JPH09212299A - Information input device and its method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information input device and its method substituted for a mouse, a track ball and a pen input device. SOLUTION: Infrared rays and ultrasonic waves are respectively projected from an infrared-ray generating part 2 and ultrasonic wave generating parts 3, 4 in a pointing rod 1. An infrared sensor 5 on a display 11 receives infrared rays and ultrasonic sensors 6 to 8 receive ultrasonic waves. A difference between the receiving time of infrared rays by the sensor 5 which is a reference and the receiving time of ultrasonic waves by the sensors 6 to 8 is measured. A distance between the generating part 2 and the sensors 6 to 8 or between the generating part 3 and the sensors 6 to 8 is measured by multiplying the time difference by acoustic velocity and information corresponding to a position on the display 11 which is pointed out by the pointing rod 1 is inputted.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information input device or an information input method for inputting information to a video conference system, an electronic blackboard or a personal computer using an external input device such as a pointing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the informatization of society has been rapidly progressing, such as the entertainment of multimedia. The spread of computers has greatly contributed to the progress of computerization. With the spread of computers, demands for display and external input devices are increasing more and more as man-machine interfaces between the body of a computer and human beings, and various types of systems are emerging in the world. Among these, thin displays such as liquid crystal displays, plasma displays, light emitting diode displays, and electron beam flat displays have emerged as the displays, and CR
The stronghold of T (Cathod Ray Tube) is being destroyed. In addition to keyboards and mice, pen input devices and the like are becoming popular as external input devices for reasons of portability.

Further, there is a video conference system as one device for realizing multimedia. This is for advancing a conference while a plurality of persons who are distant from each other have a display and an external input device, and one of them displays information input through the external input device on the other display. Figure 17 shows E at a distance
It shows that Mr. and Mr. F are talking while watching each other's facial expressions using the video conference system. In the figure, 11
Is a display, 12 is a keyboard, 13 is a mouse, 14 is a camera, 15 is a speaker, 16 is a microphone, 17 is a pointer moved by Mr. E's mouse, 18 is a pointer moved by Miss F's mouse, and these are E This is the system on the Mr. side. Similarly, Miss F has the same device such as a display 11 'and a keyboard 12'. The camera 14 reflects Mr. E's expression,
Display in real time on Miss F's display. Mouse 1
3 moves the pointer 17 and is used to point a graph or table to Miss F. The mouse 13 can be replaced by a trackball. The keyboard 12 is the display 11 or the display
The display of 11 'can be changed through a computer. Such a conference may be held by a large number of people instead of being held by only two people as shown in the figure, and in order to hold a large number of people, it is better that the display 11 or the display 11 'has a large screen.

[0004]

It would be convenient to have an external input device that points to an arbitrary position on the display and can be taken into the machine, such as the mouse and trackball described above. However, there is a remote pointing device that can point to a point on the display even from a position away from the display like a conventional pointing stick, and can input the point to a person at a distance. If this is the case, it is possible to follow the traditional habits, which is even more convenient. It is also useful for presentations to have a remote pointing device that can point to a portion of the display even if it is remote from the display. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to realize an information input device that can point an arbitrary position on a display and capture the position in a machine with a remote pointing device having a simple structure.

[0005]

As a result of earnest efforts by the present inventor to achieve the above object, the following invention was obtained.
That is, the information input device of the present invention includes a trigger signal, a pointing device capable of transmitting a propagation medium having a slower propagation speed than the trigger signal, a space away from the pointing device, and the trigger signal and the propagation medium. It is characterized in that it has a receiving means capable of receiving. Further, the information input device of the present invention includes a trigger signal, a pointing device capable of receiving a propagation medium having a slower propagation speed than the trigger signal, a space away from the pointing device, and the trigger signal and the propagation. It is characterized by having a transmitting means capable of transmitting the medium. The propagation medium is preferably an elastic wave such as an ultrasonic wave. The pointing device is of a stick type, a spectacle type, a banso type, a gun type or the like. The trigger signal may be an electromagnetic wave such as infrared rays or a current flowing through a conductor.

