JP2000172440A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device which is small-sized, lightweight, and inexpensive and can input image information without spoiling its feeling of drawing as an input device which is connected to an information processor and inputs image information to the information processor. SOLUTION: A coordinate input panel and a liquid crystal panel are arranged one over the other, and the positional display of the coordinate input panel of the liquid crystal panel indicated by a contact of an input pen 112 is reversed in order to input an image; and the inputted coordinate information is stored in a storage part and a determination button is operated to send the coordinate information stored in the storage part to a host computer 103.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an input device, and more particularly, to an input device connected to an information processing device for inputting image information to the information processing device. In recent years, with the development of information processing systems, development of an authentication system for authenticating an individual has been desired.

For example, when a credit card or the like is used, a signature is written, but the signature is merely written, and at present, the signature is not authenticated. Therefore, there is a demand for an input device for inputting a signature when performing authentication using a signature that is effective for personal authentication.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art As a device capable of inputting image information such as a signature, for example, there is a pen-input personal computer. In a pen-type personal computer, when a pen or the like is brought into contact with a liquid crystal screen integrated with the main body, the display of the contacted portion is replaced, and input is enabled. At this time, the input and display are performed by driver software or the like built in the personal computer body.

[0004] There is also an input device which is connected as an input device of a personal computer and inputs an image with a pen or the like. In such a device, the display of the corresponding position on the display screen of the personal computer is changed by bringing the pen into contact with the input area. At this time, input and display are performed by driver software or the like built in the main body of the personal computer as in the pen-input type personal computer. That is, all processes for drawing an image are performed by the personal computer itself.

[0005]

However, a pen-input personal computer is an information processing device itself, and is too expensive to be connected to a host computer as a signature authentication system and used as a signature input device. In the conventional pen input type input device, since the input result is displayed on the display of the host computer, the input position does not match the display position, and the signing sensation of the signer is impaired. Is not suitable. Furthermore, the input and display processing must be performed by the host computer, which imposes a burden on the processing of the host computer.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has as its object to provide an input device which is small, lightweight, inexpensive, and can input image information without deteriorating a drawing feeling.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an input device which is used by being connected to an information processing device which performs a process according to input information. The input device inputs coordinate information, and the input device inputs the coordinate information. Storage means for storing the stored coordinate information, display means for performing display in accordance with the coordinate information stored in the storage means, and transfer instruction for instructing to transfer the coordinate information stored in the storage means to the information processing apparatus. Means, and control means for reflecting the coordinate information stored in the storage means on the display means and transferring the coordinate information stored in the storage means to the information processing device in accordance with an instruction from the transfer instruction means. .

The present invention further comprises an erasure instruction means for instructing erasure of the coordinate information stored in the storage means,
The control unit can delete the coordinate information stored in the storage unit in response to the erasure instruction from the erasure instruction unit. Further, according to the present invention, the control unit can store the coordinate information supplied from the information processing device in the storage unit.

Further, according to the present invention, the coordinate input means may include a first conductive film to which a first potential is applied, a second conductive film to which a second potential different from the first potential is applied, A position where the first conductive film and the second conductive film are in contact with each other by a pressing force from the outside by the control means, comprising a holding means for holding the first conductive film and the second conductive film at a predetermined interval. Is configured to generate the coordinate information according to.

Further, a pressing force applying means for externally applying a pressing force for contacting the first conductive film and the second conductive film to the coordinate input means, and a pressing force applied by the pressing force applying means are detected. A pressing force is applied by the control means, the pressing force is applied by the pressing force applying means, and the pressing position is centered on the coordinate position where the first conductive film and the second conductive film are in contact with each other. Coordinates including a surrounding area corresponding to the pressing force detected by the pressure detecting means are generated as coordinate information.

Further, the present invention provides a first conductive film and the second conductive film.
The coordinate input means and the display means are arranged such that the contact position with the conductive film and the coordinate display position by the display means are the same. According to the present invention, the coordinate information input by the coordinate input means is stored in the storage means, and the input information is reflected on the display means. Since information can be input and transferred to the information processing apparatus in response to a transfer instruction from the transfer instruction means, the information can be transferred to the information processing apparatus after all the information to be input is input. Thus, information such as a signature can be input without controlling the input / output means, and thus information such as a signature can be input without imposing a processing load on the information processing apparatus.

Further, according to the present invention, by giving an erasure instruction by the erasure instruction means, even if an erroneous writing or correction occurs during the coordinate input, the input coordinate information stored in the storage means is erased and re-input. Becomes possible. At this time, the incorrect coordinate information is not transferred to the information processing device. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the information supplied from the information processing device can be displayed on the display device by storing the information supplied from the information processing device in the storage device.

