JP2000330717A - Pen type input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device which is compact and easily installed and to input an accurate pen position by correcting a position measurement error by using acceleration sensors and ultrasonic wave transmitter receivers mounted on a pen respectively. SOLUTION: The pen 2-1 for input is arranged on a white board 1-1. In a sensor unit fitted to the upper part of a pen base body, two acceleration sensors which measure acceleration in two directions perpendicular to the pen axis, two ultrasonic wave transmitter receivers, and a microcontroller are built. The acceleration sensors find the acceleration component of the pen parallel to a writing surface and this acceleration is integrated twice to find the trace of the pen 2-1. Distances L1 and L2 are measured between the pen 2-1, and the ceiling 31-1 and wall 32-1 by using ultrasonic waves. The microcontroller corrects and put together the calculated position of the pen obtained by the acceleration sensors and the calculated position obtained with the ultrasonic waves to calculate the position with high resolution without any drift.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pen-type input device for inputting handwritten characters, figures, and the like to a computer device or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Keyboards, mice, tablets and the like are used as input devices such as computer devices.

A keyboard is generally used as a character input device, but requires some skill in order to input at high speed, and there is a problem in miniaturization in terms of portability. Furthermore, this makes it practically difficult to enter graphics.

[0004] A mouse is suitable as a pointing device for indicating a position on a computer screen, and can respond to graphic input to a certain extent. Therefore, a combination of a keyboard and a mouse is generally used as an input device of a computer.

However, when attempting to input a memo or the like in which characters and graphics are mixed, it is necessary to use both a keyboard and a mouse, which is cumbersome and not easy to use.

On the other hand, the input device generally referred to as the tablet described above inputs coordinates of the pen point on the tablet unit by moving a special pen on a special board (ie, tablet unit). It is a device that can do it. By using an input pen imitating a pen that is a normal writing implement, it can be said that the pen is suitable for inputting handwritten characters, handwritten figures, and the like to a computer.

However, the size of the tablet portion of the tablet-type input device basically depends on the range in which the pen is moved,
That is, the size is the same as the size of the writing surface. For example, if you need a large writing surface such as a board (blackboard, whiteboard, etc.) used in a meeting or the like, use a tablet to write characters and figures on the board while simultaneously inputting them into a computer. A large part is required, which is expensive and poor in portability.

Therefore, even if the writing surface becomes large, the input device itself does not become large, and a pen-type input device having a built-in acceleration sensor for detecting pen movement in consideration of portability in consideration of portability. A device has been proposed.

[0009]

A pen input device having a built-in acceleration sensor is disclosed in, for example, JP-A-9-114587, JP-A-9-190271, and JP-A-9-28.
8539. In each of these methods, a method of calculating the pen position by integrating the detected acceleration twice is used. However, since the detected acceleration includes an error, the error is accumulated when the integration is performed twice. As a result, there is a problem that the obtained position of the pen is largely shifted.

[0010] For this reason, the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 9-114587.
The device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-190271 attempts to detect the movement distance of a pen from the amount of ink flowing out to correct the deviation. The pen moving speed and the moving distance are to be corrected from the high frequency components of the acceleration sensor detection signal generated by the unevenness of the pen. Also, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 9
The device disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2888539 uses a method in which an optical sensor is added to a pen, and the position of the pen is corrected by obtaining irregularities on a writing surface or a point intersecting with a handwriting already written.

However, none of the correction methods is a complete solution to the problem of the displacement caused by the drift of the position with time.

On the other hand, in the device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-36462, an ultrasonic oscillator is built in a pen together with an acceleration sensor, and two or more sets of ultrasonic receivers are installed around the writing surface at a distance. Then, the distance from the oscillator in the pen to the two sets of receivers is calculated from the delay in the arrival time of the ultrasonic wave, and the approximate position of the pen is obtained. Also, a method of calculating the pen movement amount from the high frequency component of the acceleration sensor detection signal generated by the unevenness of the writing surface, specifying the pen movement direction from the approximate position by the previous ultrasonic detection, and obtaining the accurate position of the pen. Used.

However, in this device, it is necessary to install the ultrasonic receivers at least two places apart from each other, and there is a problem that the installation is complicated.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a pen-type input device which solves the above-mentioned problems and is compact, easy to install, and capable of inputting an accurate pen position.

