JP2012160040A - Irradiation unit, optical detector and information processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an irradiation unit and an optical detector capable of detecting a position of an object with smaller structures than those of conventional ones, and further to provide an information processing system and the like.SOLUTION: An irradiation unit EU includes: a first light source section LS1 for emitting first light source light; a second light source section LS2 for emitting second light source light; a first incident section LA1, to which the first light source light is made incident; a second incident section LA2, to which the second light source light is made incident; and a light guide having a curved emitting section LB disposed between the first incident section LA1 and the second incident section LA2. The emitting section LB has a first end edge AR1 on a first virtual surface SF1 that intersects the first and second incident sections LA1 and LA2, and further has a second end edge AR2 on a second virtual surface SF2 that intersects the first and second incident sections LA1 and LA2 and further intersects the first virtual surface SF1.

Description

  The present invention relates to an irradiation unit, an optical detection device, an information processing system, and the like.

  In recent years, electronic devices such as mobile phones, personal computers, car navigation devices, ticket vending machines, and bank terminals have used display devices with a position detection function in which a touch panel is arranged on the front surface of a display unit. According to this display device, the user can input information by pointing an icon or the like of the display image while referring to the image displayed on the display unit. As a position detection method in such a display device, for example, a light guide is provided along a display area, irradiation light is irradiated from a plurality of light sources through the light guide, and irradiation light reflected by an object is received by a light receiving unit. A detection method is disclosed in Patent Document 1. In the optical position detection device having such a configuration, the position of the object is detected based on the light reception result of the light receiving unit.

  On the other hand, the method disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires a light guide having the same size as the display area. Therefore, the projection display device (projector) and the display device for digital signage have a larger display area than the display device of a mobile phone or a personal computer, so the method disclosed in Patent Document 1 is used. It is difficult to realize the position detection.

JP 2009-295318 A

  According to some aspects of the present invention, it is possible to provide an irradiation unit, an optical detection device, an information processing system, and the like that can detect the position of an object with a smaller configuration than conventional ones.

  One embodiment of the present invention includes a first light source unit that emits first light source light, a second light source unit that emits second light source light, and a first light source on which the first light source light is incident. A light guide having an incident part, a second incident part into which the second light source light is incident, and a curved emitting part provided between the first incident part and the second incident part; The emission part has a first edge on a first imaginary plane intersecting the first incident part and the second incident part, and the first incident part and the second incident part. The present invention relates to an irradiation unit that has a second edge on a second virtual surface that intersects the incident portion and intersects the first virtual surface.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, the irradiation light is emitted radially to a region sandwiched between the first virtual surface and the second virtual surface based on the first light source light and the second light source light. Can do.

  In one aspect of the present invention, when the width of the first incident portion is W1, the width of the emission portion at the center of the emission portion is WA, and the width of the second incident portion is W2, WA> 2 × W1 and WA> 2 × W2 may be satisfied.

  In this way, the width of the central portion of the emitting portion can be made sufficiently wider than the width of the incident portion, so that the irradiation light can be emitted from the central portion of the emitting portion in a wide angle range. As a result, it is possible to form an irradiation light intensity distribution in a wide range.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first light source unit includes a first light emitting element, the second light source unit includes a second light emitting element, and the light of the first light emitting element. The first optical axis direction, which is the axial direction, is an angle formed by the first optical axis direction and the first imaginary plane, and an angle formed by the first optical axis direction and the second imaginary plane. And the second optical axis direction, which is the optical axis direction of the second light emitting element, is set such that the angle formed between the second optical axis direction and the first virtual plane is It may be set in a direction smaller than the angle formed by the second optical axis direction and the second virtual plane.

  In this way, the light source light emitted from the first light emitting element has a higher intensity with respect to the optical axis direction close to the first virtual plane. Further, the light source light emitted from the second light emitting element has a higher intensity with respect to the optical axis direction close to the first virtual plane. As a result, the intensity of the irradiation light increases on the first virtual surface, and the intensity of the irradiation light decreases from the first virtual surface toward the second virtual surface.

  In the aspect of the invention, the first optical axis direction that is the optical axis direction of the first light emitting element is set along the first virtual plane, and the optical axis of the second light emitting element is set. The second optical axis direction that is a direction may be set along the first virtual plane.

  In this way, the light source light emitted from the first light emitting element has a higher intensity in the direction along the first virtual plane. Further, the light source light emitted from the second light emitting element has a higher intensity in the direction along the first virtual plane. As a result, the intensity of the irradiation light increases on the first virtual surface, and the intensity of the irradiation light decreases from the first virtual surface toward the second virtual surface.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the light guide has high light output efficiency on the first virtual surface, and the light output characteristic that the light output efficiency decreases from the first virtual surface toward the second virtual surface. You may have.

  In this way, the intensity of the emitted light is increased as the light output efficiency of the light guide is increased. Therefore, the intensity of the irradiated light is increased on the first virtual plane, and the second virtual plane is increased from the first virtual plane. The intensity of irradiation light decreases toward the virtual plane.

  Moreover, in one mode of the present invention, it includes an irradiation direction setting unit that defines an irradiation direction of the irradiation light emitted from the light guide, and the irradiation direction setting unit has high light emission efficiency on the first virtual surface. The light output efficiency may decrease from the first virtual surface toward the second virtual surface.

  In this case, the higher the light output efficiency of the irradiation direction setting unit, the higher the intensity of the emitted light. Therefore, the intensity of the irradiated light is increased on the first virtual surface, and the first virtual surface is changed from the first virtual surface. The intensity of irradiation light decreases toward the virtual plane 2.

