JP2002032195A - Optical scanning-type touch panel and method for adjusting optical axis thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect an inclination of an optical axis, to easily adjust the optical axis and to secure safety even if a large inclination and deviation of the optical axis occur. SOLUTION: An optical scanning-type touch panel is provided with a plurality of optical scanning units 11a which optically scan a recursive reflector 13 by light outputted from light emitting parts with the rotation of a scanning mirror and receive reflected light in light receiving parts. The optical scanning units are provided with optical axis adjusting jigs 15 having prescribed reflection patterns for detecting the inclination of the optical axis of light outputted from the light emitting parts in close positions in accordance with the start position and the end position of optical scanning, which are beyond the effective range of a scan area. The light emitting part is provided with an optical axis adjusting mechanism for adjusting the inclination of the optical axis of light outputted from the light emitting part. The light receiving part detects the prescribed reflection pattern of the optical axis adjusting jig and adjusts the optical axis adjusting mechanism so that a detected detection value becomes maximum.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to optical scanning of a retroreflector with light output from a light emitting section by rotation of a scan mirror, and light reflected by the retroreflector is received via reflection of the scan mirror. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an optical scanning type touch panel that receives light at a unit and an optical axis adjustment method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional optical scanning type touch panel has a configuration as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 proposed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-112661. That is, in FIG. 6, reference numeral 10 denotes a rectangular substrate such as an optical filter provided on the front surface of the display screen of the display device, and the optical scanning units 11a and 11b are arranged at both corners on one side of the substrate 10; An elongated frame 12 is fixed to three sides of the optical scanning units 11a and 11b excluding the mounting portions of the optical scanning units 11a and 11b.
Is attached. The retroreflector 13 is formed in a tape shape, for example, and is adhered to the inner surface of the frame 12.

In the optical scanning unit 11a, as shown in FIG.
The unit main body 14 is fixed on an approximately L-shaped support portion 27 integrated with the fixing portion, and is attached so as to be adjustable in angle. The unit body 14
The support portion 27 on the lower surface is loosely fitted and formed inside.
A light emitting unit 16 including a light emitting element (for example, a laser diode) such as a semiconductor laser device and a light receiving unit 17 including a light receiving element such as a photodiode are housed. Laser light as scanning light output from the light emitting unit 16 is provided on the upper surface. 18 (hereinafter referred to as scanning light 18)
A prism 21 having a half mirror 20 for transmitting the refracted scanning light 18;
The scan mirror 22 is rotatably provided by a pulse motor 23. The optical scanning unit 11b has the same configuration as the optical scanning unit 11a.

The scanning light 1 output from the light emitting section 16 is
The light 8 is refracted by the refraction prism 19, passes through the half mirror 20 and the prism 21, is reflected by the scan mirror 22, and irradiates the retroreflector 13 with reference to FIG. In the retroreflector 13, the light returns substantially along the same optical path as the incident light, is reflected by the scan mirror 22, is reflected and refracted by the half mirror 20 of the prism 21, and is received by the light receiving unit 17. Pulse motor 2
The scanning light 18 is scanned by, for example, about 90 ° by the rotation of the scan mirror 22 by 3. If there is an object (for example, a finger or a pen) 24 in this optical scanning range, this object 24
As a result, the scanning light 18 is blocked, so that the angle θ of the object 24 is detected based on the received light energy of the light receiving unit 17. The coordinates of the object 24 are determined by the optical scanning units 11a and 11a.
From the angle of the object 24 detected in each of the scans b, it is obtained by the principle of triangulation.

However, in the conventional examples shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, there is a problem that the optical axis adjustment for irradiating the scanning light 18 to a predetermined position (for example, the center) of the retroreflector 13 becomes complicated. Was. In particular, when the scanning light 18 is invisible light (for example, infrared light) (usually, invisible light is often used), there is a problem that optical axis adjustment becomes complicated. In order to solve this problem, the optical scanning units 11a, 11a, 1
1b, each of the opposing retroreflectors 13 on the opposite side,
Slits 111a, 113a, 111b, 113b having a width substantially equal to the beam width corresponding to each optical axis
And light receiving sections 112a, 114a on the back side of each slit.
112b and 114b, respectively, and the optical scanning unit 1
Light emitted from 1a and 11b is received and the signal level is adjusted to be maximum. But with this method,
When each slit is permanently installed, the optical scanning units 11a, 11a
It is necessary to shift up and down so that the respective optical axes of b do not overlap, which causes a problem that the adjustment range is narrowed. In addition, when each slit is permanently provided, the retroreflector 13 within the scan range must be processed, and a light receiving element must be added to each of them, which causes problems in processing workability and cost. Had. Furthermore, when the optical axis of the laser used for the light emitting unit is shifted, there is also a safety problem that the shifted laser beam may be directly viewed for a long time. There has been a demand for an optical scanning type touch panel that is highly safe during adjustment as well as during normal use, that can be adjusted securely, and that is easy to handle, and that an optical axis adjustment method thereof has been developed.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and provides an optical axis adjusting jig having a predetermined reflection pattern, and monitors the predetermined reflection pattern with a light receiving unit. An optical scanning type touch panel that detects the inclination of the optical axis and easily adjusts the optical axis, suppresses unnecessary light emission as much as possible, and is excellent in safety even when a large inclination or deviation of the optical axis occurs. An object of the present invention is to provide a method for adjusting the optical axis.

