JP7694168B2 - Input Devices and Medical Devices - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to an input device and a medical device.

Non-contact input devices such as non-contact touch panels are known. For example, JP2009-543246A (Patent Document 1) discloses a digitizer that processes hovering and touch events separately as such an input device.

Special Publication No. 2009-543246

A non-contact input device typically displays multiple selectable images on its operation screen. With such non-contact input devices, it is difficult for the user to intuitively determine the position at which the image is to be selected. In addition, with a non-contact input device, the user does not directly touch the operation screen, so erroneous image selection (operational error) is more likely to occur than with a contact input device.

The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above problems, and its purpose is to provide an input device that allows a user to easily select an intended image in a non-contact manner, and a medical device equipped with the input device.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an input device includes a display device that displays an operation screen, a sensor that detects a non-contact operation on the operation screen by an indicator, and a frame body having a first opening and a second opening at a position facing the operation screen. The indicator can be inserted into the first opening and the second opening. The operation screen includes a first image and a second image, each of which can be operated. The first opening and the first image at least partially overlap when viewed from the front of the operation screen. The second opening and the second image at least partially overlap when viewed from the front of the operation screen.

The above disclosure allows users to easily select the desired image without contact.

FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the input device. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the input device when the operation screen is viewed from the front.

The following describes the embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are given the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions of them will not be repeated. In addition, in the embodiments described below, when numbers, amounts, etc. are mentioned, the scope of the present invention is not necessarily limited to those numbers, amounts, etc., unless otherwise specified.

Figure 1 is a front view of the medical device 1. As shown in Figure 1, the medical device 1 includes an input device 10 and a main unit 20. In this example, the medical device 1 is a dialysis machine.

The input device 10 is a non-contact input device. The input device 10 displays an operation screen. The input device 10 is installed on the top of the main device 20. The input device 10 is connected to the main device 20 so as to be able to communicate with it.

The main unit 20 performs dialysis. The main unit 20 operates based on instructions input by the input unit 10. Note that the medical device in which the input unit 10 is used is not limited to a dialysis device. Also, the device in which the input unit 10 is used is not limited to a medical device and may be other devices.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the input device 10. As shown in Figure 2, the input device 10 includes a main body 1000 and an outer frame (frame body) 300. The main body 1000 includes a display panel (display device) 100, an inner frame 200, and a line sensor 400.

The display panel 100 is typically a display. The display panel 100 may also be a touch screen in which a display is combined with a touch panel (i.e., a display with a touch panel).

The outer frame 300 has an opening 310 and openings 320 to 331. In this example, the opening 310 is larger than the openings 320 to 331. The openings 320 to 331 are arranged in a matrix pattern. A finger or an indicator such as a stylus pen can be inserted into the openings 320 to 331. The example in Figure 2 shows a state in which a finger is inserted into the opening 324.

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the input device 10. As shown in Figure 3, the input device 10 includes a display panel 100, an inner frame 200, an outer frame 300, and a line sensor 400.

The display panel 100 has a bezel 110 and a display area 120. The display area 120 is parallel to the XZ plane. The bezel 110 has a front portion 111 parallel to the display area 120 and a side portion 112 perpendicular to the display area 120.

The display panel 100 displays a predetermined operation screen G in the display area 120. The operation screen G includes an image 130 that cannot be operated, and ten images (object images) 140-149, each of which can be operated. In this example, the image 130 represents a set flow rate value as an example of display data. Each of the images 140-149 represents a number from 0 to 9. In more detail, a processor (not shown) of the input device 10 causes the display panel 100 to display the operation screen G.

As described above, the outer frame 300 has the opening 310 and the openings 320 to 331. The outer frame 300 further has an inner surface 350. The opening 310 and the openings 320 to 331 are parallel to the XZ plane. The opening 310 and the openings 320 to 331 are provided at positions facing the operation screen G.

In this example, the inner frame 200 is attached to the bezel 110 of the display panel 100. More specifically, the inner frame 200 is attached to the front portion 111 of the bezel 110. There are no particular limitations on how the inner frame 200 is attached. The inner frame 200 may be attached to the bezel 110 with an adhesive or the like.

The inner frame 200 has four inner sides 211-214 and four outer sides 221-224. The inner side 211 is the bottom surface. The inner side 211 is a surface parallel to the XY plane and in the negative direction of the Z axis. The inner side 212 is the top surface. The inner side 212 is a surface parallel to the XY plane and in the positive direction of the Z axis. The inner side 212 faces the inner side 211. The inner sides 213 and 214 are side surfaces. The inner sides 213 and 214 are surfaces parallel to the YZ plane. The inner side 213 faces the inner side 214.

The inner frame 200 is housed inside the outer frame 300. More specifically, the outer frame 300 is fitted into the inner frame 200 so that the outer surfaces 221 to 224 of the inner frame 200 contact the inner surface 350 of the outer frame 300.