Further, according to the present invention, the coordinate input means includes a first conductive film to which a first potential is applied and a second conductive film to which a second potential different from the first potential is applied. Holding means for holding the first conductive film and the second conductive film at a predetermined interval; and applying a pressing force for externally applying a pressing force for bringing the first conductive film and the second conductive film into contact with each other. Means, and a pressing force detecting means for detecting the pressing force applied by the pressing force applying means, wherein the control means controls the coordinate information and the first conductive film when the pressing force is applied by the pressing force applying means. And the second
By generating, as the coordinate information, the coordinates of the surrounding area corresponding to the pressing force detected by the pressing force detecting means as the coordinate information with the coordinate position in contact with the conductive film as the center, the input taking into account the pen pressure of the input user Can be performed, and an input equivalent to an actual signature can be performed.

Further, according to the present invention, the coordinate input means and the display means are arranged such that the contact position between the first conductive film and the second conductive film and the coordinate display position by the display means are the same. By doing so, a display is made at the position where the pressing is performed by the pressing means or the like, and an input equivalent to an actual signature can be performed.

[0015]

FIG. 1 shows a system configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, an authentication system for performing personal authentication of a credit card will be described. The authentication system 100 according to the present embodiment includes an IC card reader 101, a signature input device 102, and a host computer 103. The IC card reader 101 and the signature input device 102 are connected to the host computer 103 via, for example, a USB interface 104.

The IC card reader 101 reads information stored on an IC card 105 issued by a credit card company. The IC card 105 includes a memory IC 106
Is installed. An account number and signature information are stored in a memory IC 106 mounted on the IC card 105. The IC card reader 101 is an IC card 105
And reads the account number and signature information stored in the memory IC 106 and supplies them to the host computer 103.

The signature input device 102 includes an input device main body 111 and an input pen 112. First,
The input device main body 111 will be described in detail. FIG. 2 is an external view of a sign input device main body according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the sign input device main body according to one embodiment of the present invention. 2A is a plan view, FIG. 2B is a front view, FIG.
2C shows a left side view, and FIG. 2D shows a right side view.

The signature input device main body 111 includes a pen input area 121, an upper case 122, a lower case 123, an enter button 124, an erase button 125, and a USB cable 12.
6. It is composed of a pen connection cable 127. The upper case 122 has an opening 128 for exposing the pen input area 121 and an opening 12 for exposing the enter switch 124.
9. An opening 130 for exposing the erase switch 125 is formed.

From the opening 128, a coordinate input panel 131
Appears. The coordinate input panel 131 includes an upper electrode 132
And the lower electrode 133 at a predetermined distance d. Upper electrode 132 and lower electrode 1
A predetermined voltage is applied around 33. When the upper electrode 132 and the lower electrode 133 come into contact with each other, the upper electrode 13
2 and the upper electrode 132 due to the resistance of the lower electrode 133.
And the voltage applied to the lower electrode 133 is
The voltage drops according to the position from the periphery of the contact point between the electrode and the lower electrode 133. Therefore, the upper electrode 132 and the lower electrode 13
The coordinates of the contact position can be detected by detecting the voltage between the two.

A liquid crystal panel 135 is arranged below the coordinate input panel 131. Further, a circuit board 136 is arranged below the coordinate input panel 131 and the liquid crystal panel 135. Coordinate input panel 131 and liquid crystal panel 13
5 is connected to the circuit board 136. Various electronic components such as a system LSI are mounted on the circuit board 136, and a control circuit for controlling detection of coordinates and communication with the host computer 103 is configured.

Further, the confirmation switch 1 is provided through the opening 129.
24, and the erase switch 12 is
5 is displayed. The confirm switch 124 and the erase switch 125 have substantially the same configuration. Here, the configuration of the erase switch 125 will be described. Erase switch 1
Reference numeral 25 includes a switch body 137 and a dial 138. In the switch body 137, the connection terminal 137a is soldered to the circuit board 136, and the pressing portion 137b is engaged with the dial 138. The switch body 137 includes the pressing unit 1.
37b is urged in the direction of arrow A and is normally off, and the dial 138 is pressed in the direction of arrow B, and the pressing portion 13
7b is turned on by being pressed in the direction of arrow B.

Here, the dial 138 will be described in detail. FIG. 4 shows a configuration diagram of a dial according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4A is a perspective view of the dial 138, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the dial 138. The dial 138 includes a lens 139 and a substrate 140. The lens 139 includes a plurality of cylindrical lenses at a predetermined pitch P and an arrow C.
It is arranged in the direction.

