JP2003186616A - Information input device, information input and output system, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inexpensively detect two-dimensional position coordinates, when 2 prescribed objects are inserted simultaneously in an information input area of an optical information input device. <P>SOLUTION: When 2 prescribed objects are inserted simultaneously in an information input area, 4 two-dimensional position coordinates are calculated except for a special case. However, the prescribed object, indicating the information input area, calculates the angle of a light θ1 from a shielded or reflected light-emitting means, determines based on the calculated angle θ1 two-dimensional position coordinates actually indicated by 2 prescribed objects from the relevant 4 two-dimensional position coordinates. Thereby, the two-dimensional position coordinates can be detected at a low cost, without increasing for example, flood light means or light-receiving elements, when 2 prescribed objects are simultaneously inserted in the information input area. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information input device, an information input / output system, a position coordinate output method, a program and a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electronic device capable of reading handwritten information written on a writing surface such as a whiteboard or a writing sheet by using a writing tool with a dedicated scanner and outputting the recording paper with a dedicated printer. Blackboard devices are known. On the other hand, in recent years, an information input device is arranged on the writing surface of the electronic blackboard so that the information handwritten on the writing surface can be input to a computer such as a personal computer in real time. A system is also provided.

For example, a software board manufactured by Microfield Graphics, Inc. is constructed by arranging an information input device on a whiteboard, and characters and pictures written on the whiteboard. It is a device that makes it possible to capture the visual data of a computer in real time. In the information input system configured by using this soft board, the visual data captured by the soft board is input to the computer and the CRT is used.
It can be displayed on a (Cathode Ray Tube), displayed on a large screen using a liquid crystal projector, and output to recording paper with a printer. It is also possible to project the screen of the computer to which the soft board is connected onto the soft board with a liquid crystal projector and operate the computer on the soft board.

In recent years, a display device for displaying characters and images, an information input device in which an information input surface (touch panel surface) is provided on the front surface of the display device, and an input from the information input device are used. An information input / output system is provided that includes a control device that controls the display of a display device, and that uses the display device and the information input device to configure the display surface and the writing surface of the electronic blackboard.

[0005] For example, in the Smart 2000 manufactured by SMART Technologies Inc., a panel is used in a state where a liquid crystal projector connected to a computer is used to project images of characters, pictures, figures and graphics on the panel. Using the information input device (writing surface) arranged on the front surface of the projection surface (display surface), the process of importing handwritten information into the computer is performed. Then, the handwritten information and the image information are combined in the computer so that they can be displayed again in real time via the liquid crystal projector.

In such an information input / output system, an image input using the information input device can be superimposed and displayed as an overwritten image on the image displayed on the screen by the display device. It is already widely used in educational settings, and its use effect is highly evaluated. Further, such an information input / output system is also used as an electronic conference system by incorporating a communication function such as voice / image and connecting remote places with a communication line.

In recent years, various types of information input devices used in the information input / output system have been considered, which have different detection systems. However, when a method suitable for being applied to the information input / output system described above is considered, it becomes possible to input without having a physical surface such as a coordinate input surface (touch panel surface). Information input devices are considered to be promising.

Various systems have been proposed as such an optical information input device. As an example of the optical information input device, there is an information input device described in JP-A-11-110116. This Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-11
In the information input device described in Japanese Patent No. 0116, a laser beam emitted from a light source provided in each of two optical units is scanned using a polygon mirror, and the laser beam is reflected by a retroreflective member. It has an information input area formed by the above. When the light in the information input area is blocked by inserting a pointing device such as a fingertip or a pen into the information input area, based on the light intensity distribution in the light receiving elements provided in the two optical units, respectively. The number of pulses of the pulse motor that rotates the polygon mirror is detected, the emission angle of the light blocked by the indicating means is obtained for each optical unit according to the detected number of pulses, and the triangulation based on these emission angles is performed. The position coordinates at which the indicating means is inserted are detected by a method.

An optical information input device that does not have a physical surface such as the coordinate input surface (touch panel surface) as typified above is used when mounted on the display screen of the display device. However, the visibility is excellent and it is relatively easy to increase the size.

[0010]

However, the information input / output system using the optical information input device as described above is a powerful tool for inputting and displaying information with the spread of personal computers and the like. However, there are still many issues that must be solved for full-scale practical application.

According to the optical information input device for calculating the position coordinates in which the indicating means is inserted by the conventional triangulation method, the number of calculated position coordinates is "N".
It depends on the
It can be determined by "N ² ". That is, when the number of pointing means is "1", only one position coordinate is calculated, but when the number of pointing means is "2", four position coordinates are calculated. There is. In this way, the number of calculated position coordinates becomes larger than the number of the indicating means when the indicating means is instructed by a plurality of indicating means, in addition to the real image actually indicated by the indicating means, the virtual image is also calculated. Because it will be done.

Therefore, in Japanese Patent No. 2896183, by using three optical detectors, it is possible to detect the coordinates of the pointed position by each pointing means even when two points are pointed at the same time. A coordinate input device has been proposed.

However, according to the coordinate input device described in Japanese Patent No. 2896183, since three optical detectors are required, the number of parts is increased and the device configuration is complicated, resulting in an expensive configuration. There is a problem that it will end up.

An object of the present invention is to detect at low cost two-dimensional position coordinates when two predetermined objects are simultaneously inserted in an information input area of an optical information input device.

An object of the present invention is to improve the convenience of the apparatus by enabling character drawing and dragging operation by two persons at the same time.

[0016]

According to another aspect of the information input device of the present invention, the light receiving means receives the two-dimensional position coordinates of a predetermined object indicating a two-dimensional information input area formed by light from the light emitting means. In an information input device that calculates by a triangulation method based on a light intensity distribution and outputs as input information, a shield that calculates an angle of light from the light emitting means that is shielded or reflected by the predetermined object that indicates the information input area. / Reflection angle calculation means and 2 in the information input area
When four two-dimensional position coordinates are calculated by inserting the predetermined objects simultaneously, among the four calculated two-dimensional position coordinates based on the angle calculated by the shielding / reflection angle calculation means. To the two-dimensional position coordinates actually designated by the two predetermined objects.

Therefore, when two predetermined objects are simultaneously inserted in the information input area, four two-dimensional position coordinates are calculated except for a specific case. However, the predetermined object indicating the information input area is calculated. The angle of the light emitted from the light-emitting means that has been shielded or reflected is calculated, and based on the calculated angle, the two actually specified by the two predetermined objects from the calculated four two-dimensional position coordinates. Two-dimensional position coordinates are determined. This makes it possible to detect the two-dimensional position coordinates at a low cost when two predetermined objects are simultaneously inserted in the information input area without increasing the number of light projecting means or light receiving elements. In addition, the actual instruction based on the plurality of calculated coordinates buffered in time series
Since the two two-dimensional position coordinates are not determined, the two-dimensional position coordinates are calculated without delaying the movement of the predetermined object.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the information input device according to the first aspect, two two-dimensional position coordinates actually designated by the two predetermined objects are two-dimensional when they are first calculated. Which of the first identification number assigning means for assigning different identification numbers to the position coordinates and the two-dimensional position coordinates calculated immediately before for each of the two continuously calculated two-dimensional position coordinates is determined. Two first two-dimensional position coordinates which are continuously calculated by the first coordinate distance comparing means for judging, and the identification number of each two-dimensional position coordinate calculated immediately before which is judged to be close by the first coordinate distance comparing means. And a first identification number continuation giving means for giving each of the above.

Therefore, with respect to the two two-dimensional position coordinates calculated in time series, the identification number of whichever of the two two-dimensional position coordinates calculated immediately before comes closer is given. With this, it is possible to determine which of the two predetermined objects has the two-dimensional position coordinate operated by the identification number, so that even when two operators holding the predetermined object operate simultaneously, one operation locus And the other operation locus are distinguished, the character drawing and the drag operation can be performed by two persons at the same time, and the convenience of the apparatus can be improved.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the information input apparatus according to the second aspect, when the continuously calculated two-dimensional position coordinates change from two to one, one calculated two-dimensional position is obtained. A second coordinate distance comparing means for determining which of the two-dimensional position coordinates calculated immediately before the coordinate is closer, and one of the two calculated immediately before being determined to be closer by the second coordinate distance comparing means. Second identification number continuation giving means for giving the identification number of the two-dimensional position coordinate to only one calculated two-dimensional position coordinate.

Therefore, when the continuously calculated two-dimensional position coordinates change from two to one, the two two-dimensional position coordinates calculated immediately before the one two-dimensional position coordinate are changed. The identification number of whichever is closer is given. As a result, it becomes possible to determine the operation trajectory of the predetermined object that is being operated continuously.

The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claims 1 to 3.
In the information input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, a second identification that gives an identification number to the two-dimensional position coordinates when the two-dimensional position coordinates actually designated by the one predetermined object are first calculated. In addition to one two-dimensional position coordinate which is continuously instructed and calculated by the numbering means and one of the predetermined objects, 1 is instructed by the other predetermined object.
When the two two-dimensional position coordinates are newly calculated, a third coordinate distance comparing means for determining which of the two two-dimensional position coordinates calculated for the immediately preceding two-dimensional position coordinate is closer, For the two-dimensional position coordinates determined to be close to the two-dimensional position coordinates calculated immediately before by the third coordinate distance comparison means, the identification number of the two-dimensional position coordinates calculated immediately before is given to newly calculate the two-dimensional position coordinates. A third identification number continuation giving means for giving an identification number different from the identification number of the two-dimensional position coordinate calculated immediately before to the two-dimensional position coordinate,
Equipped with.

Therefore, when one two-dimensional position coordinate is newly calculated by being instructed by another predetermined object, in addition to one two-dimensional position coordinate continuously calculated in accordance with the instruction by one predetermined object. Is 1 calculated immediately before
The identification number of each two-dimensional position coordinate is 1 calculated immediately before.
Two-dimensional position coordinates that are given to either one of the two two-dimensional position coordinates that are close to one two-dimensional position coordinate and that are not close to the one calculated two-dimensional position coordinate immediately before. Is assigned an identification number different from the identification number of the two-dimensional position coordinate calculated immediately before.
As a result, it is possible to distinguish between the operation trajectory of the predetermined object that is being continuously operated and the operation trajectory of the newly operated predetermined object.

The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claims 1 to 4.
In the information input device described in any one of 1 to 3, the information input area is formed by forming the light emitted from the light emitting means into a thin film and projecting the light.

Therefore, the information input area for accepting the insertion of the predetermined object is surely formed, and it becomes possible to provide the information input device which realizes negligence, complete transparency, and high drawing feeling.

The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claims 1 to 4.
In the information input device described in any one of 1 to 3, the information input area is formed by sequentially scanning and projecting the light beam emitted from the light emitting means.

Therefore, the information input area for accepting the insertion of the predetermined object is surely formed, and it is possible to provide the information input device which realizes negligence, complete transparency, and high drawing feeling.

The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claims 1 to 4.
In the information input device described in any one of the above, the image pickup range of the image pickup means for picking up the light emitted from the light emitting means is set as the information input area.

Therefore, the information input area for receiving the insertion of the predetermined object is surely formed, and it is possible to provide the information input device which realizes the negligible difference, complete transparency, and high drawing feeling.

In the information input / output system of the invention described in claim 8, the display device and the information input area are arranged so as to coincide with each other on the display surface of the display device. An information input device and a control device that performs display control of the display device based on an input from the information input device are provided.

Therefore, an information input / output system which does not have a physical surface such as a coordinate input surface (touch panel surface) and is excellent in visibility even when mounted on the display surface of a display device is inexpensive. Can be provided at.

An information input / output system according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is arranged such that a writing board for receiving writing and the information input area are arranged on the writing surface of the writing board so as to coincide with each other. An information input device according to one aspect of the present invention, and a control device that controls information written on the writing board based on an input from the information input device.

Therefore, an information input / output system which does not have a physical surface such as a coordinate input surface (touch panel surface) and is excellent in visibility even when mounted on a writing surface of a writing board is inexpensive. Can be provided at.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the position coordinate output method is based on the light intensity distribution in the light receiving means based on the two-dimensional position coordinates of a predetermined object indicating a two-dimensional information input area formed by the light from the light emitting means. A method of outputting position coordinates, which is calculated by a triangulation method and is output as input information, which is a shield / reflect for calculating an angle of light emitted from the light emitting means which is shielded or reflected by the predetermined object indicating the information input area. When two two-dimensional objects are simultaneously inserted into the information input area in the angle calculation step and four two-dimensional position coordinates are calculated, based on the angle calculated in the shielding / reflection angle calculation step, A real coordinate determining step of determining two two-dimensional position coordinates actually designated by the two predetermined objects from the calculated four two-dimensional position coordinates.

