JP2007026121A - Information input/output system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information input/output system of a user interface environment which enables a user to intuitively and easily understandably operate a computer while effectively utilizing both hands. <P>SOLUTION: The information input/output system comprises: a plurality of physical tags; a display device provided with a touch panel where an input operation can be performed even in the state of mounting the physical tags; a physical tag measuring apparatus for acquiring identification information and three-dimensional position information of the physical tag in the state of being mounted on the surface of the display device or the physical tag in the state of being held by the user and separated from the surface of the display device and acquiring the moving track information and stop position information of the physical tag; an information processing means for executing information processing instructed according to the moving track of the physical tag, the position relation of the plurality of physical tags, input data by the input operation from the touch panel or the combination; and a display processing means for displaying a processing result by the information processing means at the display device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention provides an information input environment that provides a user interface environment in which a user can operate a computer intuitively and easily while using both hands effectively and communicate with a remote person via the computer. It concerns the output system.

  Current computers are generally operated using a GUI (Graphical User Interface) environment based on WIMP (Window, Icon, Menu, Pointer). In a GUI environment, the mouse cursor (pointer cursor) is moved by a general-purpose pointing device such as a mouse or a touch pad, and a general-purpose operation method by mouse button operation represented by click or drag-and-drop is used. , Operate the computer.

  On the other hand, a real object that is not a general-purpose device such as a mouse is used, and changes in the position, movement, shape, etc. of the real object are linked to the internal state of the computer and operation commands to realize more intuitive operation. Research and development of the tangible user interface (TUI) to be attempted has been actively conducted since the 1990s (Non-patent Documents 1 and 2, etc.). In the TUI environment, multiple real objects can be handled with both hands at the same time, compared to an operation technique that concentrates on a single object like a mouse in the GUI environment, and performs various operations in order with a single mouse cursor. A direct and intuitive user interface environment where the affordance of the body naturally guides the operation technique can be realized.

  However, since it is difficult to change the size and function of a real object, there is a problem that if it is designed for a specific application, it is difficult to divert to a different application and lacks versatility. This is also the point that becomes more problematic as you try to strengthen affordance with real objects.

DataTiles (Patent Literature 1, Non-Patent Literature 3), Patent Literature 2, “Command Input Method, Image Display Method, and Image Display Device” and the like are examples in which TUI has some degree of versatility.
JP 2002-132446 A JP 2005-165864 A H. Ishii and B. Ullmer. TangibleBits: Towards seamless interfaces between people, bits and atoms.In Proc.ACM CHI'97, pages234-241, 1997. Construction and evaluation of VR space navigation interface using tangible avatar, Chiaki Fujimon, Makoto Ando, Satoshi Yamashita, Kazuhiro Yoshida, Hideaki Kuzuoka, Michitaka Hirose, 8th Annual Conference of the Virtual Reality Society of Japan, 2003 J. Rekimoto, B. Ullmer, and H. Oba. DataTiles: A modular platform for mixed physical and graphic interactions. In Proc. ACM CHI2001, pages 269-276, 2001. B. Bell, S. Feiner, and T. Hoellerer, View Management for Virtual and Augmented Reality, In Proc.UIST '01, Orlando, FL, November 11-14 2001.pp. 101-110 Yoshifumi Nishida, Hiroshi Aizawa, Toshio Hori, Masayoshi Sasakura Robust measurement of human daily activities using ultrasonic 3D tags-Robust position estimation based on redundant sensor information-. 20th anniversary of the 20th anniversary of the Robotics Society of Japan Proceedings of Lecture Meeting, 3C18 (1)-(4), 2002. Nobuyuki Matsushita, Daisuke Hihara, Teruyuki Goro, Shinichi Yoshimura, Junichi Kyokumoto. ID Cam: An image sensor that can simultaneously acquire scenes and IDs. Interaction 2002 pp.9-16

  In DataTiles, sensors that read RFID tags are arranged at regular intervals, and RFIF is incorporated into a transparent rectangular material such as acrylic on the surface of a flat display such as a liquid crystal display equipped with an electromagnetic transfer input tablet. Arrange multiple tiles for operation. In this case, the input / output of the user interface is directly associated by inputting the positional relationship of the installation of multiple tiles, pen operation on the tile, etc. and outputting the display of the flat display viewed through the transparent tile. Has been successful. As for the input, a complicated operation using a pen input on the tile and the installation positional relationship of a plurality of tiles is possible, and the output can be obtained by looking at the liquid crystal display through the tile. For this reason, expressive power and versatility close to those of the GUI can be obtained.

  However, since the size of the tile is fixed, this corresponds to the fact that the size of the window cannot be changed when applied to the GUI, and lacks versatility in that respect. Further, since the RFID tag is recognized only in the vicinity of the position where the sensor for reading the RFID tag is arranged, when the RFID tag / sensor is regarded as a positioning means, only spatially discrete positioning can be performed. Also in the case of input using a pen, in order to hold and install a tile with both hands, a pen holding operation occurs, so that the pen may impair the ease of operation. Furthermore, since the position of the moving tile or the position of the tile that has moved away from the flat display cannot be obtained, there is a limitation that the output for the tile in such a state cannot be provided.

  In the command input method of Patent Document 2, a plurality of real objects are placed on the screen of the rear projection display, and the positional relationship, movement and rotation of the real objects are combined with drawing using an aqueous pen or marker on the screen. Can operate the computer. Real objects and drawing are recognized by a camera installed on the back side of the screen, like a projector. As means for improving the recognition accuracy, an identification code is added to the surface where the real object touches the screen, and the type and orientation are recognized by the camera. In addition, since the result of manipulating the real object is immediately reflected on the display, the input / output can be directly associated in this case as well as DataTiles, and the input / output is relatively versatile.