[0007]

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the retroreflector is optically scanned by light output from the light emitting section by rotation of the scan mirror, and reflected by the retroreflector. An optical scanning type touch panel that includes a plurality of optical scanning units that receive light at a light receiving unit through reflection of the scan mirror and detects coordinates of an object touched within an effective range of a scan area; Outside the effective range of the scan area for all of the units,
An optical axis adjusting jig having a predetermined reflection pattern for detecting the inclination of the optical axis of the light output from the light emitting unit at a position close to the start position and the end position of the optical scanning; The light emitting unit is attached to an optical axis adjusting mechanism for adjusting the inclination of the optical axis of light output from the light emitting unit, and the light receiving unit is configured to adjust the predetermined reflection pattern of the optical axis adjusting jig. Upon detection, the optical axis adjustment mechanism is adjusted so that the detected value is maximized.

The optical axis adjusting jig comprises a base made of a light shielding member for shielding reflection, and a retroreflector having a predetermined width and length provided at a predetermined portion on the front surface of the base. And the reflection pattern to be formed.

[0009] The optical axis adjusting jig is disposed with a suitable position and orientation set for each of the plurality of optical scanning units.

[0010] The predetermined reflection pattern is a first reflection pattern having a predetermined width and length formed by a retroreflector at the center of the front surface of the optical axis adjusting jig.
And a second reflection pattern having a shorter length than the first reflection pattern provided above, below, or both of the first reflection pattern.

The optical axis adjusting mechanism includes an optical scanning unit main body including the light emitting unit, the light receiving unit, and the scan mirror; a unit supporting unit for supporting the optical scanning unit main body by urging the same with a spring member; For attaching the optical scanning unit body to the unit support part so that the angle can be adjusted,
Consists of multiple mounting screws.

The optical axis adjusting mechanism is configured to tilt the optical axis up and down with respect to the horizontal direction when the optical scanning type touch panel is laid on a horizontal plane (hereinafter referred to as X axis direction tilt).
And an angle adjustment mechanism for individually adjusting the vertical inclination of the optical axis with respect to the front-back direction (hereinafter referred to as the Y-axis direction).

The angle adjusting mechanism includes a cam for raising or lowering one end of the optical scanning unit main body, and a drive motor directly connected to the cam for rotating the cam.

[0014] The light receiving unit is disposed vertically above and below the first light receiving unit for detecting the optical axis, and a second light receiving unit is provided for detecting the inclination of the optical axis. And / or a third light receiving unit.

A light emission control unit for controlling light emission of the light emitting unit, wherein the light receiving unit cannot detect a predetermined reflection pattern of the optical axis adjusting jig within a predetermined period during the light scanning; When the level cannot be detected, the light emission control unit stops the light emission of the light emitting unit.

An optical scanning unit that optically scans the retroreflector with light output from the light emitting unit by rotation of the scan mirror, and receives light reflected by the retroreflector at the light receiving unit via reflection of the scan mirror. In a light-scanning touch panel that detects the coordinates of the object touched within the range of the scan area, the optical scan of the optical scan is out of the effective range of the scan area for all of the plurality of light scan units. At a position close to the start position and end position,
A predetermined reflection pattern for detecting the inclination of the optical axis of the light output from the light emitting unit, which is provided continuously to the retroreflector or disposed in front of a predetermined position of the retroreflector. Wherein the light emitting unit is attached to an optical axis adjusting mechanism for adjusting a tilt of an optical axis of light output from the light emitting unit, and the light receiving unit is configured to adjust the optical axis. While detecting the predetermined reflection pattern of the jig,
The optical axis adjusting mechanism is adjusted so that the detected value becomes maximum.

The optical axis adjusting jig is provided on a front surface of the retroreflector at a predetermined position, the base comprising a light blocking member for blocking reflection, and provided on a predetermined portion of the base. The reflective pattern includes a slit having a predetermined width and length and the retroreflector behind the slit.

The optical axis adjusting jig includes a base made of a light shielding member for shielding reflection, and a retroreflector having a predetermined width and length provided at a predetermined portion on the front surface of the base. And the reflection pattern to be formed.

