KR20000018260A - An Apparatus for inputting positions of Coordinate - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A coordinates inputting device is provided to allow users with easy usage as there is no need to use the light pen like an optical mouse by using things like ball point pen or fingers in which the optical ray does not penetrate for inputting the coordinates. CONSTITUTION: The device comprises a substrate(17) having X and Y as the first and second axis, a first axis parallel ray receiving medium(13) which receives a parallel ray(15) at the first axis of the substrate, a second axis parallel ray receiving medium(14) which receives a parallel ray (16) at the second axis of the substrate, a second axis sensing medium(12) which senses the parallel ray, a first axis sensing medium(11) which sense the parallel ray, a first and second axis coordinates detecting medium(18)which detects the coordinates at the first and second axis ray sensing medium, and an outer interface medium(19) which inputs the detected coordinates at the outer medium.

Description

Coordinate input device {An Apparatus for inputting positions of Coordinate}

The present invention relates to a coordinate input device that detects the coordinates of a point to be indicated and transmits the detected position coordinates to various information processing devices such as a computer. The present invention relates to a coordinate input device using an optical method for detecting coordinates of a first axis and a second axis of which incident light is blocked by a sensing means.

In information equipment such as computers, various coordinate input devices are used as devices for displaying coordinates by operating the device on a screen and inputting function button commands displayed on the screen. As a conventional coordinate input device, a mouse is most commonly used, a joystick is used in a game machine, and a device such as a touch pad is used in a small information device such as a notebook computer. Most of the conventional mouse is a ball mouse that detects the mechanical movement of the coordinates by the rotation of the ball, it is inconvenient to use the ball for a long time, the ball is not rotated smoothly due to the adhesion of dust, etc. to clean the ball. In addition, since it is difficult to control the smooth rotation of the ball, it is very difficult to perform a task such as drawing or signing, which requires precise coordinate input. The conventional optical mouse proposed to improve the precision is a method of optically reading the grid pattern printed on the mouse pad, but even in such an optical mouse, the mouse pad is easily contaminated with dust or the like. The touch pad type input device detects and inputs a touch of a human body such as a finger to the input pad, and because of its low precision, precise work is used only in a small device such as a notebook. The joystick device decomposes the operation of the operation unit into the coordinate components of the two axes through the mechanical element, but the accuracy of the coordinate detection is not high and the wear or breakage of the mechanical element is likely to occur.

An optical mouse using an X-Y matrix in the prior art is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-127313. In the prior art, by reflecting light to the XY matrix optical waveguide input panel made of fluorescent material by a light emitting light pen, the light excited and emitted from the inside of the optical waveguide propagates inside the optical waveguide, and the propagated light is transmitted to the light exit terminal. It is an optical coordinate input device that receives a light receiving element located to detect the position coordinates reflected by the light emitting light pen. Input panel with XY matrix structure by prior art optical waveguide composed of fluorescent material requires precise processing technology and must construct a light receiving element array having light receiving elements corresponding to one to one day of optical waveguide. It is not easy to have the characteristics of the problem. In addition, there is a problem that the mass production and the price of the device is expensive because a precision assembly technology for realizing precise positioning between the individual optical waveguide and the light receiving element is required.

In another prior art, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-125640, receives a slit at two corner portions adjacent to each other on a surface, a light pen that radiates light radially, and light passing through each slit in the light emitted by the light pen. An input device made of a group of light receiving sensors arranged on a grating about the slit is disclosed. This prior art is an input device that obtains the position of the coordinates from the angle of light passing through a slit exposed at two adjacent edges, and in order to form a group of light receiving sensors, a plurality of light receiving sensors must be precisely disposed on a grating. Therefore, there are difficult problems such as miniaturization of the light receiving sensor and precision assembly for disposing the micronized light receiving sensor on the lattice.

As described above, a ball mouse, a pad optical mouse, a touch pad, a joy stick, and the like, which are conventional coordinate input devices, do not have high precision and have a problem of low reliability when used for a long time.

In addition, the optical mouse using the angle of light passing through the input panel or the slit of the XY matrix optical waveguide has problems such as uniformity, low cost, and precision of the light receiving element, and it is inconvenient to use a light pen as an optical input device. It is difficult.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical mouse for precisely detecting coordinates by injecting parallel light in two directions of XY, and detecting light transmission means for detecting a transmission part and a blocking part of the incident light on two axes. To solve the problem of the problem, and to provide a reliable coordinate input device that does not require maintenance, such as cleaning according to long-term use.

