JP2005031754A - Coordinate input device, coordinate input method, and program for making computer implement its method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a coordinate input device which can perform handwriting input in a state contacting a finger on a writing face like writing on paper and also can detect input coordinate correctly. <P>SOLUTION: The coordinate input device comprises: a coordinate calculation section 203 which calculates a coordinate which covers a shielded position based on a signal S1 and a signal S2 which detect that the return light of the light applied to a coordinate input area is shielded before reception of the light; a shield extent detection section 205 which detects the shield extent of each part where light is shielded in the coordinate input area when the return light is shielded at a plurality of parts; and an input coordinate determination section 207 which determines a coordinate which covers one out of a plurality of parts as the coordinate to be inputted according to the relative size of the shield extents of all detected parts. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

なお、式（１）、（２）中のＷ、θＲ、θＬは、図３に示す箇所を指す。
【００２６】
図３は、パネル１０１上の点ｐ（ｘ，ｙ）において光が遮蔽されたタッチパネルの状態を示している。Ｗは、光学ユニット１０２ａ、１０２ｂの発光部（光源）の中心間の距離である。ｔａｎθＲは光学ユニット１０２ａから照射された光のうち、点ｐを通る光の光軸ｌ１と光学ユニット１０２ａ、１０２ｂの発光部中心を通る直線とがなす角度、ｔａｎθＬは光学ユニット１０２ｂから照射された点ｐを通る光の光軸ｌ２と光学ユニット１０２ａ、１０２ｂの発光部中心を通る直線とがなす角度である。なお、点ｐ（ｘ，ｙ）の座標は、光学ユニット１０２ａの発光部中心を原点として定められている。
【００２７】
次に、図４を用い、光学ユニット１０２ａ、１０２ｂが照射する光の照射角度の判定について説明する。図４は、光学ユニット１０２ａ、１０２ｂの構成を説明するための図である。光学ユニット１０２ａ、１０２ｂは、同様に構成されているため、図４では光学ユニット１０２ａについてのみ図示するものとする。
【００２８】
光学ユニット１０２ａは、発光部である光源４２１、光源４２１が照射した光を扇形に拡散する拡散レンズ群４２３、拡散レンズ群４２３を通って照射された光の反射光を受光する受光部４２９を備えている。ハーフミラー４２５は、光源４２１が照射した光を９０度反射してパネル１０１に向けると共に、反射光を透過して受光部４２９に向ける。また、レンズ４２７は、受光部４２９の直前で反射光を集光し、遮蔽物の像を受光部４２９上に結像させている。
【００２９】
上記したように、照射光を再帰的に反射させて受光する光学ユニットでは、光源４２１から照射される光の照射角度と受光部４２９における受光位置とが対応する。このため、受光部４２９における反射光が受光されなかった位置から遮蔽物を通る光の照射角度θＲ、θＬを特定することができる。
【００３０】
次に、実施の形態１の座標入力装置の遮蔽範囲の検出について説明する。図５は、手指のうちの掌部分の一部をパネルと接触させながらペンなどを使ってタッチパネルから座標を入力した場合、パネル上において遮蔽される範囲を例示したものである。図示した領域５０２は、掌部分がパネル上で光を遮蔽したことによって生じる遮蔽範囲である。領域５０２のような形状は、掌の側方がパネルに接触した場合に見られるものである。また、領域５０１は、ペンがパネルに接触することによって光を遮蔽し、発生した遮蔽範囲である。一般的に掌部分がパネルと接触する面積はペンがパネルと接触する面積よりも広いため、領域５０２は、領域５０１よりも大きくなる。
【００３１】
図６は、領域５０２と領域５０１との大きさの相違を判定する実施の形態１の処理を説明するための図である。実施の形態１では、受光部４２９をＣＣＤ（Ｃｈａｒｇｅ Ｃｏｕｐｌｅｄ Ｄｅｖｉｃｅ）などの受光素子を縦横に配置して受光面６００を構成し、受光部４２９における受光位置および受光がなされなかった位置とを識別しやすくしている。このような構成の受光部４２９では、パネル上に遮蔽物がない場合、受光面６００の全面で反射光が受光される。また、パネル上に光の遮蔽物が置かれた場合、受光面６００に光を受光した受光部分６０１、光を受光しなかった不受光部分６０２とが生じる。不受光部分６０２の大きさは、遮蔽範囲の大きさに対応する。
【００３２】
この点を利用し、実施の形態１では、不受光部分６０２が不受光部分６０２ａ、６０２ｂの複数あった場合、小さい方の不受光部分６０２ａが示す遮蔽範囲の座標を入力座標とする。また、実施の形態１では、不受光部分の大小を、各不受光部分６０２ａ、６０２ｂのプロファイルの凹部の開口長さ（ディップ）を使って判定するものとした。図示した例では、不受光部分６０２ａのディップｄ１は不受光部分６０２ｂのディップｄ２よりも短いことから、不受光部分６０２ａが示す座標のみをオペレータが意図して入力した座標であると判定し、入力座標としてＰＣ１１５に出力する。
【００３３】
図７は、以上述べた実施の形態１の座標入力装置でなされる座標入力方法を説明するためのフローチャートである。図示するように、座標入力装置の座標入力制御部１１１は、タッチパネルから受光データが入力されたか否か判断する（ステップＳ７０１）。受光データの入力がない場合（ステップＳ７０１：Ｎｏ）、受光データが入力されるまで待機する。なお、実施の形態１の受光データは、具体的には図２に示した信号Ｓ１、Ｓ２を指す。
【００３４】
ステップＳ７０１において、座標入力制御部１１１が受光データを取得したと判断した場合（ステップＳ７０１：Ｙｅｓ）、遮蔽範囲検出部２０５は、受光データである信号Ｓ１、Ｓ２に基づいて不受光部分を示すディップが２つ以上あるか否か判断する（ステップＳ７０２）。なお、受光部４２９の受光状態を示す信号Ｓ１、Ｓ２は、例えば、受光面６００に配置された受光素子の各々が、しきい値以上の光量の光を受光したか否かを示す信号であってもよい。信号Ｓ１、Ｓ２をこのように定めた場合、遮蔽範囲検出部２０５は、各受光素子の位置と受光したか否かの別とによって図６に示したディップを求め、得られたディップの数が２以上あるか否か判断する（ステップＳ７０２）。
【００３５】
ステップＳ７０２においてディップ数が２以下であると判断された場合（ステップＳ７０２：Ｎｏ）、座標入力制御部１１１では、信号Ｓ１、Ｓ２を使って座標を算出する（ステップＳ７０５）。すなわち、信号Ｓ１、Ｓ２は、遮蔽範囲検出部と共に、角度判定部２０１にも入力している。角度判定部２０１は、信号Ｓ１、Ｓ２を使い、受光部４２９に反射光が受光されなかった光の照射角度θＲ、θＬを信号Ｓ１、Ｓ２から算出する。座標算出部２０３は、算出された角度θＲ、θＬを前記した式（１）、式（２）に代入し、光が遮蔽された位置の座標を算出する。
【００３６】
ディップ数が２以上あると判断された場合（（ステップＳ７０２：Ｙｅｓ）、ディップ数は２であるものとする）、遮蔽範囲検出部２０５は、ディップｄ１、ｄ２の大きさを検出する。入力座標判定部２０７は、遮蔽範囲検出部２０５が検出したディップｄ１、ｄ２のうち、先ず、ディップｄ２がディップｄ１よりも長いか否か判断する（ステップＳ７０３）。ディップｄ２がディップｄ１よりも長い場合（ステップＳ７０３：Ｙｅｓ）、ディップｄ１を持つ遮蔽範囲が示す座標がＰＣ１１５に入力すべき入力座標であると判定する（ステップＳ７０４）。そして、座標算出部２０３が、ディップｄ１を持つ遮蔽範囲に含まれる点を通って照射された光の照射角度を算出し、算出された照射角度を使って座標を算出する（ステップＳ７０５）。
【００３７】
また、入力座標判定部２０７は、ステップＳ７０３において、ディップｄ２がディップｄ１よりも長くないと判断した場合（ステップＳ７０３：Ｎｏ）、ディップｄ２とディップｄ１とが等しいか否か判断する（ステップＳ７０６）。この結果、ディップｄ２とディップｄ１とは等しくないと判断した場合（ステップＳ７０６：Ｎｏ）、ディップｄ１はディップｄ２よりも長いものとし、ディップｄ２を持つ遮蔽範囲が示す座標がＰＣ１１５に入力すべき入力座標であると判定する（ステップＳ７０７）。座標算出部２０３は、ディップｄ２を持つ遮蔽範囲に含まれる点を通って照射された光の照射角度を算出し、算出された照射角度を使って座標を算出する（ステップＳ７０５）。
