JP2001350586A - Position input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a position input device which eliminates the need for a wire at a finger-touched part and is freely changeable in the size and design of a switch area. SOLUTION: The light emitted by a projector 12 is reflected by a mirror 15 along an optical path A and directed upward to irradiate an console panel projection surface 14 of frosted glass 16, so that a switch layout is displayed on the console panel projection surface 14. When one switch of the switch layout on the console panel projection surface 14 is touched with a finger, light transmitted through frosted glass 16 is reflected by the finger and transmitted through the frosted glass 16 to travel back into a device main body 1. This light is reflected by the mirror 15 and photodetected by a CCD camera 13 along an optical path B. The photodetected light has its quantity and shape measured and information on them is sent to a control part 11. The control part 11 confirms which switch is pressed according to the measurement information obtained through the CCD camera 13.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a position input device that can be used, for example, as a touch panel.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, with the development of liquid crystal display devices,
A so-called touch panel that performs switching by touching a glass surface of a liquid crystal display device with a finger has been developed. This touch panel has its panel surface (glass surface)
The wiring is formed by using a transparent conductor.

[0003]

However, in the conventional touch panel, since the wiring is provided at the portion where the finger touches, unevenness occurs at the wiring portion, and poor contact due to adhesion of moisture or dust. There is a problem that occurs.

[0004] Further, since the switch area provided on the touch panel is formed of substantial wiring, the size and design are fixed and cannot be freely changed. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a position input device that does not have a wiring at a portion touched by a light reflector and that can freely change the size and design of a switch area. Aim.

[0005]

A position input device according to the present invention is provided with a device main body having a surface plate made of a diffuse translucent member, and is installed in the device main body, and irradiates light to the surface plate. A light source for displaying a switching area on the surface plate; a light receiving means for receiving light from the switching area; and a control means for performing control for recognizing switching based on the light received by the light receiving means.

The control means includes a storage means for storing a switch layout of the switching area, an image recognizing means for recognizing an image in the switching area by light received by the light receiving means, and an image recognizing means for recognizing the image in the switching area. By providing a confirmation means for confirming a switch portion selected from the selected image and the switch layout, it is possible to reliably detect that a predetermined switching area is selected with a simple configuration.

The image recognition means may recognize the image in the switching area by detecting that the luminance of the image signal exceeds a predetermined value. This allows
Switching can be recognized by simple signal processing. The image recognizing means may recognize an image in the switching area by detecting that the area of a region where the luminance of the image signal exceeds a predetermined value exceeds a predetermined value. Thereby, switching can be recognized more reliably.

The image recognition means may recognize an image in the switching area by detecting that a frequency of an image signal exceeds a predetermined value. Thereby, switching can be recognized almost without being affected by the surrounding environment. The image recognition means may recognize that a finger has touched the surface plate by detecting that a hue of an image signal changes by a predetermined value.
Thereby, switching using the characteristics of the finger can be recognized. Further, since the surface plate is made of frosted glass, it is possible to project and display the operation panel on the surface plate and illuminate the surface plate.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a position input device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The position input device in FIG. 1 is a device main body 1 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape.
It has. A control unit 11 for controlling the entire apparatus is built in the apparatus main body 1. This control unit 11
It is installed near one end in the longitudinal direction of the apparatus main body 1.

The control unit 11 is electrically connected to a projector 12 as a light source. The projector 12 is installed so that the light irradiation part faces the inside of the apparatus main body 1, that is, faces a mirror described later. Further, a CCD camera 13 as an image measuring device (light receiving means) is electrically connected to the control unit 11. CC
The D camera 13 is installed so that the light receiving portion faces the inside of the apparatus main body 1, that is, faces the mirror described later.

A mirror 15 is provided in the apparatus main body 1 so as to face a light irradiation portion of the projector 12 and a light receiving portion of the CCD camera 13. The position of the surface of the mirror 15 is set so as to change the optical path of the light emitted from the projector 12 upward and change the optical path of the light from above toward the CCD camera 13.

The upper surface of the apparatus main body 1 is made of ground glass 16. By using the frosted glass 16 in this manner, the projector 12 can project and display the operation panel on the operation panel projection surface 14 and illuminate the finger that comes into contact with the operation panel. In addition, if the operation panel can be projected and illuminated with a touching finger, a diffuse translucent material other than frosted glass (an object that transmits light by almost only diffuse transmission. The shape of the object is not clearly visible.) In the case of frosted glass, the frosted surface faces down, so that it is less likely to become dirty.

The projector 12 is placed on the ground glass 16.
Is reflected by the mirror 15 and projected, an operation panel projection surface 14 appears. The size and display position of the operation panel projection surface 14 can be appropriately changed by adjusting the projector 12.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit of the position input device according to the first embodiment. Control unit 11
Is a memory 23 for storing various switch layouts to be projected on the operation panel projection surface 14, which is a switching area.
And an image recognition unit 21 for recognizing an image of a finger touching the operation panel projection surface 14 from light received by the CCD camera 13.
And a pressing switch confirmation unit 22 for confirming a switch portion touched by a finger from the image recognized by the image recognition unit 21 and the switch layout.

