JP2006018727A - Three-dimensional coordinate input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a three-dimensional coordinate input device provided with a compact input part. <P>SOLUTION: The three-dimensional coordinate input device comprises a substantially rectangular parallelepiped input means including a first touch pad and a second touch pad measuring motions of fingers, a processing means converting motions of fingers on the first touch pad to moving quantities 1a and 2a on a two-dimensional coordinate, respectively, and an opening and closing part provided with the first and the second touch pads on both sides; and a control means converting and storing, based on a moving quantity outputted from the input means, the moving quantity 1a to a moving quantity 1b on a plane constituted of two axes of an X3 axis and a Y3 axis in a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate formed by the X3 axis, the Y3 axis and a Z3 axis, converting and storing the moving quantity 2a to a moving quantity 2b in the Z3 axial direction in the three-dimensional coordinate, converting and storing, based on the moving quantities 1b and 2b, the moving quantities 1a and 2a to a moving quantity 3b in the three-dimensional coordinate, and displaying it on a screen. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a three-dimensional coordinate input device, and more particularly to a three-dimensional coordinate input device and two-dimensional coordinate input method provided with two touch pads for measuring the position of a finger.

  Currently, there is an increasing demand for three-dimensional coordinate input devices required for object manipulation in a virtual reality space constructed on a computer, such as CAD and video games, and remote operation of a robot. Conventionally, such a three-dimensional coordinate input device requires a special device, and the price of the device is expensive, the operation reflecting the user's intention is difficult, and it takes time to get used to the operation. For example, the following inventions have been proposed to solve these problems.

  Patent Document 1 describes an apparatus for inputting three-dimensional coordinates by using a plurality of mice. In this three-dimensional coordinate input device, an input signal from each mouse is converted into a movement amount, and the value is stored in a storage device. Then, information on the stored movement amount is transmitted to the three-dimensional coordinate calculator to calculate the coordinates in three dimensions. For example, when two mice, mouse 1 and mouse 2, are used, the X coordinate in a three-dimensional space composed of X, Y, and Z coordinates based on the amount of movement of the mouse 1 in the two-dimensional plane The Y coordinate is calculated, and the Z coordinate is calculated based on the amount of movement of the mouse 2 in the two-dimensional plane.

Patent Document 2 describes a rotational motion measuring apparatus in which a device for detecting the position of a finger from static electricity charged on a human finger is installed on the surface of a sphere. In this rotational movement measuring device, assuming that a three-dimensional virtual object is rotated, if the sphere is grabbed with the three fingers of the thumb, forefinger, and middle finger, and the finger is slid on the sphere, the position of each finger is fixed. The rotation direction of the virtual object is calculated based on the current measurement data and the previous measurement data, and the value is output.
JP 2000-132337 A (paragraphs 0001 to 0011 and FIG. 1) JP-A-8-263197 (paragraphs 0004 to 0010 and FIG. 1)

  As described above, the invention described in Patent Document 1 has an advantage that a plurality of mice can be used for three-dimensional coordinate input, so that the operation is relatively easy for the user and an expensive device is not required. . However, at least two mice are required for inputting three-dimensional coordinates, and both hands of the user are closed during operation. Therefore, it is not possible to simultaneously input the three-dimensional coordinates and perform other operations. In the invention described in Patent Document 2, since the device can be operated with three fingers of one hand, the operation is relatively easy, but the size of the device is such that at least three fingers can be moved. Therefore, the size of the input device must be relatively large. Therefore, it is difficult to apply to an input device having a compact shape, and the practical range may be limited.

  In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to propose a three-dimensional coordinate input device including a compact input unit that can be operated with one hand and can be easily operated by a user.

  The three-dimensional coordinate input device according to the first invention includes an input means and a control means. The input means includes a first touch pad and a second touch pad for measuring the movement of the finger, and a movement amount of the finger on the first touch pad on a two-dimensional coordinate composed of an X1 axis and a Y1 axis. Processing means for converting to 1a and storing it, and converting and storing the movement of the finger on the second touchpad into a movement amount 2a in one of the two-dimensional coordinates composed of the X2 axis and the Y2 axis And an opening / closing part having the first and second touch pads on both the front and back surfaces, and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Based on the movement amount output from the input means, the control means converts the movement amount 1a into two of the X3 axis and the Y3 axis in a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate space composed of the X3 axis, the Y3 axis, and the Z3 axis. The movement amount 1b on the plane constituted by the axes is converted and stored, and the movement amount 2a is converted and stored as the movement amount 2b in the Z3 axis direction in the three-dimensional coordinates, and the movement amount 1b and Based on 2b, it is converted into a movement amount 3b in three-dimensional coordinates, stored, and displayed on the screen.

  In this three-dimensional coordinate input device, a user's operation input from the first and second touch pads provided in the input means can be easily converted into movement in a three-dimensional coordinate space. Since both the first and second touch pads are arranged in the input means, the user operability can be significantly improved as compared with, for example, the case where three-dimensional coordinates are input using two mice.

  Further, in this three-dimensional coordinate input device, the three-dimensional coordinates X3 and Y3 correspond to the input of the planar movement on the first touch pad, and Z3 corresponds to the linear movement of the second touch pad. The user can easily recognize the relationship between the input through the first and second touchpads and the movement in the three-dimensional coordinate space, and can easily operate the movement of the object in the three-dimensional coordinate space.

