Description
Title of Invention: ELECTRONIC APPARATUS, DISPLAY
METHOD, AND PROGRAM
Cross Reference to Related Applications
The present application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority under
of Japanese Priority Patent Application 201 1-042909 filed in the Japan Patent Office
on February 28, 201 1, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by
reference.
Technical Field
[0002] The present disclosure relates to an electronic apparatus, a display method, and a
program, and particularly, to an electronic apparatus, a display method, and a program
appropriately used in the case where a user interface is displayed on the display unit on
which the touch panel is laminated and provided.
Background Art
[0003] Conventionally, there are various types of electronic apparatuses configured to
display a user interface for receiving an operation from a user on a display unit on
which a touch panel is laminated. Specifically, the electronic apparatuses are applied
to, for example, personal computers, smart phones, car navigation (car navigation)
devices, ATMs (Automated teller machines), and the like.
[0004] In addition, the touch panel is able to not only detect the touch of a user's finger or
the like but also detect the approach of the user's finger or the like (a capacitance type
touch panel).
[0005] As a touch panel capable of detecting the approach of the user's finger or the like, for
example, there is proposed a touch panel used in a car navigation apparatus and the
like, and the touch panel normally displays a map on a screen and displays buttons for
operation input at prescribed positions on the screen when the user's finger or the like
approaches thereto (refer to Patent Document 1).
Citation List
Patent Literature
[0006] [PTL 1] JP-A-2002-358162
Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
[0007] The electronic apparatus having the display unit, on which the touch panel is
laminated, is able to easily change a user interface. For example, in a case of
displaying plural buttons as options, it is possible to change the sizes of the buttons in
accordance with the number of buttons which are simultaneously displayed.
[0008] However, when the number of buttons which are simultaneously displayed is large,
the size of each button is reduced, and the spaces between the buttons are narrowed. In
such a case, sometimes, there may be a problem with operability such as an erroneous
operation which is caused when a user does not select (touch) a desired button.
[0009] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above situation, and has an
object to improve the operability of the user interface which is formed by laminating
the touch panel on the display unit.
Solution to Problem
[0010] This invention broadly comprises an apparatus, a method, and a computer readable
medium encoded with a program which causes a processor to perform the method. In
one embodiment, an apparatus includes an object approach determining unit and a
display control unit. The object approach determining unit is configured to determine
an approach of an object based on received data. The display control unit is configured
to control a display to display a plurality of selectable icons. The display control unit is
configured to control the display to change the display of the plurality of selectable
icons to display only a portion of the plurality of selectable icons when the object
approach determining unit determines that the object is close to the display.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[001 1] According to the aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to improve operability
of the user interface which is formed by laminating the touch panel on the display unit.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0012] [fig. 1]Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of an electronic
apparatus according to an embodiment.
[fig.2]Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating functional blocks of a control section of Fig. 1.
[fig.3]Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating processing of adaptively displaying buttons.
[fig.4]Figs. 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating a first display example of the processing
of adaptively displaying buttons.
[fig.5]Figs. 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating a second display example of the
processing of adaptively displaying buttons.
[fig.6]Figs. 6A to 6C are diagrams illustrating a third display example of the
processing of adaptively displaying buttons.
[fig.7]Figs. 7A to 7C are diagrams illustrating a fourth display example of the
processing of adaptively displaying buttons.
Description of Embodiments
[0013] Hereinafter, best modes for carrying out the invention (hereinafter referred to as em
bodiments) will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[00 14] <1. Embodiment
Exemplary Configuration of Electronic Apparatus
[0015] Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of an electronic
apparatus according to an embodiment. The electronic apparatus 10 has a user
interface which is formed by laminating a touch panel on a display unit, and cor
responds to, for example, a personal computer, a smart phone, a digital still camera, a
digital video camera, a navigation apparatus, or the like. In addition, it is apparent that
the invention can be applied to other electronic apparatuses.
[0016] The electronic apparatus 10 includes a touch panel 11 that is connected thereto
through a bus 15, a display unit 12, a recording section 13, and a control section 14.