  However, the rear-projection display used in Patent Document 2 has a problem in terms of its cost, portability, and the like due to its principle that the system becomes larger than a flat display. In addition, since it is difficult for the real object that has left the screen to be captured by the camera, the situation (position, movement, and orientation) of the real object that has left the display cannot be used for input, as in DataTiles. Furthermore, since the drawing is not a virtual one using a touch panel but an actual drawing using a water-based pen or a marker, it is difficult to delete or change the one once drawn.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and while providing a direct correspondence between input and output while being a TUI, it has versatility for input and output, and further, a plurality of real objects are displayed from a display device. By obtaining the identification information, position / movement information, even in a separated state, the user is provided with more intuitive operation techniques, and further, operations such as lifting and moving real objects using the results, and on the display device The purpose of this is to enable quick drawing with both hands.

  Specifically, the object of the present invention is to enable a user who can operate a computer intuitively and easily while using both hands effectively, or to communicate with a remote person via a computer. An object of the present invention is to provide an information input / output system that provides an interface environment.

  In order to achieve the above object, an information input / output system according to the present invention has, as a basic configuration, a plurality of physical tags and a touch panel that allows input operations even when the physical tags are placed. And a display device provided with the physical tag placed on the surface of the display device or identification information and three-dimensional position information of the physical tag held by a user and separated from the surface of the display device. The physical tag measuring device that acquires and acquires the movement trajectory information and stop position information of the physical tag, the movement trajectory of the physical tag, the positional relationship of a plurality of physical tags, input data by an input operation from the touch panel, or those Information processing means for executing information processing instructed according to the combination, and display processing means for displaying a processing result by the information processing means on the display device

  As one aspect, in this information input / output system, the touch panel provided in the display device has a touch panel surface touched by an object, and position information is input by contact with the object absorbing ultrasonic waves propagating on the touch panel surface. The ultrasonic surface acoustic wave type touch panel, and even if the physical tag is placed on the touch panel surface, the plurality of physical tags do not absorb the ultrasonic wave propagating on the surface so much. It is configured to be covered with an external housing made of a material that does not adversely affect the input operation. With such a configuration, the physical tag is lightweight, and its outer shape is made of a material such as plastic or metal. Therefore, the placement of a plurality of physical tags on the touch panel and the input to the touch panel can be compatible. become.

  In this case, the touch panel surface is contacted by a fingertip covered with a finger cap made of a cloth material or a rubber material. With such a configuration, the finger cap that covers the fingertip with a material such as natural fiber, chemical fiber, or rubber prevents wear of the skin of the fingertip even when the fingertip input to the touch panel is performed for a long time. Become.

  As another aspect, in the information input / output system, the touch panel provided in the display device inputs position information by bringing a fingertip equipped with an LC resonance circuit including a coil and a capacitor into contact with the surface of the touch panel. The touch panel is configured to be an electromagnetic transmission / reception system. With such a configuration, since the plurality of physical tags do not include a resonance circuit, even if the plurality of physical tags are placed on the surface of the touch panel, input to the touch panel is not adversely affected. For this reason, both the placement of a plurality of physical tags on the touch panel and the input to the touch panel can be achieved.

  As another aspect, in the information input / output system, the physical tag includes an ultrasonic transmitter that is controlled by an identification code for identifying the physical tag and transmits an ultrasonic signal, and the physical tag measuring device has a predetermined time. The transmission of ultrasonic waves from each physical tag is controlled by the identification code transmitted wirelessly from the physical tag measurement device every time, and the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the physical tag corresponding to the identification code is measured by the physical tag measurement. The information is received by a plurality of receivers provided in the apparatus, the three-dimensional position of the corresponding physical tag is measured, and the identification information of each physical tag and the three-dimensional position thereof are obtained.

  In still another aspect, in the information input / output system, the physical tag includes a light emitting diode that is controlled by an identification code for identifying itself, and the physical tag measurement device is configured to perform the physical tag measurement device every predetermined time. Each physical tag is controlled by an identification code transmitted wirelessly from the optical tag, the light emitting diode of the physical tag corresponding to the identification code is caused to emit light, and a plurality of light receivers provided in the physical tag measuring device are used to The three-dimensional position is measured by observing the light emission, and the identification information and the three-dimensional position of each physical tag are acquired.

  According to another aspect, in the information input / output system, the physical tag includes a light emitting diode that emits light according to a blinking pattern of an identification code that identifies the physical tag, and the physical tag measuring device includes the light emitting diode of the physical tag. The light emission of the blinking pattern that is emitted is received by a plurality of light receivers provided in the physical tag measuring device, the three-dimensional position of the physical tag is measured, and the identification information and the three-dimensional position of each physical tag are measured. Configured to earn.

  Further, in this case, the physical tag is provided with a vibrator, and the vibrator is vibrated when the physical tag is placed on or around the display device or held by a user. It may be configured to notify that the presence of the physical tag or the state of information corresponding to the physical tag has changed.

  As another aspect, the physical tag is provided with a switch at the bottom, and the physical tag is placed on or around the display device to be in a power-off state or a power saving mode. It may be configured as follows. With such a configuration, the position of the physical tag is not updated until the power is turned on, so that the power consumption of the physical tag is reduced, and there is a shield between the physical tag and the physical tag measuring device. Even if it invades, the position information of the physical tag is not disturbed.

  As another aspect, in the information input / output system, the physical tag is provided with a solar cell in a lower part, and the physical tag is obtained by light emission of the display device in a state of being placed on the display device. It may be configured to use light energy converted into electricity by a solar cell or to charge a secondary battery provided in the physical tag.

  In this case, the display device increases the measurement position of the physical tag placed on the display device and the brightness of the display area around the physical tag, and increases the amount of power generated by the solar cell provided on the physical tag. You may be comprised so that it may make.

  Further, in the information input / output system according to the present invention, GUI objects such as windows, dialog boxes, clipboards, control panels, etc. are displayed on the display screen of the display device in relation to input / output operations of the user interface. In addition, the physical tag is associated with the GUI object by the information processing means, and the GUI object associated with the physical tag is displayed close to the placement position of the physical tag on the display screen of the display device. Configured to be displayed.

  In this case, the GUI object and the physical tag are associated with each other when the GUI object that is not associated with the physical tag is pressed by the operation of the touch panel and the physical tag that is not associated with the GUI object. Correspondence is performed by an operation of placing on the GUI object, and the correspondence is registered.

