JP2015102540A - Optical position detector and electronic apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical position detector that prevents wrong output of a position determination signal, and is inexpensive and high in precision.SOLUTION: An optical position detector includes: a light reception signal processing part (61) which calculates the position of the center of gravity of a first region where the reception intensity of a light reception spot is equal to or larger than a first threshold and also calculates the size of a second region where the reception intensity of a light reception spot is equal to or larger than a second threshold based upon a light reception signal output from an area sensor (31); and a position determination signal output part (65) which outputs a position determination signal indicating that the position of the center of gravity of the first region of the light reception spot has been determined, based upon at least one of displacement of the position of the center of gravity of the first region of the light reception spot, calculated by the light reception signal processing part (61), and a change in the size of the second region, calculated by the light reception signal processing part (61).

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical position detection device and an electronic apparatus using the same.

  In recent years, a technique for controlling an electronic device without touching it by recognizing the position of an object such as a hand has been proposed. This technology can be broadly divided into two types: a method using a four-division photodiode (PD) and a method using an image sensor.

  As a method using a 4-partition PD, for example, there are those described in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2013-88122) and Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2013-61233).

  In the inventions of Patent Documents 1 and 2, reflected light reflected by the hand is detected by four PDs, and the two-dimensional position of the hand is detected from the output intensity of the detected reflected light.

  On the other hand, as a method using an image sensor, for example, Patent Document 3 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2013-69273), Patent Document 4 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 09-91079) and Patent Document 5 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-177449). There is what is described.

  In the invention of Patent Document 3, an image of a hand state in which the index finger irradiated with light from a light source is projected, binarized based on a threshold value, the shape of the fist is identified, and the center of gravity coordinates of the fist are obtained. The position of the fingertip is detected. Further, the distance and angle between the center of gravity coordinates of the fist and the center of gravity of the fingertip are calculated, and a position determination signal is output when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

  Further, in the inventions of Patent Document 4 and Patent Document 5, the image of the fingertip is extracted from the reflected image of the hand by the same method as in Patent Document 3, and the position of the fingertip is detected from the center of gravity of the image of the fingertip. In the invention of Patent Document 4, the position in the perspective direction relative to the image sensor is detected from the amount of reflected light reflected from the hand and the size of the image of the fingertip. In the invention of Patent Document 5, the fingertip is stationary for a certain time. Is detected and output as a position determination signal.

JP2013-88122A JP 2013-61233 A JP 2013-69273 A JP 09-91079 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-177449

  However, the inventions of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 have a problem that it is difficult to detect an accurate spatial position such as a hand because the number of photodiodes as output elements is as small as four.

  Further, in the inventions of Patent Document 3, Patent Document 4 and Patent Document 5, an image of a fist or fingertip is extracted from a captured image and a shape is recognized (calculated). It is necessary to determine whether or not there is. As a result, the burden on the central processing unit (CPU) for calculation of image processing is increased, and an arithmetic circuit having an advanced calculation function is required around the position detection device, which increases the manufacturing cost. there were. Furthermore, when a position determination signal is output by moving the hand closer to or away from the image sensor, the center of gravity of the finger will change unless the finger is moved vertically with respect to the image sensor, and the position determination signal will be incorrect. There was a problem of being output.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive and highly accurate optical position detection device and an electronic apparatus using the same while preventing erroneous output of a position determination signal.

In order to solve the above problems, the optical position detection device of the present invention is
A light emitting element that emits light;
A light emitting lens for irradiating an object with light emitted from the light emitting element;
A light receiving lens for collecting the reflected light from the object;
An area sensor having a light receiving surface for receiving reflected light from the object collected by the light receiving lens, and detecting a received light intensity distribution of a light receiving spot formed on the light receiving surface by reflected light from the object;
Based on the light reception signal output from the area sensor, the center of gravity position of the first region where the light reception intensity of the light reception spot is equal to or higher than the first threshold is calculated, and the light reception intensity of the light reception spot is smaller than the first threshold. A received light signal processing unit that calculates the size of the second region equal to or greater than the second threshold;
Based on at least one of the displacement of the center of gravity of the first region of the light receiving spot calculated by the light receiving signal processing unit and the change in the size of the second region of the light receiving spot, the light receiving spot And a position determination signal output unit that outputs a position determination signal indicating that the position of the center of gravity of the first region has been determined.

