JPH0667787A - Position input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable a cursor to be quickly moved on a screen only by the motion of a finger and to use a device even at a narrow place by changing moving distance corresponding to moving speed. CONSTITUTION:A central processing unit 80 instructs a timing generator 10 to read out the coordinate of the pressed point of a touch panel 100 at every constant time T via an input selector. X and Y coordinates read out via an A/D converter 30 and a coordinate computing element 40 are inputted to a first memory 50, and difference between the coordinates and data before one time inputted to a second memory 60 is calculated. When the difference is smaller than a second reference value, the actual X and Y coordinates are outputted, and the coordinates of K2 times of the actual X and Y coordinates when the difference is between the second reference value and a first reference value, and the coordinates of K1 (K1<K2) times the actual X and Y coordinates when it is larger than the first reference value are outputted, and they are sent out from the central processing unit 80 to a host 90. When the finger tip is quickly moved on the touch panel 100, the amount of movement of K1 or K2 times can be obtained depending on the moving speed of the finger tip.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a position input device for selecting an icon or the like displayed on a personal computer, a workstation, an image processing device or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in a personal computer, a workstation, an image processing apparatus, etc., a position input device such as a cursor pointing device for moving a cursor or a pointer on a screen and pointing to a certain point is required. There is. Currently, a mouse is mainly used as a position input device of this type. The mouse is a very convenient device for freely moving the cursor on the screen, selecting an operation command menu on the screen, and drawing an arbitrary figure, so that the graphics function can be fully utilized.

[0003]

A cursor pointing device using such a mouse is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-181820 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-97734.
There is one disclosed in the publication. JP-A-60-1818
In the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 20, an input value corresponding to a movement amount of a cursor pointing device within a predetermined time is converted into a numerical value by a logic circuit, and the numerical value is displayed as a relative value on a display screen. In the display system that moves the cursor, change the logic circuit that performs numerical conversion to a value that is larger than this input value when the input value is relatively large, and larger than the input value when the input value is relatively small. Also has a circuit configuration for compression-expansion with an even smaller value as an output value, and the movement ratio is automatically changed according to the moving speed of the cursor pointing device, thereby improving the operability of the input operation by the cursor.

Further, in the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-97734, a position information input device which moves on a table and generates a pulse signal corresponding to a moving distance detects a moving distance and outputs a pulse. With a mechanism that generates a signal, a circuit that sends the generated pulse as it is,
Since there is a circuit for transmitting the generated pulse signal by multiplying it by an integer through an exclusive OR circuit and a one-shot multi-circuit, and an acceleration sensor for detecting the moving speed and switching the circuit is provided, detailed information can be obtained. It is possible to input with high accuracy and to input wide range of information efficiently and in a short time.

However, in such a mouse that is moved on the mouse mat, the entire arm must be moved, and if there is no space for placing the mouse mat or there is a restriction on the movement of the arm, the operability is extremely great. Will be bad. Further, there is a problem that a mouse cannot be manufactured in a small size because it needs a size that can be physically held by a hand. Also, many mechanical parts have to be used, and they are easily broken.

As a position input device which does not occupy a relatively large space, can be made thin, and does not include mechanical parts that may cause a failure, as in the case of such a mouse, is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 62-75531. Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-259
Some use the touch panel disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 29, etc. The position input device using these touch panels is convenient for detecting the position touched by a finger or the like, but has low resolution and cannot be used as a substitute for a mouse.
That is, the moving position is detected on the touch panel, and for example,
In the conventional position input device that moves the arrow on the display, when the same distance as the screen is input by one moving operation, the moving operation also needs to be large, and the touch panel area should be the same as the screen size. It is necessary, and the whole device becomes large. In addition, when the area of the touch panel is reduced, it is considered that the number of movement operations increases and the operability deteriorates, so that the touch panel cannot be quickly moved to a desired position.

The object of the present invention is to solve the above problems of the prior art, to be small and thin, and to be used even in a narrow space, and to quickly display an instruction symbol such as a cursor or a pointer on the screen only by moving a finger. Is to provide a position input device that can be moved to a desired position.

