U.S. patent application number 17/668880 was filed with the patent office on 2022-05-26 for information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program therefor.
This patent application is currently assigned to SONY CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is SONY CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Hiroyuki MIZUNUMA, Nariaki SATOH, Kazuyuki YAMAMOTO, Ikuo YAMANO.
Application Number | 20220164059 17/668880 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-05-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220164059 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MIZUNUMA; Hiroyuki ; et
al. |
May 26, 2022 |
INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD,
AND PROGRAM THEREFOR
Abstract
An apparatus including a memory storing instructions and a
control unit executing the instructions is provided. The control
unit is configured to send signals to display first and second
indicators on a display device. The control unit is further
configured to receive first and second user inputs and, in response
to the received inputs, to send signals to change a display state
of the first indicator according to the first input. The control
unit is further configured to send signals to change a display
state of the second indicator according to the second input and
initiate an operation to be performed based on a combination of the
first and second inputs.
Inventors: |
MIZUNUMA; Hiroyuki; (Tokyo,
JP) ; YAMAMOTO; Kazuyuki; (Kanagawa, JP) ;
SATOH; Nariaki; (Kanagawa, JP) ; YAMANO; Ikuo;
(Tokyo, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SONY CORPORATION |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
SONY CORPORATION
Tokyo
JP
|
Appl. No.: |
17/668880 |
Filed: |
February 10, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15260204 |
Sep 8, 2016 |
11281324 |
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17668880 |
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13297777 |
Nov 16, 2011 |
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15260204 |
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International
Class: |
G06F 3/041 20060101
G06F003/041; G06F 3/04886 20060101 G06F003/04886; G06F 3/04883
20060101 G06F003/04883 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 1, 2010 |
JP |
2010-268479 |
Claims
1. An information processing apparatus comprising: a first touch
pad configured to detect a first input; and a second touch pad
configured to detect a second input, wherein an operation rate of a
processing operation performed with respect to data of an
underlying file corresponding to an icon is determined according to
an amount of a change of a relative distance between the first
input and the second input based on movement of one of or both the
first input and the second input.
2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
further comprising: at least one mechanical switch arranged between
the first touch pad and the second touch pad.
3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein a first indicator in a graphical user interface and a
second indicator in the graphical user interface are operated based
on relative coordinate information of a movement direction and a
movement amount of the movement of the first input and the second
input, respectively.
4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3,
wherein the information processing apparatus is a controller which
is separated from a processor which controls a displaying of an
image of the graphical user interface.
5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein an action for the processing operation is set according to
a combination of the first input and the second input.
6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein a type of the processing operation is determined according
to a detected change in an amount of pressure applied.
7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the processing operation is a compression operation in
which a compression rate of the data of the underlying file
corresponding to the icon is determined based on the amount of the
change of the relative distance between the first input and the
second input according to the movement of one of or both the first
input and the second input while pressure above a threshold level
continues to be detected on both the first touch pad and the second
touch pad.
8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the processing operation comprises creating a copy of the
icon at a position determined according to positions of the first
input and the second input.
9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the processing operation is further determined according to
a movement speed of the movement of one of or both the first input
and the second input.
10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the icon is selected for the processing operation according
to an initial input position of one of or both the first input and
the second input when pressure above a threshold level is initially
detected.
11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein a type of the processing operation is determined according
to a combination of touch operations determined based upon
detecting the first input on the first touch pad and detecting the
second input on the second touch pad.
12. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein a size of the icon is determined according to the amount of
the change of the relative distance between the first input and the
second input based on the movement of one of or both the first
input and the second input.
13. An information processing method, executed via at least one
processor, the method comprising: detecting, via a first touch pad,
a first input; and detecting, via a second touch pad, a second
input, wherein an operation rate of a processing operation
performed with respect to data of an underlying file corresponding
to an icon is determined according to an amount of a change of a
relative distance between the first input and the second input
based on movement of one of or both the first input and the second
input with respect to the icon.
14. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having embodied
thereon a program, which when executed by a processor, causes the
processor to execute an information processing method, the method
comprising: detecting, via a first touch pad, a first input; and
detecting, via a second touch pad, a second input, wherein an
operation rate of a processing operation performed with respect to
data of an underlying file corresponding to an icon is determined
according to an amount of a change of a relative distance between
the first input and the second input based on movement of one of or
both the first input and the second input with respect to the icon.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/260,204 (filed on Sep. 8, 2016), which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/297,777 (filed
on Nov. 16, 2011), which claims priority to Japanese Patent
Application No. 2010-268479 (filed on Dec. 1, 2010), which are all
hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure relates to an information processing
apparatus and an information processing method, which enable a
multi-touch operation to be made, and a program therefor.
[0003] In recent years, there have been known various terminal
apparatuses that enable multi-touch operations to be made. For
example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
2009-522669 (hereinafter, referred to as Patent Document 1)
discloses a portable electronic apparatus that enables, through a
multi-touch operation by a user, an enlargement operation and the
like with respect to an object displayed on a display screen to be
made (see paragraph [0018], FIG. 1 and the like in Patent Document
1).