  Also, any one of the first and second touchpads is arranged in combination of the front and back surfaces of the input means other than the opening and closing portions, the back and back surfaces of the opening and closing portions, the front and back surfaces of the opening and closing portions, etc. Therefore, the touch pad can be flexibly installed according to the shape and application of the input means.

  A three-dimensional coordinate input device according to a second aspect of the present invention stores a first touch pad and a second touch pad for measuring finger movement, and movement of the finger on the first touch pad as a movement amount 1a, A substantially rectangular parallelepiped input means provided with a processing means for storing the movement of the finger on the second touch pad as the movement amount 2a, and the movement amount 1a and the movement amount 2a output from the input means are represented by the X3 axis. , Y3 axis, and Z3 axis, the control means for converting the amount of movement 3b of at least one of the three-dimensional coordinates X3 axis, Y3 axis, or Z3 axis to be displayed on the screen. And

  In this three-dimensional coordinate input device, a user's operation input from the first and second touch pads provided in the input means can be easily converted into movement in a three-dimensional coordinate space. Since both the first and second touch pads are arranged in the input means, the user operability can be significantly improved as compared with, for example, the case where three-dimensional coordinates are input using two mice.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the processing means of the input means indicates the movement of the finger on the first touch pad on the two-dimensional coordinates composed of the X1 axis and the Y1 axis. The movement amount 1a is converted and stored, and the movement of the finger on the second touch pad is converted into a movement amount 2a on a two-dimensional coordinate constituted by the X2 axis and the Y2 axis and stored. Further, the control means moves the movement amount 1a on the plane constituted by the two axes of the X3 axis and the Y3 axis in the three-dimensional coordinates based on the movement amount 1a and the movement amount 2a output from the input means. It is converted into a quantity 1b and stored, and the movement quantity 2a is converted into a movement quantity 2b in the Z3 axis direction in the three-dimensional coordinates and stored, and the movement quantity 3b in the three-dimensional coordinates is calculated based on the movement quantities 1b and 2b. It is converted and displayed on the screen.

In this three-dimensional coordinate input device, the X3 axis direction and the Y3 axis direction of the three-dimensional coordinates correspond to the input of planar movement on the first touch pad, and the Z3 axis direction is linearly moved on the second touch pad. Therefore, the user can easily recognize the relationship between the input from the first and second touchpads and the movement in the three-dimensional coordinate space, and can easily operate the movement of the object in the three-dimensional coordinate space.

  A three-dimensional coordinate input device according to a fourth invention is the three-dimensional coordinate input apparatus according to the third invention, wherein the three-dimensional coordinates constituted by the X3 axis, the Y3 axis, and the Z3 axis are the three-dimensional orthogonal coordinates constituted by the vertical, horizontal, and height. It is a space.

  According to this three-dimensional coordinate input device, the three-dimensional coordinate space can be made to correspond to the real space by assigning the X3 axis, the Y3 axis, and the Z3 axis to the vertical, horizontal, and height, respectively.

  A three-dimensional coordinate input device according to a fifth invention is the third or fourth invention, wherein the movement of the finger on the second touch pad is one axis of a two-dimensional plane constituted by the X2 axis and the Y2 axis. It is characterized by being converted into a moving amount 2a in the direction.

  By converting the movement of the finger on the second touch pad as movement in either the X2 axis or the Y2 axis, the movement of the finger on the second touch pad is any of the three-dimensional coordinate spaces. It can be converted into a single axis movement.

  In a three-dimensional coordinate input device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the third to fifth aspects, the first touch pad and the second touch pad are installed on two surfaces of the input unit that face each other. It is characterized by.

  According to such a three-dimensional coordinate input device, the user can operate the first and second touchpads with the input means sandwiched with one hand. Therefore, it is possible to perform operations other than the input to the first and second touch pads with the other hand.

  In a three-dimensional coordinate input device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the third to fifth aspects, the first touch pad and the second touch pad are installed on two surfaces orthogonal to each other of the input means. It is characterized by.

  In this case, for example, the first touch pad is arranged on the upper surface of the input means, assigned to the movement in the three-dimensional space in the horizontal direction (for example, the X3 axis direction and the Y3 axis direction), and the second touch pad is placed on the side surface of the input means. Arranged and assigned to move in the height direction of the three-dimensional space (for example, the Z3 axis direction), and when the input means is operated, the first touch pad is held in the substantially horizontal direction and the second touch pad is held in the substantially vertical direction by the user. In this case, the horizontal movement of the three-dimensional coordinate space is input by the first touch pad arranged in the substantially horizontal direction, and the height of the three-dimensional coordinate space is inputted by the second touch pad arranged in the substantially vertical direction. Since the movement in the vertical direction is input, the user can easily recognize the relationship between the input by the first and second touch pads and the movement in the three-dimensional coordinate space.

  A three-dimensional coordinate input device according to an eighth invention is the third to seventh inventions, wherein the input means includes an opening / closing portion, and the first touchpad is provided on at least one of the front and back surfaces of the opening / closing portion. And any one of the second touchpads is installed.

