JP2016081237A - Coordinate input device, control method of coordinate input device, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent an unintentional output of positional information of a user as the positional information instructed by the user, to a coordinate detection area.SOLUTION: If a distance between two input points among a plurality of input points is smaller than a distance threshold, the two input points are put together to one group, and this process is performed to each input point. Then, one set of coordinates representing an input point belonging to the group is output.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a coordinate input device, a control method for the coordinate input device, and a program, and is particularly suitable for use in detecting a designated position on a coordinate detection region.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a coordinate input device that detects a coordinate position input to a coordinate detection region by an instruction unit such as a finger in order to input or select information. Various types of coordinate input devices (touch panels and digitizers) have been proposed or commercialized as this type of coordinate input device.

  In addition to detecting the position of one point on the display screen of the display means, the number of devices that can simultaneously detect the position of two or more points on the display screen of the display means is also increasing. In the following description, touching one point on the display screen is referred to as single touch as necessary. Further, touching two or more points on the display screen simultaneously is referred to as multi-touch as necessary.

  Furthermore, the number of devices that control the display screen by multi-touch gesture operation is increasing. For example, if the distance between two points designated on the display screen is increased, the designated object on the display screen is enlarged. Also, if one of the two points designated on the display screen turns around another point, the object designated on the display screen is rotated. On screens of devices that are portable enough to be carried by hand, such as smartphones and laptops, and screens that allow users to operate a display on a desk while sitting on a chair, users can use their fingertips to display the screen without any problems. Can be operated. In the following description, user operations performed on the display screen are collectively referred to as touch operations as necessary.

  However, when a user stands up and performs a touch operation on a large screen that can be operated up and down, left and right, the user may unintentionally operate using two to five fingers. . Even if the user intends to perform a single touch, if two or more fingers touch the screen, the device recognizes that the user is performing a multi-touch. Then, the user's intention and the operation of the device are different.

  Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique related to an optical touch panel device that suppresses input of two points unintended by the user. In such a technique, when there are two contact coordinates detected by the optical touch panel device and the two points are translated, only one point is output.

On the other hand, there are situations that use a large touch display, such as an educational site, a conference room in an office, and a digital signage.
These situations are situations where a wide range of ages or an unspecified number of people operate a large touch display. Therefore, it is difficult to learn in advance how to operate the device. For this reason, it is important that anyone can use it intuitively. If the user can not easily perform the operation that he / she wanted, the device will gradually become unusable. As a result, the effect of introducing a large touch display is reduced.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a technique related to an input device that adjusts sensitivity of input detection in consideration of a difference in thickness and shape of a user's finger, characteristics of an input operation, and the like. In such a technique, first, the input operation surface is divided into a plurality of areas, and the input determination information is stored for each divided area. Thereafter, the area where the change in electric capacity is detected is determined, and input determination is performed using the input determination information corresponding to the area.

JP 2010-160717 A JP2013-127740A

  However, the device described in Patent Document 1 may not recognize multi-touch even when the user intends to perform multi-touch. Moreover, in the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, when there are two contact points detected by the apparatus and the two points are moving in parallel, only one point is output. In this case, there is a possibility that the device cannot recognize a swipe operation in which the user intentionally translates the two points.

  Further, in the apparatus described in Patent Document 2, the position of the sensitivity adjustment region does not change regardless of where the input operation surface is operated. If the size of the coordinate detection area is such that a specific input such as the user's thumb or little finger is made in a specific area of the coordinate detection area, input determination can be performed. However, when the coordinate detection area is larger than the size of the hand, it is unclear which finger is input at which position.

As described above, in the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, there is a possibility that position information unintended by the user is output as position information instructed by the user to the coordinate detection area.
The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to suppress output of position information not intended by the user as position information instructed by the user to the coordinate detection area. And

  The coordinate input device of the present invention is derived by a distance deriving unit that derives a distance between a plurality of input points that are simultaneously input to the coordinate detection area, and the distance deriving unit for each of the plurality of input points. Threshold setting means for setting a threshold for the distance, and the distance between the two input points derived by the distance deriving means is the threshold for each of the two input points set by the threshold setting means. A group setting means for setting the two input points in the same group when the input point is smaller than at least one of the coordinates, and the coordinates of the input points set in the same group by the group setting means Coordinate deriving means for deriving coordinates to be performed.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress output of position information not intended by the user as position information instructed by the user with respect to the coordinate detection area.

It is a figure which shows the structure of a coordinate input device. It is a flowchart explaining the 1st example of a process of a coordinate input device. It is a figure which shows the light reception data in each pixel. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the coordinate of a coordinate detection area | region, and the position of a coordinate input device. It is a figure which shows the mode of the hand which is operating the coordinate detection area. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the distance between input points, and a distance threshold value. FIG. 10 is a diagram simulating a hand operation when performing an operation of enlarging an object. It is a figure which shows the 1st example of the setting method of the area | region of a thumb and a little finger. It is a flowchart explaining the 2nd example of a process of a coordinate input device. It is a figure explaining the 2nd example of the setting method of the area | region of a thumb and a little finger.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The configurations shown in the following embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to the illustrated configurations.
<First Embodiment>
First, the first embodiment will be described.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a coordinate input device.
The sensor bars 1L and 1R are casings equipped with at least two sensor units 2Ra, 2Rb, 2La, and 2Lb, respectively. In the example shown in FIG. 1, each sensor bar 1 </ b> L, 1 </ b> R is provided beside two opposite sides of the rectangular coordinate detection region 5.
Each of the sensor units 2La, 2Lb, 2Ra, and 2Rb includes a light projecting unit that projects infrared light from the side of the region above the coordinate detection region 5 and a light receiving unit that receives incoming light. . Retroreflective portions 4R and 4L are attached to the side surfaces of the sensor bars 1R and 1L facing each other. The retroreflective portions 4R and 4L recursively reflect infrared light projected from the sensor units 2La, 2Lb, 2Ra, and 2Rb in the sensor bars 1L and 1R provided at positions facing the retroreflective portions 4R and 4L.

  If the display device is a front projector, the display area is set within the coordinate detection area 5. An image output from the front projector is projected onto a projection surface 6 such as a whiteboard, for example. The projection surface 6 that is the image projection destination is not limited to a whiteboard. For example, the wall surface or the like may be the projection surface 6.

  As described above, the sensor bar 1L includes two sensor units 2La and 2Lb. Similarly, the sensor bar 1R includes two sensor units 2Ra and 2Rb. The sensor bar 1L includes a calculation control circuit 3L. The arithmetic control circuit 3L controls operations of the sensor units 2La and 2Lb, and performs arithmetic processing on output results from the sensor units 2La and 2Lb. The arithmetic control circuit 3L controls the operation of the arithmetic control circuit 3R built in the sensor bar 1R through the cable 7 connecting the sensor bar 1L and the sensor bar 1R together with the arithmetic processing.

  The arithmetic control circuit 3R controls the operation of the sensor units 2Ra, 2Rb, and performs arithmetic processing on the output results from the sensor units 2Ra, 2Rb. The arithmetic control circuit 3R transmits the result of the arithmetic processing to the arithmetic control circuit 3L through the cable 7. The arithmetic control circuit 3L processes the output results from the four sensor units 2La, 2Lb, 2Ra, 2Rb. When the coordinate detection area 5 (whiteboard) is touched with an indicator or a finger so as to block the infrared light projected by the sensor units 2La, 2Lb, 2Ra, and 2Rb, the arithmetic control circuit 3L displays the touched position. The coordinates indicating are calculated. The arithmetic control circuit 3L outputs data indicating the calculated coordinates to an external device such as a personal computer. The external device may be any device as long as the external device is configured to be communicable with the arithmetic control circuit 3L and can execute processing to be described later. For example, the processing of the device is realized by the CPU executing a program stored in the ROM.