[0017] The touch panel 11 is able to transmit the screen display of the display unit 12 and
detect not only the touch of the user's finger and the like but also the approach thereof
(meaning that the finger approaches thereto up to a predetermined distance without
touching thereon). Here, the user's finger or the like represents not only the user's
finger but also another part of a body, a stylus (an indication stick having a pen shape)
compatible with the touch panel 11, or the like. Hereafter, the user's finger or the like is
simply referred to as the user's finger, but is defined to include another part of a body
or a stylus.
[0018] As the touch panel 11, for example, a capacitance type may be employed. In
addition, any type can be used if it is able to detect not only the touch of the user's
finger but also the approach thereof. The touch panel 11 notifies detection information,
which represents the detection result of the touch or the approach of the user's finger,
to the control section 14 through the bus 15.
[0019] The display unit 12 is formed as, for example, an LCD, an organic EL display, or the
like, and displays a screen image supplied from the control section 14 through the bus
15. The recording section 13 stores a program for control executed in the control
section 14. Further, the recording section 13 stores various kinds of content (image
data, audio data, video data, application programs, and the like) as processing targets
of the corresponding electronic apparatus 10.
[0020] The control section 14 controls the entirety of the electronic apparatus 10 by
executing the program for control stored in the recording section 13.
[0021] In addition to the above-mentioned configuration, the buttons, which are me
chanically pressed, or the like may be provided as the user interface.
[0022] Fig. 2 shows functional blocks which are implemented in a way that the control
section 14 executes the program for control.
[0023] An operation determination section 2 1 determines user operation on the basis of the
detection information sent from the touch panel 11. Specifically, on the basis of change
in coordinates of the finger caused by the approach, the operation determination
section may determine whether or not the finger enters into a selection area 4 1 (Figs.
4A to 4C) of the display unit 12, or may determine the direction of the approach or the
locus of the movement. Further, the operation determination section may determine the
coordinates of the touch.
[0024] The screen image generation section 22 generates an image (which includes buttons
serving as the user interface and the like to be displayed on the display unit 12, and are
hereinafter referred to as a screen image), and supplies the generated screen image to
the display unit 12 through the bus 15. Further, the screen image generation section 22
changes the positions of the buttons on the screen image to positions, at which the user
easily operates the buttons, in accordance with the determined user operation (the
detailed description thereof will be given later in processing of adaptively displaying
the buttons). An execution section 23 executes processing corresponding to the
touched buttons.
Description of Operation
[0025] Next, the processing of adaptively displaying buttons performed by the electronic
apparatus 10 will be described. Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating processing of
adaptively displaying buttons performed by the electronic apparatus 10.
[0026] In step SI, the screen image generation section 22 generates a screen image in which
the buttons as options of the user interface are arranged at initial positions, and
supplies the screen image to the display unit 12 through the bus 15. The display unit 12
displays the supplies screen image.
[0027] In step S2, on the basis of the detection information sent from the touch panel 11, the
operation determination section 2 1 determines whether or not the user's finger enters
into the selection area including all the buttons displayed on the display unit 12 in a
state where the finger is in close vicinity of the touch panel 11. Then, the operation de
termination section is on standby until it is determined that the finger enters into the
area. When a user causes his finger to approach to the screen of the display unit 12, it
is determined that the finger enters into the selection area, and then the processing
advances to step S3.
[0028] In step S3, on the basis of the detection information sent from the touch panel 11, the
operation determination section 2 1 determines the direction of the movement of the
user's finger. In step S4, the screen image generation section 22 changes the ar
rangement of the buttons on the screen image in accordance with the direction of the
movement of the user's finger which is determined by the operation determination
section 21. That is, the screen image is updated, and is supplied to the display unit 12.
Thereby, the arrangement of the buttons on the screen of the display unit 12 is
changed.
[0029] In step S5, on the basis of the detection information sent from the touch panel 11, the
operation determination section 2 1 determines whether or not the user's finger touches
a button (actually, whether or not the finger touches the touch panel 11). If it is de
termined that the button is not touched, the processing returns to step S2, and repeats
the processing therefrom.
[0030] If it is determined that the user's finger touched the button, the processing advances
to step S6. In step S6, the operation determination section 2 1 detects the coordinates on
the touch panel 11 at which the user's finger touches. The execution section 23
specifies the button touched by the user on the basis of the detected coordinates on the
touch panel 11. Further, the execution section 23 performs the processing corre
sponding to the touched button. The processing of adaptively displaying buttons has
hitherto been described.