The present invention also includes the invention of an information input method. That is, the information input method of the present invention is a method for inputting information to a system including a display and a central processing unit from a pointing device separated by a space, wherein a trigger signal and the trigger are provided between the pointing device and the system. The position of the pointing device with respect to the system is inputted by transmitting and receiving a propagation medium having a propagation speed slower than that of a signal. The trigger signal may be an electromagnetic wave such as infrared rays or a current flowing through a conductor. The propagation medium is preferably an elastic wave such as an ultrasonic wave.

[0007]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The information input device of the present invention has a pointing device capable of transmitting or receiving a trigger signal and a propagation medium whose propagation speed is slower than that of the trigger signal. The propagation medium includes elastic waves such as sound waves, and liquids and gases produced by thermal jets and jets by piezo, but the desired ones are elastic waves, more preferably ultrasonic waves. It is desirable that the ultrasonic waves have a frequency that can sufficiently recognize the position of the pointing device. Further, since the propagation velocity of ultrasonic waves slightly changes depending on the room temperature, it is desirable to correct it according to the room temperature. From this point, the frequency of ultrasonic waves is preferably 100 kHz to 100 MHz. Above all, 200 kHz to 10 MHz is particularly desirable. The trigger signal may be transmitted to the information input device through a lead wire, or may be propagated using electromagnetic waves such as light and radio waves.
The pointing device is a remote type that inputs information even from a position away from the display, and its shape includes a pointing stick type, a ring type, a spectacle type, a messy type, and a gun type. When the pointing device is a pointing stick type, laser light may be emitted from the tip of the pointing device to align with the pointer displayed on the display by the information input method of the present invention.

When ultrasonic waves are used as a medium for propagation, it is necessary to distinguish ultrasonic waves of various frequencies, but in order to separate these frequencies, it is said that separation by a filter, Laplace transform, Fourier transform or the like is performed. . Separation by a filter is easy and desirable in terms of circuit. The display used in the present invention is preferably a large one, but it may be anything such as a liquid crystal projector, a display in which light emitting diodes (LEDs) are arranged, an electroluminescence display, a plasma display, etc. It is an electron beam display using a surface conduction electron-emitting device that the present applicant is carrying out research and development that is influential in realizing the angle.

[0009]

EXAMPLES The present invention will be described below with reference to eight examples. (Example 1) is an example of using a pointer type pointing device for a video conference. (Example 2) is an example in which the pointer-type pointing device of Example 1 is used in a school lesson. (Example 3) is an example in which a video conference is held using a ring-type pointing device. Example 4 is an example of inputting to a personal computer with an eyeglass-type pointing device. (Fifth Embodiment) is an example of inputting information to a personal computer with a pointing device. (Example 6)
3 is another example of the pointer-type pointing device of Example 1. FIG. (Example 7) is an example in which a signal for position detection of the pointing device is transmitted from the display side.
(Embodiment 8) is an example in which the pointing stick, which is a pointing device, is stored in a pocket or the like, and the display on the display is automatically changed when the person who puts the pointing stick in the pocket approaches the display.

(Example 1) In Example 1, infrared rays are emitted from the tip of a pointer type pointing device (hereinafter abbreviated as a pointer PD), and ultrasonic waves are generated from the tip of the pointer stick PD and a portion near the root. This is an example in which the position where the pointer PD is pointing is measured. The display has at least one infrared sensor that serves as an infrared receiving unit and three ultrasonic sensors that serve as ultrasonic receiving units, receive the infrared and ultrasonic waves output by the pointer PD, and position the display and the pointer PD. Measure relationships and enter information into the system.

