U.S. patent application number 15/450538 was filed with the patent office on 2017-08-10 for electronic device.
This patent application is currently assigned to PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA. The applicant listed for this patent is PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA. Invention is credited to Tomoki TAKANO, Takeshi YAMAGUCHI.
Application Number | 20170228098 15/450538 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51409485 |
Filed Date | 2017-08-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170228098 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
TAKANO; Tomoki ; et
al. |
August 10, 2017 |
ELECTRONIC DEVICE
Abstract
A touch panel has a first zone, a second zone and a third zone.
The first zone includes a first vertical distance, which is less
than a first value and greater than a second value, from the
surface of the display, and includes a center of the display. The
second zone includes the first vertical distance and is located
outside the first zone with respect to the two dimensional
coordinates. The third zone includes a second vertical distance,
which is greater than the first value, from the surface of the
display. When the indicator directly enters the second zone from
the third zone, the two dimensional coordinates of the indicator
are invalid. The two dimensional coordinates of the indicator are
valid coordinates, when the indicator directly enters the second
zone from the third zone, or when the indicator directly enters the
first zone from the third zone.
Inventors: |
TAKANO; Tomoki; (Kanagawa,
JP) ; YAMAGUCHI; Takeshi; (Kanagawa, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA |
Torrance |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
CORPORATION OF AMERICA
Torrance
CA
|
Family ID: |
51409485 |
Appl. No.: |
15/450538 |
Filed: |
March 6, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15183184 |
Jun 15, 2016 |
9626039 |
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15450538 |
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14549925 |
Nov 21, 2014 |
9395834 |
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15183184 |
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14478455 |
Sep 5, 2014 |
9046951 |
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14549925 |
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14164458 |
Jan 27, 2014 |
8913029 |
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14478455 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/0443 20190501;
G06F 3/0416 20130101; G06F 3/0418 20130101; G06F 2203/04108
20130101; G06F 2203/04101 20130101; G06F 3/041 20130101; G06F 3/044
20130101; G06F 3/0488 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/041 20060101
G06F003/041; G06F 3/044 20060101 G06F003/044 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 6, 2013 |
JP |
2013-044359 |
Claims
1. An electronic device comprising: a display; and a touch panel
overlapping the display, and configured to detect at least
contactless proximity of an indicator to a surface of the display
and at least two dimensional coordinates of the indicator on the
surface of the display, wherein the touch panel has a first zone
that covers at least a first vertical distance from the surface of
the display, the first vertical distance being less than a first
value and greater than a second value which is smaller than the
first value, and includes a center of the display with respect to
the two dimensional coordinates, the touch panel has a second zone
that covers at least the first vertical distance from the surface
of the display, and is located outside the first zone with respect
to the two dimensional coordinates, and the touch panel has a third
zone covers at least a second vertical distance from the surface of
the display, the second vertical distance being greater than the
first value, wherein when the indicator directly enters the second
zone from the third zone, at least the two dimensional coordinates
of the indicator are taken as invalid coordinates, when the
indicator directly enters the first zone from the third zone, at
least the two dimensional coordinates of the indicator are taken as
valid coordinates, and when the indicator directly enters the
second zone from the first zone, at least the two dimensional
coordinates of the indicator are taken as valid coordinates.
2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein when the
indicator directly enters the first zone from the second zone, at
least the two dimensional coordinates of the indicator are taken as
valid coordinates.
3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein a width of
the first zone is narrowed as the first vertical distance from the
surface of the display, increases.
4. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the width of
the first zone is narrowed toward the center of the display as the
first vertical distance from the surface of the display,
increases.
5. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the width of
the first zone becomes a maximum where the first vertical distance
from the surface of the display, becomes a minimum.
6. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the width of
the first zone is narrowed in at least one step.
7. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the width of
the first zone is narrowed in at least two steps.
8. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the display
and the first zone have quadrangular shapes, and the quadrangular
shape of the first zone is smaller than at least the quadrangular
shape of the display where the first vertical distance from the
surface of the display is larger than a certain value.
9. The electronic device according to claim 8, wherein the
quadrangular shape of the first zone becomes smaller as the first
vertical distance from the surface of the display, increases.
10. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the display
and the first zone have rectangular shapes, at least a width
between mutually-opposed long sides of the rectangular shape of the
first zone is narrowed as the first vertical distance from the
surface of the display, increases.