SUMMARY
[0004] The use of such terminal apparatuses that enable multi-touch
operations to be made will likely increase.
Thus, it is desired to improve operability for users who perform
the multi-touch operations.
[0005] In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, there is a
need for providing an information processing apparatus and an
information processing method, which enable a multi-touch operation
to be made with high operability, and a program therefore. In one
exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure is directed towards an
apparatus comprising a memory storing instructions and a control
unit executing the instructions to send signals to display first
and second indicators on a display device. The control unit further
executes the instructions to receive first and second user inputs
and, in response to the received inputs, to send signals to change
a display state of the first indicator according to the first
input. The control unit further executes the instructions to send
signals to change a display state of the second indicator according
to the second input and initiate an operation to be performed based
on a combination of the first and second inputs.
[0006] In another exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure is
directed toward a method comprising sending signals to display
first and second indicators on a display device. The method further
comprises receiving first and second user inputs and, in response
to the received inputs, sending signals to change a display state
of the first indicator according to the first input. The method
further comprises sending signals to change a display state of the
second indicator according to the second input. The method further
comprises initiating an operation to be performed based on a
combination of the first and second inputs.
[0007] In another exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure is
directed toward a tangibly embodied non-transitory
computer-readable medium storing instructions which, when executed
by a processor, perform a method comprising sending signals to
display first and second indicators on a display device. The method
further comprises receiving first and second user inputs. The
method further comprises, in response to the received inputs,
sending signals to change a display state of the first indicator
according to the first input and sending signals to change a
display state of the second indicator according to the second
input. The method further comprises initiating an operation to be
performed based on a combination of the first and second
inputs.
[0008] As described above, according to the embodiments of the
present disclosure, multi-touch operations with high operability
become possible.
[0009] These and other objects, features and advantages of the
present disclosure will become more apparent in light of the
following detailed description of best mode embodiments thereof, as
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing an outer appearance
of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment
of the present disclosure;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of
the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a view schematically showing the information
processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and a display apparatus
connected thereto;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the
information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a view for describing an example of a method of
determining a correspondence relation between an operator and a
cursor pointer shown in FIG. 3;
[0015] FIGS. 6A and 6B are views for describing touch operations
for controlling a left pointer and a right pointer and an action
assigned to the touch operations;
[0016] FIGS. 7A and 7B are views for describing touch operations
for controlling the left pointer and the right pointer and an
action assigned to the touch operations;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a view for describing touch operations for
controlling the left pointer and the right pointer and an action
assigned to the touch operations;
[0018] FIG. 9 is a view for describing touch operations for
controlling the left pointer and the right pointer and an action
assigned to the touch operations;
[0019] FIG. 10 is a view for describing touch operations for
controlling the left pointer and the right pointer and an action
assigned to the touch operations;
[0020] FIG. 11 is a view for describing touch operations for
controlling the left pointer and the right pointer and an action
assigned to the touch operations;
[0021] FIGS. 12A and 12B are views for describing touch operations
for controlling the left pointer and the right pointer and an
action assigned to the touch operations;
[0022] FIG. 13 is a view for describing touch operations for
controlling the left pointer and the right pointer and an action
assigned to the touch operations;
[0023] FIGS. 14A and 14B are schematic views showing a modification
of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
[0024] FIGS. 15A and 15B are schematic views showing a modification
of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 16 is a view schematically showing a modification of
variations of the present disclosure; and
[0026] FIG. 17 is a schematic view showing another example of the
information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be
described with reference to the drawings.
Information Processing Apparatus
[0028] FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing an outer appearance
of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment
of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a
configuration example of the information processing apparatus shown
in FIG. 1.
[0029] The information processing apparatus 100 includes a casing 1
that is held by a user 30 and a touch pad 2 provided in front of
the casing 1 to serve as an input unit. The touch pad 2 according
to this embodiment is capable of receiving various types of
multi-touch operations with one or more operators 3.
[0030] The casing 1 is formed of, for example, metal such as
aluminum and stainless steel, plastic, or other various materials.
The casing 1 has such a size such that user 30 is capable of
carrying the apparatus 100. For example, when seen from the user 30
in FIG. 1, the size of the casing 1 is about 15 cm in a
longitudinal direction, about 10 cm in a lateral direction, and
about 1 cm in thickness. However, the size of the casing 1 can be
appropriately set. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, the
information processing apparatus 100 including the casing 1 having
a size of 30 cm or more in the longitudinal and lateral directions
may be used while placed on a desk.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, as the plurality of
operators 3 serving to perform touch operations with respect to the
touch pad 2, thumbs of the user 30 are used. However, other fingers
may also be used (see FIG. 17). Alternatively, as the operators 3,
a stylus, pen, joystick, or other suitable apparatus may be
used.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the touch pad 2 according to this
embodiment includes a position detector 101 and a pressure sensor
102. The position detector 101 includes a sensor unit and an
arithmetic circuit unit (not shown). When the operator 3 comes
close to or in contact with the touch pad 2, the sensor unit
outputs a proximity or contact signal to the arithmetic circuit
unit. The arithmetic circuit unit generates, based on the output
proximity or contact signal, information on a proximity or contact
position of the operator 3, for example. Alternatively, information
on a movement direction, movement amount, movement speed,
acceleration speed, or the like of the operator 3 may be generated.