Therefore, when two predetermined objects are simultaneously inserted into the information input area, four two-dimensional position coordinates are calculated except for a specific case. The angle of the light emitted from the light-emitting means that has been shielded or reflected is calculated, and based on the calculated angle, the two actually specified by the two predetermined objects from the calculated four two-dimensional position coordinates. Two-dimensional position coordinates are determined. This makes it possible to detect the two-dimensional position coordinates at a low cost when two predetermined objects are simultaneously inserted in the information input area without increasing the number of light projecting means or light receiving elements. In addition, the actual instruction based on the plurality of calculated coordinates buffered in time series
Since the two two-dimensional position coordinates are not determined, the two-dimensional position coordinates are calculated without delaying the movement of the predetermined object.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the position coordinate output method according to the tenth aspect, two two-dimensional position coordinates actually designated by the two predetermined objects are respectively calculated when two two-dimensional position coordinates are calculated. Which is closer to the first identification number assigning step of assigning different identification numbers to the dimensional position coordinates and the two-dimensional position coordinates calculated immediately before for each of the two continuously calculated two-dimensional position coordinates? And the two two-dimensional distances calculated by continuing the identification number of each two-dimensional position coordinate calculated immediately before the first coordinate distance comparing step for determining A first identification number continuous giving step of giving each of the position coordinates.

Therefore, with respect to the two two-dimensional position coordinates calculated in time series, the identification number of whichever of the two two-dimensional position coordinates calculated immediately before comes closer is given. With this, it is possible to determine which of the two predetermined objects has the two-dimensional position coordinate operated by the identification number, so that even when two operators holding the predetermined object operate simultaneously, one operation locus And the other operation locus are distinguished, the character drawing and the drag operation can be performed by two persons at the same time, and the convenience of the apparatus can be improved.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the position coordinate output method according to the eleventh aspect, when the continuously calculated two-dimensional position coordinates change from two to one, one calculated two-dimensional position coordinate is obtained. The second coordinate distance comparison step of determining which of the two-dimensional position coordinates calculated immediately before the position coordinate is closer, and either one calculated immediately before the second coordinate distance comparison step is determined to be closer And a second identification number continuation giving step of giving the identification number of the two-dimensional position coordinate to only one calculated two-dimensional position coordinate.

Therefore, when the continuously calculated two-dimensional position coordinates change from two to one, the two two-dimensional position coordinates calculated immediately before the one two-dimensional position coordinate are calculated. The identification number of whichever is closer is given. As a result, it becomes possible to determine the operation trajectory of the predetermined object that is being operated continuously.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the position coordinate output method according to any one of the tenth to twelfth aspects,
A second identification number assigning step of assigning an identification number to the two-dimensional position coordinates when the two-dimensional position coordinates actually designated by the one predetermined object are first calculated; and one predetermined object In addition to the one two-dimensional position coordinate continuously instructed and calculated, when the one two-dimensional position coordinate is newly calculated by the other predetermined object, the two-dimensional position calculated immediately before A third coordinate distance comparison step of determining which of the two respective two-dimensional position coordinates calculated for the coordinate is closer, and a determination of being closer to the two-dimensional position coordinate calculated immediately before in this third coordinate distance comparison step. The identification number of the 2D position coordinate calculated immediately before is given to the calculated 2D position coordinate, and the identification number of the 2D position coordinate calculated immediately before is added to the newly calculated 2D position coordinate. Identification different from the number Including a third identification number continues step of applying a degree.

Therefore, when one two-dimensional position coordinate is newly calculated by being instructed by another predetermined object in addition to one two-dimensional position coordinate continuously calculated in accordance with the instruction by one predetermined object. Is 1 calculated immediately before
The identification number of each two-dimensional position coordinate is 1 calculated immediately before.
Two-dimensional position coordinates that are given to either one of the two two-dimensional position coordinates that are close to one two-dimensional position coordinate and that are not close to the one calculated two-dimensional position coordinate immediately before. Is assigned an identification number different from the identification number of the two-dimensional position coordinate calculated immediately before.
As a result, it is possible to distinguish between the operation trajectory of the predetermined object that is being continuously operated and the operation trajectory of the newly operated predetermined object.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, a program for triangulation based on the light intensity distribution in the light receiving means is used to determine the two-dimensional position coordinates of a predetermined object that points to the two-dimensional information input area formed by the light from the light emitting means. Calculated by the method,
A program for causing a computer to execute control to be output as input information, the shield / calculating calculating an angle of light emitted from the light emitting means, which is shielded or reflected by the predetermined object that has instructed the information input area. When the reflection angle calculation function and four two-dimensional position coordinates are calculated by simultaneously inserting the two predetermined objects in the information input area, based on the angles calculated by the shielding / reflection angle calculation function. A real coordinate determination function of determining two two-dimensional position coordinates actually designated by the two predetermined objects from among the calculated four two-dimensional position coordinates,
To execute.

Therefore, when two predetermined objects are simultaneously inserted into the information input area, four two-dimensional position coordinates are calculated except for a specific case. The angle of the light emitted from the light-emitting means that has been shielded or reflected is calculated, and based on the calculated angle, the two actually specified by the two predetermined objects from the calculated four two-dimensional position coordinates. Two-dimensional position coordinates are determined. This makes it possible to detect the two-dimensional position coordinates at a low cost when two predetermined objects are simultaneously inserted in the information input area without increasing the number of light projecting means or light receiving elements. In addition, the actual instruction based on the plurality of calculated coordinates buffered in time series
Since the two two-dimensional position coordinates are not determined, the two-dimensional position coordinates are calculated without delaying the movement of the predetermined object.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the program according to the fourteenth aspect, when the two two-dimensional position coordinates actually designated by the two predetermined objects are first calculated, the respective two-dimensional position coordinates are calculated. It is determined which of the first identification number assigning function that assigns a different identification number to each of the two or the two-dimensional position coordinates calculated immediately before for each of the two continuously calculated two-dimensional position coordinates. The first coordinate distance comparison function and the two respective two-dimensional position coordinates continuously calculated by the identification number of each two-dimensional position coordinate calculated immediately before which is determined to be close by the first coordinate distance comparison function The computer is made to execute the first identification number continuation giving function to be given respectively.

Therefore, with respect to the two two-dimensional position coordinates calculated in time series, the identification number of whichever of the two two-dimensional position coordinates calculated immediately before is closer is given. With this, it is possible to determine which of the two predetermined objects has the two-dimensional position coordinate operated by the identification number, so that even when two operators holding the predetermined object operate simultaneously, one operation locus And the other operation locus are distinguished, the character drawing and the drag operation can be performed by two persons at the same time, and the convenience of the apparatus can be improved.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the program according to the fifteenth aspect, when the continuously calculated two-dimensional position coordinate changes from two to one, the calculated one two-dimensional position coordinate is The second coordinate distance comparison function that determines which of the two-dimensional position coordinates calculated immediately before is closer, and either one of the two dimensions calculated immediately before that is determined to be closer by this second coordinate distance comparison function. The computer is caused to execute a second identification number continuation giving function of giving the identification number of the position coordinate to only one calculated two-dimensional position coordinate.

Therefore, when the continuously calculated two-dimensional position coordinates change from two to one, the two two-dimensional position coordinates calculated immediately before the one two-dimensional position coordinate are calculated. The identification number of whichever is closer is given. As a result, it becomes possible to determine the operation trajectory of the predetermined object that is being operated continuously.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the program according to any one of the fourteenth to sixteenth aspects, when the two-dimensional position coordinate actually designated by one of the predetermined objects is first calculated, A second identification number assigning function for assigning an identification number to the dimensional position coordinates, and one two-dimensional position coordinate continuously instructed and calculated by one of the predetermined objects, and by another predetermined object. If one 2D position coordinate is newly instructed, the third coordinate distance comparison for determining which of the two 2D position coordinates calculated for the 2D position coordinate calculated immediately before is closer The function and the identification number of the two-dimensional position coordinate calculated immediately before are given to the two-dimensional position coordinate determined to be close to the two-dimensional position coordinate calculated immediately before in this third coordinate distance comparison step. , For two-dimensional position coordinates calculated in regulations to execute a third identification number continuously imparting the ability to impart different identification number and the identification number of the two-dimensional position coordinates calculated immediately before, to the computer.

Therefore, when one two-dimensional position coordinate is newly calculated by being instructed by another predetermined object, in addition to one two-dimensional position coordinate continuously calculated in accordance with the instruction by one predetermined object. Is 1 calculated immediately before
The identification number of each two-dimensional position coordinate is 1 calculated immediately before.
Two-dimensional position coordinates that are given to either one of the two two-dimensional position coordinates that are close to one two-dimensional position coordinate and that are not close to the one calculated two-dimensional position coordinate immediately before. Is assigned an identification number different from the identification number of the two-dimensional position coordinate calculated immediately before.
As a result, it is possible to distinguish between the operation trajectory of the predetermined object that is being continuously operated and the operation trajectory of the newly operated predetermined object.

A computer-readable recording medium according to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention records the program according to any one of the fourteenth to seventeenth aspects.

Therefore, by installing this recording medium in a computer, it is possible to realize the method according to any one of claims 14 to 17.
It is possible to obtain the same operation as that of the program described in any one of 1.

[0052]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 1 is an external perspective view schematically showing the information input / output system 1. As shown in FIG. 1, an information input / output system 1 includes a plasma display panel (PDP: Plasma Display) which is a display device.
Panel) 2 and information input device 3
And a computer 5 such as a personal computer which is a control device, a scanner 6 for reading an image of an original, a printer 7 for outputting image data onto recording paper, and a video player 8 (all of which are shown in FIG. 2). 9 and 9 are mainly constituted.

The PDP 2 and the information input device 3 are the PDP 2
The information input device 3 is integrated so as to be positioned on the display surface 2a side, and is housed in the panel unit 4 such that the information input area 3a of the information input device 3 is positioned on the display surface 2a of the PDP 2. In this way, the panel unit 4 houses the PDP 2 and the information input device 3, and constitutes the display surface (display surface 2a of the PDP 2) and the writing surface (information input area 3a) of the information input / output system 1. As the PDP 2, a large screen type such as 40 inches or 50 inches that can be used as an electronic blackboard is used. Although not shown, the PDP 2 is provided with a video input terminal and a speaker, and is connected to various information devices and AV devices such as the video player 8 and other laser disc players, DVD players, video cameras, etc. However, the PDP 2 can be used as a large screen monitor.

Next, the electrical connection of each unit built in the information input / output system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, in the information input / output system 1, the computer 5 is connected to the PDP 2, the scanner 6, the printer 7, and the video player 8, and the computer 5 controls the entire system. Further, the computer 5 is connected to a controller 10 for the information input device 3 that calculates the position coordinates in the information input area 3a designated by a pointing device such as a pen or a predetermined object such as a fingertip. The information input device 3 is also connected to the computer 5 via the controller 10. Also, the computer 5
The information input / output system 1 can be connected to the network 11 via the, and the data created by another computer connected on the network 11 can be displayed on the PDP 2 or the data created by the information input / output system 1 can be It is also possible to transfer to other computers.

Next, the computer 5 will be described.
Here, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical connection of each unit incorporated in the computer 5. As shown in FIG. 3, the computer 5 is a CPU (Cent) that controls the entire system.
Ral Processing Unit) 12, ROM (Read Only Memory) 13 in which a boot program and the like are recorded, and CPU 12
RAM (Random Acces
s Memory) 14, a keyboard 15 for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, etc., a mouse 16 for moving the cursor, selecting a range, etc., a hard disk 17,
A graphics board 18 connected to the PDP 2 and controlling the display of images 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. An interface (I / F) 20 for connecting the above and the like, and a bus 2 for connecting the above respective units
1 and.

In the hard disk 17, an operating system (OS) 22,
A device driver 23 for operating the information input device 3 on the computer 5 via the controller 10, various application programs 24 such as drawing software, word processor software, spreadsheet software, presentation software, calibration software, etc. are stored. There is.

In the computer 5, a recording medium 26 recording various program codes (control programs) such as the OS 22, the device driver 23 and various application programs 24, that is, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, an optical disk ( CD-R
OM, CD-R, CD-R / W, DVD-ROM, DV
D-RAM), magneto-optical disk (MO), floppy disk drive, which is a device for reading the program code recorded in a memory card, CD-R
A program reading device 25 such as an OM drive device and an MO drive device is mounted.

The various application programs 24 are
OS2 that starts up when the computer 5 is powered on
It is executed by the CPU 12 under the control of 2. 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 activated together with the control unit 22 and becomes ready for data input from the information input device 3 via the controller 10. When the user draws a character or a figure in the information input area 3a of the information input device 3 with the pointing means while the drawing software is activated, the coordinate information is input to the computer 5 as image data based on the description of the pointing means. For example, the image on the screen displayed on the PDP 2 is overlaid and displayed as an overwrite image. More specifically, the CP of the computer 5
U12 generates drawing information for drawing a line or a character based on the input image data, and adjusts the graphics board 1 according to the position coordinates based on the input coordinate information.
The data is written in the video memory (not shown) provided in FIG. After that, the graphics board 18 uses the drawing information written in the video memory as an image signal for the PDP2.
, The same character as the character written by the user will be displayed on the PDP 2. That is, since the computer 5 recognizes the information input device 3 as a pointing device such as the mouse 16, the computer 5 performs the same process as when writing characters using the mouse 16 on the drawing software. become.