11. The electronic device according to claim 10, wherein at least
the long sides of the rectangular shape of the first zone moves
toward a center line extending along long sides of the rectangular
shape of the display as the first vertical distance from the
surface of the display, increases.
12. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the second
value of the first vertical distance is zero.
13. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the valid
two dimensional coordinates can be displayed on the display.
14. The electronic device according to claim 13, wherein the
invalid two dimensional coordinates are not displayed on the
display.
15. A method for detecting coordinates of an indicator applicable
to an electronic device comprising: a display; and a touch panel
overlapping the display, and configured to detect at least
contactless proximity of an indicator to a surface of the display
and at least two dimensional coordinates of the indicator on the
surface of the display, wherein the touch panel has a first zone
that covers at least a first vertical distance from the surface of
the display, the first vertical distance being less than a first
value and greater than a second value which is smaller than the
first value, and includes a center of the display with respect to
the two dimensional coordinates, the touch panel has a second zone
that covers at least the first vertical distance from the surface
of the display, and is located outside the first zone with respect
to the two dimensional coordinates, and the touch panel has a third
zone covers at least a second vertical distance from the surface of
the display, the second vertical distance being greater than the
first value, the method comprising: taking at least the two
dimensional coordinates of the indicator as invalid coordinates
when the indicator directly enters the second zone from the third
zone; taking at least the two dimensional coordinates of the
indicator as valid coordinates when the indicator directly enters
the first zone from the third zone; taking at least the two
dimensional coordinates of the indicator as valid coordinates when
the indicator directly enters the second zone from the first
zone.
16. The method for detecting coordinates of an indicator according
to claim 15, further comprising taking at least the two dimensional
coordinates of the indicator as valid coordinates when the
indicator directly enters the first zone from the second zone.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This is a continuation application of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/183,184, filed Jun. 15, 2016, which is a
continuation of Ser. No. 14/549,925, filed Nov. 21, 2014, now U.S.
Pat. No. 9,395,834, issued Jul. 19, 2016, which is a continuation
of Ser. No. 14/478,455, filed on Sep. 5, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No.
9,046,951, issued Jun. 2, 2015, which is a continuation of Ser. No.
14/164,458, filed Jan. 27, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,913,029,
issued Dec. 16, 2014, which claims priority to Japanese Application
No. 2013-044359, filed Mar. 6, 2013. The disclosures of these
documents, including the specifications, drawings and claims, are
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The invention relates to an electronic device equipped with
a touch panel, and method for detecting coordinates.
[0003] As is well known, a touch panel is a combination of a
display device, like a liquid crystal panel, with a touch pad (a
position input device).
[0004] Some touch panels are of a capacitive type. The capacitive
type touch panel enables performance of manipulation at a height
within a predetermined range without contact of a finger with a
panel screen (the proximal operation is hereunder called "hover
manipulation"). FIG. 10 is a drawing showing a general
configuration of the capacitive type touch panel. In the drawing,
transmission electrodes 101 and reception electrodes 102 are
disposed at a position distant from each other on a bottom surface
of a plate-shaped dielectric 100. A drive pulse is applied from a
drive buffer 103 to the transmission electrodes 101. An electric
field develops when the drive pulse is applied to the transmission
electrodes 101. When a hand is put in the electric field, the
number of electric lines of force existing between the transmission
electrodes 101 and the reception electrodes 102 decreases. A change
in the number of electric lines of force appears as a change in
electric charges of the reception electrodes 102. An approach of
the hand to the touch panel is detected by the change in the
electric charges of the reception electrodes 102.
[0005] FIGS. 11A to 11C are drawings showing a state of detection
of a finger achieved when the hand is gradually brought closer to
the touch panel. FIG. 11A shows a state in which the hand stays
away from the electric field; FIG. 11B shows a state of detection
of a hovering finger achieved when the finger has entered the
electric field; and FIG. 11C shows a state of detection of a finger
touch achieved when the finger is fully in the electric field and
remains in touch with the touch panel.
[0006] Incidentally, when the finger touches the touch panel for
manipulation purpose, erroneous manipulation does not occur.
However; for instance, when the touch panel is manipulated with one
hand, a remaining part of the thumb, such as a base of the thumb,
may be detected before coordinates for the thumb are detected.
