Abstract:
The present invention relates to a touch screen apparatus and a method of inputting a user command through the apparatus. A touch screen apparatus of the present invention comprises an input unit  10  having a sensing unit  12  for recognizing user&#39;s touches and converting the touches into electrical signals; a storage unit  30  for storing execution commands corresponding to relative positions of the successive touches; and a control unit  20  for receiving the signals from the sensing unit  12  and executing an execution command retrieved from the storage unit. According to the present invention constructed as such, a variety of execution commands can be inputted without using a pattern of touches rather than an input area narrowly partitioned in a screen space.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a touch screen apparatus and digital equipment having the same, and a command-input method thereof. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Recently, navigation devices, personal multimedia players (PMPs), MP3 players, cellular phones and the like tend to be miniaturized in size so as to be easily moved and carried. Accordingly, instead of a conventional key button input method, a touch screen method is employed so that a user can more conveniently select and input information. In the touch screen method, a user can interface with a computer through a screen and directly input or output information, wherein when a user&#39;s finger or an object touches a character displayed on the screen or a specific point on the screen, the coordinates of the touch point are recognized. Then, a specific process corresponding to a menu at the selected coordinates is performed by software using the coordinates. Accordingly, the touch screen serves as an input unit as well as an information display unit. 
         [0005]    In a portable information terminal employing such a touch screen, a selection menu displayed on the screen should be touched by a stylus pen or a fingertip. 
         [0006]    However, the aforementioned conventional technique has the following problems. 
         [0007]    That is, in order to display menus on the screen and to select and execute a certain menu in the portable information terminal employing such a touch screen described above, the menu should be directly touched on the touch screen. Thus, all the menus should be displayed. Accordingly, there is a problem in that all the menus are displayed on the screen, resulting in a complicated screen configuration. 
         [0008]    Meanwhile, as the portable information terminal is gradually miniaturized, the size of the screen is also decreased. Accordingly, the size of a menu displayed on the screen also becomes smaller. Therefore, there is a problem in that it is difficult for a user to exactly touch the small menu, resulting in frequent input errors. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention is conceived to solve the aforementioned problems in the related art. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a touch screen apparatus and digital equipment having the same, and a command-input method thereof, wherein a variety of execution commands can be executed according to promised touch patterns. 
         [0010]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a touch screen apparatus and digital equipment having the same, and a command-input method thereof, wherein the apparatus is not operated through an exact touch to a point but an execution command is inputted using a pattern of successive touches. 
         [0011]    According to an aspect of the present invention for achieving the objects, there is provided a touch screen apparatus comprising an input unit having a sensing unit for recognizing inputs of user&#39;s input signals and converting the input signals into electrical signals; a storage unit for storing execution commands corresponding to relative positions of two or more input signals; and a control unit for receiving the input signals from the sensing unit, retrieving an execution command corresponding to the input signals from the storage unit, and executing the retrieved execution command. 
         [0012]    At this time, the execution commands stored in the storage unit may be stored in a form of a table categorized according to the number of successive inputs of the input signals and the relative positions of the input signals. 
         [0013]    The number of successive inputs of the input signals may be the number of inputs successively inputted within a preset time interval. 
         [0014]    The relative positions of the input signals may be calculated based on an input position of an initially inputted input signal. 
         [0015]    The input signals may be divided into a long touch and a short touch depending on whether the duration of each of the input signals exceeds a specified time value. 
         [0016]    The control unit may detect both the input of the user&#39;s input signal and release of the input of the input signal. If a final input signal among the plurality of input signals is a long touch, the control unit may continuously execute a corresponding execution command until the input of the final input signal is released. 
         [0017]    According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital equipment comprising a touch screen apparatus that includes an input unit having a sensing unit for recognizing inputs of user&#39;s input signals and release of the inputs of the input signals and converting the input signals into electrical signals; a storage unit for storing execution commands corresponding to relative positions of two or more input signals; and a control unit for receiving the input signals from the sensing unit, retrieving an execution command corresponding to the input signals from the storage unit, and executing the retrieved execution command. 
         [0018]    At this time, the execution commands stored in the storage unit may be stored in a form of a table categorized according to the number of successive inputs of the input signals and the relative positions of the input signals. 