FIG. 1 shows the video conference system of the first embodiment. In the figure, 1 is a pointer PD, 2 is an infrared transmitter, 3 and 4 are ultrasonic transmitters, 5 are infrared sensors, 6, 7 and 8 are ultrasonic sensors, 9
Is the position where Mr. E is pointing with PD PD, 10 is Miss PD with PD PD
Represents the position pointed to. The other symbols are the same as those in FIG. 17 and are omitted. FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the pointer rod 1. 20 is a grip and 21 is a click button. Other symbols are the same as those explained in the previous figure. LED (Light Emit
There is an infrared ray transmitting section 2 made of a circular piezo element, and an ultrasonic wave transmitting section 3 made of a circular piezo element is provided slightly behind the infrared ray transmitting section 3 made of a circular piezo element. There are four. The ultrasonic transmitters 3 and 4 are
Generates ultrasonic waves with different frequencies (different tones) that are easily propagated in the air and have less noise. Here, the ultrasonic wave transmission units 3 and 4 emit ultrasonic waves of 100 kHz and 1 MHz, respectively. The grip 20 is shaped so that it can be easily held in the palm of your hand, and the battery is stored inside. Click button 21
Is used to change the display state of the display. The information as to whether or not the click button 21 is clicked is changed by changing the shape of the infrared pulse from the infrared transmitter 2 or incorporating an infrared generator that emits an infrared ray having a different wavelength from the infrared transmitter 2. Be transmitted to. The infrared ray emitting section 2 emits infrared rays as wide as the size of the display 11 so that the infrared ray emitted by the infrared ray emitting section 2 reaches the infrared sensor 5 at the end of the display 11.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the principle of how the system measures the position of the pointer PD1. The same symbols as before are the same as the previously described parts. With the position of the ultrasonic sensor 6 as the origin of the rectangular coordinates, the direction of the ultrasonic sensor 7 is the x direction, the method of the ultrasonic sensor 8 is the y direction, the x direction and the y direction.
The direction perpendicular to the method and the side with the pointer PD1 is the z direction. Also, the distance between the ultrasonic sensors 6 and 7 is p, and the ultrasonic sensor 6
The distance between and 8 is q. On this coordinate, the coordinates of the ultrasonic wave transmitting unit 3 are (a ₁ , a ₂ , a ₃ ), and the coordinates of the ultrasonic wave transmitting unit 4 are (b ₁ , b ₂ , b ₃ ). Further, the distance between the ultrasonic generator 3 and the ultrasonic sensors 6, 7, and 8 is set to l, m, and n, and the distance between the ultrasonic generator 4 and the ultrasonic sensors 6, 7 and 8 is set to l, respectively. Let ', m', n '. The velocity of sound in the air is v, the infrared sensor 5 detects the infrared rays from the infrared transmitter 2, and then the ultrasonic sensors 6, 7, 8 detect the ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic transmitters 3 and 4. each time _{to, t 1, t 2, t} 3, t 1 ', t 2', and t ₃ '. Then the distance l, m, n,
l ', m', n 'is, l = vt ₁ l' expressed as _{= vt 1 'm = vt 2} m' = vt 2 'n = vt 3 n' = vt 3 '. Where the infrared propagation velocity (about 3.0 × 10 ⁸ m / s)
Is negligibly faster than the ultrasonic wave propagation speed (about 3.4 × 10 ² m / s), so the difference between the ultrasonic wave propagation time and the infrared wave propagation time t ₁ , t ₂ , t ₃ , t ₁ ' , t ₂ 'and t ₃ ' may be used as the propagation time of ultrasonic waves. In order to distinguish the frequencies of the ultrasonic transmitters 3 and 4, the system may perform frequency separation with a filter.