  In the aspect of the invention, the first light source unit includes a first light emitting element for the first light source unit and a second light emitting element for the first light source unit, and the second light source unit. The light source section includes a third light emitting element for the second light source section and a fourth light emitting element for the second light source section, and is a first light axis direction of the first light emitting element. The optical axis direction is such that the angle formed between the first optical axis direction and the first virtual plane is smaller than the angle formed between the first optical axis direction and the second virtual plane. The second optical axis direction that is set and is the optical axis direction of the second light emitting element is such that the angle formed by the second optical axis direction and the second virtual plane is the second optical axis direction. And the third optical axis direction, which is the optical axis direction of the third light emitting element, is set in front of the third optical axis direction. The angle formed by the first virtual plane is set to be smaller than the angle formed by the third optical axis direction and the second virtual plane, and is the optical axis direction of the fourth light emitting element. In the fourth optical axis direction, an angle formed by the fourth optical axis direction and the second virtual plane is smaller than an angle formed by the fourth optical axis direction and the first virtual plane. The direction may be set.

  In this way, the intensity of the irradiation light on the first virtual surface is defined based on the light amount of the first light emitting element or the third light emitting element, and the light amount of the second light emitting element or the fourth light emitting element. The intensity of the irradiation light on the second virtual plane is defined based on

  In the aspect of the invention, the light amount of the first light emitting element is set larger than the light amount of the second light emitting element, and the light amount of the third light emitting element is larger than the light amount of the fourth light emitting element. It may be set larger.

  In this way, since the intensity of irradiation light increases as the amount of light increases, the intensity of irradiation light increases on the first virtual plane, and the irradiation light travels from the first virtual plane toward the second virtual plane. The strength of is reduced.

  In the aspect of the invention, the first light source unit and the second light source unit may alternately emit light.

  In this way, it is possible to form the intensity distribution of the irradiation light caused by the light emission from the first light source unit and the intensity distribution of the irradiation light caused by the light emission from the second light source unit.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the first light source unit emits the first light source light during the period in which the first light source unit emits light, thereby forming a first irradiation light intensity distribution, The second light source unit emits the second light source light during the period in which the second light source unit emits light, so that the second irradiation light intensity is different from the first irradiation intensity distribution. A distribution may be formed.

  In this way, two irradiation light intensity distributions having different intensity distributions can be alternately formed.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided the irradiation unit according to any one of the above, a light receiving unit that receives reflected light by the irradiation light emitted from the irradiation unit being reflected by an object present in a detection area, The present invention relates to an optical detection device including at least a detection unit that detects a direction in which the object is positioned based on a light reception result of a light reception unit.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the irradiation light intensity distribution can be formed in a wide range, so that it is possible to detect the position of the object with a smaller configuration than in the past.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, a first light source unit that emits first light source light, a second light source unit that emits second light source light, and a first light source on which the first light source light is incident. A light guide having a second incident portion into which the second light source light is incident, and a curved emitting portion provided between the first incident portion and the second incident portion. And a light receiving unit that receives reflected light generated by the irradiation light emitted from the emitting unit being reflected by the target existing in the detection area, and at least the target is positioned based on a light reception result of the light receiving unit. A detection unit that detects a direction, and the emission unit has a first edge on a first imaginary plane intersecting the first incident unit and the second incident unit, and A second virtual plane intersecting the incident section and the second incident section and intersecting the first virtual plane is second It related to the optical detection device having an edge.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, irradiation light is emitted radially to a region sandwiched between the first virtual surface and the second virtual surface based on the first light source light and the second light source light. Therefore, the irradiation light intensity distribution can be formed in a wide range. As a result, it is possible to detect the position of the object with a smaller configuration than in the past.

  Another aspect of the present invention is based on any one of the optical detection devices described above, an information processing device that performs processing based on detection information from the optical detection device, and image data from the information processing device. The present invention relates to an information processing system including a display device that displays an image.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the position of an object can be detected with a smaller configuration than conventional ones. For example, when the display area is wide like a projection display device or a display device for digital signage. Even in this case, it is possible to input information by pointing or the like with a smaller configuration than the conventional one.

1A and 1B are basic configuration examples of an irradiation unit. FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C are diagrams illustrating the intensity distribution of irradiation light by the irradiation unit. FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are a first configuration example of the irradiation unit and a modification thereof. 4A and 4B show a second configuration example of the irradiation unit. 3rd structural example of an irradiation unit. 6A and 6B show a fourth configuration example of the irradiation unit and its modification. The detailed structural example of an irradiation unit. 8A and 8B are basic configuration examples of an optical detection device including an irradiation unit. 9A and 9B are configuration examples of the information processing system.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. The present embodiment described below does not unduly limit the contents of the present invention described in the claims, and all the configurations described in the present embodiment are indispensable as means for solving the present invention. Not necessarily.

1. Irradiation Unit FIGS. 1A and 1B show a basic configuration example of the irradiation unit of the present embodiment. The irradiation unit EU of the present embodiment includes a light guide LG and first and second light source units LS1 and LS2. The irradiation unit EU of this embodiment can be used as an irradiation unit for emitting irradiation light of an optical detection device to be described later. In addition, the irradiation unit EU of this embodiment is not limited to the structure of FIG. 1 (A) and FIG. 1 (B), A part of the component is abbreviate | omitted or replaced with another component, Various modifications such as adding components are possible.

  The first light source part LS1 emits the first light source light to the first incident part LA1 of the light guide LG, and the second light source part LS2 is second to the second incident part LA2 of the light guide LG. Light source light is emitted. The first and second light source units LS1 and LS2 have light emitting elements such as LEDs (light emitting diodes), and emit, for example, infrared light (near infrared light close to the visible light region). The first irradiation light LT1 is irradiated from the irradiation unit EU based on the first light source light, and the second irradiation light LT2 is irradiated from the irradiation unit EU based on the second light source light. As will be described later, these two irradiation lights LT1 and LT2 have different intensity distributions.