In the optical position detection device of one embodiment,
The position determination signal output unit outputs the position determination signal when the gravity center position of the first area of the light receiving spot is within a predetermined range and the size of the second area of the light receiving spot changes. Output.

In the optical position detection device of one embodiment,
The change in the size of the second region of the light receiving spot is a change in one direction along the light receiving surface of the area sensor.

In the optical position detection device of one embodiment,
The position determination signal output unit is
A first determination for determining whether or not a change in the size of the second region of the light receiving spot is a predetermined change;
In the first determination, after determining that the change in the size of the second area of the light receiving spot is a predetermined change, it is determined whether or not the second area of the light receiving spot is rotated by 90 °. Make a second decision,
In the first determination, when it is determined that the change in the size of the second region of the light receiving spot is a predetermined change, the first position determination signal is output,
In the second determination, when it is determined that the second region of the light receiving spot is rotated by 90 °, the second position determination signal is output.

  An electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes the above-described optical position detection device.

  According to the optical position detection device of the present invention, the light reception signal processing unit calculates the barycentric position of the first region where the light reception intensity of the light reception spot is equal to or greater than the first threshold based on the light reception signal output from the area sensor. At the same time, by calculating the size of the second region whose received light intensity is equal to or greater than the second threshold, the displacement of the position of the object and the change in size can be accurately calculated with a simple configuration. A position detection device can be provided.

  Further, the position determination signal output unit outputs a position determination signal based on the displacement of the center of gravity position of the first region of the light receiving spot and the change in the size of the second region of the light receiving spot calculated by the light receiving signal processing unit. The position determination signal can be output accurately, and erroneous output of the position determination signal can be prevented.

It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the optical position detection apparatus of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state in which the emitted light from the light emitting element of the optical position detection apparatus of FIG. 1 is reflected by an object, and injects into a light receiving element. It is the schematic which shows the light reception spot formed on the area sensor of the light receiving element of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the light receiving element of the optical position detection apparatus of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the detection of the position of the vertical direction of the object of the optical position detection apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the light reception intensity distribution of the X-axis direction of the light reception spot formed on the area sensor of the optical position detection apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the shape of the hand corresponding to the light reception intensity distribution of the light reception spot of FIG. It is a figure which shows the other example of the light reception intensity distribution of the X-axis direction of the light reception spot formed on the area sensor of the optical position detection apparatus of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the hand corresponding to the light reception intensity distribution of the light reception spot of FIG. It is the schematic which shows the light reception spot corresponding to the shape of the hand of FIG.9 (b) formed on the area sensor of the light receiving element of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating double click operation of the optical position detection apparatus of FIG. It is the schematic which shows the information terminal carrying the optical position detection apparatus of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the heating cooker carrying the optical position detection apparatus of this invention.

  Hereinafter, the optical position detection apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail based on the illustrated embodiments.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the optical position detection apparatus 10 of the present invention includes a light emitting element 20, a light receiving element 30, a substrate 11, and a lens case 12.

  The substrate 11 is made of a flexible substrate, for example. On the substrate 11, the light emitting element 20, the light receiving element 30, and the lens case 12 are fixed. The light emitting element 20 and the light receiving element 30 are arranged at a predetermined interval and are covered with the lens case 12. Note that a rigid substrate or the like may be used as the substrate 11.

  The lens case 12 is made of, for example, a polycarbonate resin having a light shielding property, and includes a light emitting lens 13 and a light receiving lens 14. The light emitting lens 13 is disposed at a position facing the light emitting portion 21 of the light emitting element 20, and the light receiving lens 14 is disposed at a position facing the light receiving surface 32 of the light receiving element 30.

  The light emitting lens 13 is made of, for example, a transparent polycarbonate resin, and an aspheric concave surface is formed on the surface facing the light emitting element 20.

