Information processing apparatus

More than one reissue application has been filed for the reissue of Pat. No. 8,654,093. The reissue applications, in addition to the present application, are application Ser. Nos. 17/497,855 and 16/260,879, all of which are continuation reissues of U.S. Pat. No. 8,654,093.

The present applicationis a reissue application of U.S. Pat. No. 8,654,093 issued on Feb. 18, 2014 from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/366,983 filed Feb. 6, 2012, and is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/497,855 filed Oct. 8, 2021, which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/260,879 filed Jan. 29, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. RE48,830, which is also a reissue application of U.S. Pat. No. 8,654,093 issued on Feb. 18, 2014 from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/366,983 filed Feb. 6, 2012, which in turnclaims priority from Japanese patent application serialno.No.JP2011-025576, filed onFeb.Feb.9, 2011, thecontententire contentsofeach ofwhichisarehereby incorporated by reference into this application.

The present invention relates to information processing apparatuses.

JP-A-05-100809 discloses art related to the technical field of the present invention. The publication describes “An information processing apparatus including a touch panel device at least comprising: a physical type of an object; display position information on a display; file information where a status of the object is set; a display information table 1 storing display data of the object that includes a name of a file in a normal state and a name of the file in a special state (reversed display); and touch panel information 2 including a touch position coordinate and touch pressure information. A physical operation decided by a corresponding relation between physical information indicated by the display information table 1 and physical information indicated by the touch panel information 2 is given to the object to display it.”

Recently, information processing apparatuses for portable usage have become multi-functioned and ease of use thereof is particularly required.

An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus that offers improved convenience to users.

To solve the foregoing problem, an aspect of the present invention provides an information processing apparatus comprising: a touch panel which displays a plurality of pieces of identification information including letters, figures, and symbols, and for detecting a contact of the panel with a finger of a user or other objects; a detection unit, when the touch panel detects a contact of the panel with the object, which species identification information indicated by a position of the contact at which the contact in question occurred, of the multiple pieces of identification information displayed on the touch panel, and which detects an area of part where the contact occurred; a storage unit which stores reference identification information and a reference area range; a determination unit which determines whether the identification information detected by the detection unit matches the reference identification information stored in the storage unit and whether the area of the contact detected by the detection unit falls within the reference area range stored in the storage unit; and a control unit which performs particular processing when the determination unit determines that the identification information detected by the detection unit matches the reference identification information stored in the storage unit and the area of the contact detected by the detecting unit falls within the reference area range stored in the storing unit.

By employing such system, an information processing apparatus including a touch panel can be improved in usability.

[First Embodiment]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 1 FIGS.A andB 1 1 FIGS.A andB 1 FIG.A 1 FIG.B 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 are illustrations showing methods by which a user makes a desired input in a portable terminalaccording to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The portable terminalshown inincludes a touch panelhaving a touch sensor function.is an image of a user making input by touching the touch panelwith his or her finger tip. The input using one's finger tip is characterized in that an area of contact (hereinafter referred also to as a “contact range”) between the finger of the user and the touch panelis small. This operation by the user will hereinafter be referred to as a finger tip input.schematically shows an image of a user making input by touching the touch panelwith his or her finger pad. The input using one's finger pad is characterized in that the contact range of the finger and the touch panelis wider than that of the finger tip input. This operation by the user will hereinafter be referred to as a finger pad input.

2 FIG. 0 1 4 4 4 4 2 4 3 1 3 3 4 4 4 5 is an illustration showing a typical internal arrangement of the portable terminal. Reference numeraldenotes a touch panel that includes a group of sensors or a sensor, a liquid crystal panel, and a glass panel. When the user's finger contacts with the touch panel, capacitance of the sensorchanges and the sensoroutputs a signal according to the change. The liquid crystal panel displays numerals, letters, and the like. The glass panel is for protecting the sensor, etc. Reference numeraldenotes a contact range detection unit that detects the position and the contact range of a contact based on the signal output from the sensor. Reference numeraldenotes a control unit for controlling elements of the touch panel. The control unitincludes an arithmetic section, a counter, a determination unit which determines condition in accordance with input information into the control unit, and a storage unit which stores various types of data. Reference numeraldenotes, as mentioned, a group of sensors or a sensor whose capacitance varies upon contact with the user's finger. Portions shaded with diagonal lines represent sensorsthat are responding to the contact with the finger. The blank portions represent sensorsthat are not contacting with the finger and not responding. Reference numeraldenotes a button switch which the user pushes for various operations such as standby release or returning, advancing.

0 4 3 FIG. 4 4 FIGS.A andB 5 5 FIGS.A andB The way of calibration and the usage method for cancelling the lock or unlocking the portable terminalaccording to the first embodiment will be described below with reference toshowing a flow chart,showing lock cancellation display screens, andshowing states of the sensorat various timing during lock cancellation.

