JP2005190172A - Information processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To acquire the same coordinate data even when a plurality of pointers are used from different directions as when they are used from the same direction. <P>SOLUTION: When a coordinate input device 20 that has a plurality of identifiable pointers 21 and 22 and outputs identification information about each pointer along with coordinate data of each pointer from a tablet 23 is used as an input device for a host computer 50, the coordinate data of the pointer 21 set to a normal coordinate system by coordinate system setting means 52 out of the pointers 21 and 22 are handled as they are, while the coordinate data of the pointer 22 set to the other independent coordinate system are converted to coordinate data on the normal coordinate system with conversion information stored in conversion information storing means 51 to thus produce the same coordinate data irrespective of the using direction of the pointer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus using a coordinate input device as an input device.

  Conventionally, a coordinate input device (also referred to as a digitizer or a tablet input device) is one of input devices used in a computer system.

  The coordinate input device generally includes a position indicator that is operated at an arbitrary position by an operator, and a substantially flat unit (tablet) that is placed on the operator's desk or supported by an appropriate stand and used in a fixed state. If the position indicator is operated on the tablet, the position is detected, and the absolute position corresponding to a predetermined coordinate system on the tablet (usually, an XY orthogonal coordinate system with the upper left point of the coordinate detection area as the origin) The coordinate data or the amount of change (relative coordinate data) of the coordinate data accompanying the movement of the position indicator is input to the host computer.

  There are various principles for detecting the position of the position indicator on the tablet as described above, and one of them is a method using electromagnetic induction.

  In an electromagnetic induction type coordinate input device, a tablet including a plurality of sense lines (loop coils) that are two-dimensionally arranged and can be switched, and a position indicator that includes electromagnetic wave transmitting means and / or receiving means Using the fact that the level of the signal obtained when exchanging electromagnetic waves between them and switching and selecting the multiple sense lines changes corresponding to the absolute position of the position indicator on the tablet It is as you want.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of an electromagnetic induction type coordinate input device. FIG. 1 (a) is a plan perspective view showing the internal structure of the tablet, and FIG. 1 (b) is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of the position indicator. It is.

  Reference numeral 11 denotes a position indicator, which includes a coil 111 and is driven by an alternating current having a frequency F1 by an oscillator 112 to generate an electromagnetic wave. Reference numeral 113 denotes a battery for supplying power to the oscillation circuit 112. In addition, the position indicator usually includes a switch or the like that corresponds to the click button of the mouse, and obtains information that specifies the coordinate value to be actually input, but is not directly related to the present invention. Therefore, it is omitted in FIG.

  Reference numeral 12 denotes a tablet, as shown in FIG. 1 (a), in which longitudinal (longitudinal) loop coils CX1, CX2, CX3,..., CXm are provided side by side in the lateral direction (X direction). In order to avoid complication, only CX1 and CXm are illustrated in FIG. 1A.) Further, the loop coils CY1, CY2, CY3,. (However, in order to avoid complexity, only CY1 and CYn are shown in FIG. 1A.) Each loop coil is provided in a number corresponding to the size of the tablet.

  The switch 121 is a switch for selecting one from a plurality of loop coils, and the loop coil selected by the switch 121 is connected to the signal detection circuit 122. Based on the output of the signal detection circuit 122, coordinate data corresponding to the position of the coil 111 of the position indicator 11 on the tablet 12 is calculated by a processing unit (CPU) 123. A portion for transmitting the calculated coordinate data to the host computer and a power source portion are omitted.

  When the operator places the position indicator 11 on such a tablet 12, for example, the electromagnetic wave generated by the coil 111 of the position indicator 11 is large in the loop coil close to the coil 111 in the loop coil group of the tablet 12, A small voltage is gradually induced as the distance increases. Accordingly, when the induced voltages are detected by sequentially switching the loop coil of the tablet by the switch 121, the induced voltages having the distributions shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B are obtained in the X direction and the Y direction, respectively. By calculating the output value by the CPU 123, coordinate data of the coil 111 on the tablet 12 in the X direction and the Y direction can be obtained. Therefore, if the operator holds the position indicator 11 on the tablet 12, the coordinate data of the position indicator 11 can be obtained, and if the operator moves while holding it, the coordinate data on the movement line can be obtained.