【００３８】
さらに、入力座標判定部２０７は、ステップＳ７０６において、ディップｄ２とディップｄ１とが等しいと判断した場合（ステップＳ７０６：Ｙｅｓ）、複数の遮蔽範囲のうち、座標の入力のためにオペレータが意図して遮蔽した範囲を特定できない。このため、図示しないエラー信号発生手段によって例えばエラー信号を出力し（ステップＳ７０８）、図７に示した処理を終了する。
【００３９】
以上述べた実施の形態１によれば、オペレータは、掌の一部を筆記面において支持し、紙などに対して行なう筆記と同様にしてＰＣ１１５に手書き文字などを入力することができる。また、この際、座標の検出に先だって同時に光が遮蔽された遮蔽範囲が複数あるか否か判断する。そして、複数ある遮蔽範囲のうち、オペレータが意図した遮蔽範囲を座標の算出に先だって特定する。このため、実施の形態１の座標入力装置は、オペレータが意図しない遮蔽範囲について座標の算出をすることがない。このような実施の形態１の座標入力装置は、意図して光が遮蔽された遮蔽範囲に含まれる点の座標の算出にかかる時間を短縮することに有利である。
【００４０】
なお、以上述べた実施の形態１では、遮蔽範囲が２つの場合について説明している。しかし、実施の形態１の座標入力装置および座標入力方法は遮蔽範囲が２つの場合にのみ限定されるものでなく、より多くの遮蔽範囲がある場合にも適用することができる。この場合、遮蔽範囲検出部２０５は、複数の遮蔽範囲のすべてのディップを検出する。入力座標判定部２０７は、遮蔽範囲検出部２０５が検出したディップのすべてについて長さを比較し、最もディップが短い遮蔽範囲に含まれる点の座標を入力座標とする。
【００４１】
（実施の形態２）
次に、本発明の実施の形態２について説明する。なお、実施の形態２の構成は、実施の形態１で説明した構成と同様の構成を含んでおり、同様の構成については同様の符号を付して図示および説明の一部を略すものとする。
【００４２】
実施の形態２の座標入力装置は、遮蔽範囲算出部が、座標算出部２０３によって算出された座標に基づいて遮蔽範囲を検出する点で実施の形態１の座標入力装置と相違する。図８は、実施の形態２の座標入力制御部８１１の構成を説明するための機能ブロック図である。座標入力制御部８１１は、実施の形態１と同様に角度判定部２０１、座標算出部２０３を備えている。また、座標算出部２０３によって算出された座標に基づいて遮蔽範囲を検出する遮蔽範囲検出部８０３、遮蔽範囲検出部８０３によって検出された遮蔽範囲に基づいて入力座標を判定する入力座標判定部８０５を備えている。以上の構成は、座標入力制御部８１１上で動作するアプリケーションであり、データ８０９は、アプリケーションの動作に必要な他のプログラムや数値などを指す。
【００４３】
図８に示した座標入力制御部８１１は、以下のように動作する。すなわち、タッチパネルは、受光部４２９から受光データとして信号Ｓ１、Ｓ２を入力する。角度判定部２０１は、信号Ｓ１、信号Ｓ２から照射角度θＲ、θＬを算出し、座標算出部２０３は、算出された照射角度θＲ、θＬを使ってパネル１０１上の遮蔽範囲に含まれる点の座標を算出する。
【００４４】
図９は、遮蔽範囲検出部８０３によってなされる処理を説明するための図である。図示した遮蔽範囲Ａ、遮蔽範囲Ｂのうち、遮蔽範囲Ａがオペレータが入力を意図しておこなった光の遮蔽によって生じた範囲であり、遮蔽範囲Ｂがオペレータの意図とは無関係になされた遮蔽によって生じた範囲である。遮蔽範囲検出部８０３は、座標算出部２０３が算出した座標を順次入力し、遮蔽範囲Ａ、Ｂにおいて、それぞれ最外郭に位置する座標のうちの互いの距離が最大長をとる２点を検出する。そして、選択した２点間の距離（遮蔽長と記すものとする）を算出する。入力座標判定部８０５は、遮蔽範囲検出部８０３が算出した遮蔽長から遮蔽範囲の大小を判定し、いずれが大きいか判定する。そして、より大きいと判定された遮蔽範囲に含まれる点の座標を、入力座標とする。すなわち、実施の形態２は、遮蔽長を遮蔽範囲の大きさの指標として使用するものである。座標算出部２０３は、入力座標判定部８０５が入力座標とした座標だけをＰＣ１１５に出力する。
【００４５】
以下、より具体的に遮蔽長の算出について説明する。遮蔽範囲検出部８０３は、遮蔽範囲Ａの最外郭に位置する座標のうちの互いの距離が最大長をとる２点として、点ｐ１、点ｐ２を検出する。また、遮蔽範囲Ｂの最外郭に位置する座標のうちの互いの距離が最大長をとる２点として、点ｐ３、点ｐ４を検出する。そして、点ｐ１の座標（ｘａ１，ｙａ１）、点ｐ２の座標（ｘａ２，ｙａ２）を下記の式（３）に代入し、遮蔽長ｒａを算出する。また、点ｐ３の座標（ｘｂ３，ｙｂ３）、点ｐ４の座標（ｘｂ４，ｙｂ４）を下記の式（４）に代入し、遮蔽長ｒｂを算出する。

【００４６】
入力座標判定部８０５は、遮蔽長ｒａ、遮蔽長ｒｂの長さを比較する。そして、いずれか長い遮蔽長を有する遮蔽範囲をオペレータが意図して光を遮蔽して生じたものとし、遮蔽範囲に含まれる点の座標を入力座標とする。なお、上記した遮蔽長の算出式は、遮蔽範囲が円または楕円に近似できるものとした場合に用いられるものであり、他のモデルを使った場合には他の式が用いられる。さらに、実施の形態２は、遮蔽範囲の指標として遮蔽長を使うものに限定されるものでなく、遮蔽範囲の大きさを反映し、比較的簡易に算出できるものであればどのような値であってもよい。
【００４７】
図１０は、以上述べた実施の形態２の座標入力装置でなされる座標入力方法を説明するためのフローチャートである。図示するように、座標入力装置の座標入力制御部８１１は、タッチパネルから受光データが入力されたか否か判断する（ステップＳ１００１）。受光データの入力がない場合（ステップＳ１００１：Ｎｏ）、受光データが入力されるまで待機する。
【００４８】
ステップＳ１００１において、座標入力制御部８１１が受光データを取得したと判断した場合（ステップＳ１００１：Ｙｅｓ）、座標算出部２０３は、受光データに基づいて光が遮蔽された点の座標を算出する（ステップＳ１００２）。遮蔽範囲検出部８０３は、算出された座標から遮蔽範囲が複数あるか否か判断する（ステップＳ１００３）。この結果、遮蔽範囲が１つであると判断した場合（ステップＳ１００３：Ｎｏ）、処理を終了する。この結果、ステップＳ１００２において算出された座標が、そのままＰＣ１１５に出力される。
【００４９】
また、ステップＳ１００３において遮蔽範囲が複数あると判断された場合（ステップＳ１００３：Ｙｅｓ）、遮蔽範囲検出部２０５が、複数ある遮蔽範囲の各々について遮蔽長ｒ１、ｒ２を算出する。入力座標判定部８０５は、先ず、算出された遮蔽長ｒ１が遮蔽長ｒ２よりも短いか否か判断する（ステップＳ１００４）。遮蔽長ｒ１が遮蔽長ｒ２よりも短いと判断された場合（ステップＳ１００４：Ｙｅｓ）、遮蔽長ｒ１を持つ遮蔽範囲に含まれる点の座標を入力座標とする（ステップＳ１００５）。このとき、座標算出部２０３が算出した座標のうちの遮蔽長ｒ１を持つ遮蔽範囲に含まれる点の座標だけがＰＣ１１５に出力される。
【００５０】
また、ステップＳ１００４において、遮蔽長ｒ１が遮蔽長ｒ２よりも短くないと判断された場合（ステップＳ１００４：Ｎｏ）、遮蔽長ｒ１と遮蔽長ｒ２とが等しいか否か判断する（ステップＳ１００６）。遮蔽長ｒ１と遮蔽長ｒ２とが等しくない場合（ステップＳ１００６：Ｎｏ）、遮蔽長ｒ２が遮蔽長ｒ１よりも短いものとし（ステップＳ１００６：Ｎｏ）、遮蔽長ｒ２を持つ遮蔽範囲に含まれる点の座標を入力座標とする（ステップＳ１００７）。このとき、座標算出部２０３が算出した座標のうちの遮蔽長ｒ２を持つ遮蔽範囲に含まれる点の座標だけがＰＣ１１５に出力される。
【００５１】
さらに、ステップＳ１００６において遮蔽長ｒ１と遮蔽長ｒ２とが等しいと判断された場合（ステップＳ１００６：Ｙｅｓ）、複数の遮蔽範囲のうち、座標の入力のためにオペレータが意図して遮蔽した範囲を特定できないため、図示しないエラー信号発生手段によって例えばエラー信号を出力し（ステップＳ１００８）、処理を終了する。
【００５２】
以上述べた実施の形態２によれば、オペレータは、掌の一部を筆記面において支持し、紙などに対して行なう筆記と同様にしてＰＣ１１５に手書き文字などを入力することができる。また、この際、座標入力装置が一般的に備える既存の構成である座標算出部を使って遮蔽範囲を検出し、さらには遮蔽範囲のうちオペレータが意図しない遮蔽範囲を検出された遮蔽範囲から除いてオペレータが意図した通りの座標をＰＣ１１５に入力することができる。
【００５３】
なお、以上述べた実施の形態２では、遮蔽範囲が２つの場合について説明している。しかし、実施の形態２の座標入力装置および座標入力方法は遮蔽範囲が２つの場合にのみ限定されるものでなく、より多くの遮蔽範囲がある場合にも適用することができる。この場合、遮蔽範囲検出部８０３は、複数の遮蔽範囲のすべての遮蔽長を算出する。入力座標判定部８０５は、算出された遮蔽長のすべてについて長さを比較し、最も短い遮蔽長を持つ遮蔽範囲に含まれる点の座標を入力座標とする。
【００５４】
なお、本実施形態の座標入力装置で実行される座標入力方法をコンピュータに実行させるためのプログラムは、インストール可能な形式又は実行可能な形式のファイルでＣＤ−ＲＯＭ、フロッピー（Ｒ）ディスク（ＦＤ）、ＤＶＤ等のコンピュータで読み取り可能な記録媒体に記録されて提供される。また、本実施形態の座標入力方法をコンピュータに実行させるためのプログラムを、インターネット等のネットワークに接続されたコンピュータ上に格納し、ネットワーク経由でダウンロードさせることにより提供するように構成しても良い。