The coordinates (a ₁ , a ₂ , a ₃ ) of the ultrasonic transmitter 3 are a ₁ ² + a ₂ ² + a because they are located at a distance of l, m, n from the ultrasonic receivers 6,7,8. ₃ ² = l ² (a ₁ −p) ² + a ₂ ² + a ₃ ² = m ² a ₁ ² + (a ₂ −q) ² + a ₃ ² = n ² holds. Similarly, the coordinates (b ₁ , b ₂ ,
b ₃ ) is at a distance of l ′, m ′, n ′ from the ultrasonic receivers 6,7,8, and therefore b ₁ ² + b ₂ ² + b ₃ ² = 1 ′ ² (b ₁ −p) ² + b ₂ ² + b ₃ ² = m ′ ² b ₁ ² + (b ₂ −q) ² + b ₃ ² = n ′ ² holds. Also, the straight line passing through the ultrasonic transmitters 3 and 4

[0014]

[Outside 1] Therefore, the position 9 pointed by the pointer PD1 is x, y at z = 0.
By asking for

[0015]

[Outside 2] Becomes If this position is (X, Y), the system displays the pointer at the position (X, Y) on the display. The system can also inform this display (X, Y) to the display of a far-end party in a video conference.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing the sound waves received by the ultrasonic receivers 6, 7, 8 with the horizontal axis representing time. The system triggers the signal that the infrared sensor 5 detects infrared rays.
As a signal, the time when this signal entered is 0, and the time t ₁ ,
Measure t ₂ , t ₃ , t ₁ ′, t ₂ ′, t ₃ ′. The distance between the display 11 and the pointing stick PD1 is, since it is assumed about _{0.4~40m, t 1, t 2,} t 3, t 1 ', t 2', t 3 ' is 10 ^-3 to 10 ^- It will be ¹ s. In this _{range, t 1, t 2, t} 3, t 1 ', t 2', if accurate measurements of t ₃ ',
The coordinates (X, Y) can be easily calculated. And 10
^If you repeat this calculation many times in a time cycle that is sufficiently larger than the calculation time of the coordinates (X, Y) of ^-3 to 10 ^-1 s, you can write characters and pictures on the display, You can select the icon. The position of the pointing device can be calculated in a shorter time as the distance between the display and the pointing device is shorter. For this reason, when writing characters or drawing a picture, you will have a pointing device practically near the display.Therefore, if you repeat the calculation cycle and calculate many times, position detection will be performed. The accuracy of is also increased.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the system of this example. In the figure, 57 is a low pass filter, 58 is a high pass filter, 60 is an integrating circuit, 61 is a comparator, 62 is an AND circuit, 6
3 is a central processing unit (CPU). The signals detected by the ultrasonic sensors 6, 7, 8 are output to the low pass filter 57 and the high pass filter 58, respectively. Low pass filter 57 is 500kHz
The above signals are cut, and the high pass filter 58 is 500kHz.
Cut the following signals. For this reason, ultrasonic transmitters 3 and 4
The ultrasonic waves output by can be distinguished. Integrating circuit 60
Integrates the input signal. The comparator 61 outputs a Hi signal when the signal output from the integrating circuit 60 is smaller than Vth, and outputs a Lo signal when it is larger than Vth. The integrating circuit 61 ′ integrates the signal input from the infrared sensor 5. The comparator 61 'outputs a Lo signal if the signal output from the integrating circuit 60' is smaller than Vth ', and outputs a Hi signal if it is larger than Vth'. The AND circuit 62 outputs to the CPU a voltage having a pulse width that is the difference between the time when the infrared light reaches the infrared sensor 5 and the time when the ultrasonic sensors 6, 7, 8 detect the respective ultrasonic waves. That is, the times t ₁ , t ₂ , t ₃ and t ₁ ′, t ₂ ′, t ₃ ′ until each ultrasonic wave reaches the sensor from the transmitter are input to the CPU 63. CP
U63 displays the pointer 9 on the display 11 by performing the calculation described with reference to FIG. Here, when the distance between the pointer PD1 and the display 11 is about 10 m, the time t ₁ , t ₂ , t ₃ , t ₁ ', t ₂ ', t ₃ 'is about 3 × 10 ^-2 s, If the distance is within 10 m, the position of the pointer can be updated every frame (3.3 × 10 ^-2 s). To update the position of the pointer, simply repeat the above operation.
Of course, even if the distance between the pointer PD1 and the display 11 is 10 m or more, the position of the pointer may be updated in a time longer than 1 frame (for example, 2 frames or more).