  The above shows a case where there is one position indicator. However, by preparing a plurality of position indicators having different oscillator frequencies and receiving a plurality of frequencies on the tablet side, the plurality of position indicators are displayed on the tablet. It is also possible to obtain the coordinates of

  FIG. 3 shows another example of an electromagnetic induction type coordinate input device, here an example in which there are two position indicators (see Patent Document 1). Like FIG. 1, FIG. A plan perspective view showing the internal structure, FIG. 5B is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of the position indicator.

  Reference numerals 21 and 22 denote position indicators, which respectively include coils 211 and 221 and are driven by alternating currents having frequencies F1 and F2 by oscillators 212 and 222 to generate electromagnetic waves. Reference numerals 213 and 223 denote batteries for supplying power to the oscillation circuits 212 and 222.

  Reference numeral 23 denotes a tablet, which is provided with loop coils CX1 to CXm, CY1 to CYn similar to the tablet of FIG. 1 and a switch 231 for selecting one from a plurality of loop coils. 1 is different from the tablet of FIG. 1 in that two signal detection circuits, that is, a signal detection circuit 232 for detecting a current of frequency F1 and a signal detection circuit 233 for detecting a current of frequency F2 are provided. The operation is switched, and the CPU 235 can separately calculate coordinate data based on the outputs from the signal detection circuits 232 and 233, and output them together with the discrimination information of each position indicator.

  By doing in this way, even if the position indicators 21 and 22 are simultaneously on the tablet 23, each coordinate data can be obtained without being influenced by the position of each other.

If there are three or more signal detection circuits, position indicators of frequencies other than F1 and F2 can be used, and three or more position indicators can be used simultaneously. Therefore, since a plurality of position indicators can be used on a tablet having a large area, it can be used effectively.
JP-A-9-106320

  Normally, coordinate data input from the coordinate input device to the host computer is handled as coordinate data for a graphic screen having a similar coordinate system on the host computer, and a mark indicating an input position called a pointer corresponding to the coordinate data Is written on the graphic screen, or images such as characters and figures corresponding to the coordinate data continuous through the application software are written on the graphic screen and displayed on a display such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display.

  By the way, in the case of the coordinate input device that can use the plurality of position indicators described above at the same time, in particular, if the tablet is large (for example, A3, A2 size), there is a usage form that a plurality of people can use simultaneously. possible. For example, there may be a case where a customer and a store clerk face each other across a tablet placed on a table or the like, and each position indicator is operated separately on the tablet.

  As described above, since the coordinate system of the coordinate input device and the coordinate system of the graphic screen of the host computer have a one-to-one correspondence (however, the scale is excluded), a plurality of people can be used for one tablet. When a directional image such as a handwritten character is input using a position indicator from different directions, each image is written on the graphic screen from various directions with respect to each person's tablet and displayed on the display as it is. It will be very difficult to see.

  FIG. 4 shows the situation when two operators use two position indicators from different directions on one tablet together with the entire system. In the figure, 21 and 22 are position indicators, and 23 is a tablet. These have the coordinate input device described in FIG. 3, that is, a plurality of distinguishable position indicators, and at least the coordinate data of each position indicator. A coordinate input device 20 that outputs discrimination information of each position indicator is configured. Reference numeral 30 denotes a display, and reference numeral 40 denotes a host computer.

  Here, the position indicators 21 and 22 are respectively used by two operators (not shown) facing each other across the tablet 23, and the operator using the position indicator 21 determines the normal use direction of the tablet. It is assumed that the operator using the position indicator 22 is using the tablet from the opposite direction of the normal use of the tablet.

  In this case, when the information input by the position indicator 21 is displayed on the display 30 via the host computer 40, it is displayed in the direction as input as viewed from the operator of the position indicator 21 (31). When the information input by the position indicator 22 is displayed on the display 30 via the host computer 40, it is displayed upside down from the direction input by the operator of the position indicator 22 (32). Become.

