JP2012234413A - Coordinate input device, method for controlling the same, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a coordinate input device capable of configuring a multiple screen system to be miniaturized without impairing designability of a display and video effects such as enhanced realism in the multiple screen system made laterally long.SOLUTION: The coordinate input device comprises: sensors 1A to 1H constituted of light projection parts and light receiving parts arranged at at least two portions on two sides opposed to rectangular coordinate input regions 4A and 4B; and a first retroreflection part 3A and a second retroreflection part 3B for recursively reflecting incident light. A plurality of first light quantity distributions are detected by the sensors 1B, 1C, 1F, and 1G opposed to the first retroreflection part 3A. A plurality of second light quantity distributions are detected by timing different from the first light quantity distributions by the sensors 1A, 1D, 1E, and 1H opposed to the second retroreflection part 3B. An instruction position is calculated in each of the coordinate input regions 4A and 4B on the basis of at least two light quantity distributions of at least four light quantity distributions of the plurality of first light quantity distributions and the plurality of second light quantity distributions.

Description

  The present invention relates to a coordinate input device that calculates the coordinates of a designated position with respect to a rectangular coordinate input region, a control method therefor, and a program.

  Coordinate input used to control the connected computer or write characters, graphics, etc. by pointing to the coordinate input surface with a pointing tool (for example, a dedicated input pen or finger) and inputting the coordinates The device exists.

  Conventionally, as this type of coordinate input device, various types of touch panels have been proposed or commercialized, and it is easy to operate a terminal such as a personal computer on the screen without using a special instrument. It can be used widely.

  There are various coordinate input methods such as those using a resistive film and those using ultrasonic waves. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method using light. In Patent Document 1, a retroreflective sheet is provided outside the coordinate input area, and an illumination unit that illuminates light disposed at a corner end of the coordinate input area and a light receiving unit that receives the light are used in the coordinate input area. The angle between a light shielding unit and a light shielding unit that shields light such as a finger is detected. And the structure which determines the instruction | indication position of the shield based on the detection result is disclosed.

  Further, as disclosed in Patent Documents 2 and 3 and the like, a coordinate input device is disclosed in which a retroreflective member is configured around a coordinate input region to detect the coordinates of a portion (light shielding portion) where the retroreflected light is shielded. .

  In these apparatuses, for example, in Patent Document 2, the angle of the light-shielding part relative to the light-receiving part is detected by detecting the peak of the light-shielding part by the shielding object received by the light-receiving part by waveform processing calculation such as differentiation, and the detection The coordinates of the shielding object are calculated from the result. Patent Document 3 discloses a configuration in which one end and the other end of a light shielding part are detected by comparison with a specific level pattern, and the center of those coordinates is detected.

  Here, a method of detecting coordinates and calculating coordinates as in Patent Documents 1 to 3 is hereinafter referred to as a light shielding method.

  As a system of the coordinate input device described above, a projection device such as a front projector projects the image onto a board having a screen function that is a coordinate input surface of the coordinate input device, and the projection image can be directly input. There are cases.

  Since such a system can enlarge the screen relatively inexpensively, it can be used for conferences that are used by multiple people, remote conferences that are performed by multiple people using an imaging device such as a video camera connected to a network, etc. It's being used.

  However, the user's request is not satisfied in the above-described application. Because there is a demand to increase the presence of the virtual conference room as if the person video of the conference room in the remote place exists in the same conference room, to increase the amount of information that can be displayed, A larger screen is desired.

  However, in the above-described light shielding type coordinate input device, the coordinate input area cannot be enlarged without limitation, and it is necessary for the light receiving unit to obtain a light amount distribution that can calculate the indicated position of the shielding object in the coordinate input area. is there. The amount of light is determined by each component such as the light emission intensity of the illumination unit that illuminates the light, the retroreflection efficiency of the retroreflective member, and the light receiving sensitivity of the light receiving unit. Therefore, the size of one surface of the coordinate input area is determined by the limitations of these components.

  Therefore, as a practical system configuration for enlargement of the screen, it is conceivable that the system of the coordinate input device having the coordinate input area of one surface is combined side by side to make the screen horizontally long.

  As such a horizontally long configuration, Patent Document 4 includes a plurality of light blocking detection devices connected so that their display areas are substantially continuous, and a retroreflective member is provided on both sides of the boundary portion. The structure which partitions off with a partition member is disclosed.

  In Patent Document 5, a detection unit having a sensor unit that detects the position of a shadow of an object placed in a detection region and a light source unit that emits light in the direction of the detection region is detected as a vertically long configuration. A configuration provided outside the region is shown. Further, the retroreflective material is configured to sandwich the detection region between the retroreflective material and the detection unit only on one side of the detection region so as to retroreflect light from the light source without covering the detection region. The contents are disclosed.

  Further, in Patent Document 6, when a plurality of light blocking detection devices are used side by side, the maintenance of the continuity of the cursor or the like is determined based on the stop time of the cursor so that the drag or the destination can be continued on the adjacent screen. The contents to be disclosed are disclosed.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,507,557 JP 2000-105671 A JP 2001-142642 A Patent Registration No. 4167789 Patent Registration No. 3742634 Patent registration No. 4094796

  When a plurality of coordinate input devices having one surface coordinate input device are arranged to form a horizontally long multi-screen system having two or more surfaces, in a conventional configuration having retroreflective members on three sides, retroreflection is performed at adjacent joints. Since there is a member, the coordinate input surface becomes intermittent. Therefore, there is a problem that operability is lowered when input is performed across two coordinate input areas.

  Further, for example, since the display image projected by the projector becomes intermittent, there are problems that the design of the system is lowered and the sense of reality of the displayed video is impaired.

  Patent Document 4 discloses a configuration in which the retroreflective member on the side facing the detection unit is adjacent to make the adjacent portion as thin as possible, but does not solve the above-described problem.

  In addition, regarding the operability of input for a configuration in which the coordinate input area extends over two surfaces, Patent Document 6 determines that the continuity of the cursor or the like is maintained based on the stop time of the cursor so that the operation can be continued on the adjacent screen. . However, since the user is forced to stop the pointing device for a certain period of time, there is a problem that a natural operation is hindered.

  On the other hand, as shown in Patent Document 5, in a configuration having a retroreflective member on only one side, an area that can be input is compared to an area composed of a sensor unit and a retroreflective member constituting the coordinate input device. The ratio becomes smaller. That is, there is a problem that the coordinate input device must be large compared to the input area (screen area).

  Further, in the case of being configured with two or more surfaces with the contents shown in Patent Document 5, since the projection surfaces themselves can be adjacent to each other, a continuous projection image can be obtained, but the coordinate input area is There is a problem that it must not be continuous.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and can reduce the size of a multi-screen system that has a horizontally long display without impairing visual effects such as display design and presence. An object is to provide a coordinate input device.