[0031] Next, first to fourth specific display examples of the processing of adaptively
displaying buttons will be described with reference to Figs. 4A to 7C.
[0032] Figs. 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating the first display example of the processing of
adaptively displaying buttons. In the first display example, the options are selected in
accordance with the direction of the approach of the user's finger.
[0033] In the first step, for example, as shown in A of the drawing, plural buttons 42 r e
spectively corresponding to the options are arranged on the screen 40 of the display
unit 12. Further, arrows 43, which represent the directions of the approach of the user's
finger, and categories, which serve as conditions for selecting options in accordance
therewith, are displayed on the screen 40. In addition, the selection area 4 1 is invisible
to the user, but may be configured to be visible.
[0034] In the case of A of the drawing, as the options, the buttons 42 are displayed, where
the buttons respectively correspond to rock, classic, and jazz belonging to a music
category, tennis, baseball, and swimming belonging to a sport category, and lemon and
banana belonging to a fruit category. Further, the following are displayed: the arrow
43-1, which enters from the left side, and the text of music as the category corre
sponding thereto; the arrow 43-2, which enters from the lower side, and the text of
sports as the category corresponding thereto; and the arrow 43-3, which enters from the
right side, and the text of fruits as the category corresponding thereto.
[0035] For example, when a user moves his finger from the left side into the selection area
4 1 in a state where the finger is in close vicinity of the touch panel 11, as shown in B
of the drawing, only the buttons 44, which correspond to the options belonging to the
music category, on the screen 40 of the display unit 12 are changed. In such a case,
only the buttons 44, which respectively correspond to rock, classic, and jazz belonging
to the music category, are displayed by narrowing the options.
[0036] Further, for example, when a user moves his finger from the right side into the
selection area 4 1 in a state where the finger is in close vicinity of the touch panel 11, as
shown in C of the drawing, only the buttons 45, which correspond to the options
belonging to the fruit category, on the screen 40 of the display unit 12 are changed. In
such a case, only the buttons 45, which respectively correspond to a lemon and a
banana belonging to the fruit category, are displayed by narrowing the options.
[0037] Furthermore, although not shown in the drawing, when a user moves his finger from
the lower side into the selection area 4 1 in a state where the finger is in close vicinity
of the touch panel 11, only the buttons, which correspond to tennis, baseball, and
swimming belonging to the sport category, on the screen 40 of the display unit 12 are
changed.
[0038] In addition, as shown in B or C of the drawing, the spaces and the sizes of the buttons
44 and 45 may be enlarged so as to be larger than those of the buttons 32 of A of the
drawing.
[0039] According to the first display example shown in Figs. 4A to 4C, it is possible to
reduce the number of displayed buttons in accordance with the direction of the
approach of the user's finger, and thus this helps the user to easily press a button. Ac
cordingly, it is possible to improve user operability.
[0040] Figs. 5A to 5C show the second display example of the processing of adaptively
displaying buttons. In the second display example, the direction of the arrangement of
the buttons serving as the options is changed in accordance with the direction of the
approach of the user's finger.
[0041] In the first step, for example, as shown in A of the drawing, plural buttons 5 1 r e
spectively corresponding to the options are arranged in a matrix shape on the screen 50
of the display unit 12.
[0042] In the case of A of the drawing, the buttons 5 1 of A, B, C, and D respectively corre
sponding to the four options are arranged in a matrix shape of
[0043] For example, when a user moves his finger from the left side into the selection area
4 1 in the state where the finger is in close vicinity of the touch panel 11, as shown in B
of the drawing, the arrangement of the plural buttons 51 on the screen 50 is changed in
a direction perpendicular to the direction of the approach, that is, the vertical direction.
In addition, it is the same for the case where a user moves his finger from the right side
into the selection area 4 1 in the state where the finger is in close vicinity of the touch
panel 11.