Next, the information input device 3 will be described in detail. As the information input device 3 that can be applied to the information input / output system 1 of the present embodiment, various types having different detection methods can be considered. Therefore, in the following, as the information input device 3, several information input devices having different detection methods are given, and the configuration and principle thereof will be described.

A. First Information Input Device First, the first information input device 3A will be described with reference to FIGS.
It will be described based on. The first information input device 3A is
This is a so-called recursive light shielding type information input device.

Here, FIG. 4 is an explanatory view schematically showing the configuration of the first information input device 3A. As shown in FIG.
The information input device 3A includes a horizontally long rectangular information input area 3a having a size corresponding to the size of the display surface 2a of the PDP 2. The information input area 3a is an area in which characters and figures can be input by handwriting. Optical units 27 (a left side optical unit 27L and a right side optical unit 27R) for emitting and receiving light are provided near the corners located at both lower ends of the information input area 3a at a predetermined mounting angle. From these optical units 27, a plane or a substantially plane is formed, and for example, L ₁ , L ₂ , L ₃ ,
, L _n (R ₁ , R ₂ , R ₃ , ..., R _n ) is a fan-shaped thin film light flux film composed of a bundle of light (probe light) such as the information input area 3a. The light is projected in parallel along the surface of the display surface 2a of the PDP 2 so as to cover the entire area.

In addition, the information input area 3a of the information input device 3
A retroreflective member 28 is provided in the peripheral portion except the lower portion of the. 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 projected from the left optical unit 27L is reflected by the retroreflective member 28 and is received by the left optical unit 27L as retroreflected light L ₃ ′ that follows the same optical path again. That is, the information input area 3a is also formed by the retroreflective member 28.

Next, the optical unit 27 will be described. Here, FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram schematically showing the structure of the optical unit 27. Note that although FIG. 5 mainly shows the xz direction, the portions shown by the alternate long and two short dashes line are the same components viewed from different directions (xy direction or yz direction). .

As shown in FIG. 5, the optical unit 27 includes
The light emitting unit 29 and the light receiving unit 30 are provided. Projector 29
Is an LD (Laser) that can narrow down the spot to some extent.
Diode: Semiconductor laser, pinpoint LED (Light E)
The light source 31 is a light emitting means such as a mitting diode. The light emitted perpendicularly to the display surface 2a of the PDP 2 from the light source 31 is x by the cylindrical lens 32 capable of changing the magnification in only one direction.
Collimated in the direction. The light collimated in the x direction by the cylindrical lens 32 is condensed in the y direction by the two cylindrical lenses 33 and 34 whose curvature distribution is orthogonal to that of the cylindrical lens 32. That is, due to the action of these cylindrical lens groups (cylindrical lenses 32, 33, 34), a region where the light from the light source 31 is linearly condensed is formed behind the cylindrical lens 34. Here, a slit plate 3 having slits narrow in the y direction and elongated in the x direction
Place 5. Therefore, the light that has passed through the cylindrical lens group (cylindrical lenses 32, 33, 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 reflected by the half mirror 37, is parallel light along the surface of the display surface 2a without spreading in the vertical direction of the display surface 2a of the PDP 2, and in the direction parallel to the display surface 2a. It forms a fan-shaped light beam film centering on the secondary light source 36 and advances in the information input area 3a. In other words, the fan-shaped light is reflected in the information input area 3a.
To form. A condensing optical system is formed by the cylindrical lens group (cylindrical lenses 32, 33, 34) and the slit plate 35.

As described above, the luminous flux film that has traveled through the information input area 3a in the fan shape is recursively reflected by the retroreflective member 28, and follows the same optical path again to the half mirror 3.
I will return to 7. Therefore, the retroreflective member 28
The luminous flux film that is recursively reflected by (2) also forms the information input 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 section 30. The retro-reflected light incident on the light receiving unit 30 is a cylindrical lens 3 that is a condenser lens.
After being formed into a linear shape through 8, the CCD (Char is a light receiving unit provided at a distance f (f is a focal length of the cylindrical lens 38) from the cylindrical lens 38.
In the ge coupled device (light receiving element) 39, light is received at a different position for each probe light. The CCD (light receiving element) 39 of the present embodiment is a one-dimensional CCD,
The number of pixels is set to 2,048.

Specifically, the retroreflected light reflected by the retroreflective member 28 is the cylindrical lens 3 in the z-axis direction.
The light reaches the CCD (light receiving element) 39 while being collimated without receiving the action of 8. In addition, the retro-reflected light is PDP2.
In the direction parallel to the display surface 2a of the cylindrical lens 3
The light propagates so as to be focused on the center of the lens 8, and as a result, is imaged on the CCD (light receiving element) 39 provided on the focal plane of the cylindrical lens 38 under the action of the cylindrical lens 38. As a result, a light intensity distribution is formed on the CCD (light receiving element) 39 according to the presence or absence of retroreflected light. That is, when the retroreflected light is blocked by the indicating means P, the CCD
A point having a weak light intensity (a peak point described later) occurs at a position on the (light receiving element) 39 corresponding to the shielded retroreflected light. CCD (light receiving element) 39 that receives the retroreflected light
Generates an electric signal based on the light intensity distribution of the retroreflected light (probe light), and outputs the electric signal to the controller 10 described above. Note that, as shown in FIG. 5, the secondary light source 36 and the cylindrical lens 38 are both disposed at a position of the distance d with respect to the half mirror 37 and have a conjugate positional relationship.

Here, in FIG. 6, an electric signal based on the light intensity distribution of the retro-reflected light is input from the light receiving element 39, and the processing for specifying the coordinates of the position where the light traveling in the information input area 3a is blocked is executed. FIG. 3 is a block configuration diagram of a controller 10 that performs The controller 10 controls the light emission of the light source (LD) 31 of the optical unit 27 (left optical unit 27L, right optical unit 27R) and CC of the optical unit 27 (left optical unit 27L, right optical unit 27R).
The output from the D (light receiving element) 39 is calculated. As shown in FIG. 6, the controller 10 is provided with a CPU 40 that centrally controls each unit.
ROM for recording programs and data in the PU 40
41, a RAM 42 that rewritably stores various data and functions as a work area, an interface 43 for connecting to the computer 5, an A / D (Analog / Digita)
l) The converter 44 and the LD driver 45 are connected to the bus. Further, the CPU 40 has a hard disk 46 for storing various program codes (control programs).
And non-volatile memory EEPROM (Electrically
An Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) 47 is connected to the bus. Here, the CPU 40, the ROM 41, and the RAM 42 constitute a microcomputer. In such a microcomputer, a recording medium 49 recording 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.), magneto-optical disk (MO), floppy disk drive, which is a device for reading the program code recorded in a memory card, CD-ROM drive, MO drive, etc. A program reader 48 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 incident on the CD (light receiving element) 39 is converted into analog image data having a voltage value according to the intensity of light in the CCD (light receiving element) 39 and output as an analog signal. This analog signal is processed by the analog processing circuit 51 and then processed by the A / D (Analog / Digital) converter 4.
It 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 instructing means P.

Various program codes (control programs) stored in the hard disk 46 or recording medium 49
Various program codes (control programs) recorded in the RA are stored in the RA when the controller 10 is powered on.
It is written in M42 and various program codes (control programs) are executed.

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

Here, FIG. 7 is a front view showing an example in which one point in the information input area 3a of the information input device 3A is pointed 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, it is the probe light L _n reaching the retroreflection member 28 There is no.

At this time, consider the light intensity distribution on the CCD (light receiving element) 39. Here, FIG. 8 shows a CCD (light receiving element) 3
It is explanatory drawing which shows the detection operation of 9 typically. Pointing means P
Is not inserted in the information input area 3a, the CCD
Although the light intensity distribution on the (light receiving element) 39 is almost constant,
As shown in FIG. 8, when the pointing means P is inserted into the information input area 3 a and the probe light L _n is blocked by the pointing means P, the probe light L _n is the CCD of the optical unit 27.
Since it is not received by the (light receiving element) 39,
CCD of the optical unit 27 corresponding to the probe light L _n
A predetermined position X _n on the (light receiving element) 39 becomes a region (dark spot) where the light intensity is weak. The position X _n, which is the region (dark spot) 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 appearance of the peak point in the waveform is recognized by the change in the voltage, and the position X _n of the dark point which is the peak point of the waveform of the light intensity is detected.

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

Position X _n which is a region (dark spot) where the light intensity is weak
(X _n L on the CCD (light-receiving element) 39 of the left optical unit 27L, X _n R on the CCD (light-receiving element) 39 of the right optical unit 27R) is the emission / incident angle θ _n of the blocked probe light. Correspondingly, θ _n can be known by detecting X _n . That is, from the dark spot position X _n to C
CD and the distance to the center pixel of the (light receiving element) 39 and a, theta _n as a function of ^{_{a, θ n = tan -1 (}} a / f) .................................... (1 ) It can be expressed as. However, f is the focal length of the cylindrical lens 38. Here, the left optical unit 2
Replace θ _n in 7L with θ _n L and a with X _n L.

Further, in FIG. 7, the pointing means P and the left optical unit 2 are defined by the conversion coefficient g of the geometrical relative positional relationship between the left optical unit 27L and the information input area 3a.
The angle θL formed with 7L is a function of X _n L obtained by the equation (1), and θ L = g (θ _n L) ………………………… (2) where θ _n L = Tan ⁻¹ (X _n L / f).

Similarly, also for the right side optical unit 27R, the symbol L in the above equations (1) and (2) is replaced with the symbol R, and the geometrical relative position between the right side optical unit 27R and the information input area 3a. by the conversion coefficient h _{relationship, θR = h (θ n R} ) .................................... (3) However, be represented as ^{_{θ n R = tan -1 (X}} n R / f) it can.

Here, the CCD of the left optical unit 27L
(Light receiving element) 39 center position and right optical unit 27R
If the distance from the center position of the CCD (light receiving element) 39 of No. 2 is w shown in FIG. 7, the two-dimensional coordinates (x, y) of the point designated by the pointing means P in the information input area 3a are the principle of triangulation. Thus, x = w · tan θR / (tan θL + tan θR) (4) y = w · tan θL · tan θR / (tan θL + tan θR) (5)

These (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
The formula is previously stored in the hard disk 4 as part of the control program
6 and the recording medium 49, and (1) (2)
From the equations (3), (4) and (5), the position coordinates (x, y) of the indicating means P are calculated as a function of X _n L, X _n R. That is, by detecting the position of the dark spot on the CCD (light receiving element) 39 of the left optical unit 27L and the position of the dark spot on the CCD (light receiving element) 39 of the right optical unit 27R, the position coordinates of the indicating means P are detected. (X, y) will be calculated.

The position coordinates (x, y) of the pointing means P calculated in this way are output to the computer 5 via the controller 10 and used for predetermined processing.

According to such an information input device 3A, in the information input area 3a, negligible difference, complete transparency,
It is possible to achieve a high sense of drawing.

B. Second Information Input Device Next, the second information input device 3B will be described with reference to FIGS.
It will be described based on 1. The first information input device 3A
The same reference numerals are used for the same parts as
The description is also omitted.

The second information input device 3B is a so-called retroreflective information input device.

Here, FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the indicating means 61 used in the information input device 3B. FIG. 10 is a front view showing an example in which one point in the information input area 3a of the information input device 3B is pointed by the pointing means 61. As shown in FIG. 9, a retroreflective member 62 is provided in the vicinity of the tip of the pointing means 61 used for pointing a point in the information input area 3a of the information input device 3B. The retroreflective member 62 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, as shown in FIG. 10, the probe light L _n projected from the left optical unit 27L is reflected by the retroreflective member 62 and is again reflected by the left optical unit 27L as retroreflected light L _n ′ that follows the same optical path. It will be received. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, in the information input device 3B, it is not necessary to provide the retroreflective member 28 in the information input area 3a unlike the information input device 3A described above. The pointing means 61 has a pen-like shape and is preferably made of a material such as rubber or plastic rather than glossy metal.

Therefore, the vicinity of the tip of the pointing means 61 provided with the retroreflective member 62 is located near the information input device 3B.
Insert it at the appropriate position (x, y) in the information input area 3a of
For example, when the probe light L _n in the fan-shaped light beam film projected from the left optical unit 27L is reflected by the retroreflective member 62 of the pointing means 61, the retroreflected light L
_n 'the left optical unit 27L of the CCD (light receiving element) 3
It is received by 9. Thus CCD (light receiving element) 39 is retroreflected light L _{n 'when} receiving the retro-reflected light L _n' strong place Dn on CCD (light receiving element) 39 which corresponds to the light intensity It becomes an area (light spot). That is, as shown in FIG. 11, on the CCD (light receiving element) 39, a region having a high light intensity is generated at the position Dn, and the CCD
A peak appears in the shape of the intensity distribution of the light from the (light receiving element) 39. The position Dn where this peak appears corresponds to the emission / incident angle θn of the reflected probe light, and Dn
Θn can be known by detecting. That is, also in the case of such a retroreflective-type information input device 3B, as in the case of the retroreflective-type information input device 3A described above, an instruction means is provided by a triangulation method based on peaks appearing in the light intensity waveform. The position coordinates (x, y) of 61 are calculated.