  FIG. 1 shows an example in which the arithmetic control circuit 3L built in the sensor bar 1L and the arithmetic control circuit 3R built in the sensor bar 1R are connected to each other via the cable 7. However, the configuration for performing communication between the arithmetic control circuits 3L and 3R is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the arithmetic control circuit 3L and the arithmetic control circuit 3R may perform wireless communication.

Here, the user is about to perform a single touch, but the coordinate input device process is described by taking as an example the case where two fingers, the index finger and the middle finger, have unintentionally touched the coordinate detection area 5 (touch panel). An example will be described.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining an example of processing of the coordinate input device.
[Initial operation]
When the power of the coordinate input device and the external device is turned on in step S101, initial setting is performed in step S102. In the initial setting, various initializations such as port setting for the CPU and the like, timer setting, and the like are performed. A photoelectric conversion element such as a line CCD provided in the light receiving unit may accumulate unnecessary charges when it is not operated. If the data based on the charge is used as it is as the reference data, the light becomes undetectable or causes false detection. In order to avoid this, data is read from the light receiving unit a plurality of times without operating the light projecting unit when the power is turned on. Reading of data from such a light receiving unit is also included in the initial setting.

  Next, in step S103, the sensor units 2La, 2Lb, 2Ra, 2Rb take in the reference data as reference data. Capture of light reception data Base_Data [N] when no light projecting unit emits light, and light reception data Ref_Data [N] in the light receiving unit when light is projected from the light projecting unit provided in the same sensor unit as the light receiving unit Is done.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an example of light reception data in each pixel of the sensor units 2La, 2Lb, 2Ra, and 2Rb. The pixels of the line CCD provided in the light receiving portions of the sensor units 2La, 2Lb, 2Ra, and 2Rb are arranged in the direction in which the sensor bars 1L and 1R extend (the sensor bars 1L and 1R out of the two opposite sides of the coordinate detection area 5). (The direction along the two sides on the side where it is disposed). N is a pixel number in the line CCD provided in the light receiving portion of each sensor unit 2La, 2Lb, 2Ra, 2Rb.

The light reception data Base_Data [N] is data near the level B shown in FIG. The received light data Ref_Data [N] is data indicated by a solid line in FIG.
These light reception data Base_Data [N] and Ref_Data [N] are reference data.
Reference data is captured for all of the sensor units 2La, 2Lb, 2Ra, 2Rb provided in the coordinate input device.
Next, in step S104, the arithmetic control circuits 3L and 3R store the reference data fetched as described above in the memory. The reference data is used for subsequent calculations. Steps S102 to S104 are initial setting operations performed every time the power is turned on.

[Calculation of coordinates]
Next, in step S105, the sensor units 2La, 2Lb, 2Ra, and 2Rb capture input data Norm_Data [N] that is received light data in a state of being projected from the light projecting unit.
Next, in step S106, the arithmetic control circuits 3L and 3R determine whether or not there is a light shielding range using the reference data acquired in step S103 and the input data acquired in step S105. That is, the arithmetic control circuits 3L and 3R determine whether or not there is an input point input to the coordinate detection area 5. When there is no input point (when a touch operation is not performed), for example, input data as indicated by a solid line in FIG. 3B is obtained. On the other hand, when there is an input point (when a touch operation is performed), for example, input data as indicated by a solid line in FIG. 3C is obtained.

First, the arithmetic control circuits 3L and 3R calculate the following equation (1) in order to specify the light shielding range, and derive the absolute amount of change in the input data in each pixel. Then, the arithmetic control circuits 3L and 3R compare the derived absolute amount with a preset threshold value Vtha.
Norm_Data0 [N] = Norm_Data [N] −Ref_Data [N] (1)
In Expression (1), Norm_Data0 [N] is an absolute amount of change in input data in each pixel. In the present embodiment, the absolute amount Norm_Data0 [N] of the change in input data is compared with a threshold value, thereby preventing erroneous determination due to noise or the like and detecting a certain amount of reliable change. Therefore, the arithmetic control circuits 3L and 3R have a light shielding range when an absolute amount Norm_Data0 [N] of change in input data exceeds the threshold value, for example, occurs in a predetermined number or more of continuous pixels (input) It is determined that there is a point. On the other hand, if not, the arithmetic control circuits 3L and 3R determine that there is no light shielding range (no input point).

As a result of the above determination, when there is no input point, the process returns to step S105. On the other hand, if there is an input point, the process proceeds to step S108.
In step S108, the arithmetic control circuits 3L and 3R calculate the coordinates of the input point. Hereinafter, an example of a method for calculating the coordinates of the input point will be described.

In the present embodiment, the arithmetic control circuits 3L and 3R calculate the following expression (2) to calculate the change ratio Norm_DataR [N] for each pixel, and determine the input point using the result of the calculation. To do. By calculating equation (2), the input point can be detected with higher accuracy.
Norm_DataR [N] = Norm_Data0 [N] / (Base_Data [N] −Ref_Data [N]) (2)

The arithmetic control circuits 3L and 3R apply a threshold value Vthr set separately to the change ratio Norm_DataR [N], and use the pixel number N in the center of the rising and falling pixel numbers N as the input point. The pixel number. Then, the arithmetic control circuits 3L and 3R convert the pixel numbers into angle information.
FIG. 3D is a diagram illustrating an example of the change ratio Norm_DataR [N]. A range exceeding the threshold value Vthr is detected as a light shielding range. In addition, it is assumed that the change ratio Norm_DataR [N] is the level Ls and exceeds the threshold value Vthr in the pixel of the pixel number Ns (Ns-th). Furthermore, it is assumed that the change ratio Norm_DataR [N] at the pixel number Nt (Nt-th) is at the level Lt, which is lower than the threshold value Vthr. The central pixel Np of these pixels may be calculated as in the following equation (3), but in this way, the resolution of the line CCD provided in the light receiving unit of each sensor unit 2La, 2Lb, 2Ra, 2Rb is calculated. Become.
Np = Ns + (Nt−Ns) / 2 (3)
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the arithmetic control circuits 3L and 3R cross the threshold value Vthr using the levels of the pixels that have exceeded the threshold value Vthr and the pixels that have fallen below the threshold value Vthr and the level of the previous pixel. Calculate the virtual pixel number. By doing so, the position of the input point can be detected more finely.

  The level of the pixel number Ns is Ls, the level of the pixel number Ns-1 is Ls-1, the level of the pixel number Nt is Lt, and the level of the pixel number Nt-1 is Lt-1. Then, the virtual pixel numbers Nsv and Ntv are calculated by the following equations (4) and (5), respectively.

Nsv = Ns-1 + (Vthr-Ls-1) / (Ls-Ls-1) (4)
Ntv = Nt-1 + (Vthr-Lt-1) / (Lt-Lt-1) (5)
Therefore, the virtual pixel number Npv of the virtual center pixel is determined by the following equation (6).
Npv = Nsv + (Ntv−Nsv) / 2 (6)

Thus, by calculating the virtual pixel number from the pixel number N and the level of the change ratio Norm_DataR [N], the input point can be detected with higher resolution.
In order to calculate an actual coordinate value from the pixel number Npv of the virtual center pixel obtained as described above, it is necessary to convert the pixel number into angle information. In actual coordinate calculation to be described later, it is more convenient to obtain the value of the tangent at the angle rather than the angle itself. For the conversion from the pixel number to tan θ, a table in which the pixel number and tan θ are stored in association with each other or a conversion formula indicating the relationship between the pixel number and tan θ is used. For example, if a high-order polynomial is used as the conversion formula, tan θ can be derived with high accuracy. However, the degree of the polynomial and the like may be determined in view of calculation capability, accuracy specifications, and the like.