[0044] Further, for example, when a user moves his finger from the lower side into the
selection area 4 1 in the state where the finger is in close vicinity of the touch panel 11,
as shown in C of the drawing, the arrangement of the plural buttons 51 on the screen
50 is changed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the approach, that is, the
horizontal direction. In addition, it is the same for the case where a user moves his
finger from the upper side into the selection area 4 1 in the state where the finger is in
close vicinity of the touch panel 11.
[0045] According to the second display example shown in Figs. 5A to 5C, the direction of
the arrangement of the buttons is changed to be perpendicular to the direction of the
approach of the user's finger, and thus this helps the user to easily press a button as
compared with the case where the buttons are arranged in the matrix shape. Ac
cordingly, it is possible to improve user operability.
[0046] Figs. 6A to 6C show the third display example of the processing of adaptively
displaying buttons. In the third display example, the direction of the arrangement of the
buttons serving as the options is changed in accordance with the locus of the
movement of the user's finger.
[0047] At the first step, for example, as shown in A of the drawing, plural buttons 6 1 r e
spectively corresponding to the options are arranged to overlap one another on the
screen 60 of the display unit 12.
[0048] In the case of A of the drawing, the buttons 6 1 of A, B, C, and D respectively corre
sponding to the four options are arranged to overlap one another.
[0049] For example, when a user moves his finger from the lower right side to the upper left
side in the selection area 4 1 in the state where the finger is in close vicinity of the
touch panel 11, as shown in B of the drawing, the arrangement of the plural buttons 6 1
on the screen 60 is changed in accordance with the locus of the movement.
[0050] Likewise, when a user moves his finger from the lower middle side to the upper right
side in the selection area 4 1 in the state where the finger is in close vicinity of the
touch panel 11, as shown in C of the drawing, the arrangement of the plural buttons 6 1
on the screen 60 is changed in accordance with the locus of the movement.
[0051] According to the third display example shown in Figs. 6A to 6C, the user is able to
arbitrarily change the arrangement of the buttons by moving his finger, and thus this
helps the user to easily press a button. Accordingly, it is possible to improve user op
erability.
[0052] Figs. 7A to 7C show the fourth display example of the processing of adaptively
displaying buttons. In the fourth display example, the direction of the arrangement of
the buttons serving as the options is changed in accordance with the direction of the
approach of the user's finger.
[0053] At the first step, for example, as shown in A of the drawing, plural buttons 72 r e
spectively corresponding to the options are arranged in a matrix shape so as to overlap
with the background image on the screen 70 of the display unit 12.
[0054] In the case of A of the drawing, the background includes an object 71, and the
buttons 72 of A to P are arranged in a matrix shape of
so as to overlap with the object 71.
[0055] For example, when a user causes his finger to approach to the object 71, as shown in
B or C of the drawing, the arrangement of the plural buttons 72 on the screen 70 is
changed to avoid the finger.
[0056] According to the fourth display example shown in Figs. 7A to 7C, the user is able to
clear away the displayed buttons by moving his finger. Accordingly, it is possible to
make the background object 7 1 easily visible. Further, it is possible to press a button
after verifying the object 71. Accordingly, it is possible to improve user operability.
[0057] However, the series of the above-mentioned processing may be executed by
hardware, and may be executed by software.
[0058] In addition, the program executed by the computer may be a program which chrono
logically performs the processing in order of description of the present specification,
and may be a program which performs the processing in parallel or at necessary timing
such as the timing of calling.
[0059] Further, the program may be processed by a single computer, and may be distributively
processed by plural computers. Furthermore, the program may be
transmitted to a remote computer, and may be executed therein.
[0060] In addition, the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to the abovementioned
embodiments, and may be modified into various forms without departing
from the technical scope of the invention.
[0061] It should be noted that the present disclosure can also take the following config
urations.
[1] An electronic apparatus comprising:
a generation section that generates an operation screen which includes buttons r e
spectively corresponding to a plurality of options selectable by a user;
a display section that displays the generated operation screen; and
a detection section that detects an approach of an instruction section of the user to the
display section,
wherein the generation section changes arrangement of the buttons on the operation
screen, on the basis of a position of the detected approach of the instruction section.
[2] The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the generation section
changes the arrangement of the buttons on the operation screen, on the basis of a locus
or a direction of movement of the position of the detected approach of the instruction
section.