In addition, information on a contact area, contact angle, or the
like of the operator 3 may be generated.
[0033] As used herein, the term "touch operation" refers to various
touch operations performed when the operator 3 comes close to or in
contact with the touch pad 2. It should be understood that, in
certain variations, the operator 3 need not touch or make contact
with touch pad 2 in order to perform a touch operation. Further,
the proximity and contact positions are collectively referred to as
touch position of the operator 3.
[0034] As mentioned above, the touch pad 2 according to this
embodiment is a touch pad of a so-called multi-touch type. Thus, it
is possible to detect touch operations by the operators 3 with
respect to the touch pad 2. For example, the user 30 can perform a
pinch operation with two fingers. The pinch operation is, for
example, an operation of bringing the two fingers into contact with
the touch pad 2 at the same time and opening or closing the two
fingers or the like while keeping the in-contact state. Here, the
operation of opening the two fingers or the like held in contact
with the touch pad 2 is referred to as pinch-out operation.
Meanwhile, the operation of closing the two fingers or the like
held in contact with the touch pad 2 is referred to as pinch-in
operation.
[0035] The pressure sensor 102 serves to detect whether or not the
touch pad 2 is pressed by the operator 3. For example, when the
pressure sensor 102 detects the pressing force above a threshold
level, it is determined that the touch pad 2 is pressed. A method
of determining existence, absence of pressure, change in pressure,
or amount of pressure by the pressure sensor 102, the structure of
the pressure sensor 102, a method of detecting the pressing force,
and the like can be appropriately set.
[0036] In this embodiment, the touch pad 2 of a capacitive type is
used. However, a touch pad of another type, such as, for example, a
resistive touch pad, a surface acoustic wave touch pad, and an
infrared touch pad may be used instead.
[0037] Alternatively, or in addition to touch pad 2, a "touch
operation" may be detected by any suitable method and/or by using
any suitable apparatus. For example, various optical detection
apparatuses (e.g., cameras, electric eyes or other light-sensing
devices) may be used to sense a "touch operation" or any of the
other operations discussed herein. Also, detection apparatuses that
detect infrared radiation or other radiation outside of the visible
spectrum may be used to sense a "touch operation" or any of the
other operations discussed herein. These devices may be used in
conjunction with other equipment that may, for example, aid in
sensing the location of the user's fingers, stylus or other user
control apparatus (e.g., gloves may be used to enhance the visual
signature of the user's fingers, for example).
[0038] Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the information processing
apparatus 100 includes a control unit such as a CPU (Central
Processing Unit) 103, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 104, a storage
105, and a display interface 106.
[0039] The storage 105 is a non-volatile storage device. For
example, the storage 105 may be an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a flash
memory, or other solid-state memories. A part or all of the RAM 104
and the storage 105 corresponds to a storage means according to
this embodiment. Alternatively, the information processing
apparatus 100 may include a ROM (Read Only Memory) (not shown), and
thus the storage means may include the ROM.
[0040] The display interface 106 serves to connect the information
processing apparatus 100 to a display apparatus 40 (see FIG. 3)
including a display screen 41. Via the display interface 106, image
data of still images, moving images, and the like, control signals
for controlling the operation of the display apparatus 40, and the
like are output. The image data, the control signals, and the like
are output to the display apparatus 40 in a wireless or wired
manner.
[0041] The information processing apparatus 100 may be provided
with a drive unit and a communication unit (not shown). The drive
unit may be, for example, a device capable of driving a removable
recording medium such as an optical recording medium, a floppy
(registered trademark) disc, a magnetic recording tape, and a flash
memory.
[0042] The communication unit may be, for example, a modem, a
router, and other communication apparatuses for communicating with
other devices that are capable of connecting to a LAN (Local Area
Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), and the like. The
communication unit may communicate in a wired or wireless
manner.
[0043] Data processing by the information processing apparatus 100
is realized by software stored in the storage 105 or the like in
cooperation with hardware resources of the information processing
apparatus 100. For example, by the CPU 103 loading a program of
instructions stored in the storage 105 or the like into the RAM 104
and executing it, various types of data processing are realized. In
this embodiment, the CPU 103 functions as a first display
processor, a second display processor, and an action executing
unit. It should be noted that the RAM 104 may include a video RAM
(VRAM) (not shown) for displaying images.
[0044] FIG. 3 is a view schematically showing the information
processing apparatus 100 and the display apparatus 40 connected
thereto. As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of cursor pointers 43 are
displayed on the display screen 41. The plurality of cursor
pointers 43 are displayed as the CPU 103 serving as the second
display processor outputs display signals of the cursor pointers 43
to the display apparatus 40.