  The light guide LG (light guide member) guides the light source light emitted from the first and second light source units LS1 and LS2. As shown in FIG. 1A, the light guide LG includes a first incident portion LA1 into which the first light source light is incident, a second incident portion LA2 into which the second light source light is incident, And a curved emission part LB provided between the first incidence part LA1 and the second incidence part LA2.

  The emission part LB has a first edge AR1 on a first virtual plane SF1 that intersects the first and second incident parts LA1 and LA2. The second virtual surface SF2 that intersects the first and second incident portions LA1 and LA2 and intersects the first virtual surface SF1 has a second edge AR2.

  That is, the emission part LB includes a first edge AR1 (first curve, first arc line) that connects the first incident part LA1 and the second incident part LA2, and the first incident part LA1. It is comprised by the curved surface prescribed | regulated by 2nd edge AR2 (2nd curve, 2nd circular arc line) which connects 2nd incident part LA2.

  Here, the first and second virtual surfaces SF1 and SF2 are virtual surfaces for defining the shape of the emission part LB, and are not surfaces (surfaces as components) constituting the light guide LG.

  Furthermore, the width of the emission part LB at the center of the emission part LB is wider than the width of the first and second incidence parts LA1 and LA2. Specifically, when the width of the first incident portion LA1 is W1, the width of the emission portion LB at the center of the emission portion LB is WA, and the width of the second incident portion LA2 is W2, WA> It may be 2 × W1 and WA> 2 × W2.

  Here, the width of the emission part LB is defined as P1 at the intersection of the straight line and the first edge AR1 in a straight line orthogonal to the first edge AR1 and the second edge AR2. This is the distance between the intersection point P1 and the intersection point P2, where the intersection point with the edge AR2 is P2.

  Although not shown, the irradiation unit EU of the present embodiment includes an irradiation direction setting unit LE, and the irradiation direction is set in a direction from the inner periphery side to the outer periphery side of the light guide LG by the irradiation direction setting unit LE. The By doing so, the light source light guided by the light guide LG is emitted radially as irradiation light LT in a direction from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side of the light guide LG. A detailed configuration example of the irradiation unit EU will be described later.

  For the following description, first, second, and third coordinate axis directions D1, D2, and D3 are defined as shown in FIG. That is, the direction from the first light source unit LS1 to the second light source unit LS2 is defined as the second coordinate axis direction D2, and is a plane perpendicular to the second coordinate axis direction D2 and including the first edge AR1 (first virtual axis A direction from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side of the light guide LG along the surface) is defined as a first coordinate axis direction D1. A direction perpendicular to the first and second coordinate axis directions D1 and D2 is defined as a third coordinate axis direction D3.

  When the third coordinate axis direction D3 is an upward direction, the first end edge AR1 is a lower end edge, and the second end edge AR2 is an upper end edge.

  FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C are diagrams illustrating the intensity distribution of irradiation light by the irradiation unit EU of the present embodiment.

  FIG. 2A is a view of the irradiation unit EU as viewed from the third coordinate axis direction D3. FIG. 2A shows irradiation light LT1 emitted from the light source light from the first light source unit LS1 and irradiation light LT2 emitted from the light source light from the second light source unit LS2.

  The irradiation light LT1 emitted from the first light source unit LS1 has a high intensity (radiation intensity, luminous intensity) on one end side (side on which the first incident part LA1 is provided) of the light guide LG, and a low intensity on the other end side. . On the other hand, the intensity of the irradiation light LT2 from the second light source unit LS2 increases on the other end side (the side where the second incident portion LA2 is provided) of the light guide LG, and decreases on one end side.

  In this way, the two irradiation light intensity distributions LID1 and LID2 can be alternately formed by alternately lighting the light source portions LS1 and LS2. That is, during the period in which the first light source unit LS1 emits light, the first irradiation light intensity distribution LID1 in which the intensity (radiation intensity, luminous intensity) on one end side of the light guide LG increases is formed, and the second light source unit LS2 During the light emission period, the second irradiation light intensity distribution LID2 in which the intensity on the other end side of the light guide LG is increased can be formed.

  FIG. 2B is a view of the irradiation unit EU as viewed from the first coordinate axis direction D1. The emission unit LB includes a first edge AR1 connecting the first light source unit LS1 and the second light source unit LS2 on the first virtual surface SF1, and a first light source unit on the second virtual surface SF2. It is constituted by a curved surface defined by a second end AR2 connecting LS1 and the second light source unit LS2.

  FIG. 2C is a diagram of the irradiation unit EU as viewed from the second coordinate axis direction D2. Irradiation light LT1 from the first light source unit LS1 has a high intensity on the first virtual surface SF1 (LT1-S1 in FIG. 2C) and a low intensity on the second virtual surface SF2 (FIG. 2 (C) LT1-S2). The same applies to the irradiation light LT2 from the second light source unit LS2 (LT2-S1, LT2-S2 in FIG. 2C).

  As described above, according to the irradiation unit EU of the present embodiment, the first and second irradiation light intensity distributions LID1 and LID2 can be alternately formed by alternately lighting the light source units LS1 and LS2. These irradiation light intensity distributions LID1 and LID2 are three-dimensional intensity distributions. For example, the first irradiation light intensity distribution LID1 has a high intensity on one end side of the light guide LG, a low intensity on the other end side, a high intensity on the first virtual plane SF1, and a second virtual plane. The distribution is such that the intensity decreases on SF2. Further, the second irradiation light intensity distribution LID2 has a low intensity on one end side of the light guide LG, a high intensity on the other end side, and a high intensity on the first virtual surface SF1, and the second virtual light intensity distribution LID2 The distribution is such that the intensity decreases on the surface SF2. In addition, the intensity in the intermediate region between the first virtual surface SF1 and the second virtual surface SF2 is between the first intensity (for example, LT1-S1) and the second intensity (for example, LT1-S2). Medium strength.

  FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B show a first configuration example and a modification example of the irradiation unit EU of the present embodiment.

  In the first configuration example of FIG. 3A, the first light source unit LS1 includes the first light emitting element LD1, and the second light source unit LS2 includes the second light emitting element LD2. In the optical axis direction AX1 of the first light emitting element LD1, the angle (θ1 in FIG. 3A) formed by the optical axis direction AX1 of the first light emitting element LD1 and the first virtual plane SF1 is the first light emission. The direction is set to be smaller than an angle formed by the optical axis direction AX1 of the element LD1 and the second virtual plane SF2 (θ2 in FIG. 3A). Similarly, the optical axis direction AX2 of the second light emitting element LD2 is such that the angle formed by the optical axis direction AX2 of the second light emitting element LD2 and the first virtual plane SF1 is the optical axis direction of the second light emitting element LD2. The direction is set to be smaller than the angle formed by AX2 and the second virtual surface SF2. That is, the optical axis directions AX1, AX2 of the first and second light emitting elements LD1, LD2 are set so as to be closer to the first virtual plane SF1, respectively.

  By doing so, the light source light emitted from the first and second light emitting elements LD1 and LD2 has higher intensity (radiation intensity, luminous intensity) with respect to the optical axis direction close to the first virtual surface SF1. . As a result, the irradiation lights LT1 and LT2 emitted from the irradiation unit EU increase in intensity on the first virtual surface SF1, and decrease in intensity toward the second virtual surface SF2.

  In the modification of FIG. 3B, as in the configuration example of FIG. 3A, the first light source unit LS1 has the first light emitting element LD1, and the second light source unit LS2 is the second light emitting element. It has LD2. The optical axis directions AX1 and AX2 of the first and second light emitting elements LD1 and LD2 are set along the first virtual plane SF1, respectively.

  In this way, the light source light emitted from the first and second light emitting elements LD1 and LD2 has high intensity (radiation intensity, luminous intensity) on the first virtual surface SF1. As a result, the irradiation lights LT1 and LT2 emitted from the irradiation unit EU increase in intensity on the first virtual surface SF1, and decrease in intensity toward the second virtual surface SF2.

  FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B show a second configuration example of the irradiation unit EU of the present embodiment. In the second configuration example, the light guide LG has high light emission efficiency on the first virtual surface SF1 (on the first end edge AR1 side), and the first guide surface SF1 (first end AR1) extends from the first virtual surface SF1. The light output efficiency decreases toward the second virtual surface SF2 (second edge AR2).

  At least one of the outer peripheral side and the inner peripheral side of the light guide LG is processed to adjust the light output efficiency of the light source light from the light guide LG. As a processing method, for example, as shown in FIG. 4A, there is a method of forming a dot pattern DP by a stamper or injection. The light source light guided by the light guide LG is reflected and refracted by the dot pattern DP and is emitted toward the outer periphery of the light guide LG. The light output efficiency of the light guide LG can be changed by changing the density of the dot pattern DP.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4B, the density of the dot pattern DP is increased toward the first edge AR1, and the density of the dot pattern DP is decreased toward the second edge AR2. . By doing so, as shown in FIG. 4A, the density of the dot pattern DP is high near the first edge AR1, so that it is reflected and refracted by the dot pattern DP and emitted from the light guide LG. Idemitsu efficiency increases. On the contrary, near the second edge AR2, the density of the dot pattern DP is low, so the light output efficiency of the light guide LG is low. As a result, the irradiation lights LT1 and LT2 emitted from the irradiation unit EU have a high intensity on the first virtual surface SF1 (the side along the first edge AR1) (for example, LT1- in FIG. 4A). S1), the strength at the second virtual surface SF2 (the side along the second edge AR2) is reduced (for example, LT1-S2 in FIG. 4A). In addition, the intensity in the intermediate region between the first virtual surface SF1 and the second virtual surface SF2 is between the first intensity (for example, LT1-S1) and the second intensity (for example, LT1-S2). Medium strength.

  4A and 4B show a method of providing the dot pattern DP, but other methods, for example, a method of providing a groove (prism pattern) in the light guide LG can also be used. Further, these patterns may be provided on the outer peripheral side (the side from which the irradiation light is emitted) of the light guide LG.

  In FIG. 5, the 3rd structural example of the irradiation unit EU of this embodiment is shown. In the third configuration example, the irradiation unit EU includes an irradiation direction setting unit LE that defines the irradiation direction of the irradiation light LT emitted from the light guide LG, and the irradiation direction setting unit LE is on the first virtual plane SF1. The light output efficiency is high, and the light output efficiency decreases from the first virtual surface SF1 toward the second virtual surface SF2.

  Specifically, for example, by providing the gradation film GF in the irradiation direction setting unit LE, the above-described light emission characteristics can be obtained. The gradation film GF is a film having a transmittance gradient, and the transmittance is high on the side along the first edge AR1, and the transmittance decreases toward the side along the second edge AR2. By doing so, the intensity of the irradiation lights LT1 and LT2 emitted from the irradiation unit EU increases on the first virtual plane SF1, and decreases toward the second virtual plane SF2.

  The gradation film GF may be provided between the prism sheet PS and the louver film LF included in the irradiation direction setting unit LE (FIG. 8) described later, or may be provided on the outer peripheral side of the louver film LF. .

  FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B show a fourth configuration example and a modification example of the irradiation unit EU of the present embodiment. In the fourth configuration example shown in FIG. 6A, the first light source unit LS1 includes a first light emitting element LD1LS1 for the first light source unit and a second light emitting element LD2LS1 for the first light source unit. Including. Although not shown, the second light source unit LS2 includes a third light emitting element LD3LS2 for the second light source unit and a fourth light emitting element LD4LS2 for the second light source unit.

  The first optical axis direction LSE1 that is the optical axis direction of the first light emitting element LD1LS1 is such that the angle formed by the first optical axis direction LSE1 and the first virtual plane SF1 is the same as that of the first optical axis direction LSE1. The angle is set to be smaller than the angle formed by the two virtual surfaces SF2. The second optical axis direction LSE2 that is the optical axis direction of the second light emitting element LD2LS1 is such that the angle formed between the second optical axis direction LSE2 and the second virtual surface SF2 is the second optical axis direction LSE2. And a direction smaller than an angle formed by the first virtual surface SF1. The light amount (brightness, total luminous flux) of the first light emitting element LD1LS1 is set larger than the light amount of the second light emitting element LD2LS1.

  In FIG. 6A, for example, the optical axis direction and the light amount of the first light emitting element LD1LS1 are indicated by a vector LSE1, and the optical axis direction and the light amount of the second light emitting element LD2LS1 are indicated by a vector LSE2. Since the light amount (brightness, total luminous flux) of the light emitting element is proportional to the current (light emitting current) flowing through the light emitting element, the light amount is set as described above by setting the current flowing through LD1LS1 to be larger than the current flowing through LD2LS1. be able to.

  Similarly, in the third optical axis direction, which is the optical axis direction of the third light emitting element LD3LS2, the angle formed by the third optical axis direction and the first virtual plane SF1 is the same as the third optical axis direction and the third optical axis direction. The angle is set to be smaller than the angle formed by the two virtual surfaces SF2. The fourth optical axis direction that is the optical axis direction of the fourth light emitting element LD4LS2 is such that the angle formed by the fourth optical axis direction and the second virtual plane SF2 is the same as the fourth optical axis direction and the first optical axis direction. Is set in a direction smaller than the angle formed with the virtual plane SF1. The light amount (brightness, total luminous flux) of the third light emitting element LD3LS2 is set larger than the light amount of the fourth light emitting element LD4LS2.

  By doing in this way, it is possible to obtain an irradiation light intensity distribution in which the intensity increases on the first virtual surface SF1 and the intensity decreases toward the second virtual surface SF2.

  In the modification shown in FIG. 6B, the first light source unit LS1 further includes a fifth light emitting element LD5LS1 for the first light source unit. The optical axis direction of the fifth light emitting element LD5LS1 is set to an intermediate direction between the first virtual surface SF1 and the second virtual surface SF2. The light amount (brightness, total luminous flux) of the fifth light emitting element LD5LS1 is set to an intermediate light amount between the light amount of the first light emitting element LD1LS1 and the light amount of the second light emitting element LD2LS1. In FIG. 6B, for example, the vector LSE5 indicates the optical axis direction and the light amount of the fifth light emitting element LD5LS1.

  Similarly, the second light source unit LS2 further includes a sixth light emitting element LD6LS2 for the second light source unit. The optical axis direction of the sixth light emitting element LD6LS2 is set to an intermediate direction between the first virtual surface SF1 and the second virtual surface SF2. The light amount (brightness, total luminous flux) of the sixth light emitting element LD6LS2 is set to an intermediate light amount between the light amount of the third light emitting element LD3LS2 and the light amount of the fourth light emitting element LD4LS2.

  By doing in this way, it is possible to obtain an irradiation light intensity distribution in which the intensity increases on the first virtual surface SF1 and the intensity decreases toward the second virtual surface SF2. Furthermore, in this modification, by providing three light emitting elements in each light source unit, it is possible to obtain a smooth gradient of the irradiation light intensity from the first virtual surface SF1 toward the second virtual surface SF2. Become.

  As described above, according to the irradiation unit EU of the present embodiment, two different irradiation light intensity distributions (first and second irradiation light intensity distributions LID1, LID2) can be formed alternately. These irradiation light intensity distributions LID1 and LID2 are three-dimensional intensity distributions. For example, the first irradiation light intensity distribution LID1 has an intensity on one end side (first incident portion LA1 side) of the light guide LG. Distribution that is high and decreases in strength toward the other end side (second incident portion LA2 side), increases in strength on the first virtual surface SF1, and decreases in strength toward the second virtual surface SF2. It is.

  In FIG. 7, the detailed structural example of the irradiation unit EU of this embodiment is shown. The irradiation unit EU in the configuration example of FIG. 7 includes light source units LS1 and LS2, a light guide LG, and an irradiation direction setting unit LE. Moreover, the reflective sheet RS is included. The irradiation direction setting unit LE includes a prism sheet PS and a louver film LF. Note that the irradiation unit EU of the present embodiment is not limited to the configuration in FIG. 7, and various components such as omitting some of the components, replacing them with other components, and adding other components. Variations are possible.

  The light source units LS1 and LS2 emit light source light and have light emitting elements such as LEDs (light emitting diodes). The light source units LS1 and LS2 emit, for example, infrared light (near infrared light close to the visible light region). That is, the light source light emitted from the light source units LS1 and LS2 has a wavelength band that is not included in the wavelength band light that is efficiently reflected by an object such as a user's finger or a touch pen, or ambient light that becomes disturbance light. It is desirable to be light. Specifically, infrared light with a wavelength near 850 nm, which is light in a wavelength band with high reflectance on the surface of the human body, infrared light near 950 nm, which is light in a wavelength band that is not so much included in environmental light, etc. It is.

