JPH09325859A - Man-machine interface device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Object] The cursor 104 is successively moved to a position where numerical data to be input next is to be displayed by setting input operation of the numerical keys.
Is moved and displayed, and a plurality of data setting areas 110 (111, 112) in which the cursor moves to the beginning of the data setting area near the touch position by touching the vicinity
A plant monitoring device having a CRT screen 100 on which a device operation switch 105 as a touch switch and the like are displayed is made keyboardless to improve operability. SOLUTION: 0 as a touch switch is displayed on the screen 100.
~ 9 Numerical switch area 13 for displaying the numeric keys 106
0 and touch invalid area 1 around which touch is invalid
40 is provided so that numeric data can be set and input by touching the numeric keypad 106, but nothing is done when the touch invalid area 140 is touched. When touching another area, the cursor moves to the beginning of the data setting area near the touch position.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is equipped with an image display means such as a CRT and is used in a monitoring device for monitoring and operating various industrial plants. The present invention relates to a man-machine interface device having a function of enabling operation input from a keyboard, a touch panel, etc. in an operation switch area, etc., and particularly to a man-machine interface device having a function of preventing erroneous operation and enabling keyboardless operation. .

[0002] In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 6 is a CRT of a conventional plant monitoring device.
An example of the screen format is shown. In the figure, 100 is a CRT screen, 101 is a symbol image (device symbol) of the monitoring operation target device (pump in this example) displayed on this screen 100, and 110 (111, 112) is screen 1
00 (two in this example) data setting area,
102 is a character display showing the distinction of this data setting area, 1
Reference numeral 03 is a setting data display, and 104 is a cursor indicating the input position of the setting data. Reference numeral 105 denotes a device operation switch (touch switch) in a transparent touch panel provided on the front surface of the CRT screen for operating the monitoring operation target device.
Is a symbol image (switch symbol) indicating the.

That is, conventionally, an operator (operator) presses a numeral (including a sign and a decimal point) key on a keyboard (not shown) in the data setting area 110 arranged on the screen 100 (input numeral is inputted). Was displayed on the screen) and was entering the process data settings. At this time, the item 104 indicating the input position in the data setting area 110 is called a cursor, and the next input position is indicated each time the key is pressed.

On the other hand, a pointing device such as a touch panel or a mouse is not for setting process data,
It is used for operating plant equipment (for operating and stopping motors, bubbles, etc.). That is, a plant symbol can be operated by arranging a switch symbol 105, which is an abstraction of a push button switch such as start / stop, on the screen 100 and touching (clicking in the case of a mouse) this.

When data (numerical values) are input to a plurality of data setting areas such as 111 and 112, the cursor moving key (that is, cursor Above, below,
Keys and tabs (TA that specify movement to the left and right respectively)
B) There is a known method to move by key,
There is also a method using a touch panel that is an improvement of this method.

As a method of moving the cursor using the touch panel, a method of touching a data setting area to be input is known. At this time, in consideration of operability, even if the designated touch position deviates from the data setting region, the touch region in the vicinity is considered to have been selected and the cursor is moved. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing this cursor movement processing (that is, the processing of the cursor position calculation means (not shown) for moving the cursor to the data setting area near the designated touch position), and S1 to S3 indicate the steps. This flowchart shows a case where one of the two data setting areas such as setting area # 1 and setting area # 2 such as 111 and 112 in FIG. 6 is touch-designated.

That is, the coordinates (x, y) of the touch position, the start coordinates (X1, Y1) of the setting area # 1 and the start coordinates (X2, Y2) of the setting area # 2 are determined in step S1, and the touch is performed in step S2. A distance L1 between the position setting area # 1 and the start coordinates and a distance L2 between the touch position and the setting area # 2 are calculated, and the shorter one of the distances L1 and L2 is selected. However, when l1 = L2, the smaller number of the setting area is selected.