In order to achieve the above object, a coordinate input device according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
A coordinate input device that calculates the coordinates of a designated position with respect to a rectangular coordinate input region,

Sensor means arranged at least two locations on two opposite sides of the coordinate input area, each of which projects a light projecting toward the coordinate input area, and accompanying an instruction to the coordinate input area Sensor means comprising a light receiving unit for detecting a change in the light amount distribution;
First retroreflective means provided on the first side of the coordinate input area and recursively reflects incident light;
A second retroreflecting means provided on a second side opposite to the first side of the coordinate input area and recursively reflecting incident light;
The first plurality of light quantity distributions obtained by the sensor means facing the first retroreflective means and the first plurality of light quantity distributions by the sensor means facing the second retroreflective means. Based on at least two light quantity distributions among at least four light quantity distributions of the second plurality of light quantity distributions obtained at different timings and the first plurality of light quantity distributions and the second plurality of light quantity distributions, Calculating means for calculating the indicated position in the coordinate input area.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the coordinate input device which can comprise a system compactly, without impairing image effects, such as the design of display of a multi-screen system extended horizontally and a realistic feeling, can be provided.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the coordinate input device of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the detailed structure of the sensor unit of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the detailed structure of the sensor unit of Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control / arithmetic unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the control / arithmetic unit of the first embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the light quantity distribution of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the light quantity distribution of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the light quantity distribution of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the coordinate detection range of the coordinate input area which can be coordinate-calculated by the combination of each sensor unit of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship with the sensor unit of the coordinate defined on the coordinate input area of Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a coordinate calculation process according to the first embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the coordinate input device of Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the coordinate input device of Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the rotational movement mechanism of the sensor unit of Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the coordinate input device of Embodiment 2. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a control / arithmetic unit of Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the coordinate input device of Embodiment 3. FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<Embodiment 1>
<Overview of device configuration>
A schematic configuration of the coordinate input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 1, 1A to 1D and 1E to 1H are sensor units (sensor units) each having a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit, and are installed at a predetermined distance from the rectangular coordinate input regions 4A and 4B. ing. More specifically, at least two sensor units 1A and 1D and sensor units 1B and 1C are provided at two opposite sides (first side and second side) of the coordinate input area 4A (first coordinate input area). Is provided. Further, at least two sensor units 1E and 1H and sensor units 1F and 1G are provided on two opposing sides (first side and second side) of the coordinate input area 4B (second coordinate input area). Yes.

  The sensor units 1A and 1D and 1B and 1C are connected to the control / arithmetic units 2A and 2B for controlling and calculating, respectively, receive control signals from the control / arithmetic units 2A and 2B, and control and calculate the detected signals. Transmit to units 2A and 2B. The sensor units 1E and 1H and 1F and 1G are connected to the control / arithmetic units 2C and 2D for controlling and calculating, respectively, and receive control signals from the control / arithmetic units 2C and 2D and control the detected signals. Transmit to the arithmetic units 2C and 2D.

  3A and 3B are retroreflective portions (a first retroreflective portion and a second retroreflective portion) provided on two opposing sides of the coordinate input areas 4A and 4B, respectively. The retroreflective portions 3A and 3B have retroreflective surfaces that reflect incident light in the direction of arrival, and recursively reflect the light projected from the sensor units 1A to 1H toward the sensor units 1A to 1H. To do. The reflected light is detected one-dimensionally by a light receiving portion of a sensor unit configured by components such as a condensing optical system and a line CCD, and the light amount distribution is transmitted to the control / arithmetic units 2A to 2C.

  Reference numerals 4A and 4B denote coordinate input areas for inputting coordinates, and instruction inputs to the coordinate input area 4A are detected by the sensor units 1A to 1D. In addition, instruction inputs to the coordinate input area 4B are detected by the sensor units 1E to 1H.

  In the first embodiment, the retroreflective portions 3A and 3B are configured on two sides of the coordinate input areas 4A and 4B, and the sensor units 1A, 1D, 1E, and 1H are the two sides of the retroreflective portions 3A and 3B. The light projected to one of the retroreflective portions 3B is received. Similarly, the sensor units 1B, 1C, 1F, and 1G receive the light projected on the other retroreflective portion 3A.

  In the first embodiment, the two coordinate input areas 4A and 4B are adjacent to each other with no gap. The sensor units 1A to 1H used for calculating the coordinates of the input instruction by the pointing tool such as a finger in each coordinate input area are arranged outside the coordinate input areas 4A and 4B as shown in the drawing. Then, the coordinate input areas 4A and 4B are configured by a display screen of a display device (display unit) such as a PDP, a rear projector, or an LCD panel, or an image is projected by a front projector, thereby providing an interactive coordinate input device. Is available.

  In such a configuration, when an input instruction is given to the coordinate input areas 4A and 4B by an indicator such as a finger, the light projected from the light projecting unit is blocked, and reflected light due to retroreflection cannot be obtained. The amount of light cannot be obtained only at the input instruction position.

  Each of the control / arithmetic units 2A and 2B and 2C and 2D has a wireless communication unit that communicates data with each other. The control / arithmetic units 2A to 2D detect the light shielding range of the input instructed part from the light quantity change of the sensor units 1A to 1H, specify the detection point within the light shielding range, and identify the respective light shielding ranges and sensors. Calculate the angle to the unit. From the calculated angle and the distance between the sensor units, the coordinates of the pointing position of the pointing tool on the coordinate input area are calculated, and the information processing device such as a PC connected to the display device is connected via an interface such as a USB. To output the coordinate value of the indicated position.

  In this way, operations of the information processing apparatus such as drawing a line on the screen and operating icons can be performed by an indicator such as a finger.

<Detailed explanation of sensor unit>
Next, the structure of sensor unit 1A-1H is demonstrated using FIG.2 and FIG.3. The sensor units 1A to 1H are roughly composed of a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the sensor unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  Fig.2 (a) has shown the light projection part 100 of each sensor unit 1A-1H. Reference numeral 101 denotes an infrared LED that emits infrared light, and projects light in a predetermined range toward the retroreflecting unit 3 by a light projecting lens 102. Here, each light projecting unit 100 in the sensor units 1 </ b> A to 1 </ b> H is realized by the infrared LED 101 and the light projecting lens 102. Then, the infrared light projected from the light projecting unit 100 is recursively reflected in the arrival direction by the retroreflecting unit 3, and the light is detected by the light receiving unit 200 in the sensor units 1A to 1H.

  FIG. 2B shows the light receiving unit 200 of each of the sensor units 1A to 1H. The light receiving unit 200 prevents the incidence of extraneous light (disturbance light) such as visible light, a one-dimensional line CCD 103, a light receiving lens 104 as a condensing optical system, a diaphragm 105 that roughly restricts the incident direction of incident light. And an infrared filter 106. Then, the light reflected by the retroreflecting unit 3 passes through the infrared filter 106 and the diaphragm 105 and is condensed on the detection element surface of the line CCD 103 by the light receiving lens 104.

