JP2001243006A - Device and method for inputting coordinate - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a coordinate inputting device capable of efficiently facilitating a countermeasure to a large-scaled display device, and inexpensively and easily realizing its mass production, and realizing its addition to an already existing display device. SOLUTION: A coordinate inputting device 1 for displaying a picture on the screen of a picture displaying part 5 based on an instructing operation by a reader (position indicator) 3 on a plane member 2 is provided with a plane member 2 in which position patterns corresponding to the position coordinates of the screen of the picture displaying part 5 are arranged for each position coordinate, a reader 3 for reading the position pattern existing at the instructed position when the instructing operation on the plane member 2 is performed, and a processing part 4 for specifying the position instructed by the reader 3 based on the position pattern read by the reader 3, and for editing the picture to be displayed on the screen of the picture displaying part 5 based on the specified instructed position.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coordinate input device and a coordinate input method for specifying a designated position and inputting position coordinates based on a pointing operation by a position indicator on a predetermined flat member. The present invention relates to a coordinate input device and a coordinate input method which can efficiently cope with a large display device, can be mass-produced inexpensively and easily, and can be added to an existing display device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, it has been general to physically write characters and figures on a blackboard or a whiteboard using a pen or a marker. 2. Description of the Related Art There has been known a technology of detecting and reproducing a handwriting such as a character or a graphic on a screen of a display device in real time based on the detected position coordinates.

For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-91094, a light source unit and a detection unit are installed at different positions on a touch panel, and a reflection unit that folds a light beam from the light source unit is installed on the touch panel. There is disclosed a touch panel coordinate detecting device configured to detect the position coordinates of a contact point on a touch panel from the angle when the reflection of a light beam is blocked by a pen or the like.

In a conventional coordinate input device represented by the prior art, in order to reproduce and display handwriting such as characters and figures in real time, a position is determined by using a resistive method, a photoelectric method, an acoustic method, a pressure-sensitive method, or the like. The coordinates are being detected.

[0005]

However, in such a conventional coordinate input device, it is naturally limited to increase the size of the coordinate input device while maintaining the accuracy of the position coordinate detection due to the principle of the position coordinate detection method. was there. For this reason, there has been a problem that it is difficult to increase the size of the device to such an extent that it can be used even in a presentation site where a large display device is often required.

Further, in the conventional coordinate input device, it is necessary to use an expensive position coordinate detecting section due to the principle of the position coordinate detecting method. Therefore, it is possible to provide a coordinate input device which can be mass-produced inexpensively and easily. There was a problem that it was difficult.

Further, in the coordinate input device of the conventional touch panel, since a highly accurate positioning of the position coordinate detecting unit is required, the position coordinate detecting unit is added to the existing display device, and the position coordinate detecting unit is added to the coordinates of the screen of the display device. There is a problem that it is difficult to make a coordinate input device compatible with the device.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and can efficiently cope with a large-sized display device, and can be mass-produced inexpensively and easily. An object is to provide a coordinate input device and a coordinate input method that can be added to an existing display device.

[0009]

In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, a coordinate input device according to a first aspect of the present invention provides a coordinate input device based on an instruction operation by a position indicator on a predetermined flat member. In a coordinate input device that specifies a position and inputs position coordinates, a plane member in which a position pattern corresponding to predetermined position coordinates is arranged for each position coordinate, and when an instruction operation is performed on the plane member, A position indicator that reads a position pattern provided at the indicated position, and a specifying unit that specifies the position indicated by the position indicator based on the position pattern read by the position indicator; It is characterized by having.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a position pattern corresponding to predetermined position coordinates is provided on the plane member for each position coordinate, and the position indicator is operated on the plane member. At this time, by reading the position pattern disposed at the indicated position, the specifying means specifies the position indicated by the position indicator based on the position pattern read by the position indicator. Based on the pointing operation on the flat member by the position pointing device, the pointing position can be specified and the position coordinates can be input.