Then, the cursor 104 is moved to the setting area selected in step S3. As a data setting method using a touch switch arranged on the CRT screen or a touch type numeric key, a method using a bank CD (cash dispenser) is known, and FIG. 7 shows an example of the screen. Show. That is, when the symbol switch 105, which is a command switch for specifying a refund, is pressed as a touch switch in the screen 100 of FIG. 9A, the screen display switching means (not shown) displays the CRT screen 100 on the refund money of FIG. Switch to the screen for specifying the amount. Therefore, a numerical switch area 1 for specifying the amount of money as a touch switch displayed on a new screen
By pressing the numeric key 106 in 30 in accordance with the display position of the cursor 104, the data setting area 1 of this screen is displayed.
The setting data (refund amount) can be displayed as in 10 to 103.

However, this data setting method is simpler than the monitoring / operating method of the on-plant monitoring device. For example, the plant monitoring / operation requires simultaneous display / setting of a plurality of data (in table format), but this is not necessary. Further, the operation procedure is determined such that the command switch is operated and then the numerical key is pressed. In other words, it is different from the state of accepting both equipment operation and numerical setting such as plant monitoring operation.

Further, basically, the case where there are a plurality of data setting areas is not considered.

[0012]

As described above, in the conventional data input method of the plant monitoring apparatus, when there are a plurality of data setting areas, it cannot be realized only by a pointing device such as a touch panel, and a keyboard is required. . That is, if there is a plurality of data setting areas and data is input with the numeric keys of the touch switch, when the touch position deviates from the area of the numeric keys, the cursor is placed at the beginning of the neighboring touch area as in the example of FIG. Moved,
It becomes impossible to input consecutive numerical values. In other words, if there are multiple data setting areas, when touching the number keys on the screen, if it deviates from the area of the number keys, it cannot be determined whether it means the selection of another data setting area. There's a problem.

In the example of FIG. 7, the touch switch is used to input numerical values, but there is a drawback that the case where there are a plurality of data setting areas is not taken into consideration. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a man-machine interface device capable of inputting data by operating only a touch panel (including other posting devices) on the screen without a keyboard even if there are a plurality of data setting areas.

[0014]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a man-machine interface device according to a first aspect of the present invention provides a coordinate (touch) of a pointing point on a screen through a touch panel (2) or a pointing means such as a cous. A screen (10) of an image display means such as a CRT capable of inputting coordinates (x, y) and the like.
0) is provided with a plurality of data setting areas (110) for displaying setting data consisting of one or a plurality of characters (numerals, etc.) that have been operated and input respectively (such as 111 and 112). A cursor (104) is displayed at a position where a character to be operated and input next should be displayed. When a point on the screen is designated through the pointing means, the data setting area near the designated point is actually displayed by the cursor. In the man-machine interface device in which the cursor is moved and displayed in the data setting area close to the designated point, the instruction invalid area (touch invalid area 140) that invalidates the instruction by the pointing means on the screen. ).

A man-machine interface device according to a second aspect is the man-machine interface device according to the first aspect, wherein character keys (numerical keys 106 and the like) for operating and inputting the setting data and the like are provided in a predetermined area on the screen. The instruction operation by the pointing means is displayed so that it can be displayed in the numerical switch area 130 or the like.

A man-machine interface device according to a third aspect is the man-machine interface device according to the second aspect, wherein the instruction invalid area is provided so as to surround a display position of the character key. Claim 4
A man-machine interface device according to claim 2 or 3.
In the man-machine interface device described in paragraph 1, the character keys are all keys on the keyboard.

A man-machine interface device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the man-machine interface device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, in which a pointing means for operating a monitored device can be operated on a screen. The appropriate equipment operation switch (105) is displayed so that it can be used for plant monitoring.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a plant monitoring apparatus as an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a CRT, 2 is a touch panel provided on the front surface of the screen of the CRT 1, and 4 is a CR for driving the CRT 1 to display a screen.
T screen display drive unit, 5 is a screen program memory in which programs and data for screen display are stored, and 51, 5
Reference numerals 2 and 53 are a display portion, an operation setting portion, and a touch invalid portion, which are areas in the screen program memory 5, respectively.