  3 is a cross-sectional view seen from the sensor units 1A and 1B side of FIG. The light from the infrared LED 101A of the sensor unit 1A is configured such that the light is mainly projected onto the retroreflective portion 3B as a light beam that is limited substantially parallel to the coordinate input surface by the light projecting lens 102A. ing. Similarly, the light from the infrared LED 101B of the sensor unit 1B is configured so that the light is mainly projected to the retroreflective portion 3A by the light projection lens 102B.

  Here, in the case of the first embodiment, the light projecting unit 100 and the light receiving unit 200 are arranged to overlap each other in the vertical direction of the coordinate input areas 4A and 4B that are coordinate input surfaces. The first embodiment corresponds to the light emission center of the light projecting unit 100 and the reference position of the light receiving unit 200 (that is, the reference point position for measuring the angle) as viewed from the front direction (perpendicular to the coordinate input surface). In this case, the position of the aperture 105 is matched.

  In addition, the light that is substantially parallel to the coordinate input surface projected by the light projecting unit 100 and is projected in a predetermined angle direction in the direction of the coordinate input surface is reflected by the retroreflecting unit 3A or 3B. Retroreflected in the direction of arrival. Then, light passes through the infrared filter 106A (106B), the stop 105A (105B), and the light receiving lens 104A (104B), and is condensed and imaged on the detection element surface of the line CCD 103A (103B).

  Therefore, since the output signal of the line CCD 103 outputs a light amount distribution corresponding to the incident angle of the reflected light, the pixel number of each pixel constituting the line CCD 103 indicates angle information.

  Note that the distance L between the light projecting unit 100 and the light receiving unit 200 shown in FIG. 3 is sufficiently smaller than the distance from the light projecting unit 100 to the retroreflective unit 3, and it is sufficient that the distance L is present. The retroreflected light can be detected by the light receiving unit 200.

  Further, in FIG. 3, the sensor units 1A and 1B are described. However, the sensor units 1E and 1F, the sensor units 1D and 1C, and the sensor units 1H and 1G having the same relationship are also the sensor units 1A and 1B. It has the same configuration.

  As described above, the sensor units 1 </ b> A to 1 </ b> H are configured to include the light projecting unit 100 and the light receiving unit 200 that respectively detects the light projected by each light projecting unit 100.

<Description of control / arithmetic unit>
A CCD control signal, a CCD clock signal, a CCD output signal, and an LED drive signal are exchanged between the control / arithmetic units 2A to 2D and the sensor units 1A to 1H in FIG. The control / arithmetic unit 2A is connected to the sensor units 1A and 1D. Similarly, the control / arithmetic unit 2B is connected to the sensor units 1B and 1C. The control / arithmetic unit 2C is connected to the sensor units 1E and 1H. The control / arithmetic unit 2D is connected to the sensor units 1F and 1G.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the control / arithmetic unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the configuration of the control / arithmetic unit 2A connected to the sensor units 1A and 1D will be described as an example, but the control / arithmetic units 2B to 2D have the same circuit configuration.

  The CCD control signal is output from the CPU 41 constituted by components such as a one-chip microcomputer, and performs CCD shutter timing, data output control, and the like. The CCD clock signal is transmitted from the clock generation circuit CLK42 to the sensor unit, and is also input to the CPU 41 in order to perform various controls in synchronization with the CCD. The LED drive signal is supplied from the CPU 41 to the infrared LEDs 101 of the sensor units 1A and 1D.

  Detection signals from the light receiving units 200 of the sensor units 1A and 1D are input to the A / D converter 43 of the control / arithmetic unit 2A and converted into digital values under the control of the CPU 41. The converted digital value is stored in the memory 44 and used for angle calculation. Then, a coordinate value is calculated from the calculated angle, and is output to an information processing apparatus such as an external PC via a communication interface such as the serial interface 48. In the serial interface 48, any one of the control / arithmetic units 2A to 2D is connected to the PC.

  Here, in the first embodiment, the sensor units 1A and 1D and the control / arithmetic unit 2A for the sensor units 1A and 1D, and the sensor units 1B and 1C and the control / arithmetic unit 2B for the sensor units 1A and 1D are respectively located above and below the coordinate input area 4A. It is the structure arranged separately. Further, the sensor units 1E and 1H and the control / arithmetic unit 2C for the sensor units 1F and 1G and the control / arithmetic unit 2D for the sensor units 1F and 1G are arranged separately from the upper and lower parts of the coordinate input area 4B. It has a configuration. Furthermore, in each of the upper part and the lower part of the coordinate input areas 4A and 4B, the circuit configuration is connected to a pair of a corresponding sensor unit and a control / arithmetic unit for detecting the coordinates of each coordinate input area.

  Further, the first embodiment has a communication function for performing communication between the control / arithmetic units.

  First, communication between the control / arithmetic units 2A and 2C and between 2B and 2D in the upper part and the lower part is performed by an interface 47 including a wired serial communication unit. The control signals of the upper sensor units 1A, 1D, 1E and 1H and the lower sensor units 1B, 1C, 1F and 1G are synchronized via this interface. Various data stored in the memory 44 are exchanged.

  In addition, a wireless communication unit is used for communication between the upper and lower control / arithmetic units 2A to 2D. In the first embodiment, exchange between the control / arithmetic units 2A to 2D is performed by the data processed by the sub CPU 45 via the infrared communication interface 46 which is one of the wireless communication units.

  Each of the control / arithmetic units 2A to 2D operates under master / slave control. In the case of the first embodiment, the control / arithmetic unit 2A is a master, and the other control / arithmetic units 2B to 2D are slaves. Each of the control / arithmetic units 2A to 2D can be either a master or a slave, but the master / slave can be selected by inputting a switching signal to the port of the CPU 41 by a switching unit such as a dip switch (not shown). It is possible to switch.

  From the control / arithmetic unit 2A, which is the master, a control signal for controlling the timing of transmitting the control signals of the sensor units 1A-1H is transmitted to the slave control / arithmetic units 2B-2D via the infrared communication interface 46. . Then, coordinate values are calculated according to the above-described procedure, and transmitted to an information processing apparatus such as a PC.

<Explanation of light intensity distribution detection>
FIG. 5 is a timing chart of control signals.

  Reference numerals 51, 52, and 53 denote CCD control signals for CCD control, and the shutter release time of the CCD is determined by the interval of the SH signal (51). 52 and 53 are gate signals to the upper sensor unit (sensor units 1A, 1D, 1E, and 1H) and the lower sensor unit (sensor units 1B, 1C, 1F, and 1G), respectively. This signal is transferred to the reading unit.