[3] The electronic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the generation section
selects a plurality of buttons on the operation screen in accordance with the direction of
the movement of the position of the detected approach of the instruction section.
[4] The electronic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the generation section
generates the operation screen including information in which a selection condition for
selecting the plurality of buttons is associated with the direction of the movement of
the position of the approach of the instruction section.
[5] The electronic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the generation section
changes the arrangement of the plurality of buttons on the operation screen in a
direction perpendicular to the direction of the movement of the position of the detected
approach of the instruction section.
[6] The electronic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the generation section
changes the arrangement of the buttons on the operation screen in accordance with the
locus of the movement, on the basis of the locus of the movement of the position of the
detected approach of the instruction section.
[7] The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the generation section
changes the arrangement of the buttons on the operation screen so as to avoid the
position of the detected approach of the instruction section.
[8] The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection section is
laminated on the display section, and transmits the operation screen, which is displayed
on the display section, so as to thereby display the generated operation screen.
[9] A method of controlling display of an electronic apparatus having
a generation section that generates an operation screen,
a display section that displays the generated operation screen, and
a detection section that detects approach of an instruction section of a user to the
display section,
the method comprising allowing the generation section to:
generate the operation screen which includes buttons respectively corresponding to a
plurality of options selectable by the user; and
change arrangement of the buttons on the operation screen, on the basis of a position of
the detected approach of the instruction section.
[10] A program for a computer, which includes
a display section that displays a generated operation screen, and
a detection section that detects approach of an instruction section of a user to the
display section,
the program causing the computer to execute processing comprising:
a generation step of generating the operation screen which includes buttons re
spectively corresponding to a plurality of options selectable by the user; and
a change step of changing arrangement of the buttons on the operation screen,
basis of a position of the detected approach of the instruction section.
PCT/JP2012/001143
Claims
An apparatus comprising:
an object approach determining unit configured to determine an
approach of an object based on received data; and
a display control unit configured to control a display to display a
plurality of selectable icons, and the display control unit is configured
to control the display to change the display of the plurality of selectable
icons to display only a portion of the plurality of selectable icons when
the object approach determining unit determines that the object is close
to the display.
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit
controls the display to display an enlarged image of the portion of the
plurality of selectable icons when the object approach determining unit
determines that the object is close to the display but not touching the
display.
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the plurality
of selectable icons is based on a direction of approach of the object.
The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the display control unit
controls the display to display arrow images for each of a plurality of
directions of approach of the object.
The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the display control unit
controls the display to display a category title with each of the arrow
images for each of a plurality of available directions of approach of the
object, each category title naming a category to which at least one of
the plurality of selectable icons belongs, and the display control unit
controls the display to display each of the selectable icons in a category
corresponding to an actual direction of approach of the object.
The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of available
directions of approach of the object include a direction perpendicular to
a bottom surface of the display and directions perpendicular to each of
side surfaces of the display.
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the plurality
of selectable icons is a subset of selectable icons all belonging to a
same category.
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit
controls the display to rearrange the plurality of selectable icons on the
display when the object approach determining unit determines that the
WO 2012/117690 PCT/JP2012/001143
object is close to the display but not touching the display.
[Claim 9] The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein in a second display mode
the display control unit controls the display to rearrange the plurality of
selectable icons on the display along a path of the object when the
object approach determining unit determines that the object passes
along the path close to the display but not touching the display.
[Claim 10] The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein in a third display mode the
display control unit controls the display to rearrange the plurality of se
lectable icons on the display away from a location of the object when
the object approach determining unit determines that the object is close
to the display but not touching the display.
[Claim 11] A method comprising:
determining, using a processor, an approach of an object based on
received data; and
controlling a display to display a plurality of selectable icons, the con
trolling including changing the display of the plurality of selectable
icons to display only a portion of the plurality of selectable icons when
the determining determines that the object is close to the display.
[Claim 12] A non-transitory computer readable medium encoded with a computer
program that, when loaded on a processor, causes the processor to
execute a method comprising:
determining an approach of an object based on received data; and
controlling a display to display a plurality of selectable icons, the con
trolling including changing the display of the plurality of selectable
icons to display only a portion of the plurality of selectable icons when
the determining determines that the object is close to the display.