Here, when an example using a fifth-order polynomial is shown, six coefficients are required. At the time of shipment or the like, the data of these six coefficients is stored in a nonvolatile memory or the like. When the coefficient of the fifth-order polynomial is L5, L4, L3, L2, L1, L0, tan θ is expressed by the following equation (7).
tanθ = L5 · Npr ⁵ + L4 · Npr ⁴ + L3 · Npr ³ + L2 · Npr ² + L1 · Npr + L0 (7)

  Deriving the angle information (tan θ) as described above is performed for each of the sensor units 2La, 2Lb, 2Ra, and 2Rb. Here, the case where tan θ is directly obtained from the virtual pixel number Npv of the virtual center pixel has been described as an example. However, this is not always necessary. For example, the angle itself may be obtained from the virtual pixel number Npv of the virtual center pixel, and then tan θ may be obtained.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between the coordinates of the coordinate detection area 5 and the position of the coordinate input device.
The visual field range of the sensor unit 2La provided in the sensor bar 1L is a range from the direction j to the direction f. The positive and negative angles are set as shown in circles + and − shown in FIG. 4 (the direction indicating the circled + is a positive direction, and the direction indicating the circled − is a negative direction. ). The optical axis of the sensor unit 2La is the X-axis direction, and the direction is defined as an angle of 0 °.

  Similarly, the visual field range of the sensor unit 2Lb is a range from the direction f to the direction j. The sign of the angle is set as shown in circles + and-shown in FIG. The optical axis direction of the sensor unit 2Lb is defined as an angle of 0 °. A line segment connecting the optical axis center of the sensor unit 2La and the optical axis center of the sensor unit 2Lb is defined as a Y-axis. If it does so, the optical axis of each sensor unit 2La, 2Lb, 2Ra, 2Rb will become the normal line direction of the line segment. In addition, the distance between the optical axis center of the sensor unit 2La and the optical axis center of the sensor unit 2Lb is expressed as dh.

  Assume that a touch operation is performed at the position of the input point P shown in FIG. The angle calculated from the input data in the sensor unit 2L1 is ΘL1, and the angle calculated from the input data in the sensor unit 2L2 is ΘL2. Using the information of these two angles and the distance dh, the coordinates (x, y) of the input point P can be calculated geometrically by the following equations (8) and (9). .

x = dh.tan (.pi. / 2-.theta.L2) .tan (.pi. / 2-.THETA.L1) / (tan (.pi. / 2-.THETA.L2) + tan (.pi. / 2-.THETA.L1)) (8)
y = dh · tan (π / 2−ΘL2) / (tan (π / 2−ΘL2) + tan (π / 2−ΘL1)) (9)

Even when the output of one sensor unit 2L1 or 2L2 is 0 (zero) (ΘL1 = 0 or ΘL2 = 0), the geometrical information is calculated based on the angle information calculated from the input data in the other sensor unit. The coordinates of the input point P can be easily calculated scientifically.
The arithmetic control circuits 3L and 3R calculate the coordinates of the input point as described above.

  Here, the case where there is one input point has been described as an example. When there are a plurality of input points, a plurality of light shielding ranges appear in one light receiving unit. If the above-described processing is performed for each of the plurality of light shielding ranges, the coordinates of the plurality of input points can be calculated even when there are a plurality of input points.

[Input group settings]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hand operating the coordinate detection area 5 (touch panel). FIG. 5 shows a state where the tip portion of the index finger and the tip portion of the middle finger are in contact with the coordinate detection area 5 (touch panel). FIG. 5B and FIG. 5D are diagrams showing a state where the hand is seen from the front direction of the coordinate detection area 5 (touch panel). In FIG. 5B and FIG. 5D, a region touching the coordinate detection region 5 (touch panel) among the hand regions is indicated by hatching. Fig.5 (a) shows the left view of FIG.5 (b). FIG.5 (c) shows the right view of FIG.5 (b).

  FIG. 5B shows an example in which the user is operating without being aware of the matter that the user must operate with one finger when performing a single touch. As described above, FIG. 5B shows a state where the tip of the index finger and the tip of the middle finger are in contact with the coordinate detection area 5 (touch panel). When operating by hand, the frequency of operating the coordinate detection area 5 (touch panel) is high with the hand in a natural (easy) posture without intentionally spreading between fingers. However, in addition to the index finger and the middle finger, the ring finger and the little finger may touch the coordinate detection area 5 (touch panel). In this way, in FIG. 5B, two or more fingers touch the coordinate detection area 5 (touch panel) unintentionally, where two or more points are input, where originally a single touch should be performed. An example of when

  FIG. 5D shows that the user consciously makes two touches with two fingers in contact with the coordinate detection area 5 (touch panel). As shown in FIG. 5D, there is a gap between the user's fingers. The posture of the hand shown in FIG. 5 (d) is such a posture that the gap between the index finger and the middle finger is widened and the distance between the ring finger and the little finger is also widened in comparison with the posture of the hand shown in FIG. 5 (b). In this way, in FIG. 5D, the user intentionally makes two fingers touch the surface of the coordinate detection area 5 (touch panel) and inputs two points.

Usually, when the enlargement / reduction / rotation of the object at the touch position is desired to be performed by one-handed operation, the frequency of operation with the thumb and index finger is high. However, there are cases where the index finger and the middle finger are used for operation, and the middle finger and the ring finger are used for operation. Swipes with two fingers are frequently operated with the index finger and the middle finger or the middle finger and the ring finger.
In order to determine whether you are deliberately inputting and operating (mainly swiping) such multiple adjacent fingers, or whether you have unintentionally input multiple fingers. In the present embodiment, the processing after step S109 in FIG. 2 is incorporated into the coordinate input device.

  In the present embodiment, when the coordinate input device recognizes the input of a plurality of fingers, whether or not the plurality of input points being input is accompanied by the user's intention is determined between the input points of the respective input points. Judgment is made using the distance and the distance threshold. Hereinafter, an example of specific processing for making such a determination will be described.

  In step S109, the arithmetic control circuit 3L determines whether there are a plurality of input points from the coordinates calculated in step S108. If the result of this determination is that there are no multiple input points, processing proceeds to step S110, and the arithmetic control circuit 3L outputs the coordinate value calculated in step S108.

