JP2013152519A - Two-dimensional coordinate detection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical two-dimensional coordinate detection device for detecting the coordinates of a plurality of objects in a two-dimensional coordinate area.SOLUTION: A coordinate detection device 1 detects a coordinate group as a collection of one or more coordinates from one or more scanning angles detected by all optical devices 3, 4 and 5, and from one or more scanning angles detected by each of selected two optical devices (3 and 4, 3 and 5, 4 and 5) in each of three combinations when selecting two from all optical devices 3, 4, and 5, and detects two coordinates P1 and P2 commonly included in the three coordinate groups detected in accordance with the three combinations as the coordinates of objects O1 and O2.

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for detecting the coordinates of an object in a two-dimensional coordinate area.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an optical positioning device (two-dimensional coordinate detection device) including a housing having a rectangular target area (two-dimensional coordinate region) for determining the position (coordinates) of an object and a pair of light distribution detection assemblies is provided. Known (Patent Document 1). In this device, the housing has a reflector assembly made of a retroreflective material. Here, the retroreflection is a reflection that is emitted in a direction parallel to the incident light and opposite to the incident direction. The light distribution detection assembly also includes a light source that emits scanning light that scans the target area and a light detector that detects light retroreflected by the reflector assembly.

  When the light emitted from the light source is blocked by the object before reaching the reflector assembly, the level of light detected by the photodetector changes compared to the case where the light is not blocked by the object. The light distribution detection assembly can detect the presence or absence of an object based on the detected light level.

  Here, when there is one object in the target area, each of the pair of light distribution detection assemblies detects one angle at which light emitted from the light source is blocked by this object in one scan. When a straight line having a detected angle is drawn from each of the pair of light distribution detection assemblies, there is a point (intersection point) where the two straight lines intersect. This intersection becomes the coordinates of the object. Since the distance between the pair of light distribution detection assemblies is known, the triangulation method is used to find the intersection (the triangle apex) from the angle between one side and both ends thereof (the angle detected by each of the pair of light distribution detection assemblies). The coordinates of the object in the target area can be detected.

JP-A-62-2428

  In recent years, such an apparatus for detecting the coordinates of an object is required to be able to detect the coordinates of a plurality of objects at a time for reasons such as improvement of merchantability.

  For example, when two objects are in the target area, in the optical positioning device described in Patent Document 1, each of the pair of light distribution detection assemblies detects two angles at which light is blocked in one scan. To do. Therefore, when a straight line having two angles detected from each of the pair of light distribution detection assemblies is drawn, a total of four intersections of the four straight lines are obtained. Since there are two objects, two of the four intersections are different from the coordinates of the object. However, the optical positioning device of Patent Document 1 cannot distinguish which of the four intersections is the object coordinates, that is, cannot detect the object coordinates.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a two-dimensional coordinate detection apparatus capable of detecting the coordinates of a plurality of objects in a two-dimensional coordinate area in an optical two-dimensional coordinate detection apparatus.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, in order to detect the coordinates of an object in a two-dimensional coordinate area, a pair of optical devices arranged on the periphery of the two-dimensional coordinate area or outside the two-dimensional coordinate area; A retroreflecting unit that retroreflects light emitted from the optical device, and each of the pair of optical devices includes an irradiation unit that emits light that scans a two-dimensional coordinate region and the retroreflecting unit that is emitted from the irradiation unit. A two-dimensional coordinate detection device comprising a light-receiving unit that receives light retroreflected by a reflection unit, the pair of optical elements arranged on the periphery of the two-dimensional coordinate region or outside the two-dimensional coordinate region An optical device different from the device, and each of the light receiving units of the pair of optical devices and the other optical device is configured such that light emitted from the irradiation unit of the optical device is generated by one or a plurality of the objects. The recursion is blocked Detecting one or a plurality of scanning angles when the emitted light cannot be received, and selecting each of all combinations when selecting two optical devices out of the pair of optical devices and the other optical devices A coordinate group that is one or more coordinates from the one or more scanning angles detected by one of the two optical devices and the one or more scanning angles detected by the other optical device And one or a plurality of coordinates included in common in the coordinate group detected by each of all the combinations is detected as the coordinates of the one or a plurality of the objects.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the two-dimensional coordinate detection apparatus detects all scanning angles at which the light receiving unit cannot receive light due to light being blocked by an object in all optical apparatuses. The distance to the object is unknown from the scanning angle detected by one optical device. However, by knowing the scanning angle detected by the two optical devices and the distance between the two optical devices, that is, knowing the length of one side and the angles of both ends, the shape and size of the triangle can be reduced. The coordinates of the object defined and located at the apex of the triangle are determined (ie, determined by triangulation).

  For this reason, the two-dimensional coordinate detection device performs all detections by one of the selected two optical devices in each of the combinations when selecting two of the optical devices. A coordinate group that is a set of one or a plurality of coordinates is detected from the detected scanning angle and all the detected scanning angles by the other optical device. Since the arrangement of all the optical devices is determined in advance, the distance (length of one side) between the two selected optical devices is defined for each coordinate group.

  At this time, since there are a plurality of detected scanning angles (for the number of objects) in one optical apparatus, there are a plurality of lines (for the number of objects) connecting one optical apparatus and the object. Therefore, the intersection of the straight lines connecting each of the two optical devices and the object is not necessarily the coordinates of the object. For this reason, in addition to the object coordinates (hereinafter referred to as “true coordinates”), the coordinate group includes coordinates that are not object coordinates (hereinafter referred to as “false coordinates”) when there are a plurality of objects. Yes.

  The two-dimensional coordinate detection device cannot distinguish whether the coordinates of the object detected by the two optical devices are true or false. However, since the pseudo coordinates are detected by the scanning angle detected by the two optical devices, a straight line connecting the optical device different from the two optical devices and the object does not necessarily pass through the pseudo coordinates. That is, pseudo coordinates are not included in all combinations (all coordinate groups) of all optical devices. On the other hand, true coordinates are included in all coordinate groups.

  Therefore, the two-dimensional coordinate detection device detects one or more coordinates included in common in all detected coordinate groups as coordinates of one or more objects. As described above, the coordinates of a plurality of objects in the two-dimensional coordinate area can be detected.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the two-dimensional coordinate region is a rectangular region, the pair of optical devices are disposed at both ends of a predetermined side of the two-dimensional coordinate region, and the another optical device is: You may arrange | position between said pair of optical apparatuses.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pair of optical devices disposed on a predetermined side of the two-dimensional coordinate region, and the optical device for detecting the coordinates of an object in the rectangular two-dimensional coordinate region. A retroreflecting unit that retroreflects the emitted light, and each of the pair of optical devices includes an irradiating unit that emits light that scans a two-dimensional coordinate region, and an irradiating unit that emits the light to the retroreflecting unit. A two-dimensional coordinate detection device including one or a plurality of optical devices each having a light receiving unit that receives retroreflected light, and includes two optical devices different from the pair of optical devices. One of the optical devices is arranged at one end of both ends of the predetermined one side, and the other optical device of the pair of optical devices is the other end of both ends of the predetermined one side. And the two other optical devices Is disposed between the pair of optical devices, and the first optical device of the other two optical devices is positioned in the direction of the second optical device of the other two optical devices and the predetermined one side. The second optical device is set to scan between a direction along a straight line connecting the shortest distance with the opposite side, and the second optical device has a direction opposite to the predetermined one side and a side opposite to the predetermined one side. Are set to scan in a direction along a straight line connecting the shortest distances, and the light receiving units of the pair of optical devices and the other two optical devices are separated from the irradiation unit of the optical device. One or a plurality of scanning angles when the emitted light is blocked by one or a plurality of the objects and cannot receive the retroreflected light are detected, and the scanning angle detected by the one optical device and the Detected by the other optical device The first coordinate group which is one or a plurality of coordinates is detected from the measured scanning angle, and one or a plurality of coordinates are detected from the scanning angle detected by the one optical device and the scanning angle detected by the second optical device. A second coordinate group that is a coordinate is detected, and a third coordinate group that is one or a plurality of coordinates is detected from the scanning angle detected by the other optical device and the scanning angle detected by the first optical device. And a set of one or a plurality of coordinates that are commonly included in the first coordinate group and the second coordinate group, and one or a plurality that are commonly included in the first coordinate group and the third coordinate group. One or a plurality of coordinates included in a union of two sets with a set of coordinates is detected as the coordinates of the one or more objects.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the order in which these four optical devices are arranged on a predetermined side is, for example, one optical device, the first optical device, the second optical device, and the other optical device. When doing so, one optical device and the other optical device can scan the entire two-dimensional coordinate region by scanning at a scanning angle of 0 ° to 90 ° from the end of a predetermined side.