1 is a block diagram of a coordinate input device of the present invention

Figure 2 is another configuration of the coordinate input device of the present invention

Figure 3 is an embodiment of the invention optical sensing means

4 is an embodiment of the configuration and operation of the present invention X-Y coordinate detection means

Figure 5 is an embodiment of the operation waveform of the clock signal counter of the present invention

Figure 6a is an embodiment of the invention parallel light incident means

Figure 6b is another embodiment of the present invention parallel light incident means

Figure 7 is another embodiment of the parallel light incident means of the present invention

The coordinate input device of the present invention is arranged in the two axes of the light detection means for injecting parallel light in the two-axis direction of the XY, and detects the transmission portion and the blocking portion of the incident light to the fingers of the human body, a ballpoint pen, a pointed instrument The present invention relates to an optical mouse for accurately detecting input coordinates.

Figure 1 shows the configuration of the coordinate input device of the present invention. In the coordinate input device of the invention of Fig. 1, the substrate 17 having the first axis and the second axis as the X axis and the Y axis and the parallel light 15 traveling parallel to the X axis which is the first axis of the substrate are incident. 1st axis parallel light incidence means 13, 2nd axis parallel light incidence means 14 which injects parallel light 16 which advances parallel to the Y axis | shaft which is the 2nd axis of the said board | substrate, and said 1st axis parallelism Second axis light detecting means 12 for sensing parallel light incident by the light incident means 13 and First axis light for sensing parallel light incident by the second axis parallel light incident means 14. First and second axis coordinate detecting means 18 for detecting the coordinates of the light receiving unit detected by the sensing means 11 and the first and second axis light sensing means 11 and the second axis light sensing means 12. And an external device interface means 19 for inputting coordinates detected by the first and second axis coordinate detection means 18 to external equipment. It is a pointing device. In the input device of FIG. 1, when an object that does not transmit light, such as a finger of a human body, a general ballpoint pen, a pointed instrument, etc. is placed on a portion of the substrate where parallel light travels, the parallel light does not proceed from that portion. Or light is not transmitted to the light receiving portion of 12). By reading the X and Y coordinates of the portion where the light is not transmitted by the light sensing means (11, 12) to detect the coordinates of the position on the object on the substrate. In the apparatus of the present invention, a tool such as a finger or a ball pen that does not transmit light can be used as the coordinate input means, so that it is not necessary to use a light pen like a conventional optical mouse, which is very convenient and economical. In addition, in the manufacturing process, the precision of the input device can be easily adjusted by increasing or decreasing the arrangement interval of the light receiving elements of the light sensing means 11 and 12, and as a light sensing means, a one-dimensional solid state imaging device used in a fax or a scanner, etc. It is possible to manufacture a coordinate input device with very high precision.

Figure 2 shows another configuration of the coordinate input device of the present invention. The coordinate input device of FIG. 2 includes a first axis parallel light that enters a substrate 27 having a first axis and a second axis as an X axis and a Y axis, and parallel light traveling in parallel with an X axis which is a first axis of the substrate. An incident means 23, second axis parallel light incidence means 24 for injecting parallel light traveling in parallel with a second axis Y of the substrate, the first axis parallel light incidence means 23, and the Light reflecting means 20 for reflecting parallel light incident on the substrate by the second axis parallel light incidence means 24 and parallel light incident by the first axis parallel light incidence means are light reflecting means 20. Second axis light detecting means 21 for detecting the reflected light reflected by the second parallel light incident by the second axis parallel light incidence means and the first light for detecting the reflected light reflected by the light reflecting means 20 Coordinates of the light receiving unit detected by the photoluminescent sensing means 22 and the first and second axis optical sensing means 22 and the second optical sensing means 21. The first and second axis coordinate detection means 28 for detecting a signal and the external device interface means 29 for inputting the coordinates detected by the first and second axis coordinate detection means to external equipment. It is a coordinate input device characterized in that.

In the configuration of Fig. 2, the light reflecting means 20 is used to reflect the parallel incident light so that the reflected light proceeds in parallel in the direction opposite to the parallel light incident. Since the parallel incident light and the reflected light 25, 26 are incident and received on the same side of the substrate, the parallel light incident means 23, 24 and the light sensing means 21, 22, which are made of electronic components, are connected to one side of the substrate 27. Since it can be produced by gathering on the side, there is an advantage that the wiring becomes simple. As the light reflecting means 20 of the present invention, a reflector such as a reflecting mirror or an aluminum plate having a high reflectance may be used.