  In this case, any one of the first and second touch pads is arranged in combination of the front and back surfaces of the input / output part other than the opening and closing part, the back and back parts of the opening and closing part, the front and back surfaces of the opening and closing part, etc. Therefore, it is possible to flexibly install the touch pad according to the shape and application of the input means.

  A three-dimensional coordinate input device according to a ninth aspect is any one of the third to eighth aspects, wherein the three-dimensional coordinate input device is used in a video game.

  At present, there are many video games on the subject of a three-dimensional virtual space, but by using such a three-dimensional input device in such a video game, an intuitive operation by a user becomes possible. In addition, by installing two touch pads on the substantially rectangular parallelepiped input means, the input means can be made compact, so that it is easy for the user to operate and is very suitable as a video game controller.

  A three-dimensional coordinate input device according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any of the third to eighth aspects, the three-dimensional coordinate input device is used on a menu switching screen of an AV device.

  When this three-dimensional coordinate input device is applied to a menu switching screen of a television receiver or VTR, for example, the first touchpad is used to operate a list with items set in the vertical and horizontal directions displayed on the screen. Since it is possible to correspond to the movement of the finger on the second touch pad in correspondence with the movement of the finger above, it is easy for the user to operate intuitively.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the third to eighth aspects of the three-dimensional coordinate input device, the three-dimensional coordinate input device is used for sound field position setting.

  In an actual three-dimensional space, it is not easy to set a speaker so that an optimal sound can be output according to the position of the user. Therefore, when setting the sound field position for performing subtle settings of sound and position, the user's position can be easily changed in the three-dimensional coordinate space by applying this three-dimensional coordinate input device. It is possible to easily change the setting of the corresponding speaker or the like.

  A three-dimensional coordinate input device according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is the second invention. The three-dimensional coordinate input device is used for controlling the posture and movement of the operation target in the three-dimensional coordinates in the Z3 axis direction in a video game. The processing means of the input means converts the finger movement on the first touch pad into a movement amount 1a in the Y1 axis direction and stores it, and the finger movement on the second touch pad is converted to the Y2 axis. It is converted into a movement amount 2a on the two-dimensional coordinates formed and stored, and the control means is based on the movement amount 1a and the movement amount 2a output from the input means, and the movement amount 3b in the Z3 axis direction in the three-dimensional coordinates. Is calculated.

  This three-dimensional coordinate input device can be used, for example, for controlling the attitude of the aircraft nose and tail in flight simulation and for controlling the vertical movement of the aircraft.

  The three-dimensional coordinate input method according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention stores the movement of the finger on the first touch pad as the movement amount 1a by the first touch pad and the second touch pad for measuring the movement of the finger, 2 The movement of the finger on the touch pad is stored as a movement amount 2a, and the movement amount 1a and the movement amount 2a are set as an X3 axis, a Y3 axis of three-dimensional coordinates composed of an X3 axis, a Y3 axis, and a Z3 axis, Alternatively, it is converted into a movement amount 3b of at least one of the Z3 axes and displayed on the screen.

  According to this three-dimensional coordinate input method, the user's operation input from the first and second touch pads can be easily converted into movement in the three-dimensional coordinate space without using complicated input means. Since the movement of the three-dimensional coordinate space can be input using the first and second touchpads, the operability of the user can be significantly improved as compared to, for example, inputting three-dimensional coordinates using two mice. .

  An input means according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention stores a first touch pad and a second touch pad for measuring the movement of a finger, and the movement of the finger on the first touch pad as a movement amount 1a. And a processing means for outputting the movement amount 1a and the movement amount 2a to the control means. The control means includes the movement amount 1a and the movement amount 2a output from the input means. Is converted into a movement amount 3b of at least one of the X3 axis, the Y3 axis, or the Z3 axis of the three-dimensional coordinates composed of the X3 axis, the Y3 axis, and the Z3 axis, and is displayed on the screen. .

  With this input means, a user operation input from the first and second touchpads can be easily converted into movement in a three-dimensional coordinate space. Since both the first and second touchpads are arranged in the input means, the operability of the user can be significantly improved as compared with, for example, the case where three-dimensional coordinates are input using two mice.

According to the present invention, by providing two touch pads for measuring the position of a finger, a three-dimensional coordinate input device that can be operated with one hand, is easy to operate intuitively, and includes a compact input means. I can do it.

(1) First embodiment
[Overall configuration]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a three-dimensional coordinate input apparatus according to the present embodiment. The three-dimensional coordinate input device 1 includes an input unit 2 and a control unit 8, and is connected to a display device 12, an amplifier 14, and a speaker 15.