[0015]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been proposed to achieve the above-mentioned object. First, a pen is provided with a built-in acceleration sensor and an ultrasonic wave receiving / transmitting device.
This eliminates the need to install a plurality of ultrasonic receivers at a distance around a writing surface such as a board or a paper surface, which is a pen contact surface, and makes it possible to correct the position calculated by the acceleration sensor.

Further, according to the present invention, an ultrasonic receiving unit or a unit composed of a light receiving device such as infrared light and an ultrasonic transmitting device is arranged only at one position near the writing surface, and the distance between the pen and the unit is reduced. The position of the pen is obtained from the means for measuring the distance and direction of the pen, and the position calculated by the in-pen acceleration sensor can be corrected.

More specifically, the pen-type input device is a pen-type input device having a pen contact plane, wherein first pen position measuring means having an acceleration sensor mounted on the pen, and an ultrasonic receiver mounted on the pen are provided. A second pen position measuring means using a transmitter, and a position measurement result by the first means and a position measurement result by the second means at the same pen position on the pen contact plane are inputted to correct a position measurement error. And a calculation processing means for deriving the pen position.

Therefore, even when the pen has a large writing surface such as a white board, that is, a pen contact surface, the pen incorporates both the acceleration sensor and the ultrasonic wave transmitter / receiver, and
Using two simple flat plates around the writing surface as ultrasonic reflectors, etc., input the two types of measurement data obtained from the obtained acceleration sensor position data and ultrasonic position data to a computer or other computer. By compensating the measurement result, it is not necessary to arrange a plurality of ultrasonic receivers around the writing surface, and a compact and movable pen-type input device can be realized.

Further, in a pen type input device having a pen contact plane, a first pen position measuring means having an acceleration sensor mounted on the pen, an ultrasonic transmitter mounted on the pen and a vicinity including the pen contact plane The second pen position measuring means, which comprises an ultrasonic receiving unit arranged in the pen, and the transmitting signal of the transmitter and the receiving signal of the receiving unit are synchronized, and at the same pen position on the pen contact plane The apparatus further comprises a calculation processing means for inputting the position measurement result by the first means and the position measurement result by the second means, correcting a position measurement error and deriving the pen position. It is.

The present solution is particularly effective when the paper surface placed on the desk is used as a writing surface, that is, a pen contact surface. However, the pen includes an acceleration sensor and an ultrasonic oscillator,
A single unit that also functions as a pen stand is placed around the paper surface, and the unit incorporates a plurality of ultrasonic receivers and a crystal oscillator for synchronization, and obtains position data by the obtained acceleration sensor and position data by ultrasonic waves. By inputting two types of measurement data into a computer or other computer and correcting the measurement results, there is no need to arrange multiple ultrasonic receivers around the writing surface, realizing a compact and mobile pen-type input device. it can.

In a pen type input device having a pen contact plane, a first pen position measuring means having an acceleration sensor mounted on the pen, an ultrasonic receiver mounted on the pen and a vicinity including the pen contact plane A second pen position measuring means, comprising: an ultrasonic transmission unit arranged in the pen, and a reception signal of the ultrasonic receiver and a transmission signal of the ultrasonic transmission unit being synchronized with each other; A configuration characterized by comprising calculation processing means for inputting a position measurement result by the first means and a position measurement result by the second means at a pen position to correct a position measurement error and to derive the pen position. It is assumed that.

This solution can be said to be particularly effective when the paper surface placed on the desk is used as a writing surface, that is, a pen contact surface. However, the pen includes an acceleration sensor and an ultrasonic receiver,
A single unit that can also be used as a pen stand is placed around the paper, and the unit incorporates a plurality of ultrasonic oscillators and a crystal oscillator for synchronization, and obtains the position data obtained by the acceleration sensor and the position data obtained by ultrasonic waves. By inputting two types of measurement data into a computer or other computer and correcting the measurement results, there is no need to arrange multiple ultrasonic receivers around the writing surface, realizing a compact and mobile pen-type input device. it can.

Also, in a pen-type input device having a pen contact plane, a first pen position measuring means having an acceleration sensor attached to the pen, a light emitter and an ultrasonic receiver attached to the pen, A second pen position measuring means that is disposed in the vicinity including the plane and has a unit including a light receiver and an ultrasonic transmitter, and a position measurement result by the first means at the same pen position on the pen contact plane. And a calculation processing means for inputting a position measurement result by the second means, correcting a position measurement error, and deriving the pen position.