The predetermined reflection pattern is a first reflection pattern having a predetermined width and length, which is formed by a retroreflector at the center of the front surface of the optical axis adjusting jig;
The first reflection pattern comprises a second reflection pattern having a shorter length than the first reflection pattern provided above or below the first reflection pattern, or both, and the light receiving unit detects a signal level of the optical axis. A first light receiving unit for performing the first light receiving unit, a second light receiving unit disposed vertically above and below the first light receiving unit, and / or a third light receiving unit, wherein the first light receiving unit The detection value of the first reflection pattern to be detected is maximized, and the detection value of the second reflection pattern detected by the second light receiving unit, or the third light receiving unit is minimized. Then, the optical axis adjusting mechanism is adjusted.

The optical axis adjusting mechanism includes an optical scanning unit main body including the light emitting section, the light receiving section, and the scan mirror; a unit supporting section biased by a spring member to support the optical scanning unit main body; A plurality of mounting screws for mounting the optical scanning unit main body to the unit supporting portion so as to be adjustable in angle; the unit supporting portion includes a cam for moving one end of the optical scanning unit main body up and down; And an angle adjustment mechanism comprising a drive motor for rotating the cam, wherein the angle adjustment mechanism individually adjusts the tilt of the optical axis in the X-axis direction and the tilt of the optical axis in the Y-axis direction. In order to maintain the parallelism of the optical axis, each provided, a drive unit that drives the drive motor, and a control unit that controls the drive unit based on a detection value detected by the light receiving unit, Light unit detects a predetermined reflection pattern of the retro-reflector, so that the detected value to be detected is maximized, and the optical axis adjustment mechanism to automatically adjust.

A light emission control means for controlling light emission of the light emitting section is provided, and when the optical axis is adjusted, light emission is turned on only for a period necessary for scanning the optical axis adjusting jig.

[0022]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an optical scanning type touch panel according to the present invention and an optical axis adjusting method thereof.
This will be described with reference to the following drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view of an optical scanning type touch panel. The same parts as those described in the conventional example are denoted by the same reference numerals. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a substrate, 11a and 11b denote optical scanning units, 12 denotes a frame, and 13 denotes a retroreflector, which are configured in substantially the same manner as in FIGS. The coordinates are specified.

An optical axis adjusting jig 15a having a specific reflection pattern immediately before the optical scanning unit 11a starts the optical scanning by the optical scanning unit 11a of the frame 12 and the retroreflector 13, and immediately after the optical scanning ending position. Similarly, an optical axis adjusting jig 15c having a predetermined reflection pattern is provided. Similarly, an optical axis adjustment jig 15b is provided immediately before the optical scanning start position by the optical scanning unit 11b, and an optical axis adjustment jig 15d is provided immediately after the optical scanning end position. As described above, the light emitting unit 16 outputs the light to the positions corresponding to the start position and the end position of the optical scanning 18 which are outside the effective range of the scanning area for all of the plurality of optical scanning units 11a and 11b. An optical axis adjusting jig 15 having a predetermined reflection pattern for detecting the inclination of the optical axis of light is provided. In the present embodiment, the optical scanning unit 11a
The optical axis adjusting jig 15a, the main body of the retroreflector 13, and the optical axis adjusting jig 15c are scanned in this order, and the optical scanning unit 11b scans the optical axis adjusting jig 15b and the retroreflector 13. The scanning is performed in the order of the main body and the optical axis adjusting jig 15d. The respective optical axis adjusting jigs 15 are arranged with appropriate positions and orientations set so that appropriate reflection is performed on the corresponding optical scanning units 11a and 11b.

In the optical scanning unit 11a, as shown in FIG. 2, a fixing portion 26 of a unit support plate 25 is fixed to the substrate 10 with an adhesive or the like, and a substantially L-shaped supporting portion 27 integrated with the fixing portion 26 is formed. The unit main body 14 is placed on the upper part, and is attached so that the angle can be adjusted. That is, the unit body 1
4 is a substantially L-shaped L-shaped groove 1 loosely fitted to the support portion 27 on the lower surface.
4a are formed, and a light emitting portion 16 made of a light emitting element is formed therein.
And a light receiving section 17 composed of a light receiving element, and a refraction prism 19 for refracting the scanning light 18 output from the light emitting section 16 and a half mirror 20 for transmitting the refracted scanning light 18 are provided on the upper surface. A prism 21 and a scan mirror 22 are provided.
Are rotatably provided by a pulse motor 23.
The optical scanning unit 11b has the same configuration as the optical scanning unit 11a.

As shown in FIG. 2, spring receiving holes 40 are formed in the support portion 27 of the unit support plate 25 at three positions, that is, both ends of the L-shape and a bent portion. 40
A screw hole is formed in the lower part of the center of the inside. Also, a screw insertion hole 42 is formed in the L-shaped groove 14a of the unit main body 14 so as to coincide with the spring receiving hole 40, and the unit main body 14 is attached with a screw 44 via a spring 43. Urged upwards. Unit body 14, unit support plate 25 and three screws 4
Reference numeral 4 denotes an optical axis adjustment mechanism, which changes the optical axis of the scanning light 18 that scans the optical scanning surface of the retroreflector 13 by adjusting the degree of screwing of these three screws 44 into the screw holes. be able to.