  The input unit 2 includes a plurality of input keys 3, a touch pad 4, a touch pad 5, a CPU 6, and an infrared light emitting unit 7. The plurality of input keys 3 outputs input signals to the CPU 6 in response to input from the user. The touch pad 4 and the touch pad 5 measure the position of the finger placed on the pad by detecting a change in capacitance, and output this information to the CPU 6. The CPU 6 outputs an input signal from the input key 3 to the infrared light emitting unit 7, and assigns the movement of the finger on the touch pad 4 to the horizontal direction and the vertical direction as shown in FIG. 2 (c). The movement of the finger on the touch pad 5 is converted by the X2 axis and the Y2 axis assigned in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. A memory (not shown) provided inside or outside the CPU 6 converts the amount of movement 1a and the amount of movement 2a into the movement amount 2a in the Y2 axis direction which is one of the two-dimensional coordinates formed. And output to the infrared light emitting unit 7. The infrared light emitting unit 7 receives a signal from the CPU 6 and outputs it to the infrared light receiving unit of the control unit 8. It should be noted that the above-described movement amount includes a movement amount value (absolute value) and a direction (positive value or negative value). Specifically, when the finger position is moved from P1 to P2 on the touch pad 4, if the coordinates of P1 are (Px1, Py1) and the coordinates of P2 are (Px2, Py2), the amount of movement from P1 to P2 1a becomes (Px2-Px1, Py2-Py1). Further, when moving the finger position on the touch pad 5 from Q1 to Q2, assuming that the coordinates of Q1 are (Qx1, Qy1) and the coordinates of Q2 are (Qx2, Qy2), the moving amount 2a from Q1 to Q2 is (Qy2-Qy1). When the finger movement from Q1 to Q2 on the touch pad 5 is directed from the bottom to the top in the vertical direction on the touch pad 5, the movement amount 2a becomes a positive value, but the opposite When the finger movement on the touch pad 5 is from the top to the bottom in the vertical direction, the movement amount 2a is a negative value.

The control unit 8 includes an infrared light receiving unit 9, a main CPU 10, an image processing unit 11, and an audio processing unit 13. The infrared light receiver 9 receives the signal transmitted from the infrared light emitter 7 and outputs this signal to the main CPU 10. The main CPU 10 controls the image processing unit 11 and the sound processing unit 13 based on a signal from the infrared light receiving unit. More specifically, the main CPU 10 includes the movement amount 1a obtained by converting the movement of the finger on the touch pad 4 by the CPU 6 by the X3 axis, the Y3 axis, and the Z3 axis constructed on the computer. It is converted into a movement amount 1b on a plane constituted by two axes of the X3 axis and the Y3 axis in dimensional coordinates, and is stored in a memory (not shown) provided inside or outside the main CPU 10, and the touch pad 5 The movement amount 2a converted from the movement of the finger by the CPU 6 is converted into the movement amount 2b in the Z3 axis direction in the three-dimensional coordinates and stored in the memory provided inside or outside the main CPU 10 described above. Store and store the movement amounts 1b and 2b as a movement amount 3b. For example, when the finger position is moved from P1 to P2 on the touch pad 4 and the finger position is moved from Q1 to Q2 on the touch pad 5, the movement amount 1a from P1 to P2 and Q1 to Q2 are given. The movement amount 2a is converted into a movement amount 1b and a movement amount 2b, respectively, and the coordinates thereof are (Px2-Px1, Py2-Py1, Qy2-Qy1). Then, the main CPU 10 controls the image processing unit 11 to move the operation target in the three-dimensional coordinates on the computer so as to correspond to the movement amount 3b. Further, the main CPU 10 controls the sound processing unit 13 so as to output sound in accordance with the coordinates after the operation target is moved. The image processing unit 11 receives an output from the main CPU 10 and causes the display device 12 to display an image. The audio processing unit 13 receives an output from the main CPU 10 and outputs an audio signal to the amplifier 14. The amplifier 14 amplifies the signal from the sound processing unit and outputs it to the speaker 15.

[3D coordinate input device for video games]
FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram when the input unit 2 according to the present embodiment is applied to a video game controller, and FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating an open / close unit 16 provided in the input unit 2. It is a perspective view at the time of being in a state.

  The input unit 2 includes a substantially cuboid casing 17, an infrared light emitting unit (not shown), a plurality of input keys 3, a touch pad 4, a touch pad 5, and an opening / closing unit 16. As shown in FIG. 2 (a), a plurality of input keys 3, a touch pad 5 and an opening / closing part 16 are provided on the surface of the housing 17, and as shown in FIG. When the part 16 is opened, the touch pad 4 is provided on the back side of the opening / closing part. The opening / closing part 16 is held in a state of being perpendicular to the housing 17.

  FIG. 2C is a diagram showing the movement of the finger on the touch pad 4 and the touch pad 5. The movement in the X1 direction on the touch pad 4 shown in FIG. 2C is the X3 axis in the image of the display device displaying the three-dimensional virtual reality space composed of the X3 axis, the Y3 axis, and the Z axis. The amount of movement in the Y1 direction on the touch pad 4 corresponds to the amount of movement in the Y3-axis direction (depth direction) in the image. The movement amount in the Y2 direction on the touch pad 5 shown in FIG. 2C corresponds to the movement amount in the Z-axis direction (height direction) in the image.

  The user moves the operation object in a three-dimensional virtual space composed of the X3 axis, the Y3 axis, and the Z3 axis displayed on the display device by moving a finger on the touchpad 4 and the touchpad 5. It can be made. In addition, sound is output corresponding to the position of the operation target.

  Also, in a video game scene assuming a two-dimensional space instead of a three-dimensional space, by using only the touch pad 5 with the opening / closing part closed, the movement of the finger on the touch pad 5 can be represented in the two-dimensional space. It can be converted into the amount of movement in the vertical and horizontal directions.