【００５５】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、請求項１に記載の発明は、オペレータが文字や図を手書きする場合に座標入力面に手指の一部を置いたとしても、手書きによって入力された座標を正確に検出し、外部装置などに入力することができる。このため、紙面に対する筆記と同様に手指を筆記面に接触させた状態で手書き入力でき、しかも入力された座標を正確に検出し、コンピュータなどに文字や図形を正確に入力できる座標入力装置を提供することができる。
【００５６】
請求項２に記載の発明は、請求項１に記載の発明によって得られる効果に加え、さらに、入力すべきと判定された座標以外の座標を算出する処理を省き、座標の入力にかかる処理時間をより短縮することができる。
【００５７】
請求項３に記載の発明は、請求項１に記載の発明によって得られる効果に加え、さらに、既存の構成を使って遮蔽範囲の検出を可能にし、装置構成の変更や追加を抑えることができる。
【００５８】
請求項４に記載の発明は、オペレータが文字や図を手書きする場合に座標入力面に手指の一部を置いたとしても、手書きによって入力された座標を正確に検出し、外部装置などに入力することができる。このため、紙面に対する筆記と同様に手指を筆記面に接触させた状態で手書き入力でき、しかも入力された座標を正確に検出し、コンピュータなどに文字や図形を正確に入力できる座標入力方法を提供することができる。
【００５９】
請求項５に記載の発明は、オペレータが文字や図を手書きする場合に座標入力面に手指の一部を置いたとしても、手書きによって入力された座標を正確に検出し、外部装置などに入力することができる。このため、紙面に対する筆記と同様に手指を筆記面に接触させた状態で手書き入力でき、しかも入力された座標を正確に検出し、コンピュータなどに文字や図形を正確に入力できる座標入力方法をコンピュータに実行させるためのプログラムを提供することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施の形態１の座標入力装置を適用したタッチパネル示す図である。
【図２】本発明の実施の形態１の座標入力制御部の構成を説明するための機能ブロック図である。
【図３】本発明の実施の形態の座標入力装置に共通して用いられる座標の算出方法を説明するための図である。
【図４】本発明の実施の形態の座標入力装置に共通して用いられる光学ユニットの構成および光を説明するための図である。
【図５】パネル上において遮蔽される範囲を例示するための図である。
【図６】本発明の実施の形態１における、遮蔽範囲の大きさの相違を判定する処理を説明するための図である。
【図７】本発明の実施の形態１の座標入力装置でなされる座標入力方法を説明するためのフローチャートである。
【図８】本発明の実施の形態２の座標入力制御部の構成を説明するための機能ブロック図である。
【図９】本発明の実施の形態２における、遮蔽範囲の大きさの相違を判定する処理を説明するための図である。
【図１０】本発明の実施の形態２の座標入力装置でなされる座標入力方法を説明するためのフローチャートである。
【符号の説明】
１０１ パネル
１０２ａ，１０２ｂ 光学ユニット
１０３ａ 再帰性反射部材
１１１，８１１ 座標入力制御部
２０１ 角度判定部
２０５，８０３ 遮蔽範囲検出部
２０７，８０５ 入力座標判定部
２０９，８０９ データ
４２１ 光源
４２３ 拡散レンズ群
４２９ 受光部
６００ 受光面
６０１ 受光部分
６０２ 不受光部分[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a coordinate input device that detects coordinates input by detecting light shielding, a coordinate input method, and a program for causing a computer to execute the method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
At present, optical coordinate input devices are put into practical use. As one of the optical coordinate input devices, light is irradiated on almost the entire area of a predetermined area such as on a panel, and the irradiated light is reflected so that the optical axis of the reflected light passes again through the optical axis at the time of irradiation. There is one that detects a member that is (recursively reflected) and shields light on a region according to a light receiving state of reflected light. Further, the coordinate input device calculates a position on the region where the light-shielding member is placed, and detects the coordinate indicating the position as the input coordinate (input coordinate) (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0003]
The coordinate input device described above can input a point where an operator points a panel or the like with a finger or a pen as coordinates to an external device such as a computer. When the operator draws characters and figures on the panel, the coordinates are continuously input to the external device, and the characters and figures drawn by the operator can be input to the external device. A device in which such a coordinate input device and a panel are integrated is generally called a touch panel, and can input characters and figures into an external device in the same way as handwriting.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-318759 A
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in general, when drawing a character or a figure using a pen (by handwriting), the writer makes a part of the finger on the writing surface in order to stabilize the pen operation while keeping the pen tip in contact with the writing surface. Often contact. For touch panels, it is desirable to be able to input characters, etc. by the same operation as general handwriting, but in this way, in addition to the pen tip, part of the fingers touched the panel that is the writing surface. In this case, the fingers will block the light. For this reason, the point on the panel where the pen tip touches is not accurately detected, or both the point where the pen tip touches and the point where the finger touches are detected on the touch panel, and which one should be input A problem arises in that it cannot be determined whether or not.