In the coordinate input device according to a second aspect, in the coordinate input device according to the first aspect, the plane member arranges a position pattern formed by at least two types of invisible elements for each position coordinate. It is a transparent plate provided.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the flat member is a transparent plate in which a position pattern formed by at least two types of invisible elements is arranged for each position coordinate, so that the flat member is located behind the flat member. You can see through.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the coordinate input device according to the second aspect, wherein the plane member has at least two kinds of invisible optical elements having optically different reflectances and / or transmittances. This is a transparent plate in which a position pattern formed by elements is arranged for each position coordinate, and the position indicator optically reads the position pattern.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the plane member arranges, for each position coordinate, a position pattern formed by at least two kinds of invisible elements having optically different reflectances and / or transmittances. A transparent plate provided, wherein the position indicator optically reads the position pattern, thereby more easily and reliably indicating the position of the position indicator as compared with a position coordinate detection method based on electromagnetic waves or sound waves. Can be specified and the position coordinates can be input.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the coordinate input device according to any one of the first, second, and third aspects, the position indicator may be in contact with or not in contact with the plane member. A contact detecting means for detecting the

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the position indicator includes contact detecting means for detecting contact and non-contact with the flat member, so that the position indicator contacts the flat member. The position pattern can be read only when the operation is performed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the coordinate input device for displaying an image on a screen of an image display unit based on a pointing operation by a position indicator on a predetermined flat member, A plane member in which a position pattern corresponding to the position coordinates of the screen of the display unit is arranged for each position coordinate, and a position pattern located at the designated position is read when an instruction operation is performed on the plane member. A position indicator, specifying means for specifying the position specified by the position indicator based on the position pattern read by the position indicator, and the image based on the specified position specified by the specifying means. Image editing means for editing an image displayed on the screen of the display unit.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a position pattern corresponding to the position coordinates of the screen of the image display unit is provided for each position coordinate on the plane member, and the position indicator is provided on the plane member. When an instruction operation is performed, a position pattern located at the instructed position is read, and the specifying unit is configured based on the position pattern read by the position indicator,
The position specified by the position indicator is specified, and the image editing unit edits an image displayed on the screen of the image display unit based on the specified position specified by the specifying unit. Can be displayed on the screen of the image display unit as an image composed of characters and figures.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the coordinate input device according to the fifth aspect, the image editing means selects an editing content such as erasing, copying or moving, and When the editing range is specified by the position indicator, the edited image is displayed on the screen of the image display unit.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the editing content such as erasing, copying, or moving is selected and the editing range is designated by the position indicator, the image editing means can execute the image editing. By displaying the edited image on the screen of the display unit, the image to be displayed on the screen of the image display unit can be edited and displayed according to a user's instruction.

The coordinate input device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the coordinate input device according to the sixth aspect, further comprising storage means for storing image data of an image to be displayed on the image display section, wherein the image editing means Is characterized in that, when a predetermined instruction operation is performed by the position indicator, display control of image data stored in the storage means is performed on a screen of the screen display unit.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the storage means stores image data of an image to be displayed on the image display unit,
The image editing unit, when a predetermined instruction operation is performed by the position indicator, controls display of image data stored in the storage unit on a screen of the screen display unit, in response to a user instruction. Images to be displayed on the screen of the image display unit can be switched and displayed.

The coordinate input method according to claim 8 is a coordinate input method for specifying a designated position and inputting position coordinates based on a pointing operation by a position indicator on a predetermined plane member. An arranging step of arranging a position pattern corresponding to predetermined position coordinates on the plane member for each position coordinate, and an instruction by a position indicator on the plane member on which the position pattern is arranged by the arranging step. A reading step of reading a position pattern provided at the indicated position when an operation is performed; and specifying a position indicated by the position indicator based on the position pattern read in the reading step. And a specific step of performing

