JPH02171821A - Coordinate input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To freely move a cursor on a screen slowly or rapidly in correspondence to the moving speed of a mouse, etc., and to smoothly move the cursor without too sensitively reacting hand blurring by moving the cursor only when an integrated counted value exceeds a threshold and a move permission signal is outputted. CONSTITUTION:The mouse and a track ball, etc., are arranged in an operating part 2 of a coordinate input device 1 and respective pulses of X and Y axial direction components generated in correspondence to the operation of the operating part 2 are counted by a counting part 6. Then, this counted value is inputted to a buffer memory 12 of a CPU 10. The integrated counted value is successively stored to this memory 12 and this counted value is converted to respective moving quantity in the X and Y directions of the cursor by a moving quantity converting part 14 and supplied to a display synchronization varying means 18. The moving quantity of the cursor is compared with the threshold, which is set in advance, by a moving quantity deciding part 20 and when the moving quantity is larger, the move permission signal is outputted. Then, when the moving quantity is the threshold or below, a moving prohibition signal is outputted and a cursor display signal is displayed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (A) Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a human coordinate device equipped with a mouse, trackball, etc. for inputting coordinates into a computer.

(b) Conventional technology In general, mice, trackballs,
There are joysticks, etc. When inputting coordinates using these, for example, when the mouse is moved on a table, the ball rotates, and the amount of rotation is broken down into each component in the X- and Y-axis directions and converted into corresponding pulses. These pulses are counted by a counter. Then, each count value in the X-axis and Y-axis directions is converted into position coordinates in the X-axis and X-axis directions on the CRT. As a result, the cursor on the CRT moves to a desired position as the mouse or the like is moved.

(c) Problems to be Solved by the Invention By the way, when performing image processing, the outline of the image is traced with a cursor using a mouse as described above, and the outline is calculated based on the coordinates on each traced line. It may be necessary to measure the perimeter or area within the contour. In such cases, conventional devices simply move the cursor according to the amount of movement of the mouse, etc.
This caused the following problem.

(i) When a person moves a mouse, etc., even if the hand shakes slightly, the cursor moves in response.
It becomes more difficult to move the cursor smoothly along the outline. For example, as shown in FIG. 4(a), even if you try to move it along a solid line, it will move in a wavy manner like a broken line.

(11) Also, as shown in Figure 4(b), if you try to move the cursor diagonally, the movement will be broken down into the X-axis direction and the do not become. To improve this, if you increase the resolution in the X-axis and It has to be rotated over and over again, making it difficult to use.

The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and allows the cursor on the screen to move freely and slowly according to the movement speed of the mouse, etc., and moreover, smoothly without overreacting to hand shakes. The purpose is to make it move.

(d) Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an operating section such as a mouse, a trackball, etc., and X-axis and Yll11 direction components generated in response to the operation of this operating section. A count unit that counts each pulse of the count unit, a buffer memory that sequentially integrates and stores each count value of this count unit, and a buffer memory that sequentially integrates and stores each count value of this count unit, and stores each integrated count value of this buffer memory in the X-axis direction of the cursor and the A coordinate input device that includes a movement amount conversion section that converts the movement amount into a movement amount, and that moves a cursor based on the movement amount converted by the movement amount conversion section, has the following configuration.

That is, in the coordinate input device of the present invention, the amount of movement of the cursor is compared with a preset threshold, and if the amount of movement exceeds the threshold, a movement permission signal is issued, and if the amount of movement is less than the threshold, a movement permission signal is issued. In response to the movement permission signal from the movement permission determination unit, the movement permission determination unit outputs a movement prohibition signal, and in response to the movement permission signal from the movement permission determination unit, it determines the magnitude of the movement speed, and if the movement speed is large, the movement speed is Display cycle variable means outputs a long cycle cursor display permission signal if the display cycle is small;
The apparatus further includes cursor display means for displaying a cursor at the movement position obtained by the movement amount conversion section in response to a cursor display permission signal from the display period variable means.