Thus, user's intended manipulation may be hindered.
[0007] A method for preventing occurrence of user's unintended
manipulation is an input control method described in connection
with; for instance, Patent Document JP-A-2012-234386. The input
control method includes detecting a touch on a touch panel;
specifying a zone including at least a touched area as an invalid
zone in which input manipulation is not accepted; and performing
input processing relevant to a touched area when a touch on the
touch panel is detected and when the touched area does not belong
to the invalid zone.
SUMMARY
[0008] However, if the invalid zone where input manipulation is not
accepted is fixed, in the case of; for instance, hover manipulation
that enables performance of manipulation at a distance apart from
the touch panel, a virtual size of a finger acquired when viewed
from a touch panel will vary according to a distance between a
surface of the display section and the finger. Therefore, user's
unintended manipulation cannot be sufficiently prevented.
[0009] The invention has been conceived in light of the
circumstance and aims at providing an electronic device and a
method of detecting coordinates capable of sufficiently preventing
a user from performing unintended manipulation during hover
manipulation that enables performance of manipulation at a position
distant from a touch panel.
[0010] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided
an electronic device comprising: a planar display section; and a
touch panel that is placed while overlapping the display section
and that can detect two dimensional coordinates of an indicator on
a surface of the display section and a vertical distance from the
indicator, wherein the touch panel has a detection zone that covers
at least the vertical distance which is less than a first value and
greater than a second value which is smaller than the first value
and where the two dimensional coordinates and the vertical distance
can be detected, and a non-detection zone that covers at least the
vertical distance which is greater than the first value and where
the two dimensional coordinates and/or the vertical distance cannot
be detected; the detection zone has a first zone that includes a
center of the touch panel in connection with the two dimensional
coordinates and a second zone that is outside the first zone in
connection with the two dimensional coordinates; and at least the
two dimensional coordinates of the indicator are taken as valid
coordinates when the indicator directly enters the first zone from
the non-detection zone, and at least the two dimensional
coordinates of the indicator are taken as invalid coordinates when
the indicator directly enters the second zone from the
non-detection zone.
[0011] At least the two dimensional coordinates of the indicator
may be taken as valid coordinates when the indicator directly
enters the first zone from the non-detection zone, at least the two
dimensional coordinates of the indicator may be taken as invalid
coordinates when the indicator directly enters the second zone from
the non-detection zone, and at least two dimensional coordinates of
the indicator may be taken as valid coordinates when the indicator
enters the second zone after directly entering the first zone from
the non-detection zone.
[0012] At least the two dimensional coordinates of the indicator
may be taken as valid coordinates when the indicator directly
enters the first zone from the non-detection zone, at least the two
dimensional coordinates of the indicator may be taken as invalid
coordinates when the indicator directly enters the second zone from
the non-detection zone, at least the two dimensional coordinates of
the indicator may be taken as valid coordinates when the indicator
enters the second zone after directly entering the first zone from
the non-detection zone, and at least the two dimensional
coordinates of the indicator may be taken as valid coordinates when
the indicator enters the first zone after directly entering the
second zone from the non-detection zone.
[0013] At least the two dimensional coordinates of the indicator
may be taken as valid coordinates when the indicator directly
enters the first zone from the non-detection zone; at least the two
dimensional coordinates of the indicator may be taken as invalid
coordinates when the indicator directly enters the second zone from
the non-detection zone, at least the two dimensional coordinates of
the indicator may be taken as valid coordinates when the indicator
enters the second zone after directly entering the first zone from
the non-detection zone, at least the two dimensional coordinates of
the indicator may be taken as valid coordinates when the indicator
enters the first zone after directly entering the second zone from
the non-detection zone, and at least the two dimensional
coordinates of the indicator may be taken as valid coordinates when
the indicator enters the first zone after directly entering the
second zone from the non-detection zone and subsequently entering
the second zone.
[0014] The non-detection zone may have an area outside the
detection zone with reference to a center of the touch panel in
connection with the vertical distance.
[0015] The second value may be zero. The valid second coordinates
can be displayed on the display section.