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in the arranging step, a position pattern corresponding to predetermined position coordinates is arranged on the plane member for each position coordinate, and the reading step is performed by the arranging step. When a pointing operation is performed by the position indicator on the plane member on which the pattern is provided, the position pattern provided at the specified position is read, and the specifying step is the position pattern read by the reading step. By specifying the position designated by the position indicator based on the position indicator, the designated position can be specified and the position coordinates can be input based on the pointing operation by the position indicator on the planar member.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a coordinate input method for displaying an image on a screen of an image display unit based on an instruction operation by a position indicator on a predetermined flat member. An arranging step of arranging a position pattern corresponding to the position coordinates of the screen of the image display unit on the plane member for each position coordinate; and a position on the plane member on which the position pattern is arranged by the arranging step. When an instruction operation is performed by the indicator, a reading step of reading a position pattern provided at the indicated position, and an instruction by the position indicator based on the position pattern read by the reading step. Specifying an identified position, and an image editing step of editing an image to be displayed on a screen of the image display unit based on the designated position specified by the identifying step. And it features.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in the arranging step, a position pattern corresponding to the position coordinates of the screen of the image display section is arranged for each position coordinate on the plane member, and the reading step is performed in the reading step. When the pointing operation is performed by the position indicator on the planar member on which the position pattern is disposed by the disposing step, the position pattern disposed at the pointed position is read, and the specifying step is performed by the reading step. The position indicated by the position indicator is specified based on the read position pattern, and the image editing step displays an image to be displayed on the screen of the image display unit based on the specified position specified by the specifying step. By editing, the trajectory of the position indicator on the planar member can be displayed on the screen of the image display unit as an image composed of characters and figures.

[0027]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of a coordinate input device and a coordinate input method according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the present invention is applied to a coordinate input device provided with an image display unit.

Embodiment 1 First, the configuration of a coordinate input device according to Embodiment 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of the coordinate input device according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the coordinate input device 1 includes a flat member 2 and a reader 3
, A processing unit 4 and an image display unit 5. Hereinafter, these specific configurations and operations will be described.

(Structure and Operation of Planar Member 2) The planar member 2 shown in FIG. 1 is a transparent plate in which position patterns corresponding to position coordinates on the screen of the image display unit 5 are arranged for each position coordinate. This position pattern is formed by at least two kinds of invisible elements having optically different reflectivities.

FIG. 2 is a view showing an example of the arrangement of the position patterns on the plane member 2 shown in FIG.
The value pattern means that the reflectance is optically different.
By arranging two elements having different reflectivities in this manner, the reader 3 can read the position pattern with binary information composed of light intensity.

The binary pattern shown in FIG. 2 is formed by invisible elements that cannot be sensed by human eyes. For example, it is formed by printing a special ink that reflects an infrared region having a wavelength of 700 nm or more on a surface of a transparent member such as glass having a reflectance close to zero. By forming using the invisible element in this way, even when the planar member 2 is provided so as to cover the image display unit 5, it is possible to suppress poor visibility of the display content of the image display unit 5.

Further, the binary pattern shown in FIG. 2 is arranged such that when divided into certain regions, the pattern forming one small region is not the same as the pattern forming another small region. Is done. Specifically, in the case of the arrangement example of FIG. 2, small areas are provided at intervals necessary to obtain a certain resolution, and the small areas are formed so that the patterns forming the respective small areas are not the same. Printing is performed in a grid pattern using special ink to form a binary pattern. By forming them so as not to be the same as described above, a plurality of different position information can be arranged in correspondence with the position coordinates on the screen of the image display unit 5.

Although the binary pattern is formed using two elements having optically different reflectances, a binary pattern can be formed by two elements having different transmittances. . In this case, the light transmitted from the flat member 2 can be read by the reader 3 by irradiating the light emitted from the image display unit 5 to the flat member 2, so that it is not necessary to emit light from the reader 3. Thus, the reader 3 can be configured more easily.

Here, a case is shown in which a special ink that reflects the infrared region is printed on the surface of the transparent plate, but a special ink that reflects the ultraviolet region having a wavelength of 400 nm or less is used. It can also be printed. Furthermore, a multi-value pattern can be formed by printing a plurality of special inks that reflect infrared regions having different wavelengths. If such a multi-value pattern is formed, more position patterns can be provided even in a narrow area. However, in this case, the reader 3
In, it is necessary to read not only the intensity of light but also the height of the wavelength of the position pattern, but the height of the wavelength can be read by passing through a filter that passes only a specific wavelength.

In the first embodiment, the case where the position pattern is provided on the plane member 2 is shown.
In addition to the position pattern, character / number information, device operation information, and the like can be provided. If such information is also provided, a coordinate input device with higher convenience and operability can be provided.

(Structure and Operation of Reader 3) The reader 3 shown in FIG. 1 is composed of an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and when an instruction operation is performed on the plane member 2, It plays the role of optically reading the position pattern provided at the designated position. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a reader 3 illustrated in FIG. 1.
As shown in FIG. 1, the reader 3 includes a light source unit 10, a light receiving unit 11, a video circuit 12, and a transfer unit 13.