  The light receiving lens 14 is made of, for example, a transparent polycarbonate resin, and has a biconvex shape in which an aspheric convex surface is formed on the surface facing the light receiving element 30 and the surface on the object 40 side.

  The light emitting element 20 is made of, for example, an infrared light emitting diode, and emits outgoing light L toward the object 40 via the light emitting lens 13 as shown in FIG. The emitted light L emitted from the light emitting element 20 is emitted at a necessary beam angle by the light emitting lens 13.

  The light receiving element 30 is formed of, for example, a wafer level chip size package, and includes an area sensor 31 having a light receiving surface 32 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and reflected light of the emitted light L reflected by the object 40. Is received. The area sensor 31 is composed of, for example, a CMOS image sensor of m rows × m columns (m is a natural number excluding 0), and it is preferable to use a low pixel of about 50 rows × 50 columns.

  On the light receiving surface 32 of the area sensor 31, the reflected light reflected by the object 40 is collected via the light receiving lens 14. A light receiving spot 50 is formed by the condensed reflected light. At this time, since both the convex surfaces of the light receiving lens 14 are aspherical surfaces, the light receiving spot 50 with as little distortion as possible can be formed even when the object 40 is located away from the optical axis of the light receiving lens 14.

  4 shows the configuration of the light receiving element 30. As shown in FIG. 4, around the area sensor 31, there are a signal processing circuit unit 61, a drive circuit unit 62, and a signal processing unit as an example of the received light signal processing unit. A soft memory unit 63, a signal processing data memory unit 64, and a position determination signal output unit 65 are provided.

  The signal processing circuit unit 61 is, for example, a digital signal circuit, and calculates a center of gravity position (x0, y0) and a size that are coordinates on the light receiving surface 32 of the light receiving spot 50 based on a signal output from the area sensor 31. Then, a position signal indicating the calculated gravity center position (x0, y0) of the light receiving spot 50 and a signal indicating the size of the light receiving spot 50 are output to the signal processing data memory unit 64.

  The drive circuit unit 62 drives the light emitting element 20 at a predetermined timing. The drive timing of the drive circuit unit 62 can be appropriately set according to the design conditions of the optical position detection device 10 and the like.

  The signal processing software memory unit 63 stores a program for the signal processing circuit unit 61 to process a signal.

  The signal processing data memory unit 64 stores data relating to the gravity center position (x0, y0) and the size of the light receiving spot 50.

The position determination signal output unit 65 includes, for example, an I ² C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) interface as a signal output unit (not shown), and a signal processing data memory From the position signal indicating the barycentric position (x0, y0) of the light receiving spot 50 and the data indicating the magnitude output from the signal processing circuit unit 61 to the signal processing data memory unit 64 by accessing the unit 64 It is determined whether or not the change in size is a change in the size of the light receiving spot 50 determined in advance. When it is determined that the change in the size of the light receiving spot 50 is a predetermined change in the size of the light receiving spot 50, a position determination signal representing the gravity center position (x0, y0) of the light receiving spot 50 is output.

  Here, the size of the light receiving spot 50 may be the maximum dimension of the light receiving spot 50 or the area of the light receiving spot 50. The change in the size of the light receiving spot 50 can be determined by the difference in size (physical change amount) between two different light receiving spots 50.

  That is, whether or not the change in the size of the light receiving spot 50 is a predetermined change in the size of the light receiving spot 50 is determined by, for example, a change in the calculated maximum size / area of two different light receiving spots 50. This can be done based on whether or not the absolute value of the amount exceeds the predetermined absolute value of the change amount of the maximum dimension / area of the light receiving spot 50. Note that the change amount does not need to be an absolute value, and a positive change amount or a negative change amount may be used.

  Note that a storage means may be provided in the position determination signal output unit 65 so as to also serve as the signal processing data memory unit 64.

  Next, detection of the position of the object 40 using the position of the light receiving spot 50 formed on the area sensor 31 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the shape of the object 40 is constant and does not change.