  54 and 55 are infrared LED drive signals. In order to turn on the infrared LED of the upper sensor unit in the first cycle of the SH signal (51), the LEDU signal (54) passes through the LED drive circuit to the infrared LED. Supplied. Then, in order to turn on the infrared LED of the lower sensor unit in the next cycle, the LEDD signal (55) is supplied to the infrared LED through the LED driving circuit. After the driving of both infrared LEDs is completed, the signal of the line CCD is read from the sensor unit. Therefore, the upper sensor unit and the lower sensor unit emit light at different timings (light emission periods of 56U and 56D), and a plurality of data (light quantity distribution) received by each line CCD of each sensor unit is read out. become.

  When the signal to be read is not input, a light amount distribution as shown in FIG. 6 is obtained as an output from each of the sensor units 1A to 1H. Of course, such a light amount distribution is not necessarily obtained in any system, and the light amount distribution changes depending on the characteristics of the retroreflective portions 3A and 3B, the characteristics of the infrared LED 101, and the change over time (such as dirt on the reflecting surface). To do.

  In the figure, the A level is the maximum light amount level, and the B level is the minimum light amount level. That is, when there is no reflected light, the level obtained is near the B level, and the direction of the A level increases as the amount of reflected light increases. In this way, the data output from the line CCD 103 is sequentially A / D converted and taken into the CPU 41 as digital data.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of output when input is performed with an indicator such as a finger, that is, when retroreflected light is blocked. Since the reflected light is blocked by an indicator such as a finger at the portion C, the amount of light is reduced only at that portion. Detection is performed from the change in the light amount distribution.

  Specifically, an initial state without input as shown in FIG. 6 is stored in advance, and whether there is a change as shown in FIG. 6 in each sample period is detected by the difference from the initial state. An operation for determining an input angle is performed using that portion as an input point.

<Description of angle calculation>
In calculating the angle of the pointing tool with respect to the sensor units 1A to 1H, it is first necessary to detect a light shielding range by the pointing tool.

  As described above, since the light amount distribution detected by the sensor units 1A to 1H is not constant due to factors such as a change with time, the light amount distribution in the initial state is stored in the memory 44 every time the system is started, for example. Is desirable. By doing so, for example, even if the retroreflective surface is dirty with dust or the like, it can be used except when it does not reflect at all.

  Hereinafter, although the angle calculation of the pointing tool by one sensor unit 1A will be described, it is needless to say that the same angle calculation is performed by the other sensor units 1B to 1H.

  When the power is turned on, there is no input (there is no light-shielding portion), and first, the light output from the light projecting unit 100 in the sensor unit 1A is stopped. After D conversion, this value is stored in the memory 44 as Bas_Data [N].

  This value is data including variations in bias of the light receiving unit 200 (line CCD 103), and is data near the B level in FIG. Here, N is a pixel number of a pixel constituting the line CCD 103, and a pixel number corresponding to an effective input range (effective range) is used.

  Next, in a state where light is emitted from the light projecting unit 100, the light amount distribution that is the output of the light receiving unit 200 is A / D converted, and this value is stored in the memory 44 as Ref_Data [N]. This value is, for example, data indicated by a solid line in FIG.

  Then, using Bas_data [N] and Ref_data [N] stored in the memory 44, first, the presence / absence of input by the pointing tool and the presence / absence of the light shielding range are determined. Here, the pixel data of the Nth pixel within the sample period of the output of the sensor unit 1A is Norm_Data [N].

  First, in order to specify the light shielding range, the presence or absence of the light shielding range is determined based on the absolute amount of change in the pixel data. This is to prevent erroneous determination due to noise or the like and to detect a certain amount of reliable change.

  Specifically, the absolute amount of change in the pixel data is calculated for each pixel of the line CCD 103 and compared with a predetermined threshold value Vtha.

Norm_Data [N] _a = Norm_Data [N]-Ref_Data [N] (1)
Here, Norm_Data [N] is an absolute change amount in each pixel of the line CCD 103.

  This process merely calculates the absolute change amount Norm_data_a [N] of each pixel of the line CCD 103 and compares it with the threshold value Vtha. Therefore, it is possible to determine the presence or absence of input at high speed without requiring much processing time. In particular, when the number of pixels exceeding the threshold value Vtha for the first time is detected exceeding a predetermined number, it is determined that there is an input from the pointing tool.

  Next, in order to detect input by the pointing tool with higher accuracy, the ratio of changes in pixel data is calculated to determine the input point.

Norm_Data [N] _r = Norm_Data [N] / (Bas_Data [N]-Ref_Data [N]) (2)
A threshold value Vthr is applied to this pixel data to obtain pixel numbers corresponding to rising and falling portions of the pixel data distribution corresponding to the light shielding range. And the center of both of these is made into the pixel corresponding to the input by an indicator, and the more accurate input position of an indicator can be determined.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of detection after the ratio calculation is completed. Assume that the rising portion of the pixel data distribution crossing the threshold value Vthr is the Nrth pixel and the falling portion is the Nfth pixel with respect to the threshold value Vthr for detecting the light shielding range by the pointing tool.

In this case, the central pixel Np of both pixels is
Np = Nr + (Nf-Nr) / 2 (3)
However, in this case, the pixel interval of the line CCD 103 becomes the minimum resolution. In order to detect with higher resolution, a virtual pixel number crossing the threshold value Vthr is calculated using the data level of each pixel and the data level of the immediately preceding adjacent pixel.

Here, the data level of the pixel on the Nr plate surface is Lr, and the data level of the Nr-1st pixel is Lr-1. The data level of the Nf-th pixel is Lf, and the data level of the Nf-1th pixel is Lf-1. In this case, the respective virtual pixel numbers Nrv and Nfv are
Nrv = Nr-1 + (Vthr-Lr-1) / (Lr-Lr-1) (4)
Nfv = Nf-1 + (Vthr-Lf-1) / (Lf-Lf-1) (5)
Can be calculated. And the virtual center pixel Npv of these virtual pixel numbers Nrv and Nfv is
Npv = Nrv + (Nfv-Nrv) / 2 (6)
Determined by

  Thus, detection with higher resolution can be performed by calculating a virtual virtual pixel number that crosses the threshold Vthr from the pixel number of the pixel of the data level exceeding the threshold Vthr and the adjacent pixel number and the data level. Can be realized. In order to calculate the actual coordinate value of the pointing tool from the center pixel number indicating the center point of the light shielding range obtained in this way, it is necessary to convert the center pixel number into angle information.

  In actual coordinate calculation to be described later, it is more convenient to calculate the value of the tangent (tan θ) at the angle rather than the angle itself. A table reference or a conversion formula is used for conversion from the pixel number to tan θ. For example, a high-order polynomial can be used for this conversion formula to ensure accuracy, but the order and the like may be determined in view of calculation capability, accuracy specifications, and the like.