On the other hand, when there are a plurality of input points, the process proceeds to step S111, and the arithmetic control circuit 3L calculates the distance between the plurality of input points. In step S108, all coordinate values of a plurality of input points are calculated. For this reason, in step S111, the coordinate input device can calculate the distance between two input points with respect to all the input points.
Next, in step S112, the arithmetic control circuit 3L derives feature point information which is a basis for determining the distance threshold value in the next step S113. The feature point information is information indicating the feature amount of the input point. In the present embodiment, a case where an input diameter corresponding to the size of a contact area detected as an input point is feature point information will be described as an example. In the case of an optical shading type coordinate input device, the input diameter is calculated based on the rising and falling widths (shading width) of FIG. 3D and the distances from the sensor units 2La, 2Lb, 2Ra, and 2Rb. The

Here, the input diameter of the first input point P1 is d1, and the input diameter of the second input point P2 is d2. The light shielding width is information on an angle in the light receiving unit. For this reason, the information on the angle at the light receiving unit is input from the distances between the positions of the input points P1 and P2 (touch positions) and the sensor units 2La, 2Lb, 2Ra, and 2Rb as the positions (touch positions) of the input points P1 and P2. Convert to length information corresponding to the diameter.
The virtual pixel numbers Nsv and Ntv of the light shielding width are applied to the equation (7), tan θNsv and tan θNtv are calculated, and their arctangents (Arctangent) are taken, respectively, the following equations (10) and (11) It becomes like this.
θNsv = atan (L5 · Nsv ⁵ + L4 · Nsv ⁴ + L3 · Nsv ³ + L2 · Nsv ² + L1 · Nsv + L0) (10)
θNtv = atan (L5 · Ntv ⁵ + L4 · Ntv ⁴ + L3 · Ntv ³ + L2 · Ntv ² + L1 · Ntv + L0) (11)
When the distance between the positions (touch positions) of the input points P1 and P2 and the sensor units 2La, 2Lb, 2Ra, and 2Rb is Dt, the light shielding width dP is calculated by the following equation (12).
dP = Dt · sin ((θNtv−θNsv) / 2) (12)

  Here, it is assumed that the shape of the contact portion between the coordinate detection region 5 (touch panel) and the finger is an ellipse, and the case where the input diameter is the minor axis of the ellipse has been described as an example. However, the method for deriving the input diameter is not necessarily limited to such a method. For example, the position of the center of gravity of the contact portion may be obtained and a value obtained by averaging the distances from the position to the outer shape of the contact portion may be used as the input diameter.

  When the feature point information (input diameter) is calculated as described above, the process proceeds to step S113. In step S113, the arithmetic control circuit 3L determines a distance threshold based on the value of the feature point information (input diameter) calculated in step S112. When intentionally inputting a plurality of points, the user consciously spreads and inputs his / her hands. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the distance between adjacent fingers is determined based on the input diameter of the finger in contact with the coordinate detection area 5 (touch panel).

  If the user wants to perform multi-touch, if he / she inputs to a natural position with less burden on the hand / finger, the user understands that multiple points cannot be identified, and separates each finger to input multiple points. It is assumed that When a plurality of points are not intentionally input, the user generally places his / her hand in a natural position where the burden on the hand / finger is small relative to the size of the hand. For this reason, in this embodiment, it is determined whether or not the user intentionally inputs a plurality of points using a distance threshold set based on the distance between adjacent fingers.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between a distance between input points and a distance threshold when an input group is set. FIG. 6 shows the user's hand inputting to the coordinate detection area 5 (touch panel). FIG. 6A shows a state where the input is performed in a natural posture with a small burden on the hand / finger. On the other hand, FIG. 6B shows a state where an input is made so as to intentionally leave the index finger and the middle finger apart. In FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, a region touching the coordinate detection region 5 (touch panel) among the hand regions is indicated by hatching. Also, the coordinate values of the input points by the index finger and the middle finger are indicated by P1 and P2. Such coordinate values are calculated in step S108. The distance between the input points P1 and P2 is indicated by d (P1P2). The distance between the input points is calculated in step S111.

  The distance threshold Rth may be determined based on the average hand size of the user who is assumed to use the coordinate input device. In this case, the distance threshold Rt is stored in a nonvolatile memory or the like in the coordinate input device. Further, the distance threshold Rth may be varied depending on the market or place where the coordinate input device is introduced. Further, the distance threshold Rth may be reset (rewritten) based on an operation by the user after the introduction of the coordinate input device. If the distance threshold value Rth is changed in this way, for example, in an educational setting, the frequency of children using the coordinate input device is high, so the average hand size of the user who is assumed to use the coordinate input device is large. Can be made relatively small. In areas where there are many users with large physiques (such as Europe and the United States), the average hand size of users who are assumed to use the coordinate input device can be made relatively large.

  When a user with an average hand size as described above inputs a forefinger, middle finger, or ring finger in a reasonable posture, it is larger than the distance between two adjacent fingers (assumed value). It is preferable to set the distance threshold Rth as the value. In addition, the distance between the two adjacent fingers (for example, the index finger and the ring finger, the middle finger and the little finger) when the average hand size user inputs the index finger, middle finger, and ring finger in a comfortable posture (for example, It is preferable to set the distance threshold Rth to a value smaller than an assumed value. The thumb and little finger have a unique thickness and positional relationship compared to the index finger, middle finger, and ring finger. For this reason, if the distance threshold is set so that the thumb and the little finger are included in the same input group, for example, when a person with a thin finger is used, there is a possibility that intentional multi-touch cannot be identified. Thus, the distance threshold is set so that the number of input points belonging to the same input group is three.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the distance threshold of the first input point P1 is Rth1, and the distance threshold of the second input point P2 is Rth2. In order to determine the distance threshold values Rth1 and Rth2, a conversion equation such as the following equation (13) may be stored in advance in a nonvolatile memory in the coordinate input device, and the distance threshold value Rth may be calculated by calculation. . In the equation (13), A and B are arbitrary constants for converting the input diameter into a distance threshold value. D is the input diameter of the user.
Rth = A · d + B (13)

The calculation formula for deriving the distance threshold Rth is not limited to the formula (13), and another calculation formula may be used. Further, a table (conversion table) for storing the input diameter and the distance threshold value Rth in association with each other may be stored.
As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the distance threshold value Rth1 determined as described above is a circle region having a radius Rth1 centered on the first input point P1. Similarly, the distance threshold value Rth2 is a circular region having a radius Rth2 centered on the second P2.
Here, the distance threshold Rth based on the average hand size described above may be set in advance based on the equation (13). In this case, for example, the input diameter d based on the finger of an average size is given as the input diameter d of the equation (13), and the distance threshold Rth is obtained in advance for each finger. The distance threshold Rth is stored. The arithmetic control circuit 3L estimates which finger is each input point from the positional relationship of the input points, and extracts a distance threshold value Rth corresponding to the estimated finger. As a method for estimating a finger, for example, a method described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 10 in the second embodiment described later can be employed. Further, the same distance threshold value Rth may be obtained in advance for all fingers and stored.

When the distance threshold Rth is set as described above, the process proceeds to step S114 in FIG. In step S114, the arithmetic control circuit 3L determines whether the distance between the two input points is smaller than any one of the distance threshold values set for the two input points (for example, the longer one). Determine whether or not. As a result of the determination, if the distance between the input points is not smaller than the distance threshold value, the process proceeds to step S110 described above. Then, the arithmetic control circuit 3L outputs the respective coordinate values for all input points.
On the other hand, if the distance between the input points is smaller than the distance threshold, the process proceeds to step S115. In step S115, the arithmetic control circuit 3L sets the corresponding input point as an input group.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6A, the second input point P2 is inside the circle having the radius Rth1. Further, the first input point P1 is inside the circle having the radius Rth2. Therefore, the distance d (P1P2) between the input points is smaller than the distance thresholds Rth1 and Rth2 (Rth1> d (P1P2), Rth2> d (P1P2)). Therefore, in step S115, the first input point P1 and the second input point P2 are set as belonging to the same input group Gr1.

  On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 6B, the second input point P2 is outside the circle having the radius Rth1. Further, the first input point P1 is outside the circle having the radius Rth2. Therefore, the distance d (P1P2) between the input points is larger than the distance thresholds Rth1 and Rth2 (Rth1 <d (P1P2), Rth2 <d (P1P2)). Therefore, the coordinate input device determines that the first input point P1 and the second input point P2 are intentionally separated from each other, and no input group is set.