0 1 1 1 1 Among types of operation performed by the user on the portable terminalare tapping, dragging, flicking, and pinching. Tapping is an operation which the user touches one point of the screen with a finger for a moment on the touch panel. Dragging is an operation which the user moves his or her finger over the screen of the touch panelwhile the finger is in contact therewith. Flicking is an operation which the user quickly slides his or her finger on the screen of the touch panelwhile touching it. Pinching is an operation which the user touches two points of the screen of the touch panelwith two fingers and changes the distance between the two points.

0 0 A series of operations from start-up of the portable terminal, calibration, and to turn-off of the portable terminalwill be next described. The term calibration used herein refers to an operation of setting a threshold value that is used for determining a contact range.

3 1000 3 1 1001 3 1002 4 FIG.A The power of the portable terminal turns on by pressing the button switch for a certain time. Then, the control unitstarts a program, adjusts the sensors, initializes the threshold value, and performs initial settings for screen display and other factors (S). After the initial setting procedure, the control unitperforms control to display lock cancel screen on the touch panel(S). As can be seen in, a lock cancel icon is present in the lock cancel screen which can be dragged in a y direction and a −y direction with a finger tip. The control unitholds until the user drags the lock cancel icon with a finger tip (S).

5 FIG.A 5 FIG.A 4 4 4 4 0 1 2 3 4 3 is a schematic view showing states of the sensorat various timing during when the user drags the icon with a finger tip in the y direction for unlocking. In, portions shaded with diagonal lines denote sensorsthat are responding to the contact with a user's finger and portions shaded with horizontal lines denote sensorsthat have responded in previous. The blank portions denote sensorsthat have not been contacted and have not responded. The icon is first touched at time t, and is dragged at time t, and the dragging ends at time tto thus cancel the lock. The control unitcalculates the average value ‘2’ of the number of columns of sensorsthat responded to the contact with the finger and adds a correction value ‘1’ to the average, thereby defining a threshold value ‘3’. The threshold value is stored in the control unit.

4 FIG.B 4 FIG.B 5 FIG.B 4 0 1 2 3 4 3 shows another method for unlocking the terminal using the finger pad input. As can been seen in, a lock cancel icon is displayed in the lock cancel screen that can be dragged in a y direction and a −y direction with a finger pad.is a schematic view showing states of the sensorat various timing during when the user drags the icon for cancelling the lock with a finger pad in the y direction for unlocking. The icon is first touched at time t, then dragged at time t, and the dragging ends at time tto thus cancel the lock. The control unitcalculates the average value ‘4’ of the number of columns of sensorsthat responded to the contact with the finger and subtracts a correction value ‘1’ therefrom, thereby defining a threshold value ‘3’. The threshold value is stored in the control unit.

4 1003 The threshold value used for determining the contact range is defined as above by using the average value of the number of columns of sensorsthat responded to the contact with the finger during unlocking (S). In other words, the threshold value for determining the contact range can be obtained (i.e., calibration can be made), simultaneously with unlocking operation.

3 0 1004 1 1005 1006 3 1007 1006 3 1008 The control unitunlocks the portable terminal(S) and waits until the user makes various inputs by way of the touch panel(S). Receiving an input with a contact range equal to or narrower than the threshold value (specifically, “3” or less) (S), the control unitdetermines that a finger tip input is made (S). Receiving an input with a contact range wider than the threshold value (specifically, “4” or more) (S), the control unitdetermines that a finger pad input is made (S). After that, various operations are performed following the order of the input.

3 0 1009 3 1001 5 1010 5 0 When no input is made for a predetermined period, several minutes for example, the control unitstores the time and date of calibration, the threshold value, and other setting values, and then locks the portable terminal(S). The control unitdisplays the lock cancel screen (S) when a lock cancel switch assigned to the button switchis pushed (S). When the button switchis pressed for a certain time while the power of the portable terminalis on, the power turns off.

4 4 0 As described heretofore, regardless of difference with individuals in contact ranges of finger tip input, the calibration allows accuracy of contact range determination to be improved. The first embodiment of the present invention uses the average of the number of columns of the sensorsthat responded to the contact with the finger as the threshold value. However, this is not the only possible way for setting the threshold. For example, the threshold value may be corrected by adding an appropriate value to, or subtracting any value from, the average of the number of columns of the sensorsthat responded to a contact with a finger. The threshold value does not need to be an integer and instead a capacitance value may be used. Further, the threshold value used for determining the contact range may be discarded upon locking, and calibration can be performed to update threshold value every time the terminal is unlocked. Instead of performing calibration upon unlocking, calibration may be performed only at the first time the portable terminalis turned on. It may also be performed by selecting a function for calibration from a setting menu or the like. Furthermore, the first embodiment of the present invention performed calibration on the basis of the contact range of either the finger tip input or the finger pad input. Alternatively, the contact ranges of both the finger tip input and the finger pad input may be obtained to set a plurality of threshold values.

