Abstract:
An icon/text interface control method and particularly a control method incorporating with an icon/text menu interface displayed on a screen of a display device to facilitate user operation through selection. The method includes the procedures of: opening an option page, detecting contact of a user&#39;s finger on a touch panel and calculating coordinates of the finger center, mapping the position of the finger center to the screen, generating icon alteration of a corresponding option; executing a measure to prevent depressing deviation, and executing the selected option. Through a corresponding icon/text menu displayed on the screen options can be selected as desired to enable users to see and execute the selected options easily and quickly.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to an icon/text interface control method and particularly to a control method incorporating with an icon/text menu interface displayed on a screen of a display device to facilitate user operation by seeing and selecting options. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    Most conventional electronic products nowadays provide remote control function to facilitate user operation. Hence performing remote operation through a remote controller becomes a mandatory function of many electronic products. As the functions of electric devices become more complicated and versatile, such as DVD, MP3 music players, vehicle navigation, digital TV and the like, multiple functions are increasingly popular. Thus the number of buttons on the remote controller also increases. Some of them are composite keys. Namely one button provides different functions in different conditions. This makes operation of the remote controller more complicated. Users have to spend a lot of time to learn operations. And most users can use only a small portion of functions that are simpler. 
         [0005]    The viewing window interface on computers also provides complicated functions, but is much easier to learn for users. This is because the computer viewing window interface has an icon/text interface. Through a mouse cursor icon functional items on the screen can be selected. In some occasions when the cursor is moved to an icon option a text description appears to enable users to familiarize the operation even easier without much trials and errors. Moreover, as the computer is very popular these days, most people are familiar with operation of the computer icon interface. To make operation of electric devices like computer operation will greatly boost user friendliness. 
         [0006]    In short, the control method of the conventional electronic products has evolved from the button remote control approach in the past to a remote controller L equipped with a touch screen (referring to  FIG. 1 ). For instance Taiwan patent No. 1248261 (called reference 1 hereinafter) discloses a control method which has a plurality of composite function keys L 1  on a touch screen L 0  to provide command operation of different functions. The picture of the touch screen L 0  is changeable according to different functions. The same touch zones in different pictures often provide different operational functions. Operation is complicated. Moreover, due to constraint of the touch screen L 0 , the size of displaying text is smaller. It creates a great burden to user&#39;s eye sight. Another reference is Taiwan patent publication No. M281228 which discloses a design with a touch screen on a mouse. By touching the touch screen on the mouse operation commands can be entered. But it also has the drawbacks of reference 1. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide an icon/text interface control method incorporating with an icon/text menu interface displayed on a screen of a display device to facilitate user operation through selection. The method includes the procedures as follow: 
         [0008]    open an option page; 
         [0009]    detect contact of a user&#39;s finger on a touch panel and calculate coordinates of the finger center; 
         [0010]    map the position of the finger center to the screen; 
         [0011]    generate icon alteration of a corresponding option; 
         [0012]    execute a measure to prevent depressing deviation; and 
         [0013]    execute the selected option. 
         [0014]    By means of the procedures set forth above, users can easily see and quickly perform operation of the selected option from a corresponding icon/text menu displayed on the screen of a display device. 
         [0015]    In one aspect of the invention the coordinates of the touch panel adopt Descartes coordinate system. 
         [0016]    In another aspect the coordinates of the touch panel adopt absolute coordinates, and the position on the touch panel touched by the finger serves as the basis of the cursor appearing on the screen of the display device. 
         [0017]    In yet another aspect the step of open an option page is revoked after the step of detect contact of a user&#39;s finger on a touch panel and calculate coordinates of the finger center does not exist and absence of the finger from the touch panel for a set time period is detected, and a preceding page is resumed. 