  Further, in this case, the association between the GUI object and the physical tag is released by physically pressing the GUI object to be associated with the physical object associated with the GUI object in a state where the GUI object is released by operating the touch panel. By the operation of grasping and lifting the tag, the association is released and the registration of the association is released.

  As for the display mode, when a plurality of physical tags associated with GUI objects are close to each other and the GUI objects associated with the physical tags overlap each other, it becomes difficult to see. The display positions of the GUI objects are rearranged so that the GUI objects are displayed in a non-overlapping state.

  As another display mode, when a plurality of physical tags associated with GUI objects are close to each other and the GUI objects associated with the physical tags overlap each other, it becomes difficult to see. The display positions of the GUI objects are rearranged and displayed in a state where the GUI objects do not overlap, and the relationship between the physical tags associated with the displayed GUI objects is displayed on the display screen. The display of the placement position and the corresponding GUI object are connected and displayed by a straight line or a curve.

  As another display mode, when GUI objects associated with a plurality of physical tags are displayed in an overlapping state on the display screen of the display device, the display is associated with the GUI object to be displayed at the highest level. The GUI object associated with the physical tag is displayed at the top by the operation of lifting the physical tag.

According to the information input / output system of the present invention having the above-described configuration, the input / output interface is made versatile by realizing the direct association of input / output while realizing the TUI environment by the physical tag of the real object. You can have it. Furthermore, even when the physical tags of a plurality of real objects are separated from the display device, their identification information, position / movement information can be obtained, and a more intuitive operation can be realized. Physical tags (real objects) It is possible to quickly perform operations such as gripping / moving and drawing on the display device with both hands. As an example of intuitive operation, for example,
(1) Collect multiple physical tags in one place with both hands.
(2) Re-arrange the GUI objects by re-arranging them at the desired position.
(3) Hold the physical tag with the other hand while drawing with your dominant hand.
(4) A movement trajectory obtained by grasping a physical tag and lifting and moving it can be used as a tag gesture described later.
(5) The presence of a plurality of windows increases due to affordance of physical Dougs corresponding to them.
Thus, it is possible to easily perform input / output operations for the information processing system.

  Embodiments of an information input / output system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram centering on an input / output operation unit for explaining an exemplary embodiment of an information input / output system according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, 10 is a GUI object associated with a physical tag, 11 is a GUI object displayed small because the physical tag is moving, 12 is a GUI object not associated with a physical tag, and 18 is displayed. GUI object displayed on the device, 20 is a physical tag associated with the display content, 21 is a physical tag gripped and leaves the surface of the display device, 22 is a physical tag not associated with the GUI object, 28 Is a physical tag associated with the GUI object, 30 is a finger cap, 40 is a sketch drawn on the GUI object, 50 is a left hand of the user who holds and lifts the physical tag, and 51 is a sketch drawing on the touch panel The right hand of the person, 60 is a display device with a touch panel, 70 is a physical tag measuring device, 80 is It is a calculation system.

  The information input / output system includes a plurality of physical tags 20, 21, 22, 28 of a real object for providing a TUI environment and physical tag measurement for measuring three-dimensional position information of the physical tags 20, 21, 22, 28. Input / output processing by the GUI environment and the TUI environment by analyzing the movement trajectory data of the device 70, the display device 60 having the touch panel 61, and the physical tags 20, 21, 22, and 28 moved by the user's manual operation. The computer system 80 is configured. The computer system 80 includes information processing means 81 and display processing means 82 as system elements that perform the input / output processing here. In addition, system elements for information processing (not shown) are provided.

  As the display device 60 including the touch panel 61, a display device that can perform an input operation on the touch panel 61 without being affected even when the physical tags 20, 22, and 28 are placed on the touch panel 61 is used. . The physical tag measuring device 70 includes identification information and three-dimensional information of the physical tags 20 and 28 placed on the surface of the display device 60 or the physical tag 21 held by the user and separated from the surface of the display device 60. The position information is acquired, and the data of the movement trajectory of these physical tags and the data of the stop position are acquired.

  The information processing means 81 of the computer system 80 executes information processing instructed according to the movement trajectory of the physical tag, the positional relationship between the plurality of physical tags, the input data by the input operation from the touch panel, or a combination thereof. The display processing unit 82 of the information processing system 80 displays the processing result by the information processing unit 81 on the display device.

  As will be described later, one of the plurality of physical tags 20, 21, 22, and 28 is associated with the GUI objects 10, 11, 12, and 18, and the association is released. The GUI objects 10 and 11 displayed on the display screen of the display device 60 by the operation of moving the plurality of physical tags 20, 21, 22 and 28 by the user using the plurality of physical tags associated with the GUI object. , 12, and 18 are controlled to perform input / output processing in the GUI environment and the TUI environment.

  As described above, in the configuration of the information input / output system, the plurality of physical tags 20, 21, 22, 28, the display device 60 including the touch panel 61 that can be input while the plurality of physical tags are placed, and the display A physical tag measuring device 70 for acquiring identification information and three-dimensional position information of the physical tag placed on the surface of the device or gripped by a user and leaving the surface; and a three-dimensional movement trajectory of the physical tag Or an information processing means 81 for executing information processing according to the positional relationship of the plurality of physical tags, an input from the touch panel 61, or a combination thereof; and a display processing means 82 for displaying the processing result on a display device. It has. Here, the physical tags 20, 21, 22, and 28 are real objects having a size that does not significantly impair the visibility of the display of the display device 60 even if the physical tags 20, 21, 22, and 28 are placed on the display device 60.

  As the touch panel 61, for example, an ultrasonic surface acoustic wave type touch panel can be used. In this case, it is possible to input position information by touching an object that absorbs ultrasonic waves propagating on the surface of the touch panel, such as a fingertip of a bare hand or a fingertip covered with a material such as cloth or rubber. The plurality of physical tags 20, 21, 22, 28 are, for example, lightweight, or the outer shape is made of a material such as plastic or metal, so that even if the physical tags are placed on the touch panel surface, Does not absorb much ultrasonic waves propagating on the touch panel surface, and does not adversely affect input to the touch panel. In this way, a plurality of physical tags that can both be placed and input to the touch panel are used.