This solution can be said to be particularly effective when the paper surface placed on a desk is used as a writing surface, that is, a pen contact surface. However, this means is that the pen has an acceleration sensor, an ultrasonic receiver, and a light emitting device such as an infrared ray. A unit that also serves as a pen stand is placed around the paper surface.A plurality of light receivers and an ultrasonic oscillator are built in the unit, and the position data, ultrasonic waves, and light from the obtained acceleration sensor are obtained. By inputting two types of measurement data of position data to a computer such as a personal computer and correcting the measurement result, there is no need to arrange multiple ultrasonic receivers around the writing surface, making it a compact and mobile pen type An input device can be realized. Further, real-time measurement can be realized, and a pointing device can also be realized.

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [Embodiment 1] In the first embodiment, a whiteboard is taken as an example, and handwritten characters and figures on the whiteboard are input to a computer such as a personal computer.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a conceptual diagram of a first embodiment of a pen-type input device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 schematically shows a configuration of a pen applied to the first embodiment.

FIG. 1 shows a state in which an input pen 2-1 is arranged on a whiteboard 1-1 set upright on the floor, and the pen 2-1 and a ceiling 31-1 and a wall 32-1 are shown.
1 schematically illustrates the concept that the distances L1 and L2 are measured by ultrasonic waves between the two. In this case, as the input pen 2-1, a commonly used aqueous pen for writing on a white board or the like can be used as a base of the input pen.
As shown in (1), the sensor unit 4-1 is detachably mounted on the pen base.

The sensor unit 7-1 has two sensors (ie, two acceleration sensors) for measuring acceleration in two directions perpendicular to the pen axis (ie, in FIG. 2, in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface and in the left-right direction in the figure).
A built-in acceleration sensor 4-1 and two ultrasonic transducers A and 5A-1, B and 5B-1, and a microcontroller 6-1 for calculation and the like are built in.

Whiteboard 1 vertically arranged on the floor
-1, the user holds the pen 2-1 vertically, and the sensor unit 7-1 is located between the thumb and the index finger.
The pen 2-1 can be held so that the ultrasonic receivers and transmitters A and 5A-1 are relatively upward and the ultrasonic receivers and transmitters B and 5B-1 are relatively left.

When characters and graphics are written on the whiteboard 1-1 with the pen 2-1, the built-in acceleration sensor 4-1
Thereby, the acceleration component of the pen parallel to the writing surface can be obtained. The pen trajectory can be obtained by integrating this acceleration twice as in the prior art. However, as described in the subject, the position drifts due to only the signal of the acceleration sensor, resulting in an incorrect position. Position cannot be calculated.

On the other hand, when the ultrasonic wave transmitter / receiver A or 5A-1 emits an ultrasonic pulse, the ultrasonic wave S1-1 travels upward with a certain spread. Since there is a ceiling 31-1 above the whiteboard 1-1, the ultrasonic wave S1-1 is reflected there and returns. The ultrasonic wave receivers / transmitters A and 5A-1 are in the receiving state after emitting the ultrasonic pulse, and the ceiling 31-
Receive a reflected ultrasound pulse from 1;

The time t ₀ from the transmission of the ultrasonic wave to the reception of the ultrasonic wave is represented by the distance L ₁ from the pen 2-1 to the ceiling 31-1.
Assuming that the speed of sound in the atmosphere is v, t ₀ = 2 × L ₁ / v, and L ₁ can be calculated from t ₀ and v. Similarly, the ultrasonic wave S2-
1 is a distance L ₂ between the pen 2-1 and the wall 32-1 on the side of the whiteboard 1-1 (in this example, leftward in the figure).
Can be calculated. Usually, the accuracy of distance measurement by ultrasonic wave is 10
However, the approximate position of the pen can be calculated only by measuring the length using ultrasonic waves, but it is not possible to obtain a fine position such as a character using a pen.

Accordingly, the position calculated by the pen using the acceleration sensor having a drift but having a high resolution and the position calculated using an ultrasonic wave having no drift but having a low resolution are corrected and combined to calculate a position having a high resolution without a drift. . The specific method is described below.