  The first optical device scans between the direction of the second optical device, that is, the direction of the other optical device, and the direction along the straight line that connects the shortest distance between the side facing the predetermined side. This is when the length of a predetermined one side of the two-dimensional coordinate region having both ends of one optical device and the other optical device is shortened to a length having both ends of the first optical device and the other optical device. This is synonymous with scanning within an area defined by a rectangle (hereinafter referred to as “first virtual area”). The first virtual area is an area completely included in the two-dimensional coordinate area. For this reason, not only the first optical device but also one optical device and the other optical device can scan the entire first virtual region.

  Similarly, the second optical device scans between the direction of the first optical device, that is, the direction of one of the optical devices, and the direction along the straight line connecting the shortest distance between the side facing the predetermined one side. This is when the length of a predetermined side of the two-dimensional coordinate region having both ends of one optical device and the other optical device is shortened to a length having both ends of one optical device and the second optical device. This is synonymous with scanning in an area defined by a rectangle (hereinafter referred to as “second virtual area”). The second virtual area is an area completely included in the two-dimensional coordinate area. For this reason, not only the second optical device but also one optical device and the other optical device can scan the entire second virtual region.

  A region obtained by combining the first virtual region and the second virtual region is a two-dimensional coordinate region. As described above, the coordinates of two or more objects can be detected in each of the first virtual area and the second virtual area. Therefore, the coordinates of two or more objects in the two-dimensional coordinate region can be detected by the four optical devices of the pair of optical devices and the other two optical devices. As described above, in the optical two-dimensional coordinate detection device, the coordinates of a plurality of objects in the two-dimensional coordinate region can be detected.

  Furthermore, it suffices if the scanning angle of all optical devices can be set to at least 90 °. Thereby, for example, even when it is difficult to configure the scanning unit so that it can scan at a scanning angle of 90 ° or more, the coordinates of a plurality of objects in the two-dimensional coordinate region can be detected. Thus, the freedom degree which comprises a scanning part can be improved. Further, when one optical device is arranged near the center of a predetermined side and the scanning angle of the optical device is set to 180 °, the scanning angle is set to 90 °, The time required for one scan is shortened, and the time resolution of coordinate detection can be improved.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pair of optical devices disposed on a predetermined side of the two-dimensional coordinate region, and the optical device, in order to detect the coordinates of an object in the rectangular two-dimensional coordinate region. A retroreflecting unit that retroreflects the emitted light, and each of the pair of optical devices includes an irradiating unit that emits light that scans a two-dimensional coordinate region, and an irradiating unit that emits the light to the retroreflecting unit. A two-dimensional coordinate detection device including one or a plurality of optical devices having a light receiving unit that receives retroreflected light, the two-dimensional coordinate detection device including two optical devices different from the pair of optical devices, and the rectangle At each of the four vertices of the shape, one of the four optical devices of the pair of optical devices and the other two optical devices is arranged, and the pair of optical devices and the other two optical devices Each said light receiving part of the apparatus Detecting one or a plurality of scanning angles when the light emitted from the irradiation unit of the optical device cannot receive the retroreflected light by being blocked by one or a plurality of the objects; A first coordinate group that is one or a plurality of coordinates is detected from a scanning angle detected by one optical device of the devices and a scanning angle detected by the other optical device of the pair of optical devices; A second coordinate group which is one or a plurality of coordinates is detected from the scanning angle detected by the optical device and the scanning angle detected by the first optical device of the other two optical devices, and the other A third coordinate group that is one or a plurality of coordinates is detected from a scanning angle detected by the optical device and a scanning angle detected by the second optical device of the other two optical devices, and the first coordinate group is detected. One or more coordinates included in common in the coordinate group and the second coordinate group are detected as the coordinates of the one or more objects, and common to the first coordinate group and the third coordinate group One or more coordinates included are detected as coordinates of the one or more objects.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the coordinate detection device detects the coordinates included in both the first coordinate group and the second coordinate group as the coordinates of the object. That is, the coordinates of the object in the two-dimensional coordinate area are detected by the three optical devices of one optical device, the other optical device, and the first optical device. At this time, since there are three optical devices that scan the entire two-dimensional coordinate area, the coordinates of a plurality of objects in the two-dimensional coordinate area can be detected.

  Further, the coordinate detection device detects coordinates included in common in the first coordinate group and the third coordinate group as the coordinates of the object. That is, the coordinates of the object in the two-dimensional coordinate area are detected by three optical devices, one optical device, the other optical device, and the second optical device. At this time, since there are three optical devices that scan the entire two-dimensional coordinate area, the coordinates of a plurality of objects in the two-dimensional coordinate area can be detected. As described above, in the optical two-dimensional coordinate detection device, the coordinates of a plurality of objects in the two-dimensional coordinate region can be detected.

  Further, since all the optical devices are arranged at the vertices of the two-dimensional coordinate region, all the optical devices may be set to have a scanning angle of at least 90 °. Thereby, like the 2nd aspect, while the freedom degree which comprises a scanning part can be improved, the time resolution of coordinate detection can be improved.

  According to the configuration of the third aspect, there are four optical devices that scan the entire two-dimensional coordinate area. Of these four optical devices, a region scanned by one optical device and the other optical device of the pair of optical devices, and a region scanned by one optical device and the second optical device of the pair of optical devices. The three regions of the other optical device of the pair of optical devices and the region scanned by the first optical device are all the same region as the two-dimensional coordinate region.

  Originally, the coordinates of a plurality of objects in the two-dimensional coordinate region can be detected by any one of the first optical device and the second optical device in addition to the pair of optical devices. However, even if either the first optical device or the second optical device is in a state where it does not operate due to a failure or the like, a desired optical device, one optical device, and the other optical device The operation can be obtained and the durability of the apparatus can be improved.

The figure which shows the structure of the two-dimensional coordinate detection apparatus of 1st Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the structure of the optical apparatus with which the two-dimensional coordinate detection apparatus of FIG. 1 is equipped, and an optical apparatus. The figure which shows about the detection of a coordinate when the two-dimensional coordinate detection apparatus of 1st Embodiment has two objects in a two-dimensional coordinate area | region. The figure which shows about the detection of a coordinate when the two-dimensional coordinate detection apparatus of 2nd Embodiment has two objects in a two-dimensional coordinate area | region. The figure which shows the detection of a coordinate when the two-dimensional coordinate detection apparatus of 3rd Embodiment has two objects in a two-dimensional coordinate area | region.

[First Embodiment]
The configuration of the two-dimensional coordinate detection apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. A two-dimensional coordinate detection device (hereinafter simply referred to as “coordinate detection device”) 1 of the present embodiment is a two-dimensional coordinate detection device mounted on a large display, a whiteboard, or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the coordinate detection device 1 according to the present embodiment emits light to detect the coordinates of an object in the outer frame 2 and a two-dimensional coordinate region D2 that is a planar region. It includes a pair of left and right optical devices 3 and 4 that receive light, and an optical device (hereinafter referred to as “central optical device”) 5 that is disposed between the pair of optical devices 3 and 4 and emits and receives light.

  The outer frame 2 is arranged on the peripheral edge of the two-dimensional coordinate area D2, and includes an upper side 21 on the upper side, a lower side 22 on the lower side, a right side 23 on the right side, and a left side 24 on the left side in FIG. The upper side 21 and the lower side 22 are configured as parallel sides and horizontal sides, and the right side 23 and the left side 24 are configured as sides parallel to each other and perpendicular to the upper and lower sides 21 and 22.

  The outer frame 2 may be a member having a rigidity necessary for a large screen frame. For example, “a lightweight and inexpensive resin frame manufactured by a method such as injection molding using a thermoplastic resin” or “press or the like” A light metal frame such as aluminum produced by a production method is preferable. The lower side 22, the right side 23, and the left side 24 are processed so as to have reflection characteristics that are retroreflected parallel to the incident light and emitted in the direction opposite to the incident direction. For example, a retroreflective tape or a retroreflective sheet having glass beads or corner cubes arranged on the surface is attached to the lower side 22, the right side 23, and the left side 24. The lower side 22, the right side 23, and the left side 24 correspond to the retroreflective portion in the present invention.

  The right optical device 3 is disposed on the intersection of the upper side 21 and the right side 23, that is, on the periphery of the outer frame 2 at the upper right corner of FIG. 1, and the left optical device 4 is disposed on the intersection of the upper side 21 and the left side 24. That is, it is arranged on the periphery of the outer frame 2 at the upper left corner of FIG.

  Since the pair of optical devices 3 and 4 have the same configuration symmetrically according to the position where the outer frame 2 is arranged, in the following description, the right optical device 3 will be mainly described, and the left optical device will be described. A detailed description of the device 4 is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the right optical device 3 (and the left optical device 4) includes a light source 31, a scanning unit 32, and a light receiving unit 33. The light source 31 is configured to emit semiconductor laser light so as to be light having narrow directivity. For this reason, it can be handled that there is no light attenuation due to the distance traveled by the light. Thereby, each optical apparatus 3 and 4 of this embodiment becomes a structure suitable for a large sized display. The light source 31 is supplied with a pulse waveform that alternately repeats an amplitude of 0 and a value other than 0 (for example, 5 [V]) as a drive waveform. When the amplitude of the pulse wave is 0, the light source 31 is turned off and the light source 31 is turned on when the amplitude of the pulse wave is not zero.