  For example, a finger cap 30 made of a material such as natural fiber, chemical fiber, or rubber is attached to the fingertip of the user. Thereby, even if a user performs input with the fingertip to the touch panel 61 for a long time, abrasion of the skin of the fingertip can be prevented. Of course, you may wear gloves made of the same material as the fingertip.

  As the touch panel 61, as shown in FIG. 2, an electromagnetic transfer action type touch panel 62 may be used. In this case, a finger cap 31 including an LC resonance circuit 32 including a coil and a capacitor is attached to a fingertip that performs an input operation of the user's hand 52. Alternatively, a glove equipped with the LC resonance circuit 32 is worn. Thereby, the input to the touch panel 62 becomes possible. When such a touch panel 62 is used, since the plurality of physical tags (20, 21, 22, 28) do not include such an LC resonance circuit, the physical tags are placed on the surface of the touch panel 62. However, the input to the touch panel is not adversely affected. In this way, the touch panel 62 is used, which allows both the placement of the plurality of physical tags and the input to the touch panel.

  As the physical tag measuring device 70, an ultrasonic position measuring type physical tag measuring device can be used. As shown in FIG. 3A, the physical tag measurement device 71 of the ultrasonic position measurement method receives the identification code transmitted wirelessly from the physical tag measurement device 71, and corresponds to the identification code. Only the physical tag 23 transmits an ultrasonic wave, and the ultrasonic wave is received by three or more receivers in the physical tag measuring device 71. Thereby, the physical tag measurement device 71 of the ultrasonic position measurement method measures the three-dimensional position of the physical tag 23 and acquires the identification information and the three-dimensional position of each physical tag.

  Further, as another example of the physical tag measuring device 70, a stereo camera type physical tag measuring device 72 can be used. As shown in FIG. 3B, the physical tag measuring device 72 of the stereo camera system receives the identification code transmitted wirelessly from the physical tag measuring device 72, and the physical tag corresponding to the identification code. Only the LED (light emitting diode) included in the physical tag 24 is turned on, and the light emission of the LED of the physical tag 24 is observed by the two cameras (stereo cameras) of the physical tag measuring device 72. Thereby, the stereo camera type physical tag measuring device 72 measures the three-dimensional position, and acquires the identification information and the three-dimensional position of each physical tag.

  Further, as the physical tag measuring device 70, another example of a physical tag measuring device 73 of a stereo camera system can be used. As shown in FIG. 4, in the physical tag measurement device 73 of the stereo camera system, for example, the physical tag 25 includes a light emitting diode (LED). The flashing of light emission is performed according to the identification code. For this reason, the flashing pattern of light emission corresponds to the identification code. The physical tag measuring device 73 receives the flashing pattern of the light emitted from the physical tag 25 and observes the flashing pattern of the LED, thereby acquiring the identification information and the three-dimensional position of the physical tag.

  By the way, the physical tags 20, 21, 22, and 28 are provided with vibrators, so that the physical tags vibrate while being placed on or around the display device 60 or held by the user, and the physical tags The presence of can be emphasized. Alternatively, it can be notified that the state of the information corresponding to the physical tag has changed.

  The physical tags 20, 21, 22, and 28 here are driven by a built-in battery in order to transmit ultrasonic waves to measure the three-dimensional position by the physical tag measuring device 70 and to turn on the light emitting diodes. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 5A, a switch such as a push type, a contact sensing type, or an infrared sensitive type is provided below the physical tag 26 so that the physical tag 26 is mounted on or around the display device. The power supply can be turned off or in a power saving mode. Thereby, the power consumption of the physical tag can be reduced. In addition, since the position of the physical tag 26 is not updated until the power is turned on, the physical tag 26 placed even if a shielding object enters between the physical tag 26 and the physical tag measuring device. The position information of is not disturbed.

  Similarly, as shown in FIG. 5B, the physical tag 27 can also be provided with a solar cell at the bottom. While such a physical tag 27 is placed on the display device 60, light energy obtained by light emission of the display screen of the display device 60 is converted into electricity and used, or a secondary battery of the physical tag Can be charged. Furthermore, when using the physical tag 27 having a solar cell, the display device 60 displays the GUI object 17 in the vicinity of the physical tag 27, and the physical device placed on the touch panel of the display screen of the display device. The measurement position of the tag 27 and the brightness of the display area 300 around it can be increased, and the amount of power generated by the solar cell can be increased.

  The physical tags 20, 21, 22, and 28 are associated with GUI objects such as windows, dialog boxes, clipboards, control panels, and the like displayed on the display screen of the display device 60, so that the physical tags 20, 21, 22 are associated with each other. , 28, the associated GUI object can be displayed on the display screen of the display device 60. As a result, a conventional GUI environment can be realized, and a TUI that uses the same interface design as the GUI can be realized.

  Now, referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 shows a typical use form of the information input / output system according to the present invention. In this example, the display device 60 including the touch panel 61 is used in a state that is nearly horizontal. This is to keep the physical tags 20, 21, 22, 28 placed, but even if the physical tags 20, 21 are inclined from the horizontal of the display device 60 due to frictional force, adhesive force, magnetic force, etc. , 22 and 28 are not limited as long as they do not move by gravity. As an input / output interface by the display device 60, the display may be performed using a conventional GUI, or such a display may be performed using a GUI redesigned for each application.

  Some of the physical tags 20, 21, 22, and 28 are associated with the GUI object, such as the physical tags 20, 21, and 28, and some are not associated with the physical tag 22. The GUI objects 10, 11, 12, and 18 are also associated with physical tags as in the GUI objects 10, 11, and 18, and are not associated as in the GUI object 12. Details of these associations and association cancellation will be described later.

  When the user performs an operation of moving the physical tags 20, 21, and 28 associated with the GUI objects 10, 11, and 18, the GUI objects 10, 11, and 18 associated with the physical tags also follow. Moving. Thereby, the window in the GUI can be moved by a very natural operation method of grasping and moving an object by hand. Also, various computer operations such as copying and pasting can be performed by a tag gesture for analyzing a movement trajectory including a three-dimensional movement of a physical tag.