Reference numeral 6 is a cursor display means for displaying a cursor 104 in a data setting area 100 of a CRT screen 100 shown in FIG. 1, which will be described later, via the CRT screen display drive unit 4, and 7 is a cursor 104 for each input of setting data. A cursor position updating means for updating the display position, and 8 is a setting area echo back means for displaying a set numerical value or the like at the time of data setting and for allowing the operator to respond to the operation.

Next, 9 is a touch input coordinate detecting means for detecting the position on the CRT screen where the touch panel 2 is touched at the time of inputting data and the like, and 10 is for judging whether or not the touch position corresponds to a device operation switch. The device operation switch hit determination means 11 is an equipment operation execution means for executing the operation of the equipment when the determination means 10 determines that the equipment operation switch has been operated.

Next, 12 is a numerical switch area determination means for judging whether or not the touch position corresponds to a numerical switch area when the touch position is not a device operation switch, and 13 is a numerical switch for the touch position by the judging means 12. When it is determined that the touch position is not the area, the touch valid / invalid determination unit that determines whether the touch valid region is the invalid region, and when the determination of the determination unit 13 is valid, the touch is performed in the same manner as described in FIG. It is a cursor position calculation means for performing a calculation for moving the cursor to a data setting area near the position. Here, the touch invalidity portion 53 of the screen program memory 5 and the touch valid / invalidity judging means 13 which are shaded are related to the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows the structure of the screen program memory 5. That is, as shown in FIG.
The display unit 51 stores a program for displaying graphics such as circles, rectangles, and characters (that is, a graphics command as a command including graphics data), and the operation / setting unit 52 sets data as shown in FIG. Coordinate data defining an area 110, a device operation area 120, a numerical switch area 130, etc. is stored.

Here, the definition data of the data setting area 110
Is the start position of the data setting area (# 1) 111.
Beyond the mark (X1, Y1) and the data setting area (# 2) 112
There are head position coordinates (X2, Y2) and the like. In addition, equipment operation
As the definition data of the area 120, the device operation switch 10
Diagonal point seats for each rectangular area of the 5 run and stop switches
Start point coordinates (x _ks,y_ks) And end point
Mark (x_ke,y_ke)and so on. (However, as shown in Figure 4 below.
Distinguish this coordinate with the run switch and stop switch
When thinking, the subscript k of the above coordinate is for the operation switch
Has a value of 00 and the stop switch has a value of 01
I do. ) Further, as the definition data of the numerical switch area 130,
A pair of rectangular areas for each numeric key 106 from 0 to 9
Start point coordinates (x_is,y_is)and
End point coordinates (x_ie,y_ie)and so on. (However, FIG.
Differentiate this coordinate with each numerical key of value 0-9 like
When considering, the subscript i of the above coordinate has a value of 0 to 9 respectively.
Let's do it. ) In addition, the touch ineffective portion 53 related to the present invention has a touch
H invalid area 140 (that is, a rectangular area as shown in FIG.
Area as the diagonal point coordinate data defining the starting point coordinates (x
_ns,y_ns) And end coordinates (x_ne,y_ne) Is stored
I have.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a screen format in which the contents (plant screen) of the screen program memory 5 having the structure shown in FIG. 3 are expressed on the CRT 1 by the CRT screen display drive unit 4. Here, 21 data setting areas # 1, #
110 (111, 112) as 2, a device operation area 120 for displaying a device operation switch (running, stop) 105 as a touch switch, and a numerical switch for displaying a numeric keypad 0 to 9 as a touch switch The area 130 and the touch invalid area 140 surrounding the numerical switch area 130 are included.