  The light source unit LS1 is provided on one end side of the light guide LG as indicated by F1 in FIG. The second light source unit LS2 is provided on the other end side of the light guide LG as indicated by F2. The light source unit LS1 emits the light source light to the light incident surface on one end side (F1) of the light guide LG, thereby emitting the irradiation light LT1 and forming (setting) the first irradiation light intensity distribution LID1. To do. On the other hand, the light source unit LS2 emits the second light source light LT2 by emitting the second light source light to the light incident surface on the other end side (F2) of the light guide LG, so that the first irradiation light is emitted. A second irradiation light intensity distribution LID2 having an intensity distribution different from the intensity distribution LID1 is formed. Thus, the irradiation unit EU can emit irradiation light having different intensity distributions.

  The light guide LG (light guide member) guides the light source light emitted from the light source units LS1 and LS2. For example, the light guide LG guides the light source light from the light source units LS1 and LS2 along a curved light guide path, and the shape thereof is a curved shape. Specifically, in FIG. 7, the light guide LG has an arc shape. In FIG. 7, the light guide LG has an arc shape with a center angle of 180 degrees, but may have an arc shape with a center angle smaller than 180 degrees. The light guide LG is formed of, for example, a transparent resin member such as acrylic resin or polycarbonate.

  At least one of the outer peripheral side and the inner peripheral side of the light guide LG is processed to adjust the light output efficiency of the light source light from the light guide LG. As a processing method, for example, various methods such as a silk printing method for printing reflective dots, a molding method for forming irregularities with a stamper or injection, and a groove processing method can be adopted.

  The irradiation direction setting unit LE realized by the prism sheet PS and the louver film LF is provided on the outer peripheral side of the light guide LG and receives light source light emitted from the outer peripheral side (outer peripheral surface) of the light guide LG. And the irradiation light LT1 and LT2 in which the irradiation direction was set to the direction which goes to the outer peripheral side from the inner peripheral side of the light guide LG of curved shape (arc shape) are radiate | emitted. That is, the direction of the light source light emitted from the outer peripheral side of the light guide LG is set (restricted) to an irradiation direction along, for example, the normal direction (radial direction) of the light guide LG. Thereby, irradiation light LT1 and LT2 come to radiate | emit radially in the direction which goes to the outer peripheral side from the inner peripheral side of the light guide LG.

  Such setting of the irradiation direction of the irradiation light LT1, LT2 is realized by the prism sheet PS, the louver film LF, or the like of the irradiation direction setting unit LE. For example, the prism sheet PS sets the direction of the light source light emitted at a low viewing angle from the outer peripheral side of the light guide LG to the normal direction side so that the peak of the light emission characteristic is in the normal direction. The louver film LF blocks (cuts) light in a direction other than the normal direction (low viewing angle light).

  As described above, according to the irradiation unit EU of this embodiment, the light source portions LS1 and LS2 are provided at both ends of the light guide LG, and these light source portions LS1 and LS2 are alternately turned on to thereby generate two irradiation light intensity distributions. Can be formed. That is, the irradiation light intensity distribution LID1 in which the intensity on one end side of the light guide LG is increased and the irradiation light intensity distribution LID2 in which the intensity on the other end side of the light guide LG is increased can be alternately formed.

  As will be described later, when the irradiation unit EU of the present embodiment is used in an optical detection device, the reflected light of an object due to irradiation light having different intensity distributions is received, thereby causing disturbance light such as ambient light. It is possible to detect an object with higher accuracy while minimizing the influence. That is, it is possible to cancel out the infrared component included in the disturbance light, and it is possible to minimize the adverse effect of the infrared component on the detection of the object.

2. Optical Detection Device FIGS. 8A and 8B show a basic configuration example of an optical detection device including the irradiation unit EU of the present embodiment. The optical detection device 100 of the present embodiment includes a detection unit 110, a processing unit 120, an irradiation unit EU, and a light receiving unit RU. Note that the optical detection device of this embodiment is not limited to the configuration shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, and some of the components may be omitted or replaced with other components. Various modifications such as adding the above-described components are possible.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the irradiation unit EU includes a first light source unit LS1 that emits first light source light and a second light source that emits second light source light. A part LS2 and a light guide LG are included.

  The light guide LG includes a first incident portion LA1 into which the first light source light is incident, a second incident portion LA2 into which the second light source light is incident, and the first and second incident portions LA1 and LA2. And a curved emission part LB provided between the two.

  The emission part LB has a first edge AR1 on a first virtual plane SF1 that intersects the first and second incident parts LA1 and LA2. The second virtual surface SF2 that intersects the first and second incident portions LA1 and LA2 and intersects the first virtual surface SF1 has a second edge AR2.

  As shown in FIG. 8B, the irradiation unit EU has a first virtual surface SF1 that is oblique with respect to the target surface SOB in which the detection area RDET is set, and an oblique direction with respect to the target surface SOB. In addition, the irradiation light LT is emitted in the irradiation range defined by the second virtual surface SF2 having a larger angle with the target surface SOB than the first virtual surface SF1. The intensity (radiation intensity, luminous intensity) of the irradiation light LT is the first intensity S1 on the first virtual plane SF1, and the second intensity is lower than the first intensity S1 on the second virtual plane SF2. Strength S2. Further, the intensity in the region between the first virtual surface SF1 and the second virtual surface SF2 is an intermediate intensity between the first intensity S1 and the second intensity S2. As shown in FIG. 8B, when the angle between the first virtual surface SF1 and the target surface SOB is φ1, and the angle between the second virtual surface SF2 and the target surface SOB is φ2, φ1 <Φ2.

  Here, the first virtual surface SF1 is a surface including the first edge AR1 (FIG. 1A) that defines the curved surface constituting the emission part LB of the irradiation unit EU, and the second virtual surface SF2 is This is a surface including the second edge AR2 (FIG. 1A) that defines the curved surface constituting the emission part LB of the irradiation unit EU.

  The light receiving unit RU receives the reflected light LR resulting from the irradiation light LT being reflected by the object OB present in the detection area RDET. As will be described later, the light receiving unit RU may include a plurality of light receiving units. The light receiving unit can be composed of, for example, a photodiode or a phototransistor.

  The detection unit 110 detects at least the direction (position detection information in a broad sense) in which the object OB is located based on the light reception result of the light receiving unit RU. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 8B, for example, the detection unit 110 sets a detection area RDET, which is an area in which the object OB is detected, with respect to the target surface SOB along the XY plane. In this case, information (position detection information) related to the position of the object OB existing in the detection area RDET is detected. This position detection information is, for example, information related to the X coordinate and Y coordinate of the position where the object OB exists, or information related to the direction in which the object exists. Moreover, the information regarding the Z coordinate of the position where the target object OB exists may be included.

  Here, the XY plane is a plane along the target surface SOB defined by the screen (projection surface) 20, for example. The target surface SOB is a surface to which the detection area RDET is set, and is, for example, a display surface of a display, a projection surface of a projection display device, or a display surface in digital signage.

  The detection area RDET is an area (region) in which the object OB is detected. Specifically, for example, the light receiving unit RU receives reflected light LR due to the irradiation light LT being reflected by the object OB. Thus, this is an area where the object OB can be detected. More specifically, this is an area where the light receiving unit RU can receive the reflected light LR and detect the object OB, and the detection accuracy can be ensured within an acceptable range.

  The processing unit 120 performs processing based on the position detection information from the detection unit 110. This processing includes, for example, command processing and hovering processing.

  As described above, the irradiation unit EU of the present embodiment has the first intensity S1 on the first virtual plane SF1, and the second intensity lower than the first intensity S1 on the second virtual plane SF2. Irradiation light LT having the intensity S2 is emitted. By doing so, for example, the intensity (brightness, illuminance) of the irradiation light LT irradiated to the object OB at the position indicated by A1 in FIG. 8B and the object OB at the position indicated by A2 are irradiated. The difference with the intensity (brightness, illuminance) of the irradiation light LT can be reduced. Or both can be made substantially equal.

  Therefore, according to the optical detection device including the irradiation unit EU of the present embodiment, the intensity of the emitted irradiation light LT can be increased as the position of the object OB is farther from the irradiation unit EU. The intensity (brightness and illuminance) of the irradiation light at the position A1 in (B) can be made substantially the same as the intensity (brightness and illuminance) of the irradiation light at the position A2. As a result, the position detection accuracy of the object OB can be made substantially uniform in the detection area RDET.

  As described above, according to the optical detection device of the present embodiment, the irradiation light intensity distribution can be formed in a wide range, so that it is possible to detect the position of the object with a smaller configuration than in the past. It becomes possible.

3. Information Processing System FIGS. 9A and 9B show a configuration example of the information processing system of the present embodiment. The configuration example in FIG. 9A includes an optical detection device 100, an information processing device 200, and a display device 10. The information processing apparatus 200 is a personal computer (PC), for example, and performs processing based on detection information from the optical detection apparatus 100. The optical detection device 100 and the information processing device 200 are electrically connected via a USB cable USBC. The display device 10 is, for example, a projection display device (projector) or the like, and displays an image on the display unit (screen) 20 based on image data from the information processing device 200. The user can input necessary information to the information processing apparatus 200 by pointing an icon or the like of the display image while referring to the image displayed on the display unit 20.

  In FIG. 9A, the optical detection device 100 is attached to the display unit 20, but it can also be attached to another location. For example, the optical detection device 100 may be attached to the display device 10, or may be attached to a ceiling or a wall. Further, the display device 10 is not limited to a projection display device (projector), and may be a display device for digital signage, for example.

  As described above, according to the optical detection device of the present embodiment, the irradiation light intensity distribution can be formed in a wide range, so that it is possible to detect the position of the object with a smaller configuration than in the past. become. Therefore, even when the display area is large, such as a projection display device (projector) or a digital signage display device, it is possible to input information by pointing or the like with a smaller configuration than the conventional one.

  In the configuration example of FIG. 9B, a display 220 built in the information processing apparatus 200 (PC) is used as the display apparatus 10. The optical detection device 100 can be attached to and detached from the display 220, and is electrically connected to the information processing device 200 via the USB cable USBC.

  As described above, according to the optical detection device of the present embodiment, the position of the object can be detected with a smaller configuration than the conventional one. As a result, for example, by attaching the optical detection device of the present embodiment to a display that does not have a touch panel function, it is possible to add the touch panel function without changing the display.

  Note that the information processing apparatus 200 may perform the processing (command processing, hovering processing, and the like) performed by the processing unit 120 described above.

  Although the present embodiment has been described in detail as described above, it will be easily understood by those skilled in the art that many modifications can be made without departing from the novel matters and effects of the present invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included in the scope of the present invention. For example, a term described with a different term having a broader meaning or the same meaning at least once in the specification or the drawings can be replaced with the different term in any part of the specification or the drawings. Further, the configurations and operations of the irradiation unit, the optical detection device, and the information processing system are not limited to those described in the present embodiment, and various modifications can be made.