         [0018]    The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a conventional remote controller. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of the remote controller of the invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is schematic view-1 of an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart of the method of the invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is schematic view-2 of an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart of a first embodiment of the step of generate icon alterations of a corresponding option. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is schematic view-3 of an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is schematic view-4 of an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart of a second embodiment of the step of generate icon alterations of a corresponding option. 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart of a third embodiment of the step of generate icon alterations of a corresponding option. 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  is a flowchart of a fourth embodiment of the step of generate icon alterations of a corresponding option. 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  is a flowchart of a first embodiment of the step of execute a measure to prevent depressing deviation; 
           [0031]      FIG. 13  is a schematic view of the first embodiment of the step of execute a measure to prevent depressing deviation; 
           [0032]      FIG. 14  is a flowchart of a second embodiment of the step of execute a measure to prevent depressing deviation; 
           [0033]      FIG. 15  is a schematic view of the second embodiment of the step of execute a measure to prevent depressing deviation; 
           [0034]      FIG. 16  is a schematic view of the second embodiment of the step of execute a measure to prevent depressing deviation showing the relationship between memory space and time. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0035]    Refer to  FIG. 2  for an embodiment of the remote controller according to the invention. The remote controller  1  includes at least one button switch  12  incorporating with a display device  2 . The button switch  12  aims to execute depressed input function and has a touch panel  11  located thereon to detect finger touch and position thereof. The touch panel  11  is controlled by a system and maps a coordinate displayed on a screen  20  of the display device  2  in an one-to-one fashion (referring to  FIG. 3 ). The touch panel  11  further is divided into at least one zone corresponding to options  21  on the screen  20 . By means of the construction set forth above the control method of the invention can be implemented. The control method includes at least the procedures as follow (referring to  FIG. 4 ): 
         [0036]    open an option page (step  300 ): the screen  20  of the display device  2  displays a picture of a plurality of options  21 . The coordinates of the touch panel  11  and the screen  20  are calculated based on Descartes coordinate system. The touch panel  11  maps the coordinates displayed on the screen  20  in an one-to-one fashion (such as by absolute coordinates); 
         [0037]    detect contact of a user&#39;s finger on the touch panel and calculating coordinates of the finger center (step  400 ): when a finger M touches the touch panel  11 , the touch panel  11  detects the touch signal of the finger M and calculates the coordinates of the finger center M 1 , and executes step  500 ; otherwise, if there is no detection of the finger M, goes to step  300 ; 
         [0038]    map the position of the finger center to the screen (step  500 ): the coordinates of the touch panel  11  map the coordinates of the screen  20 , and the position of the finger center M 1  maps a corresponding position A on the screen  20 , and a cursor  22  is generated corresponding to the position A; 
         [0039]    generate icon alteration of a corresponding option (step  600 ): when the position A on the screen  20  corresponding to the finger center M 1  is located in a set covering scope B of a set option  21  (referring to  FIG. 5 ), an icon alteration is generated on the option  21  (inverse color or surrounded by a frame  23 ); 
         [0040]    execute a measure to prevent depressing deviation (step  700 ): when the finger M touches the touch panel  11 , if the position A on the screen  20  corresponding to the finger center M 1  (referring to  FIG. 5 ) is located in the set covering scope B of the option  21 , a depressing effective zone  110  of the touch panel  11  is expanded temporarily to a bordering zone C to compensate deviation of a depressing spot M 2  occurred during depressing operation; and 
         [0041]    execute the selected option (step  800 ): the function of the selected option  21  is output. 
         [0042]    The step  600  of generate icon alteration of a corresponding option includes embodiments as follow. Referring to  FIG. 6  for a first embodiment of step  600  (also referring to  FIG. 3 ). This step further includes the following procedures: 
         [0043]    a. calculate the coordinates of the finger position (step  611 ): get the coordinate position of the finger center M 1  on the touch panel  11 ; 
         [0044]    b. generate a cursor (step  612 ): display a cursor  22  at the corresponding position A on the screen  20  according the touch coordinate position of the mapping finger center M 1  to allow users to understand the position touched by the finger M. The cursor  22  is a highlighted symbol (such as an arrow or cross symbol); and 
         [0045]    c. generate icon alteration for the option (step  613 ): when the finger center M 1  moves on the touch panel  11 , the cursor  22  on the screen  20  also is driven and moved accordingly. If the cursor  22  is overlapped with the option  21  on the screen  20 , an icon alteration is generated for the option  21  (such as inverse color or surrounded by a frame  23 ), and step  700  is executed; otherwise execute step  300 . 
         [0046]    By means of the procedures set forth above users can select required options by moving the cursor  22  to make selection more convenient. 