  Therefore, when the operator of the position indicator 22 tries to input information displayed on the display 30 in the normal direction, the input information itself is upside down or input from the same direction as the operator of the position indicator 21. I had to do it. This is a great limitation in using a coordinate input device having a relatively large tablet that can use a plurality of position indicators simultaneously and can be used simultaneously by a plurality of people.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention has an information processing system including a plurality of position indicators that can be discriminated and including a coordinate input device that outputs at least discrimination information of each position indicator together with coordinate data of each position indicator. The individual coordinate system when the coordinate system to which one of the plurality of position indicators belongs is the reference coordinate system and the coordinate system to which the other position indicators belong is the individual coordinate system Conversion information storage means for storing conversion information for converting the coordinate data of the position indicator belonging to the coordinate data of the position indicator belonging to the reference coordinate system in correspondence with the discrimination information of the position indicator, and coordinate input When the position indicator discrimination information is received from the apparatus together with the position indicator coordinate data, the coordinate system to which the position indicator belongs is determined from the discrimination information. If the position indicator is a basic coordinate system, the coordinate data is left as it is. Data processing means for converting the coordinate data into coordinate data of a reference coordinate system using the conversion information registered in the conversion information storage means corresponding to the discrimination information in the case of an individual coordinate system And

  According to the above configuration, each of the plurality of position indicators can have a separate coordinate system, for example, a coordinate system corresponding to the input direction of each position indicator. Even if it is a case where it inputs using a position indicator, the coordinate data similar to the case where it inputs using each position indicator from the same direction can be obtained.

  According to the present invention, when using a coordinate input device having a relatively large tablet that allows a plurality of position indicators to be used at the same time and used by a plurality of people at the same time, the plurality of people point to each position indicator from different directions. Even when a directional image such as a handwritten character is input using, each image can be converted to the direction that each person has input and displayed on the display. Thus, an information processing apparatus with excellent workability can be provided.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of an embodiment of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention. Here, an example in which the main part of the present invention is provided on a host computer is shown. In the figure, 20 is a coordinate input device, 30 is a display, 50 is It is a host computer.

  The coordinate input device 20 has a plurality of discriminable, in this case, two position indicators 21 and 22 described in FIG. 3, and the discrimination information of each position indicator together with the coordinate data of each position indicator from the tablet 23. Is input to the host computer 50.

  The host computer 50 has a graphic screen having a coordinate system similar to that of the coordinate input device 20, and writes a pointer on the graphic screen according to the coordinate data and discrimination information input from the coordinate input device 20, or via application software. An image such as a character or a figure is written and output and displayed on the display 30. As components relating to the present invention, a conversion information storage means 51, a coordinate system setting means 52, and a data processing means 53 are provided. ing.

  Here, the conversion information storage unit 51 uses a coordinate system to which one of the plurality of position indicators belongs as a reference coordinate system, and a coordinate system to which the other position indicators belong as an individual coordinate system. Conversion information for converting the coordinate data of the position indicator belonging to the individual coordinate system into the coordinate data of the position indicator belonging to the reference coordinate system is stored in correspondence with the discrimination information of the position indicator.

  The coordinate system setting means 52 sets one of the plurality of position indicators as a position indicator belonging to the reference coordinate system, and sets the other position indicators as position indicators belonging to the individual coordinate system. For the position indicator belonging to the individual coordinate system, the input information specifying the details of the individual coordinate system is received, and the conversion information as it is or the conversion information obtained from the input information is used as the discrimination information of the position indicator The conversion information is stored in the conversion information storage means 51.

  In addition, when the data processing means 53 receives the position indicator discrimination information together with the coordinate data of the position indicator from the coordinate input device, the data processing means 53 determines the coordinate system to which the position indicator belongs based on the discrimination information, and is not an individual coordinate system. In this case, the coordinate data is left as it is, and in the case of an individual coordinate system, the coordinate data is converted into the coordinate data of the reference coordinate system using the conversion information registered in the conversion information storage means 51 corresponding to the discrimination information.