Here, an example in the case of using a 5th order polynomial requires 6 coefficients in the case of using a 5th order polynomial, so this data may be stored in the memory 44 at the time of shipment or the like. When the coefficient of the fifth order polynomial is L5, L4, L3, L2, L1, L0, tan θ is
tanθ = (L5 * Npr + L4) * Npr + L3) * Npr + L2) * Npr + L1) * Npr + L0 (7)
Can be represented.

  If the same thing is done for each sensor unit, the respective angle data can be determined. Of course, in the above example, tan θ is calculated, but the angle itself may be calculated, and then tan θ may be calculated.

<Description of coordinate calculation method>
Next, a coordinate calculation method for calculating the position coordinates of the pointing tool from the angle data (tan θ) converted from the pixel number will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a coordinate detection range of a coordinate input area in which coordinates can be calculated by a combination of sensor units according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 9, the sensor units 1A to 1D for the coordinate input area 4A will be described, but the same applies to the sensor units 1E to 1H for the coordinate input area 4B.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the area where the light projection and light reception ranges of the sensor units intersect is an area where coordinates can be calculated. Accordingly, the range in which coordinates can be calculated by the sensor units 1C and 1D is the hatched range 91 in FIG. Similarly, the range in which coordinates can be calculated by the sensor units 1B and 1C is a hatched range 92 in FIG. 9B. The range in which coordinates can be calculated by the sensor units 1A and 1B is a hatched range 93 in FIG. A range in which coordinates can be calculated by the sensor units 1A and 1D is a hatched range 94 in FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a positional relationship with the coordinate sensor unit defined on the coordinate input area according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 10, the sensor units 1A to 1D for the coordinate input area 4A will be described, but the same applies to the sensor units 1E to 1H for the coordinate input area 4B.

  In FIG. 10, the X axis is defined in the horizontal direction of the coordinate input area 4A, the Y axis is defined in the vertical direction, and the center of the coordinate input area 4A is defined as the origin position O (0, 0). The sensor units 1A to 1D are attached symmetrically to the Y axis on the left and right sides of the upper and lower sides of the coordinate input range of the coordinate input area 4A. When there is an input at the position of the point P, at this time, the light shielding data is detected by the sensor units 1B and 1C.

The distance between the sensor units 1B and 1C is expressed as Dh, the center of the screen is the origin position of the screen, and P0 (0, P0Y) is the intersection of the sensor units 1B and 1C with an angle of 0. . The respective angles are θL and θR, and tan θL and tan θR are calculated using the above polynomials. At this time, the (x, y) coordinates of the point P are
x = Dh * (tanθL + tanθR) / (1 + (tanθL * tanθR) (8)
y =-Dh * (tanθR-tanθL-(2 * tanθL * tanθR))
/ (1+ (tanθL * tanθR)) + P0Y (9)
Calculated by

  Note that, as described above, the combination of the sensor units 1A to 1D is changed by the coordinate input area 4, but the parameters of the coordinate calculation formula are changed by the combination of the sensor units 1A to 1D.

  For example, in the case of calculating the shading data detected by the sensor units 1C and 1D, the conversion formulas (8) and (9) are used to convert Dh → Dv and P0Y → P1X using the values shown in FIG. Then, the further calculated x and y are converted to each other.

  Similarly, when the light shielding data is detected by the combination of the sensor units 1A and 1B and the combination of the sensor units 1A and 1D, the parameters can be changed and the calculation can be performed by the above formulas (8) and (9). it can.

  The coordinate input area where the coordinates can be detected by the combination of the sensor units includes a coordinate input area where the coordinate detection ranges overlap, so that a plurality of coordinates may be detected, but the calculated coordinate values are averaged, etc. Then, the final coordinates may be determined.

  In the first embodiment, the coordinate input area has two surfaces. However, when the coordinates are calculated using the data detected by the sensor units 1E to 1H, the coordinate values can be calculated in the same manner as described above. .

  However, the coordinate value output to the information processing apparatus may differ depending on the display mode of the information processing apparatus. For example, in the case of so-called clone display in which the same image is displayed on two desktop screens, the calculated coordinate values may be transmitted to the PC as they are. In the case of the so-called extended desktop mode in which two images are handled as one desktop screen, it is desirable to offset the calculated coordinate values and transmit them to the information processing apparatus.

  As described above, the calculated coordinate value may be output to the information processing apparatus by appropriately offsetting it according to the display mode of the information processing apparatus, but is not limited thereto. For example, the coordinate value may be output to the information processing apparatus as it is calculated, and the coordinate value may be appropriately changed according to the display mode by an application such as a driver installed in the information processing apparatus.

<Description of coordinate calculation processing>
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing coordinate calculation processing executed by the coordinate input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 11 illustrates coordinate calculation processing for the control / arithmetic units 2A and 2B and the sensor units 1A to 1D for the coordinate input area 4A. However, the control / arithmetic units 2C and 2D and the sensor unit 1E for the coordinate input area 4B are described. The same applies to ˜1H.

  First, when the power of the coordinate input device is turned on, in step S102, various initializations related to the coordinate input device such as port setting and timer setting of the control / arithmetic units 2A and 2B are performed. In step S103, the CCD pixel effective range of the line CCD 103 is set from a set value stored in advance in the memory 44, for example. In addition, the initial reading count of the initial reading operation of the line CCD 103 is set.

  This initial reading operation is an operation for removing unnecessary charges from the line CCD 103 when the coordinate input device is activated. In the line CCD 103, unnecessary charges may be accumulated when the line CCD 103 is not operated. If the coordinate input operation is performed in a state where the charges are accumulated, detection becomes impossible or erroneous detection is caused. . Therefore, in order to avoid this, in step S104, a predetermined number of reading operations are executed in a state where light projection by the light projecting unit 100 is stopped. Thereby, unnecessary charges are removed.

  In step S105, it is determined whether or not reading has been performed a predetermined number of times or more. If reading has not been performed a predetermined number of times or more (NO in step S105), the process returns to step S104. On the other hand, when the reading is executed a predetermined number of times or more (YES in step S105), the process proceeds to step S106.

  In step S106, pixel data (Bas_data [N]) of the line CCD 103 in a state where the light projection by the light projecting unit 100 is stopped is captured as base data. In step S107, the base data is stored in the memory 44. Next, in step S108, pixel data (Ref_data [N]) of the line CCD 103 in a state where light is emitted from the light projecting unit 100 is fetched as reference data. In step S109, the reference data is stored in the memory 44.

  Note that the data when the light is projected is the data (first plurality of light quantity distributions) projected at different timings (first detection and second detection) between the upper sensor unit pair and the lower sensor unit pair. And a second plurality of light quantity distributions). This is because the upper sensor unit and the lower sensor unit are opposed to each other, and therefore, if light is projected at the same time, it is possible to avoid detecting each other's light projection with each other's light receiving unit.