[0045] In this embodiment, a cursor pointer 43a and a cursor
pointer 43b may be displayed on the display screen 41. The cursor
pointer 43a is, for example, operated mainly by the left operator
3a being a left finger or the like. Further, the cursor pointer 43b
is, for example, operated mainly by the right operator 3b being a
right finger or the like. That is, operations for each cursor
pointer, which respectively control those two cursor pointers 43a
and 43b, may be input to the touch pad 2 by the left operator 3a
and the right operator 3b. Hereinafter, the cursor pointer 43a is
referred to as the left pointer 43a and the cursor pointer 43b is
referred to as the right pointer 43b.
[0046] The left pointer 43a and the right pointer 43b may be
displayed in different colors, or exhibit different shading as
shown in FIG. 3, for example, so that the pointers can be
discriminated from each other. With this, the pointers 43a and 43b
can be operated with high operability. In order to discriminate the
pointers 43a and 43b from each other, the shape, size, or the like
of the pointers 43a and 43b may be appropriately set. However, the
pointers 43a and 43b may be displayed in an indiscriminable
manner.
[0047] In this embodiment, a coordinate system may be set with a
center O of the touch pad 2 being a reference. Coordinate
information including information of positional coordinates of the
operators 3a and 3b in that coordinate system is output to the
display apparatus 40. In the display apparatus 40, a coordinate
system may be set with a center O' of the display screen 41 being a
reference. In the coordinate system, based on the coordinate
information received from the information processing apparatus 100,
the pointers 43a and 43b are displayed at positions corresponding
to touch positions 5a and 5b of the operators 3, respectively. The
coordinate systems may be appropriately set in the touch pad 2 and
the display screen 41.
Operation of Information Processing Apparatus
[0048] An operation of the information processing apparatus 100
according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a
flowchart showing the operation.
[0049] It may be determined whether or not a contact or proximity
of the operator 3 with respect to the touch pad 2 is detected as an
initial input operation (Step 101). When the contact or the like
with the touch pad 2 is detected ("Yes" in Step 101), a
correspondence relation between the operator 3 and the cursor
pointer 43 displayed on the display screen 41 is determined.
[0050] FIG. 5 is a view for describing an example of a method of
determining the correspondence relation between the operator 3 and
the cursor pointer 43. In this embodiment, based on a touch
position 5 of the operator 3 with respect to the touch pad 2, the
correspondence relation is determined.
[0051] For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the touch pad 2 may be
divided into the left area 2a and the right area 2b. When the touch
position 5 of the operator 3 is located within the left area 2a,
the operator 3 and the left pointer 43a may be caused to correspond
to each other. Thus, the operator 3 functions as the left operator
3a. The left pointer 43a is displayed at a position on the display
screen 41, which corresponds to the touch position 5 of the left
operator 3a. When the touch position 5 of the operator 3 is located
within the right area 2b, the operator 3 and the right pointer 43b
may be caused to correspond to each other.
[0052] After the left operator 3a and the left pointer 43a are
caused to correspond to each other, a contact or the like of the
other operator 3 with the touch pad 2 may be detected. In this
case, irrespective of a touch position 5 of the other operator 3,
the operator 3 and the right pointer 43b may be caused to
correspond to each other. Thus, the operator 3 functions as the
right operator 3b. The right pointer 43b is displayed at a position
on the display screen 41, which corresponds to the touch position 5
of the right operator 3b.
[0053] Thus, in this embodiment, the touch pad 2 is divided into
the left area 2a and the right area 2b. With respect to the initial
input operation on the left area 2a, the operator is caused to
correspond to the left pointer 43a. On the other hand, with respect
to the initial input operation on the right area 2b, the operator
is caused to correspond to the right pointer 43b. This may allow
the user 30 to perform intuitive operations. It should be noted
that the correspondence relations between the touch positions 5 of
the operators 3 and the pointers 43a and 43b are not limited to
that described above and can be appropriately set. In addition, a
method of setting areas for dividing the touch pad 2 can be
set.
[0054] When the two operators 3 input the initial input operations
almost at the same time, the correspondence relations are
determined in the following manner, for example. For example, one
operator 3 inputs the initial input operation on the left area 2a,
and the other operator 3 inputs the initial input operation on the
right area 2b. In this case, the operator 3 on the left area 2a is
caused to correspond to the left pointer 43a, and the operator 3 on
the right area 2b is caused to correspond to the right pointer
43b.
[0055] Within either the left area 2a or the right area 2b, the two
operators 3 input the initial input operations almost at the same
time. In this case, for example, the operator 3 closer to the left
side of the touch pad 2 is caused to correspond to the left pointer
43a. Then, the other operator 3 is caused to correspond to the
right pointer 43b.
[0056] The correspondence relations between the operators 3 and the
pointers may be determined according to the order in which the
initial input operations are input. For example, the operator 3
that has input the initial input operation to the touch pad 2 first
is caused to correspond to the left pointer 43a. A method of
determining the correspondence relations between the operators 3
and the pointers can be appropriately determined.
[0057] It is determined whether or not touch operations for
respectively controlling the left pointer 43a and the right pointer
43b, which are displayed on the display screen 41, have been
received (Step 103). When it is determined that the touch
operations for each of the pointers 43a and 43b have been received
("Yes" in Step 103), an action assigned to a combination of the
touch operations is executed (Step 104).