In this embodiment, an angle adjusting mechanism is provided to automate these adjustments. The angle adjustment mechanism includes an eccentric cam 28a for correcting inclination and displacement of the scan plane in the Y-axis direction, a Y-axis adjustment mechanism unit 28 including a cam shaft 28b and a stepping motor 28c, and an X-axis of the scan plane. Eccentric cam 29 to correct direction deviation
a, and an X-axis adjustment mechanism 29 including a camshaft 29b and a stepping motor 29c. The support portion 27 of the unit support plate 25 is
The stepping motors 28c, 29c rotate and the cams 28a, 29a eccentrically attached to the camshafts 28b, 29b press the unit body 14 so that they can come and go. It is formed so that it goes up and down. The Y-axis adjustment mechanism 28 and the X-axis adjustment mechanism 29 detect the light receiving level of a specific reflection pattern of the optical axis adjusting jig 15 detected by the light receiving unit 17 so as to obtain the maximum correct light receiving level. Automatic control.

FIG. 3 is a principal block diagram for explaining an outline of control in the present invention. The control unit 50 includes a CPU
It has a ROM, a RAM, a counter, a register, and the like, and performs calculations of coordinates, storage of a standard light-receiving waveform, control of the device, and the like. The control unit 50 first includes a laser transmission control unit 51 for performing control such as turning on / off the laser transmission.
To cause the light emitting section 16 to emit light via the laser driver 52. The emitted scanning light 18 is transmitted to a scan mirror 22.
In order to scan by reflecting light from the control unit 5 via the pulse motor 23 and the motor driver 56 for driving.
Scan control is performed by the pulse motor control unit 55 in response to a command from 0.

There are three light receiving sections 17, of which three
The scanning light 18 received by the central light receiving unit 17a made of a photodiode, which is the first light receiving unit disposed at the center,
A current / voltage conversion circuit 53a for converting a current corresponding to the received light energy to a voltage and an A / D (analog / digital) conversion circuit 54a are sequentially coupled, converted into a digital signal and input to the control unit 50, and the waveform, Level, width, position, etc. are detected. In the control unit 50, the primary reflected light of the scan mirror 22 (the received light energy is maximum) from the input signal.
Are separated to detect an optical scanning start pulse. Above and below the central light receiving unit 17a, an upper light receiving unit 17b and a lower lower light receiving unit 17c as upper light receiving elements, which are second and third light receiving units, are provided.
The voltage conversion circuits 53b and 53c and the A / D (analog / digital) conversion circuits 54b and 54c are sequentially coupled, converted into a digital signal, and input to the control unit 50.

At the time of normal correct scanning, the central light receiving section 1
The scanning light 18 is received at the maximum only in the light receiving portion 7a, and the other light receiving portions 1
Although the energy received by the light receiving portions 7b and 17c becomes minimum, when the optical axis is shifted, the light receiving energy of the central light receiving portion 17a decreases and the light receiving energy of one of the upper and lower light receiving portions 17b and 17c increases. These inclinations and deviations can be detected in the X-axis direction and in the Y-axis direction by monitoring the pattern level and shape of the specific reflection pattern received by the central light receiving unit 17a. When the inclination in the Y-axis direction is detected, the Y-axis adjustment mechanism 28 is adjusted by controlling the Y-axis motor controller 58a, and controlling the stepping motor 28c via the motor driver 59a to rotate the cam 28a. adjust. When detecting the tilt in the X-axis direction, the X-axis motor control unit 5 is used to adjust the X-axis adjustment mechanism unit 29.
8b, and controls the stepping motor 29c via the motor driver 59b to rotate and adjust the cam 29a. To adjust the optical axis, the received signal level is output to the display device 57, and the unit main body 14, the unit support plate 25 and the three screws 44 are monitored while monitoring the received light level.
The optical axis adjustment mechanism may be adjusted manually by adjusting the degree of screwing of these three screws 44 into the screw holes.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining optical scanning of the retroreflector and the optical axis adjusting jig. A specific reflection pattern of the retroreflector 13 and the optical axis adjusting jig 15 shown in FIG. 4A will be described. Optical axis adjustment jig 15
Are arranged at positions before and after the retroreflector 13 as shown in the figure, but the main body is formed of a light-blocking member that does not reflect the scanning light 18, and a tolerance is taken into account at the center of the front surface of the base. A retroreflective portion 115 formed of a retroreflector having a predetermined length substantially equal to the width of the optical axis is attached. The retroreflective portion 115 includes a horizontally long central pattern portion 115a that is a first reflection pattern, and an upper upper pattern portion 115 that is a second reflection pattern having a shorter length.
b and a lower pattern portion 115c on the lower side. The reason why the lengths of the central pattern portion 115a and the upper pattern portion 115b and the lower pattern portion 115c are different from each other is to identify each of them, so that the light receiving pattern detected by the light receiving portion is reflected by the central pattern portion 115a. , Can be distinguished from reflection from other patterns. These optical axis adjusting jigs 15 are arranged outside the scan area as shown in FIG.

FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram for explaining the relationship between the optical axis adjusting jig and the light receiving section. As shown in the figure, the upper side of the upper side pattern portion 11a above and below the horizontally long center pattern portion 115a at the center is provided on the scanning side surface of the optical axis adjusting jig 15.
5b and a lower pattern portion 115c on the lower side are formed. In the light receiving section, an upper light receiving section 17b and a lower light receiving section 17c are arranged above and below a central light receiving section 17a at the center.
Normally, the scanning light 18 is scanned by the central optical axis 18a without inclination, and is received only by the central light receiving unit 17a. However, when the scanning light 18 is tilted, for example, tilted upward, the scanning light 18 becomes an optical axis 18b tilted upward, does not return to the central light receiving portion 17a, and is received by the upper upper light receiving portion 17b. When the scanning light 18 is inclined downward, the scanning light 18 becomes an optical axis 18c inclined downward, and does not return to the central light receiving portion 17a.
The light is received by the lower lower light receiving portion 17c.

Retroreflector 13 and optical axis adjusting jig 1
5 is scanned by the optical scanning unit 11a, the scanning light 18 in the normal case is the optical axis 1 having no tilt shown in FIG.
The locus of 8a is drawn, and the signal waveform shown in FIG. 4C is obtained. In a normal state, the signal waveform of the maximum level shown in (2) is obtained only in the central light receiving section 17a. Upper light receiving section 17
No signal is received or only a slight leak appears in (b) as in (1) and in the lower light receiving portion 17c as in (3).

FIG. 4D shows a signal waveform received when the optical axis of the scanning light is inclined in the X-axis direction, for example, when the optical axis has an upward inclination. The light receiving level due to the reflection from the central retroreflector 13 decreases and the light receiving amount of the upper light receiving unit 17b increases according to the degree of the inclination. The pattern waveform of the upper pattern portion 115b of the optical axis adjusting jig 15 before and after scanning can be clearly detected. FIG. 4E shows a signal waveform received when the optical axis of the scanning light is inclined in the Y-axis direction, for example, when the optical axis is inclined upward at the beginning of the scan and is inclined downward at the end of the scan. . The waveform detected by the central light receiving unit 17a has a high wave height at the center where the optical axes coincide, and a low wave height before and after the optical axis is tilted and shifted. The waveform detected by the upper light receiving portion 17b can clearly detect the pattern waveform of the upper pattern portion 115b of the optical axis adjusting jig 15 immediately before the start of scanning. Within the scan range, the initial signal level is high and gradually decreases. The waveform detected by the lower light receiving portion 17c does not detect the initial signal within the scan range, but the level gradually increases from the latter half, and the pattern of the lower pattern portion 115c of the optical axis adjusting jig 15 immediately after the scan is completed. The waveform can be clearly detected.

As described above, the signal level and the signal width of each light receiving section are monitored, and if the predetermined reflection pattern is always at the maximum level, it can be understood that the scan is normal. If the optical axis is tilted or displaced, first, the central light receiving section 17
The light receiving level of the specific reflection pattern of the optical axis adjusting jig 15 detected by the a from the retroreflective portion 115 decreases,
Symptoms appear, such as a slope in the level or a decrease in signal width. When the inclination and the deviation further increase, the light receiving levels of the upper light receiving unit 17b and the lower light receiving unit 17c increase due to the reflection of the reflection pattern. When the optical axis shifts upward in the X-axis direction, the light receiving level of the reflection pattern of the upper light receiving unit 17b increases, and when the optical axis shifts downward, the light receiving level of the reflection pattern of the lower light receiving unit 17c increases. When the optical axis is tilted in the Y-axis direction, the upper light receiving portion 17b and the lower light receiving portion 17
c, the light receiving level of the reflection pattern increases,
Since only one rises before and after the scan, the inclination can be determined by which rises first. If the optical axis shifts greatly, the return of the scanning light 18 to the central light receiving unit 17a decreases,
The light reception level also drops. It is possible to perform automatic control of the optical axis using the above properties.