Here, in order to simplify the explanation, the calculation in only one direction will be described, but the calculation of the position in two dimensions in two directions is also the same, so that the description is omitted. In addition, if the pen rotates, the acceleration measurement direction and the ultrasonic measurement direction will not match.However, since the acceleration sensor can detect the direction of gravity, it is easy to calculate the pen rotation deviation. It is possible to compensate for the axis.

[0035] When the exact acceleration of the pen and A _t (k),
The acceleration A _m (k) that can be detected by the sensor is obtained by superimposing low-frequency noise N _{0 on the} acceleration. A _m (k) = A _t (k) + N ₀ where k is when the acceleration signal is sampled every T time Is the ordinal number of

The exact velocity V _t (k) and the exact position P _t (k)
When will the initial value to _{zero, V t (k) = TΣA} t (k) P t (k) = TΣV t (k) = T 2 ΣA t (k) rate was calculated from the acceleration sensor detection value V _m (k ), Position P
_m (k) _{is, V m (k) = TΣA} m (k) = V t (k) + T kN 0 P m (k) = TΣV m (k) = P t (k) + T 2 k 2 N 0 / 2, a drift occurs in _{^{T 2 k 2 N 0/2}} .

On the other hand, because it contains errors N _a (k) is in position P _a detected ultrasound _{(k) P a (k)} = P t (k) + N a (k) Integrating this position TΣP _a (k) = TΣP _t (k) + TΣN _a (k), but since the ultrasonic position error N _a (k) is random noise, it becomes almost zero after integration for a relatively long time, and ΣP _a (k) ~ΣP _t (k), and the _{thus, TΣP m (k) = TΣP} t (k) + T 3 k 3 N 0/6 N 0 ~ {ΣP m (k) -ΣP a (k)} 6 / T 2 k ^Since the low-frequency noise N ₀ of the acceleration is calculated at ³ , P
By correcting _m (k), _Pt (k) can be calculated.

As described above, the pen position from the detected value of the acceleration sensor is obtained by integrating the acceleration twice to obtain the measurement result. In addition, regarding the accurate calculation of the pen position, there is a measurement result of the acceleration sensor. A certain drift error is included in the set time, while the pen position measurement result using the ultrasonic wave adds the error within the same time because the measurement error (noise) is random. Then, the drift error of the acceleration sensor is calculated by using the fact that the value becomes substantially zero, and the measurement pen position is corrected by the acceleration sensor to obtain an accurate pen position.

Although this method is not specifically described in the embodiments described below, it is similarly applied.

These calculation processes may be performed by the microcontroller 6-1 in the sensor unit 7-1 attached to the pen, and the accurate pen position may be stored in the memory in the microcontroller 6-1. Acceleration data as measured and position data by ultrasonic waves may be stored in a memory, and then transferred to an external computer by the following method, and the computer may perform calculation processing.

In this embodiment, an example of a method of transferring data stored in the pen to a computer is shown in the data transfer method of the first embodiment in FIG. This method uses the ultrasonic transmission function of the ultrasonic transmitter / receiver (the ultrasonic transmitter / receiver 5A-1 or 5B-1 shown in FIG. 2) added to the pen used for the distance measurement, for example, by using the ultrasonic transmission function. The signal is transmitted as a pulse train S3-1, and is received by the ultrasonic receiver 5R-1 attached to the controller 8-1 connected to the other personal computer 9-1.

Also, depending on the installation environment of the whiteboard, there is a case where the reflection of the ultrasonic wave on the ceiling or the wall cannot be used. An application example of the present invention in that case is shown in another usage method of the first embodiment in FIG. The ultrasonic reflecting plates 33-1 are attached to two orthogonal edges of the whiteboard 1-1, and the ultrasonic waves S4-1 and S5-1 from the pen 2-1 are reflected by the ultrasonic reflecting plates 33-1. This reflector is a simple flat plate and is inexpensive and easy to install.

Depending on the type of whiteboard, some have a convex edge, and a plate for placing a pen or the like is usually attached to the lower part of the whiteboard, and these are used as ultrasonic reflecting plates. It is also possible. Of course, not limited to the above examples, writing surfaces such as whiteboards,
That is, two plane plates perpendicular to the pen contact plane are secured, or two plane plates perpendicular to the pen contact surface arranged orthogonal to each other on the outer edge or extension of the pen contact surface are secured. If so, implementation according to the present invention is possible.