[0058] FIGS. 6A to 13 are views for describing examples of the
touch operations for respectively controlling the left pointer 43a
and the right pointer 43b and actions assigned to combinations of
the touch operations.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 6A, an icon 47 as a GUI object is displayed
on the display screen 41. The icon 47 is displayed as the CPU 103
serving as the first display processor outputs a display signal of
the icon 47 to the display apparatus 40. Further, on the display
screen 41, a window 44a of a folder A storing the icon 47 and a
window 44b of another folder B are displayed.
[0060] The icon 47 is designated by the left pointer 43a serving as
a first pointer. At this time, in order to express that the icon 47
has been designated by the left pointer 43a, a frame, a color, or
the like may be applied to the icon 47. As shown in FIG. 6A, the
right pointer 43b serving as a second pointer is located within the
window 44b of the folder B.
[0061] In this state, the left operator 3a and the right operator
3b perform click operations almost at the same time. Consequently,
as an action assigned to a combination of the click operations,
movement processing of the icon 47 to a position of the right
pointer 43b is executed. With this, an instant drag and drop
operation is realized. It should be noted that instead of the click
operations, other touch operations (e.g., double click operations,
operations including any number of clicks, tap, double tap,
operations including any number of taps, drag operations, etc. may
be input in order to execute the movement processing of the icon
47.
[0062] As shown in FIG. 6B, as the action assigned to the click
operations by the left operator 3a and the right operator 3b, copy
processing of the icon 47 may be realized. At the position of the
right pointer 43b, that is, within the folder B, a copy 47' of the
icon 47 is created. Alternatively, the click operations by the left
operator 3a and the right operator 3b may be assigned with the
movement processing shown in FIG. 6A. Moreover, double click
operations by the left operator 3a and the right operator 3b may be
assigned with the copy processing shown in FIG. 6B.
[0063] Every time the left operator 3a and the right operator 3b
perform click operations, an indication indicating the movement
processing and an indication indicating the copy processing may be
displayed on the display screen 41. Then, by moving the operators
3a and 3b away from the touch pad 2, the processing displayed at
that time may be executed as the action.
[0064] As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the left pointer 43a designates
the icon 47. Then, the right pointer 43b determines the destination
position. In this manner, the icon 47 can be moved with high
operability. Further, the right pointer 43b determines the display
position for the copy 47', and hence the icon 47 can be copied with
high operability.
[0065] It should be noted that the right pointer 43b may designate
the icon 47. Further, the left pointer 43a may determine the
destination position for the icon 47 or the display position for
the copy 47'. Further, in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the icon 47 is stored in
the folder A, and the right pointer 43b is located within the
window 44b of the folder B. However, the icon 47 may be stored on a
desk top. Alternatively, the right pointer 43b may be located on
the desk top. In either case, the movement processing or copy
processing may be executed as described above.
[0066] As shown in FIG. 7A, the icon 47 is displayed on the display
screen 41. The icon 47 is designated by the left pointer 43a
serving as a first cursor pointer and the right pointer 43b serving
as a second cursor pointer.
[0067] In this state, the right operator 3b is moved with the left
operator 3a and the right operator 3b being pressed against the
screen, so that a relative distance between the operators 3a and 3b
may be increased. Thus, the right pointer 43b moves on the display
screen 41 so that the left pointer 43a and the right pointer 43b
move away from each other. At this time, as the action assigned to
a combination of the touch operations, copy processing of the icon
47 is executed.
[0068] As shown in FIG. 7A, the created copy 47' moves together
with the right pointer 43b. When the pressing of the operators 3a
and 3b is released, the movement of the copy 47' is terminated.
[0069] As shown in FIG. 7B, the left pointer 43a and the right
pointer 43b designate a plurality of icons 47a to 47c at the same
time. By moving the right pointer 43b, copy processing may be
executed with respect to the plurality of icons 47a to 47c at the
same time. It should be noted that in FIGS. 7A and 7B, when the
right pointer 43b is moved, the copy processing may be executed.
However, the copy processing may be executed when the left pointer
43a is moved.
[0070] As shown in FIG. 8, the left pointer 43a and the right
pointer 43b designate the icon 47. In this state, the operators 3a
and 3b are moved with the operators 3a and 3b being pressed against
the screen, so that a relative distance between the operators 3a
and 3b is increased. Thus, the left pointer 43a and the right
pointer 43b move away from each other on the display screen 41. At
this time, deletion processing of the icon 47 is executed as the
assigned action.
[0071] In this embodiment, images 48 obtained by separating the
icon 47 into two are displayed on the display screen 41. With this,
it is possible to visually recognize that the deletion processing
has been executed. It should be noted that the moved operators 3a
and 3b are moved back to their original positions with the
operators 3a and 3b being pressed against the screen. Specifically,
when the pointers 43a and 43b are moved back to their original
positions, execution of the deletion processing may be
cancelled.