  The position of the object 40 is obtained as follows. In the following description, coordinates on the light receiving surface 32 are set as shown in FIG. That is, the X and Y axes are determined along the sides of the area sensor 31, and the XY coordinate axes are set so that one of the vertices of the area sensor 31 is the origin. The XY coordinates are axes that are orthogonal to each other. Although not shown, the Z axis passes through the intersection of the X axis and the Y axis and is set to be orthogonal to the plane defined by the X axis and the Y axis.

  First, the emitted light L is emitted from the light emitting element 20 driven by the drive circuit unit 62 toward the object 40 and is reflected by the object 40. The reflected light reflected is condensed on the light receiving surface 32 of the area sensor 31 to form a light receiving spot 50. When the light receiving spot 50 is formed on the light receiving surface 32 of the area sensor 31, the area sensor 31 detects the light reception intensity distribution in the X-axis and Y-axis directions of the formed light reception spot 50, and the detected light reception intensity distribution is detected. The received light signal is output to the signal processing circuit unit 61.

  The signal processing circuit unit 61 calculates the barycentric position (x0, y0) of the light receiving spot 50 formed on the area sensor 31 based on the light receiving signal output from the area sensor 31.

  For example, the position of the object 40 at the position A in FIG. 2 is obtained from the XY coordinates of the center of gravity A1 of the detected light receiving spot 50 by the signal processing circuit unit 61. Further, the position of the object 40 at the position B is obtained from the XY coordinates of the center of gravity B1 of the light receiving spot 50.

  On the other hand, the position of the object 40 in the Z-axis direction is calculated by the signal processing circuit unit 61 based on the change in the size of the light receiving spot 50.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when the object 40 is at the position C0, the object 40 is determined based on the maximum dimension D0 (indicated by a broken line) of the light receiving spot 50 formed on the light receiving surface 32 of the area sensor 31 at the position C0. 40 positions in the Z-axis direction (Z coordinates) are calculated. When the object 40 is at the position C1, the position of the object 40 in the Z-axis direction is based on the maximum dimension D1 (indicated by a solid line) of the light receiving spot 50 formed on the light receiving surface 32 of the area sensor 31 at the position C1. Is calculated. In FIG. 5, since D1> D0, it is calculated that the position C1 is closer to the area sensor 31 than the position C0. That is, the Z coordinate of the object 40 is calculated as a relative coordinate.

  Note that the Z coordinate of the object 40 may not be calculated as necessary. By not detecting the Z coordinate of the object 40, it is impossible to detect the movement of the object 40 toward / away from the light receiving element 30, but an image for detecting the displacement and the size change of the object 40. Processing operations can be made easier.

  Next, detection of the barycentric position (x0, y0) of the light receiving spot 50 when the shape of the object 40 changes will be described. Here, as examples, detection of the center of gravity (x0, y0) of the hands 41a and 41b shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B (Example 1), and FIGS. The detection (Example 2) of the gravity center position (x0, y0) of the hands 42a and 42b shown in b) will be described.

Example 1
FIG. 6 shows a light reception intensity distribution in the X-axis direction of the light reception spot 51 of the hand 41a in a fist state as shown in FIG. 7A, and a state where the thumb and little finger shown in FIG. 7B are opened. It is a figure which shows the state which accumulated the light reception intensity distribution of the X-axis direction of the light reception spot 52 of the hand 41b. In FIG. 6, the light reception intensity distribution of the light reception spot 51 of the hand 41a is indicated by a broken line, and the light reception intensity distribution of the light reception spot 52 of the hand 41b is indicated by a solid line.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the received light intensity is a certain value V1 or more, even if the shape is changed from the hand 41a to the hand 41b, the shape of the light receiving spot 51 of the hand 41a and the shape of the light receiving spot 52 of the hand 41b There is almost no change in between. That is, when the value V1 is set as the first threshold value, the shape of the hand 41a to the hand 41b is obtained by obtaining the center of gravity of the light receiving spots 51 and 52 in the region (first region) where the light receiving intensity value is equal to or greater than the first threshold value. Even if it changes, the accurate center-of-gravity position (x0, y0) of the light receiving spots 51, 52 can be calculated. As a result, the positions of the hands 41a and 41b can be accurately obtained.