  The means 51 to 53 are provided in a hardware interface or software interface (driver software) for the coordinate input device 20 of the host computer 50, but a flowchart of processing corresponding to the coordinate system setting means 52 when provided in the software interface. FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of processing corresponding to the data processing means 53, and FIG. The conversion information storage unit 51 is provided on the memory of the host computer 50.

  First, the coordinate system setting operation for the position indicator by the coordinate system setting means 52 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The setting of the coordinate system for the position indicator includes the setting of the position indicator belonging to the reference coordinate system (hereinafter referred to as the reference position indicator) and the setting of the position indicator belonging to the other individual coordinate system. There are various methods for determining whether the position indicator is the reference position indicator, but here, after the setting is started, the position indicator used first is set as the reference position indicator.

  An operator facing the normal use direction of the tablet 23 holds a position indicator, for example, 21 on the tablet 23, and indicator information consisting of coordinate data and discrimination information is input to the host computer 50 (step s1). ) And whether there is registration data in the conversion information storage means 51 is confirmed (step s2). Here, if there is no registration data, the conversion information storage means 51 is associated with the discrimination information and appropriate information indicating that it is a reference position indicator (for example, all values of “0” as conversion information described later). And register (step s3).

  Next, an operator located opposite to the normal use direction of the tablet 23 holds a position indicator, for example, 22 on the tablet 23, and indicator information composed of the coordinate data and the discrimination information is input to the host computer 50. (Step s1), it is confirmed whether or not there is registration data in the conversion information storage means 51 (Step s2) as described above. It is confirmed whether information corresponding to the input discrimination information is stored (step s4).

  At this time, if the information is stored, it is determined that the position indicator is already registered (step s1), and if the information is not stored, the position indicator is a new position indicator belonging to the individual coordinate system. The operation shifts to an operation for obtaining conversion information for converting the coordinate data of the position indicator belonging to the individual coordinate system into the coordinate data of the position indicator belonging to the reference coordinate system.

Here, assuming that both the reference coordinate system and each individual coordinate system are orthogonal coordinate systems, first, an operator who uses the new position indicator 22 belonging to the individual coordinate system is first asked for his own coordinate system (individual coordinate system). ) Is input, and coordinate data (a, b) in the reference coordinate system is acquired (step s5). Next, the position of an arbitrary point on the X axis in the own coordinate system (individual coordinate system) is input, and coordinate data (c, d) in the reference coordinate system is acquired (step s6). Then, a rotation angle Θ (Θ = tan ⁻¹ [(bd) / (ac)]) of the individual coordinate system with respect to the reference coordinate system is calculated from the coordinate data (a, b) and (c, d) (step) s7), the conversion information composed of the coordinate data (a, b) and the rotation angle Θ is registered in the conversion information storage means 51 in correspondence with the discrimination information of the position indicator 22 (step s8).

At this time, the conversion of the coordinate data (u, v) of the individual coordinate system into the coordinate data (x, y) of the reference coordinate system in the data processing operation described later is as follows.
x = ucos Θ + vsin Θ + a
y = −usinΘ + vcosΘ + b
It is performed by the arithmetic processing.

  It is determined that the setting operation of the coordinate system has been completed for the above processing (for example, registration is completed up to the upper limit number of position indicators that can be registered and an end command is input. Etc.) (step s9).

  Next, the data processing operation for the coordinate data of the position indicator by the data processing means 53 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  After completion of the above-described setting, when an operator facing the normal use direction of the tablet 23 performs an input operation using the reference position indicator 21, indicator information including the coordinate data and the discrimination information is sent to the host computer 50. It is determined that the position indicator at this time is a reference position indicator, that is, is not a position indicator belonging to the individual coordinate system, based on the discrimination information and the registered contents of the conversion information storage means 51. Therefore, the indicator information is output as it is to other parts (OS, application software, etc.) of the host computer 50 (step s13).

