Touch Panel-Type Operation Panel and Control Method Therefor

Abstract

To eliminate or reduce stress for an operator who operates an operation panel. A touch panel-type operation panel includes a display with touch panel including an image display surface for displaying an operation part and a control device. The display with touch panel detects approach of an operation finger to the operation part and the position of the operation part and outputs signals of the detected approach of the operation finger and the detected position. The control device predicts and analyzes, in response to an input of the signals of the approach of the operation finger and the position, a state of a control target by operation corresponding to the operation part with reference to state data of the control target, determines appropriateness of the predicted and analyzed operation, and outputs a result of the determination.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.