  On the other hand, in the region where the received light intensity is low, it is greatly influenced by the shape change of the hands 41a and 41b. For example, in the vicinity of the value V2 where the light reception intensity is smaller than the value V1, the shapes of the light reception spots 51 and 52 are greatly different, and both can be clearly recognized. Therefore, when the value V2 is set as the second threshold value, the change of the hand 41b with respect to the hand 41a is calculated by calculating the size of the light receiving spots 51 and 52 in the region (second region) in which the received light intensity is equal to or greater than the second threshold value. It can be detected accurately.

  FIG. 6 shows the relationship between the X axis and the received light intensity distribution, but the same applies to the relationship between the Y axis and the received light intensity distribution.

(Example 2)
8A and 8B show the light intensity distribution in the X-axis direction of the light receiving spot 53 of the hand 42a in the state where the index finger shown in FIG. 9A is protruded, and the hand 42b in the state where the index finger and the thumb shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the state which piled up the light reception intensity distribution of the X-axis direction of the light reception spot 54 of this. In FIG. 8, the light reception intensity distribution of the light reception spot 53 of the hand 42a is indicated by a broken line, and the light reception intensity distribution of the light reception spot 54 of the hand 42b is indicated by a solid line. FIG. 10 shows the shape of the light receiving spot 54 of the hand 42b.

  In the hand 42a and hand 42b in which the index finger is protruded as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the tip of the index finger is close to the area sensor 31, and the reflection intensity of the emitted light L becomes strong. As shown in FIG. 8, when the light reception intensity is a certain value V3 or more, the shape of the light reception spot 53 of the hand 42a and the shape of the light reception spot 54 of the hand 42b are different even if the shape is changed from the hand 42a to the hand 42b. It is almost the same. Therefore, when the value V3 is set as the first threshold value, the center of gravity (x0, y0) of the light receiving spots 53 and 54 in the region (first region) in which the received light intensity value is equal to or greater than the first threshold value is obtained. Even if the shape changes from 42a to the hand 42b, the exact center of gravity (x0, y0) of the light receiving spots 53 and 54 can be calculated, and as a result, the positions of the hands 42a and 42b can be obtained accurately.

  On the other hand, in the region where the received light intensity is low, as shown in FIG. 8, it is greatly affected by the shape change of the hand 42b with respect to the hand 42a. In particular, in the vicinity of the value V4 where the light reception intensity is smaller than the value V3, the shape of the light reception spot 54 with respect to the light reception spot 53 is greatly different, and both can be clearly recognized. Therefore, when the value V4 is set as the second threshold value, the change from the hand 42a to the hand 42b is calculated by calculating the amount of change of the size 54 with respect to the light receiving spot 53 in the region (second region) equal to or greater than the second threshold value. It can be detected accurately.

  8 shows only the relationship between the X axis of the light receiving surface 32 and the received light intensity distribution, as in FIG. 6, but in Example 2, the received light intensity distribution in the Y axis direction of the light receiving surface 32 is detected. Not. This is because the change in the shape of the hand from FIG. 9A to FIG. 9B is only a change in the X-axis direction (one direction) of the light-receiving surface 32. This is because there is no influence. In this case, as compared with the case where the received light intensity distribution in the X-axis and Y-axis directions is detected, the displacement and size change of the position of the object 40 can be accurately calculated with a simpler configuration.

  Thus, by detecting the gravity center position (x0, y0) and size of the light receiving spots 51, 52, 53, and 54, the displacement and size change of the position of 41b with respect to the hand 41a, and 42b with respect to the hand 42a. Since the displacement and size change of the position 41b can be accurately calculated, the displacement and size change of the position 41b with respect to the hand 41a, and the displacement and size change of the position 42b with respect to the hand 42a are detected. A complicated image processing operation is not required, and as a result, the manufacturing cost of the optical position detection device 10 can be reduced.

  Note that the first threshold value and the second threshold value can be appropriately set according to the design conditions of the optical position detection device 10 and the like. For example, the upper 20% of the received light intensity may be adopted as the first threshold value, and the lower 15% value may be adopted as the second threshold value. Further, an appropriate value may be calculated from the data stored in the signal processing data memory unit 64.