         [0047]    Refer to  FIGS. 7 ,  8  and  9  for a second embodiment of step  600 . It aims to make selection of the option easier. On the screen  20  an open page is opened (step  300 ) with segments of options  241 ,  242  and  243  located thereon. The touch panel  11  also is divided into one or more zones  111 ,  112  and  113  corresponding to the segments mentioned above. By depressing any of the zones  111 ,  112  and  113  the representing segment  241 ,  242  or  243  is input without the need of moving the cursor  221 . Referring to  FIG. 8 , the screen  20 , aside from displaying options  244 ,  245 ,  246 ,  247  and  248 , also shows character T. Then the touch panel  11  also is divided into corresponding zones of  114 ,  115 ,  116 ,  117  and  118 . The step  600  further includes the following procedures: 
         [0048]    a. present a plurality of options (step  621 ): the screen  20  displays a plurality of options  244 ,  245 ,  246 ,  247  and  248  (referring to  FIG. 8 ), and the touch panel  11  is divided into more than one zone  114 ,  115 ,  116 ,  117  and  118  corresponding to the options  244 ,  245 ,  246 ,  247  and  248 ; 
         [0049]    b. calculate the coordinate of finger position (step  622 ): get the coordinate position of the finger center M 1  on the touch panel  11 ; 
         [0050]    c. generate a cursor (step  623 ): display a cursor  221  at the corresponding position A on the screen  20  according to the touch coordinate position of the mapping finger center M 1  to allow users to understand the position touched by the finger M. The cursor  221  is a highlighted symbol (such as an arrow or cross symbol); and 
         [0051]    d. generate icon alteration for the options (step  624 ): the zones  114 ,  115 ,  116 ,  117  and  118  where the finger center M 1  is located are corresponding to the options  244 ,  245 ,  246 ,  247  and  248  displayed on the screen  20 , then generate icon alterations on the options  244 ,  245 ,  246 ,  247  and  248  (such as inverse color or surrounded by a frame  2451 ), and execute step  700 . 
         [0052]    Refer to  FIG. 10  (also  FIG. 8 ) for a third embodiment of step  600  for generating icon alteration of a corresponding option. It includes procedures as follow: 
         [0053]    a. calculate the coordinate of finger position (step  631 ): get the coordinate position of the finger center M 1  on the touch panel  11 ; 
         [0054]    b. generate a cursor (step  632 ): display a cursor  221  at the corresponding position A on the screen  20  according the touch coordinate position of the mapping finger center M 1  to allow users to understand the position touched by the finger center M 1 . The cursor  221  is a highlighted symbol (such as an arrow or cross symbol); 
         [0055]    c. determine whether the finger is absent for a set time period (step  633 ): if the finger M is moved away from the touch panel  11  for a set time period (set by the system), execute step  634 ; otherwise execute step  635 ; 
         [0056]    d. remove the cursor (step  634 ): make the cursor  221  disappeared from the screen  20 , and execute step  300 ; and 
         [0057]    e. generate icon alteration for the option (step  635 ): the zones  114 ,  115 ,  116 ,  117  and  118  where the finger center M 1  is located are corresponding to options  244 ,  245 ,  246 ,  247  and  248  displayed on the screen  20 , then generate icon alterations on the options  244 ,  245 ,  246 ,  247  and  248  (such as inverse color or surrounded by a frame  2451 ), and execute step  700 . 
         [0058]    By means of the procedures set forth above, when user&#39;s finger moves away from the touch panel  11  for the set time period, the cursor  221  disappears, and the picture of the screen  20  returns to the opening option page to facilitate user operation for the next cycle. 
         [0059]    Refer to  FIG. 11  (also  FIG. 8 ) for a fourth embodiment of step  600  for generating icon alteration of a corresponding option. It includes procedures as follow: 
         [0060]    a. present a plurality of options (step  641 ): display a plurality of options  244 ,  245 ,  246 ,  247  and  248  on the screen  20 , and the touch panel  11  is divided into more than one zone  114 ,  115 ,  116 ,  117  and  118  corresponding to the options  224 ,  245 ,  246 ,  247  and  248 ; 
         [0061]    b. calculate the coordinate of finger position (step  642 ): get the coordinate position of the finger center M 1  on the touch panel  11 ; 
         [0062]    c. generate a cursor (step  643 ): display a cursor  221  at the corresponding position A on the screen  20  according the touch coordinate position of the mapping finger center M 1  to allow users to understand the position touched by the finger center M 1 . The cursor  221  is a highlighted symbol (such as an arrow or cross symbol); 
         [0063]    d. determine whether the finger is absent for a set time period (step  644 ): if the finger M is moved away from the touch panel  11  for a set time period (set by the system), execute step  645 ; otherwise execute step  646 ; 
         [0064]    e. remove the cursor (step  645 ): make the cursor  221  disappeared from the screen  20 , and execute step  300 ; and 
         [0065]    f. generate icon alteration for the option (step  646 ): the zones  114 ,  115 ,  116 ,  117  and  118  where the finger center M 1  is located are corresponding to the options  244 ,  245 ,  246 ,  247  and  248  displayed on the screen  20 ; then generate icon alterations on the options  244 ,  245 ,  246 ,  247  and  248  (such as inverse color or surrounded by a frame  2451 ), and execute step  700 . 