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and can perform handwriting input with a finger in contact with the writing surface in the same manner as writing on a paper surface, and can accurately detect input coordinates, a computer, etc. An object of the present invention is to provide a coordinate input device, a coordinate input method, and a program for causing a computer to execute the method.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a coordinate input device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a light emitting unit that irradiates light having a predetermined range in a coordinate input region, and a light emitted from the light emitting unit recursively. An optical unit having a light receiving portion for receiving reflected light that is reflected on the coordinate input area at least at two ends, and the light emitted by the light emitting portion is shielded before reaching the light receiving portion. Is a coordinate input device that calculates and inputs coordinates based on the light reception state of the reflected light in the light receiving unit, and detects that light is shielded at a plurality of locations. In the coordinate input area, the shielding range detecting means for detecting the shielding range at each location where light is shielded, and the size relationship between the shielding ranges at each location detected by the shielding range detection device. And coordinates and determining input coordinate determining means to be input coordinates according to one of the locations, characterized in that it comprises a.
[0008]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to irradiate the diffused light having a predetermined range in the coordinate input area, and to receive the reflected light in which the irradiated light is recursively reflected. Then, when it is detected that light is shielded at a plurality of locations when detecting that the irradiated light is shielded before reaching the light receiving unit, the shielding range of each location where the light is shielded is detected. At the same time, the coordinates relating to one of the plurality of locations can be determined as the coordinates to be input, depending on the magnitude relation of the shielding range of each location detected. For this reason, even if a part of the finger is placed on the coordinate input surface when the operator is handwriting a character or a figure, the light is shielded by the shielding range caused by the finger shielding the light and the handwriting process. It is possible to distinguish between points and accurately detect coordinates input by handwriting and input them to an external device or the like.
[0009]
The coordinate input device according to a second aspect of the invention is characterized in that the shielding range detecting unit detects a shielding range based on a light receiving state of reflected light in the light receiving unit.
[0010]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the shielding range can be detected based on the light receiving state of the reflected light in the light receiving unit. For this reason, it is possible to detect the shielding range before further calculating the coordinates from the light receiving state of the reflected light in the light receiving unit, and further determine the coordinates to be input. Therefore, it is possible to omit processing for calculating coordinates other than those determined to be input, and to shorten the time required for inputting coordinates.
[0011]
A coordinate input device according to a third aspect of the present invention includes coordinate calculation means for calculating coordinates of a point where light is shielded in the coordinate input area, and the shielding range detection means is calculated by the coordinate calculation means. The shielding range is detected based on the coordinates.
[0012]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the shielding range can be detected based on the coordinates calculated by the coordinate calculation means generally provided in the coordinate input device. For this reason, it is not necessary to add a new mechanical configuration for detecting the shielding range, and by adding software, it is possible to determine the coordinates to be input among the coordinates relating to the plurality of shielding ranges, The figure can be input appropriately.