  On the other hand, when an operator located opposite to the normal use direction of the tablet 23 performs an input operation using the position indicator 22, indicator information consisting of the coordinate data and the discrimination information is input to the host computer 50 (step). s11) determines that the position indicator at this time is a position indicator belonging to the individual coordinate system from the discrimination information and the registered contents of the conversion information storage means 51 (step s12), so the conversion information storage means 51 Then, the conversion information corresponding to the discrimination information is read out (step s14), the coordinate data in the indicator information is converted into the coordinate data of the reference coordinate system using the conversion information (step s15), and then the host computer. 50 is output to the other part (step s13).

  As a result, when the information input by the reference position indicator 21 is displayed on the display 30 via the host computer 50, it is displayed in the direction as input from the viewpoint of the operator of the reference position indicator 21 (31 In addition, when the information input by the position indicator 22 is also displayed on the display 30 via the host computer 50, it is displayed in the direction as input as viewed from the operator of the position indicator 22 (33). Since the input direction of each operator on the tablet matches the display direction of the display, characters and pictures can be drawn naturally.

  FIG. 8 shows another example of a coordinate input device applicable to the present invention, in which an example in which a plurality of position indicators generate an electromagnetic wave including an ID is shown, as in FIG. 1 and FIG. ) Is a plan perspective view showing the internal structure of the tablet, and FIG. 5B is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of the position indicator.

  Reference numerals 61 and 62 denote position indicators, which have coils 611 and 621, respectively, and are driven by the alternating current of the same frequency F1 by the oscillators 612 and 622 to generate electromagnetic waves. Reference numerals 613 and 623 denote batteries.

  The difference from the apparatus of FIG. 3 is that the position indicators 61 and 62 include ID generators 614 and 624. The ID generators 614 and 624 generate or hold different ID data for discriminating the position indicators 61 and 62, add the ID data to the alternating current generated by the oscillators 612 and 622, and add them to the coils 611 and 621. Send it in.

  As a method of adding ID data, there are a method of AM-modulating a digitized ID data and a method of FM-modulating. An example in the case of AM modulation is shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 9, a signal A is for obtaining coordinate data, and an electromagnetic wave based only on an alternating current is sent for a certain period. A signal B is for sending ID data, and indicates that an alternating current is sent as ID data, here an electromagnetic wave AM-modulated by “1010”.

  Reference numeral 63 denotes a tablet, which is selected by the switch 631 and a loop coil CX1 to CXm, CY1 to CYn similar to the tablet of FIGS. 1 and 3 and a switch 631 for selecting one from a plurality of loop coils. A signal detection circuit 632 to which the loop coil is connected and a CPU 633 for calculating coordinate data corresponding to the positions of the coils 611 and 621 of the position indicators 61 and 62 on the tablet 63 based on the output of the signal detection circuit 632 are provided. It has been.

  The difference from the tablet of FIG. 1 is that an ID detection circuit 634 is provided. This makes it possible to know which position indicator is the coordinate. Therefore, it can be used in the same manner as the coordinate input device of FIG.

  FIG. 10 shows still another example of the coordinate input device applicable to the present invention, in this case, an example in which the battery of the position indicator is not required. Like FIG. 1, FIG. 3, and FIG. ) Is a plan perspective view showing the internal structure of the tablet, and FIG. 5B is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of the position indicator.

  Reference numerals 71 and 72 denote position indicators, which include coils 711 and 721 and capacitors 712 and 722, respectively, and have resonance circuits that resonate at frequencies F1 and F2. The oscillators and batteries provided in the examples of FIGS. 1, 3, and 8 are not provided. In addition, the position indicator usually includes a switch or the like for obtaining information for designating the coordinate value to be actually input. 3. The same as in the example of FIG.

  Reference numeral 73 denotes a tablet, which is provided with loop coils CX1 to CXm, CY1 to CYn similar to the tablet of FIGS. 1, 3, and 8, and a switch 731 for selecting one from a plurality of loop coils. . The loop coil selected by the switch 731 is connected to the signal detection circuits 733 and 734 via the switch 732. Reference numeral 735 denotes a CPU, which calculates the position of the coil 711 or 721 on the tablet 73. The switch 732 is for switching the connection of the loop coil group to one of the signal detection circuits 733 and 734 and the oscillators 736 and 737.

