JP2630595B2 - Vector input device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Summary] A vector input device that uses the amount and direction of a force applied to an input plate as an input element is added with a function capable of detecting the size of an object operating the input plate. Enhance functions.

[Industrial applications]

The present invention relates to a vector input device capable of inputting a vector amount by minutely moving one operation input plate in multiple directions.

[Conventional technology]

In an electronic device (for example, a word processor) that requires character input, a keyboard is generally used as an input device. However, keyboard input has the following problems. Since it is necessary to select a desired key from a large number of input keys, the user must be familiar with the key arrangement and usage. In the case of inputting a sentence, it is necessary to repeat the conversion operation to the target kanji after inputting a kana or a romaji, so that it takes time to input. When performing graphic input, a dedicated input device such as a mouse is separately required. Since the display (CRT display) and the input device (keyboard) are installed at different locations as shown in FIG. 3 (a), there is a considerable angle θ between them.
Therefore, a normal user must move his / her head frequently as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, except for a super-skilled person who is familiar with the key arrangement and usage without having to look at the keyboard. Must. For this reason, not only it takes time for input, but also causes fatigue. Since the keyboard is placed at the position where the work is most easily performed on the desk, the keyboard cannot be used for other purposes (for example, referencing a reference sample or checking). In general, since the input document is placed beside the display or keyboard, the actual movement of the head is between three points, and the user is more likely to be tired.

Instead of the keyboard described above, a device that can input a character pattern itself may be used. For example, a matrix-like character input board in which switches (sensing points) that turn on and off with a small stroke are arranged in each lattice-like block is an example. By tracing the surface of the character input plate with a fingertip, the switches of the pressed portion are sequentially turned on, and the input pattern can be determined from the order.

However, in the sensing point method described above, the number of switches increases to improve the resolution, which complicates the structure and increases the cost. There is also a method of forming a grid-like sensing point by using a plurality of pairs of infrared emitting and receiving pairs instead of the switch, but the apparatus becomes large and expensive.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

The present invention uses a single operation input plate movable in a plane and a pressure sensor capable of detecting the direction and amount of a force applied to the input plate as an input unit, so that various types of vector amounts required for a pattern configuration can be obtained. Can be input, and the input function can be enhanced by adding means for detecting the size of an object (for example, a hand) on which an input operation is performed.

[Means for solving the problem]

Figure 1 is a basic block diagram of the present invention, 1 (distinguished by S ₁ to S ₄₎ a plurality of pressure sensors, 2 are used as required amplifier (e.g. operational amplifiers), 3 its output (analog A / D converter for converting an input value into a digital value, and a microprocessor (MPU) 4 for detecting an input pattern from the input digital value and comparing the input pattern with a reference pattern for determination processing or digital signal processing Processor (DS
P), 5 is a light emitting element such as an infrared LED (light emitting diode),
6 is a light receiving element, for example, infrared PT (phototransistor), 7
The encoder input to MPU4 encoding a few bits multi-bit output of the infrared switch matrix and each element input T ₁ through T ₇ of the respective elements L ₁ ~L ₇ and PT6 constitute the LED 5, 8 need to It is a contact sensor provided in response.

FIG. 2 is an external view, 10 is an apparatus main body provided with each circuit except the sensors in FIG. 1, 11 is a CRT display, 12 is a vector pattern input unit, 13 is its input board, and 14 is a desk. The input unit 12 is connected to the display 11 as shown in FIG.
Can be integrated with the front surface of the device, but may be formed separately as shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of the input unit. The input plate 13 can be slightly moved in the plane, and the amount of force applied thereto is detected by pressure sensors S _{1 to} S ₄ installed in four directions. When the input unit 12 is provided on the front of the display 11 as shown in FIG.
13 can also be used. The infrared light emitting elements T _{1 to} T ₇ and the light receiving elements L _{1 to} L ₇ detect the width of an object existing in a space slightly above the input plate 13. In the example of FIG. 4 (c), the right half is the detection area. FIG. 5 is a detailed view of this part.
The infrared light from the light emitting element Ti (i = 1 to 7) is converted into a parallel beam by a lens, and if there is no obstacle in the middle, the light enters the corresponding light receiving element Li, but there is an obstacle such as a hand. And is not illuminated.