  As a combination of the physical tag measuring device 70 and the physical tags 20, 21, 22, and 28, for example, as described with reference to FIG. 3A, an ultrasonic three-dimensional position such as the physical tag measuring device 71 and the physical tag 23 is used. A measurement method can be employed (Non-Patent Document 5). In this three-dimensional position measurement method, first, an identification code is wirelessly transmitted from the physical tag measuring device 71 using radio waves, and each of the plurality of physical tags 23 is received. Next, only the physical tag 23 corresponding to the identification code transmits an ultrasonic wave, and the physical tag measuring device 71 receives the ultrasonic wave by three or more receivers, and the physical tag is detected from the three-dimensional position of the receiver. 23 three-dimensional positions are measured. By repeating this for the number of physical tags, the identification information and the three-dimensional position of each physical tag are acquired, and the data of the movement trajectory are stored in association with the physical tag.

  Further, as described with reference to FIG. 3B, a stereo camera type three-dimensional position measurement method such as the physical tag measurement device 72 and the physical tag 24 may be used. In this case, similarly to the above-described method, first, the identification code is wirelessly transmitted from the physical tag measuring device 72 and received by each of the plurality of physical tags 24. Next, only the physical tag 24 corresponding to the identification code turns on the light emitting diode (LED) included in the physical tag 24, and the stereo camera of the physical tag measuring device 72 observes the light emission of the LED and measures the three-dimensional position. To do. By repeating this for the number of physical tags, the identification information and three-dimensional position of each physical tag are acquired. By acquiring the identification information and the three-dimensional position, the data of the movement trajectory is stored in association with each physical tag.

  Further, as described with reference to FIG. 4, a system such as the physical tag measuring device 73 and the physical tag 25 may be used (Non-patent Document 6). In this case, similarly to the physical tag 24 of FIG. 3B, the physical tag 25 includes a light emitting diode (LED), and the LED emits light, but the light emission blinks in accordance with the identification code. That is, the physical tag 25 transmits an identification code by the blinking pattern of the LED. As the physical tag measuring device 73, for example, a CMOS camera that can observe the blinking pattern of the LED of the physical tag 25 by high-speed imaging is used. Three-dimensional position measurement is performed by a stereo camera method. Thereby, the identification information and three-dimensional position of the physical tag can be acquired.

  As the touch panel 61 included in the display device 60, for example, an ultrasonic surface acoustic wave type touch panel is used. In this case, it is possible to input with the fingertips of bare hands. However, if the input with the fingertip of a bare hand is repeated for a long time, there arises a problem that the skin wears out. Thus, for the problem, for example, a finger cap 30 made of a material that absorbs ultrasonic waves propagating on the touch panel surface, such as natural fiber, chemical fiber, or rubber, is attached to the fingertip to protect the fingertip. To do. Of course, you may wear gloves made of the same material as the fingertip.

  When an ultrasonic surface acoustic wave type touch panel is used, the physical tags 20, 21, 22, and 28 are lightweight, or the outer shape is made of a material such as plastic or metal, or both. If it exists, even if it is placed on the surface of the ultrasonic surface acoustic wave type touch panel, the ultrasonic wave propagating on the surface is not absorbed so much, and the input to the touch panel is not adversely affected. Therefore, it is possible to achieve both loading of a plurality of physical tags and input to the touch panel.

  Instead, as described with reference to FIG. 2, for example, as the touch panel 61, an electromagnetic transmission / reception type touch panel 62 may be employed. In this case, the user performs input to the touch panel 62 by wearing a finger cap 31 or a glove provided with an LC resonance circuit 32 including a coil and a capacitor. In this case, since the physical tags 20, 21, 22, and 28 do not include a resonance circuit, even if the physical tag is placed on the touch panel surface, input to the touch panel is not adversely affected. Therefore, similarly to the above, the placement of a plurality of physical tags and the input to the touch panel can be compatible.

  Thus, if both physical tag operation and touch panel operation are compatible, as will be described later, an operation technique using both tag gesture and touch panel, that is, physical input with the other hand while inputting on the touch panel with one hand. It is possible to operate a computer by moving a tag.

  Further, for example, when the user's dominant hand when writing a character or a picture is the right hand, referring to FIG. 1, the left hand 50 that holds and lifts the physical tag 21 and the right hand 51 that draws the sketch 40. Thus, the left and right asymmetric two-handed operation can be naturally derived. Since there is no need to change the pen for drawing, it is possible to quickly switch between a situation where the physical tag is operated with both hands and a situation where the physical tag is operated with one hand and the touch panel is input with the other hand.

  Here, since the GUI object 11 shown in FIG. 1 (or GUI objects such as windows 200 and 201 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 described later) is moving, the display device 60 is moving. These GUI objects 11 are displayed in a small size on the display screen. This can be said to be one of the view management functions. The possibility of hiding other GUI objects by gripping and moving is reduced. In order to display the GUI object in a small size, for example, processing such as iconification or thumbnail conversion may be performed. Of course, not only can the GUI object itself be displayed in a small size, but it is also possible not to hide other objects by making it translucent without changing its size. In addition, such a change in the display form can also inform the user that the system recognizes the movement of the physical tag, and thus also functions as a visual feedback function.

  In addition, the physical tags 20, 21, 22, and 28 can include a vibrator. Such a physical tag can control the vibrator by receiving not only the identification code of the physical tag itself but also on / off of the vibrator and vibration pattern information by wireless communication using radio waves. When such a physical tag is vibrated by a vibrator while placed on or around the display device, the presence of the physical tag can be enhanced. Alternatively, it is possible to notify the user that the state of information corresponding to the physical tag has changed by vibrating the physical tag while being held by the user. For example, as described above, the fact that the state of grasping and lifting is recognized by the system is expressed by displaying the GUI object in a small size, and by causing the user to vibrate, the user can make visual feedback and tactile feedback. Can be provided at the same time, and a user interface that makes it easier to grasp the system state can be provided.

  As described with reference to FIG. 5A, the physical tag 26 may be provided with a push-type switch on the installation surface (lower part) with the display device. Of course, the physical tag switch provided here may be a contact sensing type, an infrared sensitive type, or the like. The physical tags 20, 21, 22, and 28 are equipped with batteries in order to receive or transmit identification codes and generate ultrasonic waves and light, and always consume power. When the physical tag 26 provided with the switch is placed on or around the display device, the switch reacts, so that the power of the physical tag 26 can be turned off or the power saving mode can be set. Thereby, the power consumption of the physical tag 26 can be reduced.