  In the optical position detection device 10, the position determination signal output unit 65 outputs a position determination signal based on the displacement of the size of the light receiving spot 50, but is not limited thereto. For example, the position determination signal may be output based on the displacement of the center of gravity position (x0, y0) of the light receiving spot 32, or based on the displacement of the center of gravity position (x0, y0) of the light receiving spot and the size of the light receiving spot 50. The position determination signal may be output.

  The displacement of the center of gravity of the light receiving spot 50 may be determined by the difference (coordinate displacement amount) between the positions of the center of gravity of two different light receiving spots 50. It may be determined by whether or not it is within a predetermined coordinate range from the coordinates (for example, the coordinates of the center of gravity of the light receiving spot 50 calculated first).

  That is, whether or not the displacement of the gravity center position of the light reception spot 50 is a predetermined displacement of the gravity center position of the light reception spot 50 is determined by, for example, the calculated coordinate displacement amount of the gravity center positions of two different light reception spots 50 Can be determined by whether or not the absolute value of exceeds a predetermined absolute value of the displacement amount of the center of gravity of the light receiving spot 50. The amount of change need not be an absolute value, and a positive amount of change or a negative amount of change may be used.

  The optical position detection apparatus 10 having the above configuration can be used as an input device, for example. For example, when an operation for deforming the hand 42a shown in FIG. 9A to the hand 42b shown in FIG. 9B is set as a decision input operation (click operation), the light receiving spot 53 (calculated by the signal processing circuit unit 61 ( When the difference between the size of the second region (shown in FIG. 8) and the size of the second region of the light receiving spot 54 (shown in FIG. 8) exceeds a predetermined value, the position determination signal output unit 65 A position determination signal indicating that the center of gravity position (x0, y0) of the first area 54 is determined can be output, and a click operation based on the position determination signal can be performed. As described above, in the input device using the optical position detection device 10, the 54 of the light receiving spot 53 in the second region (the region of the second threshold value where the light receiving intensity is low or higher) greatly influenced by the change in the size of the object 40. Since the change in size is calculated and the position determination signal is output based on the change in the size of 54 with respect to the light receiving spot 53, the execution of the click operation based on the position determination signal can be accurately detected, and erroneous input can be reduced. .

  The position determination signal output unit 65 of the optical position detection device 10 is provided with an output unit that outputs a signal representing the gravity center position (x0, y0) of the light receiving spot 54 to the outside of the optical position detection device 10. The optical position detection device 10 can also be used as a pointing device.

  Further, for example, when the barycentric position (x0, y0) of the first region of the light receiving spot 50 is within a predetermined range and the size of the second region of the light receiving spot 50 is changed, the position determination signal output unit 65 Is set so as to output a position determination signal, the center of gravity position of the light receiving spot 50 representing the input point can be easily determined. Thereby, the optical position detection apparatus 10 excellent in operation feeling can be provided.

  In the input device using the optical position detection device 10, continuous input of a click operation is also possible. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, after the first click operation is performed by changing the shape from the hand 42a to the hand 42b and the first position determination signal is output (the light receiving spot 54 is in the state of FIG. 11A). When the shape is held with the hand 42b and rotated 90 ° C. (the light receiving spot 54 is in the state shown in FIG. 11B), the second position determination signal can be continuously output. At this time, when the first and second position determination signals continuously output are at a predetermined interval, it can be configured to detect as a double click operation.

  The double click operation can be arbitrarily set by the user. For example, it may be set to detect execution of a double-click operation when an operation of repeating the shape change from the hand 42a to the hand 42b shown in FIG. 9 twice is performed, or from the hand 41a shown in FIG. After the shape is changed to the hand 41b, it may be set to detect the execution of the double click operation when an operation of rotating the hand 41b by 90 ° is performed while the state of the hand 41b is maintained.

  The optical position detection device 10 can be mounted not only on an input device but also on an information terminal 70 as an example of an electronic device such as a tablet, a smartphone, or a personal computer. As shown in FIG. It can be used as a device.