[0008]

According to one feature of the present invention, in a position input device for controlling movement of an instruction symbol such as a cursor or a pointer displayed on a display screen, a touch panel and the touch panel are provided. Pressing position detecting means for detecting the moving amount of the pressing position of the above, and pointing symbol position control means for controlling the position of the pointing symbol with the input value corresponding to the moving amount of the pressing position detected by the pressing position detecting means as a relative value. With.

According to another feature of the present invention, in the position input device for controlling the movement of the indication symbol such as the cursor and the pointer displayed on the display screen, the first touch panel layer and the first touch panel layer are provided. A touch panel having a second touch panel layer that is superposed below the touch panel layer and has a hardness higher than that of the first touch panel layer, and a movement amount of a pressing position of the first touch panel layer of the touch panel is detected. The pressed position detection means, an instruction symbol position control means for controlling the position of the instruction symbol with an input value corresponding to the amount of movement of the pressed position detected by the pressed position detection means as a relative value, and the second touch panel touch panel. An instruction symbol position selection means for detecting the pressing of the touch panel layer and selecting the position of the instruction symbol at that time.

[0010]

According to the present invention, the moving speed is detected from the changing speed of the coordinates continuously input through the touch panel, the moving distance is increased when the moving speed is fast, and the moving distance is moved when the moving speed is slow. By having the function to reduce the distance, you can quickly move the cursor to the desired position only by moving your finger,
It is possible to move the pointing symbols such as pointers on the screen, and it can be used even in a narrow place.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a position input device as an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the position input device of this embodiment is mainly composed of, for example,
A small and thin touch panel 100 of about 10 cm × 10 cm, a timing generator 10, and an input selector 2
0, the A / D converter 30, the coordinate calculator 40, the first memory 50, the second memory 60, and the comparator 70.
And a central processing unit 80.

First, the touch panel 100 may be a resistance detector type analog touch panel as described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5. As the touch panel 100, for example, those commercially available from Shin-Etsu Polymer Co., Ltd. as "Shinetsu PPMG", "Shinetsu PPMJ" and "Shinetsu PPPTA" can be used. As shown in the schematic perspective view of FIG. 2 and the partially enlarged cross-sectional view of FIG. 3, the touch panel 100 includes an upper insulator 106 made of plastic and a lower insulator 107 made of the same plastic, which are superposed on each other. It will be. A Y-direction resistor 104 is printed along one side of the lower surface of the upper insulator 106, and a large number of metal wires 101 connected to the Y-direction resistor 104 are formed on the entire lower surface of the upper insulator 106 at a fine pitch. It is installed in.
On the other hand, the X-direction resistor 103 is printed along one side of the upper surface of the lower insulator 107, and a large number of metal wires 102 connected to the X-direction resistor 103 are finely formed on the entire upper surface of the lower insulator 107. It is installed at a different pitch. These upper insulator 106 and lower insulator 107 have their metal wires 101 and 102, as well shown in FIG.
Are orthogonal to each other, and plastic spacers 105 are sandwiched between them at regular intervals, and are superposed on each other.

When pressure is applied from above the touch panel 100 with a finger or the like, as shown in FIG. 4, the metal wires 101 and 102 in the pressed portion come into contact with each other, and the resistance at each measurement end ABCD is increased. The value changes. The present invention determines the coordinates of the pressed point by utilizing such a property. FIG. 5 illustrates a calculation formula for obtaining the X coordinate and the Y coordinate of the pressed point in that case.

Next, the operation of the position input device of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Central processing unit 80
Instructs the timing generator 10 to read out the X-coordinate and the Y-coordinate of the pressed point on the touch panel 100 via the input selector 20 at regular time intervals T. Since the measured value indicates infinity while the touch panel 100 is not pressed, the coordinate calculator 40 is
No results. The X and Y coordinates obtained through the A / D converter 30 and the coordinate calculator 40 at a certain moment are set as the first
The memory 50 is stored. Next, read X, Y
The coordinate data is stored in the second memory 60. Then, the comparator 70 calculates the difference and inputs it to the central processing unit 80.

