes a processing sequence
in the case of applying the information input/display apparatus
according to one embodiment of the present invention to a digital
camera; and
[0036] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing one hardware configuration
in the case of applying the information input/display apparatus
according to one embodiment of the present invention to a digital
camera.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0037] An information input display apparatus, an information
processing method and a computer program according to the present
invention are now described in detail with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
[0038] One configuration and processing of the information input
display apparatus (referred to as information input/display
apparatus below) in an embodiment of the present invention are
described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 illustrates an
information input/display apparatus 100 in the present embodiment.
In FIG. 1, FIG. 1(a) is a front plan view of an information input
display unit, and FIG. 1(b) is a sectional view (a section taken on
line A-B in FIG. 1(a)) of the information input display unit.
[0039] The information input/display apparatus 100 in FIG. 1(a)
provides display of information input keys [A to R] as they are as
one of information display forms. However, information input key
display data is subject to change depending on operation modes.
Such processing will be described later. As shown in the sectional
view of FIG. 1(b), the information input/display apparatus 100 is
configured in form of a device provided with an information display
unit 102 in front of information input keys 101.
[0040] An example of operating the information input keys 101 is
described with reference to FIG. 2. Like FIG. 1, FIG. 2 also
includes FIG. 2(a) that is a front plan view of the information
input display unit, and FIG. 2(b) that is a sectional view (a
section taken on line A-B in FIG. 2(a)) of the information input
display unit. In FIG. 2, there is shown the information input
display unit in a mode where a user presses an information input
key 101 down. As shown in the sectional view of FIG. 2(b), the
information input/display apparatus 100 takes a structure allowing
a deformation of the information display unit 102 when the user
makes input of information by pressing down any information input
key 101. As shown in FIG. 2(b), a contact pressure given by
contacting with a user's finger causes the information display unit
102 at a top of the pressed information input key 101 to be changed
into a concave-shaped deformed portion 103.
[0041] When making the input of information through the information
input keys 101, the user applies the contact pressure to the target
information input key 101 at a back of the information display unit
102 by pushing in the information display unit 102 formed with a
flexible material. The information input keys 101 are preferably
necessary to be provided in form of keys that may be displaced or
deformed through an operation of a switch such as a mechanical
switch and a membrane switch, for instance.
[0042] When the user operates the information input keys 101 in the
above manner, the information input/display apparatus 100 causes
the user to make such a deformation processing action as to change
the information display unit 102 at the top of the pressed
information input key 101 into the concave-shaped deformed portion
103. Accordingly, the user engaged in operating the information
input/display apparatus 100 is allowed to obtain a sense of
operability with assurance that the pressing-down is surely
performed on the target information input key 101 and that the
input of information is surely performed.
[0043] In a case of an input unit of related art involving use of a
hard panel, the user finds difficulty in confirming whether or not
the input of information is completed through the touch. On the
other hand, according to the configuration of the present
embodiment, the information display unit 102 is subject to the
deformation, causing the pressed information input key 101 to be
displaced or deformed, permitting the user to confirm by the touch
whether or not the input of information is completed. The
information input keys 101 are preferably necessary to take a
switch configuration based on the mechanical switch or the membrane
switch etc. as described the above, or a switch configuration
providing a certain degree of displacement or deformation through
the pressing-down given by the user.
[0044] The information display unit 102 is formed with the flexible
material adaptable to be deformed by the contact pressure given by
the contact with the user. The information display unit 102 is
available in form of an organic EL display, an inorganic EL display
or an electrophoresis-type electronic paper etc. that has been
progressively developed in recent years. It should be noted that a
technology on the electrophoresis-type electronic paper is
described in Japanese Patent Application Publication 2004-45644,
for instance. In the present embodiment, it does not matter whether
or not a display on the information display unit 102 is provided in
a color or monochromatic display.
[0045] Display information on the information display unit 102 is
subject to change depending on a mode of use of the display
information. Further, setting of input information assigned to each
of the information input keys 101 also changes depending on the
mode of use of the information input keys.
[0046] An example of change in the display of the information
display unit 102 and an example of change in the setting of the
information input keys 101 are described with reference to infra
FIG. 3.