The position coordinates (x, y) of the indicating means 61 thus calculated are output to the computer 5 via the controller 10 and used for predetermined processing.

According to such an information input device 3B, in the information input area 3a, negligible difference, complete transparency,
It is possible to achieve a high sense of drawing.

C. Third Information Input Device Next, the third information input device 3C will be described with reference to FIGS. The first information input device 3
The same parts as those described in A are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The third information input device 3C is a modification of the optical unit in the first information input device 3A.
In detail, in the optical unit 27 used in the first information input device 3A, the fan-shaped light beam film is projected to form the information input area, but in the information input device 3C, the rotary scanning of the polygon mirror or the like is performed. The optical unit 70 has a system and forms an information input area by radially projecting a light beam emitted from a light source by the rotary scanning system.

Here, FIG. 12 is a plan view schematically showing the optical unit 70. As shown in FIG. 12, the optical unit 70 includes an LD (Laser Diode: semiconductor laser) 71, a half mirror 72, a polygon mirror 73, which is a light emitting unit that has a drive circuit (not shown) and emits laser light. A light projecting unit 70a including a condenser lens 74 and a light receiving element 75 that is a light receiving unit are provided. Light receiving element 7
5 is a distance f from the condenser lens 74 (where f is the condenser lens 74).
It is composed of PDs (PhotoDiodes) provided at intervals of (focal length). Such an optical unit 70 is an LD
The laser light emitted from 71 is folded back by the half mirror 72, and then sequentially reflected radially by the polygon mirror 73 which is rotationally driven at a predetermined angular velocity ωt by a pulse motor (not shown). Therefore, the optical unit 70 is
The light beam is repeatedly projected radially. That is, the information input area 3a is formed by the light beams radially projected from the two optical units 70. On the other hand, the beam light reflected and incident on the optical unit 70 is reflected by the polygon mirror 73 and reaches the half mirror 72. The reflected beam light that has reached the half mirror 72 passes through the half mirror 72 and is received by the light receiving element 7
5 is reached and converted into an electrical signal.

Next, such an optical unit 70 is installed in the first
An information input device 3C applied in place of the optical unit 27 used in the information input device 3A will be described. As shown in FIG. 13, when the pointing means P is inserted at a certain position in the information input area 3a and a certain beam light is shielded, the beam light is not reflected by the retroreflective member 28. Therefore, it does not reach the light receiving element 75. In this way, when the light beam with the pointing means P inserted at a certain position in the information input area 3a is blocked, a dip appears in the shape of the intensity distribution of the light from the light receiving element 75.

The electrical connection and the like of each part are known in the art and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted. However, as shown in FIG. 14, when the instruction means P is not inserted in the information input area 3a, the optical connection is performed. The intensity indicates “I = I ₁ ”, but when the indicating means P is inserted in the information input area 3 a and the return light does not return to the light receiving element 75, the light intensity indicates “I = I ₀ ”. . In this way, the portion where the light intensity is “I = I ₀ ” is
It's a dip. In FIG. 14, time t = t ₀ is the reference position for rotation of the polygon mirror 73, and is the time when the beam light that is rotationally scanned reaches a predetermined angle.

Therefore, assuming that the time t when the light intensity becomes "I = I ₀ " is t ₁ , the emission angle θ of the light beam shielded by the pointing means P inserted in the information input area 3a is , Θ = ω (t ₁ −t ₀ ) = ωΔt. That is, the emission angles θ (θnL, θnR) of the beam light shielded by the indicating means P inserted in the information input area 3a in the optical units 70 (70L, 70R) provided on the left and right sides are calculated, and these are emitted. Position coordinates (x, y) in which the indicating means P is inserted by a triangulation method based on the angle θ (θnL, θnR)
Will be calculated.

The position coordinates (x, y) of the indicating means P calculated in this way are output to the computer 5 via the controller 10 and used for predetermined processing.

According to such an information input device 3C, negligible difference, complete transparency,
It is possible to achieve a high sense of drawing.

D. Fourth Information Input Device Next, the fourth information input device 3D will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 16. The second information input device 3
The same parts as those described in B and the third information input device 3C are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The fourth information input device 3D is a modification of the optical unit in the second information input device 3B.
Specifically, in the optical unit 27 used in the second information input device 3B, the fan-shaped light beam film is projected to form the information input region, but in the fourth information input device 3D,
An optical unit 70 which has a rotary scanning system such as a polygon mirror and which radially projects a light beam emitted from a light source by the rotary scanning system to form an information input area is used. The description of the optical unit 70 has been given with respect to the third information input device 3C, and will not be repeated here.

An information input device 3D in which such an optical unit 70 is applied instead of the optical unit 27 used in the second information input device 3B will be described. As shown in FIG. 15, when the indicating means 61 is inserted at a certain position in the information input area 3a, a predetermined light beam is retroreflected by the retroreflective member 62 of the indicating means 61, and the light beam is received. Reach the element 75. Thus, the information input area 3a
When the beam light in which the indicating means 61 is inserted at a certain position therein is retroreflected, a peak appears in the shape of the intensity distribution of the light from the light receiving element 75.

The electrical connection and the like of each part are known in the art, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted. However, as shown in FIG. 16, when the indicating means 61 is not inserted in the information input area 3a, the optical connection is performed. The intensity indicates “I = I ₀ ”, but when the indicating means 61 is inserted in the information input area 3 a and the recursive light reaches the light receiving element 75, the light intensity indicates “I = I ₁ ”. . Thus, the portion where the light intensity is "I = I ₁ " is the peak. In addition, in FIG. 16, at time t = t ₀ ,
It is a reference position for rotation of the polygon mirror 73, and is a time point when the beam light that is rotationally scanned reaches a predetermined angle.

Therefore, assuming that the time t when the light intensity becomes “I = I ₁ ” is t ₁ , the emission angle θ of the beam light retroreflected by the indicating means 61 inserted in the information input area 63. Is calculated as θ = ω (t ₁ −t ₀ ) = ωΔt. That is, the output angles θ (θnL, θnR) of the beam light retroreflected by the pointing means 61 inserted in the information input area 3a in the optical units 70 (70L, 70R) provided on the left and right sides are calculated, respectively. The position coordinates (x, y) in which the indicating means 61 is inserted are calculated by the triangulation method based on the emission angle θ (θnL, θnR).

The position coordinates (x, y) of the indicating means 61 calculated in this way are output to the computer 5 via the controller 10 and used for predetermined processing.

According to such an information input device 3D, in the information input area 3a, negligible difference, complete transparency,
It is possible to achieve a high sense of drawing.

E. Fifth Information Input Device Next, the fifth information input device 3E will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 18. This fifth information input device 3E
Is a so-called camera-imaging-type information input device that captures image information in an information input area by an imaging camera and detects position coordinates based on a part of the captured image information.

Here, FIG. 17 is a front view schematically showing the configuration of the information input device 3E. Imaging cameras 82, which are imaging means, are provided at both ends above the information input area 3a of the information input device 3E at a distance w. The image pickup camera 82 is provided with a light receiving means 83, which is a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and an imaging optical lens 84 with a distance f therebetween. The imaging angle of view of each of these imaging cameras 82 is about 90 degrees, and they are installed so that the information input area 3a is the imaging range. Further, the image pickup camera 82 is installed so as to be a predetermined distance from the display surface 2a of the PDP 2 forming the coordinate input surface, and its optical axis is the optical axis of the PDP 2.
Is parallel to the display surface 2a.

In addition, a background plate 85 is provided at a peripheral edge portion excluding the upper portion of the information input area 3a and at a position covering the entire photographing visual field without hindering the image capturing angle of view of the image capturing camera 82. The background plate 85 is provided substantially perpendicular to the display surface 2a of the PDP 2 with its surface facing the center of the information input area 3a. The background plate 85 has a uniform black color, for example.

The relationship between the signal of the image pickup camera 82 and the instruction means P is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 18, when the instructing means P is inserted into the information input area 3 a, the instructing means P is photographed by the imaging camera 82, and the image of the instructing means P is formed on the light receiving means 83 of the imaging camera 82. It Information input device 3
As in E, the background plate 85 is black and the finger is used to indicate the pointing means P.
In this case, the indicating means P is the background plate 85.
Since it has a higher reflectance than that of, the portion of the light receiving means 83 corresponding to the indicating means P is a region (bright point) where the light intensity is strong.

The electrical connection and the like of each part are known in the art, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted. However, as shown in FIG. 18, when the indicating means P is inserted in the information input area 3a, the light receiving is performed. A peak appears in the shape of the intensity distribution of the light from the means 83. The position Dn where this peak appears corresponds to the apparent angle θn of the indicating means P from the principal point of the imaging optical lens 84, and θn is expressed as θn = arctan (Dn / f) as a function of Dn. be able to. That is, also in the case of the information input device 3E of such a camera imaging system, the position coordinate (of the pointing means P by the triangulation method based on the peak appearing in the waveform of the light intensity, as in the above-described information input device 3A and the like. x,
y) will be calculated.

The position coordinates (x, y) of the pointing means P calculated in this way are output to the computer 5 via the controller 10 and used for predetermined processing.

As the indicating means P, a dedicated pen or the like with a light emitting element which emits light itself can be applied.

According to such an information input device 3E, in the information input area 3a, negligible difference, complete transparency,
It is possible to achieve a high sense of drawing.

As described above, as the information input device 3 applicable to the information input / output system 1 of the present embodiment, the information input device 3A of the retro-reflecting light shielding system and the information input device 3 of the retro-reflecting system.
B, information input device 3C of the retro-light shielding system having a rotary scanning system, information input device 3D of the retro-light reflection system having a rotary scanning system, and information input device 3E of the camera imaging system,
Although the configuration and the principle thereof have been described, these are examples of the information input device 3 that can be applied to the information input / output system 1 of the present embodiment, and the present invention is not limited to these methods, and It is needless to say that the invention is applied to all optical information input devices that calculate a designated position by a triangulation method.

The information input device 3 (3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3 applicable to the information input / output system 1 as described above.
According to E), the number of calculated position coordinates is determined by the number "N" of the indicating means, and can be obtained by "N ² " with some exceptions. That is, when the number of indicating means is "1", only one position coordinate is calculated, but when the number of indicating means is "2", it is 4
One position coordinate will be calculated.

The information input device 3A of the recursive light shielding system will be described in more detail as an example. As shown in FIG. 19, when the indicating means A and B are simultaneously inserted in the information input area 3a, the optical unit is used. This is because two weak light intensity regions (dark spots) are formed on the CCD (light receiving element) 39 of each of 27 (the left optical unit 27L and the right optical unit 27R). That is, since the position coordinates are calculated as a function of X _n L, X _n R as described above, when the two pointing means A and B are simultaneously inserted into the information input area 3a, the pointing means A and Angle θR ₁ formed by right optical unit 27R, indicating means B, and right optical unit 27R
With the angle .theta.R ₂ and is calculated with the angle .theta.L ₂ the angle .theta.L ₁ and instruction means A and the left optical unit 27L and instruction means B and the left optical unit 27L is calculated, a total of four The position coordinates will be calculated.

As shown in FIG. 20, even when the two indicating means A and B are inserted into the information input area 3a at the same time, the inserting positions are aligned with respect to one optical unit 27. In this case, only one weak light intensity region (dark spot) is generated on the CCD (light receiving element) 39 of the one optical unit 27 (the left optical unit 27L or the right optical unit 27R). There are two exceptional position coordinates.

Next, of the processing executed by the CPU 40 based on the control program stored in the hard disk 46, the flow of the coordinate detection processing including the above-described multipoint coordinate detection will be described with reference to FIG. Will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 21, when the pointing means inserted in the information input area 3a is detected at the coordinate detection cycle (time interval accompanying the sampling signal, for example, 20 ms) (Y in step S1), the above-mentioned operation is performed. The position coordinates designated by the designating means are calculated based on the method (step S2).

When the position coordinates designated by the designating means are calculated, it is judged whether or not there are five or more calculated coordinates (step S3). When the number of calculated coordinates is four or less (N in step S3), it is determined that the number of instructing means inserted in the information input area 3a is one or two, and the process proceeds to step S4.

In step S4, the information input area 3
The light blocking angle calculation process for calculating the light blocking angle by the instruction means inserted in a is executed. Here, in order to explain the information input device 3A of the retro-reflecting light type as an example, the light blocking angle by the indicating means is shown. However, the information input device 3B of the retro-reflecting light type and the retro-light reflecting type having a rotary scanning system In the information input device 3D, etc., the light reflection angle by the indicating means.

This light interception angle calculation processing is for calculating the light interception angle by the instructing means, and when there is one instructing means inserted in the information input area 3a, the light intercepting angle by the instructing means is calculated. If there are two indicating means inserted into the information input area 3a, the light blocking angle by either one indicating means is calculated. In this way, the light blocking angle calculated by the indicating means is calculated by the indicating means even if the indicating means have the same size, as shown in FIG.
Since the light blocking angle (θA) near the left optical unit 27L and the light blocking angle (θB) far away always have a relationship of θA> θB, the details will be described later, but by the instruction means. This is because it is possible to determine the actual position coordinates of the shielding point by the instruction means by calculating the light blocking angle.

