JP2001243015A - Information inputting/displaying system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information inputting/displaying system capable of positively using a region whose detecting precision is low in the coordinate inputting/detecting region of a coordinate inputting/detecting device. SOLUTION: A coordinate inputting/detecting region 3a is divided into a specific inputting/detecting region B having prescribed width H from a segment connecting each optical unit 27 whose position coordinate detecting precision is low and a normal inputting/detecting region A whose position coordinate detecting precision is high other than the specific inputting/detecting region B, and the display contents of the specific inputting/detecting region B and the normal inputting/detecting region A are made different from each other. Thus, an information inputting part I which does not require any high detecting precision in a size which is larger enough than the size of one pixel unit of a display face 2a of the display device 2 is displayed at the display face 2a positioned at the specific inputting/detecting region B so that the information inputting part I which does not require any high detecting precision can be recognized even in the specific inputting/detecting region B whose detecting precision is low. Thus, it is possible to positively use the region whose detecting precision is low.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention comprises a coordinate input / detection device for optically detecting position coordinates specified by an indicating member such as a pen or an indicating means such as a finger for inputting or selecting information. It relates to an information input / display system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, handwritten information written on a writing surface such as a whiteboard or a writing sheet by using a writing instrument is read by a dedicated scanner and output to recording paper by a dedicated printer. Blackboard devices are known. On the other hand, in recent years, a coordinate input / detection device is arranged on a writing surface of an electronic blackboard device, and information written by hand on the writing surface can be input to a computer such as a personal computer in real time. An electronic blackboard system is also provided.

For example, a software board manufactured by Microfield Graphics, Inc. (Microfield Graphics, Inc.) is configured by arranging a coordinate input / detection device on a whiteboard. This is a device that makes it possible to capture visual data such as pictures into a computer in real time. In an electronic blackboard system configured using this software board, visual data captured by the software board is input to a computer and displayed on a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), or displayed on a large screen using a liquid crystal projector. It is possible to output to a recording paper by a printer. Further, it is also possible to project a screen of a computer to which the software board is connected on the software board with a liquid crystal projector and to operate the computer on the software board.

[0004] Further, a display device for displaying characters and images, a coordinate input / detection device having a coordinate input surface (touch panel surface) disposed on the front surface of the display device, and an input from the coordinate input / detection device. An electronic blackboard system, which is an information input / display system comprising a display device and a coordinate input / detection device to configure a display surface and a writing surface of the electronic blackboard unit using the display device and a coordinate input / detection device. ing.

[0005] For example, a Smart 2000 manufactured by SMART Technologies Inc. uses a liquid crystal projector connected to a computer to project characters, pictures, figures, and graphics onto the panel. Of a handwriting information into a computer by using a coordinate input / detection device (writing surface) arranged in front of the projection surface (display surface) of the computer. Then, the handwritten information and the image information are combined in the computer, and can be displayed again in real time via the liquid crystal projector.

In such an electronic blackboard system, an image input using the coordinate input / detection device can be displayed as an overwrite image on an image on the screen displayed by the display device, so that a conference, a presentation, etc. ,
It has already been widely used in educational sites and the like, and its use effect has been highly evaluated. The electronic blackboard system is also used as an electronic conference system by incorporating a communication function such as voice and image into the electronic blackboard system and connecting remote locations with a communication line.

In recent years, various types of coordinate input / detection devices having different detection methods have been considered for use in an electronic blackboard system. However, when considering a method suitable for applying to the above-described electronic blackboard system, input becomes possible without having a physical surface such as a coordinate input surface (touch panel surface). Coordinate input / detection devices are considered promising.

Various systems have been proposed as such an optical coordinate input / detection device. An example of an optical coordinate input / detection device is disclosed in JP-A-11-11011.
There is a coordinate input / detection device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-206. The coordinate input / detection device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-110116 uses a polygon mirror to scan a laser beam emitted from a light source provided in each of two optical units, and scans the laser beam. It has a coordinate input / detection area formed by reflection by a retroreflective member. If the light in the coordinate input / detection area is blocked by inserting a pointing member such as a fingertip or a pen into the coordinate input / detection area, the light intensity of the light receiving elements provided in the two optical units, respectively. Based on the distribution, the number of pulses of the pulse motor that rotates the polygon mirror is detected, and the emission angle of the light blocked by the indicating member is obtained for each optical unit according to the detected number of pulses, and the emission angle is calculated. The position coordinates where the pointing member is inserted are detected by a triangulation method based on the triangulation.

An optical coordinate input / detection device having no physical surface such as a coordinate input surface (touch panel surface) as typified above is used when mounted on a display screen of a display device. However, it is excellent in visibility and relatively large in size.

[0010]

By the way, in triangulation, which is also used for detecting position coordinates in the above-mentioned optical coordinate input / detection device, generally, the longer the reference line of the survey is, the longer it is. It is known that the higher the accuracy, the higher the accuracy. However, it is a fact that the error increases when the surveying object is extremely far or when the surveying object is extremely close. Therefore, when the object to be surveyed is extremely far, the accuracy can be improved by lengthening the reference line, and when the object to be measured is extremely close, the accuracy can be improved by shortening the reference line.

Therefore, in the coordinate input / detection device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-110116, in view of such a drawback of triangulation, a reference line connecting both optical units is separated from the lower side of the display screen to some extent. Since it is not necessary to perform surveying farther than the display screen, both optical units are arranged along the short side of the display screen for the purpose of improving the surveying accuracy of the near portion.

However, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-1
When the coordinate input / detection device described in Japanese Patent No. 10116 is mounted on a display screen of a display device and used as an electronic blackboard system, a reference line connecting both optical units of the coordinate input / detection device is located on a lower side of the display screen. The electronic blackboard system itself becomes large because the electronic blackboard system itself is arranged at a position distant to some extent, and a useless space is generated between the display screen of the display device and a reference line connecting both optical units. There's a problem.

Conventionally, a mouse used when operating various application programs such as drawing software, word processor software, spreadsheet software, and presentation software in a personal computer or the like is provided with a predetermined operating system (OS).
Under the control using the stem), two types of operations, a right click and a left click, are possible. However, when the coordinate input / detection device is used as a pointing device such as a mouse, it cannot be distinguished between right click and left click. Right-clicking has a function of displaying a submenu on the screen by operating it only once (one click), which is very useful. However, in a coordinate input / detection device, a menu bar at the top of the screen or It is inconvenient to use the toolbar. Such a problem is that the larger the coordinate input / detection area becomes, the more difficult it becomes for a child or the like to use the menu bar or toolbar at the top of the screen. Indeed, it is noticeable.

An object of the present invention is to provide an information input / display system capable of positively using an area having a low detection accuracy in a coordinate input / detection area of a coordinate input / detection device.

An object of the present invention is to provide an information input / display system capable of reliably setting an area having low position coordinate detection accuracy as a specific input / detection area.

An object of the present invention is to provide a user-friendly information input / display system.

[0017]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
A display device having a display surface for displaying predetermined items; a control device for controlling display contents of the display device; and a plurality of control devices arranged on the display surface of the display device such that coordinate input / detection regions are substantially coincident with each other. Coordinate input / detection for detecting position coordinates of a pointing member or a pointing means such as a finger for pointing in the coordinate input / detection area based on light received by a light receiving element provided in each of the optical units and outputting the coordinate to the control device. An information input / display system comprising: a specific input / detection area that is a low-position coordinate detection area having a predetermined width from a line connecting the optical units in the coordinate input / detection area; In the coordinate input / detection region, a normal input / detection region other than the specific input / detection region, which has a high position coordinate detection accuracy, is the display controlled by the control device. Display the contents of the location is different.