  In addition, the optical position detection device 10 can be mounted on an electric appliance for home use such as a heating cooker 80 as an example of the electronic apparatus shown in FIG. In the cooking device 80 using the optical position detection device 10 as a menu operation input device, the menu operation can be performed in a non-contact manner, and the cooking device 80 is not washed or wiped even during cooking. Can be operated.

  Furthermore, although not shown, the optical position detection device 10 can be used in a non-contact manner, for example, in menus used in restaurants such as automatic ticketing machines, vending machines or sushi restaurants. As described above, when the optical position detection device 10 of the present invention is used, the operation of the device can be performed in a non-contact manner, and thus the device touched by an unspecified number of people is operated as in the past. Nothing will happen. As a result, for example, even a person with a disorder can operate the above equipment without hesitation and does not harm public health.

  The optical position detection device 10 of the present invention is summarized as follows.

The optical position detection device 10 of the present invention includes:
A light emitting element 20 that emits light;
A light-emitting lens 13 that irradiates the object 40 with light emitted from the light-emitting element 20;
A light receiving lens 14 for condensing the reflected light from the object 40;
The light-receiving intensity distribution of the light-receiving spot 50 formed on the light-receiving surface 32 by the light-receiving surface 32 that receives the reflected light from the object 40 condensed by the light-receiving lens 14 is shown. An area sensor 31 to detect;
Based on the light reception signal output from the area sensor 31, the barycentric position (x0, y0) of the first region where the light reception intensity of the light reception spot 50 is not less than the first threshold value V1 is calculated, and the light reception of the light reception spot 50 is performed. A received light signal processing unit 61 that calculates the size of a second region having an intensity equal to or greater than a second threshold V2 that is smaller than the first threshold;
At least one of the displacement of the barycentric position (x0, y0) of the first region of the light receiving spot 50 calculated by the light receiving signal processing unit 61 and the change in the size of the second region of the light receiving spot 50 And a position determination signal output unit 65 for outputting a position determination signal indicating that the barycentric position (x0, y0) of the first region of the light receiving spot 50 has been determined.

  According to the above configuration, the light reception signal processing unit 61 is based on the light reception signal output from the area sensor 31, and the barycentric position (x0, y0) of the first region where the light reception intensity of the light reception spot 50 is equal to or greater than the first threshold value V1. In addition, the displacement of the position of the object 40 and the change in the size thereof can be accurately calculated with a simple configuration by calculating the size of the second region whose received light intensity is equal to or greater than the second threshold value V2. It is possible to provide a highly accurate optical position detection device 10.

  Further, the position determination signal output unit 65 calculates the displacement of the barycentric position (x0, y0) of the first region of the light receiving spot 50 and the change in the size of the second region of the light receiving spot 50 calculated by the light receiving signal processing unit 61. Since the position determination signal indicating that the barycentric position (x0, y0) of the light receiving spot 50 has been determined is output based on at least one of them, the position determination signal can be output accurately, and the position determination signal Incorrect output can be prevented.

  The “displacement of the barycentric position (x0, y0) of the light receiving spot 50” is, for example, the coordinate displacement amount of the barycentric position (x0, y0) of the light receiving spot 50, and “the size of the second region of the light receiving spot 50 is determined. “Change” is, for example, the physical change amount of the maximum dimension of the light receiving spot 50.

In the optical position detection device 10 of one embodiment,
In the position determination signal output unit 65, the gravity center position (x0, y0) of the first region of the light receiving spot 50 is within a predetermined range, and the size of the second region of the light receiving spot 50 has changed. Sometimes, the position determination signal is output.

  According to the above embodiment, when the barycentric position (x0, y0) of the first region of the light receiving spot 50 is within the predetermined range and the size of the second region of the light receiving spot 50 is changed, the position determination signal Since the output unit 65 outputs the position determination signal, the center of gravity position (x0, y0) of the light receiving spot 50 representing the input point can be easily determined. Thereby, the optical position detection apparatus 10 excellent in operation feeling can be provided.