The difference data input from the comparator 70 to the central processing unit 80 is the reference value 1 in the central processing unit 80.
And the reference value 2 are compared, difference <reference value 2 X, Y coordinates to host = actual X, Y coordinates reference value 2 <difference <reference value 1 X, Y coordinates to host = K2
× Actual X, Y coordinates Reference value 1 <Difference X, Y coordinates to host = K1
The data of the X and Y coordinates converted by the principle of the actual X and Y coordinates is sent from the central processing unit 80 to the host 90. As a result, when the fingertip moves fast on the touch panel 100, a moving amount K1 or K2 times the actual moving amount can be obtained depending on the speed. These data processing flows are
It is shown in FIG.

In the position input device of this embodiment, the position of an instruction symbol such as a cursor or a pointer on the screen obtained by pressing the touch panel 100 with a fingertip to move it around the touch panel 100 is the input position. By arranging an enter key for inputting, it is possible to have a click function in a conventional mouse and to use it instead of the conventional mouse. For example,
In the touch panel section 400 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, a plurality of keys 402, 40 in the function push switch area arranged around the coordinate input area 401.
One of the keys 3, 404 and 405 may be the enter key for this.

FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing the structure of a position input device as another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the position input device of this embodiment is mainly composed of, for example, A small and thin first touch panel layer 100 having a size of about 10 cm × 10 cm, and the first touch panel layer 10
0, the second touch panel layer 300, the timing generator 10, the input selector 20, the A / D converter 30, and the coordinate calculator 40 associated with the first touch panel layer 100, and the second touch panel layer 300. The touch panel layer 300 includes a timing generator 11, an input selector 21, an A / D converter 31, a coordinate converter 41, and a central processing unit 80.

First, the first touch panel layer 100 will be described. Since this is exactly the same as the structure of the touch panel 100 described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5, it will not be repeatedly described here. Second touch panel layer 30
0 may be exactly the same as the structure of the first touch panel layer 100, but in this embodiment, the first touch panel layer 1
00 and the second touch panel layer 300, the hardness of the surface plastic is changed, and the second touch panel layer 30
Surface plastic of 0 is considered to be harder.

As shown in the enlarged partial sectional view of FIG.
The touch panel layer 100 of is similar to that shown in FIG.
An upper insulator 106 having a Y-direction resistor 104 and a metal wire 101, and an X-direction resistor 103 and a metal wire 102.
And a spacer 105. Then, the first touch panel layer 100
The second touch panel layer 300 laminated under
An upper insulator 306 having a Y-direction resistor 304 and a metal wire 301, and an X-direction resistor 303 and a metal wire 302.
And a spacer 305.

In the position input device according to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the first touch panel layer 100 is lightly rubbed with a fingertip, whereby the same principle as described in detail with reference to the embodiment of FIG. By capturing the change in the moving position of the fingertip, for example, the arrow (pointer) on the display can be moved. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the second touch panel layer 300 is strongly pushed at a required position, so that the information can be captured and used for selecting an icon, for example.

As described above, the position input device according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is used for the pointer by changing the hardness of the plastic of the insulator of the first touch panel layer 100 and the second touch panel layer 300 due to the difference in pushing force. The coordinate input and switch function are realized by one device.
FIG. 11 shows a specific example of the touch panel unit.
The touch panel section 400 has a coordinate input area / pointer push switch area 401 composed of the first touch panel layer 100 and the second touch panel layer 300 as described above, and around the area 401,
It has a function push switch area including various function switches 402, 403, 404, and 405.
The X and Y coordinates are read by pressure (see FIG. 9) such that the fingertip lightly rubs the coordinate input area / pointer push switch area 401 on the touch panel unit 400 of FIG. 11, and the position of the pointer of the personal computer or workstation is operated. By further pressing the position after the movement (see FIG. 10), the function of the switch such as selection can be realized.