Therefore, in the specific input / detection area where the position coordinate detection accuracy is low, for example, it is necessary to detect position coordinates different from the display contents in the normal input / detection area where the position coordinate detection accuracy is high. By displaying a message or the like not to be detected, it is possible to positively use an area where the detection accuracy is low.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the information input / display system according to the first aspect, a width of the specific input / detection area of the coordinate input / detection area is H = w × 0.06 (where, H: specific input / detection area width w: distance between optical units).

Therefore, it is possible to reliably set an area where the position coordinate detection accuracy is low as a specific input / detection area.

The third aspect of the present invention is the first or second aspect.
In the information input / display system described above, each of the optical units is disposed above the coordinate input / detection area in the direction of gravity.

Therefore, the position of the specific input / detection area and the normal input / detection area are shifted up and down, so that the menu bar or the toolbar at the top of the screen under the control using a predetermined operating system is changed to the specific input / detection area. , It is possible to provide a user-friendly information input / display system.

The invention described in claim 4 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2
In the information input / display system described above, each of the optical units is disposed below the coordinate input / detection area in the direction of gravity.

Therefore, the positional relationship between the normal input / detection area and the specific input / detection area is up and down.
Even if the display screen of the display device is a large screen, a message or the like can be displayed in the specific input / detection area below, so that a user-friendly information input / display system can be provided.

The invention described in claim 5 is the first or second invention.
In the information input / display system described above, each of the optical units is disposed on a side opposite to the coordinate input / detection area.

Therefore, since the normal input / detection area is located across the specific input / detection area, it is possible to provide a user-friendly information input / display system.

The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2.
In the information input / display system described above, each of the optical units is disposed at one of left and right ends of the coordinate input / detection area.

Therefore, since the specific input / detection area is located at one of the left and right ends of the coordinate input / detection area, it is possible to provide a user-friendly information input / display system. .

[0029] The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claims 1 to 6.
In the information input / display system according to any one of the above,
On the display surface of the display device located in the specific input / detection area of the coordinate input / detection area, an information input unit having a size that allows detection accuracy in the specific input / detection area is displayed.

Therefore, since the information input section is of a size that does not require high detection accuracy, it can be recognized even in a specific input / detection area where detection accuracy is low. It becomes possible to use it.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the information input / display system according to the seventh aspect, the information input section is a button corresponding to a specific function.

Therefore, for example, by setting the information input section to a button corresponding to the right-click function of a mouse, the coordinate input / detection device cannot be displayed without using the menu bar or toolbar at the top of the screen. Mouse right-click function can be easily demonstrated by simple operation.

Here, the right-click function of the mouse means a predetermined operating system (OS: Operating System).
Under the control using stem), by operating the right-click button of the mouse only once (one click),
This function displays a submenu on the screen.

[0034]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
This will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 1 is an external perspective view schematically showing the electronic blackboard system 1. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, an electronic blackboard system 1 as an information input / display system includes an electronic blackboard unit 4 including a plasma display panel (PDP: Plasma Display Panel) 2 and a coordinate input / detection device 3 as display devices. It is mainly composed of the device storage section 9. A computer 5 such as a personal computer as a control device is
A scanner 6 for reading an image of a document; a printer 7 for outputting image data to recording paper; a video player 8
(See FIG. 2). In addition, PDP
As 2, a large-screen type that can be used as an electronic blackboard is used. In the present embodiment, the PD
P2 is, for example, 60 inches (diagonal length), and an XGA (Ex: 4: 3 aspect ratio) is set at the center of the screen with an aspect ratio of 16: 9.
It is capable of displaying a screen compatible with tended graphics array (1024 x 768 pixels). As will be described in detail later, the coordinate input / detection device 3 has a coordinate input / detection area 3a which is a coordinate input / detection surface formed by a luminous flux film projected in a fan shape. By inserting an indicating member such as a pen or an indicating means P (see FIG. 7) such as a fingertip into the / detection area 3a, the light flux in the coordinate input / detection area 3a is blocked to receive light from a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or the like. An optical coordinate input / detection device that detects an indicated position based on the image formation position of the element 39 (see FIG. 5) and enables input of characters and the like is applied.

The PDP 2 and the coordinate input / detection device 3
Input coordinates on the display surface (display surface) 2a side of DP2 /
The detection device 3 is integrated so that it is located, and the PDP 2
Of the electronic blackboard unit 4 so that the coordinate input / detection area 3a of the coordinate input / detection device 3 substantially matches the display surface 2a of the electronic blackboard.
Is formed. As described above, the electronic blackboard unit 4 includes the PDP 2
And the coordinate input / detection device 3 are housed to form a display surface (display surface 2a of the PDP 2) and a writing surface (coordinate input / detection area 3a) of the electronic blackboard system 1.

Further, although not shown, the PD
The P2 is provided with a video input terminal and a speaker, and is connected to various information devices and AV devices such as a video player 8 as well as a laser disk player, a DVD player, and a video camera, and uses the PDP 2 as a large-screen monitor. It is configured to be able to. The PDP 2 is also provided with adjusting means (not shown) for adjusting the display position, width, height, distortion, and the like of the PDP 2.

Next, the electrical connection of each part built in the electronic blackboard system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
As shown in FIG.
, A PDP 2, a scanner 6, a printer 7, and a video player 8 are connected to each other, and a computer 5 controls the entire system. The computer 5 also has a coordinate input / detection area 3 designated by the instruction means P.
A controller 10 provided in a coordinate input / detection device 3 for calculating position coordinates in a is connected, and the coordinate input / detection device 3 is also connected to the computer 5 via the controller 10. Also, the electronic whiteboard system 1 can be connected to the network 11 via the computer 5, and data created by another computer connected to the network 11 can be displayed on the PDP 2, and data created by the electronic whiteboard system 1 can be displayed. Can also be transferred to another computer.

Next, the computer 5 will be described.
Here, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical connection of each unit built in the computer 5. As shown in FIG. 3, the computer 5 includes a CPU 12 for controlling the entire system.
(Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) 13 storing a startup program and the like, and a CPU 12
RAM (Random Access) used as a work area for
Memory) 14, a keyboard 15 for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, etc., a mouse 16 for moving a cursor, selecting a range, etc., a hard disk 17,
A graphics board 18 connected to the DP 2 and controlling display of an image on the PDP 2, a network card (or a modem) 19 for connecting to the network 11, a controller 10, a scanner 6 and a printer 7. (I / F) 20 for connecting the components and the like, and a bus 21 for connecting the above components.
And

The hard disk 17 includes an operating system (OS) 22, a device driver 23 for operating the coordinate input / detection device 3 on the computer 5 via the controller 10, a drawing software, a word processor software and a table. Various application programs 24 such as calculation software and presentation software are stored.

The computer 5 has a storage medium 26 storing various program codes (control programs) such as an OS 22, a device driver 23, and various application programs 24, that is, a floppy disk, a hard disk, and an optical disk (CD-ROM, CD
-R, CD-R / W, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM
Program reading device 25 such as a floppy disk drive device, a CD-ROM drive device, an MO drive device which is a device for reading a program code stored in a magneto-optical disk (MO), a memory card or the like.
Is installed.