  While the physical tag 26 is placed on the display device 60, a user's hand or another physical tag or the like enters as a shield between the placed physical tag and the physical tag measuring device, Measurement may not be performed accurately. However, as described above, the position of the physical tag 26 can be prevented from being updated on the physical tag measuring device 70 or the computer system 80 side when the power is turned off or in the power saving mode. Thereby, the positional information of the physical tag 26 placed on the display device is not disturbed. Of course, if the physical tag 26 is again gripped and moved, the power is turned on, and the three-dimensional position of the physical tag 26 is measured.

  Further, as described with reference to FIG. 5B, the physical tag 27 may be configured such that a solar cell is provided in the lower part. The physical tag 27 has a secondary battery such as a nickel metal hydride battery or a lithium ion battery as a driving battery, and is a combination of such a secondary battery and a solar battery. When the physical tag 27 is placed on the display screen of the display device, light energy obtained by light emission on the display screen of the display device is converted into electric energy by a solar cell and charged to the secondary battery. Of course, the electricity generated by the solar cell may be consumed directly by ultrasonic transmission, LED lighting, or the like.

  In this case, in order to increase the amount of power generated by the solar battery of the physical tag 27, for example, as shown in FIG. 5C, the measured value of the position where the physical tag 27 is placed on the display screen of the display device. And the brightness of the surrounding area is increased and displayed as a high brightness area 300. It is also possible to provide both a switch provided in the physical tag 26 and a solar cell provided in the physical tag 27 in one physical tag. In that case, while the physical tag is placed on the display device and charged by the solar battery, it is possible to perform a process of not updating the position information of the physical tag.

  As described above, each physical tag 20, 21, 22, 28 can be associated with GUI objects 10, 11, 12, 18 such as windows, dialog boxes, clipboards, control panels, and the like. It can be displayed on the display device in the state of being close to the physical tag. For this reason, a tangible user interface (TUI) that follows the same interface design as the conventional GUI can be realized. As a result, the user can utilize the knowledge of the GUI so far, and can add the advantages of the TUI such as natural operation with both hands and affordance of a real object.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a correspondence registration function for associating a GUI object with a physical tag. In this example, the GUI object 101 that is not associated with a physical tag is pressed with the fingertip of the user's right hand 53 on the touch panel (left side in the figure). In this state, the physical tag 121 that is not associated with the GUI object 101 is held by the user's left hand 54 and placed on the GUI object 101 (in the drawing). As a result, the physical tag 121 and the GUI object 101 are associated with each other and the association is registered in the system. As a result, the physical tag 121 and the GUI object 101 are associated (right side in the figure). This is also an example of a two-handed operation using both a touch screen and a tag gesture.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a correspondence release function for releasing the association between a GUI object and a physical tag. The operation example of FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the correspondence release function for releasing the association between the GUI object and the physical tag, which is the reverse operation to the operation of FIG. In this example, first, the GUI object 102 associated with the physical tag 122 is pressed on the touch panel with the fingertip of the user's right hand 53 (left in the figure), and the physical tag 122 is held with the fingertip of the user's left hand 54. The association is canceled by lifting (in the figure). As a result, the association between the physical tag 122 and the GUI object 102 is released (right in the figure). In this case, how much the physical tag 122 is lifted can be set according to the user's preference. For example, the setting is made so that the association is released when the robot is lifted by about 20 cm or more and raised for 1 second or more.

  The operation example described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 is an operation method using a metaphor as an operation of firmly pressing the paper and inserting or removing the pin in order to attach or remove the paper from the wall. A very intuitive operation feeling can be obtained. In addition, the number of GUI objects is not particularly limited and only depends on the capabilities of the operation system and the computer system, but the number of physical tags cannot be increased indefinitely. However, by using such a correspondence registration / cancellation function, the same tag can be reused when operating a different GUI object.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the GUI object pickup function. The GUI object pickup function will be described with reference to FIG. 8. In the state where the GUI objects 103 and 104 associated with the plurality of physical tags 123 and 124 are overlapped as shown in the left of the figure, By lifting the physical tag 123 associated with the GUI object 103 desired to be displayed at the top (in the figure), the GUI object 103 can be displayed at the top (right in the figure). It uses a metaphor of pulling action and is an operation technique that is easy to understand intuitively.

  In this way, by analyzing the movement trajectory data of the three-dimensional position of the physical tag, how much the physical tag actually leaves the display device surface and recognizes that it is separated in the system depends on the user's preference. It can be changed accordingly. For example, if a state of about 8-10 cm away from the surface continues for more than 1 second, the system recognizes that the physical tag has been lifted from the display device surface, and performs the above-described correspondence registration, correspondence cancellation, GUI object pickup, etc. It is configured to execute each function.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a view management function for avoiding a state in which GUI objects overlap and are difficult to see. When no treatment is performed in a state where a plurality of physical tags are close to each other, GUI objects associated with the physical tags overlap each other and are difficult to see. FIG. 9A shows such a state. In a state where the three physical tags are close to each other, the corresponding three windows 211, 212, and 213 are overlapped, and a hidden portion is generated. In order to solve such a problem, three types of view management functions as shown in FIGS. 9B, 9C, and 9D are provided. As a result, a state in which the windows 211 to 213 of the GUI objects overlap and become difficult to see is avoided.