As shown in FIG. 23, the instructing means coordinates (x,
y), the light interception angle (θxy) is L (length to the center of the screen) where W is the number of pixels in the screen X direction, H is the number of pixels in the screen Y direction, and S is the diameter of the indicating means. = √ ((W / 2) ² + (H / 2) ² ) Lxy = √ (x ² + (Hy) ² ) tan (θ / 2) = (S / 2) ÷ L (θ: Center of screen Light interception angle by the indicating means) tan (θxy / 2) = (S / 2) ÷ Lxy, θxy = arctan (L × tan (θ / 2) ÷ Lxy) × 2 = arctan (L × tan (θ / 2) ÷ √ (x ² + (H−y) ² ) × 2 (6) where the function of the shielding / reflection angle calculating means is executed.

By the way, the light interception angle θ by the indicating means at the center of the screen is registered in advance. For example, from among various application programs 24 executed by the CPU 12 under the control of the OS 22 that is powered on to the computer 5, the information input device 3 and the PDP 2, and is activated when the computer 5 is powered on. A control program (two-point operation pen registration) relating to “measurement of light blocking angle θ in the center of the screen of the indicating means” is selected (see FIG. 24).
(A)), in the state where a predetermined image based on the control program (two-point operation pen registration) is displayed on the PDP 2 via the graphics board 18 (FIG. 24 (b)), the light in the center of the screen of the instruction means is displayed. The interception angle θ is measured. That is, as shown in FIG. 24 (b), the display surface 2a of the PDP 2 is
An instruction mark M is displayed in the center of the upper screen. In this state, when the pointing mark M on the display surface 2a of the PDP 2 is pointed by the pointing means (FIG. 24 (c)), the probe light in the light flux film forming the information input area 3a is blocked, and A predetermined position on the CCD (light receiving element) 39 of the unit 27 is a region (dark spot) where the light intensity is weak. CPU 40
Based on the pixel number of the CCD (light receiving element) 39, the position X _n of the dark point which is the peak point of the waveform of this light intensity is detected,
The distance a from the dark spot position X _n to the central pixel of the CCD (light receiving element) 39 and the CCD (light receiving element) 39 of the indicating means
The image formation size b above is detected based on the pixel number of the CCD (light receiving element) 39. Then, as shown in FIG. 25, since the relationship of α = arctan (a / f) (f: focal length of the cylindrical lens 38) is established, the distance Z from the center of the instruction mark M to the cylindrical lens 38 is defined. If the value S is stored in advance as a value, the diameter S of the indicating means is S = (b / l) .Z = (b / (a / sin (arctan (a / f))). Z .. .. (7) (l: distance from the cylindrical lens 38 to the dark spot position X _n ) That is, since the diameter S of the indicating means can be calculated by the equation (7), the screen of the indicating means is displayed. The light interception angle θ at the center is also calculated by θ = arctan ((S / 2) ÷ L) × 2 (8) The light interception at the center of the screen of the indicating means calculated as described above. The angle θ is the EEPROM 47
And is used for the light blocking angle calculation processing. If the diameter S of the indicating means is registered in advance, (7)
It is not necessary to calculate the diameter S of the indicating means using the formula.

In subsequent steps S5 and S6, the number of indicating means inserted in the information input area 3a is determined. When the number of instructing means (the number of touches) is “0” (in the so-called detached state) (Y in step S5), the process proceeds to step S7.

In step S7, it is determined whether or not the number of calculated coordinates in step S2 is 1. Step S2
If the number of calculated coordinates in is (step S7
Y), the number of touches is set to "1" (one-point touch state) (step S8), and one-point touch coordinate data is output (step S9). On the other hand, if the number of calculated coordinates in step S2 is not 1 (N in step S7), four pointing coordinates or two position coordinates are calculated by inserting two pointing means into the information input area 3a at the same time. It is determined that the number of touches is “2” (two-point touch state) (step S1
0) Two-point touch coordinate data is output (step S1)
1).

Here, FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the output touch coordinate data D ₁ . The touch coordinate data D ₁ shown in FIG. 26 is two-point touch coordinate data,
The number of touches (2 in this case), the number of calculated coordinates (4 in this case), the calculated four position coordinates, and the calculated light blocking angle (θxy).

Also, the number of pointing means (number of touches) is "1".
If the calculated coordinate number in step S2 is 1 (N in step S5, Y in step S6) (Y in step S12), the number of touches is already "1" (one-point touch state). Therefore, the one-point touch coordinate data is output as it is (step S13). On the other hand, when the calculated number of coordinates in step S2 is not 1 (N in step S12), the one-point touch state is changed to the two-point touch state, and two pointing means are simultaneously inserted into the information input area 3a to make four points. It is determined that the position coordinates or two position coordinates have been calculated, the number of touches is set to "2" (two-point touch state) (step S14), and two-point touch coordinate data is output (step S15).

Furthermore, when the number of instructing means (the number of touches) is "2" (N in step S5, N in step S6) and the calculated coordinate number in step S2 is 1, (Y in step S16). ) The number of touches is "1", assuming that the 2-point touch state has changed to the 1-point touch state.
(One-point touch state) is set (step S17), and one-point touch coordinate data is output (step S18). On the other hand, if the number of calculated coordinates in step S2 is not 1 (N in step S16), four pointing coordinates or two position coordinates are calculated by inserting two pointing means into the information input area 3a at the same time. The number of touches is already "2"
Since it is in the two-point touch state, the two-point touch coordinate data is output as it is (step S19).

Then, in the coordinate detection cycle (time interval accompanying the sampling signal, for example, 20 ms), the information input area 3
When the pointing means inserted in a is not detected (N in step S1) or when the number of calculated coordinates is 5 or more (Y in step S3), it is determined that the so-called detached state is set, and touch is performed. The number is set to "0" (step S2
0), and detach data is output (step S21).

Through the above processing, touch coordinate data D
₁(1-point touch coordinate data, 2-point touch coordinate data, data
(Touch data) will be output, but touch coordinates
Data D ₁Is 2 point touch coordinate data and 4 positions
If the coordinates have been calculated, the four calculated positions
The actual position of the occluding point by the two indicating means from the coordinates
You have to determine the coordinates. Next, the hard disk
CPU4 based on the control program stored in
The position of the actual occlusion point among the processing executed by 0
FIG. 27 shows a flow of processing including real coordinate determination processing for determining a target.
Will be described below with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 27, first, when the touch coordinate data D ₁ (one-point touch coordinate data, two-point touch coordinate data, detach data) is acquired (Y in step S31), the acquired touch coordinate data D _{1 is} acquired. Is the detach data (step S32). When the acquired touch coordinate data D ₁ is not the detach data (N in step S32), the process proceeds to step S33.

In step S33, it is determined whether or not the current coordinate status is detach. There are three types of coordinate status: one-point touch, two-point touch, and detach, and by default, detach is specified. If the current coordinate status is detach (step S
33 Y), it is determined that the instruction means has been inserted into the information input area 3a and a new writing has been performed, and it is determined whether or not the calculated coordinate number of the touch coordinate data D ₁ is 1 (step S34). ). When the number of calculated coordinates is 1 (Y in step S34), the number of position coordinates stored in the touch coordinate data D ₁ is one, and thus this one coordinate is saved (step S35) and the coordinate ID is stored. (For example, ID = 0) is notified (step S36: second identification number giving means), the coordinate status is set to one-point touch (step S37), and coordinate data D ₂ (see FIG. 28) is generated.

Here, FIG. 28 shows the generated coordinate data D.
It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of ₂ . The coordinate data D ₂ shown in FIG. 28 includes coordinate status, coordinate ID, X coordinate and Y coordinate.
It is composed of coordinates and.

When the calculated coordinate number is not 1 (N in step S34), the process proceeds to step S38, and it is determined whether or not the calculated coordinate number of the touch coordinate data D ₁ is 4. This is because, in the present embodiment, the number of calculated coordinates of the touch coordinate data D ₁ is 1, 2, or 4.

When the number of calculated coordinates of the touch coordinate data D ₁ is 4 (Y in step S38), it is determined that two instruction means are simultaneously inserted in the information input area 3a and new writing is performed. Then, the process proceeds to step S39, and the real coordinate determination process of determining the actual position coordinates (real image) of the shielding point by the two indicating means from the four position coordinates is executed.

The real coordinate determination processing is performed by using the touch coordinate data D ₁
The light interception angle calculated by the equation (6) based on the position coordinates of, and the light interception angle (θxy) of the touch coordinate data D ₁ .
Is done by comparing. That is, if it is the actual position coordinates (real image) of the shielding point, the light blocking angle calculated by the equation (6) is the light blocking angle (θ) of the touch coordinate data D _1.
This is because the values are substantially the same as xy).

A specific description will be given with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 29A, A (X
a, Ya) and C (Xc, Yc) are simultaneously instructed by two instructing means, four position coordinates A (Xa, Y)
a), B (Xb, Yb), C (Xc, Yc), D (X
d, Yd) is calculated.

First, C (Xc, Y on the same irradiation light beam)
Consider c) and D (Xd, Yd). The light blocking angle θ1 (see FIG. 29A) for C (Xc, Yc) designated by the designating means is stored in the touch coordinate data D ₁ as the light blocking angle (θxy).

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 29B, when it is assumed that the point D is the actual position coordinate (real image) of the shielding point, then Ld = √ (Xd) ² + (H−Yd) ² Therefore, according to the equation (6), θd = arctan (L / Ld × tan (θ / 2)) × 2, and the light interception angle (θd) is calculated.

Further, as shown in FIG. 29C, when it is assumed that the point C is the actual position coordinate (real image) of the shielding point, Lc = √ (Xc) ² + (H−Yc) ² Therefore, according to the equation (6), θc = arctan (L / Lc × tan (θ / 2)) × 2, and the light interception angle (θc) is calculated.

That is, the ratio of the light blocking angle (θd) to the light blocking angle θ1 when the point D is the position coordinate (real image) of the actual blocking point, and the point C is the actual blocking point position. The ratio between the light blocking angle (θc) and the light blocking angle θ1 in the case of assuming the coordinates (real image) is compared, and the one closer to the ratio is the real image. Here, since the ratio of the C points is close to “1”, it is determined that the C points are the actual position coordinates (real image) of the shielding point.

Next, A (Xa, Y on the same irradiation ray)
Consider a) and B (Xb, Yb). As described above, since it is determined that the point C is the position coordinate (real image) of the actual occlusion point, which of A (Xa, Ya) and B (Xb, Yb) is the actual position coordinate of the occlusion point. This C point is used to determine whether it is a (real image). Here, the determination as to whether the image is a real image for another position coordinate based on one position coordinate will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 19, it is assumed that both A and A ′ are real images based on the one position coordinate, and it is determined whether or not the real images are real images.
Coordinates will not be detected in the direction of. For this reason,
It can be seen that one of A and A'is a real image.
Similarly, it can be seen that one of B and B ′ is a real image. That is, only one of the position coordinates existing in the same direction is a real image and the other is a virtual image. When one A is found to be a real image, the other A ′ is recognized as a virtual image, and
Since B'of the direction is also recognized as a virtual image,
It turns out that B is a real image. That is, if it is recognized that one of the four position coordinates is a real image or a virtual image, it is possible to determine whether it is a real image or a virtual image for all the position coordinates. Therefore, since it is not necessary to perform the real image determination for all the calculated position coordinates, it is possible to detect the position coordinates when a plurality of points are instructed at the same time at low cost.

By the above processing, the real coordinate determination processing (step S39: real coordinate determination means) is completed, and the points A and C pointed at the same time by the two pointing means are settled. Therefore, these (Xa, Ya ) And (Xc, Yc) are extracted as the position coordinates of the designated position.

When two position coordinates are determined as a real image in this way, different coordinate IDs are obtained for each position coordinate.
(For example, ID = 0, ID = 1) is set (step S
40) The two position coordinates are saved (step S41), the coordinate ID (eg, ID = 0, ID = 1) is notified (steps S42, S43), and the coordinate status is set to two-point touch (step S42). S44), coordinate data D
Generates ₂ .

On the other hand, when the calculated coordinate number of the touch coordinate data D ₁ is not 4 (N in step S38), it means that two pointing means are simultaneously inserted into the information input area 3a, and It is determined that the insertion position has been inserted so that the optical unit 27 is aligned in a straight line with respect to one optical unit 27, and new writing has been performed. Since the calculated position coordinates are exceptionally two, the actual coordinate determination process ( (Step S39)
Is not executed, and different coordinate IDs (for example, ID = 0, ID = 1) are set for the position coordinates (step S4
0) The two position coordinates are saved (step S
41), the coordinate ID (for example, ID = 0, ID = 1) is notified (steps S42, S43: first identification number giving means), the coordinate status is set to two-point touch (step S44), and coordinate data D Generates ₂ .

If the touch coordinate data D ₁ (one-point touch coordinate data, two-point touch coordinate data) is acquired when the coordinate status is not detached by the processing of steps S34 to S44 (step S31). Y, N in step S32, N in step S33), and the process proceeds to step S45.