In the configuration of FIG. 7, the input of the X and Y coordinates by the operation of lightly rubbing the first touch panel layer 100 is the same as that described with reference to FIG. A resistance value measurement signal is sent from the central processing unit 80 to the timing generator 10 every time, and the input selector 20, the A / D converter 30, and the coordinate calculator 40 are operated by a sequential control signal from the timing generator 10. Central processing unit 80
The X and Y coordinates are input to and sent to the host 90. In addition, the second touch panel layer 300 has the second
In order to detect the coordinates of the position where even the touch panel layer 300 is strongly pressed, the central processing unit 8
A signal from 0 is sent to the timing generator 11, and the input selector 21 and the A / D converter 3 are operated by the sequential control signal from the timing generator 11.
1. When the coordinate calculator 41 operates and the second touch panel layer 300 is pressed, the coordinates of the coordinate are calculated by the central processing unit 80.
To the host 90.

[0024]

According to the conventional mouse method, the movement distance is large and the entire arm has to be moved. However, according to the present invention, it is possible to control regardless of the movement distance only by the operation of the fingertip. Further, since the surface area of the device is small, it is effective for downsizing the equipment.

The surface area of the touch panel to be used can be made extremely thin even if it is larger than that of the mouse, so that the touch panel can be attached to the bottom of the keyboard in a pull-out manner. Further, since it is not necessary to move the device itself like a mouse, it can be mounted on a keyboard.

Furthermore, since function keys can be set around the touch panel, complicated operations can be performed without operating the keyboard. Moreover, since it uses a touch panel, it does not require mechanical parts and is hard to break down.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a position input device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a touch panel used in the device of FIG.

3 is a partial enlarged cross-sectional view of the touch panel of FIG.

4 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3 showing a pressed state of the touch panel of FIG.

5 is a diagram illustrating a touched position X and Y on the touch panel of FIG.
It is a figure explaining the formula which calculates a coordinate.

6 is a diagram showing a flowchart for explaining the operation of the position input device of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a position input device as another embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a partially enlarged sectional view of a touch panel in the device of FIG.

9 is a partially enlarged sectional view showing a state where the touch panel of FIG. 8 is lightly pressed with a fingertip.

10 is a partially enlarged sectional view showing a state where the touch panel of FIG. 8 is strongly pressed with a fingertip.

11 is a diagram showing a specific example of a touch panel unit in the position input device of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Timing Generator 11 Timing Generator 20 Input Selector 21 Input Selector 30 A / D Converter 31 A / D Converter 40 Coordinate Calculator 41 Coordinate Calculator 50 Memory 60 Memory 70 Comparator 80 Central Processing Unit 90 PC, Workstation Hosts such as 100 Touch panel (first touch panel layer) 101 Metal line 102 Metal line 103 X direction resistor 104 Y direction resistor 105 Spacer 300 Second touch panel layer 301 Metal line 302 Metal line 303 X direction resistor 304 Y direction Resistor 305 Spacer 400 Touch panel section 401 Coordinate input area and pointer push switch area 402 Function switch 403 Function switch 404 Function switch 405 Function switch

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A position input device for controlling the movement of an instruction symbol such as a cursor or a pointer displayed on a display screen, and a touch panel, and a pressed position detection means for detecting the amount of movement of the pressed position of the touch panel. A position input device comprising: an instruction symbol position control means for controlling the position of the instruction symbol with an input value corresponding to the amount of movement of the pressed position detected by the pressed position detection means as a relative value. 2. A position input device for controlling the movement of an instruction symbol such as a cursor or a pointer displayed on a display screen, wherein the position input device is overlaid on the first touch panel layer and the first touch panel layer. A touch panel having a second touch panel layer having a hardness higher than the hardness of the first touch panel layer, a pressing position detecting means for detecting a movement amount of the pressing position of the first touch panel layer of the touch panel, and the pressing position. An instruction symbol position control means for controlling the position of the instruction symbol with an input value corresponding to the amount of movement of the pressed position detected by the detection means as a relative value, and detecting the pressing of the second touch panel layer of the touch panel to detect the pressing. A position input device comprising: an instruction symbol position selecting means for selecting the position of the instruction symbol at the time.