  For example, “when the size of the second region of the light receiving spot 50 is changed” means that the absolute value of the change amount of the maximum dimension of the second region of the light receiving spot 50 is the absolute value of the preset change amount. When it exceeds. The amount of change need not be an absolute value, and a positive amount of change or a negative amount of change may be used.

In the optical position detection device 10 of one embodiment,
A change in the size of the second region of the light receiving spot 50 is a change in one direction along the light receiving surface 32 of the area sensor 31.

  According to the embodiment, since the change in the size of the second region of the light receiving spot 50 is only a change in one direction along the light receiving surface 32, the change in the size of the second region follows the light receiving surface 32. Compared with the case of a change in two or more directions, the displacement and size change of the position of the object 40 can be accurately calculated with a simple configuration.

In the optical position detection device 10 of one embodiment,
The position determination signal output unit 65 is
A first determination for determining whether or not the change in the size of the second region of the light receiving spot 50 is a predetermined change;
In the first determination, after determining that the change in the size of the second region of the light receiving spot 50 is a predetermined change, it is determined whether or not the second region of the light receiving spot 50 is rotated by 90 °. A second determination is made,
In the first determination, when it is determined that the change in the size of the second region of the light receiving spot 50 is a predetermined change, a first position determination signal is output,
In the second determination, when it is determined that the second region of the light receiving spot 50 is rotated by 90 °, a second position determination signal is output.

  According to the embodiment, it is possible to output continuous first and second position determination signals.

  Electronic devices 70 and 80 according to the present invention are characterized in that the optical position detection device 10 is mounted.

  According to the said structure, the electronic devices 70 and 80 carrying the cheap and highly accurate optical position detection apparatus 10 can be provided.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Optical position detection apparatus 11 Board | substrate 12 Lens case 13 Light emitting lens 14 Light receiving lens 20 Light emitting element 21 Light emitting part 30 Light receiving element 31 Area sensor 32 Light receiving surface 40 Object 41a, 41b, 42a, 42b Hand 50, 51, 52, 53, 54 light receiving spot 61 signal processing circuit unit 62 drive circuit unit 63 signal processing software memory unit 64 signal processing data memory unit 65 position determination signal output unit 70 information terminal 80 heating cooker

Claims (5)

A light emitting element that emits light;
A light emitting lens for irradiating an object with light emitted from the light emitting element;
A light receiving lens for collecting the reflected light from the object;
An area sensor having a light receiving surface for receiving reflected light from the object collected by the light receiving lens, and detecting a received light intensity distribution of a light receiving spot formed on the light receiving surface by reflected light from the object;
Based on the light reception signal output from the area sensor, the center of gravity position of the first region where the light reception intensity of the light reception spot is equal to or higher than the first threshold is calculated, and the light reception intensity of the light reception spot is smaller than the first threshold. A received light signal processing unit that calculates the size of the second region equal to or greater than the second threshold;
Based on at least one of the displacement of the center of gravity of the first region of the light receiving spot calculated by the light receiving signal processing unit and the change in the size of the second region of the light receiving spot, the light receiving spot An optical position detection apparatus comprising: a position determination signal output unit that outputs a position determination signal indicating that the center of gravity position of the first region has been determined. The optical position detection device according to claim 1,
The position determination signal output unit outputs the position determination signal when the gravity center position of the first area of the light receiving spot is within a predetermined range and the size of the second area of the light receiving spot changes. An optical position detection device for outputting. The optical position detection device according to claim 1 or 2,
The optical position detection device, wherein the change in the size of the second region of the light receiving spot is a change in one direction along the light receiving surface of the area sensor. In the optical position detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The position determination signal output unit is
A first determination for determining whether or not a change in the size of the second region of the light receiving spot is a predetermined change;
In the first determination, after determining that the change in the size of the second area of the light receiving spot is a predetermined change, it is determined whether or not the second area of the light receiving spot is rotated by 90 °. Make a second decision,
In the first determination, when it is determined that the change in the size of the second region of the light receiving spot is a predetermined change, the first position determination signal is output,
In the second determination, the second position determination signal is output when it is determined that the second region of the light receiving spot is rotated by 90 °.   An electronic apparatus comprising the optical position detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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