The light source unit 10 shown in FIG. 3 is composed of a lamp (fluorescent tube) which is a compact fluorescent lamp.
It plays the role of illuminating the position pattern provided in the.
Here, since the position pattern on the planar member 2 is printed with a special ink that reflects the infrared region, a lamp that emits infrared light is used.

In the case where printing is performed using special ink that reflects an ultraviolet region, a lamp that emits ultraviolet light is used. Furthermore, when printing is performed using special ink that reflects infrared regions of a plurality of different wavelengths, a lamp that emits infrared light of a plurality of wavelengths is used. In addition, the plane member 2 is constituted by elements having different transmittances, and the light emitted from the image display unit 5 is applied to the plane member 2,
In the case where the light transmitted through the flat member 2 is input, the light source unit 10 is unnecessary in the reader 3.

The light receiving section 11 shown in FIG. 3 is constituted by a CCD, and plays a role of converting an image of a position pattern provided on the plane member 2 into an electric signal and inputting it. FIG.
It is the enlarged view which expanded a part of input surface of D.

As shown in FIG. 4, on the input surface of the CCD,
Hundreds to thousands of light receiving elements called photodiodes 15 are arranged vertically and horizontally. The photodiode 15 is
It is an element that converts the intensity of the light struck thereon into a charge amount, and each element accumulates electric charge according to the received light. Therefore, when examining the intensity of the charge, the intensity of the light hitting the position can be known, and the position pattern can be recognized by examining the entire input surface.

In the case where the position pattern on the flat member 2 is printed with a special ink that reflects infrared regions of a plurality of different wavelengths, the photodiode 15
By attaching a filter that allows only a specific wavelength to pass through the filter, the intensity of light of a specific wavelength can be known, so that light can be received in consideration of the level of the wavelength.

The video circuit 12 shown in FIG. 3 is composed of an A / D converter and plays a role of converting an analog electric signal relating to the image of the position pattern output from the light receiving section 11 into a digital signal. By converting to a digital signal in this manner, processing such as transfer, compression, and recording as digital image data can be performed without deteriorating the image of the input position pattern. Although the case where the video circuit 12 is configured inside the reader 3 is shown here, it can also be configured inside the processing unit 4.

The transfer section 13 shown in FIG. 3 is composed of an interface such as a serial interface (SCI) and plays a role of transferring image data to the processing section 4.
Here, the case where the image data is transferred by a digital signal is shown, but the image data can be transferred by an analog signal. Note that such a signal is transferred via a wire, wireless, infrared, or the like.

In the first embodiment, the reader 3 is
Although a case is shown in which the whole is configured in a pen-like form, this is for improving the operability of the reader 3 and does not necessarily need to be in a pen-like form. That is, it is sufficient that the position pattern provided on the flat member 2 can be optically read.

(Structure and Operation of Processing Unit 4) The processing unit 4 shown in FIG. 1 is composed of a predetermined electronic circuit, and is instructed by the reader 3 based on the image data transferred from the reader 3. The role of specifying a position, detecting the corresponding position coordinates on the screen of the image display unit 5, and displaying an image at the corresponding coordinates on the screen of the image display unit 5 based on the detected position coordinates. Fulfill.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the processing unit 4 shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the processing unit 4 includes a reception unit 20, a storage unit 21, a control unit 22, an image display unit controller 23, a D / A converter 24, and a transmission unit 25.

The receiving section 20 shown in FIG. 5 has a role of receiving the image data transferred by the reader 3 and transmitting the image data to the control section 22. When the image data is transferred as a digital signal, the image data is transmitted as it is to the control unit 22. When the image data is transferred as an analog signal, the image data is converted into a digital signal by an A / D converter. Then, it transmits to the control unit 22.

The storage section 21 shown in FIG. 5 plays a role of storing image data to be displayed on the screen of the image display section 5 (hereinafter referred to as “display image data”). For example, the screen of the image display unit 5 has a total of 640 × 480 = 307.
In the case of a resolution of 200 dots (coordinates),
In order to record display image data of this resolution, each color may be converted into numerical data and stored for each of 307,200 coordinates constituting an image.