In step S45, it is determined whether or not the current coordinate status is one-point touch. If the current coordinate status is a one-point touch (step S45)
Y), it is determined that the instructing means has been continuously inserted and written in the information input area 3a, and it is determined whether or not the calculated coordinate number of the touch coordinate data D ₁ is 1 (step S46). When the number of calculated coordinates is 1 (Y in step S46), the number of position coordinates stored in the touch coordinate data D ₁ is one, and therefore writing is continued by one instructing means. One coordinate is saved (step S47) and the coordinate ID (for example, ID
= 0) is notified (step S48), and the coordinate data D ₂ is generated.

When the calculated coordinate number is not 1 (N in step S46), the process proceeds to step S49, and it is determined whether or not the calculated coordinate number of the touch coordinate data D ₁ is 4.

When the number of calculated coordinates of the touch coordinate data D ₁ is 4 (Y in step S49), it is determined that another instruction means is inserted in the information input area 3a and new writing is performed. Then, the process proceeds to step S50, and the real coordinate determination process of determining the actual position coordinates (real image) of the shielding point by the two indicating means from the four position coordinates is executed.
The actual coordinate determination process in step S50 is performed in step S
Since the process is the same as the real coordinate determination process of 39, the description thereof will be omitted.

When the two position coordinates are determined as a real image, the process proceeds to step S51, and among these position coordinates,
A coordinate ID determination process is performed to determine which is the newly written position coordinate. The coordinate ID determination process is performed by calculating the coordinate vector length between each coordinate from the stored coordinates (X0, Y0) to the two position coordinates (x0, y0) and (x1, y1) determined as a real image. . here,
The function of the third coordinate distance comparison means is executed.

More specifically, the stored coordinates (X0, Y0),
Position the coordinates (x0, y0) as the coordinate vector length L0 between is calculated by ^{L0 = √ {(x0-X0} ) 2 + (y0-Y0) 2}, save the coordinates (X0, Y0), coordinates (x1, y1) coordinates vector length L1 between is calculated by ^{L1 = √ {(x1-X0} ) 2 + (y1-Y0) 2}. Based on L0 and L1 calculated in this way, when L0 <L1, it is determined that the position coordinate (x0, y0) is a point continuing from the saved coordinate (X0, Y0), and the position coordinate ( The same coordinate ID (for example, ID = 0) as the saved coordinate (X0, Y0) is set in x0, y0), and the position coordinate (x
A coordinate ID (for example, ID = 1) different from the stored coordinates (X0, Y0) is set in (1, y1). When L1 <L0, it is determined that the position coordinate (x1, y1) is a point continuing from the stored coordinate (X0, Y0), and the position coordinate (x1, y1) is stored coordinate (X0, Y1). Y0) is set to the same coordinate ID (for example, ID = 0), and the position coordinate (x
A coordinate ID (for example, ID = 1) different from the stored coordinates (X0, Y0) is set to 0, y0).

After that, the two position coordinates are stored (step S52), and the coordinate ID (for example, ID = 0, ID = 1) corresponding to the determination result of step S51 is notified (steps S53, S54: third). identification number continuously applying means), and sets the coordinate status to two-point touch (step S55), and generates coordinate data D _2.

On the other hand, when the calculated coordinate number of the touch coordinate data D ₁ is not 4 (N in step S49), it is possible that another instruction means is inserted into the information input area 3a and a new writing operation is performed. However, it is determined that the insertion position is inserted so that the optical unit 27 is aligned with the optical unit 27 and the writing is performed, and the calculated position coordinates are exceptionally two. The coordinate ID determination process is executed without executing the coordinate determination process (step S50) (step S51), the two position coordinates are saved (step S52), and the coordinate ID corresponding to the determination result of step S51 (for example, , ID = 0, ID = 1) (steps S53 and S54), the coordinate status is set to two-point touch (step S55), and coordinate data D ₂ is generated.

As described above, when the continuously calculated two-dimensional position coordinates change from two to one, the two two-dimensional position coordinates calculated immediately before the one two-dimensional position coordinate. By assigning the coordinate ID of whichever is closer, it is possible to discriminate the operation locus by the instructing means that is being operated continuously, so that character drawing and drag operation can be performed by two people at the same time, which is convenient for the device. It is possible to improve the sex.

Furthermore, when the touch coordinate data D ₁ (one-point touch coordinate data, two-point touch coordinate data) is acquired when the coordinate status is not detached by the processing of steps S34 to S44 (step S31).
No., N in step S32, N in step S33), the process proceeds to step S45, but if it is determined in this step S45 that the current coordinate status is not a one-point touch (N in step S45), the process proceeds to step S56. move on. Note that the coordinate status in this case is a two-point touch.

In step S56, it is determined that the instructing means has been continuously inserted and written in the information input area 3a, and it is determined whether or not the calculated coordinate number of the touch coordinate data D ₁ is one. When the calculated number of coordinates is 1 (Y in step S56), one of the two indicating means that has been inserted into the information input area 3a at the same time is out of the information input area 3a. (That is,
In the detached state), the other instructing means determines that the information is continuously inserted in the information input area 3a and the writing is continued, and the calculated position coordinates are
Coordinate ID determination processing (step S57: second coordinate distance comparison means) for determining which of the instructing means has written the position coordinate is executed. The coordinate ID determination process is performed by calculating the coordinate vector length between each of the two stored coordinates (X0, Y0) and (X1, Y1) to the new position coordinate (x0, y0).

More specifically, the stored coordinates (X0, Y0),
Position the coordinates (x0, y0) as the coordinate vector length L0 between the, L0 = √ calculated by ^{{(x0-X0) 2 +} (y0-Y0) 2}, save the coordinates (X1, Y1), coordinates (x0, y0) coordinates vector length L1 between is calculated by ^{L1 = √ {(x0-X1} ) 2 + (y0-Y1) 2}. Based on L0 and L1 calculated in this way, when L0 <L1, it is determined that the position coordinate (x0, y0) is a point continuing from the saved coordinate (X0, Y0), and the position coordinate ( The same coordinate ID as the stored coordinates (X0, Y0) is set in x0, y0). When L1 <L0, it is determined that the position coordinate (x0, y0) is a point continuing from the saved coordinate (X1, Y1), and the position coordinate (x0, y0) is saved coordinate (X1, y0). The same coordinate ID as Y1) is set.

Thereafter, one position coordinate is stored (step S58), and a detach notice (step S59) and coordinate ID notice (step S60: second identification number continuation giving means) are performed according to the determination result of step S57. , Set the coordinate status to one-point touch (step S
61), coordinate data D ₂ is generated.

As described above, when the continuously calculated two-dimensional position coordinates change from two to one, the two two-dimensional position coordinates calculated immediately before the one two-dimensional position coordinate. By assigning the coordinate ID of whichever is closer, it is possible to discriminate the operation locus by the instructing means that is being operated continuously, so that character drawing and drag operation can be performed by two people at the same time, which is convenient for the device. It is possible to improve the sex.

When the calculated coordinate number is not 1 (N in step S56), the process proceeds to step S62, and it is determined whether or not the calculated coordinate number of the touch coordinate data D ₁ is 4.

When the number of calculated coordinates of the touch coordinate data D ₁ is 4 (Y in step S62), it is determined that the two indicating means are continuously inserted and written in the information input area 3a at the same time. , Go to step S63, 4
A real coordinate determination process of determining the actual position coordinates (real image) of the shield point by the two indicating means from the two position coordinates is executed. Since the real coordinate determination process in step S63 is the same as the real coordinate determination process in step S39,
The description is omitted.

When the two position coordinates are determined as a real image, the process proceeds to step S64, and a coordinate ID determination process is performed to determine which of these instructing means is the position coordinate written. The coordinate ID determination process is 2
From one storage coordinate (X0, Y0) of the two storage coordinates (X0, Y0) and (X1, Y1) to each of the two position coordinates (x0, y0) and (x1, y1) determined as the real image. This is done by calculating the coordinate vector length between the coordinates.

More specifically, the stored coordinates (X0, Y0),
Position the coordinates (x0, y0) as the coordinate vector length L0 between is calculated by ^{L0 = √ {(x0-X0} ) 2 + (y0-Y0) 2}, save the coordinates (X0, Y0), coordinates (x1, y1) coordinates vector length L1 between is calculated by ^{L1 = √ {(x1-X0} ) 2 + (y1-Y0) 2}. Based on L0 and L1 calculated in this way, when L0 <L1, it is determined that the position coordinate (x0, y0) is a point continuing from the saved coordinate (X0, Y0), and the position coordinate ( The same coordinate ID as the saved coordinates (X0, Y0) is set to x0, y0), and the same coordinate ID as the saved coordinates (X1, Y1) is set to the position coordinates (x1, y1). When L1 <L0, it is determined that the position coordinate (x1, y1) is a point continuing from the stored coordinate (X0, Y0), and the position coordinate (x1, y1) is stored coordinate (X0, Y1). Y0) is set to the same coordinate ID, and the position coordinate (x0, y0) is set to the same coordinate ID as the saved coordinate (X1, Y1). Here, the function of the first coordinate distance comparison means is executed.

After that, the two position coordinates are stored (step S65), and the coordinate ID (for example, ID = 0, ID = 1) according to the determination result of step S64 is notified (steps S66, S67: first). Identification number continuation giving means) and coordinate data D ₂ .

On the other hand, when the calculated coordinate number of the touch coordinate data D ₁ is not 4 (N in step S62), it means that the two indicating means are simultaneously inserted into the information input area 3a, and It is determined that the insertion has been performed so that the insertion is performed so that the insertion position is aligned with the one optical unit 27 in a straight line, and the calculated position coordinates are exceptionally two, and therefore the actual coordinate determination process (step S63). ) Is not executed and the two position coordinates are saved (step S65), and the coordinate ID according to the determination result of step S64
(For example, ID = 0, ID = 1) is notified (step S
66, S67), and coordinate data D ₂ is generated.

As described above, with respect to the two two-dimensional position coordinates calculated in time series, by giving the coordinate ID of the two two-dimensional position coordinates calculated immediately before, whichever is closer, Since it is possible to determine which of the two pointing means has operated the two-dimensional position coordinate, even when two operators having the pointing means operate simultaneously, one operation trajectory and the other operation trajectory By distinguishing between the two, it is possible to simultaneously perform character drawing and drag operation by two people, and it is possible to improve the convenience of the apparatus.

When the touch coordinate data D ₁ (detach data) is acquired during the above-described processing (Y in step S31, Y in step S32), the coordinate ID during the touch (for example, ID = 0, After the detach notification is issued to ID = 1 (steps S68 to S71), the coordinate status is set to detach (step S72), and the process returns to step S31.

Here, when two instruction means are simultaneously inserted into the information input area 3a, four two-dimensional position coordinates are calculated except for a specific case, but the information input area 3a is indicated. The angle θ1 of the light emitted from the light emitting means shielded or reflected by the indicating means is calculated, and the calculated angle θ1 is calculated.
Based on 1, the two two-dimensional position coordinates actually designated by the two predetermined objects are determined from the calculated four two-dimensional position coordinates. This makes it possible to detect the two-dimensional position coordinates at a low cost when, for example, two pointing means are simultaneously inserted in the information input area 3a without increasing the number of light projecting means or light receiving elements. In addition, since the two two-dimensional position coordinates actually instructed are not determined based on the plurality of calculated coordinates buffered in time series,
The two-dimensional position coordinates can be calculated without delaying the movement of the pointing means.

Although the controller 10 is provided separately from the computer 5 in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and the controller 10 may be provided in the computer 5.
The computer 5 may be made to function as the controller 10 by incorporating it in the above.

Further, in the present embodiment, the information input device 3 is provided in the PDP 2 which is a display device, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), LCD
(Liquid Crystal Display), a front projection type projector, a rear projection type projector or the like may be applied as the display device. Further, the display device is not limited to these display devices, and although not particularly shown, the display device may be provided on a blackboard or a whiteboard that functions as a writing board.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk (CD-ROM, CD-R, C) is used as the recording medium 26 or the recording medium 49 in which various program codes (control programs) are recorded.
D-R / W, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, etc.),
Although a magneto-optical disk (MO), a memory card, and the like are applied, the present invention is not limited to this, and the recording medium is not limited to a medium independent of a computer, but a program transmitted by a LAN or the Internet is downloaded and recorded. It also includes a recording medium for temporary recording.

[0170]

According to the information input device of the present invention, the two-dimensional position coordinates of a predetermined object indicating the two-dimensional information input area formed by the light from the light emitting means are used as the light intensity at the light receiving means. In an information input device that calculates by a triangulation method based on a distribution and outputs as input information, shielding / reflection that calculates the angle of light from the light emitting means that is shielded or reflected by the predetermined object that points to the information input area. When two two-dimensional objects are simultaneously inserted into the information input area and the angle calculation means and four two-dimensional position coordinates are calculated, the calculation is performed based on the angle calculated by the shielding / reflection angle calculation means. Real coordinate determining means for determining two two-dimensional position coordinates actually designated by the two predetermined objects from the four two-dimensional position coordinates thus obtained. When two predetermined objects are inserted into the input area at the same time, four two-dimensional position coordinates are calculated except for a specific case, but the predetermined object that indicates the information input area is shielded or reflected. The angle of the light from the means is calculated, and based on the calculated angle, the two two-dimensional position coordinates actually designated by the two predetermined objects are determined from the calculated four two-dimensional position coordinates. By doing so, for example, the two-dimensional position coordinates when two predetermined objects are simultaneously inserted into the information input area can be detected at low cost without increasing the number of light projecting means and light receiving elements. In addition, since the two actually designated two-dimensional position coordinates are not determined based on the plurality of time-sequentially buffered calculated coordinates, the two-dimensional position coordinates are calculated without delaying the movement of the predetermined object. be able to.