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an electron beam display using a surface conduction electron-emitting device, which is a thin and large display, which is being researched and developed by the present applicant. The figure shows
A part of the panel is cut open to show the internal structure.
In the figure, 31 is a substrate, 32 is a surface conduction electron-emitting device, 33 is row wiring, 34 is column wiring, 35 is a rear plate, 36 is a side wall, 37 is a face plate, 38 is a fluorescent film, 39 is a metal back. is there. The rear plate 35, the side wall 36, and the face plate 37 form an airtight container, and maintain a vacuum inside the display. The face plate 37 includes a fluorescent film 38 and a metal back 39.
Is fixed. The metal back 39 plays a role of specularly reflecting a part of the light emitted by the fluorescent film 38 to improve the light utilization rate and protect the fluorescent film 58 from the collision of negative ions. Further, the metal back 39 serves as an electrode for accelerating electrons and a conduction path for electrons that excite the fluorescent film. The rear plate 35 is a substrate
31, the surface conduction electron-emitting device 32, the row wiring 33, and the column wiring 34 are fixed. Dx1 to Dxm, Dy1 to Dyn, Hv have internal row wiring 33 and column wiring 3 while maintaining the airtight structure of the display.
4, a terminal for connecting the metal back 39 and an external drive circuit. It is possible to provide a bright, thin and large-sized display by disposing one surface conduction electron-emitting device 32 as an electron source in each pixel.

According to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide an information input device and an information input method using a pointing device that follows the same custom as the conventional practice of using a pointer PD. If you proceed with the meeting using, you will improve the efficiency of the meeting.

(Embodiment 2) This is an example of using the pointer type pointing device of Embodiment 1 in a school lesson. Fig. 7 shows the teacher using the pointer PD to proceed with the lesson, and Fig. 8 shows the student asking the question using the pointer PD. In the figure, 11 is a large-sized display that serves as an electronic blackboard, and can be composed of an electron beam display using a surface conduction electron-emitting device or the like. 40 is teacher, 41 is student, 42 is first
4 ultrasonic sensors. There are four ultrasonic sensors 6,7,8,42 at the corners of the blackboard type display 11, and the ultrasonic waves from the pointer PD of the teacher or the student can be detected.
In this example, the teacher and the students all have pointer PDs, and each pointer PD emits ultrasonic waves of different frequencies, so that the system distinguishes between the teacher and the students. Also, in this example, there is a fourth ultrasonic sensor on the display side, but this is essential for improving the accuracy of position measurement of the pointing device and for backing up when the sensor is blocked by an obstacle. is not.

According to the second embodiment, since the teacher uses the electronic blackboard to proceed with the lesson, it suffices to display the data prepared before the lesson, and if necessary, use the pointer PD to write characters on the blackboard. You can improve the efficiency of your lesson by drawing pictures.
Also, since students do not have to go close to the blackboard each time they ask a question while pointing at the blackboard, less time is needed to get to and from the blackboard, which improves class efficiency.

(Embodiment 3) Embodiment 3 is an example in which a video conference is advanced by a finger ring type pointing device (hereinafter abbreviated as finger ring PD). Figure 9 shows Mr. E and Miss F with ring PD. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a detailed view of a ring type PD. Reference numeral 43 is a first ring PD, and 42 is a second ring PD. The first ring PD43 has an infrared ray transmitting section 2 made of an LED and an ultrasonic wave generating section 3 made of a piezo element, and a small battery supplies operating power. First ring PD
Wear it near the tip of your index finger. The second ring PD44 is
There is an ultrasonic wave transmission unit 4 consisting of a piezo element, and it is attached near the root of the finger pointing finger. Example 1 using these two rings
By the same principle as above, the system can measure the position of Mr. E or Miss F with his index finger and display it on the display.