         [0019]    The relative positions of the input signals may be recognized as one of four directions, including up, down, left and right, based on an initially inputted input signal. 
         [0020]    If a final input signal among the plurality of input signals is a long touch that is inputted over a specified time value, the control unit may continuously execute a corresponding execution command until the input of the final input signal is released. 
         [0021]    The touch screen apparatus of the equipment may further comprise a buffer memory for storing information on input positions of the successive input signals, relative positions between the input signals, and the types of the input signals, from a time point when input of a user&#39;s initial input signal is detected to a time point when input of the successive input signals is completed. 
         [0022]    According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of inputting a command in a touch screen apparatus, comprising the steps of: (A) receiving an input signal or input signals; (B) determining whether at least two input signals are inputted; (C) if it is determined in step (B) that at least two input signals are inputted, determining relative positions of the input signals based on reference position information contained in the input signals; (D) retrieving an execution command corresponding to a result of the determination in step (C); and (E) executing the retrieved execution command. 
         [0023]    At this time, step (B) may comprise the steps of: (B 1 ) determining whether a preset time is elapsed after an input signal is inputted; (B 2 ) if it is determined that the preset time is not elapsed, waiting for input of another input signal; and (B 3 ) if it is determined that the preset time is elapsed, determining whether at least two input signals are inputted. 
         [0024]    Step (B) may further comprise the step of storing input positions of the input signals in a buffer memory. 
         [0025]    If a corresponding execution command does not exist in step (D), execution of the corresponding command may not be performed. 
         [0026]    The method may further comprise the steps of (F) after executing a user command (the execution command), confirming whether a finally inputted input signal is a long touch; (G) if it is determined that the finally inputted input signal is a long touch, checking whether release of the input of the finally inputted input signal is detected; and (H) performing step (E) if release of the input of the finally inputted input signal is not detected, and deleting data stored in the buffer memory if release of the input of the finally inputted input signal is detected. 
         [0027]    The execution commands stored in the storage unit may be stored in a form of a table categorized according to the number of successive inputs of the input signals and the relative positions of the input signals. 
         [0028]    The relative positions of the input signals may be determined in step (C) by recognizing the relative positions as one of four directions, including up, down, left and right, based on an input position of an initially inputted input signal. 
         [0029]    At this time, the preset time in step (B 1 ) may be defined by a user&#39;s input. 
         [0030]    With digital equipment provided with a touch screen apparatus according to the present invention described above in detail, it can be expected to obtain the following effects. 
         [0031]    That is, since a variety of execution commands are executed according to promised touch patterns in the present invention, there is an advantage in that a variety of execution commands can be correctly inputted even in touch panel electronic equipment having a small input unit. 
         [0032]    Further, since a desired execution command can be inputted in the present invention without looking at a screen in order to input a command, convenience of use is improved. Particularly, in case of a navigation device mounted in a vehicle, there is an advantage in that a driver can safely input an execution command while looking ahead. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0033]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing a configuration of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIGS. 3   a  to  3   c  are exemplary views showing operations of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 4  is an exemplary view showing a state where the preferred embodiment of the present invention is operated in another mode. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0037]    Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a touch screen apparatus and a command-input method thereof according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0038]    The term “input signal” used herein means a user&#39;s input. That is, the meaning of input of an input signal in a touch screen apparatus includes a variety of input methods including an input through a touch on a touch screen. However, for the sake of convenience of explanation, description will be made hereinafter on the assumption that input of an input signal means a user&#39;s touch input. Accordingly, the terms ‘touch’ and ‘input of an input signal’ described below (and illustrated in the drawings) are used in the same meaning. 
         [0039]    The touch screen apparatus according to the present invention can be applied to a variety of digital equipment. However, for the sake of convenience of explanation, a touch screen apparatus mounted on a navigation device will be described hereinafter by way of example. 
         [0040]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing a configuration of a preferred embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of the preferred embodiment of the present invention,  FIGS. 3   a  to  3   c  are exemplary views showing operations of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 4  is an exemplary view showing a state where the preferred embodiment of the present invention is operated in another mode. 