  In this embodiment, a capacitive touch pad is used, but a resistive touch pad that measures the position of the finger by changing the voltage value at the point pressed by the finger may be used.

  Further, as described above, in this embodiment, the touch pad 4 includes a two-dimensional plane composed of the X1 axis and the Y1 axis, and the X3 axis, the Y3 axis, and the Z3 axis constructed on the computer. The operation object is operated in correspondence with the movement of the operation object in the three-dimensional virtual reality space, but the position of the operation object on the screen is fixed so that the operation object is A process of moving the background so as to correspond to the movement of the operation target object may be performed so as to move corresponding to the movement of the finger on the touch pad.

  In addition, the touch pad 4 and the touch pad 5 of the input unit 2 in the present embodiment are configured to be installed on both the front and back surfaces of the opening / closing unit 16 installed in the housing 17, as shown in FIG. As shown, the touch pad 5 is installed on the surface of the opening / closing unit 16 installed in the housing 17, and the touch pad 4 is exposed from the inside of the housing 17 in a state where the opening / closing unit 16 is opened. May be installed. When the input unit 2 shown in FIG. 3B is operated, the opening / closing unit 16 is held in a state of being perpendicular to the casing 17, so that the touch pad 4 and the touch pad 5 are positioned to be perpendicular to each other. It is in.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3A, the touch pad 4 and the touch pad 5 may be installed on the surfaces of the casing 17 which are perpendicular to each other.

[Effect]
According to the three-dimensional coordinate input apparatus according to the present embodiment, a simple input operation can be performed without using complicated input means by using the two touch pads 4 and 5 that measure the movement of the finger. Therefore, it is possible to provide an input means that is easy for the user to operate. In addition, the movement of the finger on the touch pad 4 is configured in, for example, two directions of a horizontal direction and a depth direction in a three-dimensional virtual space configured on the computer and configured by the X3 axis, the Y3 axis, and the Z3 axis. Since the movement of the finger on the touch pad 5 corresponds to the movement amount in the height direction in the three-dimensional virtual space, the operation is intuitive for the user. Easy to do.

Further, according to the three-dimensional coordinate input device according to the present embodiment, since the two touch pads 4 and 5 are installed on both surfaces of the opening / closing unit 16 provided in the housing 17 in the input unit 2, The size of the part can be made compact. In addition, since the two touchpads 4 and 5 can be operated with two fingers of one hand sandwiched from both the front and back sides of the opening / closing part 16, the input key 3 can be used with the other hand while operating the touchpad. Other input operations can be performed. Furthermore, according to the three-dimensional input device according to the present embodiment, even when a scene in a two-dimensional space is assumed, when the operation target is operated, the opening / closing part 16 is closed and the touchpad 5 is used for operation. Since it can be used, the touchpad can be used properly according to the situation, which is very convenient.
(2) Second embodiment
[Overall configuration]
The schematic configuration diagram of the three-dimensional coordinate input device according to the present embodiment is basically the same as the schematic configuration diagram of the three-dimensional coordinate input device according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. Omitted.

[3D coordinate input device for flight simulator]
FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram of the front surface of the input unit 2 in the three-dimensional coordinate input apparatus according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram of the back surface of the input unit 2. FIG. 4C illustrates the situation where the input unit 2 is operated with the left hand from the surface of the input unit 2, and FIG. 4D illustrates the input unit operated with the left hand. The situation is illustrated from the back side of the input unit 2. FIG. 5 shows the state of the flight simulator airplane displayed on the display device of the three-dimensional coordinate input device according to the present embodiment, and the corresponding touch pad 4 and touch pad 5 operation method. It is a figure.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4B, the input unit 2 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 17, a plurality of input keys 3, and a touch pad 4, and a touch pad 5 on the back surface. This is a thin controller having an infrared light emitting unit 7 at the top. As shown in FIGS. 4 (c) to 4 (d), the user holds the input unit 2 so as to be sandwiched between the thumb and the index finger, moves the thumb on the touch pad 4, and moves the index finger on the touch pad 5. By moving, the aircraft body shown in FIGS. 5A and 5C displayed on the display device is operated.

A plurality of input keys 3 installed on the surface of the input unit 2 are used for a power button, a screen switching button, and the like. Further, as described above, in this embodiment, the movement of the finger on the two touch pads 4 provided in the input unit 2 is represented on a three-dimensional coordinate composed of the X3 axis, the Y3 axis, and the Z3 axis. Correspond to the movement amount 1b and the movement amount 2b of the two points (operation objects 18a and 18b). That is, the movement of the finger on the touch pad 4 installed on the surface of the housing 17 is shown in FIGS.
The movement of the finger on the touch pad 5 installed on the back surface of the casing 17 is assigned to the operation of the aircraft tail (operation object 18a) illustrated in (c). It is assigned to the operation of the operation object 18b). Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, when the thumb is moved downward on the touch pad 4 and the index finger is moved upward on the touch pad 5, the airplane will function. Raise your neck. Conversely, when the thumb is moved upward on the touch pad 4 and the index finger is moved downward on the touch pad 5, the airplane lowers the nose. Also, as shown in FIGS. 5C and 5D, when the thumb is moved upward on the touch pad 4 and the index finger is moved upward on the touch pad 5, the aircraft body Rises vertically. On the other hand, when the thumb is moved downward on the touch pad 4 and the index finger is moved downward on the touch pad 5, the airplane moves the aircraft down in the vertical direction.