On the other hand, in this example, the second ring PD43 is eliminated,
First, get up around the elbow of the first ring PD42, store the elbow position of Mr. E and Miss F in the system, return the ring to the index finger,
Mr. E and Miss F can also display the pointed position on the display by fixing the elbow position and pointing the display. According to the third embodiment, it is possible to hold a video conference with a small pointing device such as a ring type. Therefore, it is excellent in portability when a video conference is not held.

(Embodiment 4) Embodiment 4 is an example in which a spectacle-type pointing device is used to display a pointer at the position where the line of sight on the display hits and to input information to a personal computer. FIG. 11 shows an eyeglass-type pointing device. 2 is an infrared ray transmitting section consisting of an LED for eyeglass position measurement, 46, 47, 48 is an ultrasonic wave transmitting section, 48 is an infrared ray LED for detecting the sight line of the right eye, 49 is an infrared ray LED for detecting the sight axis of the left eye, and 50 is the sight line of the right eye. An area sensor for detection, and 51 is a line-of-sight detection area sensor for the left eye. The system measures the orientation of the spectacles-type pointing device, and the spectacles-type pointing device detects the direction in which the eye is facing, thereby displaying a pointer at the point of sight on the display.
The ultrasonic wave transmitters 47 and 48 are arranged at both ends of the frame of the glasses as shown in FIG. The ultrasonic wave transmitting unit 48 is arranged on the frame of the spectacles as far as possible from the ultrasonic wave transmitting units 46 and 47. For example, as shown in the figure, near the nose press of the glasses is good. The nose holder is a portion of the glasses supported by the nose.
The ultrasonic wave transmission units 46, 47 and 48 transmit ultrasonic waves having different wavelengths. Then, in order for the system to detect the position of the glasses, there are ultrasonic sensors at the three corners of the display as in the first embodiment, and the system can calculate the coordinates of the ultrasonic transmitters 46, 47, 48. it can. Then, the direction vector from the ultrasonic wave transmitting unit 46 to 47 and the direction vector from the ultrasonic wave transmitting unit 46 to 48 are calculated, and the normal vector of the frame of the glasses is obtained by taking the outer product of the two vectors, From the central portion 52 of the spectacle frame, the obtained normal vector is extended to calculate the (X, Y) coordinates at which the display collides.
The central portion 52 is preferably located just between the right and left eyes. When the pointer is displayed directly at the (X, Y) coordinates thus obtained, the pointer is displayed in the part where the face is facing. Further, the line-of-sight may be detected, correction may be made in the direction in which the eyes are facing, and the pointer may be displayed in the direction in which the eyes are facing.

According to the fourth embodiment, instead of a mouse or the like, information is input to the personal computer by moving the eyes or face. Therefore, even when inputting information while using the keyboard together, it is possible to move the pointer by moving the eyes and face while keeping the hand at the home position without extending the hand to the mouse etc., so that the efficiency of information input can be improved. . This effect becomes more and more prominent because many personal computers currently use a graphical user interface and it is expected that more personal computers will use a graphical user interface in the future.

(Fifth Embodiment) A fifth embodiment is an example of inputting information of a personal computer or the like using a handheld pointing device. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a Banso type pointing device. 53 is overwhelming, and the infrared LED 2 and the ultrasonic wave transmitter 3 are placed on it. In this example, the system calculates the position of the disturbing 53 using the same method as in the first embodiment by the infrared rays and the ultrasonic waves emitted from the disturbing 53. Then, by moving the face, the position of the pointer on the display can be moved.

(Embodiment 6) Embodiment 6 is an example in which the trigger signal of Embodiment 1 is replaced with a current passing through a conductor instead of infrared rays.
FIG. 13 shows a pointer-type pointing device of Example 6. In the figure, 54 is a conducting wire that connects the pointer type pointing device 1 and the system, and through this conducting wire 54, the system recognizes that the pointer outputs ultrasonic waves.
Therefore, in this example, the infrared transmitter and the infrared sensor are not required. There is an ultrasonic wave transmitter at the positions of A and B on the pointer PD, there is an ultrasonic sensor at the position of G, H, I on the display, the pointer PD1 on the display by the same principle as in Example 1, You can see where you are pointing.