[0072] As shown in FIG. 7B, the left pointer 43a and the right
pointer 43b designate the plurality of icons 47a to 47c at the same
time. In this state, the pointers 43a and 43b are moved. In this
manner, the deletion processing may be executed on the plurality of
icons 47a to 47c at the same time.
[0073] The pointers 43a and 43b are moved away from each other in
the left- and right-hand directions on the display screen 41. At
this time, the copy processing shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B may be
executed. Then, the pointers 43a and 43b are moved away from each
other in upper and lower directions on the display screen 41. At
this time, the deletion processing shown in FIG. 8 may be
executed.
[0074] As shown in FIGS. 7A-8, the icon 47 is designated by the
left pointer 43a and the right pointer 43b. When the right pointer
43b is moved so that the pointers 43a and 43b are moved away from
each other from such a state, the copy processing of the icon 47 is
executed. With this, the icon 47 can be copied with relative ease
and high operability. Further, when the pointers 43a and 43b are
moved away from each other, the deletion processing of the icon 47
is executed. With this, the icon 47 can be deleted with high
operability.
[0075] As shown in FIG. 9, the icon 47 of an image file is
displayed on the display screen 41. The icon 47 is designated by
the left pointer 43a serving as the first cursor pointer. Further,
the icon 47 is designated by the right pointer 43b serving as the
second cursor pointer.
[0076] In this state, the operators 3a and 3b are moved relative to
each other with the left operator 3a and the right operator 3b
being pressed against the screen so that a relative distance
between the operators 3a and 3b is decreased. At this time, only
one or both of the operators 3a and 3b may be moved. The pointers
43a and 43b are moved relative to each other on the display screen
41 so that the left pointer 43a and the right pointer 43b approach
each other. At this time, compression processing of the image file
as data related to the icon 47 is executed as the action.
[0077] Compression rate for the image file to be compressed may
depend on an amount of change of the relative distance between the
pointers 43a and 43b. For example, the compression rate may be set
such that it becomes higher as the pointers 43a and 43b approach
relative to each other. Alternatively, when the pointers 43a and
43b are moved relative to each other, the image file may be
compressed at a compression rate.
[0078] The data to be compressed is not limited to the image file;
and a moving image file, an audio file, or the like may be
compressed. Further, a compression method and the like can be
appropriately set. As shown in FIG. 9, an icon 47'' of the
compressed image file is displayed in a size smaller than that of
the icon 47 of the image file before the compression. With this,
the user 30 is allowed to visually recognize that the compression
processing has been executed, with the result that intuitive
operations become possible.
[0079] As shown in FIG. 9, the icon 47 is designated by the left
pointer 43a and the right pointer 43b. When the pointers 43a and
43b are moved relative to each other so that the pointers 43a and
43b approach each other from such a state, the compression
processing of the data related to the icon 47 is executed. With
this, the data related to the icon 47 can be compressed with high
operability.
[0080] As shown in FIG. 10, the icon 47 of the image file is
displayed on the display screen 41. The icon 47 is designated by
the left pointer 43a serving as the first cursor pointer. In this
state, the left operator 3a performs a click operation. Then, as a
first action assigned to this click operation, reproduction
processing of the image file is executed. As shown in FIG. 10, an
image 45 is displayed on the display screen 41.
[0081] As shown in FIG. 10, the icon 47 is designated by the right
pointer 43b serving as the second cursor pointer. In this state,
the right operator 3b performs a click operation. Then, as a second
action assigned to this click operation, a context menu 46 related
to the icon 47 is displayed. In the context menu 46, various
processing items that will be executed with respect to the image
file are displayed. For example, in the context menu 46, items of
the reproduction processing, print processing, copy processing, cut
processing, deletion processing, and the like are displayed.
[0082] FIG. 10 shows a state in which the icon 47 is designated by
the left pointer 43a and the right pointer 43b. However, either the
left pointer 43a or the right pointer 43b may designate the icon
47. Then, the operator 3a or 3b may perform the click
operation.
[0083] As shown in FIG. 10, when the click operation is input as an
operation with respect to the left pointer 43a designating the icon
47, reproduction processing of the image file is executed. Then,
when the same click operation is input with respect to the right
pointer 43b designating the icon 47, display processing of the
context menu 46, which is different from the reproduction
processing, is executed. That is, for each of the pointers 43a and
43b, an action corresponding to an operation can be appropriately
set. With this, multi-touch operations with high operability become
possible. Further, different processing can be executed with
respect to the same operations, and hence various types of
processing can be executed without a need of complicated
operations.
[0084] As the operation with respect to the left pointer 43a or the
right pointer 43b, there are exemplified various touch operations
such as a click operation, a double click operation, a tap
operation, and a drag operation. As the action to be assigned to
the operation, there are exemplified various types of processing
with respect to various GUIs displayed on the display screen 41,
such as designation, movement, enlargement, reduction in size,
rotation, and deletion of the object displayed on the display
screen 41, and reproduction of the data related to the object.
[0085] The operation using only the left operator 3a or the right
operator 3b alone may be classified as a combination with a
non-operation by the other operator.