[0047] FIG. 3(a) illustrates an example of display. The illustrated
example of display provides one information display adapted to
permit the user to select one item out of four choices, "Sepia",
"Monochromatic", "Plain" and "Unchanged". In this information
display, each display area of four input portions, a "Sepia" input
portion 201, a "Monochromatic" input portion 202, a "Plain" input
portion 203 and an "Unchanged" input portion 204, is given as an
area having a correspondence with two information input keys.
[0048] FIG. 3(b) is a view showing the information input keys
corresponding to the display areas of the four input portions, the
"Sepia" input portion 201, the "Monochromatic" input portion 202,
the "Plain" input portion 203, and the "Unchanged" input portion
204. To illustrate relationships between the display areas and the
information input keys, these display areas are shown without any
displayed characters.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 3(b), key assignment is made as follow. The
information input keys [G] and [H] are assigned to the "Sepia"
input portion 201, those [I] and [J]are assigned to the
"Monochromatic" input portion 202, those [K] and [L] are assigned
to the "Plain" input portion 203, and those [M] and [N] are
assigned to the "Unchanged" input portion 204.
[0050] When operating the "Sepia" input portion 201, for instance,
pressing down of either the information input key [G] or [H] causes
information of "Sepia" to be inputted as selected information. When
operating other input portions, pressing down of either one
assigned key or the other also causes input of selected information
to be performed. The information input keys A to F and O to R
having no correspondence with any input portions are set as invalid
keys ensuring that pressing down of any of these keys causes no
input of information.
[0051] As described the above, the information input display
apparatus of the present embodiment enables effective use of a
limited display area by changing the setting of the information
input keys according to the change of display contents on the
information display unit, permitting improvement of operability,
together with enhancement of visibility, to be attained without
taking any measure of reducing a displayed character size and the
like.
[0052] Some display forms and key settings different from those
shown in FIG. 3 are described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. An
illustrated example of display in FIG. 4(a) provides one
information display adapted to permit the user to select an image
size, specifically, one item out of two choices, "640.times.480"
and "1280.times.960". In this information display, the setting of
the information input keys is given such that four information
input keys are respectively set to correspond with each display
area of two input portions, a "640.times.480" input portion 211 and
a "1280.times.960" input portion 212.
[0053] FIG. 4(b) is a view showing the information input keys
corresponding to the display areas of the two input portions, the
"640.times.480" input portion 211 and the "1280.times.960" input
portion 212. To illustrate the relationship between the display
area and the information input key, these display areas are shown
without any displayed character.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 4(b), the key assignment is made,
specifically, the information input keys [H], [I], [J] and [K] are
assigned to the "640.times.480" input portion 211, and those [N],
[0], [P] and [Q] are assigned to the "1280.times.960" input portion
212.
[0055] When operating the "640.times.480" input portion 211, for
instance, pressing down of any of the information input keys [H],
[I], [J] and [K] causes information of "640.times.480" to be
inputted as the selected information. When operating the other
input portions, pressing down of any of four assigned keys also
causes the input of selected information to be performed. The
information input keys A to F and Q L, M and R having no
correspondence with any input portion are set as invalid keys,
thereby ensuring that the pressing down of any of these keys causes
no input of information.
[0056] An illustrated example of display in FIG. 5(a) provides one
information display adapted to permit the user to select any of
numbers ranging from 0 to 9. In this information display example,
ten input portions adapted for selection of the numbers ranging
from 0 to 9 and a "Stop" input portion 221 are set. Thus, the
setting of the information input keys is given such that the ten
information input keys are individually set to have one-to-one
correspondence with the ten input portions adapted for selection of
the numbers ranging from 0 to 9, while the two information input
keys are set to correspond with the "Stop" input portion 221.
[0057] FIG. 5(b) is a view showing the information input keys
corresponding to the display areas of the ten input portions
adapted for selection of the numbers ranging from 0 to 9 and the
"Stop" input portion 221. To illustrate the relationship between
the display area and the information input key, these display areas
are shown without any displayed characters.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 5(b), the key assignment is made as follow.
The information input keys [G] to [K] and [M] to [Q] are assigned
to the ten input portions adapted for selection of the numbers
ranging from 0 to 9. The information input keys [L] and [R] are
assigned to the "Stop" input portion 221.
[0059] As described the above, the information input display
apparatus according to the present embodiment permits the
information input key setting to be changed into various forms
according to the change of the display content on the information
display unit, thereby preventing a user from making an error when
information is input as much as possible. In the present
embodiment, the user is allowed to select only the valid keys,
which are available for selection in the current operation. Each of
the valid keys is set to a corresponding information input value
depending on the display content on the information display unit.