[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a method for detecting coordinates of an indicator
applicable to an electronic device comprising: a planar display
section; and a touch panel that is placed while overlapping the
display section and that can detect two dimensional coordinates of
the indicator on a surface of the display section and a vertical
distance from the indicator, wherein the touch panel has a
detection zone that covers at least the vertical distance which is
less than a first value and greater than a second value which is
smaller than the first value and where the two dimensional
coordinates and the vertical distance can be detected, and a
non-detection zone that covers at least the vertical distance which
is greater than the first value and where the two dimensional
coordinates and/or the vertical distance cannot be detected; and
the detection zone has a first zone that includes a center of the
touch panel in connection with the two dimensional coordinates and
a second zone that is outside the first zone in connection with the
two dimensional coordinates; and wherein at least the two
dimensional coordinates of the indicator are taken as valid
coordinates when the indicator directly enters the first zone from
the non-detection zone, and at least the two dimensional
coordinates of the indicator are taken as invalid coordinates when
the indicator directly enters the second zone from the
non-detection zone.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a general configuration of
an electronic device of an embodiment of the invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external view of the
electronic device shown in FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a positional relationship
between a touch panel of the electronic device shown in FIG. 1 and
a finger which serves as an indicator;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing an invalid zone
and a valid zone above the touch panel of the electronic device
shown in FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the invalid zone and the valid
zone above the touch panel of the electronic device shown in FIG.
1;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example setting of the
valid zone above the touch panel of the electronic device shown in
FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing a non-detection
zone and a detection zone above the touch panel of the electronic
device shown in FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining processing in which a
control section of the electronic device shown in FIG. 1 determines
if two dimensional coordinates are valid or invalid;
[0025] FIG. 9 is a drawing showing an example application of a
setting of a valid zone on the touch panel of the electronic device
shown in FIG. 1, or an example of two-step switching;
[0026] FIG. 10 is a drawing showing a general configuration of a
capacitive type touch panel; and
[0027] FIGS. 11A to 11C are drawings showing a state of detection
of a finger achieved when a hand is gradually brought closer to the
touch panel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0028] A preferred embodiment for implementing the invention is
hereunder described in detail by reference to the drawings.
[0029] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a general configuration of
an electronic device of an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a
perspective view showing an external view of the electronic device
shown in FIG. 1. In this connection, the electronic device 1 of the
embodiment corresponds to an application of the invention to; for
instance, a portable radio communication device called a
smartphone. A part of the electronic device that works as a radio
communication device is omitted from the block diagram shown in
FIG. 1.
[0030] In FIG. 1, the electronic device 1 of the embodiment has a
touch panel 2, a display section 3, a storage section 5, and a
control section 6. As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic device 1 of
the embodiment has a longitudinally, rectangular housing 7. The
touch panel 2 and the display section 3 are provided on a front
face of the housing 7. Each of the touch panel 2 and the display
section 3 assumes a planar shape that is slightly smaller than an
area of the front face of the housing 7 and is formed into a
longitudinally, rectangular shape when viewed from top. In this
case, an area of the display section 3 is slightly smaller than an
area of the touch panel 2. The touch panel 2 is placed and
superimposed over a front face of the display section 3.
[0031] The touch panel 2 adopts a capacitive system that enables
performance of manipulation ("hover manipulation") at a height
within a predetermined range without contact of an indicator (a
user's finger, a pen, or the like, and the indicator is herein
taken as a "finger" in the embodiment) with a panel surface of the
touch panel 2. As shown in FIG. 10, the touch panel 2 adopting the
capacitive system is equipped with transmission electrodes 101 and
reception electrodes 102, and the electrodes are positioned at a
distance with each other and on a bottom surface of a plate-shaped
dielectric 100. A drive pulse derived from a transmission signal is
applied to the transmission electrodes 101. The transmission
electrodes 101 receive the applied drive pulse, whereupon an
electric field develops. When the finger enters the electric field,
the number of electric lines of force between the transmission
electrodes 101 and the reception electrodes 102 decreases, and a
change in the number of electric lines of force appears as a change
in electric charge of the reception electrodes 102. The touch panel
2 detects the finger in accordance with a received signal
corresponding to the change in electric charges of the reception
electrodes 102; detects two dimensional coordinates (x, y) of the
finger along a surface of the display section 3; detects a vertical
distance (z) between the finger serving as the indicator and the
surface of the display section 3; and outputs the thus-detected two
dimensional coordinates (x, y) and the vertical distance (z) to the
control section 6.