[0013]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a coordinate input method comprising: a light emitting unit that irradiates light that has a predetermined range in a coordinate input region; and a reflected light in which light emitted from the light emitting unit is recursively reflected An optical unit having a light receiving portion for receiving light is provided at at least two end portions of the coordinate input area, and the light irradiated by the light emitting portion is detected and shielded before reaching the light receiving portion. This is a coordinate input method applied to a coordinate input device that calculates and inputs the coordinates relating to the position based on the light reception state of the reflected light in the light receiving unit, and detects that light is shielded at a plurality of locations. The shielding range detecting step for detecting the shielding range at each location where the light is shielded in the coordinate input area, and the size relationship between the shielding ranges at each location detected in the shielding range detection step. Characterized in that it comprises a and an input coordinate determination step of determining a coordinate to be input coordinates according to one of the plurality of locations I.
[0014]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to irradiate light that diffuses with a predetermined range in the coordinate input area, and to receive reflected light in which the irradiated light is recursively reflected. Then, when it is detected that light is shielded at a plurality of locations when detecting that the irradiated light is shielded before reaching the light receiving unit, the shielding range of each location where the light is shielded is detected. At the same time, the coordinates relating to one of the plurality of locations can be determined as the coordinates to be input, depending on the magnitude relation of the shielding range of each location detected. For this reason, even if a part of the finger is placed on the coordinate input surface when the operator is handwriting a character or a figure, the light is shielded by the shielding range caused by the finger shielding the light and the handwriting process. It is possible to distinguish between points and accurately detect coordinates input by handwriting and input them to an external device or the like.
[0015]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for receiving a reflected light obtained by recursively reflecting a light emitted from a light emitting unit having a predetermined range in a coordinate input area and diffusing light. An optical unit having a light receiving portion that is provided at at least two end portions of the coordinate input area, and detects that the light irradiated by the light emitting portion is blocked before reaching the light receiving portion and is shielded Is a program for causing a computer to execute a coordinate input method applied to a coordinate input device that calculates and inputs the coordinates according to the received light state of the reflected light in the light receiving unit. When it is detected that the light is shielded, a shielding range detection step for detecting a shielding range at each location where light is shielded in the coordinate input area, and a shielding range detection step. Characterized in that it comprises a and an input coordinate determination step of determining a coordinate to be input coordinates according to one of the plurality of positions depending on the magnitude relation of the shielding ranges of the respective portions detected Te.
[0016]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to irradiate the diffused light having a predetermined range in the coordinate input area, and to receive the reflected light in which the irradiated light is recursively reflected. Then, when it is detected that light is shielded at a plurality of locations when detecting that the irradiated light is shielded before reaching the light receiving unit, the shielding range of each location where the light is shielded is detected. At the same time, the coordinates relating to one of the plurality of locations can be determined as the coordinates to be input, depending on the magnitude relation of the shielding range of each location detected. For this reason, even if a part of the finger is placed on the coordinate input surface when the operator is handwriting a character or a figure, the light is shielded by the shielding range caused by the finger shielding the light and the handwriting process. It is possible to distinguish between points and accurately detect coordinates input by handwriting and input them to an external device or the like.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Exemplary embodiments of a coordinate input device, a coordinate input method, and a program for causing a computer to execute the method according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0018]
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a touch panel to which the coordinate input device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is applied. The touch panel shown in the figure receives a panel 101 serving as a coordinate input area, a light emitting unit that emits light that diffuses to the panel 101 with a predetermined range, and reflected light that is recursively reflected from the light emitted from the light emitting unit. Light receiving portions are provided at at least two ends of the panel 101. 103a, 103b, and 103c shown on three sides of the panel 101 are retroreflective members that recursively reflect the light emitted by the light emitting unit, and the retroreflective members 103a to 103c are fixed to the frame portion 105 around the panel 101. Has been. The touch panel detects that the light emitted by the light emitting unit is shielded before reaching the light receiving unit, calculates the coordinates of the shielded position based on the light reception state of the reflected light in the light receiving unit, Enter in etc.
[0019]
The light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are integrally incorporated in each of the optical units 102a and 102b. The configuration of the optical unit will be shown and described later. In the embodiment of the present invention, it is assumed that the diffused light emitted by the light emitting unit is diffused over substantially the entire area on the panel 101 having a fan-shaped range that requires the light emitting unit. The configuration of the optical units 102a and 102b will be described later.
[0020]
In addition, when it is detected that light is blocked at a plurality of locations on the panel 101, the touch panel illustrated in FIG. And the coordinate input control part 111 which determines the coordinate concerning one of a some location as an input coordinate by the magnitude relationship of the shielding range of each detected location is provided. The coordinate input control unit 111 is connected to a personal computer (PC) 115 via the interface unit 113, and inputs the input coordinates to the PC 115 in the input order.
[0021]
The PC 115 detects the position of the input point along with the input state such as touch, detach, and move on the touch panel based on the input coordinates. Touch refers to shifting from a state where there is no light shield on the panel 101 to a state in which the panel or 101 touches the panel 101, and detaching refers to releasing the pen or finger that has been in contact with the panel 101 and releasing the panel. 101 is a transition from a state where a light shield is placed to a state where there is no shield. Also, the term “move” refers to moving a pen or finger to another point without detaching from the touch state and inputting coordinates continuously.
[0022]
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram for explaining the configuration of the coordinate input control unit 111. The coordinate input control unit 111 is configured as a small computer such as a microcomputer, for example, and each illustrated configuration is an application operating on the computer or data such as a program or a numerical value necessary for the operation.
[0023]
To the coordinate input control unit 111, signals S1 and S2 that are determined by the light receiving states of the light receiving units built in the optical units 102a and 102b are input as light reception data. The coordinate input control unit 111 is set to one of a plurality of locations depending on the size relationship between the shielding range detected by the shielding range detecting unit 205 and the shielding range detecting unit 205 that detects the shielding range based on the light receiving state of the reflected light in the light receiving unit. An input coordinate determination unit 207 that determines the coordinates to be input (input coordinates) is provided.
[0024]
In addition, the coordinate input control unit 111 includes an angle determination unit 201 for determining an irradiation angle of light used for calculating coordinates, and a coordinate calculation unit 203 that calculates coordinates using the irradiation angle. Data 209 indicates other programs and numerical values necessary for the operation of each component of the coordinate input control unit 111.
[0025]
The coordinate calculation unit 203 calculates coordinates (x, y) from the light irradiation angle using the following formula. The angle determination unit 201 calculates θL and θR in the following expressions.

Note that W, θR, and θL in the formulas (1) and (2) indicate locations shown in FIG.