  The scanning unit 32 has an optical deflector 40. The scanning unit 32 rotationally drives a mirror included in the optical deflector 40 to deflect the laser light emitted from the light source 31 at various angles, and scans within the two-dimensional coordinate region D2 formed by the outer frame 2. To do. Here, the light source 31 and the scanning unit 32 correspond to the “irradiation unit” in the present invention.

  In this embodiment, the optical deflector 40 is configured by a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) device including a piezoelectric actuator that rotationally drives a mirror when a voltage signal is supplied. As described above, by using the piezoelectric actuator, the drive unit of the optical deflector 40 can be very miniaturized. The optical deflector 40 is not limited to the configuration of the present embodiment, and may be rotationally driven by a driving force such as a motor (electric motor).

  In the light receiving unit 33, the light emitted from the scanning unit 32 into the two-dimensional coordinate region D <b> 2 is one of the lower side 22 and the left side 24 of the outer frame 2 (in the case of the left optical device, the lower side 22 and the right side 23. It is arranged so that it can receive the reflected light that is incident on any one), retroreflected and returned. The light receiving unit 33 is a photoelectric conversion element that outputs an electric signal according to the received energy, and is preferably a photodiode in consideration of cost and the like, but is not limited thereto, and an image sensor or the like may be used.

  The light source 31 is disposed at a position where laser light can be emitted from the upper side 21 of the outer frame 2 toward the center of the mirror of the optical deflector 40 of the scanning unit 32. In the present embodiment, the light source 31 is configured to be able to output a laser beam by attaching a beam shaping lens to the output of the semiconductor laser, but is not limited thereto. For example, the light of the light source arranged at an arbitrary position is transmitted to the position of the light source 31 of the present embodiment by an optical fiber so that the laser light can be emitted toward the mirror of the optical deflector 40. There may be.

  The scanning unit 32 supplies a voltage waveform having periodicity (for example, a sine wave or a triangular wave) to the optical deflector 40, so that the mirror of the optical deflector 40 is ± 22.5 ° (total 45 °) or more. It is configured to be rotationally driven (vibrated) at an angle so that the entire area of the two-dimensional coordinate area D2 can be scanned with laser light from the light source 31. At this time, the scanning unit 32 rotationally drives the mirror of the optical deflector 40 so that the light obtained by deflecting the laser light from the light source 31 is emitted horizontally with respect to the surface of the two-dimensional coordinate region D2. Hereinafter, a plane formed by the optical path of the laser beam deflected by the optical deflector 40 is referred to as a “scanning plane”.

  When the deflection angle of the mirror of the optical deflector 40 is 22.5 °, laser light is emitted from the mirror of the optical deflector 40 in the vertical direction of the two-dimensional coordinate region D2. That is, in the case of the right optical device 3, the laser beam is emitted from the mirror of the optical deflector 40 from the intersection of the upper side 21 and the right side 23 toward the intersection of the lower side 22 and the right side 23, and in the case of the left optical device 4. The laser beam is emitted from the mirror of the optical deflector 40 from the intersection of the upper side 21 and the left side 24 toward the intersection of the lower side 22 and the left side 24.

  When the deflection angle of the mirror of the optical deflector 40 is −22.5 °, laser light is emitted from the mirror of the optical deflector 40 in the horizontal direction of the two-dimensional coordinate region D2. That is, in the case of the right optical device 3, the laser beam is emitted from the mirror of the optical deflector 40 from the intersection of the upper side 21 and the right side 23 toward the intersection of the upper side 21 and the left side 24. The laser beam is emitted from the mirror of the optical deflector 40 from the intersection of the upper side 21 and the left side 24 toward the intersection of the upper side 21 and the right side 23.

  Thus, each of the pair of optical devices 3 and 4 has a scanning angle set in a range of 0 ° to 90 °.

  As described above, the central optical device 5 is fixed to a stay (not shown) or the like between the pair of optical devices 3 and 4, specifically, on the periphery of the outer frame 2 near the center of the upper side 21. Be placed. The structure of the central optical device 5 is the same as that of the pair of optical devices 3 and 4. Since the central optical device 5 is disposed in the vicinity of the central portion of the upper side 21, the deflection angle of the mirror is set to ± 45 ° (total 90 °) or more in order to scan the entire two-dimensional coordinate region D2. ing.

  Specifically, when the deflection angle of the mirror of the optical deflector 40 of the central optical device 5 is 45 °, the laser beam is emitted from the mirror of the optical deflector 40 toward the right in the horizontal direction of the two-dimensional coordinate region D2. Is done. That is, laser light is emitted from the mirror of the optical deflector 40 of the central optical device 5 from the vicinity of the center of the upper side 21 toward the intersection of the upper side 21 and the right side 23.

  When the deflection angle of the mirror of the optical deflector 40 is −45 °, laser light is emitted from the mirror of the optical deflector 40 toward the left in the horizontal direction of the two-dimensional coordinate region D2. In other words, laser light is emitted from the mirror of the optical deflector 40 of the central optical device 5 from the vicinity of the center of the upper side 21 toward the intersection of the upper side 21 and the left side 24.

  Thus, the scanning angle of the central optical device 5 is set in the range of 0 ° to 180 °.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, all the optical devices 3, 4, and 5 are configured to scan the entire region of the two-dimensional coordinate region D2.

  Next, the detail of the surface processed so that it may become retroreflection of the lower side 22, the right side 23, and the left side 24 of the outer frame 2 is demonstrated.

  The lower side 22, the right side 23, and the left side 24 have reflection characteristics of reflecting light having an incident angle of 0 ° as light having a predetermined half-value angle spread with a maximum reflection angle when the reflection angle is 0 °. Accordingly, for example, when the size of the two-dimensional coordinate region D2, for example, the length of the diagonal line of the two-dimensional coordinate region D2 is about 50 inches, the light emitted from the optical devices 3 and 4 returns to the optical devices 3 and 4 again. At this point, the beam width is about 30 to 40 mmφ. Therefore, in this case, the light receiving unit 33 of each of the optical devices 3 and 4 can receive the retroreflected light if the light receiving unit 33 is disposed at a location within 30 to 40 mm from the mirror of the optical deflector 40.

  In the present embodiment, the light receiving unit 33 is arranged on the side wall on the two-dimensional coordinate region D2 side on the upper right (intersection of the upper side 21 and the right side 23) and upper left (intersection of the upper side 21 and the left side 24) of the outer frame 2. At this time, the mirror and the light receiving unit 33 of the optical deflector 40 of each of the optical devices 3, 4, and 5 are arranged at a position shifted about 30 to 40 mm in the normal direction with respect to the surface of the two-dimensional coordinate region D 2.

  As described above, the distance from the mirror of the optical deflector 40 of each optical device 3, 4, 5 to the light receiving unit 33, the reflection characteristics of the lower side 22, the right side 23, and the left side 24 as a retroreflective unit, and the two-dimensional coordinate region By determining according to the size of D2, the mirror of the optical deflector 40 and the light receiving unit 33 can be arranged so as not to interfere with each other without providing a device for splitting the light beam such as a beam splitter.

  Further, in order to prevent the light emitted from the mirrors of the optical deflector 40 of each of the optical devices 3, 4, and 5 from affecting each other, the scanning planes are configured not to be the same plane. That is, the scanning planes are shifted in the normal direction so as to be parallel to each other. For this reason, there are three scanning planes in the two-dimensional coordinate region D2. Thus, since the two-dimensional coordinate region D2 has three scanning planes as described above, strictly speaking, the two-dimensional coordinate region D2 is a region having a thickness in the normal direction of the two-dimensional coordinate region D2.

  In addition, an optical filter 41 is attached to the light source 31 at a portion where light is emitted. In the light receiving unit 33, an optical filter 42 having the same characteristics as the optical filter 41 is attached to a portion that receives light. These optical filters 41 and 42 are band-pass filters that allow only light having a predetermined wavelength to pass therethrough. Thereby, the light emitted from the light source 31 becomes light of only a predetermined wavelength by the optical filter 41 and is emitted to the scanning plane. Further, the light received by the light receiving unit 33 becomes light having a predetermined wavelength by the optical filter 42.

  Optical filters 41 and 42 having different characteristics (wavelengths to pass through) are attached to the light source 31 and the light receiving unit 33 of each optical device 3, 4, and 5. Thus, in each of the optical devices 3, 4, and 5, even when light emitted from different light sources 31 is incident on the light receiving unit 33, the optical filter 42 attached to the light receiving unit 33 causes the light receiving unit It is possible to prevent 33 from receiving light.

  The above is the configuration of the coordinate detection apparatus 1.

  Next, a method for detecting coordinates (two-dimensional coordinates) of the coordinate detection apparatus 1 configured as described above will be described. When the scanning unit 32 scans the inside of the two-dimensional coordinate region D2, the light (laser light) from the scanning unit 32 is blocked or not blocked by the object in the two-dimensional coordinate region D2. The light level (for example, light energy) received by the light receiving unit 33 is different. That is, when blocked, it is extremely lower (equivalent to 0 or 0) than when not blocked.