[0032] The display section 3 assumes a rectangular shape and is
employed as a display for manipulating the electronic device 1 or a
display of an image or the like. A display device, such as an LCD
(Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL (Electro Luminescence), and
electronic paper, is used for the display section 3. The storage
section 5 has volatile memory, like DRAM (Dynamic Random Access
Memory), and stores settings when a user makes the settings for
using the electronic device 1.
[0033] The control section 6 is made up of a CPU (Central
Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access
Memory), and an interface circuit. A program for controlling the
CPU is stored in the ROM, and the RAM is used for operation of the
CPU. The control section 6 has, as operation modes, a pointer mode
and a normal mode. The pointer mode is one used at the time of
manipulation of a pad, whilst the normal mode is one in which a
touched position coincides with a function active position.
[0034] Manipulation performed in the pointer mode corresponds to
indirect manipulation (i.e., the above-mentioned hover
manipulation) that is performed over the touch panel 2 rather than
manipulation entailing a direct contact with the touch panel 2 as
in the case with the normal mode. The finger is held in midair
within a predetermined zone and a predetermined distance range over
the touch panel 2, whereupon switching to the pointer mode takes
place. The finger is moved after occurrence of switching to the
pointer mode, whereby a pointer (omitted from the drawings) follows
the finger. In the pointer mode, a predetermined function is
executed in response to the position of the pointer.
[0035] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a positional relationship
between the touch panel 2 and a finger 10 that serves as the
indicator. As illustrated, the finger 10 is held in midair over the
touch panel 2 within a distance range between a first distance (a
first value) or less and a second distance (a second value) that is
shorter than the first distance, whereby switching to the pointer
mode takes place. As a result of switching to the pointer mode
having taken place, coordinates (x, y, z) of the hovering finger 10
are detected. The finger is displayed as a pointer 30 at a position
on the surface of the display section 3 that corresponds to the
coordinates (x, y, z) where the finger 10 is detected. When the
pointer 30 overlaps with an icon (omitted from the drawings), the
icon is made selectable. When the finger 10 has approached the
touch panel 2 within the second distance or less, a function
assigned to the icon is activated. Displaying the pointer 30 and
activating the function assigned to the icon are performed by the
control section 6. Incidentally, the second distance can be set to
zero. In addition, the pointer 30 can also be displayed in the form
of a dot, such as that shown in FIG. 3, or in a symbol like an
arrow.
[0036] The control section 6 loads the coordinates (x, y, z) output
from the touch panel 2 in; for instance, the pointer mode. A valid
zone (a two dimensional coordinate valid zone; namely, a first
zone) is set in accordance with a vertical distance (z) between the
finger 10 and the touch panel 2. In this case, the control section
6 makes the valid zone narrower as the vertical distance (z)
between the finger 10 and the touch panel 2 becomes greater. FIG. 4
is a diagram schematically showing an invalid zone and (a part of)
the valid zone above the touch panel 2. FIG. 5 is a plan view
showing the invalid zone and the valid zone above the touch panel
2. In FIG. 4, an invalid zone 40 is one that includes an invalid
X-Y zone 40A corresponding to X and Y directions of the touch panel
2 and an invalid Z zone 40B corresponding to Z direction of the
touch panel 2. The invalid zone 40 spreads to the inside of the
touch panel 2 as the vertical distance (z) between the finger 10
and the touch panel 2 becomes greater, and a valid zone 50 becomes
narrower in contradistinction to the spread of the invalid zone (a
second zone) 40. In this case, the invalid zone 40 spreads to the
inside of the touch panel 2, so that the valid zone 50 comes to
assume a trapezoidal geometry. In reality, the valid zone 50 comes
to assume a three-dimensional trapezoidal shape (see FIG. 7 to be
described later). A planar geometry of the valid zone 50 is a
square shape as in the case with the display section 3. In this
case, as a matter of course, when the vertical distance (z) between
the finger 10 and the touch panel 2 is greater than a predetermined
value (a distance at which the finger has touched the touch panel
2; i.e., a distance of substantially zero) (namely, when the finger
is hovering), the valid zone 50 becomes smaller than the square of
the display section 3. The valid zone 50 becomes smaller as the
vertical distance (z) between the finger 10 and the touch panel 2
becomes greater. When the distance (z) becomes minimum, the valid
zone 50 becomes maximum.