FIG. 4 shows a processing flow chart by the plant monitoring apparatus of the present invention, and S11 to S17 show the steps. Next, FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. Step S11: The operator's instruction (selection) on the touch panel 2 is detected by the touch input coordinate detection means 9 as the coordinate position, that is, the leading coordinate (x, y) of the fingertip, and the process proceeds to step S12.

Step S12: This touch coordinate (x,
In step y), the device operation switch-like determination means 10 checks whether or not the device operation switch (a symbol such as operation or stop) 105 is touched. (The area coordinates of the device operation switch 105, that is, the position coordinates of the device operation area 120 are stored in the operation setting unit 52 in the screen program memory 5 as described above.) The determination method at this time (example)
Is a position coordinate (x) of the area of the device operation switch 105 (that is, the device operation area 120) as shown in FIG.
It is determined whether or not the touch coordinates (x, y) are included in a rectangle having diagonal points _ks, y _ks ) and (x _ke, y _ke ).

That is, x_ks≦ x ≦ x_ke, Y_ks≤ y ≤ y_keTo
If satisfied, it is determined that the device operation switch 105 has been selected
Then, the process proceeds to step S16. If you are not satisfied,
Go to step S13. Step S13: Next, the touch coordinates (x, y) are
Whether or not the numerical switch area 130 is touched
It is checked by the switch area hit determination means 12.
You. (The position of the numerical switch area 130 is as described above.
It is stored in the operation / setting section 52 in the screen program memory 5.
Have been. ) The judgment method (example) at this time is shown in FIG.
Position coordinate of the numerical switch area 130 (x_is,y
_is), (X _ie,y_ie) To a rectangle with diagonal points (x, y)
It is determined whether or not is included.

That is, if x _{is ≤x≤x ie} and y _{is ≤y≤y ie} are satisfied, it is determined that the numerical switch area 130 has been selected, and the process proceeds to step S17. If not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S14. Step S14: Next, it is determined whether or not the touch coordinates (x, y) touch the touch invalid area (area in which the cursor is not moved in the data setting area even if touched) 140. Check by means 13. (The position of the touch invalid area 140 is included in the touch invalid part 53 in the screen program memory 5 as described above.) The determination method (example) at this time is the position coordinates (x _ns, y _ns ), (x _ne, y _ne ) is determined by whether or not (x, y) is included in the rectangle having diagonal points.

That is, if x _ns ≤x _{≤x ne} and y _ns ≤y _{≤y ne} are satisfied, it is determined that the touch invalid area 140 has been selected, and the touch in this case is invalidated. To finish. If not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S15. Step S15: Since the touch invalid area 140 is not touched, the cursor 10 in the data setting area 110
4 is moved to the beginning of the neighboring data setting area. At this time, the cursor position calculation means 14 obtains a data setting area in the vicinity. The method of obtaining is the same as the processing of FIG. Then, after moving the cursor, the processing of FIG. 4 is terminated.

Step S16: In this processing step, since the device operation switch 105 has been selected, the device operation is executed through the device operation execution means 11. Then, the process of FIG. 4 is completed. Step S17: In this processing step, since the touch position hits the numeric switch area 130, the numeric value of the hit numeric key 106 is displayed at the position of the cursor 104 (that is, echo back by the setting area echo back means 8).
And update the cursor position. The updating is performed by the cursor position updating means 7 in the operation setting unit 5 of the screen program memory 5.
2, the next numerical value input position is obtained, and subsequently the actually visible cursor is moved and displayed by the cursor display means 6 and the CRT screen display drive unit 4.
Then, after moving the cursor, the processing of FIG. 4 is terminated.