EU irradiation unit, RU light receiving unit, LT, LT1, LT2 irradiation light, LR reflected light,
AR1, AR2 first and second edges,
RDET detection area, SOB target plane, OB target, SF1 first virtual plane,
SF2 second virtual plane, LG light guide, LA1, LA2 incident part, LB emission part,
LS1, LS2 light source part, LD1-LD6 light emitting element, RS reflection sheet,
PS prism sheet, LF louver film, LE irradiation direction setting part,
LID1 first irradiation light intensity distribution, LID2 second irradiation light intensity distribution,
10 display device, 20 display unit, 100 optical detection device, 110 detection unit,
120 processing units, 200 information processing apparatus, 220 display

Claims (13)

A first light source unit that emits first light source light;
A second light source unit that emits second light source light;
Between the first incident part into which the first light source light is incident, the second incident part into which the second light source light is incident, and between the first incident part and the second incident part. A light guide having a curved exit portion provided on the
The emitting part is
A first imaginary plane intersecting the first incident portion and the second incident portion has a first edge;
An irradiation unit having a second edge on a second virtual plane that intersects with the first incident section and the second incident section and intersects with the first virtual plane. In claim 1,
When the width of the first incident portion is W1, the width of the emission portion at the center of the emission portion is WA, and the width of the second incidence portion is W2, WA> 2 × W1, and WA> 2 × W2. Irradiation unit characterized by the above-mentioned. In claim 2,
The first light source unit includes a first light emitting element,
The second light source unit includes a second light emitting element,
The first optical axis direction which is the optical axis direction of the first light emitting element is such that the angle formed by the first optical axis direction and the first virtual plane is the first optical axis direction and the first optical axis direction. Set to be smaller than the angle formed by the two virtual planes,
The second optical axis direction that is the optical axis direction of the second light emitting element is such that the angle formed between the second optical axis direction and the first virtual plane is the second optical axis direction and the second optical axis direction. An irradiation unit, wherein the irradiation unit is set in a direction smaller than an angle formed by the two virtual planes. In claim 3,
The first optical axis direction that is the optical axis direction of the first light emitting element is set along the first virtual plane,
The irradiation unit, wherein the second optical axis direction which is the optical axis direction of the second light emitting element is set along the first virtual plane. In claim 2,
Irradiation characterized in that the light guide has a light output characteristic that the light output efficiency is high on the first virtual surface and the light output efficiency decreases from the first virtual surface toward the second virtual surface. unit. In claim 2,
Including an irradiation direction setting unit that defines an irradiation direction of the irradiation light emitted from the light guide;
The irradiation direction setting unit has a light emission characteristic in which the light emission efficiency is high on the first virtual surface and the light emission efficiency decreases from the first virtual surface toward the second virtual surface. Irradiation unit. In claim 2,
The first light source unit includes a first light emitting element for the first light source unit and a second light emitting element for the first light source unit,
The second light source unit includes a third light emitting element for the second light source unit and a fourth light emitting element for the second light source unit,
The first optical axis direction which is the optical axis direction of the first light emitting element is such that the angle formed by the first optical axis direction and the first virtual plane is the first optical axis direction and the first optical axis direction. Set to be smaller than the angle formed by the two virtual planes,
The second optical axis direction that is the optical axis direction of the second light emitting element is such that the angle formed by the second optical axis direction and the second virtual plane is the second optical axis direction and the second optical axis direction. Set to be smaller than the angle formed by one virtual plane,
The third optical axis direction that is the optical axis direction of the third light emitting element is such that the angle formed by the third optical axis direction and the first virtual plane is the third optical axis direction and the third optical axis direction. Set to be smaller than the angle formed by the two virtual planes,
The fourth optical axis direction that is the optical axis direction of the fourth light emitting element is such that the angle formed by the fourth optical axis direction and the second imaginary plane is the fourth optical axis direction and the fourth optical axis direction. An irradiation unit, wherein the irradiation unit is set in a direction smaller than an angle formed with one virtual plane. In claim 7,
The light amount of the first light emitting element is set larger than the light amount of the second light emitting element,
The irradiation unit, wherein the light amount of the third light emitting element is set larger than the light amount of the fourth light emitting element. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 8.
The irradiation unit, wherein the first light source unit and the second light source unit emit light alternately. In claim 9,
During the period in which the first light source unit emits light,
The first light source unit emits the first light source light to form a first irradiation light intensity distribution,
During the period in which the second light source unit emits light,
The irradiation unit, wherein the second light source unit emits the second light source light, thereby forming a second irradiation light intensity distribution different from the first irradiation intensity distribution. The irradiation unit according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
A light receiving unit that receives reflected light by the irradiation light emitted from the irradiation unit being reflected by an object present in the detection area;
An optical detection apparatus comprising: a detection unit that detects at least a direction in which the object is positioned based on a light reception result of the light reception unit. A first light source unit that emits first light source light;
A second light source unit that emits second light source light;
Between the first incident part into which the first light source light is incident, the second incident part into which the second light source light is incident, and between the first incident part and the second incident part. A light guide having a curved exit portion provided in
A light receiving unit that receives reflected light by the irradiation light emitted from the emitting unit being reflected by an object present in the detection area;
A detection unit that detects at least a direction in which the object is located based on a light reception result of the light receiving unit;
The emitting part is
A first imaginary plane intersecting the first incident portion and the second incident portion has a first edge;
An optical detection device characterized by having a second edge on a second imaginary plane that intersects the first incident section and the second incident section and intersects the first imaginary plane. . The optical detection device according to claim 11 or 12,
An information processing device that performs processing based on detection information from the optical detection device;
An information processing system comprising: a display device that displays an image based on image data from the information processing device.

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