  In step S110, it is determined whether or not the reference data has been taken in all the sensor units. If not completed (NO in step S110), the process returns to step S108. On the other hand, if the process is completed (YES in step S110), that is, if reference data has been taken in all sensor units, the process proceeds to step S111.

  The processing so far is the initial setting operation when the power is turned on. It goes without saying that this initial setting operation may be configured to operate according to the operator's intention using a reset switch or the like configured in the coordinate input device. After this initial setting operation, the normal coordinate input operation state is entered.

  In step S111, in the coordinate input sampling state, the normal capture operation of the line CCD 103 is executed to capture pixel data (Norm_data [N]). In step S112, it is determined whether or not capturing has been completed for all sensor units. If not completed (NO in step S112), the process returns to step S111. On the other hand, if the process has been completed (YES in step S112), that is, if the acquisition has been completed for all sensor units, the process proceeds to step S113.

  In step S113, the difference value between the reference data (Ref_data [N]) and the pixel data (Norm_data [N]) is calculated in all the sensor units. In step S114, based on the difference value and the above-described threshold value Vthr, the presence / absence of an input (light-shielding portion) by the pointing tool is determined. If there is no input (NO in step S114), the process returns to step S111. On the other hand, if there is an input (YES in step S114), the process proceeds to step S115, and the ratio of change in pixel data is calculated using equation (2).

  In step S116, the falling and rising of the pixel data distribution corresponding to the light shielding range by the pointing tool are detected with respect to the calculated change ratio of the pixel data. And the virtual center pixel number used as the center of a light-shielding range is determined using the detected fall and rise, and (4), (5), and (6) Formula. Then, Tanθ is calculated from an approximate polynomial from the center pixel number obtained in step S117.

  In step S118, parameters other than Tanθ such as the inter-sensor distance are selected in equations (8) and (9) from the combination of sensor units determined to have a light shielding area, and the calculation equation is changed. In step S119, the input coordinate P (x, y) of the pointing tool is calculated from the Tan θ value in the sensor unit using the equations (8) and (9).

  In step S120, it is determined whether coordinate calculation has been performed for all combinations of sensor units determined as “input present” in step S114. If coordinate calculation has not been completed for all combinations (NO in step S120), the process returns to step S115. On the other hand, when coordinate calculation is completed for all the combinations (YES in step S120), the process proceeds to step S121.

  Next, in step S121, it is determined whether or not the coordinate input area 4A has been touched for the coordinates output in the processes so far. For example, a proximity input state in which the cursor is moved without pressing a mouse button and a touch-down state in which the left button is pressed are determined. Actually, if the maximum value of the previously obtained ratio exceeds a certain predetermined value (for example, 0.5), it is determined to be down, and if it is less than that, the proximity input state is determined. According to this result, the down flag is set in step S121, or the down flag is canceled in step S122.

  Since the coordinate value and the down state are determined in step S123, the data is output to the host PC. This output may be transmitted by serial communication or by an arbitrary interface. On the host PC side that receives the data, the driver interprets the received data, and moves the cursor and changes the mouse button state with reference to data such as coordinate values and flags, allowing operation of the PC screen. become.

  The transmission here is, for example, a control signal for controlling the timing of transmitting the control signals of the sensor units 1A to 1H from the control / arithmetic unit 2A as a master to the slave control / arithmetic units 2B to 2D by an infrared communication interface. 46. Then, the coordinate value calculated through the above-described process is transmitted from the master control / arithmetic unit 2A to an information processing apparatus such as a PC.

  When the process of step S123 is completed, the process returns to step S111, and thereafter, the above process is repeated until the power is turned off or until the reset state is set by the operator's intention.

  Here, if the repetition cycle is set to about 10 [msec], the coordinate input device can output the coordinate indicated by the finger or the pointing tool to the external device or the like at a cycle of 100 times / second.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to realize a coordinate input device that enables a plurality of coordinate input areas to be connected and used as one coordinate input area.

<Embodiment 2>
In the first embodiment, a coordinate input device configured in a state where components such as a sensor unit are installed on the coordinate input area is described with respect to a usage pattern in which the coordinate input area is used on two surfaces. In the second embodiment, an embodiment in which a plurality of coordinate input areas on one surface are adjacent to each other and used in a coordinate input device having two or more coordinate input areas will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the coordinate input device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same reference numerals are used for the same components as those in the first embodiment. FIG. 12 shows a short side of the coordinate input device (sensor unit 1C and 1D side) constituting the coordinate input region 4A of one surface by the sensor units 1A to 1D and a short of the coordinate input region 4B of the other coordinate input device. The structure which has adjoined two units | sets by the side (sensor unit 1E and 1F side) is shown.

  12A to 5D and 5E to 5F in FIG. 12 are mounting brackets for mounting the sensor unit to the retroreflective portions 3A to 3D (or their housings (not shown)), and each sensor unit is located at a position where coordinates can be calculated. It is for attaching correctly. In the second embodiment, the distance between the sensors is set to Dh, and the sensor units are attached to the mounting bracket so that the distance between the focal positions of the sensor units is Dh.

  In the configuration of FIG. 12, the sensor units 1C to 1F and the mounting brackets 5C to 5F protrude outward from the coordinate input areas 4A and 4B from the extension direction of the short sides of the coordinate input areas 4A and 4B. Therefore, there is a region where the sensor units interfere with each other and cannot be detected. This is because each sensor unit has an optically limited viewing angle. Therefore, if a light intensity distribution is obtained so as to cover the coordinate input area, the sensor unit is arranged outside the coordinate input area. This is because it must be done.

  Therefore, in order to make the coordinate input area 4A and the coordinate input area 4B adjacent to each other without a gap, the sensor units 1C and 1D, the mounting brackets 5C and 5D, and the retroreflective portion 3A are extended from the direction 6B of the short side of the coordinate input area 4A. And 3B need to be on the coordinate input area 4A side. Moreover, it is necessary to take a configuration in which the sensor units 1E and 1F, the mounting brackets 5E and 5F, and the retroreflective portions 3C and 3D are located on the coordinate input region 4B side from the extension line direction 6C of the short side of the coordinate input region 4B.

  In the second embodiment, the sensor unit has a rotation mechanism that can change the mounting position by rotating, and the sensor unit has a bending mechanism that bends the mounting bracket and the retroreflective portion after the sensor unit rotates. Thus, the above-mentioned problem is solved.