  In this example, an electromagnetic wave is generated from the tablet 73 based on the alternating current of the frequency F1 or F2 that is alternately supplied from the oscillators 736 and 737 to the loop coil group. This electromagnetic wave generates an induced current in the resonance circuit of either the position indicator 71 or 72 depending on the difference between the frequencies F1 and F2. This induced current does not immediately become zero even when the oscillators 736 and 737 are stopped, but continues to flow through the resonance circuit for a while, and as a result, electromagnetic waves are generated from the coil 711 or 721. Reference numeral 738 denotes a switching circuit for operating the oscillators 736 and 737 alternately.

  After transmitting the electromagnetic wave based on the alternating current of the frequency F1 or F2 from the loop coil group of the tablet 73, if the switch 732 is switched to the signal detection circuit 733, 734 side, the electromagnetic wave due to the induced current of the coil 711 or 721 can be detected. If transmission and reception of F1 and transmission and reception of F2 are alternately performed from the tablet, the positions of the coils 711 and 721 can be obtained in the same manner as in the examples of FIGS. The position of 72 can be known. Note that the portion for transmitting the calculated coordinate data to the host computer and the power source portion are omitted as in the examples of FIGS.

  In the embodiment described above, the main part of the invention is provided on the host computer, but it can also be provided on the CPU of the coordinate input device. In this case, the entire device is configured only by the coordinate input device.

Configuration diagram showing an example of a coordinate input device Explanatory drawing showing an example of induced voltage generated in a plurality of loop coils Configuration diagram showing another example of a coordinate input device Illustration of the conventional situation when two position indicators are used from different directions The block diagram which shows an example of embodiment of the information processing apparatus of this invention Flowchart of processing corresponding to the coordinate system setting means of FIG. Flowchart of processing corresponding to the data processing means of FIG. Configuration diagram showing another example of a coordinate input device Waveform diagram showing an example of an electromagnetic wave from a position indicator including ID data Configuration diagram showing still another example of the coordinate input device

Explanation of symbols

  20: Coordinate input device 21, 22, 61, 62, 71, 72: Position indicator, 23, 63, 73: Tablet, 30: Display, 50: Host computer, 51: Conversion information storage means, 52: Coordinate system Setting means, 53: data processing means.

Claims (3)

An information processing apparatus including a plurality of position indicators that can be discriminated, and including a coordinate input device that outputs at least discrimination information of each position indicator together with coordinate data of each position indicator,
A position indicator belonging to the individual coordinate system when a coordinate system to which one of the position indicators belongs is a reference coordinate system and a coordinate system to which the other position indicators belong is an individual coordinate system. Conversion information storage means for storing conversion information for converting the coordinate data into coordinate data of a position indicator belonging to the reference coordinate system in correspondence with the discrimination information of the position indicator;
When receiving the position indicator discriminating information together with the coordinate data of the position indicator from the coordinate input device, the coordinate system to which the position indicator belongs is determined from the discriminating information, and if it is a basic coordinate system, the coordinate data is left as it is. In the case of an individual coordinate system, the data processing means for converting the coordinate data into the coordinate data of the reference coordinate system using the conversion information registered in the conversion information storage means corresponding to the discrimination information is provided. A characteristic information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
For the position indicator belonging to the individual coordinate system, input information specifying details of the individual coordinate system is received, and the conversion information as it is or the conversion information obtained from the input information is used as discrimination information of the position indicator. An information processing apparatus comprising a coordinate system setting unit that registers the conversion information in the conversion information storage unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
When both the reference coordinate system and the individual coordinate system are orthogonal coordinate systems, the conversion information is obtained from the coordinate data (a, b) in the reference coordinate system of the origin of the individual coordinate system and the rotation angle Θ of the individual coordinate system with respect to the reference coordinate system. Become
The conversion of the coordinate data (u, v) of the individual coordinate system into the coordinate data (x, y) of the reference coordinate system is as follows:
x = ucos Θ + vsin Θ + a
y = −usinΘ + vcosΘ + b
An information processing apparatus characterized by being performed by the arithmetic processing of

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