  Specifically, when the directions in which the finger is moved on the touch pad 4 and the touch pad 5 are opposite, the nose of the airplane is raised and lowered starting from the airplane's tail (operation object 18a) on the screen. Will be. When the directions in which the finger is moved on the touch pad 4 and the touch pad 5 are the same, the aircraft body is raised or lowered vertically on the screen.

  Although FIG. 3 shows a situation in which the thin controller is operated with the left hand, there is no problem even if the thin controller is operated with the right hand. In addition, the input unit illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B may be used in this embodiment.

[Effect]
According to the three-dimensional coordinate input apparatus of the present embodiment, a simple input operation can be performed without using complicated input means by using the two touch pads 4 and 5 that measure the movement of the finger. It is possible to provide an input means that is easy for the user to operate.

Further, according to the three-dimensional coordinate input device of the present embodiment, the touch pad 4 and the touch pad 5 are attached to the mutually facing surfaces of the housing 17 in the input unit 2, so that the thumb and index finger of one hand Therefore, the operability is very high. It is also possible to operate the two touch pads 4 and 5 with one hand while using another controller with the other hand as necessary. Furthermore, since two touchpads are installed on the opposing surfaces of the housing 17, the touchpad can be installed on a thin controller as in this embodiment, so a card-type controller with a very compact design Can be provided.
(3) Third embodiment
[Overall configuration]
The schematic configuration diagram of the three-dimensional coordinate input device according to the present embodiment is basically the same as the schematic configuration diagram of the three-dimensional coordinate input device according to the first or second embodiment shown in FIG. The description is omitted here.

[3D coordinate input device for AV equipment menu switching]
As the input unit 2 used in the present embodiment, the input units described in the first embodiment and the second embodiment can be used. Therefore, the general description of the input unit 2 is omitted. However, since the touch pad input method is slightly different from that of the first and second embodiments, this point will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b).

FIG. 6A illustrates an AV device menu switching screen displayed on the display device in the present embodiment. For example, this screen is referred to when a TV program is reserved for recording on a VTR. A program guide is created based on TV program information acquired from the Internet or a TV broadcasting station, and a TV program guide for each day of the week is displayed. Is done. In FIG. 6 (a), a TV program column broadcast on Monday is displayed, a broadcast time zone is assigned to the vertical axis, a broadcast station is assigned to the horizontal axis, and other screens are displayed by switching the screen. The program column for the day of the week can be displayed. In addition, in the Monday program column shown in FIG. 6A, the time zone assigned to the vertical axis is the time zone from 9:00 to 12:00, and the broadcast station assigned to the horizontal axis. The broadcast stations A to D are displayed, but the portions that cannot be displayed on the screen at a time can be scroll-displayed.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b), the movement of the finger in the X1 direction on the touch pad 4 is changed to the broadcasting station assigned to the horizontal axis of the program column on the AV device menu switching screen. The movement of the finger in the Y1 direction on the touch pad 4 is made to correspond to the selection of the time zone assigned to the vertical axis of the program column. The movement of the finger in the Y2 direction on the touch pad 5 corresponds to switching for each day of the week. For example, as shown in FIG. 6 (a), a hatched cursor (operation object 18c) is placed on a news program broadcast in the time zone from 9:00 to 10:00 of broadcast station A. When the cursor is set to an animation program broadcast from 11:30 to 12 o'clock from broadcast station C from this position, by moving a finger toward the right side in the X1 direction on touchpad 4, broadcast station C In addition to the position of C, the cursor can be moved from 11:30 to 12:00 by moving the finger further downward in the Y2 direction. Furthermore, when selecting a program broadcast on the same broadcast station on the same time zone on Thursday, moving the finger in the Y2 direction on the touch pad 5 may switch the program table for each day of the week as if turning the page. I can do it.

  In the present embodiment, the finger movement in the vertical direction on the touch pad 5 is assigned to switching for each day of the week, but the movement of the finger in the horizontal direction on the touch pad 5 may be assigned to switching for each day of the week. .

[Effect]
According to the three-dimensional coordinate input apparatus of the present embodiment, a simple input operation can be performed without using complicated input means by using the two touch pads 4 and 5 that measure the movement of the finger. It is possible to provide an input means that is easy for the user to operate.

  Also, the finger movement on the touch pad 4 corresponds to the vertical and horizontal directions of the menu switching screen, that is, the selection of the time zone and the broadcasting station, respectively, and the finger movement on the touch pad 5 corresponds to the day of the week. Since switching is supported, it is easy for the user to operate intuitively.

In the present embodiment, the program column composed of the broadcast time zone and the broadcast station for each day of the week is displayed. However, the program column composed of the day of the week and the broadcast station is displayed for each broadcast time zone. It is also good. In this case, the movement of the finger on the touch pad 4 is assigned to the selection of the day of the week and the broadcasting station, and the movement of the finger on the touch pad 5 is assigned to the switching of the broadcast time zone. Further, when the configuration of the program column in the present embodiment is configured to display a program column composed of a broadcast time zone and a day of the week for each broadcast station, the movement of the finger on the touch pad 4 is broadcast. It is assigned to the selection of the time zone and the day of the week, and the movement of the finger on the touch pad 5 is assigned to the switching of the broadcasting station.
(4) Fourth embodiment
[Overall configuration]
The schematic configuration diagram of the three-dimensional coordinate input device according to the present embodiment is basically the same as the schematic configuration diagram of the three-dimensional coordinate input device according to the first to third embodiments illustrated in FIG. The description of the same parts will be omitted, and the contents to be described in detail will be described.