[Embodiment 2] In the second embodiment, for example, a whiteboard vertically set on the floor is taken as an example, and handwritten characters and figures on the whiteboard are input to a computer such as a personal computer. This is an example in which the convenience of use is further improved.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic conceptual diagram of the second embodiment, and FIG. 6 schematically shows the configuration of a pen used in this embodiment. In FIG. 5, the ultrasonic reflector 33-
2. Arrange the pen 2-2 on the whiteboard 1-2 provided with
This shows a state in which ultrasonic waves S1-2 and S2-2 are emitted from the pen in two directions, and a reflected wave is being received by the pen.
2 is installed and connected to the personal computer 9-2.

FIG. 6 schematically shows a state where the pen 2-2 is inserted into the pen stand 100-2. Instead of attaching a sensor unit to a normal writing pen, a pen in which a writing unit and a sensor unit are integrated is used.

In the integrated pen, as in the first embodiment,
2-axis acceleration sensor 4-2, ultrasonic transmitter / receiver A, 5A
-2, ultrasonic transmitter / receiver B, 5B-2, microcontroller 6-2, contact electrode 101-2, rechargeable battery 102
It is assumed that the pen stand 100-2 is connected to a personal computer and receives power supply. The pen stand 100-2 is used to prevent the ink from drying out by inserting the pen when the pen is not in use, and to connect the contact electrode 101-2 on the pen to the contact electrode on the pen stand side at the time of insertion. The stored data in the memory in the microcontroller 6-1 can be automatically transferred to the personal computer 9-2, and the rechargeable battery 102-2 in the pen can be charged at the same time. it can.

The acquisition of the stored data may be performed according to the method described in the first embodiment. With such an example according to the present invention, the pen-type input device can further increase convenience.

[Embodiment 3] In the third embodiment, for example, a character or a figure is handwritten on a sheet of paper on a desk with a pen, and the trajectory of the pen is stored in the pen itself and in a pen stand. This is an embodiment according to the present invention in which the pen locus data is transferred to a computer such as a personal computer by setting up the pen.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic conceptual diagram of the third embodiment, and FIG. 8 shows a schematic configuration of a pen used in the third embodiment. FIG. 9 schematically shows the configuration of the pen stand according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the direction detection method of the third embodiment with respect to the ultrasonic receiver arranged on the pen stand. Show.

FIG. 7 shows that a pen 2-3 used in this embodiment is arranged on a paper 1-3, and a pen stand 100-3 connected to a personal computer 9-3 is arranged outside the paper. . FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing that an ultrasonic signal S1-3 from a pen 2-3 is sent to a pen stand 100-3.

FIG. 8 shows that the pen 2-3 used in the present embodiment includes a two-axis acceleration sensor 4 similar to the first and second embodiments.
3. Ultrasonic transmitter 5H-3, microcontroller 6-3 for calculation processing for performing distance measurement, correction, data storage, etc., ultrasonic transmission signal of pen 2-3 and pen stand 1
A high-precision (for example, a frequency fluctuation of 0.1 ppm or less) crystal oscillator 103-3 for synchronizing signals with the ultrasonic reception signal in 00-3, and a contact electrode 101 having the same function as in the second embodiment -3, indicating that a rechargeable battery 102-3 is built-in.

FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of the pen stand 100-3. In this example, for example, two orthogonal sides constituting the pen stand (the two sides are, for example, those shown in FIG. 7).
On the diagonal side of the paper 1-3 (parallel to the two orthogonal sides of the paper 1-3) shown in FIG.
R4) Attach and arrange each of the four at an angle of 30 degrees on a quarter circle in the plane as shown in the figure. The pen stand also includes a high-precision crystal oscillator 104-3 for synchronizing signals and a pen insertion hole 105-3 as in the pen. The receiving performance of each ultrasonic receiver 5R-3 (R1 to R4) is the same.

FIG. 10 schematically shows the state of sensitivity directivity of each ultrasonic receiver. When each receiver is tilted by 30 degrees from its central axis, the receiving sensitivity is about 1/2 to 1 /
It has directivity reduced to about 4.