The other keys are set as the invalid keys. Accordingly, the
information input/display apparatus according to the present
embodiment is capable of improving ease of operation and visibility
through effective use of a limited display area without taking any
measure to reduce a displayed character size and the like.
[0060] As one embodiment involving use of the information
input/display apparatus of the present embodiment, one application
of this information input/display apparatus to a digital camera is
described with reference to FIG. 6. FIGS. 6 (a) to (d) all show a
back face of the digital camera, wherein the back face of the
digital camera has an information input display unit having the
above configuration.
[0061] FIG. 6(a) shows the back face of the digital camera in a
mode where power to an information input display unit 301 is off. A
non-volatile display unit requiring no power supply to maintain the
information display is adapted to display, on the information input
display unit 301, a "Power On" input portion 302 serving as input
means or a switch for turning on the power. In the backside of a
display area of the input portion 302, there is provided with the
information input key, and this information input key is given
setting as a power on/off control switch. The display of the "Power
On" input portion 302 helps the user to judge if the power is
off.
[0062] FIG. 6(b) shows the back face of the digital camera in a
mode where the turning on of the power of the information input
display unit 301 provides the display of an image. For instance, a
captured image may be displayed on a prescribed image display area
321 contained in the information input display unit 301. Further, a
"Power Off" input portion 322 serving as input means or a switch
for switching off the power is displayed on the information input
display unit 301. In the backside of the display area of the "Power
Off" input portion 322, there is provided with the information
input key, and this information input key is given setting as the
power on/off control switch. The display of the "Power Off" input
portion 322 permits the user to judge if the power is on. Further,
a shutter information display portion 323 serving as display
information and indicating a shutter position is displayed on the
information input display unit 301. The shutter information display
portion 323 may be used as an operation guide for the user.
[0063] FIG. 6(c) shows the back face of the digital camera in a
mode where a menu display is on the information input display unit
301. This menu display is that being equivalent to one example of
display previously described with reference to FIG. 3,
specifically, provides one information display adapted to permit
the user to select one item out of the four choices, "Sepia",
"Monochromatic", "Plain" and "Unchanged". In this information
display, each display area of four input portions, a "Sepia" input
portion 331, a "Monochromatic" input portion 332, a "Plain" input
portion 333 and an "Unchanged" input portion 334, is given as the
area having the correspondence with the two information input keys,
for instance, as previously described with reference to FIG. 3.
[0064] When the information input display unit 301 is in the menu
display mode, no display of the power on/off control switch is
made. This menu display mode is a mode in which switching-off of
the power is undesirable, and in this case, no display of the power
on/off control switch is made. Further, the information input key
at the back of the input portion or the switch for on/off
controlling the power as shown in FIGS. 6(a) and (b) is set as the
invalid key.
[0065] FIG. 6(d) shows one example of display provided in a case
where the "Unchanged" input portion 334 are selected and pressed by
the user when the information input display unit is in the menu
display mode. A change of a display mode such as a display color of
the pressed input portion permits the user to visually recognize
that user's input is accepted.
[0066] It should be noted that the information input/display
apparatus of the present invention is also available in combination
with information input keys of related art, with the exception of
any one of input functions from the above information input/display
apparatus. When the information input/display apparatus is used in
combination with the information input keys of related art, an
information input key function needs to be displayed at a position
that permits the user to recognize the displayed information input
key function to be one related to the information input key of
related art. FIG. 7 shows one digital camera having a typical
display 351 and a fixed-type switch 352, for instance.
[0067] The fixed-type switch 352 is a power on/off switch. In the
illustrated digital camera, a display unit 353 is set in the
neighborhood of the power on/off switch 352 to perform, depending
on a switch mode (ON/OFF), non-volatile display requiring no power
supply.
[0068] Although not shown, it is also possible to provide the
non-volatile display by using more than one non-volatile display
unit for a plurality of information input keys. In this case, a
portion of the display unit corresponding to the plurality of
information input keys is caused to make a display in such a way
that the user may understand which information input key is
displayed. For example, an arrow or the like may point the
information input key.