[0086] As shown in FIG. 11, a window A is displayed on the display
screen 41. The window A is, for example, a window of a folder, a
window of an application for creating mails, documents, or the
like, a window of a web browser, or the like.
[0087] In this embodiment, an icon of the folder, the application,
or the like is designated by the left pointer 43a or the right
pointer 43b. Then, the operator 3a or 3b performs an operation such
as a click operation. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, display
processing of the window A is executed as the action assigned to
this click operation.
[0088] In this state, both of the operators 3a and 3b are operated
so that a relative distance between the left pointer 43a and the
right pointer 43b is decreased in the left- and right-hand
directions on the display screen 41. Then, also after the pointers
43a and 43b are located at almost the same position in the left-and
right-hand directions on the display screen 41, the pointers 43a
and 43b are moved in the same direction. That is, the operators 3a
and 3b are operated so that the left pointer 43a and the right
pointer 43b intersect in the left- and right-hand directions on the
display screen 41.
[0089] As shown in FIG. 11, until the relative distance between the
pointers 43a and 43b becomes equal to or larger than a distance L
after the intersection of the pointers 43a and 43b, the operators
3a and 3b are operated. Then, window switch processing of switching
the window to be in a focused state is executed as the assigned
action. With this, as shown in FIG. 11, the window in the focused
state is switched from the window A to a window B.
[0090] As mentioned above, the window switch processing may be
executed with respect to an operation of changing the relative
distance between the left pointer 43a and the right pointer 43b.
The operation of causing the left pointer 43a and the right pointer
43b to intersect is set assuming a physical operation of turning
sheets of paper or the like. That is, the user can execute the
window switch processing by intuitive operations. It should be
noted that the window switch processing may be executed with
respect to the operation of changing the relative distance between
the pointers 43a and 43b in the upper and lower directions on the
display screen 41.
[0091] As shown in FIGS. 12A-12B, a plurality of icons 47a to 47c
are displayed on the display screen 41. In this state, operations
of moving the left pointer 43a and the right pointer 43b are input.
Then, designation processing of designating icons 47a and 47b out
of the plurality of icons 47a to 47c at the same time is executed
as an action assigned to combination of the above-mentioned touch
operations.
[0092] In FIG. 12A, the positions of a start point 49a and an end
point 50a of the left pointer 43a and the positions of a start
point 49b and an end point 50b of the right pointer 43b may be
calculated. Then, a designation area 52 surrounded by straight
lines 51 linking the four points is determined. The icons 47a and
47b located within this designation area 52 are designated. With
this, for example, as compared to the case of setting the
designation area by one pointer, it is possible to easily set a
larger area as the designation area 52 with high operability.
[0093] In FIG. 12B, positional information representing movement
tracks of the pointers 43a and 43b is calculated. By a straight
line 51 linking the start points 49a and 49b, a straight line 51
linking the end points 50a and 50b, and a curved line 53
representing tracks of the pointers 43a and 43b, a designation area
52' is set. The icons 47a and 47b located within this designation
area 52' are designated. With this, according to the positions of
the plurality of icons 47a to 47c displayed on the display screen
41, icons 47a and 47b can be designated with high operability.
[0094] It should be noted that an icon designated from the icons
47a and 47b located within the designation area 52 or 52' may be
additionally selected. For example, before or after the designation
area 52 or 52' is determined, attribute information of the
designated icon may be set. Then, only an icon including such
attribute information may be selected as the designated icon.
Before or after the designation area 52 or 52' is determined, an
icon is selected by the left pointer 43a or the right pointer 43b.
Then, only an icon including the same attribute information as the
selected icon may be designated.
[0095] As shown in FIGS. 12A-12B, by moving the left pointer 43a
and the right pointer 43b, the icons 47a and 47b located within the
designation area 52 (52') surrounded by the start points and the
end points of the two pointers 43a and 43b may be designated. With
this, the icons 47a and 47b can be designated with high
operability.
[0096] As shown in FIG. 13, the left pointer 43a and the right
pointer 43b determine the designation area 52, and the icon 47 of
the image file is designated. Then, from the positions of the end
points 50a and 50b of the pointers 43a and 43b, the pointers 43a
and 43b are brought close to each other. At this time, the
compression processing of the image file may be executed as the
assigned action. In the case where the compression rate depends on
the amount of change of the relative distance between the pointers
43a and 43b, this amount of change can be easily adjusted.
[0097] As mentioned above, in the information processing apparatus
100 according to this embodiment, the touch pad 2 receives the
operations of the left pointer 43a and the right pointer 43b. Then,
the action previously assigned to the combination of the operations
of the pointers 43a and 43b is executed with respect to the icon
47. With this, by appropriately setting the action assigned to the
combination of the operations, multi-touch operations with high
operability become possible.
[0098] Further, in the information processing apparatus 100
according to this embodiment, the processing shown in FIGS. 6 to 11
can be executed. That is, when at least one pointer designates the
icon 47 and the operations of the pointers 43a and 43b in this
state are received, the action previously assigned to the
combination of those operations is executed with respect to the
designated icon 47. With this, the action with respect to the icon
47 can be executed with high operability.