         [0041]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the touch screen apparatus of the present invention includes an input unit  10  for performing functions of inputting and displaying information. The input unit  10  includes a display unit  14  for displaying a plurality of pieces of menu information (icons, etc.) and data thereon, and a sensing unit  12  for detecting a touch action that selects a menu or data displayed on the display unit  14 . When a user touches the input unit  10  to select a menu or data displayed on the input unit  10  using a fingertip or a stylus pen, the sensing unit  12  detects the touch action. 
         [0042]    At this time, the display unit  14  is a general display device that may be one of various display devices such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display panel (PDP), a light emitting diode (LED) and an organic light emitting diode (OLED). The sensing unit  12  is provided in the form of a thin layer on a front surface of the display unit  14   a  to form a resistive or capacitive type touch screen. It will be apparent that a touch screen using an infrared beam or the like may be employed. However, the resistive or capacitive type touch screen is preferably used. 
         [0043]    In the resistive type touch screen, two films coated with a resistive material are provided with a certain gap maintained therebetween, and an electrical current is applied to both the films. At this time, if pressure is applied to one of the films and thus the two films are brought into contact with each other, the amount of the flowing current is changed. The change of the current is sensed to detect a touch point. On the other hand, in the capacitive type touch screen, a conductive metallic material is coated on both sides of a glass panel, and a voltage is applied to corners. At this time, a high frequency wave flows in the touch screen, and the waveform of the high frequency wave is distorted if a finger touches the touch screen. The distortion is sensed to detect a touch point. 
         [0044]    The sensing unit  12  is provided with a touch panel controller  16  for sensing the distortion of the waveform of the high frequency wave and converting the distortion into an electrical signal. The touch panel controller  16  controls the operation of the sensing unit  12 , detects touch information (touch point and time) and the like, converts the touch information into an electrical signal, and transmits the electrical signal to a control unit  20 . 
         [0045]    The control unit  20  for accessing a corresponding execution command in a storage unit  30  and displaying the execution command on the display unit  10  according to a detection result of the sensing unit  12  is connected to the input unit  10 . 
         [0046]    The control unit  20  controls both the aforementioned displaying operation and overall operations of digital equipment. The control unit operates the digital equipment according to the detection result of the sensing unit  12 . 
         [0047]    Meanwhile, the storage unit  30  for storing user commands, which are set according to relative positions of a plurality of touches and the types of touches, is connected to the control unit  20 . The execution commands to be executed by the control unit  20  are stored in the storage unit  30 . Preferably, the storage unit stores execution commands that are categorized by operation mode and correspond to the number of successive touches, relative positions of the touches, and the types of touches. 
         [0048]    At this time, the number of successive touches is the number of touches inputted within a preset time value, and a touch inputted within a preset time value means the next touch inputted before the preset time value is elapsed after a previous touch has been inputted, and touches inputted within the preset time value after the next touch has been inputted. That is, this means that the intervals between touches do not exceed the preset time value. It is preferred that the time value be set by a user. 
         [0049]    In addition, the types of touches are categorized by touch duration and preferably categorized into a short touch inputted in a time smaller than a specified time value and a long touch inputted in a time larger than the specified time value. At this time, it is also preferred that the time value be specified by a user. 
         [0050]    Moreover, a buffer memory  40  for storing information on a touch until an execution command corresponding to the touch is executed after the touch has been inputted is preferably connected to the control unit  20 . Accordingly, the contents stored in the buffer memory  40  are preferably deleted after the execution command is executed. 
         [0051]    Meanwhile, the execution commands stored in the storage unit  30  are preferably stored in the form of a table. A specific example thereof will be described in detail when an embodiment of the present invention is described later. 
         [0052]    Hereinafter, the operation of a preferred embodiment of the present invention constructed as above will be described in detail according to a command-input method thereof. 
         [0053]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the touch screen apparatus according to the present invention starts to operate by detecting a user&#39;s touch through the sensing unit  12  (S 10 ). 
         [0054]    Next, information on the position of the touch input and the duration of the touch is stored in the buffer memory  40  (S 20 ). This is to easily fetch touch data upon calculation of relationship among successive touches that are subsequently inputted. 
         [0055]    Next, it is checked whether a preset time is elapsed after the touch (S 30 ). This is to determine whether input of the successive touches is completed. That is, if a new touch is not inputted until the preset time is elapsed after a previous touch, it is determined that input of successive touches is completed. 