Here, the trajectory of the pen 2-3 is measured by the acceleration sensor 4-3 in the pen as in the first and second embodiments. As a method for correcting the position of the pen, a means for measuring the distance between the pen 2-3 and the pen stand 100-3 and measuring the direction of the pen is configured. The distance between the pen and the pen stand is measured by the ultrasonic transmitter 5H in the pen.
-3 is transmitted in the direction of the pen stand 100-3, received by the ultrasonic receiver 5R-3 incorporated in the pen stand, and the distance between the pen and the pen stand is measured from the time from transmission to reception. You. Precise time measurement can be achieved by mutual signal synchronization using high precision crystal oscillators in the pen and pen stand described above.

For the direction measurement of the pen, the following method is used. That is, the ultrasonic transmitter 5H-
The ultrasonic pulse transmitted from the receiver 3 reaches the receivers R1 to R4, and the intensity of the received ultrasonic wave changes depending on the inclination of the pen 2-3 due to the sensitivity directivity of each receiver. As shown in FIG. 10, the intensity Sr1 of the incident ultrasonic wave S2-3 at the receiver R1 and the intensity Sr2 at the receiver R2.
, The ratio Sr1 / Sr2 is constant. So in advance,
If the intensity ratio entering the four receivers is measured according to the incident direction of the ultrasonic wave and a reference table is prepared, the direction of the pen can be calculated from the intensity ratio obtained by actual measurement. . From the above, the distance and direction between the pen and the pen stand are obtained, so that the relative position of the pen with respect to the pen stand is roughly calculated. This position is several mm to 10
Since the accuracy is several millimeters, as described above, the accurate position of the pen can be calculated by correcting and combining the position information with the acceleration sensor.

In this embodiment, the position data from the acceleration sensor 4-3 is stored in the microcontroller 6 in the pen 2-3.
-3 and the pen position / direction data by ultrasonic waves are stored in a memory (not shown) in the pen stand 100-3. The pen 2-3 is inserted into the pen insertion hole 105- of the pen stand. 3, the data in the pen is transferred to the pen stand, as in the second embodiment, and the personal computer 9-3 together with the data in the pen stand.
In this personal computer 9-3, the above-described correction calculation processing and the like can be performed to calculate an accurate pen position.

Also, by inserting the pen 2-3 into the pen insertion hole 105-3, the rechargeable battery 102-3 with a built-in pen can be charged via the contact electrode 101-3 as in the second embodiment. At this time, the crystal oscillator 103-3 in the pen 2-3 and the crystal oscillator 104-3 in the pen stand can be resynchronized.

In the above embodiment, four ultrasonic receivers are used. However, it is needless to say that many receivers having narrower sensitivity directivity may be used in order to further improve the accuracy. Not even.

Further, a plurality of ultrasonic oscillators may be provided on the pen stand side, and one ultrasonic receiver may be provided on the pen side. In this case, it is necessary to avoid interference of signals from a plurality of oscillators. For example, the time of pulse transmission from each oscillator may be performed in a time-division manner. Alternatively, the duration of the ultrasonic pulse may be changed for each oscillator so that the pulse from which oscillator is known.

Further, conversely, one ultrasonic oscillator may be provided on the pen stand side, and a plurality of ultrasonic receivers may be built in the pen side.

[Embodiment 4] In the fourth embodiment, for example, a character or a figure is handwritten on paper on a desk with a pen, the locus of the pen is stored in the pen itself and in a pen stand, and the pen is placed in the pen stand. This is another embodiment different from the third embodiment based on the present invention in which the pen locus data is transferred to a computer such as a personal computer by setting the pen locus data. The third embodiment is different from the third embodiment in that, for example, an infrared light emitter built in a pen and a plurality of infrared light receivers built in a pen stand are arranged like the ultrasonic receiver of the third embodiment, and the sensitivity of the light receiver is changed. A method of calculating the direction of the pen from the pen station using the characteristics is used.

FIG. 11 shows a schematic conceptual diagram of the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 12 shows a schematic configuration of a pen used in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 13 schematically shows the configuration of a pen stand according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 11 shows a pen stand 100-4 in which a pen 2-4 used in this embodiment is arranged on a paper 1-4, and a pen stand 100-4 connected to a personal computer 9-4 outside the paper.
Is arranged. The pen stand 100-4 receives the signal of the infrared ray L1-4 from the pen 2-4, and receives an ultrasonic wave S from an ultrasonic oscillator (not shown) built in the pen stand.
FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing that a pulse is transmitted in the entire direction of the paper 1-4.