(e) Effect In the above configuration, the movement permission determination unit compares the movement amount of the cursor given from the movement amount conversion unit with a preset threshold value, and when the movement amount exceeds the threshold value, the movement permission determination unit outputs a movement permission signal. A movement prohibition signal is output when the amount of movement is less than or equal to a threshold value. When a movement permission signal is given from the movement permission determination section, the display period determination section determines the magnitude of the movement speed in response to this signal, and when the movement speed is high, the display period is short, and when the movement speed is small, the display period is short. A long-cycle cursor display permission signal is output to each of the terminals. The cursor display means is
In response to the cursor display permission signal from the display cycle variable means, the cursor is displayed at the movement position obtained by the movement amount conversion section.

In this way, the cursor moves only when the accumulated count value exceeds the threshold and a movement permission signal is output, so there is some play in the movement of the mouse, etc. You will be able to move smoothly without overreacting.

Also, if the moving speed of the mouse, etc. is fast, the display cycle of the cursor will be fast, and if the moving speed is slow, the display cycle will change gradually and the cursor will move according to the direction of movement of the mouse, etc., so the cursor will move quickly. It will move smoothly without moving.

(f) Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a coordinate input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, l indicates the entire coordinate input device, and 2 is an operation unit, which in this example is a mouse.

4 is a phase detection device that determines whether the phase of each pulse in the X-axis and Y-axis direction components generated from the mouse 2 is advanced or backward, and outputs up pulses and down pulses in the X-axis and Y-axis direction components accordingly. 6 is a counting unit that counts up pulses and down pulses from the phase detection unit 4;
Reference numeral 8 denotes a count value reading section that reads each count value ΔQx1ΔQy of the counting section 6.

10 is a CPU; 12 is a buffer memory that sequentially integrates and stores the count values ΔQX and ΔQy read by the count value reading unit 8; and 14 is the integrated count value Qx stored in the buffer memory 12.

Qy is the amount of movement of the cursor in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction ΔX1
A movement amount conversion unit 16 that converts the movement amount to ΔY compares the movement amount (absolute value) 1ΔXI lΔY1 of the curfew with preset thresholds xth, yth, and if the movement amount 1ΔXΔY1 exceeds the thresholds Xth, Yth. I8 is a movement permission determination unit that outputs a movement permission signal sy and a movement prohibition signal Sn when the movement amount ΔX1 ΔY is less than the threshold value XthSYth. Movement permission signal s from 6
y, the display cycle determines the magnitude of the moving speed and outputs each cursor display permission signal Us%U1 of short cycle Tb when the moving speed is high and long cycle Ta when the moving speed is low. It is a variable means. In this example, the display cycle variable means 18 sets the movement amount 1ΔXΔY to the reference value X.

The amount of movement ΔXΔY1 compared to Syo is the reference value X. zYO
A movement amount determination section 20 determines whether or not exceeds the threshold value, and outputs the eleventh second determination signal Ry, Rn as a result of the determination. The first discrimination signal R output in the case of
In response to the !n, it is determined whether the first set time Ta has elapsed from the timing at which count value loading into the buffer memory 12 was started. From the setting time discrimination unit 22 and the movement amount discrimination unit 20, the movement amount 1ΔXI lΔYI is the reference value x
0, the second discrimination signal R that is output when it exceeds Yo.
It consists of a second set time determination unit 24 that determines whether or not a second set time Tb has elapsed from the timing of starting to take in the count value into the buffer memory 12 in response to y. Note that the first set time Ta is set in advance to be longer than the second set time Tb (T a > T b). 2
6 is a timer that is activated in synchronization with the start of loading the count value into the buffer memory 12 in the first and second set time determination units 22 and 24 to measure time, and 28 is a controller that controls each unit in the CPU10.

Reference numeral 30 denotes a character generation unit that generates characters for cursor display from the controller 28, 32 a display memory, and 84 a CRT. The controller 28, the character generation unit 30, the display memory 32, and the CRT 34 constitute a display cycle variable means. A cursor display means 36 is configured to display a cursor at the movement position obtained by the movement amount conversion section 14 in response to the cursor display permission signals Ul and Us from the movement amount conversion section 14.