From the above, a plurality of data setting areas 11
Since 0 and the numerical switch area 130 can coexist on the screen, it is possible to realize a plant monitoring device that monitors and operates without using a keyboard, that is, only with a touch panel (a mouse or other pointing device may be used). Become. (Embodiment 2) When the touch invalid area 140 is defined on the screen and the numeric keys are not defined, in step S13 of the flowchart of FIG. 4, when there is no numerical switch area, the process proceeds to step S14, and the touch invalid area is set. 140
If you check whether or not is touched,
A touch on the touch invalid area 140 may prevent the cursor from moving.

Therefore, even when there is no touch-type numeric keypad, it is possible to prevent erroneous operation when touching the screen by mistake.

[0033]

According to the present invention, the touch invalid area is provided on the screen and the touch valid / invalid judging means for judging whether the touch position is valid or invalid is provided. Even if the touch is removed from the area
If it is in the touch invalid area, it is possible to prevent the cursor in the data setting area from moving.

If the touch position is outside the touch invalid area, the cursor is moved to the beginning of the data setting area in the vicinity, and if the numeric key area on the screen is hit, the numerical value (character) is displayed. Since the input is performed and the cursor is updated, the operability (safety against erroneous operation) at the time of touch setting by the operator can be improved.
In this way, it became possible to coexist with a plurality of data setting areas and a numerical switch area on the screen, which was impossible in the past. It is also possible to mix with the device operation switch area on the screen.

Further, not only the numeric keys but also all the keys on the keyboard can be arranged on the screen, so that there is an effect that the keyboard can be realized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a screen format as an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the plant monitoring device.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the screen program memory of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of FIG.

5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the cursor position calculation means in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional screen format.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a CD screen format.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 CRT 2 Touch Panel 4 CRT Screen Display Driving Means 5 Screen Program Memory 6 Cursor Display Means 7 Cursor Position Updating Means 8 Setting Area Echo Back Means 9 Touch Input Coordinates Detecting Means 10 Device Operation Switch Middle Judging Means 11 Device Operation Executing Means 12 Numerical Values Switch area target determination means 13 Touch enable / disable determination means 14 Cursor position calculation means 51 Display section 52 Operation / setting section 53 Touch disable section 100 CRT screen 104 Cursor 105 Switch symbol (device operation switch) 106 Numeric key 110 (111, 111, 112) Data setting area 111 Data setting area # 1 112 Data setting area # 2 120 Device operation area 130 Numerical switch area 140 Touch invalid area (x, y) Touch coordinates (X1, Y1) Start of data setting area # 1 Position coordinates (X2, Y2) Start position coordinates of data setting area # 2 (x _ks, y _ks ) Device operation area start point coordinates (x _ke, y _ke ) Device operation area end point coordinates (x _is, y _is ) Numerical value _Start point coordinates of switch area (x _ie, y _ie ) End point coordinates of numerical switch area (x _ns, y _ns ) _Start point coordinates of touch invalid area (x _ne, y _ne ) End point coordinates of touch invalid area

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A CR capable of inputting coordinates of a designated point on a screen through a pointing means such as a touch panel or a mouse.
Each operation input is made on the screen of the image display means such as T.
Or, there are multiple data setting areas for displaying the setting data consisting of multiple characters, and the cursor is displayed at the position where the character to be operated and input next to this data setting area should be displayed. When you point
When the data setting area near the designated point is different from the data setting area where the cursor is currently displayed, in the man-machine interface device that moves the cursor to the data setting area near the designated point and displays it on the screen. A man-machine interface device comprising an instruction invalid area for invalidating an instruction by a pointing means. 2. The man-machine interface device according to claim 1, wherein character keys for operating and inputting the setting data and the like are displayed in a predetermined area on the screen so as to be instructable by pointing means. Characteristic man-machine interface device. 3. The man-machine interface device according to claim 2, wherein the instruction invalid area is provided so as to surround a display position of a character key. 4. The man-machine interface device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the character keys are all keys on a keyboard. 5. The man-machine interface device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a device operation switch capable of instructing operation by pointing means for operating the monitored device is displayed on the screen, and the plant A man-machine interface device characterized by being used for monitoring.