6 6 FIGS.A andB 6 FIG.A 6 FIG.B 6 6 FIGS.A andB 4 4 0 3 0 1 2 3 1 2 3 3 0 2 1 A method for distinguishing the finger tip input and the finger pad input will be described in more details below.show a method for distinguishing flicking by finger tip input and tapping by finger pad input.shows conditions of sensorsresponding to a finger tip flicking in a −x direction.shows conditions of sensorsresponding to a finger pad tapping. At time twhich is the time a contact starts, the number of sensors responding to the contact is same in. The control unitstores the time tat which the contact is started. If the number of sensors responding to the contact range would not change at the subsequent time tand time t, the control unitdetermines the contact as a finger tip flicking. If the number of sensors responding increases as time elapses as the time tand the time t, the control unitdetermines the contact as a finger pad tapping. In brief, the control unitdistinguishes the finger tip flicking and the finger pad tapping by comparing the number of sensors that responded at the time tto the number of sensors responding at the time t. Since the determination is not done at the instance of a user touching the touch panel, a finger pad input will not be misdetected as a finger tip input even when the initial contact range is narrow.

7 7 FIGS.A toC 8 FIG. 7 FIG.A 7 FIG.B 7 FIG.C 7 4 80 82 81 7 80 3 80 7 80 81 3 7 7 81 82 3 82 7 A way of moving an icon utilizing the difference between contact ranges of the finger tip input and the finger pad input will be described in detail below.show states of an iconmoved rightwardly (in a y direction) by the user using finger tip input and finger pad input.is a schematic view showing the sensorsthat responded during the icon movement and the manner of finger movement. Reference numeralsandrepresent fingers making finger pad input with a wide contact range and reference numeralrepresents a finger making finger tip input with a narrow contact range. First, a user touches the icondesired to be moved with the finger pad input. When the contact range is equivalent to or larger than the threshold value, the control unitdetermines that the input is the finger pad inputand sets the iconas a moving object (). The user then shifts from the finger pad inputto the finger tip inputwhile keeping his or her finger in contact with the panel. As the contact range becomes equal to or less than the threshold value, the control unitrenders the iconas the moving object movable (). The user drags the iconto a desired position and then shifts from the finger tip inputto the finger pad input. As the contact range becomes equivalent to or larger than the threshold value, the control unitdetermines that the input is the finger pad inputand validates the position of the icon().

As described above, the first embodiment allows the user to make more intuitive input. The contact range described herein may be the number of sensors responded or the maximum number of the columns of sensors responded. When an application for finger pad input with a wide contact area is not set or applied to the terminal, the process of determining contact area can be omitted and contact operation may be performed uniformly.

[Second Embodiment]

0 0 0 9 FIG. 10 10 FIGS.A andB 11 11 FIGS.A toC 12 12 FIGS.A andB A second embodiment of the present invention relates to a portable terminalusing a password. The second embodiment is characterized in that it stores not only a numeric password but also a difference in the contact range with the aim of enhancing security. A description is made for an example of the enhanced security function that incorporates a four-digit password and a difference in the contact range with reference to;showing a flow chart of password registration,showing typical screen images displayed during calibration,showing screen images for prompting a user to register a password, andshowing data consisting of a password and a set of corresponding input method. The portable terminalaccording to the second embodiment has the same configuration as that of the portable terminalaccording to the first embodiment unless otherwise specified.

9 FIG. 10 FIG.A 10 FIG.B 11 FIG.A 2000 3 2001 3 2002 5 3 2003 2004 2003 3 2001 3 2005 3 The process for password registration will be first described with reference to the flow chart of. After initial settings such as counter reset is done, an image as shown inis displayed to prompt the user to make a finger tip contact (S). A control unitrecords the contact range of the finger tip input (S). Next, an image as shown inis displayed to prompt the user to make a finger pad contact. The control unitrecords the contact range of the finger pad input (S). Contact ranges are detected at the timing when a button switchis pushed following the contact with finger tip or finger pad. When the contact range of the finger pad input is larger than that of the finger tip input, the control unitauthorizes the input as a correct input (S: Yes). The contact range of the finger tip input is determined as a threshold value and the value is stored (S). When the contact range of the finger pad input is smaller than that of the finger tip input (S: No), the control unitprompts the user to make a finger tip input again (S). Completing the determination of a threshold value, the control unitnext checks the counter value. When the counter is 4 or less (S: No), the control unitdisplays a message to inform the user that a password can be input by either the finger tip input or the finger pad input (). Registration of the numbers is then authorized.

1 2006 3 2007 3 2008 2007 3 2009 11 FIG.C The user selects and touches any numbers among numbers 0 to 9 displayed on a touch panelby either the finger tip input or the finger pad input. The selected numbers are registered as input numerals (S). Then, the control unitcompares the contact range with the threshold value. When the contact range is equal to or smaller than the threshold value (S: Yes), the control unitstores the input numeral in association with the finger tip input (S). A message as shown inis displayed to inform the user that the numeral has been registered by finger tip input. When the contact range is larger than the threshold value (S: No), the control unitstores the input numeral in association with the finger pad input (S).

3 11 3 2010 2005 2011 12 FIG.A The control unitdisplays a message as shown in FIG.B to inform the user that the numeral has been registered by finger pad input. The control unitthen increments the counter and proceeds to the next password input (S). When the counter is greater than 4 (S: Yes), a numeric string of four input numerals is registered as the password as shown in. In addition, the input method of either the finger tip input or the finger pad input corresponding to the numeral is stored for each input numeral. The password registration thus terminates (S).

13 FIG. 14 FIG. A method for cancelling or unlocking the password will be next described below with reference toshowing a flow chart of a password cancel process andshowing a password cancel screen.

14 FIG. 3 3 3000 3 3001 1 3 3002 3 3003 3004 3005 3 3006 3007 3 3007 3008 3004 3005 3 3009 As can be seen in, the control unitdisplays a password cancel screen including a ten-key pad with a plurality of numerals in order to prompt the user to input a numeral. At the same time, the control unitperforms initial settings such as counter reset (S). The control unitwaits until a user inputs a numeral (S). Upon the user touching the touch panel, the control unitspecifies the number according to a position of the contact. The contact range of the contact is compared with a threshold value to thereby determine whether the input is a finger tip input or a finger pad input (S). The control unitstores the numeral input and the input method used (S). When the number of the input and the password registered earlier matches, (S: Yes) and the input methods thereof matches as well (S: Yes), the control unitincrements the counter (S). When the counter is not greater than 4 (S: No), the control unitproceeds to the step for inputting the next password number. When the counter is greater than 4 (S: Yes), the password is authenticated (S) and the lock is canceled. Meanwhile, in cases where the number of input and a password do not match (S: No), or in cases where the number of input and a password match but their input methods do not match (S: No), the control unitdisplays a message to inform the password or the input method is wrong (S). The password cancellation thus terminates.

12 FIG.B 1 2 3 It is to be noted that a plurality of input methods may be registered for one password. For example, in the case shown in, three types of input methods are registered for one password and a specific operation is assigned for each of them: input methodis for displaying a normal standby screen, input methodis for displaying a mail creating screen, and input methodis for starting an application. A user can start a desired operation easily by way of unlocking the password, thus contributing to improved convenience. Not to mention, a plurality of input methods may be registered for a plurality of passwords as well.

0 Using the above system, a user can complicate cancellation of a lock by making a simple input to enhance security. The portable terminalcan thus handle user's highly confidential information, which makes the terminal more useful.

Security can be enhanced by only storing, in addition to the password registered, the input method for each of the password numbers. An increase in storage capacity can be sufficiently suppressed.

0 0 From the view of a user, the user only needs to remember the input method for each password number to unlock the portable terminal. Burdens on the user for memorization can thus be alleviated. It is also advantageous in that when a user has to tell others the way to unlock the portable terminal, the user only needs to tell the password numbers and the input method for each of the password numbers.

Although the second embodiment employed a password composed of numerals only, the present invention is not limited to this. The password may be composed of alphabets, symbols, figures, patterns, colors, or other elements, or combinations thereof. In addition, the number of digits of a password is not limited to four and the number may instead be one, two, or a greater numeral.

9 FIG. The process for password registration () may be started when a predetermined condition is satisfied, such as when the user calls up a particular function from a setting menu.

In the embodiment of the present invention, calibration is performed by a user touching a single point. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the calibration performed during unlocking as described for the first embodiment may be applied. The user may also start calibration by calling up a particular function from the setting menu. Incidentally, during the password cancellation, the message informing the fact that the difference in contact ranges are detected may be not shown (hidden), and when only the numbers are correct, a message may be displayed to inform that the difference in the contact range is also registered. Numerals and input methods may also be hidden and not shown during password input. While a threshold value is used for distinguishing the finger tip input and the finger pad input in the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. The determination of an input method may be conducted in a manner such that records both contact ranges of the finger tip input and the finger pad input, and when a input is made, compares the input contact range with the data, whereby selecting the closer one as the method of the particular input.

The operation of distinguishing the difference in the contact range may be omitted in particular situations of input. For example, the system may be adapted so that the classification based on a difference in contact ranges is not performed when the button switch is pressed or when more than two points are touched for multi-touch input.