Arrow C between lens 139 and substrate 140
When viewed from one direction or from the direction of arrow C2, "Dan
The letter 141 is formed so as to look like "e". FIGS. 5 and 6 show the configuration of characters according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6A is a character 142, and FIG. 6B is a band 1 of the character 142.
42-1 to 142-5, FIG. 6C shows characters 143, FIG.
(D) shows bands 143-1 to 143-5 of the character 143.

The character 141 is the lens 1 as shown in FIG.
"Dane" viewed from the direction of arrow C1 at every 39 pitches P
The bands 142-1 to 142-5 of the character 142 and the bands 143-1 to 143-5 of the character 143 that look “Dane” when viewed from the direction of the arrow C <b> 2 are alternately arranged. The bands 142-1 to 142-5 of the character 142 are
The character 142 shown in FIG. 6A is divided into five parts in the direction of arrow C as shown in FIG. 6B. Character 143
The bands 143-1 to 143-5 have a configuration in which the character 143 shown in FIG. 6C is divided into five in the direction of arrow C as shown in FIG. 6D.

The characters 141 shown in FIG. 5 correspond to the bands 142-1 to 142-5 of the characters 142 shown in FIG.
And bands 143-1 to 143-5 of the character 143 shown in FIG. The lens 13 on the character 141 shown in FIG.
By arranging 9, the light is bent by each cylindrical lens of the lens 139, and only the bands 142-1 to 142-5 of the character 142 can be seen from the direction of the arrow C 1, and the bands 143 of the character 143 can be seen from the direction of the arrow C 2. -1 to 143-5
Only you can see.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining the display operation of the dial according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7A shows the lens 13.
9 shows the state of the dial 138 viewed from the direction of the arrow C1. FIG. 7C shows the state of the dial 138 viewed from the direction of the arrow C2. As shown in FIG. 7A, when the lens element 139a constituting the lens 139 is viewed from the direction of the arrow C1, light is transmitted only from the surface of the lens element 139a in the direction of the arrow C1. Only characters 142 present on orthogonal axes are visible.
When the lens element 139b constituting the lens 139 is viewed from the direction of the arrow C2 as shown in FIG. 7A, light is transmitted only from the surface of the lens element 139b in the direction of the arrow C2. Only characters 143 present on an axis substantially orthogonal to.

Therefore, when viewed from the direction of the arrow C1 as shown in FIG. 7B, the arrow C as shown in FIG.
"Done" can be recognized from two directions. The above is the display “Done” of the confirmation button 124.
Has been described, but the erase button 125
The display of “Erace” has the same configuration as that of the dial.

By setting the dial structure of the enter button 124 and the erase button 125 as described above, the enter button 12 can be used irrespective of the position where the signer exists.
4. The erase button 125 can be reliably recognized. Next, the input pen 112 will be described. The input pen 112 has a shape in which a pen tip 145 protrudes from the tip of a pen body 144. The pen tip 145 is connected to a pressing force detector 146 provided inside the pen holder 144.

The pressing force detector 146 detects the pressing force applied to the pen tip 145. The pressing force detector 146 is connected to the sign input device main body 111 via the connection cable 147, and supplies a pressing force detection signal corresponding to the detected pressing force to the sign input device main body 111. Next, the internal configuration of the signature input device main body 111 will be described. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a signature input device according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same components as those in FIGS. 2 to 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The sign input device main body 111 includes an enter switch 129, an erase switch 130, a coordinate input panel 131,
It comprises a liquid crystal panel 135, a liquid crystal panel driving section 148, a coordinate input panel driving section 149, a control section 150, and a storage section 151. The liquid crystal panel driving unit 148, the coordinate input panel driving unit 149, the control unit 150, and the storage unit 151 are configured by various electronic components such as a system LSI on a circuit board 136 shown in FIG.

The liquid crystal panel driving section 148 includes a control section 150
A drive signal for driving the liquid crystal panel 135 is generated in accordance with the display control signal from the controller, and supplied to the liquid crystal panel 135. The coordinate input panel driving unit 149 controls the coordinate input panel 1
The voltage between the upper electrode 132 and the lower electrode 133 is detected. The coordinate input panel driving unit 149 has an A / D converter, converts the detected voltage into digital data, and supplies the digital data to the control unit 150.