[0069] One processing sequence in the case of applying the
information input/display apparatus of the present embodiment to
the digital camera is described with reference to a flowchart of
FIG. 8. First, following the turning on of the power of the
apparatus, initialization of the apparatus is performed in Step
S101, and is followed by Step 102 for displaying a start-up display
by using the display unit of the information input/display
apparatus. Further, Step S103 follows to display, on a display, the
information input keys to be used for image capturing. In this
Step, after the display of the information input key such as a
shutter key, the information input key in the position having the
correspondence with each displayed input portion is set in
accordance with content of each displayed input portion.
[0070] In this processing of the present embodiment, the shutter
input portion, power input portion and other input portions are
assumed to be displayed. Furthermore, the information input key
corresponding to the display position of the input portion is set
as the information input key suited for the content of the
corresponding displayed input portion.
[0071] Next, it is judged, in Steps S104 and S105, whether or not
input operation is performed through any information input key.
When it is determined that none of the information input keys is
pressed down, readout of the information input key is executed
again (S105 (No).fwdarw.S104).
[0072] Conversely, when it is determined that the information input
key is pressed down (S105 (Yes)), a judgment on a type of the
pressed information input key takes place on and after Step S106.
When it is determined in the Step S106 that the pressed information
input key is the shutter key (S106 (Yes)), the processing goes on
to Step S107 for recording a captured image, and is followed by
Step S108 for performing updating etc. of a media status
display.
[0073] Conversely, when it is determined in the Step S106 that the
pressed information input key is not the shutter key (S106 (No)),
the processing goes on to Step S109. When it is determined in the
Step S109 that the pressed information input key is not the power
key (S109 (No)), the processing goes on to Step S112 for displaying
the information input key etc. to be operated after a transition to
a display suited to the operation. The menu display etc. previously
described with reference to FIG. 3, for instance, is adapted to the
processing in the Step S112.
[0074] Conversely, when it is determined in the Step S109 that the
pressed information input key is the power key (S109 (Yes)), the
processing goes on to Step S110 for displaying the power-on
information input key, and then the power is switched off through
the end processing of the apparatus in Step S111.
[0075] Next, one hardware configuration of a digital camera having
the information input/display apparatus of the present embodiment
is described with reference to FIG. 9. As shown in FIG. 9, an image
capturing apparatus includes an information input display unit 430
having information input and information display functions, in
addition to a lens 401, a solid-state imaging device or a CCD 402,
an A/D conversion unit 403, a digital signal processing unit 404, a
JPEG codec 405, a memory control unit 406, a RAM 407, a display
control unit 408, an encoder 409, a media control unit 410, a media
411, a DMAC (Direct Memory Access Controller) 412, a ROM 413, a RAM
414, and a control unit or a CPU 420. The information input display
unit 430 has an information input unit 431 having a key matrix
configuration, and an information display unit 432.
[0076] The digital signal processing unit 404 has a signal
processor, and this signal processor is adapted to perform
preliminarily programmed image processing after acquiring, through
the memory control unit 406, image data contained in the image RAM
407.
[0077] The control unit or the CPU 420 performs control of each
processing block, and is further adapted to perform processing such
as control of the display information on the information display
unit 432 contained in the information input display unit 430,
control of the information input key setting for the information
input unit 431, and information input or key reading based on the
operation of the information input keys. When the key operation of
the information input unit 431 is performed, a transmission of a
signal to the control unit or the CPU 420 is caused, permitting the
pressed information input key to be recognized for determination of
the input information according to the prescribed program. Further,
the control unit or the CPU 420 also controls the information
display unit 432 to update the display information.
[0078] One operation at the time of performing image capturing
processing is described. The control unit or the CPU 420 starts the
image capturing processing, for example, if the shutter key is
detected to be pressed down during a period where the input portion
corresponding to the shutter key is displayed on the information
display unit 432. The pressed shutter key may be detected by
detecting the pressing-down of the information input key at the
position corresponding to the display position of the shutter key's
input portion.
[0079] One sequence of the image capturing processing is described.
Incident light having reached the solid-state imaging device or the
CCD 402 firstly comes to each light-detecting device on an imaging
plane, and is then given photoelectric conversion into a electric
signal by the light detecting device. Then, this electric signal is
further converted, by the A/D conversion unit 403, into a digital
signal, which is then given digital signal processing by the
digital signal processing unit (DSP) 404, and stored in the RAM 407
through the memory control unit 406. Further, the data contained in
the RAM 407 is given compressed coding processing by the JPEG codec
405, and recorded on the recording media 411 such as a memory card
through the media control unit 410.