That is, R (red), G
It is stored as RGB data consisting of a mixture of the three primary colors of (green) and B (blue) light. When displaying the trajectory of the reader 3 (mere characters or figures that do not require color information), the data of the two-color mode of white and black is sufficient as the data of the color to be stored. However, the data format may be 256-color mode data or 16.77 million-color mode data format.

Each dot (coordinate) on the screen of the image display section 5 is determined to correspond to an address in the storage section 21. For example, the RGB data at the upper left corner of the screen is stored in the first three bytes of the storage unit 21, and the RGB data at the right coordinate is stored in the next three bytes. Are stored in order. It goes without saying that not only images for one screen can be stored, but also images for a plurality of screens can be stored in a page format for each screen.

The control unit 22 shown in FIG. 5 specifies the position designated by the reader 3 based on the image data transferred by the reader 3, and detects the corresponding position coordinates on the screen of the image display unit 5. Play a role. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a method of detecting position coordinates.

For example, consider a case where image data as shown in FIG. In this case, the control unit 22 determines the position pattern 30 designated by the reader 3 based on the received image data and a coordinate table provided in advance corresponding to the position coordinates on the screen of the image display unit 5. , And the corresponding position coordinates 31 on the screen of the image display unit 5 are detected.

The control unit 22 shown in FIG. 5 has a role of accessing the data of the corresponding coordinates in the storage unit 21 and writing the color data based on the position coordinates detected from the image data. For example, consider a state in which the RGB data of all the coordinates in the storage unit 21 is initially black. In this case, if the control unit 22 rewrites the RGB data of the detected coordinates based on the detected position coordinates to white, the control unit 22 converts the detected RGB data of the coordinates to white as the coordinates are sequentially detected. Rewrite to For this reason, the control unit 22 can rewrite the contents of the storage unit 21 such as drawing a line or writing a character.

The image display controller 23 shown in FIG.
Plays a role of controlling the image display unit 5. Specifically, first, the content (RGB data) of an image to be displayed on the image display unit 5 is read from the storage unit 21, and the read RG
The R, G, and B values of the B data are transferred to the D / A converter 24. Further, a horizontal synchronizing signal and a vertical synchronizing signal for instructing display timing are output to the image display unit 5 via the transmission unit 25.

The D / A converter 24 shown in FIG. 5 plays a role of converting binary numerical data into a voltage level.
Specifically, each value of R, G, and B transferred from the image display unit controller 23 is converted into a voltage, and each of the analog R signal, the analog G signal, and the analog B signal is transmitted to the transmission unit 25. The image data is output to the image display unit 5 via the control unit.

(Configuration and Operation of Image Display Unit 5) The image display unit 5 shown in FIG. 1 is composed of a predetermined display device, and displays an image on a screen based on a signal transmitted from the processing unit 4. Play a role. As the display device, for example, a CRT display, a liquid crystal device, a plasma display, or the like is used. More specifically, the image stored in the storage unit 21 is reproduced on the screen of the image display unit 5 based on the analog R signal, analog G signal, and analog B signal transmitted from the transmission unit 25. At this time, by performing scanning in accordance with the horizontal synchronization signal and the vertical synchronization signal transmitted from the transmission unit 25, a screen can be displayed properly.

As described above, the coordinate input device according to the first embodiment includes the flat member 2, the reader 3, the processing section 4, and the image display section 5.
Based on the instruction operation by the reader 3, the designated position can be specified and the position coordinates can be input. In particular,
Since the position coordinate detection method according to the first embodiment is simple, it is possible to efficiently cope with a large-sized display device, and to provide a coordinate input device that can be mass-produced inexpensively and easily. .

Although the first embodiment shows a case where the planar member 2 is configured to be detachable from the image display unit 5, special ink is printed on the surface of the face glass of the image display unit 5. Thereby, the plane member 2 and the image display unit 5
Can be integrally configured. In the case of detachable construction, the plane member 2 can be added to the existing image display unit 5. On the other hand, in the case of integrally forming, the reader 3 can be used as if the user directly writes on the screen of the image display unit 5.