[Action]

Analyzing the handwriting text creation operation, it can be classified into three operations: creation of characters by writing implements, erasing of characters by erasers such as eraser, movement of creation paper, and exchange. When these are respectively associated with hand operations, the creation of a character by one finger (mainly by the second finger) The erasing of the eraser by three to four fingers and the trace of the erasure range (mainly the first, second, third, and fourth) The movement of the paper by the movement of the entire hand (with a finger) is performed. Therefore, these modes can be identified by detecting the width or area of the object (hand or finger) in contact with or in proximity to the input plate 13. The contact sensor 8 shown in FIG. 1 detects that a hand or the like is in contact with the input plate 13.

Vector pattern such as characters can be judged by detecting the amount and direction of the force applied to the input plate 13 by the sensor S ₁ to S _4. Therefore, multi-function input such as character input and function designation can be performed without using a conventional keyboard.

〔Example〕

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention, and the symbols of each part are the same as those in FIG. The A / D converter 3 selects one of the input channels ch1 to ch4 by a 2-bit selection signal SEL and performs A / D conversion. A / D conversion data from serial output SO
Captured by MPU4. On the other hand, the encoder 7 converts a 7-bit matrix output into 3-bit parallel outputs Y0 to Y2 and inputs the converted output to the MPU 4.

Input plate 13, as shown in FIG. 4 (d), the sensor S ₁ to S ₄
, And a four-way oyster that simultaneously applies pressure to two adjacent sensor pairs (S ₁ , S ₂ ), (S ₂ , S ₃ ),...

FIG. 7 shows a specific example of the pressure sensor unit 1 and the amplifier unit 2.
The pressure sensor unit 1 is equivalently a bridge-connected variable resistor
VR ₁ to VR flow a constant current from the reference unit 21 to the pressure sensitive element represented by _4, and inputs an output current flowing through the terminal 22 to the amplifying section 2. The amplification unit 2 the operational amplifier OP ₂ in the operational amplifier OP ₁ and level shifting for amplification with I / V conversion function
To generate a linear output voltage (only in the positive direction) with respect to the pressure.

Sampling by the A / D converter 3 is continuously performed for the same channel a plurality of times. FIG. 8 shows an example in which sampling is continuously performed 41 times from sample No. 0 to sample No. 40 at a sampling interval T. In this way, it is possible to detect a temporal change pattern of the amount of pressure received by the same pressure sensor. A / D conversion value is 8 bits, taking a value from 00 _H to FF _H. The A / D conversion value for this sample No. 0 to 40 is 1.
One input pattern is stored below the address #xxx in the memory map of FIG.

A basic pattern to be compared with an input pattern is registered at addresses # 0000 to ## of the memory map. For example, the address # 0000~ # 00BF is registered pattern of M _1. This is a standard value of the pattern obtained when the input plate 13 is strongly pressed in the direction A. Only the sensor S ₁ in this pattern occurs the output, since the rest of the sensor S ₂ to S ₃ no output, the basic pattern of the M ₁ is as FIG. 10 (a). Because the value is in the memory map of FIG. 9 of this A / D converted is stored, divided into valid values 3E corresponding to the sensor S _1, 6C, 99, but ...... appears, the sensor S ₂ to S ₄ Are all 00 (indicated by-in the figure). M for the _second basic pattern Figure 4 Lee direction only valid value to the output of the sensor S ₂ so that pressure is applied to 3E, 6C, 99, ...
.. Appear, but the outputs of the remaining sensors S ₁ , S ₃ , S ₄ are 00. Figure 10 (a) ~ (d) is shows the sampling pattern of the basic pattern M ₁ ~M ₄ obtained in this way, the arrow denoted in the lower side of the M ₁ ~M ₄ 4 ( The eyewear in each direction d) is shown.

When the input plate 13 is moved in the oblique direction in FIG. 4 (d), an output is simultaneously produced by two adjacent sensors. This standard value is the combination pattern in FIG. FIG. 12 and FIG.
FIG. 13 shows standard values of a pattern generated when the input plate 13 is weakly operated. For example the basic pattern m ₁ of 12 view (a) is an operation to the same A direction as view the 10 (a), a lower A / D conversion value from the basic pattern M ₁ since the pressure weak. While Similarly 13th combination pattern m ₁₂ of Figure (a) is an operation to the same Oh direction as Figure 11 (a), a lower A / D conversion value from the basic pattern M ₁₂ because the pressure weak.