Next, an optical axis adjusting method in the optical scanning type touch panel according to the present invention will be described. First, a case where the optical axis adjustment of the optical scanning by the optical scanning unit 11a is performed manually will be described. (A) The current received by the central light receiving section 17a is converted into a voltage by the current / voltage conversion circuit 53a, and the voltage is converted by the A / D conversion circuit 54.
a, is converted into a digital signal and input to the control unit 50;
The display device 57 based on the output signal from the control unit 50
Indicates a signal level value corresponding to the received light energy.
The signal level may be checked with an oscilloscope. (B) While watching the display on the display device 57, the screwing degree of the three screws 44 of the optical axis adjusting mechanism is adjusted so that the detection value of the photodiode of the central light receiving unit 17a becomes maximum. At this time, it is confirmed whether or not a specific reflection pattern of the optical axis adjusting jig 15 appears correctly. The detection value of the photodiode is maximized when the retroreflector 1
This is when the optical axis of the scanning light 18 for scanning the optical scanning surface of No. 3 coincides with the central axis in the longitudinal direction of the specific reflection pattern of the optical axis adjusting jig 15. For this reason, even when the scanning light 18 is invisible light, the scanning light 18 is adjusted so that the scanning light 18 scans a predetermined position (for example, the center) of the retroreflector 13.
Can be easily adjusted. Note that the adjustment can be made in exactly the same manner for the optical scanning unit 11b.

FIG. 5 is a schematic control flowchart for explaining the automatic adjustment of the optical axis of the optical scanning by the optical scanning unit 11a. Description will be made based on the drawings. First, a signal is detected at each light receiving unit. The level, signal width, position, and the like of the detected signal waveform of each light receiving unit and the standard waveform that should be originally obtained by the retroreflector 13 and the front and rear optical axis adjusting jigs 15 are compared and confirmed (ST1). . If the detected signal level, signal width, position, and the like are at the maximum level or within a predetermined allowable range, it is determined that there is no tilt or deviation in the optical axis, and the adjustment is terminated (ST10). If it is not within the allowable range, it is determined that the optical axis is tilted or deviated. Then, the upper light receiving portion 17b and the lower light receiving portion 17c of the specific reflection pattern before and after the scan range are determined.
The level of the received light waveform is confirmed, and the inclination of the optical axis is confirmed and determined (ST3). First, the reflected light from the specific reflection pattern of the optical axis adjusting jig 15 is received by only one of the upper light receiving portion 17b and the lower light receiving portion 17c, or is reflected before and after the scanning range. It is checked whether the light is received alternately (ST4), and if both are detected, the optical axis is inclined in the Y-axis direction.
The drive of the stepping motor 28c of the Y-axis adjustment mechanism 28 is controlled to adjust the inclination (ST5). In this case, at the beginning of the scan, the inclination can be determined depending on whether the upper light receiving unit 17b detects a specific reflection pattern or the lower light receiving unit 17c detects, so that control is performed to cancel the inclination.

A time-over check is performed to determine whether a predetermined time has passed since the start of the adjustment (ST6). If the time is within the predetermined time, it is checked whether the inclination has been eliminated next (step ST6). ST7) If the inclination has not been resolved, the process returns to step 3 (ST3), and the inclination adjustment is repeated (ST3 to ST7). If the inclination has been eliminated, the process returns to step 1 (ST1), and the process is repeated again from the confirmation of the signal waveform of each light receiving unit. In step 4 (ST4), the optical axis adjusting jig 1
5 when the specific reflection pattern signal is not received by both the upper light receiving unit 17b and the lower light receiving unit 17c, that is, when only one of the upper light receiving unit 17b and the lower light receiving unit 17c receives light Since the optical axis is inclined with respect to the X-axis direction, the driving of the stepping motor 29c of the X-axis adjustment mechanism 29 is controlled to adjust the inclination (ST
8). After the X-axis drive control, the process returns to step 6 (ST6).

If the tilt adjustment is timed out in step 6 (ST6), that is, if the light receiving unit cannot detect a specific reflection pattern signal of the optical axis adjusting jig 15 within a predetermined period during optical scanning, it is determined whether or not a predetermined reflection pattern signal is detected. If we ca n’t detect the level of
It is determined that some uncontrollable abnormality has occurred, and the laser emission control unit 51 is controlled to perform emission stop processing. Also,
At the same time, an abnormal alarm is displayed (ST
9) Call attention, and end the adjustment process to ensure safety (ST10). As described above, scanning is performed while constantly monitoring a specific reflection pattern of the optical axis adjusting jig 15, and control is performed so that the central light receiving unit 17a always receives light at the maximum level. The light emission is stopped when an abnormality occurs, so that the safety is excellent.

In the above, the case where the optical axis adjusting jig 15 is permanently installed and the inclination detection and the adjustment are performed as needed is described. The case where the adjustment is performed with the adjustment mode as the operation mode will be described. When the adjustment is performed with the adjustment mode, the optical axis adjustment jig 15 does not need to be permanently provided, and can be arranged at an arbitrary position on the retroreflector. In this case, instead of forming the reflector on the optical axis adjusting jig 15 as described above, a slit may be formed and the reflection of the retroreflector behind it may be used. This can reduce costs. In the adjustment mode, the optical axis adjustment jig 1 is used.
Light emission may be performed only during the period necessary for the scan of No. 5, and light emission may be stopped during the other periods. Thereby, safety can be further improved.