(Embodiment 7) Embodiment 7 is an example in which the ultrasonic transmitter of Embodiment 6 is on the display and the ultrasonic sensor is on the pointing stick pointing device. The description will be made again with reference to FIG. On a pointing stick pointing device
There are ultrasonic sensors at positions A and B, G on the display,
There is an ultrasonic transmitter at the H and I positions. The ultrasonic wave transmitters G, H, I emit ultrasonic waves of different frequencies. FIG. 14 shows ultrasonic wave transmitters G, H, I measured by the ultrasonic sensors A, B of the pointer PD1.
Represents the time change of ultrasonic waves from. TGA is the ultrasonic transmitter G
Is the difference between the time when the ultrasonic wave is output by the ultrasonic sensor A and the time when the ultrasonic sensor A senses the ultrasonic wave, and the same applies to the other cases. Fig. 15
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the system of this example. In the figure, numeral 59 is a frequency separator, which may be a combination of filters, one using Laplace transform, or one using Fourier transform. The same parts described in FIG. 5 have the same functions. The ultrasonic sensors A and B are inside the pointer, and output signals are output from the ultrasonic sensors A and B to the display side through the conducting wire 54. Again, in the same manner as in the above-mentioned FIG. 5, the ultrasonic wave output by the ultrasonic wave transmitters G, H, I, the time until the ultrasonic sensors A, B measure T _GA , T _HA , T _IA , T _GB , T _HB , T _IB
Is measured and output to CPU63. The CPU 63 obtains the positional relationship between the display 11 and the pointer PD1 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and displays the position of the pointer PD1 on the display as a pointer.

(Embodiment 8) Embodiment 8 is an example of using the pointing stick type pointing device as in Embodiment 1 when the user is in a chest pocket or the like. Figure 16 shows an example
It is a diagram showing a usage example of 8, (a) is a display example of the display when the user is away from the display,
(b) is a display example when the user approaches the display. The pointer PD1 periodically emits radio waves and ultrasonic waves when it is stored in the chest pocket of the user 55, and uses the radio waves as a trigger signal to measure the difference between the time when the ultrasonic waves reach the display. Display by
Calculate the distance between 11 and the user 55. Then, as shown in FIG. 14 (a), when the distance between the user 55 and the display 11 is large, coarse information is displayed on the display with large characters or pictures so that the user 55 can view the characters or pictures from a distance. Make it recognizable. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 14 (b), if the distance between the user 55 and the display 11 is reduced, detailed information for the user 55 is displayed with small characters or pictures. The display when the user approaches can be changed by the user, and even if the same user is nearby, the display information can be changed by the presence or absence of another user. . Alternatively, the display displays icons and the like, and by using the pointer PD1 as in the first embodiment, the display on the display 11 can be changed and information can be input.

[0030]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information input device capable of inputting information on the positional relationship between the display and itself from a position spatially separated from the display. Further, the information input device has a simple structure and can be manufactured in a small size and at a low cost.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a video conference system using a pointer PD.

FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the pointer PD.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining position measurement of a pointer PD.

FIG. 4 is a time change of a sound wave measured by the ultrasonic sensors 6, 7, and 8.

FIG. 5: Block diagram of position detection

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a display using a surface conduction electron-emitting device.

[Figure 7] Example diagram of a lesson on an electronic blackboard using a pointer PD

[Figure 8] Example of a lesson on an electronic blackboard using a pointer PD

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a video conference system using a ring PD.

FIG. 10: Detailed view of ring PD

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of glasses PD.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a PD overlooking.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a video conference system using a pointer PD.