Various application programs 24 include:
OS2 that starts up when the power to the computer 5 is turned on
2 is executed by the CPU 12. For example, when the drawing software is activated by a predetermined operation of the keyboard 15 or the mouse 16, a predetermined image based on the drawing software is displayed on the PDP 2 via the graphics board 18. In addition, the device driver 23 is also an OS
It is started together with 22 and is in a state where data can be input from the coordinate input / detection device 3 via the controller 10. Entering coordinates /
When the user inserts the pointing means P into the coordinate input / detection area 3a of the detection device 3 and draws a character or a graphic, the coordinate information is input to the computer 5 as image data based on the description of the pointing means P, and is input to the PDP 2, for example. The image is displayed as an overwrite image on the image on the displayed screen. More specifically, the CPU 12 of the computer 5 generates drawing information for drawing a line or a character based on the input image data, and generates the drawing information in accordance with the position coordinates based on the input coordinate information. To a video memory (not shown) provided in the memory. Thereafter, the graphics board 18 transmits the drawing information written in the video memory to the PDP 2 as an image signal, so that the same characters as the characters written by the user are displayed on the PDP 2. That is, since the computer 5 recognizes the coordinate input / detection device 3 as a pointing device such as the mouse 16, the computer 5
The same processing as when writing characters using the mouse 16 on drawing software is performed.

Next, the coordinate input / detection device 3 will be described in detail. Here, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the configuration of the coordinate input / detection device 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the coordinate input / detection device 3 is provided on the display surface 2a of the PDP 2.
And a horizontally long rectangular coordinate input / detection area 3a having a size corresponding to the above-mentioned size. The coordinate input / detection area 3a is an area where characters, figures, and the like can be input by handwriting. An optical unit 27 (a left optical unit 27L and a right optical unit 27R) for emitting and receiving light is provided at a predetermined mounting angle near corners located at both lower ends of the coordinate input / detection area 3a. I have. These optical units 27 form a plane or almost a plane, for example, L ₁ , L ₂ , L ₃ ,..., L _n (R ₁ , R ₂ , R
₃ ,..., R _n ) along the surface of the display surface 2a of the PDP 2 so that a fan-shaped luminous flux film composed of a bundle of light (probe light) such as Rn) extends over the entire coordinate input / detection area 3a. Light is emitted in parallel.

The coordinate input / coordinate input / detection device 3
A retroreflective member 28 is provided in a peripheral part except a lower part of the detection area 3a. The retroreflective member 28 is formed by arranging a large number of conical corner cubes, for example, and has a characteristic of reflecting incident light toward a predetermined position regardless of the incident angle. For example, the probe light L _3, which is projected from the left optical unit 27L is
It is reflected by the retroreflection member 28 and will be received by the left optical unit 27L as retroreflected light L ₃ 'following the same optical path again. That is, the retroreflective member 2
8, a coordinate input / detection area 3a is also formed.

Next, the optical unit 27 will be described. Here, FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram schematically showing the structure of the optical unit 27. Although FIG. 5 mainly shows the xz direction, the same components are viewed from different directions (xy direction or yz direction) with respect to a portion shown by a two-dot chain line. .

As shown in FIG. 5, the optical unit 27
It comprises a light projecting means 29 and a light receiving means 30. The light projecting means 29 is provided with an LD (La
serDiode: semiconductor laser, pinpoint LED (Ligh
A light source 31 such as a t Emitting Diode (light emitting diode) is provided. Light emitted perpendicularly to the display surface 2a of the PDP 2 from the light source 31 is collimated in the x direction by a cylindrical lens 32 capable of changing only the magnification in one direction. The light collimated in the x direction by the cylindrical lens 32 is collected in the y direction by two cylindrical lenses 33 and 34 whose curvature distribution is orthogonal to that of the cylindrical lens 32. In other words, by the operation of these cylindrical lens groups (cylindrical lenses 32, 33, and 34), the area where light from the light source 31 is linearly condensed becomes the cylindrical lens 3
4 will be formed. Here, a slit plate 35 having a slit narrow in the y direction and elongated in the x direction is arranged. Therefore, the light that has passed through the cylindrical lens groups (the cylindrical lenses 32, 33, and 34) forms a linear secondary light source 36 at the slit position of the slit plate 35. The light emitted from the secondary light source 36 is turned back by the half mirror 37, and the display surface 2 of the PDP 2
a is a parallel light along the surface of the display surface 2a without spreading in the vertical direction, and a fan-shaped light flux film centered on the secondary light source 36 in the direction parallel to the display surface 2a to form a coordinate input / detection area. Proceed through 3a. In other words, the fan-shaped light forms the coordinate input / detection area 3a. These cylindrical lens groups (cylindrical lenses 32, 3)
3, 34) and the slit plate 35 form a condensing optical system.

As described above, the luminous flux film which has progressed through the coordinate input / detection area 3a in the shape of a fan is applied to the retroreflective member 2a.
The light is recursively reflected at 8 and returns to the half mirror 37 following the same optical path again. Therefore, the light flux film recursively reflected by the retroreflective member 28 also forms the coordinate input / detection area 3a.

The retroreflected light reflected by the retroreflective member 28 and returned to the half mirror 37 passes through the half mirror 37 and enters the light receiving means 30. The retroreflected light incident on the light receiving means 30 is linearized through a cylindrical lens 38 as a condenser lens, and is provided at an interval of a distance f (f is the focal length of the cylindrical lens 38) from the cylindrical lens 38. CCD (Charge Coupled)
The device 39 receives light at different positions for each probe light. The CCD of the present embodiment
The (light receiving element) 39 is a one-dimensional CCD, and its number of pixels is 2,048 pixels.

More specifically, the retroreflected light reflected by the retroreflective member 28 is reflected by the cylindrical lens 3 in the z-axis direction.
8, the light reaches the CCD (light receiving element) 39 while being collimated. The retroreflected light is PDP2
In the direction parallel to the display surface 2a, the light propagates so as to converge on the center of the cylindrical lens 38, and as a result,
CCD (light receiving element) installed on the focal plane of the cylindrical lens 38 under the action of the cylindrical lens 38
An image is formed on 39. Thereby, the CCD (light receiving element) 3
9, a light intensity distribution is formed according to the presence or absence of retroreflected light. That is, when the retroreflected light is blocked by the indicating means P, a point (peak point described later) where the light intensity is weak occurs at a position on the CCD (light receiving element) 39 corresponding to the blocked retroreflected light. The CCD (light receiving element) 39 that has received the retroreflected light generates an electric signal based on the light intensity distribution of the retroreflected light (probe light), and the controller 1 described above.
Output for 0. As shown in FIG. 5, the secondary light source 36 and the cylindrical lens 38 are both disposed at a position of a distance d with respect to the half mirror 37 and have a conjugate positional relationship.

Here, FIG. 6 shows a process in which an electric signal based on the light intensity distribution of the retroreflected light is input from the light receiving element 39 and the coordinates of the position where the light traveling in the coordinate input / detection area 3a is blocked are specified. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a controller 10 that executes the above. The controller 10 includes the optical unit 2
7 (left optical unit 27L, right optical unit 27
R) Light emission control of the light source (LD) 31 and the optical unit 2
7 (left optical unit 27L, right optical unit 27
R) to calculate the output from the CCD (light receiving element) 39. As shown in FIG. 6, the controller 10 is provided with a CPU 40 for centrally controlling each unit. This CPU 40 has a ROM 41 for storing programs and data, and a work area for storing various data in a rewritable manner. , An interface 43 for connecting to the computer 5, an A / D (Anal
An og / Digital) converter 44 and an LD driver 45 are connected by a bus. Further, the CPU 40 has a hard disk 46 for storing various program codes (control programs) and an EEPROM (Electronic Device) which is a non-volatile memory.
ectrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memor
y) 47 is bus-connected. Here, the CPU 40,
A microcomputer is constituted by the ROM 41 and the RAM 42. In such a microcomputer, a storage medium 49 storing various program codes (control programs), that is, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk (CD-ROM, CD-R,
CD-R / W, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, etc.), a magneto-optical disk (MO), a floppy disk drive which is a device for reading a program code stored in a memory card, etc., a CD-ROM drive, an MO A program reading device 48 such as a drive device is connected.

As a circuit for calculating the output from the CCD (light receiving element) 39, an analog processing circuit 51 is connected to the output terminal of the CCD (light receiving element) 39 as shown in the figure. C
The reflected light that has entered the CD (light receiving element) 39 is converted into analog image data having a voltage value corresponding to the light intensity in the CCD (light receiving element) 39 and output as an analog signal. This analog signal is processed by an analog processing circuit 51 and then converted by an A / D (Analog / Digital) converter 4.
The signal is converted into a digital signal by 4 and passed to the CPU 40. After that, the CPU 40 calculates the two-dimensional coordinates of the pointing means P.

Various program codes (control programs) stored in the hard disk 46 or a storage medium 49
The various program codes (control programs) stored in the controller 10
M42 is written to execute various program codes (control programs).

Subsequently, based on the control program, the CPU
The functions performed by the function 40 will be described. Here, the coordinate detection processing, which is a characteristic function of the coordinate input / detection device 3 of the present embodiment, will be specifically described below.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing an example in which one point in the coordinate input / detection area 3a of the coordinate input / detection device 3 is indicated by the pointing means P. As shown in FIG. 7, for example, L ₁ , L ₂ ,
L _3, ···, if n th probe light L _n in the fan-shaped light composed of the probe light such L _n is blocked by the pointing means P, the probe light L _n retroreflective member Never reach 28.

At this time, the light intensity distribution on the CCD (light receiving element) 39 is considered. Here, FIG. 8 shows a CCD (light receiving element) 3
9 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a detection operation of No. 9; FIG. Indicating means P
Is not inserted in the coordinate input / detection area 3a,
CCD While the light intensity distribution on the (light receiving element) 39 is substantially constant, and the instruction unit P as shown in FIG. 8 is inserted into the coordinate inputting / detecting area 3a is the probe light L _n is blocked by the pointing means P for the case, the probe light L _n is not to be received by CCD (light receiving element) 39 of the optical unit 27, optical unit 2 corresponding to the probe light L _n
A predetermined position _Xn on the CCD (light receiving element) 39 is a region (dark point) where the light intensity is low. Since the position X _n, which is a region (dark point) where the light intensity is weak, appears as a peak point in the waveform of the light intensity output from the CCD (light receiving element) 39, the CPU 40 The appearance of the peak point in the waveform is recognized based on the change in the voltage, and the position _Xn of the dark point which is the peak point of the light intensity waveform is detected.

When the dark spot position X _{n which} is the peak point of the light intensity waveform is detected, the distance from the dark spot position X _n to the center pixel of the CCD (light receiving element) 39 is, for example, CCD.
It is detected based on the pixel number of the (light receiving element) 39 (for example, the pixel number m in FIG. 8).

The position X _n which is a region (dark point) where the light intensity is weak
(X _n L on the CCD (light receiving element) 39 of the left optical unit 27L and X _n R on the CCD (light receiving element) 39 of the right optical unit 27R) indicate the emission / incident angle θ _n of the blocked probe light. Yes, θ _n can be known by detecting X _n . That is, from the dark spot position _Xn to the CCD
(Light receiving element) Assuming that the distance to the center pixel of 39 is a,
θ _n can be expressed as a function of a as follows: θ _n = tan ⁻¹ (a / f) (1) Here, f is the focal length of the cylindrical lens 38. Here, the left optical unit 2
In the 7L, θ _n is replaced with θ _n L, and a is replaced with X _n L.

Further, in FIG. 7, the angle θL between the pointing means P and the left optical unit 27L is determined by the conversion coefficient g of the geometric relative positional relationship between the left optical unit 27L and the coordinate input / detection area 3a. X obtained by equation (1)
as a function of _{n L, θL = g (θ} n L) .................................... (2) However, it can be expressed as ^{_{θ n L = tan -1 (X}} n L / f) .

Similarly, for the right optical unit 27R, the symbol L in the above-mentioned equations (1) and (2) is replaced with the symbol R, and the right optical unit 27R and the coordinate input / detection area 3 are replaced.
θR = h (θ _n R) (3) where θ _n R = tan ⁻¹ (X _n R / f).

Here, the CCD of the left optical unit 27L
(Light receiving element) Center position of 39 and right optical unit 27R
Assuming that the distance from the center position of the CCD (light receiving element) 39 is w shown in FIG. 7, the two-dimensional coordinates (x, y) of the point designated by the indicating means P in the coordinate input / detection area 3a are triangulated. According to the principle, x = w · tanθR / (tanθL + tanθR) (4) y = w · tanθL · tanθR / (tanθL + tanθR) (5)

These (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
The formula is stored in the hard disk 4 as part of the control program.
6 and the storage medium 49. (1) (2)
The position coordinates (x, y) of the pointing means P are calculated as functions of X _n L and X _n R according to the equations (3), (4) and (5).
That is, the position of the dark spot on the CCD (light receiving element) 39 of the left optical unit 27L and the C
By detecting the position of the dark spot on the CD (light receiving element) 39, the position coordinates (x, y) of the pointing means P are calculated.

Here, the case where θR and θL fluctuate will be described. For example, θR varies by θeR,
When L fluctuates by θeL, the calculated coordinate fluctuation d
x and dy are: dx (θeL, θeR, θL, θR) = g (θL + θeL, θR + θeR) −g (θL, θR) (6) dy (θeL, θeR, θL, θR) = h (θL + θeL, θR + θeR) ) −h (θL, θR) (7)

Therefore, the coordinate fluctuation distance D (for example, the CCD of the left optical unit 27) due to the fluctuations dx and dy
(Light receiving element) The distance between the center position of 39 and (x, y),
(Indicated by the difference between the center position of the CCD (light receiving element) 39 of the left optical unit 27 and the distance between (x + dx, y + dy))
D (θeL, θeR, θL, θR) = {dx ² (θeL, θeR, θL, θR) + dy ² (θeL, θeR, θL, θR)} ^-1/2 (8) it can.

With respect to the variation distance D as described above, the average variation Dave when θR and θL vary in the range of −θe to θe is:

[0064]

(Equation 1)

Can be expressed as follows. This equation (9) indicates that even when the fluctuation of the sensor for detecting the angle (CCD (light receiving element) 39) is the same, the influence on the average fluctuation due to the non-linearity of the arithmetic expression of the triangulation method differs depending on the position of the coordinates. Is an evaluation function introduced to show

Here, in PDP2, 60 inches
XGA (Extended Graphics Array) with an aspect ratio of 4: 3 at the center of the screen with an aspect ratio of 16: 9 (diagonal length)
The angle detection accuracy of the CCD (light receiving element) 39 required to identify one pixel when displaying a corresponding (1024 × 768 pixel) screen will be obtained. According to the above conditions, the pitch of one pixel is 0.97 mm. For example, at a point that is 60 inches farthest from the sensor, it is 0.92 mm apart from the direction viewed from the CCD (light receiving element) 39.
It is roughly estimated that if one point is expected, that is, if one pixel difference is to be surely identified, it is necessary to suppress the fluctuation of the angle detected by the CCD (light receiving element) 39 to about 0.03 deg or less. However, the value of about 0.03 deg is a permissible fluctuation value of the detection angle obtained for coordinates at a distance of 60 inches from the CCD (light receiving element) 39.

Next, the value of 0.03 deg is substituted into equation (9), and the coordinate fluctuation amount when the detection angle of the sensor fluctuates by 0.03 deg is shown in FIG. 9 as the distribution in the coordinate input / detection area 3a. Show. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the coordinate fluctuation amount by contour lines, and a blank portion in the lower part of FIG. 9 is omitted because the contour lines cannot be represented densely. According to FIG.
When the detection angle of the (light receiving element) 39 fluctuates by 0.03 deg, the coordinate fluctuation distance D in the portion E in the coordinate input / detection area 3a is 0.4 mm, which is small enough to identify one pixel. . However, more CCD
(Light receiving element) Coordinate variation distance D of a portion F near the position of 39 (left optical unit 27L and right optical unit 27R)
Is 0.8 mm or more.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of FIG. 9 cut by a straight line G having the origin at the point 0 shown in FIG. 9. The vertical axis represents the coordinate variation distance D, and the horizontal axis represents the y of this coordinate. It shows the coordinates (the distance in the y direction from the origin 0). This unit is mm. According to FIG. 10, the coordinate variation distance D increases as the value of the y coordinate decreases. That is, the detected coordinates and the CC of the left optical unit 27 are
D (light receiving element) 39 center position and right optical unit 27
As the distance from the reference line connecting the center position of the CCD 39 (light receiving element) of R decreases, the coordinate variation distance D increases. When the distance is 80 mm, it can be seen that the coordinate variation distance D is 1 mm, which is almost equal to the pixel pitch (0.97 mm). Therefore, under the above conditions, the detection angle of the CCD (light receiving element) 39 is 0.03
Even when the deg varies, a reference line connecting the center position of the CCD (light receiving element) 39 of the left optical unit 27 and the center position of the CCD (light receiving element) 39 of the right optical unit 27R in the coordinate input / detection area 3a. Is 80mm
With respect to the coordinates input to a certain area as described above, the variation amount is equal to or less than the pixel pitch, and there is substantially no problem.

Therefore, in the coordinate input / detection area 3a of the coordinate input / detection device 3, the coordinate input / detection area 3a is normally input / detected at a predetermined width H schematically shown by a dashed line in FIG. The detection area A and the specific input / detection area B are used separately. That is, the CCD (light receiving element) of the left optical unit 27 in the coordinate input / detection area 3a
A portion separated by a width H from a reference line connecting the center position of 39 and the center position of the CCD (light receiving element) 39 of the right optical unit 27R is the specific input / detection area B.

The width H is equal to CC of the left optical unit 27.
D (light receiving element) 39 center position and right optical unit 27
R is a value determined according to the distance w from the center position of the CCD (light receiving element) 39, and the value of 80 mm is 6
Calculated based on the coordinate input / detection area 3a corresponding to the PDP 2 capable of displaying an XGA-compatible screen with an aspect ratio of 4: 3 at the center of a screen of 0 inch (diagonal length) and an aspect ratio of 16: 9. The distance w is 1,330 mm. However, even when the distance w is different, θ used in Expression (9) is used.
If the combination of R and θL is the same, the coordinate variation distance D shows the same behavior as that shown in FIG. Therefore, the width H (80 mm) with respect to the distance w (1,330 mm)
A value that takes the same ratio as, ie, 0.06 (80/1330) for the distance w
Is set as the width H of the specific input / detection area B, the variation of the detection angle of the CCD (light receiving element) 39 is set to 0.
03 deg or less. Thereby, in the normal input / detection area A of the coordinate input / detection area 3a, the coordinate variation distance D can be made equal to or less than the allowable value over the entire area, so that the detection accuracy of the coordinate input / detection device 3 is improved. Can be.

On the other hand, the specific input / detection area B is a distance between a center line of the CCD (light receiving element) 39 of the left optical unit 27 and a reference line connecting the center position of the CCD (light receiving element) 39 of the right optical unit 27R. Is an area within 80 mm, and in this area, as shown in FIG. 10, the detection accuracy is low where the coordinate variation distance D increases exponentially as the distance from the reference line approaches. That is, the width H
In the (80 mm) specific input / detection area B, for example, when a predetermined image is displayed on the PDP 2 based on drawing software for displaying an icon whose one side has a size of a millimeter unit, and the icon is instructed by the instruction means P Since the coordinate variation distance D is 1 mm or more, which is a value substantially equal to the pixel pitch (0.97 mm), a problem may occur that the designated position cannot be accurately recognized.

In the specific input / detection area B, it is difficult to draw a fine line diagram (characters, figures, etc.), but it is possible to roughly detect the indicated position. In the electronic blackboard system 1, the button I which is an information input unit such as an icon or a toolbar displayed in the specific input / detection area B for various application programs 24 such as drawing software, word processor software, spreadsheet software, and presentation software. (Figure 1
2), the size of one side is largely displayed in centimeters, and the distance between the buttons I is also increased in centimeters, so that the button I is located in the specific input / detection area B.
In other words, by displaying a large button I that does not require high detection accuracy in the specific input / detection area B with low detection accuracy, it is possible to actively use the area with low detection accuracy.

The button I such as an icon or a toolbar displayed so as to be located in the specific input / detection area B is a button corresponding to a specific function and a button (right Click button). Thus, the specific input / detection area B
By displaying the right-click button so that it is located at the right side of the screen, the right-click function of the mouse, which could not be exhibited without using the menu bar and toolbar at the top of the screen in the coordinate input / detection device, can be easily performed. It can be easily exhibited by operation. Further, by locating the specific input / detection area B below the normal input / detection area A, even when the large-screen PDP 2 is used as the display device, it is easy to move to the right-click button. It is easy to use.

Further, in the specific input / detection area B, in addition to buttons I such as icons and toolbars, only messages and images such as operation guides may be displayed. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the specific input / detection area B may be used as an advertisement display unit, and the advertisement display (advertisement message, advertisement image, etc.) M1 may be scroll-displayed from right to left over time. . Also, as shown in FIG.
The specific input / detection area B may be used as a help message display unit, and a corresponding operation help (message, image, etc.) M2 may be displayed according to an input (touch input) by a user's instruction. The operation help (message, image, etc.) M2 disappears from the specific input / detection area B when the user performs an appropriate operation. Accordingly, by displaying a message or the like that does not require the detection of the position coordinates in the specific input / detection area B with low detection accuracy, the area with low detection accuracy can be positively used.

In this embodiment, the optical unit 27 for emitting and receiving light (the left optical unit 27) is used.
L, the right optical unit 27R) is provided near the corners at both lower ends of the coordinate input / detection device 3 so that the specific input / detection area B of the coordinate input / detection area 3a is normally input / detected. Although positioned below the area A, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible. For example, if the plasma display panel (PDP: Plasma Display Panel) 2 which is a display device is small, as shown in FIG.
(Left optical unit 27L, right optical unit 27R)
May be provided near the corners at both upper ends of the coordinate input / detection area 3a, and the specific input / detection area B may be positioned above the normal input / detection area A. In this case, a menu bar or a toolbar at the top of the screen under control using a predetermined operating system can be displayed in the specific input / detection area B.

As shown in FIG. 16, the optical unit 27 (the left optical unit 27L, the right optical unit 27
R) is provided along one of the short sides of the coordinate input / detection area 3a (PDP2), and the specific input / detection area B of the coordinate input / detection area 3a is defined by the optical unit 27 (the left optical unit 27L, the right optical unit). 27R) may be located either in the left-right direction of the coordinate input / detection area 3a according to the arrangement position.

Further, as shown in FIG. 17, the optical unit 27 (left optical unit 27L, right optical unit 2
7R) is provided facing the center of the short side or the long side of the coordinate input / detection area 3a (PDP2), and the normal input / detection area A is located on both sides of the specific input / detection area B. May be. In this case, the width of the specific input / detection area B is 2H.

Further, in the present embodiment, the coordinate input / detection device 3 is provided in the plasma display panel (PDP) 2 as a display device, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the CRT (Cathode Ray
Tube), LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), front projection type projector, rear projection type projector, etc., may be applied as the display device.

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The same parts as those described in the first embodiment of the present invention are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. This embodiment is a modification of the method of the coordinate input / detection device. Specifically, the coordinate input / detection device 3 used in the first embodiment of the present invention is a light shielding type, but the coordinate input / detection device 50 of the present embodiment is a light reflection type. Things.

FIG. 18 shows a coordinate input / detection device 50.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an indicating means Q used for the present invention. FIG. 19 shows the coordinate input / detection area 5 of the coordinate input / detection device 50.
It is a front view showing an example in which one point in 0a was pointed by the indicating means Q. As shown in FIG. 18, the coordinate input / detection device 5
The coordinate input / detection area distal portion to Q ₁ indicating means Q used to point at a single point in the 50a of 0 is provided retroreflection member 52. This retroreflective member 52
Is formed by arranging a large number of conical corner cubes, for example, and has a characteristic of reflecting incident light toward a predetermined position regardless of the incident angle. For example, the probe light L _n that is projected from the left optical unit 27L, as shown in FIG. 19, it is reflected by the retroreflection member 52, received by the optical unit 27 as retroreflected light L _n 'that follows the same optical path again Will be done. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 19, in the coordinate input / detection device 50 of the present embodiment, the coordinate input / detection region 3a is used like the coordinate input / detection device 3 used in the first embodiment of the present invention. It is not necessary to provide the retroreflective member 28 in the peripheral part except for the lower part.

Therefore, the recursion of such indicating means Q
Tip portion Q provided with a reflective member 52 ₁Input / detection
Appropriate position of coordinate input / detection area 50a of device 50
(X, y), and project light from the optical unit 27, for example.
Probe light L in the divided fan-shaped light flux film_nIs an instruction means
Tip part Q of Q₁Its recursion if reflected by
Light L_n′ Is a CCD (light receiving element) 3 of the optical unit 27
9 is received. Thus, the CCD (light receiving element)
Child) 39 is the retroreflected light L_nRecursive if ´ is received
Reflected light L_n'Of the optical unit 27 corresponding to
Predetermined position X on optical element) 39_nL is the region with strong light intensity
(Bright point). More specifically, the probe in the luminous flux membrane
Light L_nIs the tip Q of the indicating means Q₁Field reflected by
In this case, the CCD (light receiving element) 39 shown in FIG.
A peak point appears in the waveform of the applied light intensity.
You.

Therefore, even when such a light reflection type coordinate input / detection device 50 is applied to the electronic blackboard system 1, a peak point appears in the light intensity waveform. Since the position coordinates of the pointing means Q are calculated by a triangulation method based on the peak point appearing in the left side, the CCD (light receiving element) 39 of the left optical unit 27 is operated similarly to the coordinate input / detection device 3 described above. Center position and CCD (light receiving element) 3 of right optical unit 27R
In the specific input / detection area B, which is a portion away from the reference line connecting the center position of No. 9 by the width H, the measurement error increases. Therefore, in the light reflection type coordinate input / detection device 50 of the present embodiment, the coordinate input / detection area 50a is also provided.
About the CCD (light receiving element) of the left optical unit 27
The distance between the center line of the CCD 39 and the center line of the CCD (light receiving element) 39 of the right optical unit 27R is 80.
The area within mm is the specific input / detection area B, and the portion of the coordinate input / detection area 50a other than the specific input / detection area B is the normal input / detection area A.

Thus, even when such a light reflection type coordinate input / detection device 50 is applied to the electronic blackboard system 1, it is the same as the case where the light shielding type coordinate input / detection device 3 is used. The operation and effect can be obtained.

A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the same parts as those described in the first embodiment or the second embodiment of the present invention are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. This embodiment is a modification of the optical unit. For details,
In the optical unit 27 used in the first embodiment or the second embodiment of the present invention, a coordinate input / detection area is formed by projecting a fan-shaped light flux film. The optical unit has a rotary scanning system such as a polygon mirror, and radially projects a light beam emitted from a light source by the rotary scanning system to input a coordinate.
It forms a detection area.

FIG. 21 is a plan view schematically showing the optical unit 60. As shown in FIG. 21, the optical unit 60 includes a LD (Laser Diode: semiconductor laser) 61 which is a light source having a driving circuit (not shown) and emitting a laser beam, a half mirror 62, a polygon mirror 63, and the like. A light projecting unit 60 a including an optical lens 64 and a light receiving element 65 are provided. The light receiving element 65 is configured by a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) provided at a distance f (f is the focal length of the condenser lens 64) from the condenser lens 64. Such an optical unit 60 includes an LD
After transmitting the laser light emitted from 61 through the half mirror 62, the laser light is sequentially reflected radially by a polygon mirror 63 driven to rotate by a pulse motor (not shown).
Therefore, the optical unit 60 repeatedly emits the beam light radially. That is, the coordinate input / detection area 66 is formed by the light beams radially projected from the two optical units 60.

Therefore, such an optical unit 60
In place of the optical unit 27 (the left optical unit 27L, the right optical unit 27R) and the coordinate input / detection devices 3, 5
Even when applied to 0, a peak point appears in the waveform of the light intensity output from the CCD (light receiving element) 65 due to light blocking or reflection by the pointing member. Therefore, although detailed description is omitted because it is known in the art, the pulse of the pulse motor of the pulse motor that rotates the polygon mirror 63 based on the peak point of the waveform of the light intensity output from the CCD (light receiving element) 65 The number of pulses was detected, and the emission angle of light shielded or reflected by the indicating member was determined for each optical unit 60 according to the detected number of pulses, and the indicating member was inserted by a triangulation method based on those emission angles. Position coordinates can be detected.

That is, even when such an optical unit 60 is applied to the coordinate input / detection devices 3 and 50 instead of the optical unit 27 (the left optical unit 27L and the right optical unit 27R), the light intensity waveform Since the position coordinates of the indicating means Q are calculated by a triangulation method based on the peak point appearing at the point, the width from the reference line connecting the optical units 60 to the width is similar to the coordinate input / detection devices 3 and 50 described above. In the specific input / detection region B which is a portion separated by H, the measurement error becomes large. Therefore, even when the optical unit 60 is applied to the coordinate input / detection devices 3 and 50, an area within a distance of 80 mm from a reference line connecting the optical units 60 is set as the specific input / detection area B, and the coordinate input / detection area B is set. A portion of the / detection area 66 excluding the specific input / detection area B is defined as a normal input / detection area A.

Thus, such an optical unit 60
Is applied to the coordinate input / detection devices 3 and 50, the same operation and effect can be obtained as in the case where the optical unit 27 described above is used.

A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The same parts as those described in the first embodiment of the present invention are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. This embodiment is a modification of the method of the coordinate input / detection device, in which image information in a coordinate input / detection area formed by light emitted from a light source is captured by an image input unit, and the captured image information is captured. This is an example in which a so-called imaging type coordinate input / detection device that detects position coordinates based on a part of the image information is applied.

FIG. 22 shows a coordinate input / detection device 81.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of FIG. Reference numeral 82 denotes an infrared position detection unit, and 83a and 83b are two infrared CCD cameras arranged in the infrared position detection unit 82 and functioning as image input means (light receiving elements), arranged at a distance L in the horizontal direction. Have been. Reference numeral 84 denotes an infrared LED, and reference numeral 85 denotes a pen-shaped pointing member having an infrared LED 84 disposed at a tip thereof so as to emit infrared rays from the infrared LED 84 upward. Here, the imaging range of the infrared position detection unit 82 is set as a two-dimensional coordinate input / detection area 86, and is formed by a coordinate input / detection member 87 in a planar manner.

Reference numeral 88 denotes a control unit, 89 denotes a reset signal generated by the control unit 88 and input to the infrared CCD cameras 83a and 83b of the infrared position detection unit 82, and 70 denotes a reset signal generated by the control unit 88 and transmitted to the infrared CCD cameras 83a and 83b. The input vertical clock signal for vertical scanning, 71 is a horizontal clock signal for horizontal scanning generated in the control unit 88 and input to the infrared CCD cameras 83a and 83b.
The CD cameras 83a and 83b start scanning in the X and Y directions according to the input of the reset signal 89, the vertical clock signal 70, and the horizontal clock signal 71.

Reference numerals 72a and 72b denote infrared CCD cameras 83
a and 83b are video signals output from the device. A reset signal circuit 73 generates a reset signal 89, a vertical clock circuit 74 generates a vertical clock signal 70, and a horizontal clock circuit 75 generates a horizontal clock signal 71. Reference numerals 76a and 76b denote peak detection circuits that detect the peak of the waveform based on the video signals 72a and 72b and generate a peak signal in accordance with the cycle of the horizontal clock signal 71. Also,
77a and 77b are peak detection signals obtained from the peak detection circuits 74a and 74b.

Reference numeral 78 denotes an arithmetic circuit for calculating position coordinates. An interface circuit 79 transmits the position coordinates calculated by the arithmetic circuit 78 to a computer (not shown). A display circuit 80 displays the position coordinates calculated by the arithmetic circuit 78. Although not shown, the imaging range of the infrared position detection unit 82 (coordinate input /
When the pen-shaped indicating means 85 is positioned outside the detection area 86), the operability can be improved by providing an audio circuit section for generating a warning sound or the like. In addition, infrared C
By providing the lens magnification adjustment circuit or the focal length adjustment circuit in the CD cameras 83a and 83b, the resolution and detection range can be set according to the size of the document, the demand for input accuracy or the working space, and the operability is improved. Can be done.

In the coordinate input / detection device 81, the control unit 88 is formed separately from the infrared position detection unit 82. However, by miniaturizing the above-described circuits, the control unit 88 is replaced with the infrared position detection unit 82. It is also possible to integrate them.

The operation of the coordinate input / detection device 81 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 23 is a timing chart showing a signal waveform of the coordinate input / detection device 81.

First, the reset signal 89, the vertical clock signal 70, and the horizontal clock signal 71 simultaneously output two infrared signals C
The data is input to the CD cameras 83a and 83b. With these input signals, the infrared position detection unit 82
Video signals 72a, 72 from CD cameras 83a, 83b
b is input to the control unit 88. Normal infrared CC
When the pen-type pointing means 85 is photographed by the D cameras 83a and 83b, the pen itself is photographed.
Only the light-emitting portion of the ED 84 is photographed, and the other objects are not photographed and are black.

Therefore, each infrared CCD camera 83
a, 83b video signals 72a, 72b are infrared LEDs
A strong peak signal 79 corresponding to the position 84
a, 79b appears. Therefore, each peak signal 79
a and 79b are detected by the peak detection circuits 74a and 74b, and are calculated as peak detection signals 75a and 75b by the arithmetic circuit 78.
Sent to. In the arithmetic circuit 78, a conversion table (not shown) calculated in advance in a ROM (not shown) of the control unit 88 uses an infrared CCD camera 83a,
Since it is known how many angles the peak signals 79a and 79b appear in 83b from the reference point of the infrared CCD cameras 83a and 83b, the two angle information and the two infrared CCD cameras 83a and 83b are provided. The two-dimensional position coordinates of the pen-type pointing means 85 can be calculated from the distance L of The obtained two-dimensional position coordinates are transmitted to a computer or the like via the interface circuit 77 and displayed on a display screen (not shown) or the like.

The method of calculating the two-dimensional position coordinates of the coordinate input / detection device 81 operating as described above will be described with reference to FIG. Two infrared CCD cameras 83a, 83
b, the peak detection signals 75a and 75b indicating the position of the pen-type indicating means 85 having the infrared LED 84 are detected, and the infrared CC is determined by the position of the vertical clock signal 70 from the reset signal 89 and the position of the horizontal clock signal 71.
Two-dimensional coordinates (x1, y) in the D cameras 83a and 83b
1) and (x2, y2) are obtained.

Here, the origin of each coordinate is determined as appropriate, but here, the origin is set at the lower left corner of the photographing range of each infrared CCD camera 83a, 83b. From now on, infrared CCD
The angles α and β of the cameras 83a and 83b from the origin of the infrared LED 84 are obtained from the following equation (10).

Α = tan ⁻¹ (y1 / x1) β = tan ⁻¹ (y2 / x2) (10) From these equations, two infrared CCD cameras 83a, 8 are obtained.
The angles α and β of the pen-shaped indicating means 85 of the infrared LED 84 from 3b can be calculated. Here, one infrared CCD
Taking the position of the camera 83a as the origin, two infrared CCDs
Assuming that the distance between the cameras 83a and 83b is L, the equations of the straight lines (a) and (b) are expressed by the following equation (11), as shown in FIG.

(A) y = (tanα) × x (b) y = (tan (π−β)) × (x−L) (11) Solving these two simultaneous linear equations Thus, the position coordinates of the pen-shaped indicating means 85 of the infrared LED 84 can be calculated. Here, in order to increase the calculation speed of the calculation circuit 78, by providing a conversion table for calculating the position coordinates based on the angles α and β, the position coordinates can be obtained immediately, and a smooth figure or the like can be input. it can.

According to the coordinate input / detection device 81 of the image pickup system utilizing such image input means, when the infrared CCD cameras 83a and 83b have the pen-type indicating means 85 to be surveyed, the above-described operation is performed. The measurement error becomes large similarly to the coordinate input / detection device 3 and the like. Therefore, in the coordinate input / detection device of the imaging method such as the coordinate input / detection device 81 of the present embodiment, the coordinate input / detection area 8 is used.
Regarding No. 6, the area within 80 mm from the reference line connecting the infrared CCD cameras 83a and 83b is defined as the specific input / detection area B, and the portion of the coordinate input / detection area 86 other than the specific input / detection area B is normally input / detected. This is the detection area A.

In each of the embodiments, the controller 10 is provided separately from the computer 5, but the present invention is not limited to this.
And the computer 5 may function as the controller 10.

In each of the embodiments, the coordinate input / detection device is integrated into the electronic blackboard system and incorporated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the coordinate input / detection device is detachable from the display device. It is good also as composition.

Further, in each of the embodiments, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk (CD-ROM, CD-ROM, etc.) is used as the storage medium 26 or storage medium 49 storing various program codes (control programs).
CD-R, CD-R / W, DVD-ROM, DVD-R
AM), a magneto-optical disk (MO), a memory card, and the like, but are not limited thereto, and the storage medium is not limited to a medium independent of a computer, but may be a program transmitted by a LAN, the Internet, or the like. A storage medium downloaded and stored or temporarily stored is also included.

[0106]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a display device having a display surface for displaying predetermined items, a control device for controlling display contents of the display device, and coordinates on the display surface of the display device Positions of pointing means, such as a pointing member or a finger, which are disposed so that input / detection areas are substantially coincident with each other and which point in the coordinate input / detection area based on light received by light receiving elements respectively provided in the plurality of optical units. A coordinate input / detection device for detecting coordinates and outputting the coordinates to the control device, a position coordinate having a predetermined width from a line segment connecting the optical units in the coordinate input / detection area. A specific input / detection area where the detection accuracy is low, and a normal input / detection area where the position coordinate detection accuracy other than the specific input / detection area in the coordinate input / detection area is high. In the specific input / detection area where the position coordinate detection accuracy is low, the display content of the display device controlled by the control device is different. By displaying a message or the like that does not require detection of position coordinates different from the display contents in the input / detection area, an area with low detection accuracy in the coordinate input / detection area can be positively used.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the information input / display system according to the first aspect, the coordinate input / display is performed.
The width of the specific input / detection area of the detection area satisfies H = w × 0.06 (where, H: the width of the specific input / detection area w: the distance between the optical units), and the position coordinate detection accuracy Can be reliably used as the specific input / detection area.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the information input / display system according to the first or second aspect, each of the optical units is disposed above the coordinate input / detection area in the direction of gravity. As a result, the positional relationship between the specific input / detection area and the normal input / detection area rises and falls. For example, the menu bar or toolbar at the top of the screen under control using a predetermined operating system is moved to the specific input / detection area above. And an easy-to-use information input / display system can be provided.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the information input / display system according to the first or second aspect, each of the optical units is disposed below the coordinate input / detection area in the direction of gravity. As a result, the positional relationship between the normal input / detection area and the specific input / detection area goes up and down. For example, even if the display screen of the display device is a large screen, a message or the like is displayed in the specific input / detection area below. And an easy-to-use information input / display system can be provided.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the information input / display system according to the first or second aspect, each of the optical units is disposed on a side opposite to the coordinate input / detection area. Thus, the normal input / detection area is located across the specific input / detection area, so that a user-friendly information input / display system can be provided.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the information input / display system according to the first or second aspect, each of the optical units is provided at any one of left and right ends of the coordinate input / detection area. Since the specific input / detection area is located at one of the left and right ends of the coordinate input / detection area by being provided, it is possible to provide a user-friendly information input / display system. it can.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the information input / display system according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the display device located in the specific input / detection area of the coordinate input / detection area. Is displayed on the display surface of the information input unit having a size that allows detection accuracy in the specific input / detection area. Since the information input unit has a size that does not require high detection accuracy, detection is performed. Since the recognition can be performed even in the specific input / detection area with low accuracy, the area with low detection accuracy can be positively used.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the information input / display system according to the seventh aspect, since the information input section is a button corresponding to a specific function, for example, a right-click of the mouse on the information input section It can be a button corresponding to the function, and the simple operation of the mouse right-click function, which could not be exhibited without using the menu bar and toolbar at the top of the screen in the coordinate input / detection device, easily Can be demonstrated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view schematically showing an electronic blackboard system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical connection of each unit built in the electronic blackboard system.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical connection of each unit built in the computer.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a configuration of a coordinate input / detection device.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a structure of an optical unit.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a controller.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing an example in which one point in a coordinate input / detection area of the coordinate input / detection device is pointed by an instruction unit;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a detection operation of the CCD.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing coordinate fluctuation amounts by contour lines.

10 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 9 cut along a straight line G having a point 0 as an origin shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a front view showing sections in a coordinate input / detection area.

FIG. 12 is a front view showing an example in which a button is displayed in a specific input / detection area in the coordinate input / detection area.

FIG. 13 is a front view showing an example in which a specific input / detection area in the coordinate input / detection area is used as an advertisement display unit.

FIG. 14 is a front view showing an example in which a specific input / detection area in a coordinate input / detection area is used as a help message display unit.

FIG. 15 is a front view showing a modification of the specific input / detection area.

FIG. 16 is a front view showing another modification.

FIG. 17 is a front view showing still another modified example.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a pointing member used in the coordinate input / detection device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a front view showing an example in which one point in the coordinate input / detection area of the coordinate input / detection device is pointed by the instruction means;

FIG. 20 is a graph showing an example of a light intensity waveform output from a CCD.

FIG. 21 is a plan view schematically showing an optical unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a coordinate input / detection device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a timing chart showing a signal waveform of the coordinate input / detection device.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing a calculation method of a coordinate position.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information input / display system 2 Display device 2a Display surface 3,50,81 Coordinate input / detection device 3a, 50a, 66,86 Coordinate input / detection area 5 Control device 27,60 Optical unit 39,65,83 Light receiving element A Normal input / detection area B Specific input / detection area H Width of specific input / detection area I Information input section P, Q, 85 Instruction means

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A display device having a display surface for displaying predetermined items, a control device for controlling display contents of the display device, and a coordinate input / detection area substantially coincident with the display surface of the display device. The coordinate input / input based on the light received by the light receiving elements respectively provided in the plurality of optical units.
A coordinate input / detection device for detecting the position coordinates of an instruction member such as a pointing member or a finger that has indicated the inside of the detection area and outputting the same to the control device; A specific input / detection area, which is a region having a predetermined width from the line segment connecting the optical units and having a low position coordinate detection accuracy, and a position coordinate detection accuracy of the coordinate input / detection area other than the specific input / detection area. In the normal input / detection area, which is a high area,
An information input / display system, wherein display contents of the display device controlled by the control device are different. 2. The width of the specific input / detection area of the coordinate input / detection area is H = w × 0.06 (where, H: the width of the specific input / detection area w: the distance between optical units) 2. The information input / display system according to claim 1, wherein 3. The optical unit according to claim 1, wherein each of the optical units is provided with the coordinate input /
The information input / display system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the information input / display system is provided above the detection area in the direction of gravity. 4. The optical unit according to claim 1, wherein
The information input / display system according to claim 1, wherein the information input / display system is provided below the detection area in the direction of gravity. 5. The optical unit according to claim 1, wherein each of the optical units is provided with the coordinate input /
3. The information input / display system according to claim 1, wherein the information input / display system is provided on each of the sides facing the detection area. 6. The optical unit according to claim 1, wherein each of the optical units is provided with the coordinate input /
3. The information input / display system according to claim 1, wherein the information input / display system is provided at any one of left and right ends of the detection area. 7. An information input unit having a size that allows detection accuracy in the specific input / detection area is displayed on a display surface of the display device located in the specific input / detection area in the coordinate input / detection area. The information input / display system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the information input / display system is performed. 8. The information input / output device according to claim 7, wherein the information input unit is a button corresponding to a specific function.
Display system.