[0040]

As described above, in the present invention, the retroreflector is optically scanned by the light output from the light emitting section by the rotation of the scan mirror, and the light reflected by the retroreflector is reflected by the scan mirror. A light-scanning touch panel that includes a plurality of light-scanning units that receive light at a light-receiving unit and detects the coordinates of an object touched within the scan area. And an optical axis adjusting jig having a predetermined reflection pattern for detecting an inclination of an optical axis of the light output from the light emitting unit. For adjusting the optical axis adjustment mechanism, the light receiving unit detects a predetermined reflection pattern of the optical axis adjustment jig,
The optical axis adjustment mechanism is adjusted so that the detected value is maximized, so that the light receiving unit monitors the predetermined reflection pattern, detects the tilt of the optical axis, and easily adjusts the optical axis. Further, it is possible to provide an optical scanning type touch panel which suppresses unnecessary light emission as much as possible and is excellent in safety even when a large inclination or deviation of the optical axis occurs, and a method of adjusting the optical axis thereof.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of an optical scanning type touch panel in an optical scanning type touch panel and an optical axis adjusting method of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of an optical scanning type touch panel and an optical scanning type unit in the optical axis adjusting method of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an optical scanning type touch panel of the present invention and a control unit in the optical axis adjusting method thereof.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are explanatory diagrams for describing optical scanning in the optical scanning type touch panel and the optical axis adjusting method thereof according to the present invention, and FIGS. It is a signal waveform.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining automatic adjustment in the optical scanning type touch panel and the optical axis adjustment method thereof according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an optical scanning type touch panel in a conventional example.

FIG. 7 is a side view of an optical scanning unit in a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Substrate 11a, 11b Optical scanning unit 12 Frame 13 Retroreflector 14 Unit main body 14a L-shaped groove 15, 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d Optical axis adjustment jig 16 Light emitting part 17, 17a, 17b, 17c Light receiving part 18 Scanning light 18a, 18b, 18c Optical axis 19 Refraction prism 20 Half mirror 21 Prism 22 Scan mirror 23 Pulse motor 25 Unit support plate 26 Fixed part 27 Support part 28 Y-axis adjustment mechanism part 29 X-axis adjustment mechanism part 28a, 29a Cam 28b , 29b Cam shaft 28c, 29c Stepping motor 31a, 31b Recess 40, 42 hole 44 Screw 50 Control unit 51 Laser transmission control unit 52 Laser driver 53a, 53b, 53c Current / voltage conversion circuit 54a, 54b, 54c A / D conversion circuit 55 pulse motor Control unit 56 motor driver 57 display device 59a, 59b motor driver 58a Y-axis motor control unit 58b X-axis motor control unit 115 retroreflective unit 115a, 115b, 115c reflected pattern

Claims (15)