In this example, the line sensor 400 is an infrared spatial position sensor. When viewed from the front of the operation screen G (positive Y-axis direction), the line sensor 400 is provided on the operation screen G side of the openings 310, 320-331. The line sensor 400 is installed on the inner surface 211 of the inner frame 200. The line sensor 400 is installed at the end of the inner surface 211 on the negative Y-axis side. In the line sensor 400, multiple sensors are arranged side by side along the X-axis direction.

As shown by arrow A, line sensor 400 emits multiple infrared rays in the direction from inner surface 211 to inner surface 212 (positive direction of the Z axis). Line sensor 400 receives reflected infrared light. When the infrared rays are reflected by a pointer such as a finger, input device 10 can determine the position of the pointer on the XZ plane. This allows input device 10 to determine which image, for example, of images 140 to 149, was selected by the pointer. For example, in the example of FIG. 2, when line sensor 400 detects a selection operation of image 144 by a finger, input device 10 accepts input of the number "4."

The line sensor 400 may be a ToF (Time of Flight) distance image sensor.

Figure 4 is a diagram showing the input device 10 when the operation screen G is viewed from the front. As shown in Figure 4, when the operation screen G is viewed from the front, a part (center) of the image 130 overlaps with the opening 310. When the operation screen G is viewed from the front, the entire image 140 representing the number 0 overlaps with a part (center) of the opening 320. When the operation screen G is viewed from the front, the entire image 141 representing the number 1 overlaps with a part (center) of the opening 321. Similarly, when the operation screen G is viewed from the front, each of the images 142 to 149 overlaps with a part (center) of the corresponding opening 322 to 329.

The size of the openings 320-329 (the length of the opening in both vertical and horizontal directions) is determined by the size of the images 140-149 (the length in both vertical directions (Z direction) and horizontal directions (X direction)). From the viewpoint of operability, it is preferable that the size of the openings 320-329 is approximately the same as the size of the corresponding images 140-149. However, this is not limited to this, and the size of the openings 320-329 may be smaller or larger than the size of the corresponding images 140-149. Furthermore, the size of the opening 310 is determined by the size of the image 130.

The overlapping manner of the openings and the images is not limited to the above. It is sufficient that the openings and the images overlap at least as follows. It is sufficient that the opening 320 and the image 140 overlap at least partially when viewed from the front of the operation screen G. It is sufficient that the opening 321 and the image 141 overlap at least partially when viewed from the front of the operation screen G. Similarly, it is sufficient that the openings 322 to 329 and the images 142 to 149 corresponding to each of the openings 322 to 329 overlap at least partially when viewed from the front of the operation screen G. It is sufficient that the opening 310 and the image 130 representing the set flow rate value overlap at least partially when viewed from the front of the operation screen G.

(summary)
(1) As described above, the input device 10 includes the display panel 100 that displays the operation screen G, the line sensor 400 that detects a non-contact operation on the operation screen G by a pointer such as a finger, and the outer frame 300 that has the openings 310, 320 to 329 at a position facing the operation screen G. A pointer such as a finger can be inserted into each of the openings 310, 320 to 329. The operation screen G includes images 140 to 149 that can be operated.

Openings 310, 320-329 and images 130 and 140-140 overlap at least partially when viewed from the front of operation screen G. For example, opening 320 and image 140 overlap at least partially when viewed from the front of operation screen G. Opening 321 and image 141 overlap at least partially when viewed from the front of operation screen G.

According to this configuration, by inserting a pointer into one of the openings 320 to 329, the user of the input device 10 can select, in a non-contact manner, an image corresponding to the opening 320 to 329 into which the pointer is inserted.

Therefore, with the input device 10, the user can intuitively determine the position where the object is to be selected (the detection area of the line sensor 400). Furthermore, because of the openings 310, 320-329, erroneous image selection (misoperation) is less likely to occur compared to a configuration that does not have an outer frame 300. Therefore, with the input device 10, the user can easily select the intended image without contact.

In addition, in the input device 10, there is no need to increase the distance between the images 140 to 149 in order to prevent the user from operating the images 140 to 149 erroneously (selecting them erroneously). As a result, there is no need to reduce the number of images that can be included on the operation screen G, even when compared to a contact-type input device.

In the medical device 1, the size of the display panel 100 is limited. Therefore, by providing the input device 10 in the medical device 1, the area of the display panel can be effectively utilized. In particular, in a device that can be moved using casters or the like, such as the medical device 1 shown in FIG. 1, the size of the display panel 100 is limited. Therefore, the input device 10 is preferably used for such a mobile medical device 1.

(2) The line sensor 400 is provided on the operation screen G side with respect to the openings 310, 320 to 329 when viewed from the front of the operation screen G. With this configuration, the input device 10 receives input when a pointer is inserted into the openings 320 to 329.

(3) The operation screen G further includes an image 130 that cannot be operated. The outer frame 300 further has an opening 310 at a position facing the operation screen G. The opening 310 and the image 130 at least partially overlap when the operation screen G is viewed from the front. With this configuration, the user can view the image 130 through the opening 310.

(4) Opening 310 is larger than openings 320 to 331. With this configuration, the user can see more information through opening 310 than through each of openings 320 to 331.