[0037] The followings are conceivable. For instance, as shown in
FIG. 6, the valid zone 50 is made narrower while including a center
3A of the display section 3. Also, at least a distance (designated
by a direction of a double-headed arrow in the drawing) between
mutually-opposed long sides 201, 202 in the rectangle of the valid
zone 50 is made narrower as the vertical distance (z) between the
finger 10 and the touch panel 2 becomes greater. Alternatively, the
long sides 201, 202 of the valid zone 50 are moved toward a center
line 200 drawn along the long sides 31, 32 of the rectangle of the
display section 3 as the vertical distance (z) between the finger
10 and the touch panel 2 becomes greater.
[0038] The control section 6 determines whether the coordinates (x,
y, z) of the finger 10 that serves as an indicator are valid or
invalid as follows.
[0039] A non-detection zone to be described below is an area where
the control section 6 cannot recognize the finger. The detection
zone to be described below includes the valid zone 50 for two
dimensional coordinates including a center 2A of the touch panel 2
and the invalid zone 40 for two dimensional coordinates located
outside the valid zone 50. In the detection zone, the control
section 6 can recognize the finger. FIG. 7 is a diagram
schematically showing the non-detection zone and the detection
zone. In the drawing, in connection with the vertical distance (z)
between the finger 10 and the touch panel 2, a non-detection zone
60 includes an area located outside a detection zone 70 with
reference to a center line 2B of the touch panel 2. As referred to
above, the detection zone 70 includes the invalid zone 40 and the
valid zone 50.
[0040] First coordinates of the indicator are defined as follows:
[0041] (1-1) When the touch panel 2 remaining in a non-detection
state has detected the indicator, coordinates detected at this time
are taken as first coordinates. [0042] (1-2) When the indicator has
moved from the non-detection zone 60 to the detection zone 70,
coordinates detected this time are taken as first coordinates.
[0043] (1-3) When entry of the indicator into the detection zone 70
is detected, coordinates detected at this time are taken as first
coordinates.
[0044] In consideration of these definitions of the first
coordinates, the control section 6 determines whether the
coordinates (x, y, z) of the indicator are valid or invalid. Even
in this case, the finger 10 is taken as the indicator. [0045] (2-1)
When the coordinates (x, y, z) of the finger 10 at the first
coordinates (regardless of what number the finger 10 is) belong to
the invalid zone 40, the coordinates (x, y, z) are made invalid.
[0046] (2-2) When the invalidated finger 10 has moved to the valid
zone 50 without moving to the non-detection zone 60, the
coordinates (x, y, z) in the valid zone 50 are taken as valid
coordinates. [0047] (2-3) Coordinates (x, y, z) in the invalid zone
40 are taken as invalid coordinates, unless the invalidated finger
10 moves to the valid zone 50. [0048] (2-4) Even in a case where
there is the invalidated finger 10 (a first finger 10-1), when a
second finger 10-2 whose coordinates are first coordinates is
detected in the valid zone 50, coordinates (x, y, z) of the second
finger 10-2 are taken as valid coordinates. In this case, the
second finger 10-2 is notified to the host as the first finger
10-1. When the electronic device is; for instance, a smartphone,
the host corresponds to an OS (operating system) employed in the
smartphone. [0049] (2-5) When the finger 10 once detected in the
valid zone 50 has entered the invalid zone 40, coordinates of the
finger are taken as valid coordinates rather than being
invalidated.
[0050] The control section 6 displays the pointer 30 at a position
on the screen of the display section 3 corresponding to the
coordinates (x, y) within the valid zone 50. If the pointer 30 is
situated on the icon (omitted from the drawings) displayed on the
display section 3, the icon is determined to have been selected by
the user, and when the finger 10 of the user has approached the
touch panel 2 within the second distance or less, a function
assigned to the icon is activated.