The control unit 150 is a coordinate input panel driving unit 1
The coordinate information supplied from 49 is stored in the storage unit 151, and the liquid crystal panel driving unit 148 is controlled based on the coordinate information stored in the storage unit 151. Control unit 1
50 transmits the coordinate information stored in the storage unit 151 to the host computer 103 in response to the confirm button 124, and deletes the coordinate information stored in the storage unit 151 in response to the delete button 125. In addition, the control unit 150
When the coordinate information is input from the host computer 103, the coordinate information input from the host computer 103 is stored in the storage unit 151.

Here, the processing of the control unit 150 will be described. When the delete button 125 is pressed (step S1), the control unit 150 deletes the coordinate information stored in the storage unit 151 (step S2). By deleting the coordinate information stored in the storage unit 151 in step S2, the coordinate information displayed on the liquid crystal panel 131 is deleted.

Further, the coordinate input panel 131 is used for the input pen 1.
12, the pressed coordinates are detected according to the voltage from the coordinate input panel 131 (step S 12).
4). When the coordinate detection is performed in step S4, next, the pressing force detection signal supplied from the pressing force detecting unit 146 of the input pen 112 is detected, and the pressing force of the input pen 112 on the coordinate input panel 131 at that time is detected. (Step S
5).

The size of the periphery of the coordinate information detected in step S4 is set according to the pressing force detected in step S5, and is set as detected coordinate information. The control unit 150 stores the set detected coordinate information in the storage unit 151 and controls the liquid crystal driving unit 148 to perform display on the liquid crystal panel 135 according to the detected coordinate information (step S6). When the input on the coordinate input panel 131 is completed, the enter button 124
Is pressed (Step S7), the detected coordinate information stored in the storage unit 151 is transmitted to the host computer 103 (Step S8).

Steps S1 to S8 are executed until the USB cable 104 is disconnected and power supply to the sign input device 111 is stopped (step S10). Next, a sign input operation by the sign input device 100 of the present embodiment will be described. FIGS. 11 to 14 are views for explaining a sign input operation by the sign input device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

First, as shown in FIG.
Is brought into contact with the input area 121 of the signature input device main body 111, the coordinate input panel 131 arranged in the input area 121 detects the contact of the input pen 112, and the control unit 150 sets the coordinate information of the position where the input pen 112 has contacted. Is detected. The control unit 150 reverses the display of the position corresponding to the detected coordinate information of the liquid crystal panel 135 to black. At this time, the coordinate input panel 1 is set such that the contact position of the input pen 112 and the display position of the liquid crystal panel 135 match.
31 and a liquid crystal panel 135 are arranged.

By repeating the above operation, FIG.
“O” is drawn as shown in FIG. At this time,
When the pressing force of the input pen 112 on the input area 121 is increased, a thick line segment is drawn as indicated by “x” and “△” in FIG. After entering the sign as above,
By pressing the enter button 124 as shown in FIG. 13, the sign “サ イ ン × ○” drawn in the input area 112 is displayed.
Is transmitted to the host computer 103. When the delete button 125 is pressed, the sign “「 × △ ”drawn in the input area 121 is deleted as shown in FIG.

When a display instruction is issued from the host computer 103, the control unit 150
03 is stored in the storage unit 151,
Display according to the coordinate information stored in the storage unit 151 is performed on the liquid crystal panel 131. As described above, according to the present embodiment, when a signature is to be entered, coordinate information corresponding to the input signature can be displayed as if an actual signature were entered without control from the host computer 103, and the signature was entered. Later, they can be transmitted to the host computer 103 collectively.
Therefore, the processing load on the host computer 103 can be reduced.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the input pen 112
By detecting the pressing force of the pen tip 145 and controlling the size of the coordinate information, the drawn line can be made thicker when the pen pressure is high, and the drawn line can be made thinner when the pen pressure is low. Therefore, the expression of the signature can be enriched, and the personal authentication can be performed at a higher level. In the present embodiment, the input area 121 is opaque. However, the input area 121 is made transparent so that the lower part of the sign input device 100 can be seen, so that the input corresponding to the sign area such as a slip can be performed. It can be carried out.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory view of a sign input device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Sign input device 200 of the present embodiment
However, as a display device of the input area 121, for example, an organic EL
(Electric Luminesens), a self-luminous display typified by the display device used, and the sign input device main body 201 can be transmitted therethrough. Sign input device body 20
By making 1 transparent, for example, it becomes possible to recognize the signature writing range 203 of the slip 202 placed below the signature input device main body 201. Therefore, when writing a signature in the input area 121, the signature can be input in a size corresponding to the signature description range 203 of the slip 202, and editing by the host computer 103 can be easily performed.