  The coordinate detection device 1 detects an angle (scanning angle) at which the scanning unit 32 emits light when the level of the light received by the light receiving unit 33 becomes low. The mirror deflection angle is uniquely determined according to the voltage waveform supplied to the optical deflector 40 of the scanning unit 32. For this reason, the coordinate detection device 1 detects the angle at which light is emitted from the deflection angle of the mirror. The angles at this time are a straight line connecting the optical device (3, 4 or 5) and the object (specifically, a straight line connecting the reflection center of the mirror and the object) and a center line of the upper side 21 (specifically, the upper side 21 is an angle formed by two straight lines (an angle on the acute angle side) and a straight line passing through the reflection center of the laser beam from the mirror light source 31. Hereinafter, this angle is referred to as “detection angle”.

  In this way, the coordinate detection device 1 detects each detection angle when the level of the light received by each light receiving unit 33 of each of the optical devices 3, 4, and 5 becomes low.

  Each optical device 3, 4, 5 detects the same number of detection angles as the number of objects in the two-dimensional coordinate region D 2 in one scan.

  From the detection angle of one optical device (3, 4 or 5), the distance to the object is unknown, but the scanning angle between two predetermined optical devices and the distance between the two optical devices are Knowing (ie, knowing the length of one side and the angles of its ends) determines the shape and size of the triangle and determines the coordinates of the object located at the vertex of the triangle (ie, determined by triangulation) )

  For this reason, the coordinate detection device 1 is one of the two selected optical devices in each of the combinations when selecting two of the optical devices 3, 4, and 5. A coordinate group which is a set of one or a plurality of coordinates is detected from all the detected scanning angles (detection angles) according to the above and all the detected scanning angles (detection angles) by the other optical device. At this time, since the arrangement of all the optical devices 3, 4 and 5 is determined in advance, the distance (length of one side) between the two selected optical devices is defined for each coordinate group.

  At this time, since there are detection angles corresponding to the number of objects in the two-dimensional coordinate region D2 in one optical device, the same number of “straight lines connecting one optical device and the object” exist. To do. Therefore, the intersection of the straight lines connecting each of the two optical devices and the object is not necessarily the coordinates of the object. For this reason, in addition to the object coordinates (hereinafter referred to as “true coordinates”), the coordinate group includes coordinates that are not object coordinates (hereinafter referred to as “false coordinates”) when there are a plurality of objects. Yes.

  However, since the pseudo coordinates are detected by the detection angles of the two optical devices, a straight line connecting the optical device different from the two optical devices and the object does not always pass. That is, pseudo coordinates are not included in all combinations (all coordinate groups) of all optical devices 3, 4, and 5 if the number of optical devices is greater than the number of objects. On the other hand, true coordinates are included in all coordinate groups.

  Therefore, the coordinate detection apparatus 1 detects one or more coordinates included in common in all detected coordinate groups as the coordinates of one or more objects.

  Hereinafter, detection of the coordinates of the two objects O1 and O2 by the coordinate detection apparatus 1 when there are two objects O1 and O2 in the two-dimensional coordinate region D2 will be described with reference to FIG. Hereinafter, one of the two objects O1 and O2 is referred to as a first object O1, and the other object is referred to as a second object O2. In FIG. 3, the first object O1 is at the first coordinate P1, and the second object O2 is at the second coordinate P2. That is, the two coordinates of the first coordinate P1 and the second coordinate P2 are true coordinates.

  FIG. 3 shows a straight line L31 connecting the right optical device 3 and the first object O1, a straight line L32 connecting the right optical device 3 and the second object O2, and the left optical device 4 and the first object O1. , A straight line L42 connecting the left optical device 4 and the second object O2, a straight line L51 connecting the central optical device 5 and the first object O1, and the central optical device 5 and the second object O2. And a straight line L52 connecting the two.

  These straight lines L31, L32, L41, L42, L51, and L52 indicate an optical path when the light receiving unit 33 of each of the optical devices 3, 4, and 5 cannot receive light and an extension line of the optical path. Since there are two objects O1 and O2 in the two-dimensional coordinate area D2, two straight lines are associated with each of the optical devices 3, 4, and 5. An angle formed by each of these straight lines L31, L32, L41, L42, L51, and L52 and the upper side 21 is a detection angle. That is, in FIG. 3, each of the optical devices 3, 4 and 5 detects two detection angles.

  Also, a straight line L34 indicating the distance between the right optical device 3 and the left optical device 4, a straight line L35 indicating the distance between the right optical device 3 and the central optical device 5, and the left optical device 4 The lengths of the three straight lines L34, L35, L45 of the straight line L45 indicating the distance between the optical device 5 and the central optical device 5 are defined according to the arrangement of the optical devices 3, 4, 5.

  Then, the coordinate detection device 1 first selects two optical devices, the right optical device 3 and the left optical device 4. The coordinate detection device 1 detects all coordinates from all the scanning angles detected by the selected two optical devices 3 and 4. In the two selected optical devices 3 and 4, four coordinates are obtained. A coordinate group represented by the four coordinates at this time is defined as a first coordinate group.

  The first coordinates are detected from the “angle formed by the straight line L31 and the upper side 21”, “the angle formed by the straight line L41 and the upper side 21”, and “the length of the straight line L34”. Is the first coordinate P1 at the intersection. The second coordinates are the straight line L32 and the straight line L42 detected from “the angle formed by the straight line L32 and the upper side 21”, “the angle formed by the straight line L42 and the upper side 21”, and “the length of the straight line L34”. It is the 2nd coordinate P2 in the intersection of these.

  The third coordinates are detected from the “angle formed by the straight line L32 and the upper side 21”, the “angle formed by the straight line L41 and the upper side 21”, and the “length of the straight line L34”. Is the third coordinate P3 at the intersection. The fourth coordinate is the straight line L31 and the straight line L42 detected from “the angle formed by the straight line L31 and the upper side 21”, “the angle formed by the straight line L42 and the upper side 21”, and “the length of the straight line L34”. The fourth coordinate P4 at the intersection of

  As described above, the first coordinate group includes both of the two true coordinates P1 and P2. In addition, the first coordinate group includes two pseudo coordinates of the third coordinate P3 and the fourth coordinate P4.

  Next, the coordinate detection device 1 selects two optical devices, the right optical device 3 and the central optical device 5. The coordinate detection device 1 detects all coordinates from all scanning angles detected by the selected two optical devices 3 and 5. In the two selected optical devices 3 and 5, three coordinates are obtained. A coordinate group represented by the three coordinates at this time is defined as a second coordinate group.

  The first coordinates are detected from the “angle formed by the straight line L31 and the upper side 21”, “the angle formed by the straight line L51 and the upper side 21”, and “the length of the straight line L35”. Is the first coordinate P1 at the intersection. The second coordinates are detected from the “angle formed by the straight line L32 and the upper side 21”, the “angle formed by the straight line L52 and the upper side 21”, and the “length of the straight line L35”. It is the 2nd coordinate P2 in the intersection of these. The third coordinates are detected from the “angle formed by the straight line L31 and the upper side 21”, “the angle formed by the straight line L52 and the upper side 21”, and “the length of the straight line L35”. The fifth coordinate P5 at the intersection of

  As described above, the second coordinate group includes both of the two true coordinates P1 and P2. The second coordinate group includes one pseudo coordinate of the fifth coordinate P5.

  Since each of the two optical devices detects two scanning angles, the number of all combinations is four, and four coordinates should be detected. However, as shown in FIG. 3, the straight line L32 and the straight line L51 do not intersect within the two-dimensional coordinate area D2, but intersect outside the two-dimensional coordinate area D2. The coordinate detection device 1 does not detect coordinates that intersect outside the two-dimensional coordinate region D2. Therefore, the number of coordinates included in the second coordinate group is three instead of four.

  Next, the coordinate detection device 1 selects two optical devices, the left optical device 4 and the central optical device 5. Then, the coordinate detection device 1 detects all coordinates from all scanning angles detected by the selected two optical devices 4 and 5. In the two selected optical devices 4 and 5, three coordinates are obtained. A coordinate group represented by the three coordinates at this time is defined as a third coordinate group.

  The first coordinates are detected from the “angle formed by the straight line L41 and the upper side 21”, the “angle formed by the straight line L51 and the upper side 21”, and the “length of the straight line L45”. Is the first coordinate P1 at the intersection. The second coordinates are detected from the “angle formed by the straight line L42 and the upper side 21”, the “angle formed by the straight line L52 and the upper side 21”, and the “length of the straight line L45”. It is the 2nd coordinate P2 in the intersection of these. The third coordinates are detected from the “angle formed by the straight line L42 and the upper side 21”, “the angle formed by the straight line L51 and the upper side 21”, and “the length of the straight line L45”. The sixth coordinate P6 at the intersection of

  As described above, the third coordinate group includes both the two true coordinates P1 and P2. The third coordinate group includes one pseudo coordinate of the sixth coordinate P6.