[0051] FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining processing in which the
control section 6 determines if two dimensional coordinates are
valid or invalid. In the drawing, the control section 6 acquires
current coordinates (x, y, z) of the finger 10 output from the
touch panel 2 (step S1). Next, a determination is made as to
whether or not the thus-acquired coordinates are first coordinates
(step S2). If the coordinates are not the first coordinates (when
"NO" is rendered in the determination), a determination is made as
to whether or not the coordinates are invalidated (step S3). When
the coordinates are not invalidated (when "NO" is rendered in the
determination), the acquired coordinates are taken as valid
coordinates, and the result is notified to the foregoing OS (step
S4). Subsequently, processing returns to step S1. On the contrary,
when the acquired coordinates are the first coordinates (in other
words, when "YES" is rendered in step S2) or when the coordinates
are invalidated (in other words, "YES" is rendered in step S3), a
determination is further made as to whether or not the coordinates
belong to the invalid zone 40 (step S5). When the coordinates do
not belong to the invalid zone 40 (namely, when "NO" is rendered in
the determination), a message showing that the coordinates are
valid is notified to the OS (step S4). Subsequently, processing
returns to step S1. By contrast, when the coordinates belong to the
invalid zone 40 (namely, when "YES" is rendered in the
determination in step S5), the coordinates are taken as invalid
coordinates, and the result is not notified to the OS (step S6).
Processing subsequently returns to step S1.
[0052] In the case of determination (2-1), processing follows a
flow of step S1, step S2 ("YES"), step S5 ("YES"), and step S6. In
the case of determination (2-2), processing follows a flow of step
S1, step S2 ("NO"), step S3 ("YES"), step S5 ("NO"), and step S4
after following the flow of (2-1). In the case of determination
(2-3), processing follows a flow of step S1, step S2 ("NO"), step
S3 ("YES"), step S5 ("YES"), and step S6 after following the flow
of (2-1). In addition, in the case of determination (2-4),
processing follows a flow of step S1, step S2 ("YES"), step S5
("NO"), and step S4. In the case of (2-5), "NO" is rendered in step
S3 or S5, and processing then follows a flow to step S4.
Subsequently, processing follows a path of step S1, step S2 ("NO"),
step S3 ("NO"), and step S4.
[0053] As mentioned above, the electronic device 1 of the
embodiment is equipped with the planar display section 3, the two
dimensional coordinates (x, y) of the finger 10, which serves as
the indicator, on the surface of the display section 3; and the
touch panel 2 capable of detecting the vertical distance (z) from
the finger 10. As the vertical distance (z) between the finger 10
and the touch panel 2 becomes greater, the valid zone 50 where the
two dimensional coordinates (x, y) are validated is made narrower.
Accordingly, user's unintended manipulation, which would otherwise
be performed during hover manipulation that enables performance of
manipulation at an elevated position above the touch panel 2, can
be sufficiently prevented.
[0054] In the electronic device 1 of the embodiment, the valid zone
(the two dimensional coordinate valid zone) can also be switched in
at least two steps. FIG. 9 is a drawing showing an example of
two-step switching.
[0055] Although the electronic device 1 of the embodiment stores in
ROM a program which describes processing represented by the
flowchart shown in FIG. 8, the program can also be distributed
while being stored in a storage medium, such as a magnetic disc, an
optical disc, a magneto-optical disc, and flash memory or
downloaded by utilization of a telecommunication line while being
stored in a server (omitted from the drawings) in a network, like
the Internet.
[0056] The electronic device 1 of the embodiment corresponds to the
application of the invention to a portable radio called a
smartphone. However, in addition to the portable radio, the
invention is also applicable to a home electric appliance, such as
a microwave oven, a control panel of an automobile navigation
system, and the like.
[0057] As can be seen above, the configuration of the embodiment
according to the invention makes a two dimensional coordinate valid
zone narrower as a vertical distance from an indicator (e.g., a
"finger") increases. During hover manipulation that enables
performance of manipulation at a position distant from the touch
panel, performance of user's unintended manipulation can be
sufficiently prevented.
[0058] The method makes it possible to sufficiently prevent
performance of user's unintended manipulation, which would
otherwise occur during hover manipulation that enables performance
of manipulation at a position distant from a touch panel.
[0059] The invention makes it possible to sufficiently prevent
performance of user's unintended manipulation, which would
otherwise occur during hover manipulation that enables performance
of manipulation at a position distant from a touch panel.
[0060] The invention yields an advantage of the ability to
sufficiently prevent user's unintended manipulation, which would
otherwise be performed during hover manipulation that enables
performance of manipulation at a position distant from a touch
panel. Thus, the invention is applicable to an electronic device
using a capacitive type touch panel, such as a smartphone.
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