The role of the substrates 17 and 27 in the configuration of the present invention of Figs. 1 and 2 only serves to provide a space for each component to be supported and attached, so that the material of the substrate can be seen using any kind of flat plate. There is no problem in the configuration of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the light sensing means 11, 12, 21, 22 of the present invention used in the configuration of FIGS. 1 and 2. In Fig. 3, A1, A2, ... An represent light receiving elements for converting optical energy into electrical signals. Q1, Q2, ... Qn represent a transfer switch, and it is possible to construct the present invention using either FET or bipolar transistor transistors. In FIG. 3, although a diode type is used as the light receiving element, both types of light receiving diodes or light receiving transistors may be applied to the circuit of FIG. 3. In the case where the light receiving transistor is applied to FIG. 3, the collector electrode is connected to the voltage line 37, the emitter is connected to the transfer switch, and the base electrode is connected to the light receiving unit. The voltage line 37 is for supplying a voltage for biasing the light receiving element. In general, when a light receiving diode is used, it is preferable to use a ground potential and to use a VDD supply potential when using a light receiving transistor. Since the voltage is not limited by a specific voltage in a range where there is no significant effect on the light receiving efficiency, the voltage can be adjusted according to the designer's needs. S1, S2, ... Sn are control signals for turning the transfer switch on or off. When the SI input 34 is connected to the input terminal of the shift register 32 and the clock 33 is input, the SI input 34 transitions by one bit each time the clock signal changes one cycle. The sense amplifier 31 is a sense amplification circuit (Sense Amp) means for determining the light input state of the selected light receiving element, and if there is no optical input to the selected light receiving element, there is no input current at the input terminal of the sense amplifier 31. In case of outputting the output signal 35 for the coordinate detection. The sense amplifier 31 operates to determine the presence or absence of a current input and can be designed in various configurations by a person of ordinary skill.

4 shows an embodiment of the configuration and operation of the X-Y coordinate detecting means 18, 28, 40 of the present invention. In Fig. 4, the X-Y coordinate detecting means 40 is composed of an X-axis clock signal counter 41, a Y-axis clock signal counter 42 and a signal generating means 46. In FIG. 4, the optical signal detecting means 43 corresponds to 11 of FIG. 1 and 21 of FIG. 2, and the optical signal detecting means 44 corresponds to 12 of FIG. 1 and 22 of FIG. 2. The signal generating means 46 is a circuit for generating the SI input 34 and the clock signal 33 of the optical signal detecting means shown in FIG. The external device interface means 45 is an interface circuit for inputting the detected coordinates into an information apparatus such as a computer. In general, a mouse input device has been widely used as a standard method of PS / 2 and a serial port, and recently, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) input method is also used. The coordinate input device of the present invention can be configured to be compatible with all types of input devices by configuring the interface means 45 to meet industry standards.

FIG. 5 is an embodiment of the clock signal counters 41 and 42 of the present invention, which are components of the coordinate detecting means 40 of FIG. The clock signal counters 41 and 42 have clock, start and stop input signals and coordinate output terminals. The start signal is input at the same time as the SI input of the optical signal detecting means 43 and 44, and by the start signal, the internal counter starts counting and the value of the counter starts to increase. The stop signal receives the output signal from the light sensing means, which stops the counter. When the counter is stopped, the contents of the counter are output to the coordinate output. Since the contents of the counter from the start signal to the stop signal increase in synchronization with the clock, the position of the coordinate where the parallel light input is blocked can be detected from the contents of the counter at the time of stopping.

The embodiments of the present invention shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 are provided to clearly explain the operation of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited only to the configuration of FIGS. The scope of the present invention also applies to the sensing means and coordinate detection means that can be modified or designed by those skilled in the art of design, manufacture.

Figure 6a is an embodiment of the present invention parallel light incident means. As the light emitting element 51, a semiconductor light emitting element such as a laser diode (LD) or a light emitting diode (LED) may be used. The light 54 emitted from the light emitting element is converted into parallel light 55 through a collimating lens 53 to be incident on the substrate of the present invention. The drive circuit means 52 is an electrical means including a circuit necessary for driving the light emitting element.

Figure 6b is a configuration that is applicable to the case of using a light emitting diode (LED) as the light emitting element 51b as another embodiment of the parallel light incidence means of the present invention. The light emitted from the laser diode (LD) is directional, but the light emitted from the light emitting diode (LED) is directional, so the reflection mirror 56b is used to collect the light toward the parallel light lens to improve the light efficiency. You can increase it. In the parallel light incidence means of Fig. 6B, the light 54b emitted from the light emitting element and the light 57b reflected from the mirror 56b are converted into parallel light 55b through a collimating lens 53b. To enter the substrate of the present invention. The drive circuit means 52b is an electrical means including a circuit necessary for driving the light emitting element. 6A and 6B may be applied to the X parallel light incidence means 13 and 23 and the Y parallel light incidence means 14 and 24 of FIGS. 1 to 2.