[0026]
FIG. 3 shows a state of the touch panel in which light is blocked at a point p (x, y) on the panel 101. W is the distance between the centers of the light emitting units (light sources) of the optical units 102a and 102b. tan θR is the angle formed by the optical axis 11 of the light passing through the point p and the straight line passing through the center of the light emitting part of the optical units 102a and 102b, and tan θL is the point irradiated from the optical unit 102b. This is an angle formed by the optical axis l2 of light passing through p and a straight line passing through the centers of the light emitting portions of the optical units 102a and 102b. Note that the coordinates of the point p (x, y) are determined with the center of the light emitting part of the optical unit 102a as the origin.
[0027]
Next, determination of the irradiation angle of the light irradiated by the optical units 102a and 102b will be described using FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the optical units 102a and 102b. Since the optical units 102a and 102b are similarly configured, only the optical unit 102a is illustrated in FIG.
[0028]
The optical unit 102a includes a light source 421 that is a light emitting unit, a diffusion lens group 423 that diffuses light emitted from the light source 421 in a fan shape, and a light receiving unit 429 that receives reflected light of the light irradiated through the diffusion lens group 423. ing. The half mirror 425 reflects the light emitted from the light source 421 by 90 degrees and directs it toward the panel 101, and transmits the reflected light toward the light receiving unit 429. The lens 427 collects the reflected light immediately before the light receiving unit 429 and forms an image of the shielding object on the light receiving unit 429.
[0029]
As described above, in the optical unit that recursively reflects the irradiated light and receives the light, the irradiation angle of the light irradiated from the light source 421 corresponds to the light receiving position in the light receiving unit 429. For this reason, the irradiation angles θR and θL of the light passing through the shielding object can be specified from the position where the reflected light at the light receiving unit 429 is not received.
[0030]
Next, detection of the shielding range of the coordinate input device according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 exemplifies a range shielded on a panel when coordinates are input from the touch panel using a pen or the like while a part of a palm part of a finger is in contact with the panel. A region 502 illustrated is a shielding range that is generated when the palm portion shields light on the panel. A shape like region 502 is seen when the side of the palm touches the panel. A region 501 is a shielding range generated by shielding light when the pen contacts the panel. In general, the area where the palm portion is in contact with the panel is larger than the area where the pen is in contact with the panel, so that the region 502 is larger than the region 501.
[0031]
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the processing according to the first embodiment for determining the difference in size between the region 502 and the region 501. In the first embodiment, the light receiving unit 429 includes light receiving elements such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) arranged vertically and horizontally to form the light receiving surface 600, and the light receiving position in the light receiving unit 429 and the position where light is not received are identified. It is easy. In the light receiving unit 429 having such a configuration, when there is no shielding object on the panel, the reflected light is received by the entire light receiving surface 600. Further, when a light shield is placed on the panel, a light receiving portion 601 that receives light and a non-light receiving portion 602 that does not receive light are generated on the light receiving surface 600. The size of the non-light receiving portion 602 corresponds to the size of the shielding range.
[0032]
By using this point, in the first embodiment, when there are a plurality of non-light receiving portions 602a and 602b, the coordinates of the shielding range indicated by the smaller non-light receiving portion 602a are used as input coordinates. In the first embodiment, the size of the non-light receiving portion is determined using the opening length (dip) of the concave portion of the profile of each non-light receiving portion 602a, 602b. In the illustrated example, since the dip d1 of the non-light receiving portion 602a is shorter than the dip d2 of the non-light receiving portion 602b, it is determined that only the coordinates indicated by the non-light receiving portion 602a are the coordinates that the operator has intentionally input. The coordinates are output to the PC 115.
[0033]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the coordinate input method performed by the coordinate input device of the first embodiment described above. As shown in the figure, the coordinate input control unit 111 of the coordinate input device determines whether light reception data is input from the touch panel (step S701). If no light reception data is input (step S701: No), the process waits until light reception data is input. The light reception data in the first embodiment specifically indicates the signals S1 and S2 shown in FIG.
[0034]
In step S701, when the coordinate input control unit 111 determines that the light reception data has been acquired (step S701: Yes), the shielding range detection unit 205 displays a dip indicating a non-light reception part based on the signals S1 and S2 that are the light reception data. It is determined whether or not there are two or more (step S702). The signals S1 and S2 indicating the light receiving state of the light receiving unit 429 are signals indicating whether or not each of the light receiving elements disposed on the light receiving surface 600 has received light having a light amount equal to or greater than a threshold value. May be. When the signals S1 and S2 are determined in this way, the shielding range detection unit 205 obtains the dip shown in FIG. 6 according to the position of each light receiving element and whether or not the light is received, and the number of obtained dips is obtained. It is determined whether there are two or more (step S702).
[0035]
If it is determined in step S702 that the number of dips is 2 or less (step S702: No), the coordinate input control unit 111 calculates coordinates using the signals S1 and S2 (step S705). That is, the signals S1 and S2 are input to the angle determination unit 201 together with the shielding range detection unit. The angle determination unit 201 uses the signals S1 and S2 to calculate the irradiation angles θR and θL of the light whose reflected light is not received by the light receiving unit 429 from the signals S1 and S2. The coordinate calculation unit 203 substitutes the calculated angles θR and θL into the above formulas (1) and (2), and calculates the coordinates of the position where the light is shielded.
[0036]
When it is determined that the number of dip is 2 or more (assuming that the number of dip is 2) (Yes in step S702), the shielding range detection unit 205 detects the sizes of the dips d1 and d2. The input coordinate determination unit 207 first determines whether or not the dip d2 is longer than the dip d1 among the dips d1 and d2 detected by the shielding range detection unit 205 (step S703). When the dip d2 is longer than the dip d1 (step S703: Yes), it is determined that the coordinates indicated by the shielding range having the dip d1 are input coordinates to be input to the PC 115 (step S704). Then, the coordinate calculation unit 203 calculates the irradiation angle of the light irradiated through the point included in the shielding range having the dip d1, and calculates the coordinates using the calculated irradiation angle (step S705).
[0037]
If the input coordinate determination unit 207 determines in step S703 that the dip d2 is not longer than the dip d1 (step S703: No), the input coordinate determination unit 207 determines whether the dip d2 and the dip d1 are equal (step S706). . As a result, when it is determined that the dip d2 and the dip d1 are not equal (step S706: No), the dip d1 is longer than the dip d2, and the coordinates indicated by the shielding range having the dip d2 are input to the PC 115. It is determined that the coordinates are present (step S707). The coordinate calculation unit 203 calculates an irradiation angle of light irradiated through a point included in the shielding range having the dip d2, and calculates coordinates using the calculated irradiation angle (step S705).
[0038]
Furthermore, when the input coordinate determination unit 207 determines in step S706 that dip d2 and dip d1 are equal (step S706: Yes), the operator intends to input coordinates in the plurality of shielding ranges. The shielded area cannot be specified. For this reason, for example, an error signal is output by an error signal generating means (not shown) (step S708), and the process shown in FIG. 7 is terminated.