[0042]

As described above, according to the present invention, the coordinate information input by the coordinate input means is stored in the storage means, and the input information is reflected on the display means. Information such as a signature can be accurately input, and by transferring the information to the information processing apparatus in response to a transfer instruction from the transfer instruction means, the information processing apparatus can be input to the information processing apparatus after all the information to be input is input. Since the information can be transferred, information such as a signature can be input without controlling the input / output means by the information processing device.
It has features such as the ability to input information such as signatures without imposing a processing burden on the information processing device.

Further, according to the present invention, by giving an erasure instruction by the erasure instruction means, even if an erroneous description or correction occurs during the coordinate input, the input coordinate information stored in the storage means is erased and re-input. Therefore, there is a feature that erroneous coordinate information is not transferred to the information processing device.
Further, according to the present invention, the information supplied from the information processing apparatus is stored in the storage means, so that the information supplied from the information processing apparatus can be displayed on the display means.

Further, according to the present invention, the coordinate input means includes a first conductive film to which a first potential is applied and a second conductive film to which a second potential different from the first potential is applied. Holding means for holding the first conductive film and the second conductive film at a predetermined interval; and applying a pressing force for externally applying a pressing force for bringing the first conductive film and the second conductive film into contact with each other. Means, and a pressing force detecting means for detecting the pressing force applied by the pressing force applying means, wherein the control means controls the coordinate information and the first conductive film when the pressing force is applied by the pressing force applying means. And the second
By generating, as the coordinate information, the coordinates of the surrounding area corresponding to the pressing force detected by the pressing force detecting means as the coordinate information with the coordinate position in contact with the conductive film as the center, the input taking into account the pen pressure of the input user Can be performed and an input equivalent to an actual signature can be performed.

Further, according to the present invention, the coordinate input means and the display means are arranged so that the contact position between the first conductive film and the second conductive film and the coordinate display position by the display means are the same. By doing so, the display is performed at the position where the pressing is performed by the pressing means or the like, and there is a feature that an input equivalent to an actual signature can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view of a sign input device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a signature input device main body according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a dial according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a character according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a character configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a dial display operation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an external view of an input pen according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a signature input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a processing flowchart of a control unit of the signature input device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the signature input device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the signature input device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the sign input device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the signature input device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a signature input device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 100 authentication system 101 IC card reader 102 signature input device 103 host computer 104 USB interface 105 IC card 106 memory IC 111 signature input device main body 112 input pen

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An input device connected to an information processing device for performing a process according to input information and inputting information to the information processing device, wherein: a coordinate input means for inputting coordinate information; Storage means for storing the coordinate information input by the input means; display means for performing a display in accordance with the coordinate information stored in the storage means; and information processing of the coordinate information stored in the storage means Transfer instructing means for instructing transfer to an apparatus, and reflecting the coordinate information stored in the storage means on the display means, and the coordinates stored in the storage means in response to an instruction from the transfer instructing means. Control means for transferring information to the information processing apparatus. 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an erasure instruction means for instructing erasure of said coordinate information stored in said storage means, wherein said control means is stored in said storage means in response to an erasure instruction from said erasure instruction means. 2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein said coordinate information is deleted. 3. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit stores the coordinate information supplied from the information processing device in the storage unit. 4. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is connected to the information processing device via a serial communication interface. 5. The coordinate input means includes: a first conductive film to which a first potential is applied; and a second conductive film to which a second potential different from the first potential is applied.
And a holding unit for holding the first conductive film and the second conductive film at a predetermined interval, wherein the control unit presses the first conductive film and the second conductive film by an external pressure. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the coordinate information is generated according to a position where the second conductive film contacts. 6. The coordinate input means and the display means are arranged such that a contact position between the first conductive film and the second conductive film is the same as a coordinate display position by the display means. The input device according to claim 5, wherein: 7. The coordinate input means is applied by a pressing force applying means for externally applying a pressing force for bringing the first conductive film and the second conductive film into contact with each other, and applied by the pressing force applying means. A pressing force detecting unit configured to detect a pressing force, wherein the control unit applies a pressing force to the coordinate information by the pressing force applying unit, and the first conductive film and the second conductive film 7. The input device according to claim 5, wherein coordinates including a coordinate position at the center of the contact and including a surrounding area corresponding to the pressing force detected by the pressing force detecting means are used as the coordinate information. 8. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs communication with the information processing device by a serial interface. 9. The input device according to claim 8, wherein the serial interface is a universal serial bus (USB) interface. 10. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is configured to transmit light.