The amplifier 14 provided in the three-dimensional coordinate input apparatus according to the present embodiment is a 5.1 channel compatible amplifier, and the speaker 15 is six speakers constituting a 5.1 channel surround system, that is, five. Speaker 15a to 15e and one low-frequency sound output subwoofer speaker 15f. The main CPU 10 corresponds to the coordinates of the operation target object,
The sound processing unit 13 is controlled so that the optimum sound from the speakers 15a to 15f arrives at that position. The audio processing unit 13 receives an output from the main CPU 10 and outputs an audio signal to the amplifier 14. The amplifier 14 amplifies the signal from the audio processing unit and outputs the amplified signal to the speakers 15 a to 15 f.

[3D coordinate input device for sound field position setting]
FIG. 7 is a sound field position setting screen displayed on the display device of the three-dimensional coordinate input device according to the present embodiment. The input unit 2 used when operating the operation target 18d on the sound field position setting screen is shown in FIGS. 2 (a), 2 (b), 3, 4 (a), and 4 (b). Any of the formats shown in FIG. However, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the movement of the finger in the X1 direction on the touch pad 4 corresponds to the horizontal direction on the sound field position setting screen. The finger movement in the Y1 direction on 4 corresponds to the height direction on the sound field position setting screen, and the finger movement in the Y2 direction on the touch pad 5 is on the sound field setting position screen. It corresponds to the movement in the depth direction. Accordingly, when the input unit 2 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B is used, the operation is performed in a state where the opening / closing unit 16 stands vertically with respect to the casing 17 of the input unit 2. If the input unit 2 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B is used, the input unit 2 is operated in the state shown in FIGS. 4C and 4D. Then, the operation object on the sound field position setting screen can be operated in the horizontal direction and the height direction by the movement of the finger on the touch pad 4 in front of the user, and is behind the touch pad 4. Since the operation target on the sound field position setting screen can be operated in the depth direction by the movement of the finger on the touch pad 5, it is easy for the user to operate intuitively. Note that a plurality of input keys provided in the input unit 2 are assigned modes depending on the size and type of the place where the sound is heard.

  Here, the operation method of the sound field position setting screen and the sound field position setting process will be described. The user moves the operation object on the sound field position setting screen by operating the touch pads 4 and 5 provided in the input unit 2, and determines the position to listen to the sound. Then, by depressing the input key 3, it is determined at which venue the situation of listening to the sound is reproduced. For example, when reproducing the situation of listening to sound in a large concert hall or the situation of listening to sound in a small live house, the corresponding input key may be pressed. In response to the input from the user, the main CPU 10 performs control to shift the output timing of the sound output from each speaker to reproduce the reverberation sound and reverberation sound in a pseudo manner. As a result, the user can simulate the situation of listening to sound in a large concert hall or a small live house in the space where the speakers are installed.

[Effect]
According to this three-dimensional coordinate input device, by using the two touch pads 4 and 5 for measuring the movement of the finger, a simple input operation can be performed without using complicated input means. An input means that is easy to operate can be provided.

  In addition, according to the three-dimensional coordinate input device according to the present embodiment, the three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate space configured by the horizontal direction, the depth direction, and the height direction represents the movement of the two-dimensional finger on the touch pads 4 and 5. Since it can be converted into motion in the virtual reality space, it is possible to actually adjust the subtle setting of the sound in the virtual reality space according to the listening position that is difficult to adjust in the real 3D space. Therefore, it is possible to output an optimal sound according to the user's preference and the space in which the speaker is installed.

The block diagram which shows the three-dimensional coordinate input device which concerns on embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the input part and touchpad of the three-dimensional coordinate input device which concern on embodiment of this invention The perspective view which shows the input part of the three-dimensional coordinate input device which concerns on the modification of embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the input part of the three-dimensional coordinate input device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the flight simulation screen and touchpad of the three-dimensional coordinate input device which concern on embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the AV menu switching screen and touchpad of the three-dimensional coordinate input device which concerns on embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the screen for sound field position setting of the three-dimensional coordinate input device which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and a touchpad.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 3D image input device 2 Input part 3 Input key 4 Touch pad 5 Touch pad 6 CPU
7 Infrared light emitting unit 8 Control unit 9 Infrared light receiving unit 10 Main CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Image processing part 12 Display apparatus 13 Sound processing part 14 Amplifier 15a Speaker 15b Speaker 15c Speaker 15d Speaker 15e Speaker 15f Subwoofer speaker 16 Opening and closing part 17 Housing | casing 18a Operation target 18b Operation target 18c Operation target 18d Operation target

Claims (14)