Further, in the first embodiment, a position pattern formed of elements having optically different reflectivities is provided on the flat member 2, and the light reflected from the flat member 2 by the reader 3 is provided. Although the case where the energy is received and the position coordinates are detected is shown, the present invention is not limited to the coordinate position detection method based on such light energy. For example, even in the case of using an electromagnetic wave, a sound wave, or the like, the position coordinates can be similarly detected by appropriately changing the configuration of the planar member 2 and the reader 3.

Embodiment 2 The coordinate input device according to Embodiment 2 is such that the reader in the coordinate input device according to Embodiment 1 further includes a contact detection unit that detects contact and non-contact with the planar member 2. It is constituted in. Hereinafter, the specific configuration and operation of the reader 3 will be described mainly.
It is to be noted that the same reference numerals are given to portions having the same functions as the respective portions described in the above embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The reader in the second embodiment is a CCD
A contact detection unit is added to an image sensor such as the one described above, and plays a role of reading a position pattern only when the image sensor is in contact with the planar member 2. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of the reader 6 according to the second embodiment. As shown in the drawing, the reader 6 includes a receiving unit 11, a video circuit 12, a transfer unit 13, a contact unit 35, a telescopic unit 36, and a contact detection unit including an operation switch 37. Be composed.

The contact portion 35 shown in FIG. 7 is configured to be connected to the expansion / contraction portion 36, and plays a role of transmitting the contact of the contact portion 35 to the flat member 2 to the expansion / contraction portion 36 by pressure. In addition, although the case where the contact part 35 has formed the shape of a pipe | tube is shown here, it is not necessarily limited to such a shape, and what is necessary is just a shape in which a part touches the planar member 2.

The expansion / contraction section 36 shown in FIG. 7 is made of an elastic body, and plays a role of turning on / off the operation switch 37 by the expansion / contraction. Specifically, when the contact portion 35 is not in contact with the planar member 2, the expansion and contraction portion 36 is in an extended state, and the operation switch 37 is in an off state. On the other hand, when the contact portion 35 is in contact with the flat member 2, the expansion and contraction portion 36 is in a contracted state, and the operation switch 3
7 is an ON state. In addition, although the case where the elastic body is constituted by the expansion and contraction spring is shown here, an elastic body such as rubber may be used.

The operation switch 37 shown in FIG. 7 plays a role of transmitting an analog electric signal relating to the image of the position pattern transmitted from the light receiving section 11 to the video circuit 12 only when it is in the ON state.

As described above, in the coordinate input device according to the second embodiment, the reader 6 includes the contact portion 35 and the expansion / contraction portion 3.
6 and the contact detection unit including the operation switch 37, the position pattern can be input only when the reader 6 is in contact with the flat member 2.

In the second embodiment, the case where the contact between the reader 3 and the flat member 2 is detected by the change in pressure is shown. However, the change in the magnetic field and capacitance, the reflection of infrared rays and ultrasonic waves, and the like. The reader 3 and the planar member 2
It can also detect contact with

Embodiment 3 In the coordinate input device according to Embodiment 3, the readers 3 and 6 in the coordinate input devices according to Embodiments 1 and 2 are further used to erase the image displayed on the image display unit 5. , An editing command unit for commanding editing such as copying, moving, etc., and the processing unit 4 performs processing based on the command. Hereinafter, specific configurations and operations of the reader 7 according to the third embodiment will be mainly described. It is to be noted that the same reference numerals are given to portions having the same functions as the respective portions described in the above embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The reader according to the third embodiment is a CCD
An editing command unit is added to an image sensor such as the above, and plays a role of editing an image to be displayed on the image display unit 5. FIG. 8 is an external view showing the external appearance of the reader 7 according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG.
Is a range designation button 40, a delete button 41, a copy button 42, a move button 43, and a page switching dial 4
4 is additionally provided.

The range designation button 40 shown in FIG. 8 plays a role of designating a desired range on the screen of the image display unit 5.
Specifically, a desired position pattern provided on the plane member 2 is read while the range designation button 40 is pressed,
After reading another position pattern, the start point and the end point are designated by releasing the range designation button 40. As a result, a rectangular range having two points, the start point and the end point, as diagonals is specified. In this case, in order to notify the user that the range has been specified, the image within the specified range is displayed in reverse on the image display unit 5.