Next, in the coordinate input device I having the above configuration, the movement control operation of the cursor accompanying the operation of a mouse or the like will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

Immediately after the contents of the display memory 32 are rewritten and the display position of the cursor on the screen of the CRT 34 changes, the contents of the buffer memory 12 are cleared by a control signal from the controller 28, and the timer 26 is cleared.
is started.

From this state, when the mouse 2 is operated to move the cursor and pulses in the X-axis and Y-axis direction components are output, the phase detection unit 4 detects whether the phase of each of these pulses is advanced or regressed. be done. Then, the phase detection section 4 outputs an up pulse or a down pulse of the X-axis and Y-axis direction components, respectively, in accordance with the signal. The count section 6 is
The up pulses and down pulses from the phase detection section 4 are counted, and the respective count values ΔQX and ΔQy are subsequently read by the count value reading section 8 at the next stage (step 2).

Then, this count value ΔQxs ΔQy is transferred to the sofa memory 12. The buffer memory 12 integrates each count value ΔQx, ΔQy each time it is input (step 2). Subsequently, the movement amount converter 14
converts the accumulated count values QK and Qy stored in the buffer memory 12 into movement amounts ΔX and ΔY of the cursor in the X-axis direction and Y-axis direction, respectively (step 2). These data ΔX5ΔY are given to the movement permission determining section 16, the movement amount determining section 20, and the controller 28, respectively.

The movement possibility determination unit I6 determines the movement amount (absolute value) of the cursor by 1
ΔXI lΔY1 is a preset threshold value xth, y
Compare with th (step ■). Then, as shown in FIG. 3, if any of the movement amounts 1ΔXΔYl is still small and equal to or less than the threshold values X th, Y th (1ΔXt<x
th and 1ΔYl<Yth (within the area I in FIG. 3), a movement prohibition signal Sn is output. When the movement prohibition signal Sn is output, the controller 28 performs other processing without executing any process for moving the cursor (step (if)), and then returns to step (2). on the other hand,
If at least one of the movement amounts 1ΔXI lΔY1 increases to exceed the threshold value XthSYth in step (2) (1ΔX1≧xth or 1ΔY1≧Y th), the movement permission determination unit I6 outputs a movement permission signal sy.

As will be described later, since the cursor moves only when this movement permission signal sy is output, the threshold value
This means that there is play in the movement of the mouse 2 by th and Yth.

The movement amount determination section 20 is a movement possibility determination section! When a movement permission signal sy is given from 6, in response, the absolute value of the movement amount 1ΔXΔY1 is set to a preset reference value X, as shown in FIG. , Yo (step ■). If both of these moving amounts 1ΔXΔY1 are less than the reference value X,, Y0 (
When 1ΔX<X and 1Δy+<Yo, the movement amount determination unit 20 outputs the first determination signal Rn. In response to this first discrimination signal Rn, the first setting time discrimination section 22 uses the timer 26
It is determined whether or not the measured time T has passed the first set time Ta (step 2). The measurement time T is the first set time Ta
If T < T a has not yet elapsed, the first set time determination unit 22 does not output any signal, so the controller 28 moves to step (2) and executes other processing, and then returns to step (3). Return to ■.

Further, in step (2), at least one of the movement amounts 1ΔXΔYl is the reference value X. , Yo (1ΔXI
≧Xo or 1ΔYl≧yo), the movement amount determination unit 20
outputs the second discrimination signal Ry. This second discrimination signal Ry
In response, the second set time determination unit 24 determines whether or not the time T measured by the timer 26 has exceeded the second set time Tb (step 2). If the measurement time T has not yet passed the second set time Tb (T < T b), the second set time determination unit 24 does not output any signal, so the controller 28 moves to step After executing the process, return to step (■).