FIG. 12 shows that the pen 2-4 used in this embodiment includes a two-axis acceleration sensor 4-4, an ultrasonic receiver 5R-4, and a biaxial acceleration sensor 4R-4 similar to those in the first, second, and third embodiments. Distance measurement, correction,
This indicates that a microcontroller 6-4 for calculation processing for performing data storage and the like and an infrared light emitter 8H-4 are incorporated.

FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view of the pen stand 100-4. In this example, for example, two orthogonal sides constituting the pen stand (the two sides are, for example, the paper shown in FIG. 11). Attach four infrared receivers 8R-4 on the diagonal sides of (1-4 parallel to the two orthogonal sides), and each of the four infrared receivers 8R-4 is placed on a quarter circle in the plane as shown in the figure. Arrange them at an angle. In addition, the pen stand includes an ultrasonic oscillator 5H-4 having low directivity so that ultrasonic waves reach the entire paper,
A pen insertion hole 105-4 is incorporated. Each infrared receiver 8R
The light receiving performance of No. -4 is the same.

Here, the trajectory of the pen 2-4 is measured by the acceleration sensor 4-4 in the pen because of the first, second,
This is the same as the third embodiment. As a method of correcting the position of the pen, a means for measuring the distance between the pen 2-4 and the pen stand 100-4 and measuring the direction of the pen is configured.
In the measurement of the distance between the pen and the pen stand, the ultrasonic pulse S1-4 transmitted from the pen stand 100-4 exists on the entire surface of the paper 1-4, and the pen has a built-in ultrasonic receiver 5R. When the ultrasonic pulse is detected at -4, the digitized acceleration detection signal at that time is coded as an infrared pulse train, and the infrared light emitter 8H-4 in the pen 2-4 emits light. This is received by the plurality of infrared receivers 8R-4 of the pen stand 100-4.

The ultrasonic oscillator 5 of the pen stand 100-4
The distance between the pen and the pen stand can be calculated from the time from when the ultrasonic wave S1-4 is transmitted from H-4 to when the infrared receiver 8R-4 receives the infrared light from the pen 2-4. . Further, a calculation method similar to that of the third embodiment is used, that is, a signal of the infrared light L1-4 from the pen 2-4 is received by the plurality of infrared light receivers 8R-4, and sensitivity directivity of each light receiver is used. By doing so, the direction of the infrared light emitting source, that is, the direction of the pen can be calculated.

Furthermore, infrared rays L1-4 from pen 2-4
Since the signal of the pen contains a digitized acceleration signal of the pen, for example, as a pulse train signal, it is decoded to obtain acceleration data, and the pen 2-
All the data of the distance and the direction from the pen stand 100-4 are transferred to the personal computer 9-4 connected to the pen stand, and the calculation processing of the accurate position calculation of the pen can be performed.

Since a series of these processes can detect a position in real time, it can be used as a pointing device of a personal computer, for example.

In this embodiment, the infrared light emitting device and the light receiving device are used. However, it is the gist of the present invention that light of other wavelengths can be used as long as indoor light does not adversely affect signal transmission as noise. That's justifiable.

In the embodiments described above, the writing surface of the pen has been described using whiteboard or paper as an example. However, other writing surfaces such as a blackboard, a design drawing board,
Alternatively, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to a notebook, a memo pad, and the like.

[0073]

As is apparent from the above description, the pen-type input device of the present invention has a compact configuration, is easy to install, and can measure a large writing surface as compared with the conventional one. A highly accurate pen-type input device is provided.

The pen of the pen-type input device incorporates both an acceleration sensor and an ultrasonic wave transmitter / receiver, and is constructed by using a simple flat plate, a wall, a ceiling, etc. for ultrasonic wave reflection. In other words, other than the writing surface, it can be easily configured with a specific pen and a flat plate or a wall / ceiling that serves as an ultrasonic reflection plate.
It is highly applicable to whiteboards and the like, and has excellent mobility as an installation device.