  As described above, the first coordinate group includes the four coordinates of the first coordinate P1, the second coordinate P2, the third coordinate P3, and the fourth coordinate P4. The second coordinate group includes three coordinates, a first coordinate P1, a second coordinate P2, and a fifth coordinate P5. The third coordinate group includes three coordinates, a first coordinate P1, a second coordinate P2, and a sixth coordinate P6.

  For these first to third coordinate groups, the only common coordinates are the first coordinate P1 and the second coordinate P2. Therefore, the coordinate detection apparatus 1 detects these two coordinates P1 and P2 as the coordinates of the object. As described above, these two coordinates P1 and P2 are true coordinates. Thus, the coordinate detection apparatus 1 can correctly detect the coordinates of the object by the method described above.

  In the description of the present embodiment, the case where there are two objects in the two-dimensional coordinate area D2 has been described as an example. However, even when there are three or more objects, the coordinates of these objects are detected. it can. Even in this case, according to the straight line connecting “each of the plurality of objects” and “each of the three optical devices 3, 4, 5”, as described above, the first to third coordinate groups If coordinates included in all are extracted, they can be detected as the coordinates of the plurality of objects.

  As described above, the coordinate detection device 1 of the present embodiment includes the three optical devices 3, 4, and 5, and each of the three optical devices 3, 4, and 5 is all within the two-dimensional coordinate region D <b> 2. The entire region is scanned. For this reason, when there is one or a plurality of objects in the two-dimensional coordinate region D2, all the coordinates of the object can be detected.

  In addition, although the coordinate detection apparatus 1 of 1st Embodiment is provided with three optical apparatuses, the number of optical apparatuses is not restricted to this, You may provide four or more.

  Moreover, although the coordinate detection apparatus 1 of 1st Embodiment has arrange | positioned all the optical apparatuses 3, 4, and 5 in one edge | side (upper edge | side 21), it is not restricted to this. All the optical devices may be arranged on the periphery of the two-dimensional coordinate area D2 or outside the two-dimensional coordinate area D2, and may be arranged at any place as long as the entire area in the two-dimensional coordinate area D2 can be scanned.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, the coordinate detection apparatus 10 of 2nd Embodiment is demonstrated. The coordinate detection device 10 of the second embodiment is different from the coordinate detection device 1 of the first embodiment in that four optical devices are arranged on the upper side 21. Specifically, in the first embodiment, only one central optical device 5 is arranged on the upper side 21, but in the second embodiment, instead of arranging only one central optical device 5, two central optical devices 5 are arranged. Optical devices 6 and 7 are arranged.

  When one of the two optical devices 6 and 7 is the central right optical device 6 and the other is the central left optical device 7, the central right optical device 6 has the “center portion of the upper side 21” and the “upper side 21 and the right side 23. It is arrange | positioned on the periphery of the outer frame 2 between (intersection point) and the right side of FIG. The central left optical device 7 is disposed on the periphery of the outer frame 2 between “the central portion of the upper side 21” and “the intersection of the upper side 21 and the left side 24” (left side in FIG. 4 from the central portion of the upper side 21). . That is, they are arranged in the order of “right optical device 3 → center right optical device 6 → center left optical device 7 → left optical device 4” on the upper side 21 from the right side to the left side in FIG.

  The center right optical device 6 and the center left optical device 7 have the same configuration as the pair of optical devices 3 and 4, and the scanning angle is also set to 0 ° to 90 °. That is, the mirror of the optical deflector 40 of the optical devices 6 and 7 is rotationally driven at an angle of ± 22.5 ° (total 45 °).

  Specifically, when the deflection angle of the mirror of the optical deflector 40 is 22.5 °, laser light is emitted from the mirror of the optical deflector 40 in the vertical direction of the two-dimensional coordinate region D2. That is, in the case of the central right optical device 6, the laser light is emitted from the mirror of the optical deflector 40 along the straight line L231 passing through the shortest distance of the lower side 22 from the position where the central right optical device 6 is disposed, In the case of the optical device 7, laser light is emitted from the mirror of the optical deflector 40 along a straight line L <b> 241 passing through the shortest distance of the lower side 22 from the position where the central left optical device 7 is disposed.

  When the deflection angle of the mirror of the optical deflector 40 is −22.5 °, laser light is emitted from the mirror of the optical deflector 40 in the horizontal direction of the two-dimensional coordinate region D2. That is, in the case of the central right optical device 6, laser light is emitted from the mirror of the optical deflector 40 toward the intersection of the upper side 21 and the left side 24 from the position where the central right optical device 6 is arranged, and the central left optical device. In the case of 7, the laser beam is emitted from the mirror of the optical deflector 40 toward the intersection of the upper side 21 and the right side 23 from the position where the central left optical device 7 is disposed.

  As described above, the scanning angle of each of the two optical devices 6 and 7 is set in the range of 0 ° to 90 °.

  Here, in the second embodiment, the “right optical device 3” corresponds to “one optical device” in the second aspect of the present invention, and the “left optical device 4” in the second aspect of the present invention. The “center optical device 6” corresponds to the “first optical device” in the second aspect of the present invention, and the “center left optical device 7” corresponds to “the second optical device” in the second aspect of the present invention. This corresponds to “second optical device”.

  Hereinafter, detection of the coordinates of the two objects O1 and O2 by the coordinate detection apparatus 10 when there are two objects O1 and O2 in the two-dimensional coordinate area D2 will be described with reference to FIG. Hereinafter, one of the two objects O1 and O2 is referred to as a first object O1, and the other object is referred to as a second object O2. In FIG. 4, the first object O1 is at the first coordinate P1, and the second object O2 is at the second coordinate P2. That is, the two coordinates of the first coordinate P1 and the second coordinate P2 are true coordinates.

  In FIG. 4, a straight line L31 connecting the right optical device 3 and the first object O1, a straight line L32 connecting the right optical device 3 and the second object O2, a left optical device 4 and the first object O1, , A straight line L42 connecting the left optical device 4 and the second object O2, a straight line L61 connecting the central right optical device 6 and the first object O1, a central right optical device 6 and the second object O2. And a straight line L72 connecting the central left optical device 7 and the second object O2.

  These straight lines L31, L32, L41, L42, L61, L62, and L72 indicate an optical path when each of the optical devices 3, 4, 6, and 7 cannot receive light and an extension line of the optical path.

  Also, a straight line L34 indicating the distance between the right optical device 3 and the left optical device 4, a straight line L37 indicating the distance between the right optical device 3 and the central left optical device 7, and the left optical device 4 The lengths of the three straight lines L34, L37, and L46 of the straight line L46 indicating the distance between the optical device 6 and the central right optical device 6 are defined according to the arrangement of the optical devices 3, 4, 6, and 7.

  Here, the central left optical device 7 is between the direction of the central right optical device 6, and thus the direction of the right optical device 3, and the direction along the straight line L <b> 241 connecting the shortest distance between the lower side 22 facing the upper side 21. Scan with. This is the length in the horizontal direction (upper side 21 and lower side 22) of the two-dimensional coordinate region D2 having the right optical device 3 and the left optical device 4 as both ends, and the center left optical device 7 and the right optical device 3. Is the same as scanning the entire area in the area D21 defined by the rectangle (hereinafter referred to as “first virtual area”) when shortened to the length of both ends (the length of the straight line L37). is there.

  In FIG. 4, the first virtual area D <b> 21 and the second virtual area D <b> 22 are shown slightly larger than the actual area for ease of viewing.

  Similarly, the center right optical device 6 is between the direction of the center left optical device 7, and thus the direction of the left optical device 4 and the direction along the straight line L231 connecting the shortest distance between the lower side 22 opposite to the upper side 21. Scan. This is because the length in the horizontal direction (upper side 21 and lower side 22) of the two-dimensional coordinate region D2 having the right optical device 3 and the left optical device 4 as both ends, the left optical device 4 and the central right optical device 6 are shown. This is synonymous with scanning within an area (hereinafter referred to as “second virtual area”) D22 defined by a rectangle when the length is shortened to both ends.

  The coordinate detection device 10 first selects two optical devices, the right optical device 3 and the left optical device 4. The coordinate detection device 10 detects all coordinates from all scanning angles detected by the selected two optical devices 3 and 4. In the two selected optical devices 3 and 4, four coordinates are obtained. A coordinate group represented by the four coordinates at this time is defined as a first coordinate group. The right optical device 3 and the left optical device 4 scan the entire region in the two-dimensional coordinate region D2. Therefore, the first coordinate group is a set of coordinates in the two-dimensional coordinate area D2.

  The first coordinates are detected from the “angle formed by the straight line L31 and the upper side 21”, “the angle formed by the straight line L41 and the upper side 21”, and “the length of the straight line L34”. Is the first coordinate P1 at the intersection. The second coordinates are the straight line L32 and the straight line L42 detected from “the angle formed by the straight line L32 and the upper side 21”, “the angle formed by the straight line L42 and the upper side 21”, and “the length of the straight line L34”. It is the 2nd coordinate P2 in the intersection of these.

  The third coordinates are detected from the “angle formed by the straight line L32 and the upper side 21”, the “angle formed by the straight line L41 and the upper side 21”, and the “length of the straight line L34”. Is the third coordinate P3 at the intersection. The fourth coordinate is the straight line L31 and the straight line L42 detected from “the angle formed by the straight line L31 and the upper side 21”, “the angle formed by the straight line L42 and the upper side 21”, and “the length of the straight line L34”. The fourth coordinate P4 at the intersection of

  As described above, the first coordinate group includes both of the two true coordinates P1 and P2. In addition, the first coordinate group includes two pseudo coordinates of the third coordinate P3 and the fourth coordinate P4.

  Next, the coordinate detection device 10 selects two optical devices, the right optical device 3 and the center left optical device 7. Then, the coordinate detection device 10 detects all the coordinates from all the scanning angles detected by each of the selected two optical devices 3 and 7. In the two selected optical devices 3 and 7, two coordinates are obtained. A coordinate group represented by the two coordinates at this time is defined as a second coordinate group. The right optical device 3 and the center left optical device 7 scan the entire region in the first virtual region D21. Therefore, the second coordinate group is a set of coordinates in the first virtual region D21.

  The first coordinates are detected from the “angle formed by the straight line L32 and the upper side 21”, the “angle formed by the straight line L72 and the upper side 21”, and the “length of the straight line L37”. It is the 2nd coordinate P2 in the intersection of these. The second coordinates are the straight line L31 and the straight line L72 detected from “the angle formed by the straight line L31 and the upper side 21”, “the angle formed by the straight line L72 and the upper side 21”, and “the length of the straight line L37”. The fifth coordinate P5 at the intersection of

  As described above, the second coordinate group includes the second coordinate P2, which is one true coordinate. The second coordinate group includes one pseudo coordinate of the fifth coordinate P5. Further, the reason why the second coordinate group does not include the first coordinate P1, which is another true coordinate, is not included in the first virtual region D21 that is the region scanned by the central left optical device 7. It is.

  Next, the coordinate detection device 10 selects two optical devices, the left optical device 4 and the center right optical device 6. The coordinate detection device 10 detects all coordinates from all the scanning angles detected by the two selected optical devices 4 and 6. In the two selected optical devices 4 and 6, three coordinates are obtained. A coordinate group represented by the three coordinates at this time is defined as a third coordinate group. The left optical device 4 and the center right optical device 6 scan the entire region in the second virtual region D22. Therefore, the third coordinate group is a set of coordinates in the second virtual region D22.

  The first coordinates are detected from the “angle formed by the straight line L41 and the upper side 21”, the “angle formed by the straight line L61 and the upper side 21”, and the “length of the straight line L46”. Is the first coordinate P1 at the intersection. The second coordinates are the straight line L42 and the straight line L62 detected from the “angle formed by the straight line L42 and the upper side 21”, “the angle formed by the straight line L62 and the upper side 21”, and “the length of the straight line L46”. It is the 2nd coordinate P2 in the intersection of these. The third coordinates are the straight line L42 and the straight line L61 detected from the “angle formed by the straight line L42 and the upper side 21”, “the angle formed by the straight line L61 and the upper side 21”, and “the length of the straight line L46”. The sixth coordinate P6 at the intersection of

  As described above, the third coordinate group includes both the two true coordinates P1 and P2. The third coordinate group includes one pseudo coordinate of the sixth coordinate P6.

  As described above, the first coordinate group that is a set of coordinates in the two-dimensional coordinate area D2 includes four coordinates of the first coordinate P1, the second coordinate P2, the third coordinate P3, and the fourth coordinate P4. . The second coordinate group, which is a set of coordinates in the first virtual area D21, includes two coordinates, a second coordinate P2 and a fifth coordinate P5. The third coordinate group, which is a set of coordinates in the second virtual region D22, includes three coordinates of the first coordinate P1, the second coordinate P2, and the sixth coordinate P6.

  The first virtual area D21 and the second virtual area D22 are areas that are completely included in the two-dimensional coordinate area D2. For this reason, the second coordinate P2, which is a coordinate commonly included in the first coordinate group and the second coordinate group, is a coordinate of an object in the first virtual region D21. In addition, the first coordinate P1 and the second coordinate P2, which are coordinates commonly included in the first coordinate group and the third coordinate group, are the coordinates of an object in the second virtual area D22. Since the second coordinate P2 is included in a region where the first virtual region D21 and the second virtual region D22 overlap, it is a coordinate common to both of the above.

  The coordinate detection device 10 of the present embodiment includes a set of coordinates common to the first coordinate group and the second coordinate group (in the present embodiment, the second coordinate P2), the first coordinate group, and the third coordinate group. All coordinates (first coordinate P1 and second coordinate P2) included in the union of two sets with a common set of coordinates (first coordinate P1 and second coordinate P2 in this embodiment) are two-dimensional. It is detected as the coordinates of an object in the coordinate area D2.

  Here, as described above, “the coordinate detection device 10 detects the coordinates of an object in the two-dimensional coordinate region D2” is common to the “first coordinate group and the second coordinate group” in the present invention. Included in a union of two sets of a set of one or more coordinates included and one or more sets of coordinates included in common in the first coordinate group and the third coordinate group This corresponds to “detecting a plurality of coordinates as coordinates of the one or more objects”.

  In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the example in which there are two objects in the two-dimensional coordinate area D2 has been described. However, even if the number of objects is three or more, each coordinate is detected. it can.

  As described above, the coordinate detection device 10 according to the second embodiment can detect the coordinates of one or more objects in the two-dimensional coordinate region D2.

  The first virtual area D21 is an area that is completely included in the two-dimensional coordinate area D2. For this reason, not only the central left optical device 7 but also the right optical device 3 and the left optical device 4 can scan the entire first virtual region D21. Therefore, the first optical device 3, the central left optical device 7, and the left optical device 4 (in other words, by obtaining the coordinates included in both the first coordinate group and the second coordinate group) The coordinates of a plurality of objects in the virtual area D21 can be detected.

  The second virtual area D22 is an area completely included in the two-dimensional coordinate area D2. For this reason, not only the central right optical device 6 but also the right optical device 3 and the left optical device 4 can scan the entire second virtual region D22. Accordingly, the right optical device 3, the central right optical device 6, and the left optical device 4 (in other words, by obtaining coordinates that are commonly included in the first coordinate group and the third coordinate group), 2 Coordinates of a plurality of objects in the virtual region D22 can be detected.

  Accordingly, the coordinate detection device 10 of the second embodiment is within the two-dimensional coordinate region D2 by the four optical devices of the right optical device 3, the left optical device 4, the center right optical device 6, and the center left optical device 7. The coordinates of a plurality of arranged objects can be detected.

  Furthermore, since the scanning angle of all the optical devices 3, 4, 6, and 7 may be set to at least 90 °, one optical device is arranged near the center of a predetermined side, and the scanning angle of the optical device is set. Compared with the case where it must be set to 180 °, the time required for one scan is shortened, and the time resolution of coordinate detection can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the optical deflector 40 is constituted by a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) device including a piezoelectric actuator that rotates the mirror by being supplied with a voltage signal. For this reason, the configuration of the coordinate detection device 10 according to the present embodiment, in which the scanning angle of all the optical devices is set to at least 90 °, is compared with that in which the scanning angle needs to be set to 180 °. Can be relatively easy to implement.

  In the coordinate detection device 10 of the second embodiment, all the optical devices 3, 4, 6, and 7 are arranged on the upper side 21, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, all the optical devices may be arranged on the lower side 22, or may be arranged on the right side 23 or the left side 24.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, the coordinate detection apparatus 11 of 3rd Embodiment is demonstrated. In the coordinate detection device 11 of the third embodiment, one optical device is disposed at each of the four corners of the outer frame 2. That is, compared with the coordinate detection device 1 of the first embodiment, the configuration and arrangement of the pair of optical devices 3 and 4 are the same, but the central optical device 5 is not arranged, and instead two optical devices are arranged. Devices 8 and 9 are arranged at both ends of the lower side 22. The two optical devices 6 and 7 have the same structure as the pair of optical devices 3 and 4.

  Specifically, of the two optical devices 8 and 9, the lower right optical device 8 is disposed on the intersection of the lower side 22 and the right side 23, that is, on the periphery of the outer frame 2 at the lower right corner of FIG. Of the optical devices 8 and 9, the lower left optical device 9 is disposed on the intersection of the lower side 22 and the left side 24, that is, on the periphery of the outer frame 2 at the lower left corner of FIG.

  When the deflection angle of the mirrors of the optical deflectors 40 of the two optical devices 8 and 9 is 22.5 °, laser light is emitted from the mirrors of the optical deflector 40 in the vertical direction of the two-dimensional coordinate region D2. That is, in the case of the lower right optical device 8, the laser beam is emitted from the mirror of the optical deflector 40 from the intersection of the lower side 22 and the right side 23 toward the intersection of the upper side 21 and the right side 23. The laser beam is emitted from the mirror of the optical deflector 40 from the intersection of the lower side 22 and the left side 24 toward the intersection of the upper side 21 and the left side 24.

  When the deflection angle of the mirror of the optical deflector 40 is −22.5 °, laser light is emitted from the mirror of the optical deflector 40 in the horizontal direction of the two-dimensional coordinate region D2. That is, in the case of the lower right optical device 8, laser light is emitted from the mirror of the optical deflector 40 from the intersection of the lower side 22 and the right side 23 toward the intersection of the lower side 22 and the left side 24. The laser beam is emitted from the mirror of the optical deflector 40 from the intersection of the lower side 22 and the left side 24 toward the intersection of the lower side 22 and the right side 23.

  Thus, the scanning angle of each of the two optical devices 8 and 9 is set in the range of 0 ° to 90 °.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, all the optical devices 3, 4, 8, and 9 are configured to scan the entire region of the two-dimensional coordinate region D2, as in the first embodiment.

  Here, in the third embodiment, the “right optical device 3” corresponds to “one optical device” in the third aspect of the present invention, and the “left optical device 4” in the third aspect of the present invention. The “lower optical device 8” corresponds to the “first optical device” in the third aspect of the present invention, and the “lower left optical device 9” corresponds to the “first optical device” in the third aspect of the present invention. This corresponds to “two optical devices”.

  Hereinafter, detection of the coordinates of the two objects O1 and O2 by the coordinate detection device 11 when there are two objects O1 and O2 in the two-dimensional coordinate area D2 will be described with reference to FIG. Hereinafter, one of the two objects O1 and O2 is referred to as a first object O1, and the other object is referred to as a second object O2. In FIG. 5, the first object O1 is at the first coordinate P1, and the second object O2 is at the second coordinate P2. That is, the two coordinates of the first coordinate P1 and the second coordinate P2 are true coordinates.

  FIG. 5 shows a straight line L31 connecting the right optical device 3 and the first object O1, a straight line L32 connecting the right optical device 3 and the second object O2, and the left optical device 4 and the first object O1. A straight line L41 connecting the left optical device 4 and the second object O2, a straight line L81 connecting the lower right optical device 8 and the first object O1, a lower right optical device 8 and the second object O2. , A straight line L91 connecting the lower left optical device 9 and the first object O1, and a straight line L92 connecting the lower left optical device 9 and the second object O2.

  These straight lines L31, L32, L41, L42, L81, L82, L91, and L92 indicate an optical path and an extension line of the optical path when the light receiving unit 33 of each of the optical devices 3, 4, 8, and 9 cannot receive light. .

  Further, a straight line L34 indicating the distance between the right optical device 3 and the left optical device 4, a straight line L38 indicating the distance between the right optical device 3 and the lower right optical device 8, and the left optical device 4. The lengths of the three straight lines L34, L38, L49 of the straight line L49 indicating the distance between the optical device 9 and the lower left optical device 9 are defined according to the arrangement of the optical devices 3, 4, 8, 9.

  The coordinate detection device 11 first selects two optical devices, the right optical device 3 and the left optical device 4. The coordinate detection device 11 detects all coordinates from all the scanning angles detected by the selected two optical devices 3 and 4. In the two selected optical devices 3 and 4, four coordinates are obtained. A coordinate group represented by the four coordinates at this time is defined as a first coordinate group.

  The first coordinates are detected from the “angle formed by the straight line L31 and the upper side 21”, “the angle formed by the straight line L41 and the upper side 21”, and “the length of the straight line L34”. Is the first coordinate P1 at the intersection. The second coordinates are the straight line L32 and the straight line L42 detected from “the angle formed by the straight line L32 and the upper side 21”, “the angle formed by the straight line L42 and the upper side 21”, and “the length of the straight line L34”. It is the 2nd coordinate P2 in the intersection of these.

  The third coordinates are detected from the “angle formed by the straight line L32 and the upper side 21”, the “angle formed by the straight line L41 and the upper side 21”, and the “length of the straight line L34”. Is the third coordinate P3 at the intersection. The fourth coordinate is the straight line L31 and the straight line L42 detected from “the angle formed by the straight line L31 and the upper side 21”, “the angle formed by the straight line L42 and the upper side 21”, and “the length of the straight line L34”. The fourth coordinate P4 at the intersection of

  As described above, the first coordinate group includes both of the two true coordinates P1 and P2. In addition, the first coordinate group includes two pseudo coordinates of the third coordinate P3 and the fourth coordinate P4.

  Next, the coordinate detection device 11 selects two optical devices, the right optical device 3 and the lower right optical device 8. The coordinate detection device 11 detects all coordinates from all scanning angles detected by the selected two optical devices 3 and 8. In the two selected optical devices 3 and 8, four coordinates are obtained. A coordinate group represented by the four coordinates at this time is defined as a second coordinate group.

  The first coordinates are detected from the “angle formed by the straight line L31 and the right side 23”, the “angle formed by the straight line L81 and the right side 23”, and the “length of the straight line L38”. Is the first coordinate P1 at the intersection. The second coordinates are detected from the “angle formed by the straight line L32 and the right side 23”, the “angle formed by the straight line L82 and the right side 23”, and the “length of the straight line L38”. It is the 2nd coordinate P2 in the intersection of these.

  The third coordinates are detected from the “angle formed by the straight line L32 and the right side 23”, the “angle formed by the straight line L81 and the right side 23”, and the “length of the straight line L38”. The fifth coordinate P5 at the intersection of The fourth coordinate is the straight line L31 and straight line L82 detected from “the angle formed by the straight line L31 and the right side 23”, “the angle formed by the straight line L82 and the right side 23”, and “the length of the straight line L38”. The sixth coordinate P6 at the intersection of

  As described above, the second coordinate group includes both of the two true coordinates P1 and P2. In addition, the second coordinate group includes two pseudo coordinates of the fifth coordinate P5 and the sixth coordinate P6.

  Next, the coordinate detection device 11 selects two optical devices, that is, the left optical device 4 and the lower left optical device 9. The coordinate detection device 11 detects all coordinates from all scanning angles detected by the selected two optical devices 4 and 9. In the two selected optical devices 4 and 9, four coordinates are obtained. A coordinate group represented by the four coordinates at this time is defined as a third coordinate group.

  The first coordinates are detected from the “angle formed by the straight line L41 and the left side 24”, the “angle formed by the straight line L91 and the left side 24”, and the “length of the straight line L49”. Is the first coordinate P1 at the intersection. The second coordinates are the straight line L42 and the straight line L92 detected from "the angle formed by the straight line L42 and the left side 24", "the angle formed by the straight line L92 and the left side 24", and "the length of the straight line L49". It is the 2nd coordinate P2 in the intersection of these.

  The third coordinates are detected from the “angle formed by the straight line L42 and the left side 24”, the “angle formed by the straight line L91 and the left side 24”, and the “length of the straight line L49”. The seventh coordinate P7 at the intersection of The fourth coordinate is detected from the “angle formed by the straight line L41 and the left side 24”, the “angle formed by the straight line L92 and the left side 24”, and the “length of the straight line L49”. The eighth coordinate P8 at the intersection of

  As described above, the third coordinate group includes both the two true coordinates P1 and P2. The third coordinate group includes two pseudo coordinates, a seventh coordinate P7 and an eighth coordinate P8.

  As described above, the first coordinate group includes the four coordinates of the first coordinate P1, the second coordinate P2, the third coordinate P3, and the fourth coordinate P4. The second coordinate group includes four coordinates including a first coordinate P1, a second coordinate P2, a fifth coordinate P5, and a sixth coordinate P6. The third coordinate group includes four coordinates, a first coordinate P1, a second coordinate P2, a seventh coordinate P7, and an eighth coordinate P8.

  The coordinate detection device 11 of the present embodiment detects coordinates (first coordinate P1 and second coordinate P2) common to the first coordinate group and the second coordinate group as the coordinates of the object. That is, the coordinates of the object in the two-dimensional coordinate area D2 are detected by the three optical devices of the right optical device 3, the left optical device 4, and the lower right optical device 8. At this time, since there are three optical devices that scan the entire two-dimensional coordinate region D2, the coordinates of a plurality of objects in the two-dimensional coordinate region D2 can be detected. Here, the coordinate detection device 11 detecting the coordinates in this manner means that “one or more coordinates included in the first coordinate group and the second coordinate group in common with the first coordinate group in the present invention” Or, it corresponds to “detecting the coordinates of a plurality of objects”.

  Further, the coordinate detection device 11 of the present embodiment detects coordinates (first coordinate P1 and second coordinate P2) common to the first coordinate group and the third coordinate group as object coordinates. That is, the coordinates of the object in the two-dimensional coordinate area D2 are detected by the three optical devices of the right optical device 3, the left optical device 4, and the lower left optical device 9. At this time, since there are three optical devices that scan the entire two-dimensional coordinate region D2, the coordinates of a plurality of objects in the two-dimensional coordinate region D2 can be detected. Here, the coordinate detection device 11 detects the coordinates in this way, in the present invention, “one or more coordinates included in the first coordinate group and the third coordinate group in common” Or, it corresponds to “detecting the coordinates of a plurality of objects”.

  As described above, the optical coordinate detection device 11 can detect the coordinates of a plurality of objects in the two-dimensional coordinate region D2.

  Furthermore, in the coordinate detection device 11 of the present embodiment, all the optical devices 3, 4, 8, and 9 are arranged at the vertices of the two-dimensional coordinate region D2, and therefore all the optical devices 3, 4, 8, and 9 are used. The scanning angle may be set to at least 90 °. Therefore, compared with the case where one optical device is arranged near the center of a predetermined side and the scanning angle of the optical device must be set to 180 °, the time required for one scanning is shortened, and the coordinate The time resolution of detection can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the optical deflector 40 is constituted by a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) device including a piezoelectric actuator that rotates the mirror by being supplied with a voltage signal. For this reason, the configuration of the coordinate detection device 11 according to the present embodiment that only needs to set the scanning angle of all the optical devices to at least 90 ° is compared with the configuration in which the scanning angle needs to be set to 180 °. Can be relatively easy to implement.

  Further, according to the configuration of the coordinate detection device 11 of the present embodiment, since there are four optical devices that scan the entire two-dimensional coordinate region D2, for the purpose of detecting the coordinates of a plurality of objects, Redundant configuration. However, if the number of optical devices is set to three, a user who is not aware of the failure when a single optical device becomes inoperable due to an unexpected situation due to a failure or the like, the coordinates of a plurality of objects When it is used as being detectable, a desired operation cannot be obtained.

  Therefore, by setting the number of optical devices to four as in the present embodiment, even if either the lower right optical device 8 or the lower left optical device 9 becomes inoperative due to a failure or the like. A desired operation can be obtained by the optical device that is not in failure, one optical device, and the other optical device, and the durability of the device can be improved.

  For example, when dust such as dust adheres to a portion that emits light, the optical path of light (for example, scanning light) emitted by the attached dust is blocked. Since the lower right optical device 8 and the left optical device 9 disposed at both ends of the lower side 22 of the present embodiment emit light from the lower side to the upper side, dust or the like is emitted to the portion from which the light is emitted. The dust is easy to adhere. As described above, even when either the lower right optical device 8 or the left optical device 9 is unable to emit sufficient light to detect the coordinates of the object because the scanning light is shielded, Thus, the operation of the coordinate detection device 11 can be continued.

  In the coordinate detection device 11 of the third embodiment, one optical device is the right optical device 3, the other optical device is the left optical device 4, the first optical device is the lower right optical device 8, However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any of the four optical devices 3, 4, 8, and 9 is referred to as “one optical device, the other optical device, the first optical device, Any of the “second optical device” may be used.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Coordinate detection apparatus (two-dimensional coordinate detection apparatus of 1st aspect), 10 ... Coordinate detection apparatus (two-dimensional coordinate detection apparatus of 2nd aspect), 11 ... Coordinate detection apparatus (two-dimensional coordinate detection apparatus of 3rd aspect) , D2 ... two-dimensional coordinate region, 22 ... lower side (retroreflective part), 23 ... right side (retroreflective part), 24 ... left side (retroreflective part), 3, 4 ... pair of optical devices, 3 ... right side optical device (One optical device), 4... Left optical device (the other optical device), 5... Central optical device (another one or a plurality of optical devices, another optical device), 31. ), 32... Scanning unit (irradiation unit), 33... Light receiving unit, 6... Central right optical device (first optical device in the second mode), 7. 8 ... lower right optical device (first optical device), 9 ... lower left optical device (second optical device).

Claims (4)

In order to detect the coordinates of an object in a two-dimensional coordinate area, a pair of optical devices arranged on the periphery of the two-dimensional coordinate area or outside the two-dimensional coordinate area, and light emitted from the optical apparatus Each of the pair of optical devices includes an irradiation unit that emits light for scanning a two-dimensional coordinate region, and light that is emitted from the irradiation unit and retroreflected by the retroreflection unit. A two-dimensional coordinate detection device composed of a light receiving unit for receiving light,
An optical device different from the pair of optical devices arranged on the periphery of the two-dimensional coordinate region or outside the two-dimensional coordinate region;
Each of the light receiving units of the pair of optical devices and the other optical device receives the light retroreflected by light emitted from the irradiation unit of the optical device being blocked by one or a plurality of the objects. Detect one or more scanning angles when light cannot be received,
In each of all combinations when selecting two optical devices of the pair of optical devices and the other optical device, the one or two detected by one optical device of the selected two optical devices Detecting a coordinate group which is one or a plurality of coordinates from a plurality of scanning angles and the one or more scanning angles detected by the other optical device;
A two-dimensional coordinate detection apparatus that detects one or a plurality of coordinates included in common in the coordinate group detected in each of all the combinations as a coordinate of one or a plurality of the objects.   2. The two-dimensional coordinate detection device according to claim 1, wherein the two-dimensional coordinate region is a rectangular region, and the pair of optical devices are arranged at both ends of a predetermined one side of the two-dimensional coordinate region. The two-dimensional coordinate detection device is arranged between the pair of optical devices. In order to detect the coordinates of an object in a rectangular two-dimensional coordinate region, a pair of optical devices arranged on a predetermined side of the two-dimensional coordinate region and light emitted from the optical device are retroreflected. Each of the pair of optical devices receives an irradiation unit that emits light that scans a two-dimensional coordinate region, and light that is emitted from the irradiation unit and retroreflected by the retroreflection unit. A two-dimensional coordinate detection device composed of one or a plurality of optical devices having a light receiving unit,
Two optical devices different from the pair of optical devices,
One optical device of the pair of optical devices is disposed at one end of both ends of the predetermined one side, and the other optical device of the pair of optical devices is the other of both ends of the predetermined one side. Placed at the end of
The other two optical devices are disposed between the pair of optical devices,
Of the two other optical devices, the first optical device is along a straight line that connects the shortest distance between the direction of the second optical device of the other two optical devices and the side facing the predetermined one side. Set to scan between directions,
The second optical device is set to scan between the direction of the first optical device and a direction along a straight line connecting the shortest distance between the side facing the predetermined one side,
Each of the light receiving portions of the pair of optical devices and the other two optical devices is retroreflected when light emitted from the irradiation unit of the optical device is blocked by one or a plurality of the objects. Detect one or more scanning angles when light cannot be received,
Detecting a first coordinate group which is one or a plurality of coordinates from a scanning angle detected by the one optical device and a scanning angle detected by the other optical device;
A second coordinate group which is one or a plurality of coordinates is detected from the scanning angle detected by the one optical device and the scanning angle detected by the second optical device;
Detecting a third coordinate group which is one or a plurality of coordinates from the scanning angle detected by the other optical device and the scanning angle detected by the first optical device;
A set of one or more coordinates included in common in the first coordinate group and the second coordinate group, and one or more coordinates included in common in the first coordinate group and the third coordinate group A two-dimensional coordinate detection apparatus that detects one or a plurality of coordinates included in a union of two sets with a set of the above as coordinates of the one or more objects. In order to detect the coordinates of an object in a rectangular two-dimensional coordinate region, a pair of optical devices arranged on a predetermined side of the two-dimensional coordinate region and light emitted from the optical device are retroreflected. Each of the pair of optical devices receives an irradiation unit that emits light that scans a two-dimensional coordinate region, and light that is emitted from the irradiation unit and retroreflected by the retroreflection unit. A two-dimensional coordinate detection device composed of one or a plurality of optical devices having a light receiving unit,
Two optical devices different from the pair of optical devices,
At each of the four vertexes of the rectangular shape, any one of the four optical devices of the pair of optical devices and the other two optical devices is arranged,
Each of the light receiving portions of the pair of optical devices and the other two optical devices is retroreflected when light emitted from the irradiation unit of the optical device is blocked by one or a plurality of the objects. Detect one or more scanning angles when light cannot be received,
A first coordinate group that is one or a plurality of coordinates is detected from a scanning angle detected by one optical device of the pair of optical devices and a scanning angle detected by the other optical device of the pair of optical devices. And
Detecting a second coordinate group which is one or a plurality of coordinates from the scanning angle detected by the one optical device and the scanning angle detected by the first optical device of the other two optical devices;
Detecting a third coordinate group which is one or a plurality of coordinates from the scanning angle detected by the other optical device and the scanning angle detected by the second optical device of the other two optical devices;
One or more coordinates commonly included in the first coordinate group and the second coordinate group are detected as the coordinates of the one or more objects, and the first coordinate group and the third coordinate group are detected. A two-dimensional coordinate detection apparatus that detects one or more coordinates included in common as coordinates of the one or more objects.

Images