[0039]
According to the first embodiment described above, the operator can support a part of the palm on the writing surface and input handwritten characters or the like to the PC 115 in the same manner as writing on paper or the like. At this time, it is determined whether or not there are a plurality of shielding ranges in which light is simultaneously shielded prior to the detection of coordinates. Then, among the plurality of shielding ranges, the shielding range intended by the operator is specified prior to the calculation of the coordinates. For this reason, the coordinate input device of Embodiment 1 does not calculate coordinates for the shielding range that is not intended by the operator. Such a coordinate input device according to the first embodiment is advantageous in reducing the time required to calculate the coordinates of the points included in the shielding range where light is intentionally shielded.
[0040]
In the first embodiment described above, the case where there are two shielding ranges is described. However, the coordinate input device and the coordinate input method according to the first embodiment are not limited to the case where there are two shielding ranges, and can be applied when there are more shielding ranges. In this case, the shielding range detection unit 205 detects all dips in the plurality of shielding ranges. The input coordinate determination unit 207 compares the lengths of all the dips detected by the shielding range detection unit 205, and uses the coordinates of a point included in the shielding range with the shortest dip as input coordinates.
[0041]
(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the configuration of the second embodiment includes the same configuration as that described in the first embodiment, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and a part of the illustration and description is omitted. .
[0042]
The coordinate input device according to the second embodiment is different from the coordinate input device according to the first embodiment in that the shielding range calculation unit detects the shielding range based on the coordinates calculated by the coordinate calculation unit 203. FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram for explaining the configuration of the coordinate input control unit 811 of the second embodiment. The coordinate input control unit 811 includes an angle determination unit 201 and a coordinate calculation unit 203 as in the first embodiment. Further, a shielding range detection unit 803 that detects a shielding range based on the coordinates calculated by the coordinate calculation unit 203, and an input coordinate determination unit 805 that determines input coordinates based on the shielding range detected by the shielding range detection unit 803. I have. The above configuration is an application that operates on the coordinate input control unit 811, and the data 809 indicates other programs and numerical values necessary for the operation of the application.
[0043]
The coordinate input control unit 811 shown in FIG. 8 operates as follows. That is, the touch panel inputs signals S 1 and S 2 as light reception data from the light receiving unit 429. The angle determination unit 201 calculates the irradiation angles θR and θL from the signals S1 and S2, and the coordinate calculation unit 203 uses the calculated irradiation angles θR and θL to coordinate the points included in the shielding range on the panel 101. Is calculated.
[0044]
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining processing performed by the shielding range detection unit 803. Of the shielding range A and shielding range B shown in the figure, the shielding range A is a range caused by light shielding performed by the operator with the intention of input, and the shielding range B is caused by shielding performed regardless of the operator's intention. This is the range that occurred. The shielding range detection unit 803 sequentially inputs the coordinates calculated by the coordinate calculation unit 203, and in the shielding ranges A and B, detects the two points having the maximum distance from each other among the coordinates located at the outermost contours. . Then, the distance between the two selected points (referred to as the shielding length) is calculated. The input coordinate determination unit 805 determines the size of the shielding range from the shielding length calculated by the shielding range detection unit 803, and determines which is larger. Then, the coordinates of a point included in the shielding range determined to be larger are set as input coordinates. That is, the second embodiment uses the shielding length as an index of the size of the shielding range. The coordinate calculation unit 203 outputs only the coordinates set by the input coordinate determination unit 805 to the PC 115.
[0045]
Hereinafter, the calculation of the shielding length will be described more specifically. The shielding range detection unit 803 detects points p1 and p2 as two points where the distance between the coordinates located in the outermost contour of the shielding range A has the maximum length. Further, the points p3 and p4 are detected as two points where the distance between the coordinates located in the outermost contour of the shielding range B takes the maximum length. Then, the coordinates (xa1, ya1) of the point p1 and the coordinates (xa2, ya2) of the point p2 are substituted into the following equation (3) to calculate the shielding length ra. Further, the coordinates (xb3, yb3) of the point p3 and the coordinates (xb4, yb4) of the point p4 are substituted into the following equation (4) to calculate the shielding length rb.

[0046]
The input coordinate determination unit 805 compares the shielding length ra and the shielding length rb. Then, it is assumed that the shielding range having any longer shielding length is generated by the operator intentionally shielding light, and the coordinates of the points included in the shielding range are input coordinates. The above formula for calculating the shielding length is used when the shielding range can be approximated to a circle or an ellipse, and another formula is used when another model is used. Further, the second embodiment is not limited to the one that uses the shielding length as an indicator of the shielding range, but any value that reflects the size of the shielding range and can be calculated relatively easily. There may be.
[0047]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the coordinate input method performed by the coordinate input device of the second embodiment described above. As shown in the drawing, the coordinate input control unit 811 of the coordinate input device determines whether light reception data is input from the touch panel (step S1001). If no light reception data is input (step S1001: No), the process waits until light reception data is input.
[0048]
If it is determined in step S1001 that the coordinate input control unit 811 has acquired the light reception data (step S1001: Yes), the coordinate calculation unit 203 calculates the coordinates of the point where the light is blocked based on the light reception data (step S1001). S1002). The shielding range detection unit 803 determines whether there are a plurality of shielding ranges from the calculated coordinates (step S1003). As a result, when it is determined that there is only one shielding range (step S1003: No), the process is terminated. As a result, the coordinates calculated in step S1002 are output to the PC 115 as they are.
[0049]
When it is determined in step S1003 that there are a plurality of shielding ranges (step S1003: Yes), the shielding range detection unit 205 calculates shielding lengths r1 and r2 for each of the plurality of shielding ranges. The input coordinate determination unit 805 first determines whether or not the calculated shielding length r1 is shorter than the shielding length r2 (step S1004). When it is determined that the shielding length r1 is shorter than the shielding length r2 (step S1004: Yes), the coordinates of a point included in the shielding range having the shielding length r1 are set as input coordinates (step S1005). At this time, only the coordinates of the points included in the shielding range having the shielding length r <b> 1 among the coordinates calculated by the coordinate calculation unit 203 are output to the PC 115.
[0050]
If it is determined in step S1004 that the shielding length r1 is not shorter than the shielding length r2 (step S1004: No), it is determined whether the shielding length r1 is equal to the shielding length r2 (step S1006). When the shielding length r1 and the shielding length r2 are not equal (step S1006: No), it is assumed that the shielding length r2 is shorter than the shielding length r1 (step S1006: No), and is included in the shielding range having the shielding length r2. The coordinates are set as input coordinates (step S1007). At this time, only the coordinates of the points included in the shielding range having the shielding length r <b> 2 among the coordinates calculated by the coordinate calculation unit 203 are output to the PC 115.