  In FIG. 13, in order to make the coordinate input areas 4A and 4B adjacent to each other without a gap, the sensor units 1C to 1F in FIG. 12 are rotated in the mounting bracket, and the adjacent sides of the mounting brackets 5C to 5F and the retroreflective portions 3A to 3D are moved. The state bent from the predetermined position is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the sensor units 1C to 1F, the mounting brackets 5C to 5F, and the retroreflective portions 3A to 3D are coordinate input from the extension line directions 6B and 6C on the short side on the side where the coordinate input areas 4A and 4B are adjacent to each other. It is fixed at a position within a predetermined range that does not protrude outside the regions 4A and 4B. The sensor units 1C and 1D are used to calculate the input coordinates of the coordinate input area 4B after the rotational position is changed and the mounting position is changed. Similarly, the sensor units 1E and 1F are used to calculate the input coordinates of the coordinate input area 4A after the rotational movement and the mounting position are changed.

  Therefore, the sensor unit 1C performs light projection and light reception on the retroreflective portion 3D, and the sensor unit 1D performs light projection and light reception on the retroreflective portion 3C. Similarly, the sensor unit 1E performs light projection and light reception on the retroreflection unit 3B, and the sensor unit 1F performs light projection and light reception on the retroreflection unit 3A.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the rotational movement mechanism of the sensor unit 1D, the mounting bracket 5D, and the bending mechanism of the retroreflective portion 3A.

  FIG. 14A shows a state before the sensor unit 1D is rotationally moved (the state shown in FIG. 12). Reference numeral 151 denotes a groove for rotating the sensor unit. The sensor unit is moved by sliding the groove so that the position is symmetric with respect to the extension line direction 6B of the adjacent short side of the coordinate input area 4A. Fixed to. Reference numeral 152 denotes a movement detection switch (detection mechanism), which is used to detect movement of the sensor unit 1D (movement to the fixed mounting position).

  FIG. 14B shows a state after the sensor unit 1D is moved along the groove 151 and fixed. As described above, after the rotational movement, the coordinate input area for detecting the coordinates before the movement is switched from the coordinate input area 4A to the coordinate input area 4B. This switching is performed by detecting that the attachment position has been changed by the rotational movement of the sensor unit 1D by the movement detection switch 152 described above.

  FIG. 14C is a diagram for explaining the bending mechanism of the mounting bracket 5D, and shows a state in which the sensor unit is removed for explanation. As shown in the figure, it has a bending mechanism that bends in the direction of the arrow. The bending position is a position that does not protrude from the direction of the extended line of the short side of the coordinate input area.

  FIG. 14D is a diagram for explaining the bending mechanism of the retroreflective portion 3A. Like the mounting bracket, it is bent from a predetermined position in the direction of the arrow, and after bending, the short side of the coordinate input area is extended. It does not protrude from the line direction. The folding mechanism of the mounting bracket and the retroreflective portion may be realized by having a hinge portion or the like.

  With the configuration as described above, as shown in FIG. 15, the coordinate input regions 4A and 4B of the coordinate input device can be adjacent to each other without a gap, and are configured without changing the distance between the sensors after being adjacent. be able to.

  As shown in FIG. 15, after the adjacent coordinate input areas 4A and 4B, the inter-sensor distance between the sensor units 1B and 1F for calculating the coordinates of the coordinate input area 4A is Dh, which is 1 before the adjacent one. It is the same as the distance between sensors when used on a surface.

  FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a control / arithmetic unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The control / arithmetic unit of the second embodiment differs from the control / arithmetic unit 2A of the first embodiment in the following points. First, the input of the movement detection switch 152 for detecting that the sensor unit 1D arranged on the mounting bracket 5D of FIG. 14 is rotationally moved and the mounting position is changed is connected to the input port of the CPU 41. Although not shown in FIG. 14, the movement detection switch 152 of the sensor unit 1 </ b> A disposed on the mounting bracket 5 </ b> A in FIG. 12 is connected to the input port of the CPU 41, as described above.

  CPU41 selects each data detected with the sensor unit used in order to calculate the coordinate of a coordinate input area | region based on the detection signal from a movement detection switch. That is, in the coordinate calculation process of FIG. 11, in step S118, parameters other than Tanθ such as the distance between sensors are selected from the combinations of sensor units determined to have a light-shielding region in equations (8) and (9). Change the calculation formula. In step S119, the input coordinate P (x, y) of the pointing tool is calculated from the Tan θ value of the sensor unit selected based on the detection signal of the movement detection switch using the equations (8) and (9). .

  When the coordinate input areas are adjacent to each other, the control / arithmetic units 2A to 2D are connected to the master / slave units by connecting the interfaces 47 of the respective control / arithmetic units at the upper and lower portions, as in the first embodiment. Operates by control. Then, the control / arithmetic unit serving as a master transmits coordinate values to an information processing apparatus such as a PC.

  As described above, the retroreflective portion is configured of a retroreflective member that is longer than the long side of the coordinate input area, and when the retroreflective member is arranged on the long side of the coordinate input area, A first bending mechanism in which the retroreflective member is bent in the long side direction from the predetermined position. In addition, as a mounting portion for mounting the sensor unit to the retroreflective portion, a second bending mechanism that bends the mounting portion from a predetermined position in the long side direction of the coordinate input area, and a moving mechanism that moves the mounting position of the sensor unit.

  When the coordinate input areas are adjacent to each other, the first bending mechanism of the retroreflective portion and the second bending mechanism of the attachment portion are each bent. As a result, the short sides of the coordinate input area are adjacent to each other, and the attachment position of the sensor unit is attached by the moving mechanism so as to be on the coordinate input area side from the extending direction of the short side adjacent to the coordinate input area.

  Further, the moving mechanism can attach the sensor unit at a line-symmetrical position about the extension line direction.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to calculate coordinates in a state where two coordinate input devices that can be used on one surface are arranged and the two surfaces of the coordinate input region are adjacent to each other without a gap. A system in which the coordinate input area is horizontally long can be configured.

  In the second embodiment, the case where the coordinate input area is configured on two surfaces has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a configuration with three or more surfaces can be similarly realized by configuring the sensor unit, the mounting bracket, and the retroreflective portion on the adjacent side of the coordinate input area with a rotational movement mechanism and a bending mechanism.

<Embodiment 3>
In the first embodiment, a coordinate input device configured in a state where components such as a sensor unit are installed on the coordinate input area is described with respect to a usage pattern in which the coordinate input area is used on two surfaces. Further, in the second embodiment, a configuration in which components such as a sensor unit can be rotated makes it possible to configure two coordinate input regions by adjoining two coordinate input regions on one surface, and change depending on the usage mode. The device configuration that can be used is described.

  In the third embodiment, an embodiment in which the sensor unit unit can be used on two adjacent surfaces while being used on one surface without moving or rotating the sensor unit portion on one surface or two surfaces will be described.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining a coordinate input apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 17, reference numerals 17A to 17E denote mirrors, which are arranged on the light paths of the light projection and light reception by the sensor units 1A to 1E. It differs from the configuration of the second embodiment in that the mirrors 17A to 17E are provided.