  The distance d (P1P2) between one input point and the two distance thresholds Rth1 and Rth2 are compared. Here, the case where the input points P1 and P2 are set in the input group Gr1 when Rth1> d (P1P2) and Rth2> d (P1P2) is described as an example. However, for example, when Rth1> d (P1P2) or Rth2> d (P1P2), the input points P1 and P2 may be set to the input group Gr1. In this case, when the difference between the input diameters of the two input points is large, the two input points are easily set in the same input group.

  When there are three or more input points in the coordinate detection area 5, a plurality of input groups may be set. Therefore, in step S116, the arithmetic control circuit 3L determines whether or not there is one input group. If the result of this determination is that there is one input group, processing proceeds to step S119 described later.

  On the other hand, if there are a plurality of input groups, the process proceeds to step S117. In step S117, the arithmetic control circuit 3L determines whether or not the same input point exists in different input groups. Only one coordinate value is output from one input group so that only one coordinate is output when a plurality of points are touched even though a single touch is desired. Therefore, in this embodiment, a plurality of different input groups to which the same input point belongs are combined into one input group. This can prevent a plurality of coordinate values from being output during single touch.

If it is determined in step S117 that the same input point does not exist in different input groups, the process proceeds to step S119 described later.
On the other hand, if the same input point exists in different input groups, the process proceeds to step S118. In step S118, the arithmetic control circuit 3L collects a plurality of input groups having the same input point into one input group. Thereby, three or more inputs arranged in a daisy chain, for example, the input of the index finger, the middle finger, and the ring finger can be set in one input group. By doing so, it is not necessary to increase the distance threshold Rth more than necessary in order to set two adjacent fingers (in this case, index finger and ring finger) to the same input group. Then, the process proceeds to step S119.

In step S119, the arithmetic control circuit 3L calculates and outputs one representative coordinate value for one input group. The method for calculating the representative coordinates is not particularly limited. For example, the X coordinates and Y coordinates of the input points included in the input group may be averaged and output. Or you may output the coordinate of the input point with the largest input diameter among the input points contained in an input group as a representative coordinate value of the said input group.
Then, the process proceeds to step S110 described above, and the arithmetic control circuit 3L outputs the representative coordinate value of the input group calculated in step S119. If there is an input point that does not belong to any input group, the coordinate input device also outputs the coordinate value of the input point calculated in step S108.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the distance derivation process for deriving the distance between two input points among a plurality of input points input simultaneously is performed (step S111). Thereafter, a feature amount derivation process for deriving an input diameter as an example of the feature amounts of the plurality of input points is performed (step S112), and distance thresholds for the plurality of input points are determined using the input diameters of the plurality of input points. Derived threshold setting processing is performed (step S113). If the distance between the two input points is smaller than the distance threshold, group setting processing for setting the two input points as one group is performed for each input point (steps S114 and S115). A coordinate derivation process for deriving one coordinate representing an input point belonging to one group is performed (step S119), and the derived coordinate value is output. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the output of the coordinates of the position not intended by the user as the coordinates of the position designated by the user with respect to the coordinate detection area 5. Therefore, for example, when inputting one point to the user, it is not necessary to strongly inform the user to use only one finger, and the frequency of erroneous operations not intended by the user can be reduced.

Next, a specific usage example in which the above effects are more noticeable using the coordinate detection apparatus of the present embodiment will be described.
When performing single touch, it is conceivable to perform multi-touch with both hands when the user is using the coordinate input device without being aware of the matter that the user must operate with one finger. For example, the right hand in which a plurality of fingers are in contact with the coordinate detection area 5 (touch panel) and the left hand in which the plurality of fingers are in contact with the coordinate detection area 5 (touch panel) are operated so that both hands move away from each other. An operation that enlarges an object is given.

FIG. 7 is a diagram simulating the hand movement when performing an operation of enlarging the object.
The coordinate detection area 5 (touch panel) is operated with the left hand Hl and the right hand Hr, and the device connected to the coordinate detection area 5 (touch panel) is operated. The index finger and middle finger of the left hand H1 are in contact with the coordinate detection area 5 (touch panel) at the input points P1 and P2, respectively. Similarly, in the right hand Hr, the index finger and the middle finger are in contact with the coordinate detection area 5 (touch panel) at the input points P3 and P4, respectively. In FIG. 7, each portion in contact with the coordinate detection area 5 (touch panel) is indicated by hatching.

  After a certain period of time, the left hand Hl and the right hand Hr move to the positions of the left hand Hl ′ and the right hand Hr ′, respectively, and the input points P1, P2, P3, and P4 are input points P1 ′, P2 ′, P3 ′, It is assumed that it has moved to the position P4 ′. If no input group is set, the coordinates of each of the input points P1 to P4 are output. For this reason, the coordinate input device (external device such as a personal computer) operates differently from the user's intention.

  On the other hand, in the coordinate input device of the present embodiment, the input points P1 and P2 are included in the input group Gr1, and the input points P3 and P4 are included in the input group Gr2. Therefore, the coordinate input device outputs the positions of the representative coordinates P (Gr1) of the input group Gr1 and the representative coordinates P (Gr2) of the input group Gr2. Then, coordinates equivalent to the case of touching with one finger at the positions of the representative coordinates P (Gr1) and the representative coordinates P (Gr2) are output. In addition, after the hand is moved, coordinates equivalent to the case of touching the positions of the representative coordinates P ′ (Gr1 ′) and the representative coordinates P ′ (Gr2 ′) with one finger are output. Therefore, an external device such as a personal computer can be operated as intended by the user.

  In this embodiment, the case where an input group is set regardless of the size of the display area and the representative coordinates of the input group are output has been described as an example. However, according to the size of the display area, it may be determined whether or not to output representative coordinates by setting an input group. When a display image is projected by projection by a projector or the like, the size of the display area can be easily changed depending on the projection conditions. That is, in a small space, the image can be projected in a small display area with a small projection. On the other hand, in a large meeting room, it is possible to project a large image by projecting a large image. When operating a large screen, the frequency with which a plurality of fingers unconsciously touch the coordinate detection area 5 (touch panel) increases. Whether to output the representative coordinates of the input group or the coordinates of each input point may be determined, and whether to output the representative coordinates may be determined according to the size of the display area. For example, when the display area is larger than a predetermined size, it can be determined that the representative coordinates of the input group are output, and otherwise, it can be determined that the coordinates for each input point are output. In addition, when the user performs an operation for outputting the representative coordinates of the input group, it can be determined that the representative coordinates of the input group are output, and otherwise, it can be determined that the coordinates of each input point are output. . Also,

  When the sensor bar 1R (1L) has a mechanism capable of expanding and contracting itself, the input group is set according to the distance between the two sensor units 2Ra, 2Rb (2La, 2Lb) and the representative coordinates are output. It may be determined whether or not. When the coordinate input device shown in FIG. 1 is provided with an expansion / contraction mechanism for the sensor bars 1L and 1R, the sensor bars 1L and 1R are maintained while the sensor units 2La, 2Lb and 2Ra and 2Rb are arranged at both ends of the sensor bars 1L and 1R. Can be expanded and contracted. By providing such a telescopic mechanism, the distance between the two sensor units 2Ra, 2Rb (2La, 2Lb) can be adjusted. Accordingly, the coordinate input device can be installed on the projection surface 6 such as a whiteboard or wall of various sizes as long as it is within the expansion / contraction range of the sensor bar 1R (1L). In such a coordinate input device, the coordinate detection area 5 can be maximized according to the size of the whiteboard or the like.