[0099] As the touch operations of the pointers 43a and 43b,
operations other than the touch operations shown in FIGS. 6 to 13
may be input. Further, as the action assigned to the combination of
the touch operations of the pointers, an action other than the
actions described above may be executed.
Additional Example
[0100] Embodiments according to the present disclosure are not
limited to the above-mentioned embodiments and various
modifications can be made.
[0101] FIGS. 14A-15B are schematic views showing a modified example
of the information processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1. As
shown in FIG. 14A, an information processing apparatus 300 includes
a touch pad 302, a D-pad 310, and operation buttons 320. As shown
in the figure, the information processing apparatus 300 may be
provided with the operation buttons 320 and the like.
[0102] As shown in FIG. 14B, an information processing apparatus
400 includes a touch pad 402a and a touch pad 402b. The touch pad
402a is used for a touch operation by a left operator. The touch
pad 402b is used for a touch operation by a right operator. As
shown in the figure, due to the provision of the plurality of touch
pads for each of the operators, the correspondence relations
between the operators and the pointers can be easily determined.
Thus, the operations for respectively controlling the pointers can
be intuitively performed with high operability. Further, in the
case of using a so-called relative coordinate system, the
operability of each pointer can be kept high. In the relative
coordinate system, each pointer is operated based on relative
coordinate information being information of the movement direction
and movement amount of each pointer.
[0103] As shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, as an information processing
apparatus 500 or 600 according to a modified example of the present
disclosure, an information processing apparatus including a display
screen 541 or 641 may be used. The information processing
apparatuses 500 or 600 is typically manufactured in a size that the
user is capable of carrying.
[0104] In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the touch pad
serving as the input unit, the CPU, and the like are integrally
provided. However, a main body including the CPU and an input
controller including the touch pad may be provided separately. That
is, for example, a remote controller having an outer appearance
that is substantially the same as the outer appearance of the
information processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 and a main
body including the CPU provided separately from the controller may
constitute an information processing apparatus according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0105] Further, as the information processing apparatus according
to this embodiment, an information processing apparatus without the
touch pad may be used. In this case, to this information processing
apparatus, the touch pad serving as an external input apparatus is
connected in a wired or wireless manner. Then, a contact signal or
the like output from this touch pad serving as the external input
apparatus is received. That is, as the information processing
apparatus according to this embodiment, an information processing
apparatus having a structure for receiving the operation of each
pointer through the external input apparatus may be used. In this
case, an interface or the like provided for connection to the
external input apparatus functions as the input unit.
[0106] In the above description, the touch pad serving as the input
unit includes the pressure sensor. However, the touch pad does not
need to include the pressure sensor and detect the pressing
operations of the operators. In this case, it is only sufficient
that various types of processing are executed according to
operations of contact and separation of the operators. Moreover, as
mentioned above, embodiments herein need not include a pressure
sensor. "Touch operations" may be detected by, in addition to or
alternative to pressure sensing, any other suitable methods such as
by using optical or infrared detectors.
[0107] In the above description, two operators of the left operator
and the right operator are illustrated. However, two or more
operators may input the touch operations to the touch pad.
[0108] In the above description, in the absolute coordinate system,
the operators control the cursor pointers. However, a relative
coordinate system may be used. Further, when a contact or proximity
with respect to the touch pad 2 is not detected for a period of
time, the cursor pointer may be hidden.
[0109] In the above description, based on the touch positions of
the operator or the order in which the touch operations are input,
the correspondence relations between the operators and the cursor
pointers are determined. However, the correspondence relations may
be determined based on contact angles obtained when the operators
come in contact with the touch pad. For example, the contact areas
of the operators are detected, and the contact angles are
calculated from the shape of each area, a change of the shape, or
the like. A method of calculating the contact angles can be
appropriately set.
[0110] In the touch pad 2 shown in FIG. 1, an operator comes in
contact with the touch pad 2 in order to move in a direction from
the left-hand side to the upper right-hand side. In this case, this
operator is caused to correspond to the left pointer. An operator
comes in contact with the touch pad 2 in order to move in a
direction from the right-hand side to the upper left-hand side of
the touch pad 2. In this case, this operator is caused to
correspond to the right pointer. With this, generally, the left
pointer is caused to correspond to operations by the left hand and
the right pointer is caused to correspond to operations by the
right hand. As a result, intuitive operations become possible.
[0111] FIG. 16 is a view schematically showing an embodiment of the
present disclosure. An information processing apparatus 700 shown
in FIG. 16 includes a touch panel 750 of a multi-touch type as the
input unit capable of receiving touch operations by one or more
operators. Thus, no pointer needs to be displayed on a display
screen 741. The user 730 inputs touch operations to the display
screen 741 by use of a plurality of operators 703a and 703b. Then,
with respect to an icon 747 displayed on the display screen 741, an
action assigned to those touch operations is executed. With this,
multi-touch operations with high operability become possible.
[0112] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that
various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and
alterations may occur depending on design requirements and other
factors insofar as they are within the scope of the appended claims
or the equivalents thereof.
* * * * *