[0051]
Furthermore, when it is determined in step S1006 that the shielding length r1 is equal to the shielding length r2 (step S1006: Yes), the range that is intentionally shielded by the operator for inputting coordinates is specified from the plurality of shielding ranges. For example, an error signal is output by an error signal generation means (not shown) (step S1008), and the process ends.
[0052]
According to the second embodiment described above, the operator can support a part of the palm on the writing surface and input handwritten characters or the like to the PC 115 in the same manner as writing on paper or the like. At this time, the coordinate calculation unit that is generally provided in the coordinate input device is used to detect the shielding range, and further, the shielding range that is not intended by the operator in the shielding range is excluded from the detected shielding range. Thus, the coordinates as intended by the operator can be input to the PC 115.
[0053]
In the second embodiment described above, the case where there are two shielding ranges is described. However, the coordinate input device and the coordinate input method of the second embodiment are not limited to the case where there are two shielding ranges, and can be applied to cases where there are more shielding ranges. In this case, the shielding range detection unit 803 calculates all shielding lengths of the plurality of shielding ranges. The input coordinate determination unit 805 compares the lengths of all the calculated shielding lengths, and uses the coordinates of a point included in the shielding range having the shortest shielding length as input coordinates.
[0054]
The program for causing the computer to execute the coordinate input method executed by the coordinate input device of the present embodiment is a CD-ROM, floppy (R) disk (FD) in an installable or executable file. The program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a DVD. Further, a program for causing a computer to execute the coordinate input method of the present embodiment may be provided by being stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded via the network.
[0055]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the invention described in claim 1 accurately detects coordinates input by handwriting even if the operator places a part of the finger on the coordinate input surface when handwriting a character or a figure. Can be input to an external device or the like. For this reason, a coordinate input device is provided that allows handwriting input with the finger touching the writing surface in the same way as writing on paper, and accurately detecting the input coordinates and inputting characters and figures to a computer etc. can do.
[0056]
In addition to the effect obtained by the invention according to claim 1, the invention according to claim 2 further eliminates the process of calculating coordinates other than the coordinates determined to be input, and the processing time required for inputting the coordinates Can be further shortened.
[0057]
In addition to the effects obtained by the invention of the first aspect, the invention of the third aspect further enables detection of the shielding range using the existing configuration, and can suppress changes and additions to the device configuration. .
[0058]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, even when a part of a finger is placed on the coordinate input surface when an operator handwrites a character or a figure, the coordinate input by handwriting is accurately detected and input to an external device or the like can do. For this reason, it provides a coordinate input method that allows handwriting input with the finger touching the writing surface in the same way as writing on paper, and accurately detecting the input coordinates and accurately inputting characters and figures to a computer etc. can do.
[0059]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, even when a part of a finger is placed on the coordinate input surface when an operator handwrites a character or a figure, the coordinate input by handwriting is accurately detected and input to an external device or the like can do. For this reason, the computer is a coordinate input method that allows handwriting input with the finger touching the writing surface in the same way as writing on paper, and accurately detecting the input coordinates and inputting characters and figures to a computer etc. A program for executing the program can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a touch panel to which a coordinate input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram for explaining a configuration of a coordinate input control unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a coordinate calculation method commonly used in the coordinate input device according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and light of an optical unit commonly used in the coordinate input device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for illustrating a range shielded on a panel.
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining processing for determining a difference in the size of a shielding range in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a coordinate input method performed by the coordinate input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram for explaining a configuration of a coordinate input control unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining processing for determining a difference in the size of a shielding range in the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a coordinate input method performed by the coordinate input device according to the second embodiment of the present invention;
[Explanation of symbols]
101 panels
102a, 102b optical unit
103a Retroreflective member
111,811 coordinate input control unit
201 Angle determination unit
205,803 Shielding range detector
207, 805 Input coordinate determination unit
209,809 data
421 Light source
423 Diffuse lens group
429 light receiver
600 Photosensitive surface
601 Light receiving part
602 Non-light receiving part

Claims (5)

An optical unit having a light emitting unit for irradiating diffuse light having a predetermined range in the coordinate input region, and a light receiving unit for receiving reflected light in which the light emitted from the light emitting unit is recursively reflected is provided in the coordinate input region. At least two ends of the light receiving portion, detecting that the light irradiated by the light emitting portion is shielded before reaching the light receiving portion, and receiving coordinates of the reflected position at the light receiving portion. A coordinate input device that calculates and inputs based on a state,
When it is detected that light is shielded at a plurality of locations, shielding range detection means for detecting a shielding range of each location where the light is shielded in the coordinate input area;
Input coordinate determination means for determining, as coordinates to be input, coordinates relating to one of a plurality of locations according to the size relationship of the shielding range of each location detected by the shielding range detection means;
A coordinate input device comprising: The coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein the shielding range detecting unit detects the shielding range based on a light receiving state of reflected light in the light receiving unit. Coordinate calculating means for calculating coordinates of a point where light is shielded in the coordinate input area, wherein the shielding range detecting means detects a shielding range based on the coordinates calculated by the coordinate calculating means. The coordinate input device according to claim 1. An optical unit having a light emitting unit for irradiating diffuse light having a predetermined range in the coordinate input region, and a light receiving unit for receiving reflected light in which the light emitted from the light emitting unit is recursively reflected is provided in the coordinate input region. At least two ends of the light receiving portion, detecting that the light irradiated by the light emitting portion is shielded before reaching the light receiving portion, and receiving coordinates of the reflected position at the light receiving portion. A coordinate input method applied to a coordinate input device that calculates and inputs based on a state,
When it is detected that light is shielded at a plurality of locations, a shielding range detection step of detecting a shielding range of each location where the light is shielded in the coordinate input area;
An input coordinate determination step for determining, as coordinates to be input, coordinates relating to one of a plurality of locations according to the size relationship of the shielding range of each location detected in the shielding range detection step;
The coordinate input method characterized by including. An optical unit having a light emitting unit for irradiating diffuse light having a predetermined range in the coordinate input region, and a light receiving unit for receiving reflected light in which the light emitted from the light emitting unit is recursively reflected is provided in the coordinate input region. At least two ends of the light receiving portion, detecting that the light irradiated by the light emitting portion is shielded before reaching the light receiving portion, and receiving coordinates of the reflected position at the light receiving portion. A program for causing a computer to execute a coordinate input method applied to a coordinate input device that calculates and inputs based on a state,
When it is detected that light is shielded at a plurality of locations, a shielding range detection step of detecting a shielding range of each location where the light is shielded in the coordinate input area;
An input coordinate determination step for determining, as coordinates to be input, coordinates relating to one of a plurality of locations according to the size relationship of the shielding range of each location detected in the shielding range detection step;
The program characterized by including.

Images