  As shown in FIG. 9B, when the first view management function (upper right in the figure) is used, the windows 211 to 213 of the GUI objects are rearranged so as not to overlap each other, and the GUI objects correspond to each other. It is arranged while maintaining a state in which it is close to the attached physical tag. This first view management function GUI object relocation method assumes that each GUI object is connected to the center of gravity of the measurement positions of all physical tags by elastic strings or springs, for example. It can be realized by simulating to behave like a magnet of the same polarity and repel.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9C, the second view management function (lower right in the figure) can be used. In the second view management function, for example, due to restrictions on the size of each GUI object, the number of GUI objects, and the display range of the display device, even if the first view management function is used, the GUI objects cannot be arranged appropriately. In this case, the relationship between the physical tag and the GUI object is indicated by a straight line or a curved line and rearranged. In the second view management function, the GUI objects are prevented from overlapping each other, and the correspondence relationship between the GUI objects and the physical tags associated with them is displayed as a graphic such as a line or a circle. Further, the user can use the third view management function (lower left in the figure) as shown in FIG. The third view management function changes the transparency of the drawing of each GUI object when rearrangement that prevents the respective GUI objects from overlapping each other is possible, and the windows 211 to 213 of the respective GUI objects are changed. Display the contents of. Thereby, even if the user overlaps, the content of the GUI object can be confirmed.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a tag gesture for copying data, which is one of basic operations in computer operation. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a TUI. In this example, first, a physical tag associated with the clipboard 200 is gripped (left side in the figure). Next, the physical tag is moved horizontally without being lifted so much that it is brought close to the physical tag associated with the window 201, and when the state is close enough, the content of the window 201 is copied to the clipboard 200. (In the figure). In this case, a process of copying the entire contents of the window 201 may be executed, or a process of partially copying the contents displayed on the touch panel by enclosing a part of the contents displayed on the window 201 is executed. You may do it.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a tag gesture for pasting data, which is also one of basic operations in computer operation. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a TUI. In this example, first, a physical tag associated with the clipboard 200 is grasped. Next, the physical tag is lifted and moved so as to approach the physical tag associated with the window 201 (left side in the figure). When the state is sufficiently close, a process of pasting the contents of the clipboard 200 into the window 201 is executed (in the figure). At this time, a process of pasting all the contents of the clipboard 200 may be executed, or a part of the contents stored in the clipboard 200 may be selected on the touch panel and a process of partially pasting may be executed. Good. For example, when the GUI object 10 of FIG. 1 is the clipboard 200, the user can add an operation technique such as adding a sketch to the contents of the clipboard by operating both the left hand 50 and the right hand 51 and then pasting to another GUI object. I can think easily.

  Here, the difference between copying and pasting is in how to lift it, but how much it is lifted can be set according to the user's preference. For example, when the state where the physical tag is moved while being lifted by about 8-10 cm or more from the surface of the display screen of the display device 60 continues for 1 second or more, the state may be shifted to the state of pasting. Copy operation or paste operation by moving a physical tag associated with such a GUI object can also be performed continuously. Further, by collecting a plurality of physical tags and operating them, it is possible to simultaneously operate a plurality of GUI objects. These will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example in which copying is continuously performed, and FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example in which paste is continuously performed. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the group copy function, and FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the group paste function. In this way, copying and pasting can be executed continuously, and copying and pasting can be performed quickly.

  As shown in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, in the group copy and group paste functions, a plurality of copy source or paste destination windows (GUI objects) are collected and placed in one place with one hand or both hands. Similar to the copy operation of FIG. 10 and the paste operation of FIG. 11, a copy / paste tag gesture is applied to realize copy and paste for a plurality of windows.

  This will be described with reference to FIG. When executing the group copy function, first, the physical tags associated with the windows 211 to 213 of the GUI object are collected in one place (left in the figure). Next, the physical tag associated with the clipboard window 200 is lifted and brought close to a plurality of physical tags collected in one place without changing the height much (in the drawing). When the physical tag associated with the clipboard window 200 and the physical tag associated with the windows 211 to 213 are sufficiently close, the contents of the windows 211 to 213 are simultaneously copied to the clipboard window 200 (right in the figure).

  This will be described with reference to FIG. When executing the group paste function, first, the physical tags associated with the GUI object windows 211 to 213 are collected in one place (left in the figure), and then the physical tags associated with the clipboard window 200 are collected. Lift the tag and bring it closer to multiple physical tags collected in one place (in the figure). When the physical tag associated with the clipboard window 200 is sufficiently close to the physical tag associated with the windows 211 to 213, the contents of the clipboard window 200 are simultaneously pasted into the windows 211 to 213 (right in the figure).

  As described above, by using the information input / output system according to the present invention, for example, remote work support between one or a small number of skilled instructors and many field workers, one or a few instructors and a large number of students, It is possible to provide a direct and intuitive user interface environment for remote collaborative work support such as remote education support between the two. Specifically, when one skilled instructor uses the information input / output system of the present invention, a plurality of real objects are regarded as a plurality of field workers, or a tool such as a map on the site or a work manual is separated from another object. It can correspond to the body. Furthermore, it is possible to realize an easy-to-understand instruction by expressing an instruction of a moving route on the site by drawing on a map, or adding a drawing to a video sent from the site and sending it back.

  In addition, since the information input / output system according to the present invention can add a TUI element to a conventional GUI, the user can utilize the knowledge of the GUI so far, and further, a natural operation with both hands, Advantages of TUI such as affordance of real objects can be added thereto. That is, by using the information input / output system of the present invention, it is possible to improve various applications using GUI more intuitively and directly.

1 is a schematic diagram centering on an input / output operation unit for explaining an exemplary embodiment of an information input / output system according to the present invention; FIG. It is a figure explaining the finger cap provided with LC resonance circuit by a coil and a capacitor in the case of using a touch panel of an electromagnetic exchange action system. It is a figure which shows an example of the combination of the physical tag measuring device 71 and the physical tag 23, and the combination of the physical tag measuring device 72 and the physical tag 22. It is a figure which shows an example of the combination of the physical tag measurement apparatus 73 and the physical tag 25. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the physical tag 26 provided with the push-type switch in the mounting surface (lower part) with a display apparatus, and the physical tag 27 provided with the solar cell in the lower part. It is a figure explaining the correspondence registration function which matches with a GUI object and a physical tag. It is a figure explaining the correspondence cancellation | release function which cancels | releases correlation with a GUI object and a physical tag. It is a figure explaining a GUI object pick-up function. It is a figure explaining the view management function for avoiding the state where each GUI object overlaps and it becomes difficult to see. It is a figure explaining the tag gesture for the copy of the data which is one of the basic operations in computer operation. It is a figure explaining the tag gesture for the paste of the data which is one of the basic operations in computer operation. It is a figure explaining the example which is performing copying continuously. It is a figure explaining the example which is performing the paste continuously. It is a figure explaining a group copy function. It is a figure explaining a group paste function.