Figure 7 is another embodiment of the present invention parallel light incident means. 1 or 2, the light emitting element 61 emitting light to the first axis parallel light incident means and the second axis parallel light incident means, and the emission light of the light emitting element 61 in the first direction and A beam splitter 60 for dividing the light into two traveling beams, a plurality of reflectors 66 for changing the optical path so that the optical path of the second traveling light travels in a direction parallel to the first axis, and And a first parallel light lens 631 for advancing the received light in parallel with the first axis, and a second parallel light lens 632 for admitting the incident light in parallel with the second axis. It is a coordinate input device characterized in that. When the invention of Fig. 7 is applied to the coordinate input means of Fig. 1 or Fig. 2, two parts of light emitting elements are provided for each of the X parallel light incidence means 13 and 23 and the Y parallel light incidence means 14 and 24. It is possible to configure only the driving circuit means and the light emitting element without providing the driving circuit means, and the configuration of the electric circuit is simplified.

The embodiments presented in the detailed description of the present invention are presented to clearly explain the operation of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited only to the configuration of the presently disclosed embodiments. The scope of the present invention also applies to embodiments that can be modified or redesigned by a person having a.

In the coordinate input device of the present invention, tools such as a finger, a ballpoint pen, and a pointed object that do not transmit light can be used as a means for inputting a coordinate, so it is not necessary to use a light pen like a conventional optical mouse, which is very convenient and economical.

In addition, since the coordinate input device of the present invention does not have a mechanical driving part such as a ball mouse or a joystick, it does not require maintenance to clean the dust of the mechanical driving part and there is no damage caused by abrasion or damage of mechanical parts. Can be provided. In addition, the precision of the input device can be easily adjusted by increasing or decreasing the arrangement interval of the light receiving elements of the light sensing means 11 and 12 during the manufacturing process, and the 1D solid state imaging device used in a fax or a scanner as the light sensing means. Etc., it is possible to manufacture a coordinate input device with very high precision.

Claims (5)

In the coordinate input device, A substrate having a first axis and a second axis, First axis parallel light incidence means for incident parallel light traveling in parallel with a first axis of said substrate; Second axis parallel light incidence means for incident parallel light traveling in parallel with a second axis of said substrate; Second axis light sensing means for sensing parallel light incident by the first axis parallel light incident means; First axis light sensing means for sensing parallel light incident by the second axis parallel light incident means; First and second axis coordinate detection means for detecting coordinates of the light receiving unit detected by the first axis parallel light detection means and the second axis parallel light detection means; And an external device interface means for inputting coordinates detected by the first and second axis coordinate detection means to external equipment. In the coordinate input device, A substrate having a first axis and a second axis, First axis parallel light incidence means for incident parallel light traveling in parallel with a first axis of said substrate; Second axis parallel light incidence means for incident parallel light traveling in parallel with a second axis of said substrate; Light reflecting means for reflecting parallel light incident on the substrate by the first axis parallel light incident means and the second axis parallel light incident means; Second axis light sensing means for sensing parallel light incident by the first axis parallel light incident means; First axis light sensing means for sensing parallel light incident by the second axis parallel light incident means; First and second axis coordinate detection means for detecting coordinates of the light receiving unit detected by the first axis parallel light detection means and the second axis parallel light detection means; And an external device interface means for inputting coordinates detected by the first and second axis coordinate detection means to external equipment. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The first axis parallel light incident means and the second axis parallel light incident means A light emitting device emitting light, Drive circuit means for driving said light emitting element; A beam splitter for dividing the emitted light of the light emitting device into traveling light in a first direction and a second direction; A plurality of reflectors for changing an optical path so that the optical path of the second direction traveling light travels in a direction parallel to the first axis; And a first parallel light lens for traveling the incident light parallel to the first axis, and a second parallel light lens for traveling the incident light parallel to the second axis. Device. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first axis parallel light incident means and the second axis parallel light incident means A light emitting device emitting light, Drive circuit means for driving said light emitting element; And a parallel light lens for converting light emitted from the light emitting element into parallel light. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first axis parallel light incident means and the second axis parallel light incident means A light emitting device emitting light, Drive circuit means for driving said light emitting element; A parallel light lens for converting light emitted from the light emitting element into parallel light; And a reflection mirror reflecting a part of light emitted from the light emitting element and reflecting light toward the parallel light lens.