According to the second aspect of the invention, in the information input device according to the first aspect, when the two two-dimensional position coordinates actually designated by the two predetermined objects are first calculated. Whichever of the first identification number assigning means for assigning different identification numbers to the two-dimensional position coordinates and the two-dimensional position coordinates calculated immediately before for each of the two continuously calculated two-dimensional position coordinates. The first coordinate distance comparing means for determining whether or not, and the two two-dimensional coordinates continuously calculated by the identification number of each two-dimensional position coordinate calculated immediately before the first coordinate distance comparing means determines that they are close. The two consecutive two-dimensional position coordinates calculated in time series, each of which has a first identification number continuation giving unit that gives each position coordinate, whichever is closer to the other two two-dimensional position coordinates calculated immediately before. Identification of By assigning the number, it is possible to determine which of the two predetermined objects the two-dimensional position coordinate operated by the identification number. Therefore, even when two operators holding the predetermined object operate simultaneously. By distinguishing the one operation locus and the other operation locus, it is possible to simultaneously perform character drawing and drag operation by two people, and it is possible to improve the convenience of the apparatus.

According to the invention described in claim 3, in the information input device according to claim 2, when the continuously calculated two-dimensional position coordinate changes from two to one, the calculated one is calculated.
The second coordinate distance comparison means for determining which of the two-dimensional position coordinates calculated immediately before the two two-dimensional position coordinates is closer, and the calculation immediately before the second coordinate distance comparison means determines that the two-dimensional position coordinates are closer. A second identification number continuation giving means for giving the identification number of either one of the two-dimensional position coordinates to only one calculated two-dimensional position coordinate, and the two continuously calculated two-dimensional position coordinates are two. When it changes from one to one, the continuous operation is performed by assigning the identification number of the one of the two two-dimensional position coordinates calculated immediately before to the one two-dimensional position coordinate, whichever is closer. It is possible to discriminate the operation locus based on the predetermined object being displayed.

According to the invention of claim 4, in the information input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the two-dimensional position coordinates actually designated by one of the predetermined objects are first calculated. In addition to the second identification number assigning means for assigning an identification number to the two-dimensional position coordinate, one two-dimensional position coordinate continuously calculated and instructed by the one predetermined object, When one two-dimensional position coordinate is newly calculated by being instructed by the predetermined object, it is determined which one of the two two-dimensional position coordinates calculated for the two-dimensional position coordinate calculated immediately before is closer. The three-coordinate distance comparing means and the identification number of the two-dimensional position coordinate calculated immediately before for the two-dimensional position coordinate determined to be close to the two-dimensional position coordinate calculated immediately before by the third coordinate distance comparing means. Granted A third predetermined identification number continuation giving means for giving an identification number different from the identification number of the two-dimensional position coordinate calculated immediately before to the newly calculated two-dimensional position coordinate, In addition to one two-dimensional position coordinate continuously calculated according to the instruction by the object, when one two-dimensional position coordinate is newly calculated by another predetermined object, the one previously calculated one-dimensional position coordinate is newly calculated. The identification number of the two-dimensional position coordinate is given to either one of the two two-dimensional position coordinates adjacent to the one two-dimensional position coordinate calculated immediately before, and is calculated immediately before. By assigning an identification number different from the identification number of the two-dimensional position coordinate calculated immediately before to the two-dimensional position coordinate that is not close to one other two-dimensional position coordinate, the predetermined object that is continuously operated. Operation by It can determine the trace, the operation trace by a predetermined object which is operated newly.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the information input device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the light emitted from the light emitting means is formed into a thin film and projected. By forming the information input area, it is possible to surely form the information input area for receiving the insertion of the predetermined object, and thus it is possible to provide the information input device that realizes negligence, complete transparency, and high drawing feeling.

According to the invention described in claim 6, in the information input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the information is obtained by sequentially scanning and projecting the light beam emitted from the light emitting means. By forming the input area, it is possible to reliably form the information input area for receiving the insertion of the predetermined object, and thus it is possible to provide the information input device that realizes negligence, complete transparency, and high drawing feeling.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, in the information input device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the image pickup range of the image pickup means for picking up the light emitted from the light emitting means is defined as the information input area. By so doing, it is possible to reliably form the information input area for receiving the insertion of the predetermined object, so that it is possible to provide an information input device that realizes negligible difference, complete transparency, and high drawing feeling.

According to the information input / output system of the present invention, the display device and the information input area are arranged on the display surface of the display device so as to coincide with each other. By including the information input device described above and a control device that performs display control of the display device based on an input from the information input device, a physical surface such as a coordinate input surface (touch panel surface) is provided. In other words, an information input / output system having excellent visibility can be provided at low cost even when it is mounted on the display surface of the display device and used.

According to the information input / output system of the invention described in claim 9, the writing board for receiving writing and the information input area are arranged so as to coincide with the writing surface of the writing board. By including the information input device according to any one of the above and a control device that controls information written on the writing board based on an input from the information input device, a coordinate input surface (touch panel surface) is obtained. It is possible to provide at low cost an information input / output system which does not have such a physical surface and has excellent visibility even when it is mounted on the writing surface of the writing board and used.

According to the position coordinate output method of the invention described in claim 10, the two-dimensional position coordinates of a predetermined object indicating the two-dimensional information input area formed by the light from the light emitting means are used as the light intensity distribution in the light receiving means. A method of outputting position coordinates, which is calculated by a triangulation method based on the above, and is output as input information, and which calculates an angle of light from the light emitting means that is shielded or reflected by the predetermined object that indicates the information input area. / Reflection angle calculation step and 2 in the information input area
When four predetermined two-dimensional position coordinates are calculated by simultaneously inserting the predetermined objects, the four calculated two-dimensional position coordinates are calculated based on the angles calculated in the shielding / reflection angle calculation step. A real coordinate determination step of determining two two-dimensional position coordinates actually designated by the two predetermined objects from the inside, and when two predetermined objects are simultaneously inserted into the information input area, Except for the case, four two-dimensional position coordinates are calculated. However, the angle of the light from the light emitting means that is shielded or reflected by the predetermined object that indicates the information input area is calculated, and based on this calculated angle. , By determining the two two-dimensional position coordinates actually indicated by the two predetermined objects from the calculated four two-dimensional position coordinates, the information can be obtained without increasing the number of light projecting means or light receiving elements. Entering The two-dimensional position coordinates in the case of simultaneously inserted two predetermined object area can be detected at low cost. In addition, since the two actually designated two-dimensional position coordinates are not determined based on the plurality of time-sequentially buffered calculated coordinates, the two-dimensional position coordinates are calculated without delaying the movement of the predetermined object. be able to.

According to the invention of claim 11, claim 1
In the position coordinate output method described in 0, when two two-dimensional position coordinates actually designated by the two predetermined objects are first calculated, different identification numbers are given to the respective two-dimensional position coordinates. A first identification number assigning step, a first coordinate distance comparing step of determining which of the two two-dimensional position coordinates calculated immediately before is closer to each of the two continuously calculated two-dimensional position coordinates, First identification number continuous giving step of continuously giving the identification number of each two-dimensional position coordinate calculated immediately before it is determined to be close in the one-coordinate distance comparing step to each two two-dimensional position coordinate calculated For the two two-dimensional position coordinates calculated in time series, including, and, by giving the identification number of the two two-dimensional position coordinates calculated immediately before, whichever is closer,
Since it is possible to determine which of the two predetermined objects has been operated in two-dimensional position coordinates by the identification number, even when two operators holding the predetermined object operate simultaneously, one operation trajectory and the other By distinguishing from the operation locus, it is possible to perform character drawing and drag operation by two people at the same time and improve the convenience of the device.

According to the invention of claim 12, claim 1
In the position coordinate output method described in 1, when the continuously calculated two-dimensional position coordinates change from two to one, each two-dimensional position coordinate calculated immediately before for one calculated two-dimensional position coordinate. Of the second coordinate distance comparing step for determining which one of the two-dimensional position coordinates is calculated immediately before the second coordinate distance comparing step for determining which is closer to the second coordinate distance comparing step. And a second identification number continuation giving step of giving only one two-dimensional position coordinate, the two-dimensional position coordinate continuously calculated changes from two to one. By giving the identification number of the two two-dimensional position coordinates calculated immediately before, whichever comes closer to the coordinate, it is possible to determine the operation trajectory of the predetermined object that is being operated continuously.

According to the invention of claim 13, claim 1
In the position coordinate output method according to any one of 0 to 12, when a two-dimensional position coordinate actually designated by one predetermined object is first calculated, an identification number is given to the two-dimensional position coordinate. Second identification number assigning step and 1
When one two-dimensional position coordinate is newly calculated by being instructed by another predetermined object in addition to one two-dimensional position coordinate continuously instructed by each of the predetermined objects, it is calculated immediately before. A third coordinate distance comparison step of determining which of the two calculated two-dimensional position coordinates is closer to each two-dimensional position coordinate, and the two-dimensional position calculated immediately before in the third coordinate distance comparison step. The ID number of the 2D position coordinate calculated immediately before is given to the 2D position coordinate determined to be close to the coordinates, and the identification number of the 2D position coordinate calculated immediately before is assigned to the newly calculated 2D position coordinate. A third identification number continuation giving step of giving an identification number different from the identification number of the dimensional position coordinate, in addition to one two-dimensional position coordinate continuously calculated in accordance with an instruction by one predetermined object,
When one two-dimensional position coordinate is newly calculated by being instructed by another predetermined object, the identification number of the one two-dimensional position coordinate calculated immediately before is used as the one two-dimensional position coordinate calculated immediately before. Is given to either one of the two two-dimensional position coordinates that are close to, and the two-dimensional position coordinates that are not close to the one-dimensional position coordinate calculated immediately before are immediately before. By assigning an identification number different from the identification number of the two-dimensional position coordinate calculated in
It is possible to discriminate an operation locus by a predetermined object that is continuously operated and an operation locus by a newly operated predetermined object.

According to the program of the fourteenth aspect of the invention, the two-dimensional position coordinates of a predetermined object indicating the two-dimensional information input area formed by the light from the light emitting means are set to a triangle based on the light intensity distribution in the light receiving means. A program for causing a computer to execute control to output as input information, which is calculated by a surveying method, wherein the computer emits light from the light emitting means that is shielded or reflected by the predetermined object that indicates the information input area. In the case where two predetermined objects are simultaneously inserted into the information input area and four two-dimensional position coordinates are calculated, the shielding / reflection angle calculating function for calculating the angle of Based on the calculated angle, the two two actually designated by the two predetermined objects are calculated from the calculated four two-dimensional position coordinates. When the two predetermined objects are simultaneously inserted in the information input area by executing the real coordinate determination function of determining the original position coordinates, four two-dimensional position coordinates are calculated except for a specific case. However, the angle of the light emitted from the light emitting means that is shielded or reflected by the predetermined object indicating the information input area is calculated, and two of the calculated two-dimensional position coordinates are calculated based on the calculated angle. By determining the two two-dimensional position coordinates actually designated by the predetermined object, the two-dimensional position when two predetermined objects are simultaneously inserted in the information input area without increasing the number of light projecting means or light receiving elements The position coordinates can be detected at low cost. In addition, since the two actually designated two-dimensional position coordinates are not determined based on the plurality of time-sequentially buffered calculated coordinates, the two-dimensional position coordinates are calculated without delaying the movement of the predetermined object. be able to.

According to the invention of claim 15, claim 1
4. In the program according to 4, the first identification for assigning different identification numbers to the respective two-dimensional position coordinates when the two two-dimensional position coordinates actually designated by the two predetermined objects are first calculated. A numbering function, a first coordinate distance comparison function for determining which of the two two-dimensional position coordinates calculated immediately before for each of the two continuously calculated two-dimensional position coordinates, and the first coordinate distance A first identification number continuation giving function of continuously giving the identification number of each two-dimensional position coordinate calculated immediately before it is determined to be close by the comparison function to each two two-dimensional position coordinate calculated. With respect to the two two-dimensional position coordinates calculated in time series by the computer, the identification number of whichever of the two two-dimensional position coordinates calculated immediately before is closer to Since it is possible to determine which of the two predetermined objects has the two-dimensional position coordinate operated by the number, even when two operators holding the predetermined object operate simultaneously, one operation trajectory and the other operation are performed. By distinguishing from the locus, it becomes possible for two people to perform character drawing and drag operations at the same time, and the convenience of the device can be improved.