Claims (17)

Multiple physical tags,
A display device including a touch panel capable of input operation even in a state where the physical tag is mounted;
The physical tag in a state of being placed on the surface of the display device or the physical tag being grasped by a user and separated from the surface of the display device to obtain identification information and three-dimensional position information, and the physical tag A physical tag measuring device for acquiring the movement trajectory information and stop position information of
Information processing means for executing information processing instructed according to a movement trajectory of the physical tag, a positional relationship between a plurality of physical tags, input data by an input operation from a touch panel, or a combination thereof;
An information input / output system comprising: display processing means for displaying a processing result by the information processing means on the display device. The information input / output system according to claim 1,
The touch panel provided in the display device is an ultrasonic surface acoustic wave type touch panel in which the touch panel surface is touched by an object, and position information is input by contact with the object that absorbs ultrasonic waves propagating through the touch panel surface,
The plurality of physical tags are external casings made of a material that does not absorb much ultrasonic waves propagating on the surface even if the physical tag is placed on the surface of the touch panel and does not adversely affect the input operation to the touch panel. An information input / output system characterized by being covered. The information input / output system according to claim 2,
An information input / output system characterized in that the touch surface is touched by a fingertip covered with a finger cap made of cloth or rubber. The information input / output system according to claim 1,
The touch panel included in the display device is an electromagnetically acting touch panel in which position information is input by bringing a fingertip with a finger cap provided with an LC resonance circuit including a coil and a capacitor into contact with the surface of the touch panel. Information input / output system. The information input / output system according to claim 1,
The physical tag includes an ultrasonic transmitter that is controlled by an identification code for identifying itself and transmits an ultrasonic signal.
The physical tag measuring device controls the transmission of ultrasonic waves of each physical tag by an identification code transmitted wirelessly from the physical tag measuring device every predetermined time, and is transmitted from the physical tag corresponding to the identification code. Is received by a plurality of receivers provided in the physical tag measuring device, and the three-dimensional position of the corresponding physical tag is measured, and the identification information and the three-dimensional position of each physical tag are acquired. An information input / output system characterized by this. The information input / output system according to claim 1,
The physical tag includes a light emitting diode that emits light controlled by an identification code that identifies the physical tag,
The physical tag measuring device controls each physical tag by an identification code transmitted wirelessly from the physical tag measuring device every predetermined time, causes the light emitting diode of the physical tag corresponding to the identification code to emit light, and Information input / output characterized by measuring the three-dimensional position by observing the light emission of the light emitting diode by a plurality of light receivers provided in the tag measuring device, and acquiring the identification information and the three-dimensional position of each physical tag system. The information input / output system according to claim 1,
The physical tag includes a light emitting diode that emits light according to a blinking pattern of an identification code that identifies the physical tag,
The physical tag measuring device receives light of a blinking pattern emitted from a light emitting diode of the physical tag by a plurality of light receivers provided in the physical tag measuring device, and measures a three-dimensional position of the physical tag. An information input / output system characterized by acquiring identification information and three-dimensional position of each physical tag. The information input / output system according to claim 1,
The physical tag is provided with a vibrator,
When the physical tag is placed on or around the display device or held by a user, the vibrator is vibrated so that the presence of the physical tag or the state of information corresponding to the physical tag is determined. An information input / output system characterized by notification of changes. The information input / output system according to claim 1,
The physical tag has a switch at the bottom,
An information input / output system, wherein the physical tag is placed on or around the display device to be in a power-off state or a power saving mode by the switch. The information input / output system according to claim 1,
The physical tag is provided with a solar cell at the bottom,
When the physical tag is placed on the display device, light energy obtained by light emission from the display device is converted into electricity by a solar cell, or used or charged to a secondary battery provided in the physical tag. An information input / output system characterized by this. The information input / output system according to claim 10,
The display device is characterized in that the measurement position of a physical tag placed on the display device and the brightness of a display area around the physical tag are increased, and the amount of power generated by a solar cell provided in the physical tag is increased. Information input / output system. The information input / output system according to claim 1,
When GUI objects such as windows, dialog boxes, clipboards, and control panels are displayed on the display screen of the display device,
The physical tag is associated with the GUI object by the information processing means, and the GUI object associated with the physical tag is displayed on the display screen of the display device close to the placement position of the physical tag. Information input / output system. The information input / output system according to claim 12,
The GUI object and the physical tag are associated with each other when the GUI object that is not associated with the physical tag is pressed by the operation of the touch panel, and the physical tag that is not associated with the GUI object is further associated with the GUI object. An information input / output system characterized by associating and registering correspondence by an operation to be placed thereon. The information input / output system according to claim 12,
The cancellation of the association between the GUI object and the physical tag is an operation of further holding and lifting the physical tag associated with the GUI object in a state where the GUI object to be deactivated is pressed by the operation of the touch panel. The information input / output system is characterized by canceling the association and canceling the registration of the correspondence. The information input / output system according to claim 12,
When a plurality of physical tags associated with the GUI object come close to each other and the GUI objects associated with the physical tags overlap each other and are difficult to see, the display positions of the GUI objects are changed. An information input / output system which is rearranged and displayed in a state where GUI objects do not overlap. The information input / output system according to claim 12,
When a plurality of physical tags associated with the GUI object come close to each other and the GUI objects associated with the physical tags overlap each other and are difficult to see, the display positions of the GUI objects are changed. Rearrange and display each GUI object in a non-overlapping state, and the relationship of the physical tag associated with each displayed GUI object corresponds to the display of the placement position of the physical tag on the display screen An information input / output system characterized by displaying a GUI object by connecting it with a straight line or a curve. The information input / output system according to claim 12,
When GUI objects associated with a plurality of physical tags are displayed in an overlapping state on the display screen of the display device, an operation of lifting the physical tag associated with the GUI object to be displayed at the top level is performed. An information input / output system in which a GUI object associated with the physical tag is displayed at the top.

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