Alternatively, as another method, a pen and a single pen stand arranged near the writing surface are provided, an acceleration sensor is built in the pen, and the arrangement of the ultrasonic transmitter and the ultrasonic receiver is changed between the pen and the pen. Separately configured in a stand. In this case, the apparatus configuration does not require a flat reflecting plate or the like, but includes only a specific pen and a specific pen stand. This is particularly effective when a paper surface is used as a writing surface on a desk. Of course, the present invention can also be applied to a large writing surface such as a white board, which is also very compact and has excellent mobility.

Accurate pen position calculation with correction based on the position data by the acceleration sensor and the position data by the ultrasonic wave is calculated by a microcontroller built in the pen or by an external personal computer to which data is transferred. A method for realizing a high pen position measurement processing method is also provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a pen configuration of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a data transfer method according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows another usage of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram of a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a pen configuration according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows a pen configuration according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows the configuration of a pen stand according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 10 shows a direction detection method according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram of a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 12 shows a pen configuration according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 13 shows a pen stand configuration of a fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1-1, 1-2 Whiteboard 1-3, 1-4 Paper 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4 Pen 31-1 Ceiling 32-1 Wall 33-1, 33-2 Ultrasound Reflector 4-1, 4-2, 4-3, 4-4 Acceleration sensor 5A-1, 5B-1, 5A-2, 5B-2 Ultrasonic wave transmitter / receiver 5R-1, 5R-3, 5R-4 Ultrasonic receiver 5H-3, 5H-4 Ultrasonic transmitter 6-1, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 Microcontroller 7-1 Sensor unit 8H-4 Infrared light emitter 8R-4 Infrared light receiver 9 -1, 9-2, 9-3, 9-4 Personal computer 100-2, 100-3, 100-4 Pen stand 101-2, 101-3 Contact electrode 102-2, 102-3 Rechargeable battery 103-3 , 104-3 Crystal oscillator 105-3, 105-4 Pen insertion hole S1-1, S2 -1, S3-1, S4-1, S5-1,
S1-2, S2-2, S1-3, S2-3, S1-4
Ultrasonic L1-4 infrared

Continuation of the front page F term (reference) 5B068 AA04 AA15 AA36 BD02 BD09 BD11 BD12 BD17 BE08 CC12 CC17 DD11 5B087 AA02 AA06 AD01 AE02 BC03 BC12 BC19 BC26 BC31 BC32 DD03 DD17

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A pen-type input device having a pen contact plane, wherein: a first pen position measuring means having an acceleration sensor mounted on the pen; and a second pen position using an ultrasonic transceiver mounted on the pen. Measurement means, and a calculation process of inputting a position measurement result by the first means and a position measurement result by the second means at the same pen position on the pen contact plane to correct a position measurement error and to derive the pen position And a pen-type input device. 2. A pen-type input device having a pen contact plane, a first pen position measuring means having an acceleration sensor mounted on the pen, and a vicinity including the ultrasonic transmitter mounted on the pen and the pen contact plane. A second pen position measuring means, comprising an ultrasonic receiving unit arranged in the pen, and a transmitting signal of the transmitter and a receiving signal of the receiving unit being synchronized, and the pen at the same pen position on the pen contact plane. A pen-type input device, comprising: a calculation processing unit that inputs a position measurement result by the first unit and a position measurement result by the second unit, corrects a position measurement error, and derives the pen position. 3. A pen-type input device having a pen contact plane, a first pen position measuring means having an acceleration sensor mounted on the pen, and a vicinity including the ultrasonic receiver mounted on the pen and the pen contact plane. A second pen position measuring means, comprising an ultrasonic transmission unit arranged in the same, and a reception signal of the ultrasonic receiver and a transmission signal of the ultrasonic transmission unit being synchronized, the same on the pen contact plane. A pen which is provided with calculation processing means for inputting a position measurement result by the first means at the pen position and a position measurement result by the second means, correcting a position measurement error and deriving the pen position. Type input device. 4. A pen-type input device having a pen contact plane, a first pen position measuring means having an acceleration sensor attached to the pen, a light emitter and an ultrasonic receiver attached to the pen, and the pen contact A second pen position measuring means that is disposed in the vicinity including the plane and has a unit including a light receiver and an ultrasonic transmitter, and a position measurement result by the first means at the same pen position on the pen contact plane. And a calculation processing means for inputting a position measurement result by the second means and correcting a position measurement error to derive the pen position.