FIG. 14 is a time change of the sound wave measured by the ultrasonic sensor on the pointer PD.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of position detection

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example in which the display changes depending on the distance between the person who points the chest on the chest and the display.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a conventional video conference system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Pointer 2 Infrared transmitter 3,4 Ultrasonic transmitter 5 Infrared sensor 6,7,8 Ultrasonic sensor 9 Position where Mr. E's pointer is pointing 10 Position where F's pointer is pointing 11 Display 12 Keyboard 13 Mouse 14 CCD camera 15 Speaker 16 Microphone 17,18 Pointer 25 Eyeglass type pointing device 26 Material 40 Teacher 41 Student 43 First ring 44 Second ring 46,47,48 Ultrasonic transmitter 49,50 Infrared LED 51 , 52 Area sensor 53 Bansoko 54 Conductor 55 people 56 Middle part of left eye and right eye 57 Low pass filter 58 High pass filter 59 Frequency separator 60 Integrator circuit 61 Comparator 62 AND circuit 63 Central processing unit

Claims (25)

[Claims] 1. A trigger signal, a pointing device capable of transmitting a propagation medium whose propagation speed is slower than that of the trigger signal, a space away from the pointing device, and the trigger signal and the propagation medium received. An information input device having a receiving means capable of performing the following. 2. The information input device according to claim 1, wherein the propagation medium is an elastic wave. 3. A pointing device capable of receiving a trigger signal, a propagation medium having a slower propagation speed than the trigger signal, and a space away from the pointing device to transmit the trigger signal and the propagation medium. An information input device characterized by having a transmitting means capable of performing. 4. The information input device according to claim 3, wherein the propagation medium is an elastic wave. 5. The information input device according to claim 2, wherein the receiving unit has at least one trigger signal sensor and three elastic wave sensors. 6. The information input device according to claim 5, wherein the pointing device has at least one trigger signal transmitter and two elastic wave transmitters. 7. The information input device according to claim 5, wherein the receiving unit includes a display. 8. The information input device according to claim 7, wherein the three elastic wave sensors are located at arbitrary four corners of the display which do not overlap each other. 9. The information input device according to claim 7, wherein the trigger signal transmitting section is located in the middle of any four sides of the display. 10. The information input device according to claim 4, wherein the transmitting unit includes at least one trigger signal transmitting unit and three elastic wave transmitting units. 11. The information input device according to claim 4, wherein the pointing device has at least one trigger signal sensor and two elastic wave sensors. 12. The information input device according to claim 10, wherein the transmitting means includes a display. 13. The three elastic wave sensors are provided at positions where the four corners of the display do not overlap each other.
Information input device described in. 14. The information input device according to claim 12, wherein the trigger signal transmitting unit is located at an intermediate portion of any four sides of the display. 15. The pointing device is a pointer rod type, and has a first elastic wave transmitting portion at a tip portion thereof and a second elastic wave transmitting portion near a grip.
The information input device according to any one of 5 to 14. 16. The pointing device is of a spectacles type, and has first and second elastic wave transmitters at both ends of its frame and a third elastic wave transmitter near its nose retainer. The information input device according to any one of 14. 17. The information input device according to claim 5, wherein the pointing device is a messy type. 18. The information input device according to claim 5, wherein the pointing device is a ring type. 19. The information input device according to claim 1, wherein the trigger signal is propagated by an electromagnetic wave. 20. The information input device according to claim 19, wherein the electromagnetic waves are infrared rays. 21. The information input device according to claim 1, wherein the trigger signal is propagated as an electric current through a conductive wire. 22. The elastic wave is an ultrasonic wave.
The information input device according to any one of 1. 23. A method of inputting information to a system including a display and a central processing unit from a pointing device separated by a space, wherein a trigger signal and a propagation speed from the trigger signal are transmitted between the pointing device and the system. An information input method for inputting a position of the pointing device with respect to the system by transmitting and receiving a slow propagation medium. 24. The propagation medium is an elastic wave.
Information input method described in. 25. The information input method according to claim 24, wherein the elastic wave is an ultrasonic wave.