         [0056]    If the number of successive touches is set to a number such as two or three, step S 30  is not needed. However, if the various numbers of successive inputs are intended to be utilized, step S 30  is needed since whether user&#39;s successive inputs are completed should be recognized. 
         [0057]    As described above, it is preferred that the time value be set or changed by a user. 
         [0058]    Then, it is determined whether the number of successive touches is two or more (S 40 ). At this time, if the number of successive touches is less than two, i.e., if successive touches are not inputted but only one touch is inputted, a corresponding menu displayed on the input unit  10  is executed in the same manner as a conventional touch input method (S 50 ). 
         [0059]    On the other hand, if the number of successive touches is two or more, relative positions of the respective touches are calculated (S 60 ). 
         [0060]    The relative positions are calculated with respect to the position of an initially inputted touch (reference position). That is, the relative positions are determined by finding X-axis movement values and Y-axis movement values of the positions of second and subsequent touches with respect to the reference position. At this time, if the X-axis and Y-axis movement values are considerably small values (that can be defined by a user), the touches can be considered as touches inputted at the same position. 
         [0061]    In addition, based on the X-axis and Y-axis movement values, the relative position can be determined simply as left, right, up or down. That is, it is determined whether the relative position is left/right or up/down by comparing absolute values of the X-axis and Y-axis movement values with each other, and the relative position can be determined as one of left, right, up and down according to the sign of the X-axis or Y-axis movement value. This is to minimize an input error by simplifying the relative position of an inputted touch. 
         [0062]    Meanwhile, after the relative positions between the touches are calculated, an execution command corresponding to the number of successive touches, relative positions between the touches, and the types of the touches is retrieved from the storage unit  30  (S 70 ). 
         [0063]    At this time, the execution commands stored in the storage unit  30  are categorized by mode and stored in the form of a table according to the number of successive touches, relative positions between the touches, and the types of the touches. The table can be constructed in a variety of ways according to the intention of a user or manufacturer, the purpose of usage and the like, and a specific example thereof will be described in detail when an embodiment of the present invention is described later. 
         [0064]    Here, it is determined whether an execution command corresponding to the pattern of inputted touches exists in the storage unit  30  (S 80 ). If a corresponding execution command does not exist, the operation is stopped without executing an execution command. 
         [0065]    If a corresponding execution command corresponding to the pattern of inputted touches exists, the execution command is executed (S 90 ). 
         [0066]    Next, it is determined whether a finally inputted touch is a long touch (S 100 ). That is, the type of the final touch is determined. If the final touch is a short touch, data stored in the buffer memory are deleted (S 120 ) and the operation is stopped. 
         [0067]    However, if the type of the final touch is a long touch, it is determined whether the final touch has been released (S 110 ). 
         [0068]    Then, if the final touch has not been released, the execution command is continuously executed. If the final touch has been released, the data stored in the buffer memory are deleted (S 120 ) and the operation is stopped. 
         [0069]    Examples of the operation of the present invention performed as above are shown in  FIGS. 3   a  to  3   c  and  4 . Here,  FIGS. 3   a  to  3   c  are views showing the operation of the present invention performed in a map search mode, and  FIG. 4  shows an example of the operation of the present invention performed in a menu selection mode. 
         [0070]    Hereinafter, the operation of the present invention performed in the map search mode will be first described from the viewpoint of a user. 
         [0071]    First, as shown in  FIG. 3   a , the user touches the input unit  10  with his/her finger. It will be apparent that it is possible to touch the input unit using a stylus pen or the like other than the finger. 
         [0072]    At this time, touches at points marked with circles mean short touches, and all the touches are successive touches within a preset time value. 
         [0073]    The control unit recognizes a user&#39;s screen touch, and touches shown in the figure are recognized as ‘rightward short touches’. Here, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the upper side is expressed as ‘U’, the lower side is expressed as ‘D’, the left side is expressed as ‘L’, and the right side is expressed as ‘R’. Further, a short touch is expressed as ‘S’, and a long touch is expressed as ‘L’. 
         [0074]    Accordingly, the touches shown in  FIG. 3   a  are recognized as ‘RS’. 
         [0075]    The control unit  20  searches the storage unit  30  and retrieves an execution command corresponding to the ‘RS’. 
         [0076]    At this time, an example (a map search mode) of execution commands stored in the storage unit  30  in the form of a table is shown in Table 1 below. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Map search mode 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Number of 
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 successive touches 
                 Position of second touch 
                 Type of touch 
                 Execution command 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Twice 
                 U 
                 S 
                 Shift screen upward by 50 mm 
               