The above routine of steps ■-...-〇-〇-■-■-... essentially determines whether the moving speed of the mouse 2 is fast or slow. That is, if the moving speed of the mouse 2 is relatively slow, the moving amount 1ΔXI lΔYl will be the reference value X until a long time has elapsed. , Yo does not reach and stays in the area H in Fig. 3, so it remains until the first set time Ta elapses.
Repeat the routine. On the other hand, if the movement speed of the mouse 2 is relatively fast, in the above routine process, the movement amount 1Δ
XΔY1 is the reference value X. Or, since it reaches Yo and enters the area shown in (■) in FIG. 3, the process moves from step (2) to (2). Then, until the second set time Tb elapses, ■-...→
■−■→■→■−・・・ Repeat the routine. Also,
If the moving speed is medium and the second set time Tb has already been exceeded when it exceeds the reference value, step
Immediately transition to

In step (2), if the measurement time T has passed the first set time Ta (T≧Ta), the first set time discriminator 2
2 outputs a cursor display permission signal Ul, which is given to the controller 28. Further, in step ■, if the measurement time T has passed the second set time Tb (T≧
At Tb), the second set time determination section 24 outputs a cursor display permission signal Us, which is given to the controller 28.

When the controller 2B receives the cursor display permission signal Ul or LJs from the display cycle variable means 18, in response to this, the controller 2B controls the character generating section 30 to generate a character for cursor display, and Character data for cursor display is written at address position 1 of the display memory 32 corresponding to the movement amounts ΔX and ΔY obtained by the movement amount converter 14 (step 2). and,
Since the data in the display memory 32 is read out in synchronization with TV scanning, the display position of the cursor on the screen of the CRT 34 is changed, so that the character is displayed as moving to the naked eye. In this case, No. The output cycle of the cursor display permission signal Ul from the set time determination unit 22 is Ta.
, the output cycle of the cursor display permission signal Us from the second display time determination unit 24 is Tb, and since Ta>Tb, the faster the moving speed of the mouse 2 is, the faster the cursor display cycle Tb is. If the display period Ta is slow, the cursor will move following the movement direction of the mouse or the like while changing the display cycle Ta gradually. In other words, when T≧Ta, the zigzag movement as shown in FIG. 4(b) is prevented, and
If T≧Tb, the cursor can be moved over a long distance. When the cursor is displayed, the controller 28 immediately clears the contents Q of the buffer memory 12 (step ■), and resets and restarts the timer 26 (step [phase]).

(g) Effects According to the present invention, the cursor on the screen can move freely according to the speed of movement of the mouse, etc., and can move smoothly without overreacting to hand shake. Therefore, when measuring the perimeter or area of the outline of an image, it is possible to faithfully trace along the outline of the image as desired by the operator.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 3 show embodiments of the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a coordinate input device, FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the control operation of the device, and FIG.
The figure is an explanatory diagram of a control operation for cursor movement. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a trajectory of conventional cursor movement. l...Coordinate input device, 2...Operation unit, 6...Count unit, 12...Buffer memory, 14...Movement amount conversion unit, 16...Movement possibility determination unit, t - - Display cycle variable means, 36... cursor display means. Figure 3

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) An operating section such as a mouse or trackball, a counting section that counts each pulse of the X-axis and Y-axis direction components generated in response to the operation of this operating section, and each count value of this counting section is sequentially counted. Buffer memory for accumulating and storing,
It has a movement amount converter that converts the accumulated count value of this buffer memory into the amount of movement of the cursor in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and the cursor is moved based on the movement amount converted by the movement amount converter. In a coordinate input device that moves the cursor, the amount of movement of the cursor is compared with a preset threshold,
A movement permission determination unit that outputs a movement permission signal when the amount of movement exceeds a threshold value and a movement prohibition signal when the amount of movement is less than the threshold value, and a movement permission signal from this movement permission determination unit. In response, display cycle variable means determines the magnitude of the movement speed and outputs a short-cycle cursor display permission signal when the movement speed is high, and a long-cycle cursor display permission signal when the movement speed is low; A coordinate input device comprising: cursor display means for displaying a cursor at the movement position obtained by the movement amount conversion section in response to a cursor display permission signal from the means.