(5) Images 140 to 149 each represent one of the digits 0 to 9. When one of the images is operated, the input device 10 accepts the input of the digit associated with that image. For example, when image 141 is operated, the input device 10 accepts the input of "1," and when image 142 is operated, the input device 10 accepts the input of "2." With this configuration, the user can easily input the intended digit without contact.

(6) The advantages of the input device 10 are further described as follows. For example, the medical device 1 or the input device 10 is configured so that a specific action (for example, turning off the power of the medical device 1 or the input device 10) occurs when a number of predetermined numbers are operated in a predetermined order (for example, operating "1" → "2" → "3").

In conventional configurations that do not have an outer frame 300, when a finger moves parallel to the operation screen (when the finger crosses over the image of the numbers), it may not be possible to correctly detect each number. On the other hand, the input device 10 of this embodiment can accurately distinguish and determine the operation input of each number. Therefore, the input device 10 makes it possible to cause the input device 10 or the medical device 1 to execute the operation intended by the user.

<Modification>
(1) The bezel 110 and the inner frame 200 may be formed integrally.

(2) The display panel 100 may be inserted into the inner frame 200. In particular, the input device 10 may be configured so that the side surface portion 112 of the bezel 110 of the display panel 100 contacts the inner surfaces 211-214 of the inner frame 200 at the ends of the inner surfaces 211-214 on the positive Y-axis direction side.

(3) In the above, as described above, the outer frame 300 is fitted externally to the inner frame 200. However, this is not limited thereto, and the input device 10 may be configured so that the outer frame 300 is fitted internally to the inner frame 200.

(4) In the above, an example has been described in which the display panel 100 displays an operation screen G including an image 130 such as numbers and images 140 to 149, but this is not limiting. The display panel 100 is capable of displaying various operation screens. Furthermore, in the input device 10, an outer frame having an opening pattern corresponding to the arrangement of the images included in the operation screen is configured to be detachable from the main body 1000. In this way, by making the outer frame detachable from the main body 1000, an input device 10 with excellent versatility can be obtained.

(5) In the above, a configuration has been described in which a display as the display panel 100 and the line sensor 400 are used to detect an image selection operation by a pointer. However, this is not limited to this. By making the display panel 100 a capacitive touch screen, the line sensor 400 becomes unnecessary. In other words, by adopting a method in which the display panel 100 has a built-in capacitive sensor, the line sensor 400 becomes unnecessary. In this case, the capacitive sensor detects a non-contact operation on the operation screen G by a pointer such as a finger.

(6) The input device 10 may have a display device (aerial display) that displays an aerial image at the position of the display panel 100, instead of the display panel 100. Specifically, the input device 10 may have a display device that includes a display panel (typically a liquid crystal display) and an image imaging plate that images the image displayed on the display panel in the air.

In this case, the image formed in the air (aerial image) corresponds to the operation screen. Because the operation screen is an aerial image, there is no physical contact with the operation screen. Also, even with this configuration, there is no need to touch the display panel.

(7) The inner frame 200 is not necessarily required. In this case, the outer frame 300 may be attached to the display panel 100 and the line sensor 400 may be installed on the outer frame 300.

(8) In the above, a numeric keypad (operation keys 0, 1 to 9) has been given as an example of an operable image. However, the operable image is not limited to a numeric keypad. There is no particular limitation as long as it is a selectable image. For example, the image may be an up key, a down key, etc.

The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the patent of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, and it is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

1 medical device, 10 input device, 20 main unit, 100 display panel, 110 bezel, 111 front portion, 112 side portion, 120 display area, 130 image, 140-149 image, 200 inner frame, 211-214, 350 inner surface, 221-224 outer surface, 300 outer frame, 310, 320-331 opening, 400 line sensor, 1000 main unit, A arrow, G operation screen.

Claims (6)

a display device that displays a first operation screen;
a sensor for detecting a non-contact operation on the first operation screen by a pointer;
a first frame body having a plurality of first openings and a second opening at a position facing the first operation screen;
Each of the plurality of first openings is capable of inserting the indicator,
the first operation screen includes a plurality of first images each of which is operable and a second image each of which is inoperable;
each of the plurality of first openings at least partially overlaps with a corresponding one of the first images different from the other when viewed from the front of the first operation screen ;
the second opening and the second image at least partially overlap each other when viewed from the front of the first operation screen,
a size of each of the plurality of first openings is defined by a size of the first image;
An input device , wherein the size of the opening of the second opening is determined by the size of the second image . A main body having the display device and the sensor is further provided,
The first frame is detachably attached to the main body,
the display device is capable of displaying a second operation screen different from the first operation screen,
The input device according to claim 1 , wherein a second frame body having an opening pattern corresponding to the arrangement of images included in the second operation screen is configured to be attached to the main body in place of the first frame body . The input device according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor is provided on a side of the first operation screen with respect to the plurality of first openings and the second opening in a front view of the first operation screen. The input device according to claim 1 , wherein the second opening is larger than each of the plurality of first openings. each of the plurality of first images represents a different number;
5. The input device of claim 1, wherein the input device is powered off when the different numbers are selected in a predetermined order. A medical device comprising the input device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 .

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