The first touchpad and second touchpad for measuring the movement of the finger, and the movement of the finger on the first touchpad is converted into a movement amount 1a on a two-dimensional coordinate composed of the X1 axis and the Y1 axis. Processing means for storing and converting the movement of the finger on the second touchpad into a movement amount 2a in one axial direction of a two-dimensional coordinate constituted by the X2 axis and the Y2 axis; A substantially rectangular parallelepiped input means provided with an opening / closing part provided with both of the first and second touchpads on the front and back sides;
Based on the amount of movement output from the input means, the amount of movement 1a is composed of two axes, the X3 axis and the Y3 axis, in a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate space composed of an X3 axis, a Y3 axis, and a Z3 axis. Is converted into a movement amount 1b on the plane and stored, and the movement amount 2a is converted into a movement amount 2b in the Z3 axis direction in the three-dimensional coordinates and stored. Based on the movement amounts 1b and 2b A three-dimensional coordinate input device comprising: control means for converting and storing the amount of movement in three-dimensional coordinates 3b and displaying the same on a screen. The first touch pad and the second touch pad for measuring the movement of the finger, the movement of the finger on the first touch pad is stored as a movement amount 1a, and the movement of the finger on the second touch pad is stored. A substantially rectangular parallelepiped input means comprising a processing means for storing the amount of movement 2a;
The movement amount 1a and the movement amount 2a output from the input means are converted into the movement amount of at least one of the X3 axis, the Y3 axis, or the Z3 axis of the three-dimensional coordinates composed of the X3 axis, the Y3 axis, and the Z3 axis. Control means for converting to 3b and displaying on the screen;
A three-dimensional coordinate input device comprising: The processing means of the input means converts and stores a finger movement on the first touch pad into a movement amount 1a on a two-dimensional coordinate composed of an X1 axis and a Y1 axis, and stores the second touch. The movement of the finger on the pad is converted into a movement amount 2a on a two-dimensional coordinate composed of the X2 axis and the Y2 axis, and stored.
The control means is a plane constituted by the X3 axis and the Y3 axis in the three-dimensional coordinates based on the movement amount 1a and the movement amount 2a output from the input means. It is converted into the upper movement amount 1b and stored, and the movement amount 2a is converted into the movement amount 2b in the Z3 axis direction in the three-dimensional coordinates and stored, and the three-dimensional movement is based on the movement amounts 1b and 2b. The three-dimensional coordinate input device according to claim 2, wherein the three-dimensional coordinate input device converts the amount of movement into 3b in coordinates and displays it on a screen.   4. The three-dimensional according to claim 3, wherein the three-dimensional coordinates configured by the X3 axis, the Y3 axis, and the Z3 axis are a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate space that is configured by vertical, horizontal, and height. Coordinate input device.   The movement of the finger on the second touch pad is converted into a movement amount 2a in one axial direction of a two-dimensional plane constituted by the X2 axis and the Y2 axis. The three-dimensional coordinate input device according to any one of 4.   The three-dimensional coordinate input device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the first touch pad and the second touch pad are installed on two mutually facing surfaces of the input means. .   The three-dimensional coordinate input device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the first touch pad and the second touch pad are installed on two surfaces of the input unit that are orthogonal to each other. . The input means includes an opening / closing part, and any one of the first touch pad and the second touch pad is installed on at least one of the front and back surfaces of the opening / closing part, The three-dimensional coordinate input device according to any one of claims 3 to 7.   The three-dimensional coordinate input device according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the three-dimensional coordinate input device is used in a video game.   The three-dimensional coordinate input device according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the three-dimensional coordinate input device is used on a menu switching screen of an AV device.   The three-dimensional coordinate input device according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the three-dimensional coordinate input device is used for sound field position setting. The three-dimensional coordinate input device is used for controlling the posture and movement of the operation target in the three-dimensional coordinates in the Z3 axis direction in a video game,
The processing means of the input means converts the finger movement on the first touch pad into the movement amount 1a in the Y1-axis direction and stores it, and stores the finger movement on the second touch pad. Convert and store the movement amount 2a composed of the Y2 axis,
3. The control unit according to claim 2, wherein the control unit calculates a movement amount 3b in the Z3 axis direction in the three-dimensional coordinates based on the movement amount 1a and the movement amount 2a output from the input unit. The three-dimensional input device described The first touchpad and the second touchpad that measure the movement of the finger store the movement of the finger on the first touchpad as a movement amount 1a, and the movement of the finger on the second touchpad Is stored as the movement amount 2a,
The movement amount 1a and the movement amount 2a are converted into a movement amount 3b of at least one of the X3 axis, the Y3 axis, or the Z3 axis of the three-dimensional coordinates composed of the X3 axis, the Y3 axis, and the Z3 axis, and the screen A three-dimensional coordinate input method, characterized by being displayed above. A first touchpad and a second touchpad for measuring finger movement;
The movement of the finger on the first touch pad is stored as a movement amount 1a, the movement of the finger on the second touch pad is stored as a movement amount 2a, and the movement amount 1a and the movement amount 2a are controlled. Processing means for outputting to the means,
The control means uses the movement amount 1a and the movement amount 2a output from the input means as at least an X3 axis, a Y3 axis, or a Z3 axis of a three-dimensional coordinate composed of an X3 axis, a Y3 axis, and a Z3 axis. An input means characterized in that it is converted into a single axis movement amount 3b and displayed on a screen.

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