         [0066]    By means of the procedures set forth above, when user&#39;s finger moves away from the touch panel  11  for the set time period, the cursor  221  disappears, and the picture of the screen  20  returns to the opening option page to facilitate user operation for the next cycle. 
         [0067]    In order to make selection of the option more accurate, the step  700  of execute a measure to prevent depressing deviation further includes the following procedures (referring to  FIGS. 4 ,  12  and  13 ): 
         [0068]    a. map finger center touch position to a corresponding position on the screen in a set covering scope of options (step  701 ): the touch panel  11  has a plurality of zones  119  corresponding to a plurality of options  251  on the screen  20 . When the finger center M 1  touches the zones  119  and the corresponding position A on the screen  20  is located in a set covering scope B of the options  251  (shown by a shade portion in  FIG. 13 ), execute step  702 ; 
         [0069]    b. expand the effective zones (step  702 ): When the position of the finger center M 1  is corresponding to the position A on the screen  20  that is located in the set covering scope B of the option  251 , the zone  119  of the touch panel  11  corresponding to the option  251  (such as character K) has its effective zone expanded to a bordering zone D so that when the finger M depresses the zone  119  the depressing spot M 2  has a greater depressible area; and 
         [0070]    c. detect depressing action of the touch panel (step  703 ): detect whether the depressing force of the finger M is greater than a set value; if the outcome is positive, execute step  800 ; otherwise execute step  300 . 
         [0071]    Refer to  FIGS. 4 ,  14 ,  15  and  16  for a second embodiment of step  700  of execute a measure to prevent depressing deviation. Aside from expanding the effective zone of the option, the options of a selected preceding time period can be claimed retrospectively based on timeline. Even if a deviation takes place during depressing of the depressing spot of the finger M the option being selected and depressed still is deemed valid. The procedures are as follow: 
         [0072]    a. accumulate records of finger movement (step  711 ): enter continuously coordinate values X 1 , X 2 , X 3 , X 4 , X 5 , X 6  and X 7  of the finger center M 1  in a memory space S (five segments are set in  FIG. 15  as an example), based on first in first out principle, according to the position of the finger center M 1  on the touch panel  11 . The coordinate value of the initial position of the finger center M 1  is erased; 
         [0073]    b. detect depressing action of the touch panel (step  712 ): when the depressing force of the finger center M 1  is greater than a set value, the depressing action is deemed valid, then execute step  713 ; otherwise execute step  300 ; and 
         [0074]    c. get a final option (step  713 ): retrieve sequentially the position coordinate values X 1 , X 2 , . . . , X 7  from the memory space S of the finger center M 1  to map an option  252  on the screen  20 . In the event that the coordinate values X 1 , . . . , X 7  are located within a set covering scope B of the option  252 , select the option  252 , and execute step  800 . 
         [0075]    By means of the procedures previously discussed, when a user&#39;s finger touches the touch panel  11 , the position coordinate values X 1 , . . . , X 7  in the memory space S of the finger center M 1  are constantly updated. For instance, if the user&#39;s finger moves sequentially within the time period of T 1 -T 7  from the coordinate value X 1  to X 7  (corresponding to segments P 1 -P 7  on the screen  20 ), after the step of detect depressing action of the touch panel (step  712 ) the step of get a final option (step  713 ) retrieves sequentially the coordinate values X 1 , . . . , X 7  from the memory space S of the finger center M 1  position corresponding to the option  252  on the screen  20 . The closest one is at time T 4 , hence the option  252  corresponding to the coordinate value at X 4  on the touch panel  11  where the finger center M 1  is located is entered. Such an approach can prevent errors caused by confirmation delay of the option  252  (such as related to thinking, looking or the like) when the touch panel  11  is depressed. For instance, if the finger center M 1  stays at a zone  110 ′ of the touch panel  11  that represents the option  252  for a selected duration, movement of the finger M occurs due to depressing of the finger center M 1  (usually moving downwards), once the action of depressing the touch panel is detected (step  712 ), an unintended movement (namely the finger position has been moved from X 4  to X 7 ) has occurred, and the movement is outside the zone  110 ′ representing the option  252  (such as X 7 ), then an erroneous action could take place. Through the procedures previously discussed such a problem can be avoided. 
         [0076]    As a conclusion, the method according to the invention provides remote operation in a more user-friendly fashion, and can shorten the time of trials and errors for users. It offers a significant improvement over the conventional techniques. 
         [0077]    While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been set forth for the purpose of disclosure; modifications of the disclosed embodiments of the invention as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover all embodiments which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.