  In such a coordinate input device capable of expansion and contraction, representative coordinates are output according to the distance between any two of the sensor units 2La, 2Lb and 2Ra, 2Rb used to calculate the coordinates. It may be determined whether or not. For example, if the distance between the two sensor units is longer than the threshold, the representative coordinates of the input group are output, and if not, the coordinates for each input point are output.

<Second Embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
There are cases where the little finger is unintentionally touching the coordinate detection area 5 (touch panel) and the input point by the little finger needs to be set to the same input group as the input point by the other finger. However, as in the first embodiment, the input point by the little finger may not be set to the same input group as the input point by the other finger only by comparing the distance between the input points and the distance threshold Thr. . Therefore, in the present embodiment, processing for determining whether or not an input point that does not belong to the same input group with the distance threshold belongs to the input group is added to the first embodiment. As described above, the present embodiment is mainly different from the first embodiment in part of the processing and configuration for creating an input group. Therefore, in the description of the present embodiment, the same portions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIGS.

In the present embodiment, the position detection method of the coordinate input device is not limited. In the present embodiment, the present invention can be applied to a coordinate input device that can simultaneously recognize three or more, preferably five or more input points.
The distance threshold Rth is the distance between two fingers adjacent to each other when an average hand size user inputs a forefinger, middle finger, and ring finger in a comfortable posture. Is set to a larger value. Further, the distance threshold Rth is smaller than the distance between the thumb and the index finger and the distance between the ring finger and the little finger when a user with an average hand size inputs with a reasonable posture. Shall be set to a value.

Here, a case where four fingers from the index finger to the little finger are touching the coordinate detection area 5 (touch panel) will be described as an example. The coordinate input device calculates coordinates indicating the positions of the input points by those fingers and outputs them to an external device.
FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a distance between input points and a distance threshold when an input group is set. FIG. 8B is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for setting the areas F1 and F5 where the thumb and the little finger are input. FIG. 8 shows a state where the tip of the little finger from the index finger is in contact with the coordinate detection area 5 (touch panel). In FIG. 8, a portion in contact with the coordinate detection area 5 (touch panel) is indicated by hatching.
FIG. 8A shows an example of the state of the hand when the user is operating without being aware of the matter that the user must operate with one finger when performing a single touch. As described above, FIG. 8A shows a state where the tip of the finger from the index finger to the little finger is in contact with the coordinate detection area 5 (touch panel). In FIG. 8 (a), where a single touch should be performed, four fingers are unconsciously touching the coordinate detection area 5 (touch panel) and four points are input. An example is shown.

  In such a case, if the flowchart of FIG. 2 described in the first embodiment is applied as it is, input points by the index finger, middle finger, and ring finger are set to the same input group. However, since the little finger is thinner than the index finger, the middle finger, and the ring finger, the input point by the little finger is difficult to be set to the same input group as the input point by the index finger, the middle finger, and the ring finger. When performing a single touch, the user intentionally touches the index detection area 5 (touch panel) with the index finger or middle finger, but the other fingers unintentionally touch the coordinate detection area 5 (touch panel). There are many cases. In that case, the gap between the input finger interval and the input diameter of the input finger is often large. Therefore, it is difficult to include an input point by a finger that is not intentionally touching and an input point by a finger that is intentionally touching in the same input group only by setting an input group based on a distance threshold.

  In addition, since the thumb is easily input at positions away from the index finger, the middle finger, and the ring finger, it is difficult to form the same input group. Further, even when the thumb is in contact with the coordinate detection area 5 (touch panel) in a state of being in contact with the coordinate detection area 5 (touch panel), the contact area of the thumb is reduced. Therefore, a thin input point that does not reflect the thickness of the thumb may be detected as an unconscious thumb input point.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the input point having the maximum input diameter among the input points belonging to the input group set as in the first embodiment is set as the reference input point. When there is an input point that does not belong to the input group to which the reference input point belongs at a specific position based on the input diameter of the reference input point, the input point is added to the input group. By defining the reference input point in this way, it is possible to identify the input point that the user intends to operate in the input group.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing of the coordinate input device according to this embodiment. The flowchart of FIG. 9 is obtained by adding steps S201 to S205 to the flowchart of FIG. 2 described in the first embodiment.
As described in the first embodiment, the input points P1, P2, and P3 shown in FIG. 8A are set to the input group Gr1 in the process before step S201. Further, the distance between the input points P4 and the other input points P1 to P3 is longer than the distance thresholds Rth1, Rth2, and Rth3 of the input points P1, P2, and P3, and thus is included in the input group Gr1. Absent.

  In step S201, the arithmetic control circuit 3L determines whether or not there is an input group that includes four or more input points in the input group. As a result of this determination, if there is an input group including four or more input points in the input group, the process proceeds to step S119 of FIG. 2 described in the first embodiment.

  On the other hand, if there is no input group including four or more input points in the input group, the process proceeds to step S202. In step S202, the arithmetic control circuit 3L determines the input point having the maximum input diameter among the input points included in the input group whose input points are not four or more as the reference input point. In the example shown in FIG. 8A, the input diameter d2 of the input point P2 is the maximum diameter. Therefore, the arithmetic control circuit 3L sets the input point P2 as the reference input point among the input points P1, P2, and P3 set in the same input group based on the comparison between the distance between the input points and the distance threshold.

  Next, in step 203, the arithmetic control circuit 3L is in contact with the position of the reference input point based on the relationship between the position of the reference input point and the position of the input point belonging to the input group including the reference input point. Specify an area that is easy to input with the same hand. This region is specified as a region where the thumb / little finger of the hand in contact with the position of the reference input point is easily input, for example.

  Next, in step S204, the arithmetic control circuit 3L determines whether or not there is an input point in the area specified in step S203. If the result of this determination is that there is an input point in the identified area, the operation control circuit 3L sets the input point to the same input group as the group to which the reference input point belongs. In this way, input points P1, P2, and P3 set in the same input group and input points having a predetermined positional relationship are set to the same group so that the number of input points belonging to the same input group is five. Set to. And it progresses to step S119 of FIG. 2 demonstrated in 1st Embodiment. On the other hand, if there is no input point in the specified area, the process proceeds to step S119 of FIG. 2 described in the first embodiment without performing the process of step S205.

Hereinafter, a specific example of the processing in steps S203 to S205 will be described with reference to FIG.
The arithmetic control circuit 3L determines the input points P1 and P2 and the input point P3 from the relationship between the position of the input point P2, which is the reference input point, and the positions of the input points P1 and P3 belonging to the same input group Gr1 as the input point P2. The finger is used to identify the input point. Since the number of input points belonging to the input group Gr1 is 3, the arithmetic control circuit 3L estimates that the input points P1, P2, and P3 are the index finger, middle finger, and ring finger, respectively, from the positional relationship of these three points. can do. Thereby, it is estimated that the input point P2 which is a reference input is an input point by the middle finger.

  Next, the arithmetic control circuit 3L sets an area F1 where the thumb is input and an area F5 where the little finger is input from the position of the reference input point (input point P2). FIG. 8B shows an example of the area F1 where the thumb is input and the area F5 where the little finger is input, which are set from the position of the reference input point (input point P2). For example, the arithmetic control circuit 3L calculates the size of the hand operated by the user from the relationship between the input diameter of the input point P2 and the thickness of the middle finger, and based on the calculated size of the hand, the input point that is the reference input point A relative relationship between the position of P2 and the positions of the region F1 and the region F5 is set. The size of the region F1 and the region F5 may be a predetermined constant size, or the region F1 may be larger than the region F5 due to the degree of freedom of the thumb.