The delete button 41 shown in FIG. 8 plays a role of deleting an image in the range specified by the range specifying button 40. Specifically, after specifying the range to be deleted by the range specifying button 40, the delete button 4
Pressing 1 deletes the image within the specified range.

The copy button 42 shown in FIG. 8 plays a role of copying an image within the range designated by the range designation button 40 to a desired position. Specifically, after a range to be copied is designated by the range designation button 40, a desired position pattern provided on the plane member 2 is read, and the copy button 42 is depressed. The image within the specified range is copied starting from the pressed position.

A move button 43 shown in FIG. 8 plays a role of moving an image within a range designated by the range designation button 40 to a desired position. Specifically, after a range to be moved is designated by the range designation button 40, a desired position pattern provided on the plane member 2 is read, and the movement button 43 is depressed. The image within the specified range is moved starting from the pressed position.

The page switching dial 44 shown in FIG. 8 plays a role of switching an image to be displayed on the image display section 5. Specifically, by dialing the page switching dial 44 left or right, the images stored in the page format by the storage unit 21 are sequentially displayed on the image display unit 5 in one screen unit. Here, the case where the page is switched by dialing is shown, but the switching can be performed by a page up button and a page down button. Also, here, a case where the page is switched in units of one screen is shown, but the page can be scrolled up and down or left and right.

As described above, in the coordinate input device according to the third embodiment, the reader 7 is provided with the edit command section for commanding editing such as erasing, copying, moving, etc. The image to be displayed on the image display unit 5 can be edited and switched and displayed.

Although the third embodiment shows a case where the edit command section has edit commands for erasing, copying, moving and page switching, the present invention is not limited to these editing functions.
Other editing functions such as deletion of all images and storage and storage of images may be provided.

[0076]

As described above, the coordinate input device of the present invention (claim 1) specifies a designated position based on a pointing operation on a plane member by a position indicator and inputs position coordinates. The coordinate input device can efficiently cope with a large display device, can be mass-produced inexpensively and easily, and can be added to an existing display device. Is obtained.

Further, the coordinate input device of the present invention (claim 2)
Can see through the back of a plane member, so a coordinate input device that can reliably recognize the image displayed on the screen even if the plane member is attached to the screen of an existing display device The effect is obtained.

Further, the coordinate input device of the present invention (claim 3)
Compared with the position coordinate detection method based on electromagnetic waves or sound waves, the position coordinates indicated by the position indicator can be specified and the position coordinates can be input more easily and reliably, so that even large display devices can be used. It can respond more efficiently, and can be mass-produced more cheaply and easily.
There is an effect that a coordinate input device that can be easily added to an existing display device is obtained.

Further, the coordinate input device of the present invention (Claim 4)
Can read the position pattern only when the position indicator is in contact with the planar member,
This has the effect of suppressing the reading error of the position indicator and providing a coordinate input device capable of inputting coordinates that reliably reflects the user's intention.

Further, the coordinate input device of the present invention (claim 5)
Can display the trajectory of the position indicator on the plane member as an image composed of characters and figures on the screen of the image display unit. There is an effect that a coordinate input device capable of displaying an image can be obtained.

Further, the coordinate input device of the present invention (claim 6)
Can edit and display the image displayed on the screen of the image display unit in response to the user's instruction, so that the image displayed on the screen of the image display unit can be easily retouched or modified. Is obtained in that a coordinate input device capable of performing the following operations can be obtained.

A coordinate input device according to the present invention (claim 7)
Can switch and display an image to be displayed on the screen of the image display unit in accordance with a command from the user, so that a coordinate input device that is highly convenient for the user can be obtained.

Further, the coordinate input method of the present invention (claim 8)
The trajectory of the instruction input in the input step in which the pointing position can be specified and the position coordinates can be input based on the pointing operation by the position indicator on the plane member, as an image composed of characters and graphics, Since it can be displayed on the screen of the display unit, it is possible to input coordinates over a wide range, it is possible to input coordinates easily and inexpensively, and it is also possible to apply to existing display devices. There is an effect that a coordinate input method can be obtained.