[Claims] A light output from a light-emitting portion by rotation of a scan mirror, which optically scans the retroreflector, and receives light reflected by the retroreflector at a light-receiving portion via reflection of the scan mirror. In an optical scanning touch panel comprising a plurality of scanning units and detecting coordinates of an object touched within an effective range of the scan area, the scan area is out of an effective range of the scan area for all of the plurality of optical scanning units. At a position close to the start position and the end position of the optical scanning, for detecting the inclination of the optical axis of the light output from the light emitting unit, an optical axis adjusting jig having a predetermined reflection pattern, The light emitting unit is attached to an optical axis adjusting mechanism for adjusting an inclination of an optical axis of light output from the light emitting unit, and the light receiving unit detects the predetermined reflection pattern of the optical axis adjusting jig. Then In both cases, the optical scanning type touch panel is characterized in that the optical axis adjusting mechanism is adjusted so that the detected value becomes maximum. 2. The optical axis adjusting jig comprises: a base made of a light-shielding member for shielding reflection; and a retroreflector having a predetermined width and length provided at a predetermined portion on the front surface of the base. The optical scanning type touch panel according to claim 1, comprising the reflection pattern formed by a body. 3. The optical axis adjusting jig is provided with a suitable position and orientation set for each of the plurality of corresponding optical scanning units. The optical scanning type touch panel according to the above. 4. The first reflection pattern having a predetermined width and length, formed by a retroreflector at a center of the front surface of the optical axis adjusting jig;
4. The optical scanning device according to claim 1, further comprising a second reflection pattern having a shorter length than the first reflection pattern provided on one or both sides of the first reflection pattern or on both sides thereof. Type touch panel. 5. The optical axis adjusting mechanism includes: an optical scanning unit main body including the light emitting unit, the light receiving unit, and the scan mirror; and a unit supporting unit that supports the optical scanning unit main body by urging the same with a spring member. 5. The optical scanning type touch panel according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of mounting screws for mounting said optical scanning unit main body to said unit supporting portion so as to be adjustable in angle. 6. The optical axis adjusting mechanism includes: a vertical tilt (hereinafter referred to as an X-axis tilt) of an optical axis with respect to a horizontal direction when the optical scanning type touch panel is laid on a horizontal surface; 6. The optical scanning type according to claim 1, further comprising an angle adjusting mechanism for individually adjusting the vertical inclination of the optical axis with respect to the angle (hereinafter referred to as the Y-axis direction). Touch panel. 7. The angle adjusting mechanism comprises a cam for moving one end of the optical scanning unit main body up and down, and a drive motor directly connected to the cam for rotating the cam. The optical scanning type touch panel according to claim 6. 8. The light-receiving section is provided with a first light-receiving section for detecting the optical axis, and disposed vertically above and below the first light-receiving section, for detecting a tilt of the optical axis. A second light receiving section,
The optical scanning type touch panel according to claim 1, further comprising a third light receiving unit. 9. A light emission control unit for controlling light emission of the light emitting unit, wherein the light receiving unit cannot detect a predetermined reflection pattern of the optical axis adjusting jig within a predetermined period during the light scanning. 9. An optical scanning type touch panel according to claim 1, wherein said light emission control means stops light emission of said light emitting section when a predetermined level cannot be detected. 10. A retroreflector is optically scanned with light output from a light emitting unit by rotation of a scan mirror, and light reflected by the retroreflector is received by a light receiving unit via reflection of the scan mirror. An optical scanning type touch panel comprising a plurality of scanning units and detecting coordinates of an object touched within a range of a scanning area, wherein the light is outside an effective range of a scanning area for all of the plurality of optical scanning units. Output from the light-emitting unit, which is provided adjacent to the position corresponding to the start position and the end position of scanning, connected to the retroreflector, or disposed in front of a predetermined position of the retroreflector. An optical axis adjusting jig having a predetermined reflection pattern for detecting the inclination of the optical axis of the light, wherein the light emitting unit adjusts the optical axis inclination of the light output from the light emitting unit. For axis adjustment mechanism The light receiving unit detects the predetermined reflection pattern of the optical axis adjusting jig, and adjusts the optical axis adjusting mechanism so that the detected value is maximized. A method for adjusting an optical axis of an optical scanning type touch panel. 11. The optical axis adjusting jig is provided on a front surface of a predetermined position of the retroreflector and formed of a light blocking member for blocking reflection, and provided on a predetermined portion of the base. 11. The optical axis of the optical scanning type touch panel according to claim 10, wherein said optical pattern comprises a slit having a predetermined width and length and said reflection pattern formed by said retroreflector behind said slit. Adjustment method. 12. The optical axis adjusting jig comprises: a base made of a light shielding member for shielding reflection; and a retroreflective reflector having a predetermined width and length provided at a predetermined portion on a front surface of the base. The method for adjusting an optical axis of an optical scanning type touch panel according to claim 10, comprising the reflection pattern formed by a body. . 13. The first reflection pattern having a predetermined width and length, which is formed by a retroreflector in the center of the front surface of the optical axis adjusting jig, Consisting of a second reflection pattern having a shorter length than the first reflection pattern provided above or below one of the reflection patterns, or both, the light receiving unit detects a signal level of the optical axis. A first light receiving section, and a second light receiving section disposed vertically above and below the first light receiving section, and / or a third light receiving section, wherein the first light receiving section detects As the detection value of the first reflection pattern is maximized, the second light receiving unit, and, or as the detection value of the second reflection pattern detected by the third light receiving unit is minimized, The optical axis adjusting mechanism is adjusted. Optical axis adjusting method for an optical scanning-type touch panel of claim 10 or 12 wherein. 14. An optical axis adjusting mechanism, comprising: an optical scanning unit main body including the light emitting unit, the light receiving unit, and the scan mirror; and a unit support unit that is urged by a spring member to support the optical scanning unit main unit. A plurality of mounting screws for mounting the optical scanning unit main body to the unit support unit so as to adjust the angle, the unit support unit includes a cam for moving one end of the optical scanning unit main body up and down, An angle adjustment mechanism that is directly connected to the cam and includes a drive motor for rotating the cam; the angle adjustment mechanism individually adjusts the tilt of the optical axis in the X-axis direction and the tilt of the optical axis in the Y-axis direction; To keep the optical axis parallel,
A driving unit that drives the driving motor, and a control unit that controls the driving unit based on a detection value detected by the light receiving unit. 14. The light of the optical scanning type touch panel according to claim 10, wherein a predetermined reflection pattern is detected, and the optical axis adjustment mechanism is automatically adjusted so that a detected value becomes maximum. Axis adjustment method. 15. A light emission control means for controlling light emission of the light emitting section, wherein light emission is turned on only during a period necessary for scanning the optical axis adjustment jig when adjusting the optical axis. The optical axis adjustment method for an optical scanning type touch panel according to claim 10, wherein: