JP2014099139A - Coordinate input device and coordinate input system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a coordinate input device and a coordinate input system capable of identifying and simultaneously using both a light emission pen and a finger, and instantaneously recognizing that any contact other than the light emission pen has been made to remove the detection coordinates of the hand which has made a contact in accordance with the contact of the light emission pen with a light guide member.SOLUTION: A coordinate input device (3A) is configured such that the rays of light to be emitted from a light source unit (4A) and the rays of light emitted from a light emission pen 9 have different wavelength, and that imaging units (20, 30) identify the wavelength of both rays of light. The coordinate input device includes: a determination part (16) for determining whether or not the contact of a non-light emission body to be detected such as the hand with a light guide plate (10) has been made in accordance with the contact of the light emission pen (9) with the light guide plate (10); and a removal part (17) for removing the position coordinates of the contact of the non-light emission body to be detected with the light guide plate (10) when it is determined that the contact of the non-light emission body to be detected with the light guide plate (10) has been made in accordance with the contact of the light emission pen (9) with the light guide plate (10) by the determination part (16).

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical coordinate input device, a coordinate detection method, and a coordinate input system that obtain a position coordinate of a contact point by a triangulation method using a light guide member, and in particular, touches a light emitting pen. Regarding the exclusion of data on the occasion.

  An optical coordinate input device or position detection device comprising a bar-shaped operation member (hereinafter referred to as “pen”) such as a touch pen or a stylus pen, or a light guide member that receives coordinate input by a finger or the like, and a coordinate input device or A coordinate input system such as a tablet or a touch panel in which a position detection device and a display panel are combined is known.

  In the coordinate input system, the coordinate input device or the position detection device obtains the coordinates of the approached or touched position of the pen or finger by causing the pen or finger to approach or contact the coordinate input area of the coordinate input device. The obtained coordinates are for displaying an object such as a point image or a straight line image on a display screen such as a liquid crystal display separate from the coordinate input device or a liquid crystal panel integrally laminated on the coordinate input device. Used for etc.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 37, the coordinate input device 100 disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes optical units 102L and 102R having light sources and light receiving units provided at both ends of one side of the upper surface of the touch panel 101. And reflectors 103 a, 103 b, and 103 c provided on three sides on the upper surface of the touch panel 101. In the coordinate input device 100 configured as described above, when the light-emitting pen 104 is touched on the touch panel 101, light emitted from the light-emitting pen 104 enters a light receiving unit (not shown) of the optical units 102L and 102R and is visually recognized by the light-emitting pen 104. The touch position of the light-emitting pen 104 is obtained by a triangulation method based on the angle and the distance between the optical units 102L and 102R.

  On the other hand, when a finger (not shown) touches the touch panel 101, light emitted from the light source of the optical unit 102L / 102R toward the upper surface of the touch panel 101 is reflected by the finger, and the reflected light is received by the optical unit 102L / 102R. Detect at the part. Thereby, similarly, the touch position of the finger is obtained by the triangulation method based on the viewing angle to the finger and the distance between the optical units 102L and 102R.

  By the way, in such a coordinate input device that can use both the light-emitting pen and the finger, when writing a character with the light-emitting pen, the hand holding the light-emitting pen comes into contact with the touch panel, so that the hand touches the touch panel. The signal of the place where you touched will be detected. As a result, it has an adverse effect such as drawing unnecessary points or lines on the monitor.

  Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, for example, a touch panel device disclosed in Patent Document 2 is known. Note that this touch panel device does not optically detect the detection target (fingertip or pen), but exclusively directly detects the coordinates touched by the capacitance. In this touch panel device 200, for example, as shown in FIG. 38A, it is assumed that each finger and palm touch the touch panel 201. In other words, it is assumed that the touch panel 201 is touched.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 38 (b), an area extraction process is performed to extract the object areas Obj1 to Obj5 that are predicted to have been touched based on the level signal for each electrode intersection point. Attribute determination processing is performed to determine what kind of object the object areas Obj1 to Obj5 belong to. More specifically, an attribute is assigned to each region based on the size and outline of the finger or the other.

  Next, based on the appearance state of the object areas Obj1 and Obj4 to which the attributes of the fingers existing around the object areas Obj2, Obj3, and Obj5 to which the attributes other than the finger are assigned, the objects to which the attributes of the fingers are given Validity determination processing for determining the validity of the areas Obj1 and Obj4 is performed. Specifically, based on the vertical relationship and separation distance between the object area to which the finger attribute is assigned and the object area to which the other attribute is assigned, and the number of object areas to which the finger attribute is assigned, The validity of the object area to which the attribute is assigned is determined.

  If the validity determination process determines that the area is invalid, the area is excluded from the target of the touch position detection process.

  Briefly, in a normal hand-held state, a plurality of fingers touch the touch surface. Therefore, the touch panel device 200 determines whether or not the number of finger areas is within a range of 2 to 5, and if applicable, determines that the finger area is a finger part with touch. In the example shown in FIG. 28B, since there are two finger areas Obj1 and Obj4, it is determined that there is a touch, and this detection is excluded from the touch operation.

  As a result, it is possible to avoid erroneously recognizing that the user touches the touch surface by mistake as a regular touch operation.

JP 2003-99199 A (published April 4, 2003) JP 2011-134669 A (released on July 7, 2011)

  However, in the coordinate input device disclosed in the above-described conventional patent document 2, as the determination of the hand-held state, first, the attribute determination of the touch of the finger or the other touch is performed for each individual region from the size and the outer shape, and then After determining that the touch is a finger by attribute determination, it is determined whether or not the number of finger areas is within the range of 2 to 5, and if applicable, the finger area is determined to be a finger part by hand. Like to do. As a result, since it is necessary to first determine the attribute of finger touch or touch other than that, there is a problem that it takes time to determine whether or not it is touched.

  In the coordinate input device 100 disclosed in Patent Document 1, light from a light source is irradiated on the upper surface of the touch panel 101. That is, the optical path is in the air above the touch panel 101. Therefore, when both the light-emitting pen 104 and the finger are used at the same time, when one is behind the other when viewed from the light receiving portions of the optical units 102L and 102R, the one is shielded by the other. Cannot be identified and detected.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and its purpose is to recognize that both the light-emitting pen and the finger can be used at the same time and that there is an immediate contact other than the light-emitting pen. Then, it is providing the coordinate input device and coordinate input system which can exclude the detection coordinate of the hand which contacted accompanying the contact to the light guide member of a light-emitting pen.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a coordinate input device according to one aspect of the present invention is a coordinate input that detects position coordinates with respect to at least two input signals of a light-emitting pen and a non-light-emitting detection target including a finger and a hand. In the apparatus, a light guide member, an illumination light source that is coupled to an edge of the light guide member to illuminate the inside of the light guide member, the non-light-emitting detection object and the light-emitting pen are in contact with the light guide member. And at least two direction detection means for detecting the traveling direction of the propagating light propagating through the light guide member that is sometimes generated. While obtaining the position coordinates of the contact point, the light emitted from the illumination light source and the light emitted from the light-emitting pen have different wavelengths from each other, and the direction detection means discriminates both wavelengths. And more Judgment means for judging whether or not the light emitting pen is contacted with the light guide member in association with the contact of the light emitting pen with the light guide member, and the judgment means to the light guide member of the light emitting pen. When it is determined that the non-light emitting target to be contacted with the light guide member is associated with the contact of the non-light emitting target, the non-light emitting target to be detected is removed. And a body removing means.

  In order to solve the above problems, a coordinate input system according to an aspect of the present invention is a coordinate input system including the coordinate input device described above, and includes an image display module.

  According to the coordinate input device and the coordinate input system of one aspect of the present invention, both the light-emitting pen and the finger can be identified and used at the same time, and the light-emitting pen can be recognized immediately when there is contact other than the light-emitting pen. There is an effect of providing a coordinate input device and a coordinate input system that can exclude detected coordinates of a hand that is in contact with the light guide member.

1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a coordinate input system and a coordinate input system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, the coordinate input system including the coordinate input device. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of the said coordinate input system. (A) is a top view which shows the structure of the said coordinate input system, (b) is side sectional drawing which shows the structure of a coordinate input system. (A) is a side view which shows the structure of the said coordinate input system, (b) is a principal part side view which expands and shows the structure of the edge part of a coordinate input system. FIG. 9 illustrates a configuration of the coordinate input system, and is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 8. The coordinate input device is shown, and is a plan view showing an irradiation area to a light guide plate in one LED. (A) and (b) show the said coordinate input device, Comprising: It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the optical coupling member provided between the light-guide plate and LED. It is a perspective view which shows the optical path of the scattered light when a finger touches the light-guide plate in the said coordinate input device. (A) is a top view which shows the detection principle of the said coordinate input device, (b) is a wave form diagram which shows the optical signal of the image pick-up element in the imaging unit of a coordinate input device. (A) shows the said coordinate input device, Comprising: It is a top view which shows the contact position when a finger | toe contacts the various places on the surface of a light-guide plate, (b) respond | corresponds to the contact position of this finger | toe. It is a wave form diagram which shows the relationship between the pixel number which appears in the detection image of an image pick-up element, and signal strength. (A) is a perspective view which shows the imaging condition in the imaging unit in the said coordinate input device, (b) is a top view which shows the image in the image pick-up element of the said imaging unit. It is a top view which removes a part of housing | casing and shows the structure of the light emission pen in the said coordinate input device. It is sectional drawing which shows the optical path of the propagation light when a light emitting pen is touched to the light guide plate in the said coordinate input device. It is a perspective view which shows the optical path of the propagation light when a light emitting pen and a finger touch the light-guide plate in the said coordinate input device. (A) is a top view which shows the structure of the optical filter in the said coordinate input device, (b) is a top view which shows the output image of an image pick-up element when a finger | toe and a light emission pen contact the light-guide plate. (A) is the top view which shows the said coordinate input device, Comprising: It is a top view which shows the character previously described on the light-guide plate with the light emission pen, (b) It was attached to the light emission pen, and there was a hand. FIG. 6C is a plan view showing a configuration in which the hand coordinates associated with the light-emitting pen are removed by the removal unit. (A), (b), and (c) are timing charts showing the coordinate input device and showing the time relationship with the hand attached to the light emitting pen. It is a flowchart which shows the said coordinate input device, Comprising: The method which removes the hand coordinate attached to a light-emitting pen. (A) shows the coordinate input device which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention, Comprising: It is a top view which shows the character previously described on the light-guide plate with the light emission pen, (b) is a light emission pen. It is a top view which shows the structure which judges by the distance judgment part that there was an accompanying hand, (c) is a top view which shows the structure which removes the hand coordinate attached to a light-emitting pen in a removal part. . It is a flowchart which shows the method of removing the hand coordinate accompanying the light emitting pen in the said coordinate input device. (A) shows the coordinate input device which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention, Comprising: It is a top view which shows the character previously described on the light-guide plate with the light emission pen, (b) is a light emission pen. It is a top view which shows the structure which judges by the area judgment part that there was a hand with attachment, (c) is a top view which shows the structure which removes the coordinate with the hand attached to a light-emitting pen in a removal part. . (A) (b) (c) (d) is a figure which shows the said coordinate input device, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the detection state when there exists a contact with a breadth in a light-guide plate. It is a flowchart which shows the said coordinate input device, Comprising: The method which removes the hand coordinate attached to a light-emitting pen. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a coordinate input device and a coordinate input system provided with four imaging units, showing a coordinate input device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. (A) is sectional drawing which shows the optical path of the propagation light when a finger touches the light guide plate in the said coordinate input device, (b) is a cross section which shows the optical path of the propagation light when a light emitting pen is touched to a light guide plate FIG. It is an explanatory view showing the coordinate input device, and showing signals in each imaging unit when one finger and one light emitting pen are used in combination. (A) shows the coordinate input device which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention, Comprising: It is a top view which shows the character previously described on the light-guide plate with the light emission pen, (b) is a light emission pen. It is a top view which shows the structure which judges by the area judgment part that there was a hand with attachment, (c) is a top view which shows the structure which removes the coordinate with the hand attached to a light-emitting pen in a removal part. . It is a flowchart which shows the said coordinate input device, Comprising: The method which removes the hand coordinate attached to a light-emitting pen. (A) shows the coordinate input device which concerns on Embodiment 6 of this invention, Comprising: It is a top view which shows the character previously described on the light-guide plate with the light emission pen, (b) is a light emission pen. It is a top view which shows the structure which a time judgment part judges that there was a hand with it, (c) is not preserve | saved in the hand data non-storing part of the removal part of the hand coordinates accompanying a light emitting pen. It is a top view which shows the structure to do. It is a flowchart which shows the said coordinate input device, Comprising: The method of removing the hand coordinate accompanying a light emitting pen by non-preservation. (A) shows the coordinate input device which concerns on Embodiment 7 of this invention, Comprising: It is a top view which shows the character previously described on the light-guide plate with the light emission pen, (b) is a light emission pen. It is a top view which shows the structure which a distance determination part judges that there was a hand with it, (c) is not preserve | saved in the hand data non-storage part of the removal part of the hand coordinate accompanying a light emitting pen. It is a top view which shows the structure to do. It is a flowchart which shows the said coordinate input device, Comprising: The method of removing the hand coordinate accompanying a light emitting pen by non-preservation. (A) shows the coordinate input device which concerns on Embodiment 7 of this invention, Comprising: It is a top view which shows the character previously described on the light-guide plate with the light emission pen, (b) is a light emission pen. It is a top view which shows the structure which judges in the area judgment part that there was a hand with it, (c) is not preserve | saved in the hand data non-storage part of the removal part of the hand coordinates accompanying a light emitting pen. It is a top view which shows the structure to do. It is a flowchart which shows the said coordinate input device, Comprising: The method of removing the hand coordinate accompanying a light emitting pen by non-preservation. (A) shows the coordinate input device which concerns on Embodiment 8 of this invention, Comprising: It is a top view which shows the character previously described on the light-guide plate with the light emission pen, (b) is a light emission pen. It is a top view which shows the structure which judges in the area | region judgment part that it was accompanied by a hand, (c) is not preserve | saved in the hand data non-storage part of the removal part of the hand coordinates accompanying a light emitting pen. It is a top view which shows the structure to do. It is a flowchart which shows the said coordinate input device, Comprising: The method of removing the hand coordinate accompanying a light emitting pen by non-preservation. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the conventional coordinate input system. (A) and (b) are top views which show the structure of the other conventional coordinate input system.

[Embodiment 1]
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

(Configuration of coordinate input system)
A configuration of a coordinate input system including the coordinate input device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3A and 3B. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the coordinate input system. FIG. 3A is a plan view showing the configuration of the coordinate input system, and FIG. 3B is a side sectional view showing the configuration of the coordinate input system. In this specification, the Z direction in FIG. 2 is the front side of the coordinate input system. 2 is the longitudinal direction of the coordinate input system, and the Y direction in FIG. 2 is the short direction of the coordinate input system.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the coordinate input system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a liquid crystal display module 2 as an image display module and a coordinate input device 3 </ b> A provided on the front side of the liquid crystal display module 2. .

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the liquid crystal display module 2 has a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between a pair of substrates (not shown), and the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer are aligned by applying a voltage to each substrate. There is provided a liquid crystal display panel 2a provided with various electrodes for changing. In the liquid crystal display panel 2a, a desired display is performed by adjusting the amount of light transmitted through the liquid crystal layer of each pixel by changing the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules by applying a voltage between the electrodes. The liquid crystal display panel 2a is supported by the chassis 2b, and a protective glass 2c is provided on the front surface of the liquid crystal display panel 2a. Note that a conventionally known liquid crystal display module can be used as the configuration of the liquid crystal display module 2.

  In the coordinate input system 1, while watching the screen displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 2 a, for example, a finger as a non-light-emitting detection object is placed on the light guide plate 10 of the coordinate input device 3 </ b> A provided on the front side of the liquid crystal display panel 2 a. By making contact, the coordinates of the contact position on the finger are specified, and desired data can be input.

(Configuration of coordinate input device)
Next, the configuration of the coordinate input device 3A provided in the coordinate input system 1 will be described below with reference to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 (a) (b), and FIG. 4 (a) (b) to FIG. Detailed description. 4A is a side view showing the configuration of the coordinate input system 1, and FIG. 4B is an enlarged side view showing the configuration of the edge of the coordinate input system 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 5 shows a configuration of the coordinate input system 1, and is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an irradiation area to the light guide plate 10 in one LED. 7A and 7B are cross-sectional views showing the configuration of the optical coupling member provided between the light guide plate 10 and the LED 4a. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an optical path of scattered light when the finger 8 touches the light guide plate 10.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A and 3B, the coordinate input device 3A includes a light guide plate 10 as a rectangular transparent light guide member and a corner portion of one side of the rectangular light guide plate 10. Imaging units 20 and 30 serving as direction detection means respectively disposed on the light guide unit 10; a light source unit 4A serving as an illumination light source provided on the back side of one side in the longitudinal direction of the light guide plate 10; and guiding light from the light source unit 4A. An optical coupling member 5 coupled to the optical plate 10 and a detection unit 6 as detection means described later are provided. Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, light absorbing members 7 and 7 are provided on the surface of the light guide plate 10 where the light source unit 4A is disposed at the edge and on the front and back sides of the other end. It has been.

  The light guide plate 10 is made of a single rectangular flat plate made of a translucent material, and is disposed on the display surface side of the liquid crystal display panel 2 a in the liquid crystal display module 2. The light guide plate 10 does not have to be a complete rectangle, and as will be described later, through holes 11 are formed in corners, corners are notched, or corners are curved. It may be a substantially quadrangular shape.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the size of the light guide plate 10 is configured such that the periphery of the four sides is larger than the liquid crystal display panel 2a. Thereby, the imaging units 20 and 30 can be disposed on the back side of the light guide plate 10. As a result, an increase in the size of the coordinate input device 3A in the direction of spreading along the contact surface with the light guide plate 10 of the finger 8 described later is suppressed, which contributes to the realization of the compact size of the coordinate input device 3A. The size of the rectangular light guide plate 10 may be, for example, 60 inches diagonal. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the diagonal line may be larger, for example, 60 inches, 70 inches, 80 inches, or 60 inches or less.

  The thickness of the light guide plate 10 is mainly 1 to 3 mm. However, it may be thicker than this. In the present embodiment, the thickness of the light guide plate 10 is 3 mm, for example. As a material of the light guide plate 10, for example, acrylic is used, and polycarbonate or glass may be used.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b), through holes serving as concave conical optical path conversion portions are provided at two corners of the light guide plate 10 where the imaging units 20 and 30 are disposed. 11 are formed. In addition, in this Embodiment, although the through-hole 11 is comprised by the conical surface shape, this invention is not limited to this, You may be comprised by the hyperboloid shape or the polygonal surface shape. Further, the central portion of the through hole 11 does not necessarily have to penetrate. The slope may be formed up to the middle of the thickness of the light guide plate 10. In this case, the imaging units 20 and 30 are sealed, so that no foreign matter is mixed into the imaging units 20 and 30.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the angle γ formed between the conical wall surface 11a of the through hole 11 and the back surface of the light guide plate 10 is 45 degrees or less, and for example, 30 degrees or 24 degrees is selected. A mirror coating is applied to the conical surface wall surface 11 a in the through hole 11. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the optical path of the light propagating through the inside of the light guide plate 10 and reaching the through hole 11 is changed by the through hole 11 below the light guide plate 10, that is, toward the back surface of the light guide plate 10. Let Even if the wall surface 11 a is not mirror-coated, the optical path can be changed below the light guide plate 10 by the conical surface of the through hole 11. In the present embodiment, since the light conversion member is provided as the through hole 11 in the corner portion of the light guide plate 10, the light conversion member is prevented from protruding from the light guide plate 10.

  Next, the imaging units 20 and 30 are disposed immediately below the conical surface through holes 11 at two corners of the light guide plate 10. Thereby, the imaging units 20 and 30 have a structure that does not protrude above the surface of the light guide plate 10.

  In the coordinate input device 3 </ b> A of the present embodiment, the imaging units 20 and 30 are provided at two corners of the light guide plate 10 that are separated from each other. However, in the present invention, the installation location of the imaging units 20 and 30 is not necessarily limited to the corner portion. This is because the triangulation method requires at least two direction detection means, and therefore it is sufficient to provide at least two or more imaging units 20 and 30.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the imaging unit 20 includes a lens 21, an optical filter 22, and an imaging element 23. Similarly, the imaging unit 30 also includes a lens 31, an optical filter 32, and an imaging element 33, as shown in FIG. Therefore, the light incident on the imaging units 20 and 30 is first condensed by the lenses 21 and 31, and then necessary infrared light is transmitted by the optical filters 22 and 32, so that visible light and unnecessary infrared light are transmitted. Is intercepted and received by the image sensors 23 and 33. In the image sensors 23 and 33, the received light is photoelectrically converted to form an image. This point will be described later. The optical filters 22 and 32 may be arranged on the front side of the lenses 21 and 31, that is, on the light guide plate 10 side.

  In addition, the image pickup devices 23 and 33 according to the present embodiment are formed of, for example, a two-dimensional image sensor. However, the image sensor is not necessarily limited to two dimensions, and may be a one-dimensional image sensor. Alternatively, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) camera may be used.

  The light receiving surfaces of the image sensors 23 and 33 are arranged so as to be parallel to the surface of the light guide plate 10.

  The imaging units 20 and 30 are connected to the light guide plate 10 and have a structure in which light that does not propagate through the light guide plate 10 is not coupled to the imaging elements 23 and 33.

  Next, the light source unit 4A provided at the edge of one side in the longitudinal direction of the light guide plate 10 has a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) 4a arranged in series as shown in FIG. Each LED 4a emits light such as infrared light having a predetermined wavelength, for example. However, it is not necessarily limited to infrared light, and may be visible light or ultraviolet light. The LED 4a is not necessarily used, and a semiconductor laser (laser diode: LD) may be used.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the light source unit 4 </ b> A is provided at the edge of one side of the light guide plate 10 in the longitudinal direction. That is, in the coordinate input device 3 </ b> A of the present embodiment, the imaging units 20 and 30 and the light source unit 4 </ b> A are provided on one first edge along the longitudinal direction of the light guide plate 10. In this case, since both the light source unit 4A and the imaging units 20 and 30 are provided on the back side of the light guide plate 10, the light source unit 4A is configured so that the imaging units 20 and 30 do not overlap with each other. 20 and the imaging unit 30. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the light source unit 4 </ b> A is provided at the outer peripheral end of the light guide plate 10 as compared with the imaging unit 20. Therefore, in the imaging units 20 and 30, the direct light from the light source unit 4A does not enter the signal detection effective area of the imaging units 20 and 30.

  As described above, the light source unit 4 </ b> A is preferably provided at the first edge of one side along the longitudinal direction of the light guide plate 10. The reason for this is that, as shown in FIG. 6, the LED 4 a provided on the side along the longitudinal direction of the light guide plate 10 is provided at the edge of the side along the short direction of the light guide plate 10. This is because the reach of the light of the LED 4a in the light guide plate 10 is short. That is, this increases the amount of light from the light source unit 4A and also reduces the distance from the finger 8 in contact with the light guide plate 10 to the imaging units 20 and 30, so that the light from the finger 8 in contact with the light guide plate 10 can be reduced. This is because the detection intensity of the imaging units 20 and 30 in the scattered light is increased.

  Here, when the scattered light from the finger 8 is detected by the imaging devices 23, 33, etc., it is necessary to increase the output of the scattered light from the imaging devices 23, 33, etc. as much as possible. For this purpose, it is preferable that the amount of propagating light from the LED 4a inside the light guide plate 10 is larger. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the radiation angle δ of one LED 4a is made small. This is because when the radiation angle δ of the LED 4a is large, the light amount density of the irradiation region in one LED 4a decreases.

  In the present embodiment, the light source unit 4 </ b> A is disposed on the back side of the light guide plate 10. In this case, if the light of each LED 4a of the light source unit 4A is vertically incident on the light guide plate 10, the incident light does not guide the inside of the light guide plate 10 and passes through the front surface of the light guide plate 10 as it is. Go. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, an optical coupling member 5 is provided between the light guide plate 10 and the light source unit 4A, and as shown in FIGS. Light from the 4A LEDs 4a is incident on the light guide plate 10 through the optical coupling member 5 at an angle.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7A, the optical coupling member 5 may be composed of, for example, a triangular prism 5a. The prism 5a can be bonded to the light guide plate 10 using, for example, a double-sided tape 5b or an adhesive. Then, by adhering the LED 4a to the inclined surface of the prism 5a, light can be incident obliquely on the light guide plate 10 as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, a bullet-type LED 4a can be used as the LED 4a. In this case, as the optical coupling member 5, a transparent block 5 c that can obliquely fix the bullet-type LED 4 a with respect to the light guide plate 10 can be used. This also allows light to enter the light guide plate 10 at an angle.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the coordinate input device 3A is provided with a detection unit 6 as detection means. The detection unit 6 detects outputs from the image pickup devices 23 and 33 based on light scattering by the finger 8 and obtains coordinates of a contact position of the finger 8 on the surface of the light guide plate 10. Specifically, it consists of a CPU.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, light absorbing members 7 and 7 are provided on the first edge portion of the light guide plate 10 so as not to overlap the light source unit 4 </ b> A and the imaging units 20 and 30. The light absorbing members 7 and 7 are formed by sticking a high light-shielding film made of, for example, a black polyester film or the like to the light guide plate 10 so that the reflected light at the end of the light guide plate 10 returns to the opposite end. So that the reflected light is absorbed.

(Principle of coordinate detection of non-luminous object in coordinate input device)
In the coordinate input system 1 of the present embodiment, for example, a finger 8 as a non-light emitting target is used, and a light emitting pen 9 as a light emitting target is used at the same time. Therefore, hereinafter, the coordinate detection principle with the finger 8 and the coordinate detection principle with the light-emitting pen 9 will be described in order.

  First, regarding the coordinate detection principle when the finger 8 as the non-light-emitting detection object is brought into contact with the light guide plate 10 to the coordinate input device 3A having the above-described configuration, FIGS. 5, 8 and 9A, 9B are described. ) And FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b). FIG. 9A is a plan view showing the detection principle of the coordinate input device 3A, and FIG. 9B is a waveform diagram showing an optical signal of the image sensor in the imaging unit of the coordinate input device 3A. FIG. 10A is a plan view showing a contact position when a finger is brought into contact with various places on the surface of the light guide plate, and FIG. 10B shows a detection image of the image sensor corresponding to the contact position of the finger. It is a wave form diagram which shows the relationship between the pixel number which appears and signal strength.

  First, in the coordinate input device 3A, as shown in FIG. 5, light is incident on the light guide plate 10 obliquely from a plurality of LEDs 4a of the light source unit 4A provided along at least one edge of the light guide plate 10. .

  As shown in FIG. 5, the light incident on the light guide plate 10 is guided as propagating light to the entire inner surface of the light guide plate 10. That is, light repeats total reflection inside the light guide plate 10 due to the difference between the refractive index of the light guide plate 10 and the refractive index of air. The totally reflected light is emitted from the end face of the light guide plate 10. The light that is reflected by the end face of the light guide plate 10 and returned is absorbed by the light absorbing members 7 and 7 on the front and back surfaces of the light guide plate 10 and does not return to the imaging units 20 and 30 side.

Here, as shown in FIG. 5, when the finger 8 is brought into contact with, or touched with, the surface of the light guide plate 10, the total reflection condition in the light guide plate 10 is broken, and the finger 8 passes through the light guide plate 10 having the refractive index n. Part of the infrared light that is guided is scattered. Of this scattered light, the propagation angle θ _P in the light guide plate 10 is
sin (90 ° −θ _P )> 1 / n
The light beam satisfying the conditions shown in (2) repeats reflection on the front and back surfaces of the light guide plate 10 and travels in the light guide plate 10.

  As shown in FIG. 8, infrared light that is scattered light of the finger 8 is diffused radially with respect to the two-dimensional plane of the light guide plate 10 and propagates in the light guide plate 10. A part of the propagation light 13a / 14a of the luminous flux is also guided to the wall surfaces 11a / 11a of the conical through holes 11/11, and the reflected light of the wall surfaces 11a / 11a is captured by the imaging units 20/30. The light is received at. Specifically, the reflected light of the wall surfaces 11a and 11a of the through holes 11 and 11 is collected by the lenses 21 and 31 in the imaging units 20 and 30, and then passes through the optical filters 22 and 32, and finally. Light is received by the image sensors 23 and 33. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9B, a light emission peak appears at the pixel number in each of the image sensors 23 and 33. Therefore, the detection unit 6 converts the pixel number in each image obtained from each of the image sensors 23 and 33 into an angle, so that the light guide plate 10 at the location where the finger 8 is in contact as shown in FIG. Angles α and β, which are viewing angles from the imaging units 20 and 30 in the two-dimensional plane, are obtained.

For example, as shown in FIG. 10A, when the finger 8 is brought into contact with the points P ₁ to P ₉ on the light guide plate 10, the image pickup device 23 of the image pickup unit 20 has the image pickup device 23 shown in FIG. As shown, each peak appears at the position of the pixel number corresponding to the points P ₁ to P ₉ . By converting this pixel number into an angle, the angles of the points P ₁ to P ₉ can be obtained. In FIG. 10B, it can be roughly seen that the pixel number 100≈angle 80 degrees, the pixel number 200≈angle 60, the pixel number 300≈angle 40 degrees, and the pixel number 400≈angle 20 degrees.

(Calculation method of 2D coordinate position)
Next, a method for calculating the two-dimensional coordinate position of the light guide plate 10 at the location where the finger 8 is in contact will be described with reference to FIGS. This processing is performed by the detection unit 6. Here, FIG. 11A is a perspective view illustrating an imaging state of the imaging unit 20 in the coordinate input device 3A, and FIG. 11B is a plan view illustrating an image of the imaging element 23 of the imaging unit 20. . 11A and 11B, only the imaging unit 20 will be described, but the same processing is performed in the imaging unit 30 as well.

  As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 11A, the light incident on the imaging unit 20 passes through the lens 21 and forms a linear image 25 on the imaging device 23. The position of the linear image 25 varies depending on the position of the finger 8, and the angle α formed between the propagation light 13 a and one side of the light guide plate 10 is obtained by analyzing the acquired image of the image sensor 23. Similarly, a linear image 25 is formed on the image pickup device 33 through the lens 31 by the light incident on the image pickup unit 30. Then, by analyzing the acquired image of the image sensor 33, an angle β formed by the propagation light 14a and one side of the light guide plate 10 is obtained. Based on the angles α and β, the position coordinates of the point touched by the finger 8 are obtained using triangulation.

Specifically, in FIG. 11 (a), the time the finger 8 is in the position of point P _1, as shown in FIG. 11 (b), the linear image 25 is formed. Also, the fingers 8 when moved to the position of the point P _2, the image 27 of the line shape is formed.

  When the light from the light source unit 4A is irradiated, when the finger 8 is not in contact with the light guide plate 10, no change occurs in the acquired images of the image sensors 23 and 33. On the other hand, when the finger 8 comes into contact with the light guide plate 10 and scattered light is generated, the propagation lights 13a and 14a in a part of the light flux are guided to the imaging elements 23 and 33, and are applied to the imaging surfaces of the imaging elements 23 and 33. A linear image is formed, and a linear image 25 appears on the acquired image.

The position of the linear image 25 shown in FIG. 11B changes depending on the position of the contact point on the finger 8, and when the position of the contact point on the finger 8 is changed, the linear image 25 becomes linear. It changes like an image 27. The trajectories of the linear images 25 and 27 have a fan shape 26 indicated by a one-dot chain line. The inclination angle α ₁ ′ of the line segment connecting the fan-shaped center and the linear image 25 (with the center of the circular arc as the rotation center) is the line segment connecting the finger 8 and the image pickup device 23 and the light guide plate 10 described above. The angle is the same as the angle α ₁ formed by one side. Therefore, the inclination angle α ₁ ′ is obtained from the acquired image of the image sensor, and the angle α ₁ is obtained from the inclination angle α ₁ ′. Similarly, when the finger 8 moves to the position of the point P _2, a linear image 27 is formed, and the angle α ₂ is obtained by obtaining the inclination angle α ₂ ′ of the linear image 27.

  Similarly, for the image sensor 33, the position of the light emitting point is specified from the analysis of the acquired image, and the angle β formed by the line segment connecting the finger 8 and the image sensor 33 and the certain side of the light guide plate 10 is obtained.

The distance between the image sensor 23 and the image sensor 33 is L, the angle of the bright spot obtained by reading the image from the image sensor 23 is α, and the angle of the bright spot obtained by reading the acquired image from the image sensor 23 is When β is defined, the coordinates (X, Y) of the bright spot are the following relational expressions (1) and (2).
Y = tan α · X (1)
Y = tan β · (L−X) ... Relational expression (2)
Satisfied. Solving this, the coordinates (X, Y) of the bright spot are
X = tan β · L / (tan α + tan β) Equation (3)
Y = (tan α · tan β) · L / (tan α + tan β) (4)
The coordinates X and Y of the point where the finger 8 touches can be obtained from the angles α and β obtained as described above and the interval L that can be obtained in advance. Among these, the space | interval L is a space | interval between the image pick-up element 23 and the image pick-up element 33, and is a fixed value. By obtaining the angles α and β, the coordinates X and Y in the coordinate input device 3A can be obtained.

  The distance L between the image sensor 23 and the image sensor 33 is a distance between the optical axis center of the lens 21 and the optical axis center of the lens 31.

  Further, based on the position coordinates of the finger 8 obtained by the above method, the pixel at the position corresponding to the position coordinates of the liquid crystal display panel 2a is driven, and the user visually recognizes the touch position of the finger 8. Is possible. For this purpose, a control unit (not shown) that controls the driving of the liquid crystal display panel 2a may acquire information on the position coordinates obtained by the detection unit 6 and drive the liquid crystal display panel 2a based on the information.

(Coordinate detection principle of the object to be detected in the coordinate input device)
Next, in the present embodiment, even when the light emitting pen 9 that is a light emitting detection object is brought into contact with the light guide plate 10 in the coordinate input device 3A having the above configuration, the coordinates of the contact position of the light emitting pen 9 can be detected. It is like that. Hereinafter, the configuration of the light-emitting pen 9 and the principle of coordinate detection when the light-emitting pen 9 as the light-emitting detection target is in contact with the light guide plate 10 in the coordinate input device 3A having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. This will be described below. FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the configuration of the light-emitting pen 9 of the present embodiment. FIG. 13 shows the configuration of the coordinate input system, and is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. In FIG. 12, for convenience of explanation, a part of the housing is removed to expose the internal structure. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing an optical path of propagating light when a light emitting pen is touched on the light guide plate.

(Structure of luminous pen)
First, the configuration of the light-emitting pen 9 will be described with reference to FIG. The light emitting pen 9 is an operation member called a so-called touch pen or stylus pen.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the light-emitting pen 9 includes a light-emitting element LD that emits light and a light guide plate 10 that emits light emitted from the light-emitting element LD from the tip of the light-emitting pen 9. A light emitting unit 9b having an introduction unit IS to be introduced into the power source, a power supply device 9c, and a control device 9d are stored. A light scattering member 9e that diffuses light is fixedly attached to the introduction portion IS on the light emitting tip side of the light emitting pen 9.

  The light scattering member 9e is made of a resin containing a light diffusing material. Glass beads can be used as the light diffusion material. Moreover, as said resin, fluororesins, such as polytetrafluoroethylene, or a silicon rubber can be used, for example, and it is preferable to have elasticity. By using an elastic material, when the tip of the light-emitting pen 9, that is, the light scattering member 9e is used in contact with the light guide plate 10 of the coordinate input device 3B, the surface of the light guide plate 10 is not damaged and is slightly touched by contact. The portion can be deformed to increase the contact area with the surface of the light guide plate 10. As a result, the amount of light introduced to the surface of the light guide plate 10 can be increased. That is, the light from the light-emitting pen 9 can be incident in a plurality of radial directions with respect to the depth direction inside the light guide plate 10.

  The light emitting surface of the light scattering member 9e has a curved surface. That is, the light scattering member 9e is generally hemispherical and has a diameter of, for example, 2.5 to 5.5 mm. When the diameter is smaller than 2.5, there is a possibility that the sufficiently diffused light cannot be formed.

  Further, the light scattering member 9 e is configured to be detachable from the light emitting pen 9. Thereby, even when the light scattering member 9e is damaged for some reason or when it deteriorates with time, the use of the light emitting pen 9 can be continued only by replacing the light scattering member 9e.

  As the light emitting element LD, for example, an LED (light emitting diode) that emits light such as infrared light or a semiconductor laser (laser diode: LD) can be used. A semiconductor laser is preferable because it has a narrower emission spectrum width than an LED. In the present embodiment, the wavelength of infrared light emitted from the light emitting element LD of the light emitting pen 9 is different from the wavelength of infrared light emitted from the light source unit 4A.

  The power supply device 9c may be configured to include a battery, for example, or may be configured to be rechargeable.

  The control device 9d controls light emission of the light emitting element LD. For example, a mechanism that emits light only when the light emitting element LD contacts the light guide plate 10 is included. This mechanism is configured by using a pressure-sensitive switch or the like, and can control the light emission time, thereby reducing power consumption and extending battery life.

  In the light emitting pen 9 configured as described above, the light emitting element LD that receives power from the power supply device 9c emits light of a predetermined wavelength. The light emitted from the light emitting element LD enters the light scattering member 9e through the introduction part IS, and is irregularly reflected by the light diffusing material of the light scattering member 9e and the fine uneven shape. And it is radiate | emitted as diffused light from the light-projection surface of the light-scattering member 9e.

  As described above, the light-emitting pen 9 is provided with the light-emitting portion 9b that emits light, so that light is diffused and emitted from the pen tip. Therefore, when the pen tip of the light-emitting pen 9 comes into contact with the light guide plate 10, part of the infrared light emitted from the pen tip is coupled to the light guide plate 10 and propagates through the light guide plate 10. Since the light emitting pen 9 diffuses and emits light from the pen tip, the light coupled to the light guide plate 10 is guided and propagated while diffusing and radiating the light guide plate 10.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the propagation lights 13 a and 14 a propagating through the light guide plate 10 enter the imaging units 20 and 30 through the through holes 11, respectively. In the imaging units 20 and 30, an angle formed with the imaging units 20 and 30 in the two-dimensional plane of the light guide plate 10 at a location where the light-emitting pen 9 is in contact is obtained from each image obtained from the imaging elements 23 and 33. Thereby, based on the calculation principle of the two-dimensional coordinate described below, the position coordinate in the two-dimensional plane can be obtained with high accuracy.

(Calculation of two-dimensional coordinate position in light-emitting pen)
The two-dimensional coordinates at the location where the light-emitting pen 9 is in contact using the angle formed with the imaging units 20 and 30 in the two-dimensional plane of the light guide plate 10 at the location where the light-emitting pen 9 is in contact as determined above. Calculate the position. The method for calculating the two-dimensional coordinate position at the location where the light-emitting pen 9 is in contact is exactly the same as the method for calculating the two-dimensional coordinate position at the location where the finger 8 is in contact, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

(Coordinate detection method for contact position when using both finger and light-emitting pen)
As shown in FIG. 14, the coordinate input device 3 </ b> A according to the present embodiment is a light guide plate 10 as a light guide member, and an illumination light source that is coupled to an edge of the light guide plate 10 and illuminates the inside of the light guide plate 10. Of light propagating through the light guide plate 10 generated when the light source unit 4A, the finger 8 which is a non-light-emitting detection object, and the light-emitting pen 9 as a light-emitting detection object contact the light guide plate 10. The image pickup units 20 and 30 as at least two direction detection means for detecting directions are provided, and the position coordinates of the contact point are obtained by triangulation based on the detection of the traveling direction of the propagation light by the image pickup units 20 and 30. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the light introduced from the light source unit 4 </ b> A into the light guide plate 10 is scattered when the finger 8 comes into contact with the light guide plate 10, and the scattered light starts from there. Propagate inside. As shown in FIG. 13, when the light-emitting pen 9 contacts the light guide plate 10, the light that is optically coupled at the contact point propagates inside the light guide plate 10. These lights are imaged by the imaging units 20 and 30 to detect angle information of the contact point.

  By the way, in this embodiment, since the finger 8 and the light-emitting pen 9 are used simultaneously, the wavelength of light emitted from the light source unit 4A and the wavelength of light emitted from the light-emitting pen 9 are made different from each other. Yes. Therefore, the coordinate input device 3A of the present embodiment requires a configuration for identifying both wavelengths.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15A, between the light path of the light guide plate 10 and the image sensors 23 and 33, the first filter F1 corresponding to the wavelength of the propagation light from the light source unit 4A and The second filter F2 corresponding to the wavelength of the propagation light from the light-emitting pen 9 is a merged filter arranged side by side so as to traverse the outgoing light of each propagation light. That is, the first filter F1 transmits the wavelength of the propagation light from the light source unit 4A, but blocks the wavelength of the propagation light from the light emitting pen 9. On the other hand, the second filter F2 transmits the wavelength of the propagation light from the light-emitting pen 9, but blocks the wavelength of the propagation light from the light source unit 4A.

  Thus, for example, in the image sensor 23, as shown in FIG. 15B, an image when the finger 8 is brought into contact with the light guide plate 10 appears as a line of the dark part BLACK1 in the bright part BRIGHT1. On the other hand, an image when the light-emitting pen 9 is brought into contact with the light guide plate 10 appears as a line of the bright part BRIGHT2 in the dark part BLACK2. As a result, the viewing directions of the finger 8 and the light-emitting pen 9 can be obtained. The same applies to the image sensor 33, for example.

  Therefore, it is possible to obtain one side and both corners of the finger 8 and the light-emitting pen 9 between the image-capturing elements 23 and 33 with the image pickup devices 23 and 33, and the finger 8 and the light-emitting pen 9 are in contact with each other by the triangulation method. The plane coordinates of the position on the light guide plate 10 can be detected.

(Exclusion method for detecting the coordinates of a hand touching the touch of a light-emitting pen)
Here, with respect to a method for excluding the detection of the coordinates of the hand that has come into contact with the touch of the light-emitting pen 9, FIGS. 1, 16 (a), (b), (c), FIGS. 17 (a), (b), (c) and FIGS. This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a coordinate input device 3A and a coordinate input system 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 16A is a plan view showing characters previously written on the light guide plate 10 by the light-emitting pen 9, and FIG. 16B shows that the time determination unit 16a indicates that the light-emitting pen 9 has been touched. FIG. 16C is a plan view showing a configuration in which the hand coordinates associated with the light-emitting pen 9 are removed by the removing unit 17. 17A, 17B, and 17C are timing charts showing the time relationship with the hand attached to the light-emitting pen 9. FIG. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a method for removing the hand coordinates associated with the light-emitting pen 9.

That is, as in the present embodiment, in the coordinate input device 3A that identifies and detects position coordinates with respect to at least two input signals of the light emitting pen 9 and the non-light emitting detection target including the finger 8 and the hand, when writing a character by a light emitting pen 9, as shown in FIG. 16 (b), hand holding the light-emitting pen 9 contacts the light guide plate 10, by a so-called Otetsuki, where P ₃ that the Otetsuki May be detected. Such manual coordinate detection has an adverse effect such as drawing unnecessary points or lines on the monitor.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the light emitted from the light source unit 4A and the light emitted from the light-emitting pen 9 have different wavelengths from each other, and imaging as direction detecting means is performed. The units 20 and 30 are configured to discriminate both wavelengths by the optical filters 22 and 32, and to guide a non-light-emitting target such as a hand accompanying the contact of the light-emitting pen 9 with the light guide plate 10. The determination unit 16 as a determination unit that determines whether or not the optical plate 10 has been touched, and the determination unit 16 detect non-light emission of the finger 8 and the hand accompanying the contact of the light-emitting pen 9 with the light guide plate 10. When it is determined that the body has made contact with the light guide plate 10, the removal unit 17 serving as an associated non-light-emission detected body removing unit that removes the position coordinates of the contact of the non-light-emission detected body with the light guide plate 10 is provided. Is provided.

  As a result, the light emitted from the light source unit 4A and the light emitted from the light-emitting pen 9 have different wavelengths, and the imaging units 20 and 30 identify both wavelengths by the optical filters 22 and 32. Therefore, it is possible to immediately discriminate whether the light is from the light-emitting pen 9 or the light from the non-light-emitting object by the difference in wavelength.

  Further, in the above configuration, when the light emitting pen 9 and the non-light emitting target to be detected both come into contact with the light guide plate 10, the determination unit 16 accompanies the contact of the light emitting pen 9 with the light guide plate 10. Then, it is determined whether or not there is a contact of the non-light emitting detection object to the light guide plate 10. When the determination unit 16 determines that the non-light-emitting detection target has contacted the light guide plate 10 accompanying the contact of the light-emitting pen 9 with the light guide plate 10, the removal unit 17 performs the non-light-emitting target. The position coordinates of the contact of the detection body with the light guide plate 10 are removed.

  Therefore, both the light-emitting pen 9 and the finger 8 can be identified and used at the same time, and it is immediately recognized that there is a contact other than the light-emitting pen 9 and the light-emitting pen 9 is attached to the light guide plate 10. It is possible to provide the coordinate input device 3A that can exclude the detected coordinates of the touched hand.

  Here, in particular, in the coordinate input device 3A of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16B, the determination unit 16 includes a time determination unit 16a. And this time judgment part 16a is a fixed period before and after the detection signal of the light emission pen 9 is input, when the detection signal of both the light emission pen 9 and a non-light-emission to-be-detected body is input into the imaging unit 20 * 30. When the detection signal of the non-light emitting target is input during this period, it is determined that the non-light emitting target is in contact with the light guide plate 10 in association with the contact of the light emitting pen 9 with the light guide plate 10.

  That is, the contact of the light emitting pen 9 with the light guide plate 10 that accompanies the contact with the light guide plate 10 of the non-light emitting detection object means that the hand holding the light emitting pen 9 contacts the light guide plate 10. Therefore, it is estimated that the contact time of both of the light guide plates 10 is relatively close.

  Therefore, when the detection signal of the non-light-emitting detection target is input during a certain period before and after the detection signal of the light-emitting pen 9 is input, the touch of the light-emitting pen 9 that comes in contact with the light guide plate 10 is touched. Can be seen immediately.

  Here, the fixed period before and after the detection signal of the light-emitting pen 9 is input is, for example, 1 second before and after, and refers to the time between the signal detection start of the light-emitting pen 9 and the signal detection start of the hand. Therefore, in this embodiment, the end time of the signal is not seen at all.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 17 (a) (b) ( c), when the detection signal of the light emitting pen 9 was in time t ₁ is, Delta] t = 1 second time measurement line is immediately fixed time Is called. When the detection signal of the hand is at time t ₂ within Δt = 1 second from the time t ₁ when the detection signal of the light-emitting pen 9 is received, the detection signal of the light-emitting pen 9 is input, and then for a certain period. Since Δt = 1 second or less, the detection signal of the hand is immediately regarded as a touch that comes in contact with the contact of the light-emitting pen 9 with the light guide plate 10.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 17 (a) (b) ( c), when the hand of the detection signal was in time t ₃ is, Delta] t = measuring time of one second is performed is immediately fixed time. When the detection signal of the light emitting pen 9 is at time t ₄ within Δt = 1 second from the time t ₃ when the hand detection signal is present, as a result, the detection signal of the hand is detected by the detection of the light emitting pen 9. Before the signal is input, since it is within a certain period Δt = 1 second, the detection signal of the hand is immediately regarded as a touch touching accompanying the contact of the light-emitting pen 9 with the light guide plate 10. .

  Accordingly, in the examples of FIGS. 17A, 17B, and 17C, the hand detection signals are all judged to be handled by the time judging unit 16a and removed by the removing unit 17.

  The above operation will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 18 and FIGS. 16 (a), 16 (b) and 16 (c).

  First, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 16A, the displayed image is stored for a certain period (S1). Next, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 16B, detection signals of the hand and the light-emitting pen 9 are detected (S2). Then, the time measurement between the light emitting pen 9 and the hand detection signal is performed for 1 second (S3). Then, it is determined whether one second has elapsed (S4), and after one second has elapsed, when it is determined by the time determination unit 16a that the hand detection signal is within one second before and after the detection signal from the light-emitting pen 9. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 16C, the hand detection signal is removed by the removal unit 17 based on the stored image information (S5).

  As described above, in the coordinate input device 3A of the present embodiment, the light emitted from the light source unit 4A and the light emitted from the light emitting pen 9 have different wavelengths, and the imaging units 20 and 30 are both of them. Since the wavelength is identified, it is possible to immediately identify whether the light is from the light-emitting pen 9 or the light from the non-light-emitting target by the difference in wavelength.

  Further, when both the light emitting pen 9 and the non-light emitting target to be detected contact the light guide plate 10, the determination unit 16 accompanies the contact of the light emitting pen 9 with the light guide plate 10 and the non-light emitting target 9. It is determined whether or not the detection body has contacted the light guide plate 10. When the determination unit 16 determines that the light emitting pen 9 is in contact with the light guide plate 10 and the non-light emitting detection target such as a hand is in contact with the light guide plate 10, the removal unit 17 The position coordinates of the contact of the non-light emitting target to the light guide plate 10 are removed.

  Therefore, both the light-emitting pen 9 and the finger 8 can be identified and used at the same time, and it is immediately recognized that there is a contact other than the light-emitting pen 9 and the light-emitting pen 9 is attached to the light guide plate 10. It is possible to provide the coordinate input device 3A that can exclude the detected coordinates of the touched hand.

  In the coordinate input device 3A according to the present embodiment, the determination unit 16 receives the detection signals of both the light-emitting pen 9 and the non-light-emitting detection target by the time determination unit 16a. In addition, when the detection signal of the non-light-emitting target is input during a certain period before and after the detection signal of the light-emitting pen 9 is input, the non-light-emitting target is accompanied with the contact of the light-emitting pen 9 with the light guide plate 10. It is determined that the detector is in contact with the light guide plate 10.

  Therefore, when the detection signal of the non-light-emitting detection target is input during a certain period before and after the detection signal of the light-emitting pen 9 is input, the touch of the light-emitting pen 9 that comes in contact with the light guide plate 10 is touched. Can be seen immediately.

[Embodiment 2]
The following will describe another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIG. 19 and FIG. The configurations other than those described in the present embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those shown in the drawings of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and explanation thereof is omitted.

  In the coordinate input device 3A according to the first embodiment, in the method for excluding the coordinate detection of the hand that comes in contact with the touch of the light-emitting pen 9, the determination unit 16 accompanies the touch of the light-emitting pen 9 in the time determination unit 16a. It was judged that the coordinates of the touched hand were detected.

  However, in the coordinate input device 3B of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19B, the determination unit 16 is provided with a distance determination unit 16b. When the detection signals of both the finger 8 and the non-light emitting object including the hand are input to the imaging units 20 and 30 as the direction detecting means, the coordinate position of the light emitting pen 9 and the non-light emitting target object When the distance from the coordinate position is within a certain distance, it is determined that there is a contact of the non-light emitting target to the light guide plate 10 accompanying the contact with the light guide plate 10 as the light guide member of the light emitting pen 9. It has become.

  That is, when the light-emitting pen 9 is brought into contact with the light guide plate 10, there is contact with the light guide plate 10 of the non-light-emitting detection target including the finger 8 and the hand. Since it is in contact with the optical plate 10, it is estimated that the contact positions of the light guide plate 10 and the light guide plate 10 are relatively close to each other.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the distance between the coordinate position of the light-emitting pen 9 and the coordinate position of the non-light-emitting detection object including the finger 8 and the hand is within a certain distance, the light-emitting pen 9 contacts the light guide plate 10. Immediately considers the touch that came in contact with.

  A method for excluding the detection of the coordinates of the hand that comes into contact with the touch of the light-emitting pen 9 in the coordinate input device 3B of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 (a), 19 (b), 19 (c) and FIG. FIG. 19A is a plan view showing the characters previously written on the light guide plate 10 by the light-emitting pen 9, and FIG. 19B shows that the light-emitting pen 9 has been touched and the distance determination unit 16b. FIG. 19C is a plan view showing a configuration in which the hand coordinates associated with the light-emitting pen 9 are removed by the removing unit 17. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a method for removing the hand coordinates associated with the light-emitting pen 9. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 20, the same steps as those in the flowchart shown in FIG. 18 will be described with the same step numbers.

  First, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 19A, the displayed image is stored for a certain period (S1). Next, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 19B, detection signals of the hand and the light-emitting pen 9 are detected (S2). Next, the distance between the coordinate position of the light emitting pen 9 and the coordinate position of the hand is measured (S11). Then, the distance determination unit 16b determines whether the distance between the coordinate position of the light-emitting pen 9 and the coordinate position of the hand is equal to or less than the set distance (S12). Here, the set distance is, for example, a radius of 10 cm with the coordinate position of the light emitting pen 9 as the center. In other words, since there is a possibility of contact with the wrist or the like, it is set somewhat larger. In S12, when the distance determination unit 16b determines that the distance between the coordinate position of the light-emitting pen 9 and the coordinate position of the hand is equal to or less than the set distance, as illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 19C. The hand detection signal is removed by the removal unit 17 based on the stored image information (S5).

  As a result, both the light-emitting pen 9 and the finger 8 can be identified and used at the same time, and it is immediately recognized that there is a contact other than the light-emitting pen 9, and the light-emitting pen 9 is attached to the light guide plate 10. Thus, it is possible to provide a coordinate input device 3B that can exclude detected coordinates of a touched hand.

[Embodiment 3]
The following will describe still another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS. The configurations other than those described in the present embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment and the second embodiment. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those shown in the drawings of Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 are given the same reference numerals, and explanation thereof is omitted.

  In the coordinate input device 3A according to the first embodiment, in the method for excluding the coordinate detection of the hand that comes in contact with the touch of the light-emitting pen 9, the determination unit 16 accompanies the touch of the light-emitting pen 9 in the time determination unit 16a. It was judged that the coordinates of the touched hand were detected.

  However, in the coordinate input device 3C of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 21B, the determination unit 16 is provided with an area determination unit 16c. In the area determination unit 16c, the light emitting pen 9 and When the detection signals of both the finger 8 and the non-luminous object to be detected including the hand are input to the imaging units 20 and 30 as the direction detecting means, the coordinate position of the non-luminous object to be detected is a certain area or more. In some cases, it is determined that a non-light emitting target to be contacted with the light guide plate 10 is accompanied by contact with the light guide plate 10 as the light guide member of the light emitting pen 9.

  That is, when the light-emitting pen 9 is brought into contact with the light guide plate 10, there is contact with the light guide plate 10 of the non-light-emitting detection target including the finger 8 and the hand. Since it is in contact with the optical plate 10, it is presumed that the contact area of the non-luminous detection object to the light guide plate 10 is larger than that of the finger 8.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the coordinate position of the non-light-emitting detection target is equal to or larger than a certain area, it is immediately considered that the hand touched in association with the contact of the light-emitting pen 9 with the light guide plate 10.

  21A, 21B, 22B, 22B, 22B, 22B, 22C, 22B, 22C, 22B, 22B, 22B, 22B, 22B, 22B, 22B, 22B, 22B, 22B, 22B, 22B, 22B, 22B and 22B. (C) It demonstrates based on (d) and FIG. FIG. 21A is a plan view showing the characters previously written on the light guide plate 10 by the light-emitting pen 9, and FIG. 21B shows that the area determination unit 16 c indicates that the light-emitting pen 9 has been touched. FIG. 21C is a plan view showing a configuration in which the hand coordinates associated with the light-emitting pen 9 are removed by the removing unit 17. FIGS. 22A, 22 </ b> B, 22 </ b> C, and 22 </ b> D are diagrams illustrating detection states when there is a wide contact in the light guide plate 10. Specifically, FIG. 22A is a plan view showing a detection image of the light-emitting pen 9 in the image sensors 23 and 33, and FIG. 22B is obtained from the detection image of the light-emitting pen 9 in FIG. It is a graph which shows angle width. FIG. 22C is a plan view showing a detection image of the non-light-emitting detection target including the finger 8 and the hand in the image pickup devices 23 and 33, and FIG. 22D is a plan view of the finger 8 and FIG. It is a graph which shows the angle width calculated | required from the detection image of the non-light-emission to-be-detected body containing a hand. FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a method for removing the hand coordinates associated with the light-emitting pen 9. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 23, the same steps as those in the flowchart shown in FIG. 18 will be described with the same step numbers.

  First, how to grasp the contact area to the light guide plate 10 in the coordinate input device 3C of the present embodiment will be described based on FIGS. 22 (a), (b), (c), and (d).

  First, in the coordinate input device 3C of the present embodiment, signal light is detected by using image pickup devices 23 and 33 such as a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) camera. Therefore, the detected images of the image sensors 23 and 33 when the contact area with the light guide plate 10 is small like the pen tip of the light emitting pen 9 are in the state shown in FIG. 22A. A narrow angular width shown in 22 (b) is obtained. On the other hand, the detected images of the image sensors 23 and 33 when the contact area to the light guide plate 10 is large, such as the non-light-emitting detection target such as the finger 8 and the hand, are in the state shown in FIG. When the image processing is performed, as shown in FIG. 22D, an angular width wider than the narrow angular width shown in FIG.

Here, for the coordinates in the triangulation method, the central value of the angular width is calculated as the viewing angle in the angular width exceeding the threshold. Further, as shown in FIGS. 22B and 22D, the size of the contact area with the light guide plate 10 is determined by the size of the horizontal axis (angle), that is, the angular width.
Although the contact area varies depending on how it is handled, it can be determined that the hand signal is clearly larger than the signal from the pen tip of the light-emitting pen 9.

  A method for removing the hand coordinates associated with the light-emitting pen 9 based on the above-described method of grasping the contact area will be described below with reference to FIGS. 21 (a), (b), (c) and FIG.

  First, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 21A, the displayed image is stored for a certain period (S1). Next, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 21B, detection signals of the hand and the light-emitting pen 9 are detected (S2). Subsequently, the area of the contact part to the light-guide plate 10 of the non-light-emitting to-be-detected body including the finger 8 and the hand is measured (S21). Then, the area determination unit 16c determines whether or not the area of the contact portion of the non-light-emitting detection target including the finger 8 and the hand to the light guide plate 10 is equal to or larger than the set area (S22). Here, in the present embodiment, the term “more than the set area” means that the length with respect to the horizontal axis after image processing is five times or more with respect to the signal from the pen tip of the light-emitting pen 9.

  In S22, when the area determination unit 16c determines that the area of the contact portion of the non-light emitting target including the finger 8 and the hand to the light guide plate 10 is equal to or larger than the set area, FIG. 23 and FIG. As shown in c), the hand detection signal is removed by the removal unit 17 based on the stored image information (S5).

  As a result, both the light-emitting pen 9 and the finger 8 can be identified and used at the same time, and it is immediately recognized that there is a contact other than the light-emitting pen 9, and the light-emitting pen 9 is attached to the light guide plate 10. Thus, it is possible to provide a coordinate input device 3B that can exclude detected coordinates of a touched hand.

[Embodiment 4]
The following will describe still another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS. The configurations other than those described in the present embodiment are the same as those in the first to third embodiments. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those shown in the drawings of Embodiments 1 to 3 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

  In the coordinate input devices 3A, 3B, and 3C according to the first to third embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, the imaging units 20 and 30 and the light source are arranged at one edge in the longitudinal direction of the light guide plate 10 that is a rectangle. A unit 4A was provided. However, in the coordinate input device 3D of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 24, the imaging units 20B, 30B, 40B, and 50B and the light source unit 4A are disposed at two opposing edges in the longitudinal direction of the rectangular light guide plate 10.・ 4B is provided. Then, the light source unit 4A that emits the first wavelength λ1 and the light source unit 4B that emits the second wavelength λ2 are alternately lit by being alternately lit, and the imaging units 20B, 30B, 40B, and 50B. Is provided with optical filters 22B, 32B, 42B, and 52B for discriminating between the first wavelength λ1 and the second wavelength λ2, and the coordinate input devices 3A, 3B, and 3C according to the first to third embodiments. Is different.

  The configuration of the coordinate input device 3D according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the coordinate input device 3D.

  As shown in FIG. 24, the coordinate input device 3D has a light source unit 4A as a first illumination light source and a pair of first direction detection means at the first edge of the light guide plate 10 as a light guide member. Units 20 and 30 are provided, and a light source unit 4B as a second illumination light source and a pair of image pickup units 40 as a second direction detection unit are provided on a second edge portion of the light guide plate 10 that faces the first edge portion. 50 is provided. The imaging units 20B and 30B are installed outside the irradiation range of the light source unit 4A, and the imaging units 40B and 50B are installed outside the irradiation range of the light source unit 4B.

  In the present embodiment, the light source units 4A and 4B emit light having different wavelengths. Specifically, the light source unit 4A emits the first wavelength λ1, while the light source unit 4B emits the second wavelength λ2. The first wavelength λ1 of the light source unit 4A can be set to, for example, 830 nm ± 30 nm composed of infrared, while the second wavelength λ2 of the light source unit 4B can be set to, for example, 730 nm ± 30 nm formed of infrared. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this, and other wavelength combinations may be used.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, the light emission pen 9 as a light emission to-be-detected body radiate | emits the light of the same wavelength as any one of the said light source unit 4A or the light source unit 4B. For example, the light-emitting pen 9 uses a laser and emits, for example, 830 nm ± 5 nm which is the range of the first wavelength λ1 of the light source unit 4A.

  Furthermore, in the coordinate input device 3D of the present embodiment, the pair of imaging units 20B and 30B are provided with optical filters 22B and 32B as first illumination light source filters that selectively transmit light from the light source unit 4A. The other pair of imaging units 40B and 50B are provided with optical filters 42B and 52B as second illumination light source filters that selectively transmit light from the light source unit 4B. The light that has passed through the optical filters 22B and 32B is detected by the image sensors 23 and 33, while the light that has passed through the optical filters 42B and 52B is detected by the image sensors 43 and 53.

  Moreover, the illumination light source lighting control part 15 which is an illumination light source blinking means turns on the light source unit 4A of the 1st edge part, and the light source unit 4B of the 2nd edge part alternately.

  And the detection part 6 which is a detection means is a pair of imaging unit 20B * 30B or imaging unit 40B * 50B by the side where the light source unit 4A or the light source unit 4B is lit during the lighting period of the light source unit 4A or the light source unit 4B. Is used to detect the position of the finger 8 as a non-light emitting target, while the pair of imaging units 20B and 30B or a pair of second direction detection means is used as a light emitting target. The position of the light emitting pen 9 is detected.

(Coordinate detection method for contact position when using both finger and light-emitting pen)
A coordinate input method in the combined use of the finger 8 and the light-emitting pen 9 in the coordinate input device 3D having the above configuration will be described below with reference to FIGS. 24, 25A, 25B, and 26. FIG. FIG. 25A is a cross-sectional view showing the propagation light when the finger 8 is brought into contact with the light guide plate 10, and FIG. 25B shows the propagation light when the light emitting pen 9 is brought into contact with the light guide plate 10. It is sectional drawing. FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram showing signals in the imaging units 20B, 30B, 40B, and 50B when the finger 8 and the light-emitting pen 9 are used in combination.

  First, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 24, the illumination light source lighting control unit 15 synchronizes the light source units 4A and 4B having different wavelengths on the opposite two sides on the long side of the light guide plate 10 with the control signal. And turn them on alternately.

  As shown in FIGS. 25A and 25B, when the light source unit 4A having the first wavelength λ1 emits light, the optical filters 22B and 32B as the first illumination light source filters on the light source unit 4A side are provided. Signals from the finger 8 and the light-emitting pen 9 are detected by the imaging units 20 and 30 provided. The optical filters 22B and 32B transmit the first wavelength λ1 and block the second wavelength λ2.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 26, in the imaging units 20B and 30B, the signal from the light emitting pen 9 is always detected, but the signal from the finger 8 is detected only during the lighting period of the light source unit 4A. Therefore, for the light-emitting pen 9, the signal of the finger 8 can be reliably detected by performing the signal removal process of the light-emitting pen 9 using the synchronization signal.

  At this time, in the imaging units 40B and 50B, when the light source unit 4B having the second wavelength λ2 emits light, the imaging units 40B including the optical filters 42B and 52B as the second illumination light source filters on the light source unit 4B side. In 50B, since the first wavelength λ1 is cut off and the second wavelength λ2 is transmitted, the signal from the finger 8 is detected. At this time, the signal of the light emitting pen 9 having the first wavelength λ1 and the direct light of the light source unit 4A are blocked by the optical filters 42B and 52B.

  The detection position of the finger 8 can be detected by any of the imaging units 20B, 30B, 40B, and 50B. For example, by adopting a value with a higher detection intensity, a coordinate position with higher reliability can be obtained. Can be requested.

  This makes it possible to separately detect the signal of the finger 8 and the signal of the light-emitting pen 9 using the imaging units 20B, 30B, 40B, and 50B, which are common optical systems. In this case, due to the presence of the optical filters 22B, 32B, 42B, and 52B, the illumination light of the light source units 4A and 4B for detecting the finger 8 is directly incident on the imaging units 40B, 50B, 20B, and 30B on the opposite side. There is no.

  As a result, the light source units 4A and 4B and the imaging units 20B, 30B, 40B, and 50B can be arranged on the two opposing sides of the light guide plate 10, so that multi-touch can be reliably detected.

  As described above, the coordinate input device 3D according to the present embodiment includes the light source units 4A and 4B having different wavelengths on the first edge and the second edge, which are two opposite sides of the light guide plate 10, and these. Light up alternately. For example, when the light source unit 4A having the first wavelength λ1 emits light, the optical filters 22C and 32C (transmitting the first wavelength λ1 and transmitting the second wavelength λ2) as the first illumination light source filter on the light source unit 4A side. In the imaging units 20B and 30B serving as a pair of first direction detecting means provided with a blocking function, the positions of the finger 8 as the non-light emitting target and the light emitting pen 9 as the light emitting target are detected. The signal from the light-emitting pen 9 is always detected, but the signal from the finger 8 is detected only during the lighting period of the light source unit 4A. As a result, the signal of the finger 8 can be reliably detected by performing the signal removal processing of the light emitting pen 9.

  On the other hand, when the light source unit 4B serving as the second illumination light source having the second wavelength λ2 emits light, the optical filters 42B and 52B serving as the second illumination light source filter on the light source unit 4B side (blocking the first wavelength λ1) The position of the finger 8 is detected by the imaging units 40 </ b> B and 50 </ b> B as a pair of second direction detection means having a transmission of the second wavelength λ <b> 2. Signals from the light emitting pen 9 and direct light from the light source unit 4A are blocked by the optical filters 42B and 52B. In this case, the signal of the light emitting pen 9 (λ2) can be detected by using the light emitting pen 9 (λ2) having the second wavelength λ2.

  As a result, the common optical system, that is, the light source unit 4A, the optical filters 22B and 32B, and the pair of imaging units 20B and 30B, or the light source unit 4B, the optical filters 42B and 52B, and the pair of imaging units 40B and 50B are used. It becomes possible to separately detect the signal and the signal of the light-emitting pen 9. In this case, due to the operational effects of the optical filters 22B, 32B, 42B, and 52B, the light from the finger 8 does not directly enter the pair of imaging units 40B and 50B on the opposite side.

  Therefore, the light source unit 4A, the optical filters 22B and 32B, and the pair of imaging units 20B and 30B, or the light source unit 4B, the optical filters 42B and 52B, and the first edge and the second edge, which are two opposite sides, Since the pair of imaging units 40B and 50B are arranged, it becomes possible to reliably detect multi-touch between the finger 8 and the light-emitting pen 9.

  In the coordinate detection method of the present embodiment, the light source unit 4A is periodically blinked, the position of the finger 8 is detected during the lighting period of the light source unit 4A, and the position of the light-emitting pen 9 is detected during the extinguishing period of the light source unit 4A. I do.

  As a result, even if the light emission wavelength of the light source unit 4A and the light emission wavelength of the light-emitting pen 9 are the same, both can be easily distinguished and detected by shifting the detection time.

  Therefore, in the optical coordinate input device 3D that uses the light guide plate 10, the coordinates that can efficiently detect the coordinate positions of both the non-light emitting target object such as the finger 8 and the light emitting target object such as the light emitting pen 9 are detected. An input device 3B can be provided.

  The coordinate input system 1 of the present embodiment is a coordinate input system including the coordinate input device 3D of the present embodiment, and includes a liquid crystal display module 2.

  According to the above configuration, the coordinate input device 3D is input with the non-light emitting detection object such as the finger 8 and the light emission detection object such as the light emitting pen 9 while viewing the image of the liquid crystal display module 2 as the image display module. It can function as a touch panel. Therefore, in the optical coordinate input device 3D that uses the light guide plate 10, even when applied to a large touch panel, the coordinate positions of both the finger 8 that is a non-light emitting target and the light emitting pen 9 that is a light emitting target. It is possible to provide the coordinate input system 1 including the coordinate input device 3B that can detect the above.

  Furthermore, even when applied to a large touch panel, both the light-emitting pen 9 and the finger 8 can be identified and used at the same time. It is possible to provide a coordinate input system 1 including a coordinate input device 3D that can exclude detected coordinates of a hand that comes in contact with the contact with the optical plate 10.

[Embodiment 5]
The following will describe still another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS. The configurations other than those described in the present embodiment are the same as those in the first to fourth embodiments. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those shown in the drawings of Embodiments 1 to 4 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

  In the coordinate input device 3A according to the first embodiment, in the method for excluding the coordinate detection of the hand that comes in contact with the touch of the light-emitting pen 9, the determination unit 16 accompanies the touch of the light-emitting pen 9 in the time determination unit 16a. It was judged that the coordinates of the touched hand were detected.

  However, in the coordinate input device 3E of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 27A, 27B, and 27C, the determination unit 16 is provided with an area determination unit 16d, and the area determination unit 16d includes When the detection signals of both the light-emitting pen 9 and the non-light-emitting detection target including the finger 8 and the hand are input to the imaging units 20 and 30 as the direction detection means, the coordinate position of the light-emitting pen 9 and When the work area of the coordinate position of the non-light emitting target is the same, the contact of the non-light emitting target with the light guide plate 10 as the light guide member of the light-emitting pen 9 occurs. It has come to be judged.

  That is, when the light-emitting pen 9 is brought into contact with the light guide plate 10, there is contact with the light guide plate 10 of the non-light-emitting detection target including the finger 8 and the hand. Since it is in contact with the optical plate 10, it is estimated that the contact position of both the light guide plates 10 exists in the same work area.

  Therefore, in the coordinate input device 3E of the present embodiment, when the coordinate position of the light-emitting pen 9 and the coordinate position of the non-light-emitting detection object including the finger 8 and the hand are in the same work area, the light guide plate 10 of the light-emitting pen 9 is used. Immediately consider that the hand touched in connection with the contact with the touch panel, and the removal unit 17 shown in FIG. 27C removes the position coordinates of the contact of the non-light emitting target to the light guide plate 10. ing.

  Here, in the coordinate input system 1 provided with the coordinate input device 3E of the present embodiment, the same work area is a work area W within a certain frame in the light guide plate 10, as shown in FIG. It means that. The work area W is, for example, an area in one document displayed on the liquid crystal display module 2 of the coordinate input system 1.

  FIGS. 27A, 27B, 28C, and 28 show a method for excluding the detection of the coordinates of the hand that comes into contact with the touch of the light-emitting pen 9 in the coordinate input device 3E of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration. This will be explained based on. FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing an operation of determining by the region determination unit 16d that there is a handle attached to the light-emitting pen 9.

  First, as shown in FIGS. 28 and 27A, the displayed image is stored for a certain period (S1). Next, as shown in FIGS. 28 and 27 (b), the detection signal of the light emitting pen 9 and the hand is detected (S2). Next, the respective areas of the coordinate position of the light-emitting pen 9 and the coordinate position of the hand are measured (S31). Then, the area determination unit 16d determines whether or not the coordinate position of the light-emitting pen 9 and the coordinate position of the hand are the same work area W (S32).

  At this time, if the area determination unit 16d determines in S32 that the coordinate position of the light-emitting pen 9 and the coordinate position of the hand are the same work area W, as shown in FIGS. 28 and 27C. As described above, the hand detection signal is removed by the removal unit 17 based on the stored image information (S5).

  As a result, both the light-emitting pen 9 and the finger 8 can be identified and used at the same time, and it is immediately recognized that there is a contact other than the light-emitting pen 9, and the light-emitting pen 9 is attached to the light guide plate 10. Thus, it is possible to provide a coordinate input device 3E that can exclude detected coordinates of a touched hand.

[Embodiment 6]
The following will describe still another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS. The configurations other than those described in the present embodiment are the same as those in the first to fifth embodiments. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those shown in the drawings of Embodiments 1 to 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  In the coordinate input device 3A according to the first embodiment to the coordinate input device 3E according to the fifth embodiment, unnecessary points or lines are drawn on the liquid crystal display module 2 which is a monitor associated with coordinate detection by hand. Assuming that the determination unit 16 determines that the non-light-emitting detection target has contacted the light guide plate 10 in association with the contact of the light-emitting pen 9 with the light guide plate 10, the removal unit 17 performs the non-light emission. The position coordinates of the contact of the detected body with the light guide plate 10 are to be removed.

  That is, in the coordinate input device 3A according to the first embodiment to the coordinate input device 3E according to the fifth embodiment, the removing unit 17 as the associated non-light emitting detection object removing means of the present invention is shown in FIG. Thus, the hand-held data deleting unit 17a has a non-light-emitting cover including the finger 8 and the hand accompanying the contact of the light-emitting pen 9 with the light guide plate 10 by the determining unit 16 serving as a determining unit. When it was determined that there was contact with the light guide plate 10 of the detector, the position coordinates of the contact with the light guide plate 10 of both the light emitting pen 9 and the non-light emitting target to be detected were stored and then stored. By deleting the position coordinates of the contact of the non-light emitting target to the light guide plate 10, the position coordinates of the contact of the non-light emitting target to the light guide plate 10 are removed.

  Therefore, in the coordinate input system 1, the dot or line drawing output of the light-emitting pen 9 is output on the display screen of the liquid crystal display module 2, and unnecessary drawing of the non-light-emitting detection object such as a hand, that is, the touch is output and then removed. Removal by the unit 17 deletes unnecessary drawing of the non-light-emitting detection object such as the hand, that is, data with a handle.

  However, in that case, when an instruction of a non-light-emitting detection object such as a hand including the light-emitting pen 9 and the finger 8 is given, the information in the liquid crystal display module 2, that is, the monitor may change immediately and greatly. is expected. As a result, the contents written on the monitor, that is, the contents displayed on the liquid crystal display module 2 are changed violently when returning to the stored image information as in the first embodiment after judgment on handling, and the user feels uncomfortable. I will give it.

  Therefore, in the coordinate input device 3F of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 29 (c), the removal unit 17 includes a hand-held data non-storage processing unit 17b. The above-mentioned problem is solved by not storing the input of the non-light-emitting detection target including the finger 8 and the hand, and not accepting the operation / input instruction.

  The configuration of the coordinate input device 3F of the present embodiment will be described based on FIGS. 29 (a), (b), and (c). FIG. 29A is a plan view showing the characters previously written on the light guide plate by the light-emitting pen, and FIG. 29B is a time determination unit 16a determining that there is a handle attached to the light-emitting pen. FIG. 29C is a plan view showing a configuration in which hand coordinates associated with the light-emitting pen are not stored in the hand data non-storage processing unit 17b of the removal unit 17.

  As shown in FIG. 29B, in the coordinate input device 3F of the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the determination unit 16 is provided with a time determination unit 16a, and this time determination unit 16a. When the detection signals of both the light-emitting pen 9 and the non-light-emitting target object including the finger 8 and the hand are input to the imaging units 20 and 30 as the direction detection means, the detection signal of the light-emitting pen 9 is When the detection signal of the non-light emitting target is input for a certain period after the input, the contact of the non-light emitting target to the light guide plate 10 is accompanied by the contact of the light emitting pen 9 with the light guide plate 10. It has come to be judged that there was.

  That is, when the light-emitting pen 9 is in contact with the light guide plate 10, the non-light-emitting detection target is in contact with the light guide plate 10. It is estimated that the contact time from the contact of the light-emitting pen 9 to the light guide plate 10 to the hand of the light guide plate 10 is relatively close.

  Therefore, when the detection signal of the non-light-emitting detection target is input for a certain period after the detection signal of the light-emitting pen 9 is input, the touch of the light-emitting pen 9 that comes into contact with the light guide plate 10 is attached. Can be seen immediately.

  Here, the certain period after the detection signal of the light-emitting pen 9 is input is, for example, 1 second, which is the time between the signal detection start of the light-emitting pen 9 and the signal detection start of the hand. Therefore, in this embodiment, the end time of the signal is not seen at all.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 17 (a) (b) ( c), when the detection signal of the light emitting pen 9 was in time t _1, it Delta] t = 1 second time measurement is immediately fixed time Done. When the detection signal of the hand is at time t ₂ within Δt = 1 second from the time t ₁ when the detection signal of the light-emitting pen 9 is received, the detection signal of the light-emitting pen 9 is input, and then for a certain period. Since Δt = 1 second or less, the detection signal of the hand is immediately regarded as a touch that comes in contact with the contact of the light-emitting pen 9 with the light guide plate 10.

  In the present embodiment, when drawing with the light-emitting pen 9, when the light-emitting pen 9 is brought into contact with the light guide plate 10, the hand holding the light-emitting pen 9 is brought into contact with the light guide plate 10. It is assumed that the data is not stored. As a result, when the hand detection signal is ahead of the detection signal from the light-emitting pen 9, the screen is immediately input without considering it as a touch.

  Therefore, T3 to T4 shown in FIGS. 17A, 17B, and 17C do not need to be considered in the present embodiment.

  As a result, the detection of the immediate hand detection signal after the detection signal of the light emitting pen 9 is determined to be manual by the time determination unit 16a, and the manual data non-storage processing unit 17b of the removal unit 17 stores the signal without storage. And

  The above operation will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 30 and FIGS. 29 (a) (b) (c).

  First, as shown in FIGS. 30 and 29A, a displayed image (for example, “abc” in FIG. 29A) is stored for a certain period (S1). If no image is displayed, a blank image is stored for a certain period. Next, as shown in FIGS. 30 and 29 (b), the detection signal of the light emitting pen 9 and the hand is detected (S2). Next, the time measurement between the light emitting pen 9 and the hand detection signal is performed for 1 second (S3). Then, it is determined whether one second has elapsed (S4), and after one second has elapsed, when it is determined by the time determination unit 16a that the hand detection signal is within one second after the detection signal from the light emitting pen 9. 30 and 29 (c), the hand-held data non-storing processing unit 17b in the removing unit 17 operates the non-storing input itself of the non-light-emitting detection target including the finger 8 and the hand. An input instruction is not accepted (S41).

  As a result, the non-light emitting detection object including the finger 8 and the hand is not drawn, and only the input data from the light emitting pen 9 is drawn.

  As a result, both the light-emitting pen 9 and the finger 8 can be identified and used at the same time, and it is immediately recognized that there is a contact other than the light-emitting pen 9, and the light-emitting pen 9 is attached to the light guide plate 10. Thus, it is possible to provide a coordinate input device 3F that can exclude detected coordinates of a touched hand.

  Further, the input itself of the non-light-emitting detection target including the finger 8 and the hand is not stored and is not displayed on the liquid crystal display module 2, so that the content displayed on the liquid crystal display module 2 is changed drastically, There is no sense of discomfort to the user.

[Embodiment 7]
The following will describe another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS. 31 and 32. FIG. The configurations other than those described in the present embodiment are the same as those in the second embodiment and the sixth embodiment. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those shown in the drawings of Embodiment 2 and Embodiment 6 are given the same reference numerals, and explanation thereof is omitted.

  In the coordinate input device 3F according to the sixth embodiment, in the method for excluding the coordinate detection of the hand that comes in contact with the touch of the light-emitting pen 9, the determination unit 16 accompanies the touch of the light-emitting pen 9 in the time determination unit 16a. It was judged that the coordinates of the touched hand were detected.

  However, in the coordinate input device 3G of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 31 (b), the determination unit 16 is provided with a distance determination unit 16b. When the detection signals of both the finger 8 and the non-light emitting object including the hand are input to the imaging units 20 and 30 as the direction detecting means, the coordinate position of the light emitting pen 9 and the non-light emitting target object When the distance from the coordinate position is within a certain distance, it is determined that there is a contact of the non-light emitting target to the light guide plate 10 accompanying the contact with the light guide plate 10 as the light guide member of the light emitting pen 9. It has become.

  That is, when the light-emitting pen 9 is brought into contact with the light guide plate 10, there is contact with the light guide plate 10 of the non-light-emitting detection target including the finger 8 and the hand. Since it is in contact with the optical plate 10, it is estimated that the contact positions of the light guide plate 10 and the light guide plate 10 are relatively close to each other.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the distance between the coordinate position of the light-emitting pen 9 and the coordinate position of the non-light-emitting detection object including the finger 8 and the hand is within a certain distance, the light-emitting pen 9 contacts the light guide plate 10. Immediately considers the touch that came in contact with.

  A method for excluding the detection of the coordinates of the hand that comes into contact with the touch of the light-emitting pen 9 in the coordinate input device 3G of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 31 (a), (b), (c) and FIG. FIG. 31A is a plan view showing the characters previously written on the light guide plate 10 by the light-emitting pen 9, and FIG. 31B shows that the distance determination unit 16 b indicates that the light-emitting pen 9 has been touched. FIG. 31C is a plan view showing a configuration in which hand coordinates associated with the light-emitting pen are not stored in the hand data non-storage processing unit 17b of the removal unit 17. is there. FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing a method of removing the hand coordinates associated with the light-emitting pen 9. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 32, the same steps as those in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 20 and 30 will be described with the same step numbers.

  First, as shown in FIGS. 32 and 31A, the displayed image is stored for a certain period (S1). If no image is displayed, a blank image is stored for a certain period. Next, as shown in FIGS. 32 and 31 (b), the detection signal of the light emitting pen 9 and the hand is detected (S2). Next, the distance between the coordinate position of the light emitting pen 9 and the coordinate position of the hand is measured (S11). Then, the distance determination unit 16b determines whether the distance between the coordinate position of the light-emitting pen 9 and the coordinate position of the hand is equal to or less than the set distance (S12). Here, the set distance is, for example, a radius of 10 cm with the coordinate position of the light emitting pen 9 as the center. In other words, since there is a possibility of contact with the wrist or the like, it is set somewhat larger. In S12, when the distance determination unit 16b determines that the distance between the coordinate position of the light-emitting pen 9 and the coordinate position of the hand is equal to or less than the set distance, as illustrated in FIGS. 31 and 32C. In addition, the hand-held data non-storing processing unit 17b in the removing unit 17 does not accept the operation / input instruction with the non-storing input of the non-light-emitting detection target including the finger 8 and hand by hand (S41).

  As a result, the non-light emitting detection object including the finger 8 and the hand is not drawn, and only the input data from the light emitting pen 9 is drawn.

  As a result, both the light-emitting pen 9 and the finger 8 can be identified and used at the same time, and it is immediately recognized that there is a contact other than the light-emitting pen 9, and the light-emitting pen 9 is attached to the light guide plate 10. Thus, it is possible to provide the coordinate input device 3G that can exclude the detected coordinates of the touched hand.

  Further, the input itself of the non-light-emitting detection target including the finger 8 and the hand is not stored and is not displayed on the liquid crystal display module 2, so that the content displayed on the liquid crystal display module 2 is changed drastically, There is no sense of discomfort to the user.

  Note that the configuration of the coordinate input device 3D of the fourth embodiment is also applicable to the coordinate input device 3G of the present embodiment.

[Embodiment 8]
The following will describe still another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS. The configurations other than those described in the present embodiment are the same as those in the third embodiment and the sixth embodiment. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those shown in the drawings of Embodiment 3 and Embodiment 6 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

  In the coordinate input device 3F according to the sixth embodiment, in the method for excluding the coordinate detection of the hand that comes in contact with the touch of the light-emitting pen 9, the determination unit 16 accompanies the touch of the light-emitting pen 9 in the time determination unit 16a. It was judged that the coordinates of the touched hand were detected.

  However, in the coordinate input device 3H of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 33 (b), the determination unit 16 is provided with an area determination unit 16c. When the detection signals of both the finger 8 and the non-luminous object to be detected including the hand are input to the imaging units 20 and 30 as the direction detecting means, the coordinate position of the non-luminous object to be detected is a certain area or more. In some cases, it is determined that a non-light emitting target to be contacted with the light guide plate 10 is accompanied by contact with the light guide plate 10 as the light guide member of the light emitting pen 9.

  That is, when the light-emitting pen 9 is brought into contact with the light guide plate 10, there is contact with the light guide plate 10 of the non-light-emitting detection target including the finger 8 and the hand. Since it is in contact with the optical plate 10, it is presumed that the contact area of the non-luminous detection object to the light guide plate 10 is larger than that of the finger 8.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the coordinate position of the non-light-emitting detection target is equal to or larger than a certain area, it is immediately considered that the hand touched in association with the contact of the light-emitting pen 9 with the light guide plate 10.

  33 (a), (b), and (c) and FIGS. 22 (a) and 22 (b) with respect to a method for excluding coordinate detection of a hand that comes into contact with the touch of the light-emitting pen 9 in the coordinate input device 3H of the present embodiment. ) (C) (d) and FIG. FIG. 33A is a plan view showing the characters previously written on the light guide plate 10 by the light-emitting pen 9, and FIG. 33B shows that the area determination unit 16 c indicates that the light-emitting pen 9 has been touched. FIG. 33 (c) is a plan view showing a configuration in which hand coordinates associated with the light-emitting pen are not stored in the hand data non-storage processing unit 17b of the removal unit 17. is there. FIGS. 22A, 22 </ b> B, 22 </ b> C, and 22 </ b> D are diagrams illustrating detection states when there is a wide contact in the light guide plate 10. Specifically, FIG. 22A is a plan view showing a detection image of the light-emitting pen 9 in the image sensors 23 and 33, and FIG. 22B is obtained from the detection image of the light-emitting pen 9 in FIG. It is a graph which shows angle width. FIG. 22C is a plan view showing a detection image of the non-light-emitting detection target including the finger 8 and the hand in the image pickup devices 23 and 33, and FIG. 22D is a plan view of the finger 8 and FIG. It is a graph which shows the angle width calculated | required from the detection image of the non-light-emission to-be-detected body containing a hand. FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing a method for removing the hand coordinates associated with the light-emitting pen 9. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 34, the same steps as those in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 23 and 30 will be described with the same step numbers.

  First, how to grasp the contact area to the light guide plate 10 in the coordinate input device 3H of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 22 (a), (b), (c), and (d).

  First, in the coordinate input device 3H of the present embodiment, signal light is detected by using image pickup devices 23 and 33 such as a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) camera. Therefore, the detected images of the image sensors 23 and 33 when the contact area with the light guide plate 10 is small like the pen tip of the light emitting pen 9 are in the state shown in FIG. 22A. A narrow angular width shown in 22 (b) is obtained. On the other hand, the detected images of the image sensors 23 and 33 when the contact area to the light guide plate 10 is large, such as the non-light-emitting detection target such as the finger 8 and the hand, are in the state shown in FIG. When the image processing is performed, as shown in FIG. 22D, an angular width wider than the narrow angular width shown in FIG.

Here, for the coordinates in the triangulation method, the central value of the angular width is calculated as the viewing angle in the angular width exceeding the threshold. Further, as shown in FIGS. 22B and 22D, the size of the contact area with the light guide plate 10 is determined by the size of the horizontal axis (angle), that is, the angular width.
Although the contact area varies depending on how it is handled, it can be determined that the hand signal is clearly larger than the signal from the pen tip of the light-emitting pen 9.

  A method for removing the hand coordinates associated with the light-emitting pen 9 based on the above-described method of grasping the contact area will be described below with reference to FIGS. 33 (a), (b), (c) and FIG.

  First, as shown in FIG. 34 and FIG. 33A, the displayed image is stored for a certain period (S1). If no image is displayed, a blank image is stored for a certain period. Next, as shown in FIGS. 34 and 33 (b), detection signals of the hand and the light-emitting pen 9 are detected (S2). Next, the area of the contact portion of the non-light-emitting detection target including the finger 8 and the hand to the light guide plate 10 is measured (S21). Then, the area determination unit 16c determines whether or not the area of the contact portion of the non-light-emitting detection target including the finger 8 and the hand to the light guide plate 10 is equal to or larger than the set area (S22). Here, in the present embodiment, the term “more than the set area” means that the length with respect to the horizontal axis after image processing is five times or more with respect to the signal from the pen tip of the light-emitting pen 9.

  In S22, when the area determination unit 16c determines that the area of the contact portion of the non-light emitting target including the finger 8 and the hand to the light guide plate 10 is equal to or larger than the set area, FIG. 34 and FIG. As shown in c), the hand-held data non-storing processing unit 17b in the removing unit 17 does not accept the operation / input instruction with the non-storing input of the non-light-emitting detection target including the finger 8 and hand by hand (S41). ).

  As a result, the non-light emitting detection object including the finger 8 and the hand is not drawn, and only the input data from the light emitting pen 9 is drawn.

  As a result, both the light-emitting pen 9 and the finger 8 can be identified and used at the same time, and it is immediately recognized that there is a contact other than the light-emitting pen 9, and the light-emitting pen 9 is attached to the light guide plate 10. Thus, it is possible to provide a coordinate input device 3H that can exclude detected coordinates of a touched hand.

  Further, the input itself of the non-light-emitting detection target including the finger 8 and the hand is not stored and is not displayed on the liquid crystal display module 2, so that the content displayed on the liquid crystal display module 2 is changed drastically, There is no sense of discomfort to the user.

  Note that the configuration of the coordinate input device 3D of the fourth embodiment is also applicable to the coordinate input device 3H of the present embodiment.

[Embodiment 9]
The following will describe still another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS. The configurations other than those described in the present embodiment are the same as those in the fifth and sixth embodiments. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those shown in the drawings of Embodiments 5 and 6 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

  In the coordinate input device 3A according to the first embodiment, in the method for excluding the coordinate detection of the hand that comes in contact with the touch of the light-emitting pen 9, the determination unit 16 accompanies the touch of the light-emitting pen 9 in the time determination unit 16a. It was judged that the coordinates of the touched hand were detected.

  However, in the coordinate input device 3I of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 35A, 35B, and 35C, the determination unit 16 is provided with an area determination unit 16d, and the area determination unit 16d includes When the detection signals of both the light-emitting pen 9 and the non-light-emitting detection target including the finger 8 and the hand are input to the imaging units 20 and 30 as the direction detection means, the coordinate position of the light-emitting pen 9 and When the work area of the coordinate position of the non-light emitting target is the same, the contact of the non-light emitting target with the light guide plate 10 as the light guide member of the light-emitting pen 9 occurs. It has come to be judged.

  That is, when the light-emitting pen 9 is brought into contact with the light guide plate 10, there is contact with the light guide plate 10 of the non-light-emitting detection target including the finger 8 and the hand. Since it is in contact with the optical plate 10, it is estimated that the contact position of both the light guide plates 10 exists in the same work area.

  Therefore, in the coordinate input device 3I of the present embodiment, when the coordinate position of the light-emitting pen 9 and the coordinate position of the non-light-emitting detection target including the finger 8 and the hand are the same work area, the light guide plate 10 of the light-emitting pen 9 is used. As shown in FIG. 35 (c), the removal unit 17 removes the position coordinates of the contact of the non-light emitting target to the light guide plate 10 as soon as it comes into contact with the touch. It is like that.

  Here, in the coordinate input system 1 provided with the coordinate input device 3I of the present embodiment, the same work area is a work area W within a certain frame in the light guide plate 10, as shown in FIG. It means that. The work area W is, for example, an area in one document displayed on the liquid crystal display module 2 of the coordinate input system 1.

  FIGS. 35A, 35B, and 36 show a method for excluding the detection of the coordinates of the hand that comes into contact with the touch of the light-emitting pen 9 in the coordinate input device 3I of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration. This will be explained based on. FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing an operation of determining by the region determining unit 16d that there is a handle attached to the light-emitting pen 9.

  First, as shown in FIGS. 36 and 35A, the displayed image is stored for a certain period (S1). If no image is displayed, a blank image is stored for a certain period. Next, as shown in FIGS. 36 and 35 (b), the detection signal of the light emitting pen 9 and the hand is detected (S2). Next, the respective areas of the coordinate position of the light emitting pen 9 and the coordinate position of the hand are measured (S31). Then, the area determination unit 16d determines whether or not the coordinate position of the light-emitting pen 9 and the coordinate position of the hand are the same work area W (S32).

  At this time, if the area determination unit 16d determines that the coordinate position of the light-emitting pen 9 and the coordinate position of the hand are the same work area W in S32, it is shown in FIG. 36 and FIG. 35 (c). As described above, the hand-held data non-storing processing unit 17b in the removing unit 17 does not accept the operation / input instruction while keeping the input of the non-luminous detection target including the finger 8 and the hand itself as unstored (S41).

  As a result, the non-light emitting detection object including the finger 8 and the hand is not drawn, and only the input data from the light emitting pen 9 is drawn.

  As a result, both the light-emitting pen 9 and the finger 8 can be identified and used at the same time, and it is immediately recognized that there is a contact other than the light-emitting pen 9, and the light-emitting pen 9 is attached to the light guide plate 10. Thus, it is possible to provide the coordinate input device 3I and the coordinate input system 1 that can exclude the detected coordinates of the touched hand.

  Further, the input itself of the non-light-emitting detection target including the finger 8 and the hand is not stored and is not displayed on the liquid crystal display module 2, so that the content displayed on the liquid crystal display module 2 is changed drastically, There is no sense of discomfort to the user.

  Note that the configuration of the coordinate input device 3D according to the fourth embodiment is also applicable to the coordinate input device 3I according to the present embodiment.

(Summary)
The coordinate input devices 3A to 3I according to the first aspect of the present invention are coordinate input devices 3A to 3A that detect position coordinates with respect to at least two input signals of the light-emitting pen 9 and the non-light-emitting detection target including the finger 8 and the hand. In 3I, a light guide member (light guide plate 10) and an illumination light source (light source unit 4A, light source unit 4A) coupled to the edge of the light guide member (light guide plate 10) to illuminate the inside of the light guide member (light guide plate 10). 4B), the progress of propagating light propagating through the inside of the light guide member (light guide plate 10) generated when the non-light emitting detection object and the light emitting pen 9 come into contact with the light guide member (light guide plate 10). And at least two direction detection means (imaging units 20 and 30) for detecting the direction, and based on detection of the traveling direction of the propagation light by the direction detection means (imaging units 20 and 30), the triangulation method is used to determine the contact point. Find the position coordinates and The light emitted from the illumination light source (light source units 4A and 4B) and the light emitted from the light-emitting pen 9 have different wavelengths, and the direction detection means (imaging units 20 and 30) distinguishes both wavelengths. Further, whether or not there is a contact of the light emitting pen 9 with the light guide member (light guide plate 10) accompanying the contact of the light emitting pen 9 with the light guide member (light guide plate 10). By the determination means (determination unit 16) for determining the light and the determination unit (determination unit 16), the light emitting pen 9 is guided to the light guide member (light guide plate 10) and guided to the non-emission target. When it is determined that there has been contact with the member (light guide plate 10), the associated non-light emitting target removing means (for removing the position coordinates of the non-light emitting target to be contacted with the light guide member (light guide plate 10)) And a removal unit 17).

  According to said structure, coordinate input device 3A * 3B * 3C * 3D couple | bonds with the edge part of the light guide member (light guide plate 10) and the said light guide member (light guide plate 10), and this light guide member ( The light source (light source units 4A and 4B) that illuminates the inside of the light guide plate 10), the light emitting pen 9 and the light emitting pen 9 that is generated when the light emitting pen 9 comes into contact with the light guide member (light guide plate 10). Propagation by the direction detection means (imaging units 20 and 30), comprising at least two direction detection means (imaging units 20 and 30) for detecting the traveling direction of the propagation light propagating inside the optical member (light guide plate 10). The position coordinates of the contact point are obtained by triangulation based on detection of the light traveling direction.

  Therefore, since the propagation light by the non-light emitting target and the light emitting pen 9 propagates through the light guide member (light guide plate 10), the direction detection means (imaging unit 20) is located above the light guide member (light guide plate 10).・ From the viewpoint of 30), even if they overlap, one does not shield the other. As a result, both the light emitting pen 9 and the finger can be identified and used simultaneously.

  By the way, in the coordinate input devices 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D that identify and detect the position coordinates with respect to at least two input signals of the light emitting pen 9 and the non-light emitting target including the finger and the hand, the light emission is performed. When writing a character with the pen 9, the hand holding the light-emitting pen 9 comes into contact with the light guide member (the light guide plate 10), so that the signal of the place where the hand is touched is detected. There is. Such manual coordinate detection has an adverse effect such as drawing unnecessary points or lines on the monitor.

  Therefore, in one aspect of the present invention, the light emitted from the illumination light source (light source units 4A and 4B) and the light emitted from the light-emitting pen 9 have different wavelengths, and the direction detecting means (imaging unit 20).・ 30) identifies both wavelengths. Further, determination means for determining whether or not there is a contact of the non-light-emitting detected object to the light guide member (light guide plate 10) accompanying the contact of the light emitting pen 9 with the light guide member (light guide plate 10). (Determination unit 16) and the determination unit (determination unit 16), in accordance with the contact of the light-emitting pen 9 to the light guide member (light guide plate 10), the light guide member (light guide plate 10) of the non-emission target. And an associated non-light emitting detected object removing means (removal unit 17) for removing the position coordinates of the contact of the non-light emitting detected object to the light guide member (light guide plate 10). It has.

  That is, the light emitted from the illumination light source (light source units 4A and 4B) and the light emitted from the light-emitting pen 9 have different wavelengths, and the direction detection means (imaging units 20 and 30) determines the wavelength of both. Since the light is discriminated, it can be immediately discriminated by the difference in wavelength whether it is light from the light-emitting pen 9 or light from the non-light-emitting detection object.

  In the above configuration, when the light-emitting pen 9 and the non-light-emitting target object are in contact with the light guide member (light guide plate 10), the determination unit (the determination unit 16) It is determined whether or not there is a contact of the non-light emitting target to the light guide member (light guide plate 10) accompanying the contact with the light guide member (light guide plate 10). Then, the determination means (determination unit 16) makes contact with the light guide member (light guide plate 10) of the non-light-emitting detection object accompanying the contact of the light emitting pen 9 with the light guide member (light guide plate 10). When it is determined that the non-light-emitting detected object removal means (removal unit 17), the position coordinates of the contact of the non-light-emitting detected object with the light guide member (light guide plate 10) are removed.

  Therefore, both the light-emitting pen 9 and the finger can be identified and used at the same time, and the light-emitting pen 9 is immediately contacted with the light guide member (light guide plate 10) by recognizing that there is contact other than the light-emitting pen 9. It is possible to provide the coordinate input devices 3A to 3I that can exclude the detected coordinates of the hand that comes in contact with.

  In the coordinate input devices 3A to 3E according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the coordinate input device according to the first aspect, the accompanying non-light emitting detection object removing unit (the removing unit 17, the hand-held data deleting unit 17a) is the determination unit. (Judgment unit 16) causes the light emitting pen 9 to contact the light guide member (light guide plate 10) and the non-light emitting target (finger 8 and hand) to contact the light guide member (light guide plate 10). When it is determined that the light-emitting pen 9 and the non-light-emitting target (finger 8 and hand) are in contact with the light guide member (light guide plate 10), the position coordinates of the contact are stored. Further, by deleting the position coordinates of the contact of the non-light emitting target (finger 8 and hand) with the light guide member (light guide plate 10), the light guiding member (lead It is characterized in that the position coordinates of the contact with the optical plate 10) are removed.

  As a result, an unnecessary hand-drawn display once drawn based on the hand position coordinates once saved is detected after the detection of the hand that comes into contact with the light guide member (light guide plate 10) of the light-emitting pen 9. Can be deleted.

  In the coordinate input devices 3F to 3I according to the third aspect of the present invention, in the coordinate input device according to the first aspect, the associated non-light emitting detected object removing means (removal unit 17, hand-held data non-storage processing unit 17b) The means (determination unit 16) contacts the light emitting pen 9 with the light guide member (light guide plate 10) and the light emitting member (finger 8 and hand) contacts the light guide member (light guide plate 10). The light guide member (light guide plate) of the light emitting pen 9 is stored without storing the position coordinates of the contact of the non-light emitting target (finger 8 and hand) to the light guide member (light guide plate 10). The position coordinates of the contact to the light guide member (light guide plate 10) of the non-light emitting target (finger 8 and hand) are removed by storing the position coordinates of the contact to 10).

  Thereby, the input itself of the non-light-emitting detection target (finger 8 and hand) by hand is not stored and is not displayed on the image display module (liquid crystal display module 2), so the image display module (liquid crystal display module) The content displayed in 2) will change violently, and the user will not feel uncomfortable.

  In the coordinate input devices 3A to 3I according to aspect 4 of the present invention, in the coordinate input device according to aspects 1, 2, or 3, the determination means (determination unit 16) includes the light-emitting pen 9 and the non-light-emitting detection target (finger 8). When both detection signals are input to the direction detection means (imaging units 20 and 30), a non-light-emitting detection target (a non-light-emitting detection target) (a certain period before and after the detection signal of the light-emitting pen 9 is input) When the detection signal of the finger 8 and the hand is input, the light guide member of the non-light-emitting detection target (finger 8 and hand) is guided along with the contact of the light emitting pen 9 with the light guide member (light guide plate 10). It can be determined that there has been contact with the light plate 10).

  That is, the contact of the light emitting pen 9 with the light guide member (light guide plate 10) is accompanied by the contact with the light guide member (light guide plate 10) of the non-light-emitting target. Since the hand is in contact with the light guide member (light guide plate 10), it is presumed that the contact times of both light guide members (light guide plate 10) are relatively close.

  Therefore, when the detection signal of the non-light-emitting detection target is input during a certain period before and after the detection signal of the light-emitting pen 9 is input, this is accompanied by the contact of the light-emitting pen 9 with the light guide member (light guide plate 10). You can immediately consider the touch that touches you.

  In the coordinate input devices 3A to 3I according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the coordinate input device according to the first, second, or third aspect, the determination unit (the determination unit 16) includes the light-emitting pen 9 and the non-light-emitting target (finger 8). And the detection position of the light emitting pen 9 and the coordinate position of the non-light emitting detection target (finger 8 and hand) When the distance is within a certain distance, the light emitting pen 9 comes into contact with the light guide member (light guide plate 10) to the light guide member (light guide plate 10) of the non-light emitting target (finger 8 and hand). It is possible to determine that there was contact.

  That is, there is contact with the light guide member (light guide plate 10) of the non-light emitting target (finger 8 and hand) accompanying the contact of the light emitting pen 9 with the light guide member (light guide plate 10). Since the hand holding the light-emitting pen 9 is in contact with the light guide member (light guide plate 10), it is estimated that the contact positions of both light guide members (light guide plate 10) are relatively close to each other. Is done.

  Therefore, when the distance between the coordinate position of the light-emitting pen 9 and the coordinate position of the non-light-emitting detection target (finger 8 and hand) is within a certain distance, the light-emitting pen 9 contacts the light guide member (light guide plate 10). Immediately consider the touch that comes with the touch.

  In the coordinate input devices 3A to 3I according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in the coordinate input device according to the first, second, or third aspect, the determination unit (the determination unit 16) includes the light-emitting pen 9 and the non-light-emitting target (finger 8). And the detection signal of both the hand and the hand) are input to the direction detection means (imaging units 20 and 30), and the light emission occurs when the coordinate position of the non-light emitting detection target (finger 8 and hand) is equal to or larger than a certain area. It is possible to determine that there is a contact of the non-light emitting target to the light guide member (light guide plate 10) accompanying the contact of the pen 9 with the light guide member (light guide plate 10).

  That is, there is contact with the light guide member (light guide plate 10) of the non-light emitting target (finger 8 and hand) accompanying the contact of the light emitting pen 9 with the light guide member (light guide plate 10). Since the hand holding the light-emitting pen 9 is in contact with the light guide member (light guide plate 10), the contact area of the non-light emitting target to the light guide member (light guide plate 10) is larger than the finger. Is estimated.

  Therefore, when the coordinate position of the non-light-emitting detection target (finger 8 and hand) is equal to or larger than a certain area, it is immediately recognized that the light-emitting pen 9 comes into contact with the light guide member (light guide plate 10). Can be tricked.

  In the coordinate input devices 3A to 3I according to aspect 7 of the present invention, in the coordinate input device according to aspects 1, 2, or 3, the determination means (determination unit 16) includes the light-emitting pen 9 and the non-light-emitting detection target (finger 8). And the detection signal of the light emitting pen 9 and the detection signal of the non-light emitting target (finger 8 and hand) When input to the same work area W, accompanying the contact of the light-emitting pen 9 to the light guide member (light guide plate 10), to the light guide member (light guide plate 10) of the non-light emitting target (finger 8 and hand). It is characterized that it is judged that there was contact.

  That is, there is contact with the light guide member (light guide plate 10) of the non-light emitting target (finger 8 and hand) including the finger 8 and the hand accompanying the contact of the light emitting pen 9 with the light guide plate 10. Since the hand holding the light-emitting pen 9 is in contact with the light guide member (light guide plate 10), the contact position of both the light guide members (light guide plate 10) exists in the same work area W. It is estimated that

  Therefore, when the coordinate position of the light-emitting pen 9 and the coordinate position of the non-light-emitting detection target (finger 8 and hand) are present in the same work area W, the light-emitting pen 9 is directed to the light guide member (light guide plate 10). Immediately consider the touch that comes with the contact.

  In order to solve the above problems, a coordinate input system 1 according to an aspect 8 of the present invention is a coordinate input system 1 including the coordinate input devices 3A to 3I according to the aspects 1 to 8, and includes an image display module (liquid crystal display). A display module 2) is provided.

  According to the above configuration, the coordinate input devices 3 </ b> A to 3 </ b> I are input with the non-light emitting detection object such as the finger and the light emission detection object such as the light emitting pen 9 while viewing the image of the image display module (liquid crystal display module 2). It can function as a touch panel. Therefore, even when applied to a large touch panel, both the light-emitting pen 9 and the finger 8 can be identified and used at the same time. It is possible to provide the coordinate input system 1 including the coordinate input devices 3A to 3I that can exclude the detected coordinates of the touched hand accompanying the contact with the optical member (light guide plate 10).

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to each embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in each embodiment. Such embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The present invention can be applied to an optical coordinate input device and a coordinate input system that use a light guide member that can be used in combination with a finger and a light-emitting pen. The coordinate input system can be applied to a personal computer, a television, a white board, a tablet terminal, and the like.

1 Coordinate input system 2 Liquid crystal display module (image display module)
2a Liquid crystal display panels 3A to 3I Coordinate input device 4A Light source unit (illumination light source, first illumination light source)
4B Light source unit (illumination light source, second illumination light source)
4a LED
5 Optical coupling member 6 Detection unit 7 Light absorption member 8 Finger (non-light emitting target)
9 Light-emitting pen 10 Light guide plate (light guide member)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Through-hole 11a Wall surface 13a Propagation light 14a Propagation light 15 Illumination light source lighting control part 16 Judgment part (determination means)
16a Time determining unit 16b Distance determining unit 16c Area determining unit 16d Area determining unit 17 Removing unit (accompanying non-light emitting detection object removing means)
17a Handled data deletion unit 17b Handled data non-storage processing unit 20 Imaging unit (direction detection means)
21 Lens 22 Optical filter 23 Imaging element 30 Imaging unit (direction detection means)
31 Lens 32 Optical filter 33 Image sensor 40 Image pickup unit (direction detection means)
42B Optical filter 43 Image sensor 50B Image pickup unit (direction detection means)
52B Optical filter 53 Image sensor L Interval λ1 First wavelength λ2 Second wavelength

Claims (8)

In a coordinate input device that detects position coordinates with respect to at least two input signals of a light emitting pen and a non-light emitting target including a finger and a hand,
Occurs when a light guide member, an illumination light source that is coupled to an edge of the light guide member to illuminate the inside of the light guide member, and the non-light-emitting detection object and the light-emitting pen come into contact with the light guide member And at least two direction detection means for detecting the traveling direction of the propagating light propagating through the light guide member. The triangulation method is used to detect the contact point based on the detection of the propagating light traveling direction by the direction detecting means. While obtaining the position coordinates,
The light emitted from the illumination light source and the light emitted from the light-emitting pen have different wavelengths from each other, and the direction detection means distinguishes both wavelengths,
Further, a determination means for determining whether or not there is a contact with the light guide member of the non-light-emitting detection object accompanying the contact with the light guide member of the light emitting pen,
When it is determined by the determination means that the non-light-emitting target to be contacted with the light-guide member accompanying the light-emitting pen contacts the light-guide member, the light-emitting target to the light-guide member A coordinate input device comprising: an associated non-light emitting detection object removing unit that removes the contact position coordinates.   The accompanying non-light emitting detection object removing means is determined when the judging means determines that the light emitting pen is in contact with the light guide member in association with the light emitting pen being contacted with the light guide member. After storing the position coordinates of the contact between the light-emitting pen and the non-light emitting target to be guided to the light guide member, respectively, the stored position coordinates of the non-light emitting target to be contacted with the light guide member are deleted. The coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein the position coordinates of the contact of the non-light emitting target to the light guide member are removed.   The accompanying non-light emitting detection object removing means is determined when the judging means determines that the light emitting pen is in contact with the light guide member in association with the light emitting pen being contacted with the light guide member. By storing the position coordinates of the contact of the light-emitting pen with the light guide member without preserving the position coordinates of the contact of the non-light emitting target with the light guide member, the contact of the non-light emitting target with the light guide member The coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein the position coordinates are removed.   When the detection signal of both the light-emitting pen and the non-light-emitting detection target is input to the direction detection means, the determination means detects the non-light-emitting detection during a certain period before and after the detection signal of the light-emitting pen is input. 3. When a body detection signal is input, it is determined that there is a contact of a non-light-emitting detection target body with a light guide member accompanying the contact of the light emitting pen with the light guide member. Or the coordinate input device of 3.   The determination means has a constant distance between the coordinate position of the light emitting pen and the coordinate position of the non-light emitting detection object when both detection signals of the light emitting pen and the non-light emitting detection object are input to the direction detection means. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the distance is within the distance, it is determined that the non-light-emitting detection target is in contact with the light guide member accompanying the contact of the light emitting pen with the light guide member. Coordinate input device.   When the detection signal of both the light-emitting pen and the non-light emitting target is input to the direction detecting means, the determination means determines whether the light-emitting pen is guided when the coordinate position of the non-light emitting target is equal to or larger than a certain area. 4. The coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that there is a contact of the non-light emitting target to the light guide member in association with the contact with the optical member.   When the detection signal of both the light-emitting pen and the non-light emitting target is input to the direction detecting means, the determination means is configured so that the detection signal of the light emitting pen and the detection signal of the non-light emitting target are in the same work area. The coordinates according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein when the input is made, it is determined that there is a contact of the non-light-emitting detection target body with the light guide member accompanying the contact of the light emitting pen with the light guide member. Input device. A coordinate input system comprising the coordinate input device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A coordinate input system comprising an image display module.

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