  Next, the arithmetic control circuit 3L determines from which direction the touch operation is performed based on the relationship between the position of the input point P2, which is the reference input point, and the positions of the input points P1, P3. When operating with an unnatural natural hand posture, use the hand feature that the middle finger is longer than the index and ring fingers. For example, the arithmetic control circuit 3L determines to which side of the straight line connecting the input points P1 and P3 the input point P2 is input, and determines from which direction the hand is operating from the determined result. Further, the arithmetic control circuit 3L takes into consideration whether the right hand or the left hand is used for operation, and the thumb is input from the positional relationship between the input points P1 and P3 with the position of the input point P2 as a reference. An area F1 and an area F5 where a little finger is input are set. FIG. 8B shows the region F1 and the region F5 in both the right hand and the left hand.

  In step 203, in order to identify an area that is likely to be input with the same hand that is in contact with the position of the reference input point (an area where a thumb / little finger is likely to be input), in the present embodiment, the following contents are stored in advance in a nonvolatile memory Remember. That is, the relationship between the input diameter and the thickness of the finger, the relationship between the thickness of each finger and the size of the hand, and the positional relationship of each finger for each size of the hand are recorded in the nonvolatile memory. The arithmetic control circuit 3L estimates with which finger the reference input point is input. Then, the arithmetic control circuit 3L identifies an area where the thumb / little finger is likely to be input based on the estimated result, and when there is an input in the area, the input point in the area is set as the index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and the like. Set to the same input group as the input group of the input points. In the present embodiment, the relationship between the input diameter and the finger thickness is used for such estimation. The relationship between the input diameter and the finger thickness varies depending on the type of coordinate input device. In the optical light shielding type coordinate input device described in the first embodiment, the relationship between the light shielding width and the thickness of the finger recorded in the nonvolatile memory is recorded. In the capacitive coordinate input device, the input diameter is the size of the surface in contact with the touch panel, and the relationship between the size of the contact surface and the thickness of the finger is recorded in a nonvolatile memory.

  As described above, in step S204, the arithmetic control circuit 3L confirms whether or not there is an input point in the area specified in step S203. When there is an input point in the area specified in step S203, the arithmetic control circuit 3L inputs the same input point as the reference input point (input point P2) in step S205 regardless of the input diameter of the input point. Include in group Gr1. In step S119, the arithmetic control circuit 3L calculates the representative coordinate value of the input group Gr1.

  In the example shown in FIG. 8B, the input point P4 is included in the region F5. Therefore, the arithmetic control circuit 3L adds the input point P4 to the input group Gr1, and calculates the representative coordinate value of the input group Gr1 composed of the input points P1, P2, P3, P4. On the other hand, when there are no input points in the region F1 and the region F5, the arithmetic control circuit 3L has not touched the coordinate detection region 5 (touch panel) with the thumb and little finger of the hand making a plurality of inputs forming the input group. Judge. Then, the arithmetic control circuit 3L calculates the representative coordinate value of the input group and the coordinate value of the input point that does not belong to the input group. The coordinate values calculated as described above are output in step S110.

  As described above, in step S201, when there is no input group including four or more input points in the input group, the arithmetic control circuit 3L does not perform the processing of steps S202 to S205, but performs the input in step S119. Calculate the representative coordinate value of the group. This is because if there is an input group including four or more input points, it can be determined that the input point by the little finger, or the input point by the thumb in some cases, is already included in the input group. It is. When the coordinate input device includes means for adjusting the distance threshold Rth, if it is determined in step S201 that there is no input group that includes four or more input points, the coordinate input device An alert that prompts the user to adjust the distance threshold value may be notified.

  The method for calculating the representative coordinate value in step S119 is not particularly limited, as described in the first embodiment. For example, the X coordinates and Y coordinates of the input points included in the input group may be averaged and output. In addition, when the thumb or little finger input to the area F1 or the area F5 is significantly thinner than the assumed thickness for the index finger, middle finger, and ring finger, the input using the input point by the thumb or little finger is used for calculating the representative coordinate value. You may exclude from a point. In this case, the user does not touch and operate the coordinate detection area 5 (touch panel) with his / her thumb or little finger, but touches the touch panel even though it is lifted from the touch panel so that the thumb or little finger does not touch it. It is highly possible that When such an input point is included in the input group, a coordinate value closer to the touch position intended by the user can be calculated by removing the input point from the input point used for calculating the representative coordinate value. .

  In step S110 of FIG. 2 described in the first embodiment, the arithmetic control circuit 3L outputs the representative coordinate value of the input group calculated in step S119. If there is an input point that does not belong to any input group, the coordinate input device also outputs the coordinate value of the input point calculated in step S108.

  The example of the setting method of the regions F1 and F5 when the input group Gr1 includes the three input points P1, P2, and P3 has been described above with reference to FIG. Next, an example of a method for setting the areas F1 and F5 when the input group Gr1 includes two input points P1 and P2 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the example shown in FIG. 10, it is assumed that there are two input points, input points P1 and P2. Further, it is assumed that these two input points P1 and P2 are set in the same input group Gr1 based on the result of comparing the distance threshold Rth and the distance between the input points. Since the input diameter of the input point P2 is larger than the input diameter of the input point P1, the input point P2 is set as a reference input point. It can be assumed that the finger inputting the input point P2 that is the reference input point is any one of the index finger, the middle finger, and the ring finger. FIG. 10 shows an example in which the finger that inputs the input point P2, which is the reference input point, is the middle finger.

  FIG. 10A shows an example in which the user operates the coordinate detection area 5 (touch panel) with the index finger and the middle finger of the right hand Hr1. It is assumed that the input point P2 is from the middle finger and the input point P1 is from the index finger. The arithmetic control circuit 3L sets areas F1, F4, and F5 to which the thumb, ring finger, and little finger excluding the index finger and middle finger are input based on the relationship between the position of the input point P1 and the position of the input point P2 (FIG. 9). Step S203).

  FIG. 10B shows an example in which the user operates the coordinate detection area 5 (touch panel) with the index finger and the middle finger of the left hand H11. It is assumed that the input point P2 is due to the middle finger and the input point P1 is due to the ring finger. When FIG. 10 (a) and FIG. 10 (b) are overlapped so that the input points P1 and P2 overlap, the result is as shown in FIG. 10 (c). As shown in FIG. 10C, the region F2 and the region F4 are positioned so as to overlap each other, and the region F1 and the region F5 exist at two different positions, respectively.

  10A to 10C show a state where the user's hand is coming out from the lower right direction. However, if the number of input points belonging to the input group Gr1 is two, it is not possible to limit the direction in which the operating hand comes out. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the number of input points belonging to the input group Gr1 is 2, the arithmetic control circuit 3L, as shown in FIG. 10D, the right hand Hr2 and the left hand Hl2 operated by the user from the upper left direction. In addition, a region F1, a region F4 (region F2), and a region F5 are set. In the example shown in FIG. 10D, a total of 10 areas are set as the areas F1, F4 (F2), and F5. When there are input points in the areas F1, F4 (F2), and F5, the arithmetic control circuit 3L adds the input points to the same input group Gr1 as the input points P1 and P2.