               
                   
                 U 
                 L 
                 Shift screen upward at 50 mm/s 
               
               
                   
                 D 
                 S 
                 Shift screen downward by 50 mm 
               
               
                   
                 D 
                 L 
                 Shift screen downward at 50 mm/s 
               
               
                   
                 R 
                 S 
                 Shift screen rightward by 50 mm 
               
               
                   
                 R 
                 L 
                 Shift screen rightward at 50 mm/s 
               
               
                   
                 L 
                 S 
                 Shift screen leftward by 50 mm 
               
               
                   
                 L 
                 L 
                 Shift screen leftward at 50 mm/s 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Position of 
                 Position of 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 second touch 
                 third touch 
                 Type of touch 
                 Execution command 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Three times 
                 U 
                 U 
                 S 
                 Shift screen upward by 100 mm 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 L 
                 Shift screen upward at 100 mm/s 
               
               
                   
                   
                 R 
                 S 
                 Shift screen rightward by 100 mm 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 L 
                 Shift screen rightward at 100 mm/s 
               
               
                   
                   
                 L 
                 S 
                 Shift screen leftward by 100 mm 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 L 
                 Shift screen leftward at 100 mm/s 
               
               
                   
                 D 
                 Omitted 
                 Omitted 
                 Omitted 
               
               
                   
                 R 
                 Omitted 
                 Omitted 
                 Omitted 
               
               
                   
                 L 
                 Omitted 
                 Omitted 
                 Omitted 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0077]    In Table 1 above, since ‘RS’ corresponds to a command for shifting the screen rightward by 50 mm, the map screen displayed on the input unit  10  is shifted rightward by 50 nm. 
         [0078]    On the other hand, marked touches shown in  FIG. 3   b  represent ‘RL’, wherein a circle including afterimages means a long touch. 
         [0079]    Accordingly, since the ‘RL’ in Table 1 means an execution command for shifting the screen rightward at 50 mm/s, the displayed map screen is shifted rightward at a rate of 50 mm/s. Thereafter, if the second touch is released, the shift of the screen is stopped. 
         [0080]    Meanwhile,  FIG. 3   c  shows input of three successive touches. It is assumed in the figure that the touches are sequentially inputted from the lower side to the upper side. 
         [0081]    The successive touches shown in the figure correspond to ‘UUL’. In Table 1, the UUL corresponds to a user command for shifting the screen upward at 100 mm/s. Accordingly, the screen is shifted upward twice as fast as the cases of  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b . If the third touch is released, the shift of the screen is stopped as described above. 
         [0082]    Meanwhile,  FIG. 4  shows the operation of the present invention performed in the menu selection mode. 
         [0083]    In the menu selection mode, a table suitable for the menu selection mode is stored. An example of the table is shown in Table 2 below. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Menu selection mode 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Number of 
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 successive touches 
                 Position of second touch 
                 Type of touch 
                 Execution command 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Twice 
                 U 
                 S 
                 Shift selection menu upward by 50 mm 
               
               
                   
                 U 
                 L 
                 Shift selection menu upward at 50 mm/s 
               
               
                   
                 D 
                 S 
                 Shift selection menu downward by 50 mm 
               
               
                   
                 D 
                 L 
                 Shift selection menu downward at 50 mm/s 
               
               
                   
                 R 
                 S 
                 Shift selection menu rightward by 50 mm 
               
               
                   
                 R 
                 L 
                 Shift selection menu rightward at 50 mm/s 
               
               
                   
                 L 
                 S 
                 Shift selection menu leftward by 50 mm 
               
               
                   
                 L 
                 L 
                 Shift selection menu leftward at 50 mm/s 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Position of 
                 Position of 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 second touch 
                 third touch 
                 Type of touch 
                 Execution command 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Three times 
                 U 
                 U 
                 S 
                 Shift selection menu upward by 100 mm 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 L 
                 Shift selection menu upward at 100 mm/s 
               
               
                   
                   
                 R 
                 S 
                 Shift selection menu rightward by 100 mm 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 L 
                 Shift selection menu rightward at 100 mm/s 
               
               
                   
                   
                 L 
                 S 
                 Shift selection menu leftward by 100 mm 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 L 
                 Shift selection menu leftward at 100 mm/s 
               
               
                   
                 D 
                 Omitted 
                 Omitted 
                 Omitted 
               
               
                   
                 R 
                 Omitted 
                 Omitted 
                 Omitted 
               
               
                   
                 L 
                 Omitted 
                 Omitted 
                 Omitted 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0084]    Since the touches shown in  FIG. 4  are ‘DL’ (on the assumption that the upper point is first touched), it is understood through a search of the execution commands in Table 2 that the touches correspond to a command for shifting the selection menu downward at 50 mm/s. 
         [0085]    Thereafter, if the second touch is released while the selection menu is moved downward, the shift of the selection menu is stopped. 
         [0086]    Although the execution commands have been very limitedly described above by way of example, the execution commands can be set and stored in a various manners. That is, various kinds of execution commands, such as control of sound volume and setting of a playback location and speed during playback of a variety of files, can be inputted according to the present invention. 
         [0087]    The scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but defined by the appended claims. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various adaptations and changes can be made thereto within the scope of the present invention defined by the appended claims.