According to the invention of claim 16, claim 1
In the program described in 5, when the continuously calculated two-dimensional position coordinates change from two to one, which one of the two-dimensional position coordinates calculated immediately before is calculated for one calculated two-dimensional position coordinate. A second coordinate distance comparison function for determining whether the two are close, and one two-dimensional position for which the identification number of one of the two-dimensional position coordinates calculated immediately before the second coordinate distance comparison function determined to be close is calculated. The two-dimensional position coordinates continuously calculated by causing the computer to execute the second identification number continuous giving function of giving only the position coordinates are 2
When the number is changed from one to one, by assigning the identification number of either of the two two-dimensional position coordinates calculated immediately before to the one two-dimensional position coordinate, whichever is closer,
It is possible to discriminate the operation trajectory by the predetermined object that is continuously operated.

According to the invention of claim 17, claim 1
In the program according to any one of 4 to 16,
A second identification number assigning function for assigning an identification number to the two-dimensional position coordinates when the two-dimensional position coordinates actually designated by the one predetermined object are first calculated; and one predetermined object In addition to the one two-dimensional position coordinate continuously instructed and calculated, when the one two-dimensional position coordinate is newly calculated by the other predetermined object, the two-dimensional position calculated immediately before A third coordinate distance comparison function that determines which of the two two-dimensional position coordinates calculated for the coordinates is closer, and a determination that the coordinate is closer to the two-dimensional position coordinates calculated immediately before in this third coordinate distance comparison step. The identification number of the 2D position coordinate calculated immediately before is given to the calculated 2D position coordinate, and the identification number of the 2D position coordinate calculated immediately before is added to the newly calculated 2D position coordinate. Identification different from the number A third identification number continuation giving function for giving a number to the computer, and in addition to one two-dimensional position coordinate continuously calculated according to an instruction given by one predetermined object, an instruction given by another predetermined object. 1
When the two two-dimensional position coordinates are newly calculated, the identification number of the one two-dimensional position coordinate calculated immediately before is used for the two two-dimensional position coordinates that are close to the one two-dimensional position coordinate calculated immediately before. It is given to one of the two-dimensional position coordinates, and for the two-dimensional position coordinate that does not approach the one calculated two-dimensional position coordinate immediately before, the two-dimensional position coordinate calculated immediately before is given. By giving an identification number different from the identification number, it is possible to discriminate between the operation locus of the predetermined object that is continuously operated and the operation locus of the newly operated predetermined object.

According to the computer-readable recording medium of the eighteenth aspect, the fourteenth to seventeenth aspects are provided.
By recording the program described in any one of
By installing this recording medium in a computer, the same operation as that of the program according to any one of claims 14 to 17 can be obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view schematically showing an information input / output system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical connection of each unit incorporated in the information input / output 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 first information input device.

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

FIG. 6 is a block configuration diagram of a controller.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing an example in which one point in the information input area of the first information input device is pointed by the pointing device.

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

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an instruction unit used in a second information input device.

FIG. 10 is a front view showing an example in which one point in the information input area of the second information input device is pointed by the pointing device.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the detection operation of the CCD.

FIG. 12 is a plan view schematically showing an optical unit used in a third information input device.

FIG. 13 is a front view showing an example in which one point in the information input area of the third information input device is pointed by the pointing means.

FIG. 14 is a graph showing the relationship between light intensity and time.

FIG. 15 is a front view showing an example in which one point in the information input area of the fourth information input device is pointed by the pointing means.

FIG. 16 is a graph showing the relationship between light intensity and time.

FIG. 17 is a front view schematically showing the configuration of a fifth information input device.

FIG. 18 is a schematic front view for explaining the detecting operation.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a plurality of position coordinates are calculated.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which two position coordinates are exceptionally calculated even when two instruction means are simultaneously inserted into the information input area.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart schematically showing the flow of coordinate detection processing including multipoint coordinate detection.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing a light blocking angle when the pointing device is near the optical unit and a light blocking angle when the pointing device is far from the optical unit.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of calculating a light blocking angle by an instruction unit.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure of calculating a light blocking angle by an instruction means at the center of the screen.

FIG. 25 is an enlarged front view showing an example in which one point in the information input area is pointed by the pointing means.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of output touch coordinate data.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart schematically showing the flow of processing including real coordinate determination processing.

FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of generated coordinate data.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of real coordinate determination.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Information input / output system 2 display 2a Display surface 3 Information input device 3a Information input area 5 control device 26,49 recording medium 31,71 Light emitting means 39,75,83 Light receiving means 61, A, P predetermined object 82 Imaging means

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. The two-dimensional position coordinates of a predetermined object indicating a two-dimensional information input area formed by the light from the light emitting means are calculated by a triangulation method based on the light intensity distribution in the light receiving means and used as input information. In the information input device for outputting, the shielding / calculating for calculating the angle of the light from the light emitting means shielded or reflected by the predetermined object that points to the information input area
When the reflection angle calculation unit and the two predetermined objects are simultaneously inserted into the information input area to calculate four two-dimensional position coordinates, based on the angle calculated by the shielding / reflection angle calculation unit, An information input device, comprising: real coordinate determination means for determining two two-dimensional position coordinates actually designated by the two predetermined objects from the calculated four two-dimensional position coordinates. . 2. A first identification number that gives a different identification number to each two-dimensional position coordinate when the two two-dimensional position coordinates actually designated by the two predetermined objects are first calculated. The providing means, the first coordinate distance comparing means for determining which of the two two-dimensional position coordinates calculated immediately before for each of the two continuously calculated two-dimensional position coordinates, the first coordinate distance comparison First identification number continuation giving means for continuously giving the respective identification numbers of the respective two-dimensional position coordinates calculated immediately before determined to be close by the means to the respective two respective two-dimensional position coordinates calculated. The information input device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The continuously calculated two-dimensional position coordinate is 2.
And a second coordinate distance comparing unit that determines which of the two two-dimensional position coordinates calculated immediately before the calculated one two-dimensional position coordinate is closer to one. Second identification number continuation giving means for giving only one calculated two-dimensional position coordinate the identification number of one of the two-dimensional position coordinates calculated immediately before it is judged to be close by the comparison means. The information input device according to claim 2, wherein 4. A second identification number assigning means for assigning an identification number to the two-dimensional position coordinates when the two-dimensional position coordinates actually designated by the one predetermined object are first calculated. When one two-dimensional position coordinate is newly calculated by being instructed by another predetermined object in addition to one two-dimensional position coordinate continuously instructed by each of the predetermined objects, it is calculated immediately before. Third coordinate distance comparing means for determining which of the two calculated two-dimensional position coordinates is closer to each of the two calculated two-dimensional position coordinates, and the two-dimensional position coordinate calculated immediately before by the third coordinate distance comparing means. The ID number of the 2D position coordinate calculated immediately before is assigned to the 2D position coordinate determined to be close to the 2D position coordinate, and the 2D position calculated immediately before is added to the newly calculated 2D position coordinate. Identification number of position coordinates Claim 1, characterized in that and a third identification number continues assigning means for assigning different identification numbers and
The information input device according to any one of 1 to 3. 5. The information input according to claim 1, wherein the information input area is formed by forming the light emitted from the light emitting means into a thin film and projecting the light. apparatus. 6. The information input device according to claim 1, wherein the information input area is formed by sequentially scanning and projecting the light beam emitted from the light emitting means. . 7. The information input device according to claim 1, wherein an image pickup range of an image pickup unit that picks up the light emitted from the light emitting unit is set as the information input region. 8. A display device, and the information input device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the information input area is arranged on the display surface of the display device so as to coincide with each other. An information input / output system comprising: a control device that controls display of the display device based on an input. 9. The information input device according to claim 1, wherein the writing board accepts writing, and the information input area is arranged on the writing surface of the writing board so as to coincide with each other. An information input / output system, comprising: a control device that controls information written on the writing board based on an input from the device. 10. The two-dimensional position coordinates of a predetermined object indicating a two-dimensional information input area formed by the light from the light emitting means are calculated by a triangulation method based on the light intensity distribution in the light receiving means and used as input information. A position / coordinate output method for outputting, which is configured to calculate an angle of light emitted from the light emitting unit that is shielded or reflected by the predetermined object that indicates the information input area.
When a reflection angle calculation step and two two-dimensional position coordinates are calculated by simultaneously inserting the two predetermined objects in the information input area, based on the angles calculated in the shielding / reflection angle calculation step ,
Position coordinate output, which determines two two-dimensional position coordinates actually designated by the two predetermined objects from the calculated four two-dimensional position coordinates. Method. 11. A first identification number that gives a different identification number to each two-dimensional position coordinate when two two-dimensional position coordinates actually designated by the two predetermined objects are first calculated. The first coordinate distance comparison step of determining which is closer to the two-dimensional position coordinates calculated immediately before in the giving step and the two two-dimensional position coordinates continuously calculated, and this first coordinate distance comparison A first identification number continuation giving step of continuously giving the identification numbers of the respective two-dimensional position coordinates calculated immediately before, which are determined to be close in the process, to the two respective two-dimensional position coordinates calculated continuously. The position coordinate output method according to claim 10, wherein: 12. When the continuously calculated two-dimensional position coordinate changes from two to one, which one of the two-dimensional position coordinates calculated immediately before is closer to one calculated two-dimensional position coordinate. The second coordinate distance comparing step for determining whether or not, and the one two-dimensional position for which the identification number of one of the two-dimensional position coordinates calculated immediately before the second coordinate distance comparing step is determined to be close 12. The position coordinate output method according to claim 11, further comprising a second identification number continuous giving step of giving only to the coordinates. 13. A second identification number assigning step of assigning an identification number to the two-dimensional position coordinates when the two-dimensional position coordinates actually designated by one of the predetermined objects are first calculated. When one two-dimensional position coordinate is newly calculated by being instructed by another predetermined object in addition to one two-dimensional position coordinate continuously instructed by each of the predetermined objects, it is calculated immediately before. A third coordinate distance comparison step of determining which of the two calculated two-dimensional position coordinates is closer to each two-dimensional position coordinate, and the two-dimensional position calculated immediately before in the third coordinate distance comparison step. The ID number of the 2D position coordinate calculated immediately before is given to the 2D position coordinate determined to be close to the coordinates, and the identification number of the 2D position coordinate calculated immediately before is assigned to the newly calculated 2D position coordinate. Identification number of dimensional position coordinate Third identification number continuously applying step and the position coordinates output method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that it comprises a imparting different identification numbers from. 14. The two-dimensional position coordinates of a predetermined object indicating a two-dimensional information input area formed by the light from the light emitting means are calculated by a triangulation method based on the light intensity distribution in the light receiving means, and are used as input information. A program for causing a computer to execute output control, wherein the computer is configured to calculate an angle of light emitted from the light emitting unit that is shielded or reflected by the predetermined object that indicates the information input area.
When a reflection angle calculation function and four two-dimensional position coordinates are calculated by simultaneously inserting the two predetermined objects into the information input area, based on the angles calculated by the shielding / reflection angle calculation function ,
A program that executes a real coordinate determination function of determining two two-dimensional position coordinates actually designated by the two predetermined objects from the calculated four two-dimensional position coordinates. 15. A first identification number that gives a different identification number to each two-dimensional position coordinate when the two two-dimensional position coordinates actually designated by the two predetermined objects are first calculated. This first coordinate distance comparison, and the first coordinate distance comparison function that determines which of the two continuously calculated two-dimensional position coordinates is closer to the two-dimensional position coordinates calculated immediately before A first identification number continuation assigning function for continuously assigning the identification number of each two-dimensional position coordinate calculated immediately before the function is determined to be close to each two two-dimensional position coordinate calculated. 15. The program according to claim 14, which is executed by a computer. 16. When the two-dimensional position coordinate continuously calculated changes from two to one, which one of the two-dimensional position coordinates calculated immediately before for one calculated two-dimensional position coordinate is closer to which one. The second coordinate distance comparison function for determining whether or not, and the one two-dimensional position for which the identification number of one of the two-dimensional position coordinates calculated immediately before it is determined to be close by the second coordinate distance comparison function is calculated The program according to claim 15, which causes the computer to execute a second identification number continuation giving function that is given only to coordinates. 17. A second identification number assigning function for assigning an identification number to the two-dimensional position coordinate when the two-dimensional position coordinate actually designated by the one predetermined object is first calculated, When one two-dimensional position coordinate is newly calculated by being instructed by another predetermined object in addition to one two-dimensional position coordinate continuously instructed by each of the predetermined objects, it is calculated immediately before. A third coordinate distance comparison function for determining which of the two calculated two-dimensional position coordinates is closer to each of the two calculated two-dimensional position coordinates, and the two-dimensional position calculated immediately before in the third coordinate distance comparison step. The ID number of the 2D position coordinate calculated immediately before is given to the 2D position coordinate determined to be close to the coordinates, and the identification number of the 2D position coordinate calculated immediately before is assigned to the newly calculated 2D position coordinate. Identification number of dimensional position coordinate Third identification number claims 14 to 16 any one described program and continue adding function, a is characterized by causing the computer to perform to impart different identification numbers from. 18. A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 14 is recorded.