  In the example shown in FIG. 10, the case where the reference input point is the input point P2 and the input point by the middle finger is the reference input point has been described as an example. However, the reference input point is not limited to the input point by the middle finger, but may be an input point by the index finger or the ring finger. For example, in FIG. 10, if the reference input point is the input point P1 by the index finger, the input point P2 is detected as the input point by the middle finger, and the input point by the middle finger is detected as an input point without the user's intention. Is done. Therefore, even when the input point P1, which is the reference input point, is the index finger and the input point P2 is the middle finger, the arithmetic control circuit 3L sets the regions F1, F4, and F5 as shown in FIG. Then, when there are input points in those areas, the arithmetic control circuit 3L adds the input points to the same input group Gr1 as the input points P1 and P2.

  Further, in FIG. 10, the case where the input point P <b> 1 cannot be discriminated as to whether the input point is the index finger or the ring finger has been described as an example. Accordingly, the regions F1, F2, F4, and F5 are set so that the input by the finger of the same hand can be included in the same input group regardless of whether the index finger or the ring finger is input. However, if the distinction is possible based on information stored in a database or the like recorded in a nonvolatile memory or the like, the area may be set only in either case.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the setting of the input group based on the distance threshold based on the distance between adjacent fingers is limited to the index finger, middle finger, and ring finger, and two or three points of the index finger, middle finger, and ring finger An area where the thumb and little finger are input is estimated based on the positional relationship of the touch positions. When there is an input point in the area, the input point is added to the input group to which the input points by the index finger, middle finger, and ring finger belong. In this way, it is possible to easily add the input point by the thumb and the little finger to the input group to which the input points by the index finger, the middle finger, and the ring finger belong without having to make the distance threshold value a large value. Therefore, the input point by the thumb and little finger can be set to the input group to which the input points by the index finger, the middle finger, and the ring finger belong, while suppressing the frequency of setting an incorrect input group. Further, the regions F1 and F5 are set based on the positions of the input points set in the input group using the distance threshold value based on the distance between adjacent fingers. Therefore, regardless of the location of the coordinate detection area 5 where the user touch operation is performed, when a plurality of points are unintentionally touched, coordinate points close to those obtained when a single touch is performed can be output.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when a user with an average hand size inputs with a reasonable posture, the distance between the thumb and the index finger and the distance between the ring finger and the little finger The distance threshold is set to a smaller value. Therefore, in order to limit the input points set in the same input group by the distance threshold to the input points by the index finger, middle finger, and ring finger, the upper limit of the input points set in the same input group by the distance threshold (the maximum number of input points) ) Can be added to three points. In this way, if the upper limit value of the input points set in the same input group by the distance threshold is set to three points, it is possible to easily set fingers belonging to the same hand to the same input group.

  In this case, for example, when it is determined in step S201 in FIG. 9 that there is an input group including four or more input points in the input group, the following processing is performed. The process may proceed to step S202. That is, the arithmetic control circuit 3L performs processing for excluding input points belonging to the input group from input points belonging to the input group until the number of input points included in the input group becomes three. The process may proceed to step S202. For example, input points belonging to the input group are excluded in order from input points having a relatively large absolute value of the difference between the distance between the input points and the distance threshold.

  Moreover, the structure which makes the upper limit (maximum number of input points) of the input point set to the same input group by a distance threshold value 5 points can be added. Thus, if the upper limit value of the input points set in the same input group is set to 5 points by the distance threshold, the following can be achieved. That is, when the user unconsciously touches all the fingers of one hand on the coordinate detection area 5 (touch panel) and there are one or more input points near them, the input point and the user's one hand It is possible to distinguish the input points by the five fingers.

  In this case, for example, when it is determined in step S201 in FIG. 9 that there is an input group including four or more input points in the input group, the following processing is performed. What is necessary is just to make it progress to step S119. That is, the arithmetic control circuit 3L performs a process of excluding input points belonging to the input group from input points belonging to the input group until the number of input points included in the input group reaches five. The process may proceed to step S119. For example, input points belonging to the input group are excluded in order from input points having a relatively large absolute value of the difference between the distance between the input points and the distance threshold.

(Other examples)
The present invention is also realized by executing the following processing. That is, first, software (computer program) for realizing the functions of the above embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media. Then, the computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads and executes the computer program.
The above-described embodiments are merely examples of implementation in carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed in a limited manner. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the technical idea or the main features thereof.

  1L, 1R: Sensor bar, 3L, 3R: Arithmetic control circuit, 5: Coordinate detection area

Claims (13)

Distance deriving means for deriving the distance between a plurality of input points simultaneously input to the coordinate detection area;
Threshold setting means for setting a threshold for the distance derived by the distance deriving means for each of the plurality of input points;
When the distance between the two input points derived by the distance deriving unit is smaller than at least one of the thresholds for each of the two input points set by the threshold setting unit Group setting means for setting the two input points to the same group;
And a coordinate deriving unit for deriving coordinates representing the coordinates of the input points set in the same group by the group setting unit. A feature amount deriving unit for deriving a feature amount of the plurality of input points;
The coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein the threshold value setting unit derives the threshold value for the input point based on the feature amount of the input point derived by the feature amount deriving unit.   The coordinate input device according to claim 2, wherein the feature amount of the input point is information indicating the length of the input point input to the coordinate detection area.   The coordinate input according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the threshold value setting means sets the threshold value so that the number of the input points belonging to the same group is three. apparatus.   The group setting means includes a plurality of input points set to the same group based on a comparison of the distance and the threshold and a predetermined position so that the number of input points belonging to the same group is five. The coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein input points having a relationship are set in the same group. Feature quantity deriving means for deriving feature quantities of the plurality of input points;
Determining means for determining a reference input point from the input points set in the same group by the group setting means based on the feature quantity of the input points derived by the feature quantity deriving means; In addition,
The group setting means does not belong to the group in an area determined based on the relationship between the position of the reference input point and the position of the input point belonging to the same group as the reference input point. The coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein when there is the input point, the input point is set in the group. The feature amount of the input point is information indicating the length of the input point input to the coordinate detection area,
The said determination means determines the said input point with the said longest length as the said reference | standard input point among the said input points set to the said same group by the said group setting means. 6. The coordinate input device according to 6.   The coordinate input according to claim 1, wherein when the same input point belongs to a plurality of different groups, the group setting unit combines the plurality of groups into one group. apparatus.   The coordinate input device according to claim 1, further comprising a changing unit that changes the threshold based on an instruction from a user.   According to the size of the display area of the image included in the coordinate detection area, the coordinates representing the coordinates of the input points set in the same group by the group setting means are output, or the input points The coordinate input device according to claim 1, further comprising a determination unit that determines whether to output each coordinate. A housing including a plurality of sensors each provided with a light projecting unit that projects light from the side of the region and a light receiving unit that receives incoming light with respect to a region above the coordinate detection region. A housing configured to be able to expand and contract so that the distance between the plurality of built-in sensors can be adjusted;
Depending on the distance between the plurality of sensors, the coordinates representing the coordinates of the input points set in the same group by the group setting means are output, or the respective coordinates of the input points are output. The coordinate input device according to claim 1, further comprising a determination unit that determines whether or not. A distance deriving step for deriving a distance between a plurality of input points simultaneously input to the coordinate detection area;
A threshold setting step for setting a threshold for the distance derived by the distance deriving step for each of the plurality of input points;
When the distance between the two input points derived by the distance deriving step is smaller than at least one of the threshold values for each of the two input points set by the threshold setting step A group setting step for setting the two input points in the same group;
A coordinate deriving step of deriving coordinates representative of the coordinates of the input points set in the same group by the group setting step.   A program that causes a computer to function as each unit of the coordinate input device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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