Next, the operation of the position input device having the above configuration will be described. Light including the switch layout stored in the memory 23 is emitted from the projector 12.
The design of the switch layout at this time is basically free, and the switch layout can be appropriately changed by storing various switch layouts in the memory 23.

The light emitted from the projector 12 is reflected by the mirror 15 along the optical path A and directed upward, and is emitted to the operation panel projection surface 14 of the ground glass 16. The light illuminated on the operation panel projection surface 14 from the inside of the apparatus main body 1 passes through the frosted glass 16 to display a switch layout on the operation panel projection surface 14.

In this state, when one of the switches in the switch layout on the operation panel projection surface 14 is touched with a finger,
The light transmitted through the frosted glass 16 is reflected by the finger, passes through the frosted glass 16 and returns to the inside of the apparatus main body 1. The light returning to the inside of the apparatus main body 1 is reflected by the mirror 15 and received by the CCD camera 13 along the optical path B.

The light amount and shape of the light received by the CCD camera 13 are measured, and the information is sent to the control unit 11. In the control unit 11, the information measured by the CCD camera 13 is sent to the image recognition unit 21, where the image of the finger is recognized based on the information. When the image of the finger is recognized by the image recognizing unit 21, that is, when it is recognized that the switching is performed by the finger, the pressing switch checking unit 22 checks which switch is pressed.

In this case, by irradiating light of a specific wavelength from the projector 12 and measuring the reflected light of the light, image recognition of the finger can be performed without being influenced by the brightness condition on the operator side. it can. When general light is used as the light from the light source, the brightness of the light source illuminating the frosted glass surface needs to be higher than the brightness illuminated by the operator.

When a finger is pressed against the frosted glass 16, in a portion where the finger and the frosted glass come into contact, capillaries near the surface of the finger are pressed, the color of the finger changes from pink to white, and the brightness of the finger increases. Before the finger touches the frosted glass, the image of the finger is not clearly seen by the frosted glass. However, the finger touches the frosted glass so as to be clearly seen, so that the frequency of the image signal is increased. Thereby, by detecting that the luminance of the image signal exceeds the predetermined value, that the frequency of the image signal exceeds the predetermined value, or that the hue of the image signal undergoes a predetermined change, the finger touches the ground glass. Can be detected. Further, by detecting that these regions (for example, regions where the luminance exceeds a predetermined value) are larger than a predetermined value, it is possible to more reliably detect a contact. Further, the strength of the contact can be quantitatively detected based on these parameters. For example, by utilizing the fact that the region where the luminance exceeds a predetermined value is expanded by increasing the contact, by measuring the amount of reflected light in the entire switching region,
It is possible to detect how strongly the finger is pressed against the ground glass.

The push switch confirming unit 22 refers to the currently displayed switch layout stored in the memory 23 and measures which switch of the switch layout is pressed by the CCD camera 13. Confirm based on information. When the switching is confirmed in this way, information on the switching is sent to the external device so as to perform control corresponding to the switch pressed by the finger. The external device performs control based on the switching information.

As described above, the position input device according to the present embodiment irradiates the frosted glass 16 with light and displays the operation panel projection surface 14 on the frosted glass 16, and the finger touches the operation panel projection surface 14. The reflected light from the projector 12 is received by the CCD camera 13 and control is performed to recognize switching based on the received light, so that there is no wiring in the area where the finger touches, and the size and design of the switch area can be freely set. Can be changed to

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a position input device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The position input device in FIG. 3 includes a device main body 2 having a vertically long substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. A control unit for controlling the entire apparatus, a projector 33 serving as a light source, and a built-in box 35 containing a CCD camera 34 serving as an image measuring device (light receiving means) are provided below the main body 2. At the bottom of the device built-in box 35, a leg 35
a is provided.

The upper side of the device built-in box 35 has four side surfaces formed of glass surfaces 31 and an upper surface formed of ground glass 32. In this device, since light is emitted from the device built-in box 35 arranged at the bottom,
The mirror used in the first embodiment becomes unnecessary.

Next, the operation of the position input device having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is an operation principle diagram for explaining a finger contact state of the position input device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5 shows Embodiment 2
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a finger contact state of the position input device according to FIG. Light including the switch layout is irradiated from the projector 33 to the frosted glass 32 above. The design of the switch layout at this time is basically free, and the switch layout can be appropriately changed.

The light emitted from the projector 33 is transmitted through the operation panel projection surface of the frosted glass 32 to display a switch layout on the operation panel projection surface. In this state, as shown in FIG. 4, when a finger 36 touches any switch of the switch layout on the operation panel projection surface, light transmitted through the frosted glass 32 is reflected by the finger 36 and transmitted through the frosted glass 32. Return to the inside of the apparatus main body 2. The light returning to the inside of the apparatus main body 2 is received by the CCD camera 34.

The amount of light and the shape of the light received by the CCD camera 34 are measured, and as in the first embodiment, which switch is pressed is confirmed based on the measured information. At this time, when the finger 36 is pressed against the ground glass 32, as shown in FIG. 5, when the finger 36 is pressed strongly against the ground glass 32, the amount of reflected light increases,
Since it becomes bright, it is possible to determine the strength of the finger 36 pressed against the frosted glass 32.

When the switching is confirmed in this way, the switching information is transmitted to the external device so as to perform the control corresponding to the switch pressed by the finger. The external device performs control based on the switching information. As described above, the position input device according to the present embodiment irradiates the frosted glass 32 with light to display the operation panel projection surface on the frosted glass 32, and reflects the projector 33 reflected by the finger 36 touching the operation panel projection surface. Is received by the CCD camera 34 and switching is recognized based on the received light, so that there is no wiring in the area where the finger touches, and the size and design of the switch area can be freely changed. it can.

The present invention is not limited to the first and second embodiments, but can be implemented with various modifications. In the first and second embodiments, the case where the projector is used as the light source is described.
A laser or the like may be used as a light source. Further, in the first and second embodiments, the case where a CCD camera is used as the image measuring device has been described.
There is no particular limitation as long as the image can be measured and the image can be recognized.

Further, by simultaneously measuring the reflected light over a wide range, when reflection occurs due to factors other than switching, for example, when the palm is put on the operation panel projection surface,
Malfunctions such as when liquid or the like flows on the operation panel projection surface can be prevented. Further, by monitoring the luminance of the operation panel surface in a normal state and feeding back the result, it is possible to quickly recognize the characteristics of the light source (rise characteristics, aging, etc.). In this case, it is more desirable to measure the luminance distribution on the operation panel projection surface.

By providing a light source (laser light, invisible wavelength light) having a limited wavelength in addition to a light source for drawing on the operation panel projection surface, a sufficient amount of light can be ensured and the hue is clear. Can be As a result, the light on the light source side can be clearly determined, and a stable operation can be performed. The target for detecting contact need not be a finger, but may be a rod-shaped object or the like, as long as it can indicate a position on the surface plate. In addition, since the contact position of the finger is recognized by the light receiving means such as a CCD camera, the position can be input simply by irradiating light enough to be recognized by the camera, for example, by pointing the laser pointer or the like from outside.

[0032]

As described above, according to the present invention, there is no wiring in the surface plate for inputting the position, and the size and design of the switch area can be changed instantaneously and freely. Also, since there is only a diffused light-transmitting body as a surface plate and no electrical members including its surroundings, it is possible to attract human attention as an attraction.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a position input device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit of the position input device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a position input device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an operation principle diagram for explaining a finger contact state of the position input device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a finger contact state of the position input device according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference numerals 1, 2 Main body 11 Control unit 12, 33 Projector 13, 34 CCD camera 14 Operation panel projection surface 15 Mirror 16, 32 Ground glass 21 Image recognition unit 22 Press switch confirmation unit 23 Memory 31 Glass surface 35 Device built-in box 35a Leg 36 finger

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H03M 11/04 G06F 3/023 310L G06F 3/03 330 (72) Inventor Akiko Watanabe 5322 Endo, Fujisawa-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Keio University Graduate School of Media and Governance F-term (Reference) 2F065 AA03 AA51 BB05 CC16 FF04 FF41 GG04 HH00 JJ03 JJ26 LL12 LL49 NN17 PP22 PP23 QQ23 QQ28 5B020 DD02 DD30 FF56 5B068 AA05 AA02 BC07 BC18 BC18 BC18 BC08 CD06 DE03 DE04 5B087 AA00 AC02 AC05 CC09 CC12 CC26 CC33 DD02 DE02 5E501 AC37 BA05 BA12 CA02 CB05 EA13 EB05 FA14 FA23

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus main body having a surface plate made of a diffuse translucent body, and a light source installed in the apparatus main body and irradiating light to the surface plate to display a switching area on the surface plate. And a light receiving means for receiving light from the switching area, and a control means for performing control for recognizing switching based on the light received by the light receiving means. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit stores a switch layout of the switching area, an image recognizing unit that recognizes an image in the switching area by light received by the light receiving unit, and an image recognizing unit. The position input device according to claim 1, further comprising: a check unit configured to check a switch portion selected from the selected image and the switch layout. 3. The image recognition device according to claim 2, wherein the image recognition unit recognizes the image in the switching area by detecting that the luminance of the image signal exceeds a predetermined value.
The position input device according to the above. 4. The image recognition device according to claim 1, wherein the image recognition unit recognizes an image in the switching region by detecting that a width of a region where the luminance of the image signal exceeds a predetermined value exceeds a predetermined value. 2. The position input device according to 2. 5. The position input device according to claim 2, wherein said image recognition means recognizes an image in said switching area by detecting that a frequency of an image signal exceeds a predetermined value. 6. The position according to claim 2, wherein said image recognizing means recognizes that a finger has touched said front plate by detecting a predetermined change in hue of an image signal. Input device. 7. The position input device according to claim 1, wherein the surface plate is ground glass.