[0080] It should be noted that after the display control unit 408
provides analog signal conversion to the image data generated in
the digital signal processing unit 404, the encoder 409 performs
conversion of the analog signal into a video signal, which is then
outputted to the information display unit 432 contained in the
information input display unit, leading to the display of the video
signal as a monitor image. The overall data processing control as
described the above is performed by the CPU 420 functioning as the
control unit through memory access control of the DMAC 412 and
expansion of programs and data processing parameters in storage
areas of the ROM 413 and the RAM 414.
[0081] The display data on the information display unit 432
contained in the information input display unit 430 is properly
updated under control of the control unit or the CPU 420, and with
the updating of the display information, the setting of the
information input keys contained in the information input unit 431
is also properly updated. The control unit or the CPU 420 is also
adapted to perform this updating processing. Specifically, the
display processing and the key updating processing both previously
described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6 are supposed to satisfy
the above updating processing. Further, the control unit 420 is
also adapted to perform the information processing based on the
pressed information input key, after detecting the user's operation
based on the pressing-down of any information input keys contained
in the information input unit 431.
[0082] It should be noted that the information input display unit
430 is also available only with the function of the information
display unit 432 for application in the example of a unit having
the combination with a switch and/or display unit of related art,
as previously described with reference to FIG. 7.
[0083] Although the above embodiment has been described in relation
to one configuration applied to the digital camera, it is to be
noted that the information input/display apparatus of the present
invention is not limited to the application to the digital camera,
and it is also possible to apply this information input/display
apparatus to a display apparatus, an image reproducing apparatus,
an image recording apparatus, an image transmitting apparatus, an
image receiving apparatus, an image capturing apparatus, an audio
recording apparatus, an audio reproducing apparatus, an audio
receiving apparatus, an audio transmitting apparatus, a remote
controller, a robot, a network apparatus, a set-top box, a game
machine, a personal computer, a PDA, a mobile terminal, a washing
machine, a drying machine, a cooking apparatus, an ATM and a
vending machine etc.
[0084] While the present invention has been described in detail
with reference to the specific embodiments, it will be obvious to
those skilled in the art that various modifications and
substitutions may be made without departing from the scope of the
present invention. In other words, the present invention has been
disclosed in illustrated forms, and should be construed
illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the
present invention is to be judged in also consideration of appended
claims.
[0085] Further, a hardware or software configuration or a composite
configuration including both of the hardware and the software
configurations is adaptable to perform a series of processing
previously described in the present specification. When performing
the processing with the software, it is possible to run the program
containing the processing sequence after installing the program
into a memory contained in a computer incorporated in a dedicated
hardware, or alternatively, installing the program am into a
general-purpose computer allowing various types of processing to be
performed.
[0086] The program preliminarily recorded on a hard disc or a ROM
(Read Only Memory) serving as a recording medium may be used, for
instance. Alternatively, it is also possible to use the program
temporarily or permanently stored or recorded in a removable
recording medium such as a flexible disc, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc
Read Only Memory), a MO (Magneto optical) disc, a DVD (Digital
Versatile Disc), a magnetic disc and a semiconductor memory. These
types of removable recording mediums may be provided in the example
of so-called packaged software, for instance.
[0087] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited
in the program to installation into the computer through the above
types of removable recording mediums, and it is also possible to
wireless-transfer the program from a download site to the computer
or wired-transfer the program to the computer via a network such as
a LAN (Local Area Network) and Internet for the installation of the
program into the incorporated recording medium such as the hard
disc, after the computer receives the program transferred in this
manner.
[0088] It is also to be noted that various types of processing
having been described in the present specification may be performed
not only in time series according to the above described sequence,
but also in parallel or individually depending on a processing
capability of the apparatus adapted to perform the processing, or
at need. Further, the system referred to in the present
specification is specified as more than one logical aggregate of
apparatuses, and is not limited to a system of a type requiring
that the apparatuses in each logical aggregate be installed in the
same casing.
[0089] The present invention contains subject matter related to
Japanese Patent Applications JP 2005-227517 filed in the Japanese
Patent Office on Aug. 5, 2005, the entire contents of which being
incorporated herein by reference.
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