  The mirrors 17A to 17E are composed of curved mirrors, and the light emitted from the sensor units 1A to 1E is folded back and projected to the retroreflective portions 3A to 3E, and the reflected light from the retroreflective portions 3A to 3E is folded back to the sensor unit 1A. The image is formed on the line CCD 103 of the light receiving unit 200 of ˜1E.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 17, the sensor units 1 </ b> A to 1 </ b> E can be configured compactly without protruding in the horizontal direction of the coordinate input areas 4 </ b> A and 4 </ b> B.

  In other words, when a plurality of mirrors arranged on the optical path for light projection from the light projecting unit and light reception by the light receiving unit are adjacent to the short side of the coordinate input region, the sides where the coordinate input regions are adjacent to each other And it is arrange | positioned in the extension line direction of each of the edge | side which opposes it.

  With this configuration, the coordinate input area 4A and the coordinate input area 4B can be easily adjacent to each other.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, it is possible to calculate coordinates in a state where two coordinate input devices that can be used on one surface are arranged and the two surfaces of the coordinate input region are adjacent to each other without a gap. A system in which the coordinate input area is horizontally long can be configured.

  The curved mirror in the third embodiment is configured by an ellipse, a parabola, a hyperbola, a concave surface, a convex surface, and the like. Depending on the position of the sensor unit, the positional relationship between the coordinate input area and the retroreflective portion, the length of the retroreflective portion, etc. What is necessary is just to select suitably.

  The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, or the like) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.

Claims (10)

A coordinate input device that calculates the coordinates of a designated position with respect to a rectangular coordinate input region,

Sensor means arranged at least two locations on two opposite sides of the coordinate input area, each of which projects a light projecting toward the coordinate input area, and accompanying an instruction to the coordinate input area Sensor means comprising a light receiving unit for detecting a change in the light amount distribution;
First retroreflective means provided on the first side of the coordinate input area and recursively reflects incident light;
A second retroreflecting means provided on a second side opposite to the first side of the coordinate input area and recursively reflecting incident light;
The first plurality of light quantity distributions obtained by the sensor means facing the first retroreflective means and the first plurality of light quantity distributions by the sensor means facing the second retroreflective means. Based on at least two light quantity distributions among at least four light quantity distributions of the second plurality of light quantity distributions obtained at different timings and the first plurality of light quantity distributions and the second plurality of light quantity distributions, A coordinate input device comprising: calculation means for calculating an indicated position in the coordinate input area. The coordinate input area is formed of two or more coordinate input areas in which a plurality of the coordinate input areas are adjacent to a side in a direction different from the first side and the second side. The coordinate input device according to claim 1. When the first coordinate input area and the second coordinate input area are adjacent as the two coordinate input areas,
From the side adjacent to the first coordinate input region and the second coordinate input region, the first side and the second side of the first coordinate input region are positioned within a predetermined range. Sensor means for two coordinate input areas are arranged,
From the side adjacent to the first coordinate input region and the second coordinate input region, the first side and the second side of the second coordinate input region are positioned within a predetermined range. The coordinate input device according to claim 2, wherein sensor means for one coordinate input area is arranged. The first retroreflective means and the second retroreflective means are composed of a retroreflective member longer than the long side of the rectangular coordinate input region, and the retroreflective member is placed on the long side of the coordinate input region. A first bending mechanism in which the retroreflective member bends in the long side direction from a predetermined position on the extended line of the short side of the coordinate input area when arranged,
An attachment means for attaching the sensor means to each of the first retroreflective means and the second retroreflective means, a second bending mechanism for bending the attachment means in the long side direction from the predetermined position; The coordinate input device according to claim 2, further comprising: an attaching unit having a moving mechanism that moves an attachment position of the sensor unit. When a plurality of the coordinate input areas are adjacent to each other, the first folding mechanism of each of the first retroreflective means and the second retroreflective means and the second folding mechanism of the mounting means are respectively bent. By the moving mechanism, the short sides of the coordinate input area are adjacent to each other, and the attachment position of the sensor means is on the side of the coordinate input area from the extended line direction of the short side adjacent to the coordinate input area. The coordinate input device according to claim 4, wherein the coordinate input device is attached. The coordinate input device according to claim 5, wherein the moving mechanism is capable of attaching the sensor means at a line-symmetrical position about the extension line direction. The attachment means further includes a detection mechanism for detecting movement of the sensor means to the attachment fixing position,
The coordinate input device according to claim 6, wherein the coordinate input area in which the sensor means detects coordinates is switched based on a detection signal from the detection mechanism. A mirror disposed on an optical path for light projection from the light projecting unit and light reception by the light receiving unit of the sensor means, wherein the coordinate input area is in a direction different from the first side and the second side 2. The coordinate input according to claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of mirrors arranged in the extension line direction of each of the adjacent sides and the opposite sides when the plurality of sides are adjacent to each other. apparatus. As a coordinate input device that calculates the coordinates of the designated position for a rectangular coordinate input area,
Sensor means arranged at least two locations on two opposite sides of the coordinate input area, each of which projects a light projecting toward the coordinate input area, and accompanying an instruction to the coordinate input area Sensor means comprising a light receiving unit for detecting a change in the light amount distribution;
First retroreflective means provided on the first side of the coordinate input area and recursively reflects incident light;
A control method for a coordinate input device, comprising: a second retroreflective means provided on a second side opposite to the first side of the coordinate input region and recursively reflecting incident light;
A first detection step of detecting a first plurality of light quantity distributions by the sensor means facing the first retroreflective means;
A second detection step of detecting a second plurality of light quantity distributions at a timing different from the first plurality of light quantity distributions by the sensor means facing the second retroreflecting means;
A calculation step of calculating an indicated position in the coordinate input area based on at least two light quantity distributions among at least four light quantity distributions of the first plurality of light quantity distributions and the second plurality of light quantity distributions. A control method for a coordinate input device. As a coordinate input device that calculates the coordinates of the designated position for a rectangular coordinate input area,
Sensor means arranged at least two locations on two opposite sides of the coordinate input area, each of which projects a light projecting toward the coordinate input area, and accompanying an instruction to the coordinate input area Sensor means comprising a light receiving unit for detecting a change in the light amount distribution;
First retroreflective means provided on the first side of the coordinate input area and recursively reflects incident light;
A second retroreflective means provided on a second side opposite to the first side of the coordinate input area and recursively reflecting incident light; A program,
In the computer,
A first detection step of detecting a first plurality of light quantity distributions by the sensor means facing the first retroreflective means;
A second detection step of detecting a second plurality of light quantity distributions at a timing different from the first plurality of light quantity distributions by the sensor means facing the second retroreflecting means;
A calculation step of calculating an indicated position in the coordinate input area based on at least two light quantity distributions among at least four light quantity distributions of the first plurality of light quantity distributions and the second plurality of light quantity distributions. A program characterized by letting

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