A coordinate input method according to the present invention (claim 9)
Can display the trajectory of the position indicator on the plane member as an image composed of characters and figures on the screen of the image display unit. There is an effect that a coordinate input method capable of displaying an image is obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a coordinate input device according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an arrangement of a position pattern on the planar member 2 illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a reader 3 illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view in which a part of an input surface of a CCD is enlarged.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a processing unit 4 illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a method of detecting position coordinates.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a reader 6 according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an external view showing an external appearance of a reader 7 according to the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 coordinate input device 2 plane member 3, 6, 7 reader 4 processing unit 5 image display unit 10 light source unit 11 light receiving unit 12 video circuit 13 transfer unit 15 photodiode 20 reception unit 21 storage unit 22 control unit 23 image display unit controller 24 D / A converter 25 Transmitting part 35 Contact part 36 Telescopic part 37 Operation switch 40 Range designation button 41 Erase button 42 Copy button 43 Move button 44 Page switching dial

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5B068 AA05 AA22 AA33 BC02 BC08 BD02 BD09 BD25 BE06 BE15 CC02 CC11 CD06 5B087 AA09 BC03 BC12 BC26 BC32 CC01 CC05 CC11 CC26 CC33 DD12 DD13 DG02 DJ01 DJ03 5C080 AA05 AA10 BB03 CC01 DD27 DD30 JJ02 JJ06 KK52 5C082 AA05 AA25 BA02 BA12 BA32 BD01 BD02 CA51 CB05 MM00 MM06 MM07

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A coordinate input device for specifying a designated position and inputting position coordinates based on a pointing operation by a position indicator on a predetermined plane member, wherein a position pattern corresponding to the predetermined position coordinates is determined. A plane member arranged for each coordinate; a position indicator for reading a position pattern arranged at the designated position when an instruction operation is performed on the plane member; and a position indicator for reading the position pattern. A coordinate input device comprising: a specifying unit configured to specify a position specified by the position indicator based on the specified position pattern. 2. The coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein the plane member is a transparent plate on which a position pattern formed by at least two types of invisible elements is arranged for each position coordinate. 3. The planar member is a transparent plate in which a position pattern formed by at least two types of invisible elements having optically different reflectances and / or transmittances is disposed for each position coordinate, The coordinate input device according to claim 2, wherein the position indicator optically reads the position pattern. 4. The coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein the position indicator includes contact detection means for detecting contact and non-contact with the flat member. apparatus. 5. A coordinate input device for displaying an image on a screen of an image display unit based on an instruction operation by a position indicator on a predetermined plane member, the coordinate input device corresponding to position coordinates of the screen of the image display unit. A planar member provided with a position pattern for each position coordinate; a position indicator for reading a position pattern located at the designated position when an instruction operation is performed on the planar member; and Specifying means for specifying the position specified by the position indicator based on the read position pattern; and an image displayed on the screen of the image display unit based on the specified position specified by the specifying means. A coordinate input device comprising: image editing means for editing. 6. The image editing means, after an editing content such as erasing, copying or moving is selected and an editing range is designated by the position indicator, after editing on the screen of the image display unit. 6. The coordinate input device according to claim 5, wherein the image is displayed. 7. A storage device for storing image data of an image to be displayed on the image display unit, wherein the image editing unit stores the image data in the storage unit when a predetermined instruction operation is performed by the position indicator. The coordinate input device according to claim 6, wherein display control of the stored image data is performed on a screen of the screen display unit. 8. A coordinate input method for specifying a designated position and inputting position coordinates based on a pointing operation by a position indicator on a predetermined plane member, wherein the predetermined position is determined with respect to the plane member. An arranging step of arranging a position pattern corresponding to the coordinates for each position coordinate, and, when an instruction operation is performed by a position indicator on a plane member on which the position pattern is arranged in the arranging step, the instruction is performed. A reading step of reading a position pattern disposed at the position set in the specified position, and a specifying step of specifying a position indicated by the position indicator based on the position pattern read in the reading step. Characteristic input method. 9. A coordinate input method for displaying an image on a screen of an image display unit based on an instruction operation by a position indicator on a predetermined plane member, wherein An arranging step of arranging a position pattern corresponding to the position coordinates of the screen for each position coordinate; and A reading step of reading a position pattern provided at the specified position; a specifying step of specifying a position specified by the position indicator based on the position pattern read by the reading step; Based on the indicated position specified by the specified process,
An image editing step of editing an image to be displayed on the screen of the image display unit.