The examples in FIGS. 10 to 13 described above are basic vector patterns, but a normal character pattern is a combination of these. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining this.
(C) is each pattern of numbers "1" to "3". These are one-time learning patterns, while (d) is a five-time learning pattern. When the number of times of learning (for example, averaging) is increased in this way, the quality as a reference pattern is improved.

FIG. 15 shows an example in which the present invention is applied to a word processor, and is an explanatory diagram of a page configuration in this case. The pages are continuous horizontally, and the user moves, processes, and inputs the pages as necessary. The first page that appears on the display is the leftmost control page, which shows the basic processing menu. Here, select "1. Create", go to the right (trace the screen to the left), and the text list on the next page appears. In this state, a sentence name is selected, and when the user proceeds further to the right, the content of the designated sentence is shown, and input is started. Returning to the left after the input, the control page appears again on the left side of one page. FIG. 18 shows a state at the time of menu selection.

FIG. 16 shows the flow of the text creation process (1) → (8) in more detail. (1) Select "1. Create" on the control page and move to the page on the right to display the text list. (2) Select a desired sentence name from the sentence list. At this time, when a registered text is selected, the content of the text is read from the disk, and when an empty (blank) text is selected, the text becomes new. If you select New and move it to the right, the first page will appear. (3) Even if the first page (P1) appears, there is no character string because it is new. Then, the input valid range is indicated by an input auxiliary line (broken line or the like), and a cursor is displayed on the first row and first column (for example, blink), and the system waits for input. By tracing the input effective range with one finger, the amount and direction of the force are detected, and the input pattern is determined. To confirm the entered characters, apply force to move the screen to the left with your palm. (4) is a state in which the input of the first character is completed in this way, and the cursor has moved to the position of the second character. The state of character input at this time is shown in FIG.
By repeating the same input operation, the second input is performed as shown in (5) and (6).
Enter the characters below, and finally return to the control page and select (7) “2. Record” (applying force to the left with the entire palm), and the text list on the next page appears. To save the text on disk.
(8) Finally, when "5. End" is selected on the control page, all files are closed and the power can be turned off.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of three types of input methods depending on the object width. (A) is an operation of shifting the screen over the entire palm,
Thus, cursor movement, character confirmation, page movement, and the like are performed. Table 1a~1c is 3 example shown by sampling the output of the light receiving element T ₁ through T ₇ in this case. Each of these has a width WP of 5 or more.

FIG. 17B shows an input operation of tracing the screen with one finger, and FIG. 17C shows an erasing operation of tracing the screen with 3 to 4 fingers. Tables 2 and 3 show sampling examples when the finger is moved only in the vertical direction.

On the other hand, when characters are input in FIG. 17 (b), the sampling patterns are as shown in Table 4 or Table 5.

However, the temporal change of this pattern is not an input element. What is required as an input is the average value of the width WP and the like, whereby the palm (WP5), three fingers (5> WP3), and one finger (3>WP> 1) are distinguished. The speed of moving the cursor with the palm of the hand depends on the strength of the applied force.
It can be divided into stages.

FIG. 20 (A) shows an input pattern of "A" detected by the pressure sensor, and FIG. 20 (B) shows an input pattern of "". (A) is a vector quantity for each predetermined time (origin center, tip ○ mark) shows the is shown at each time each of the sampling values each sensor S ₁ to S ₄ corresponding to (b) . Since this data value contains high frequency noise,
Only low frequency components are extracted by a general digital LPF (low-pass filter).

 Hereinafter, the flow of each process will be described.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of the main routine. First, the timer interrupt cycle for A / D conversion is set by initialization. In addition, reset various flags, and A / D
Set the conversion sampling number SNO. Next, the display program C _- DISP (FIG. 25) is activated to display a character string. Next, the value of the flag PAT _- EN is checked. This flag indicates whether or not pattern input is possible in terms of timing. If 1 (possible), sensor input is taken in through a digital low-pass filter D _- LPF. Next, the direction pattern determination routine M _- PAT (FIG. 23) is started. Thereafter, the flag PAT _- SF is set to 1, the flag PAT _- EN is set to 0, and the flag IN is set to 0. Further, the register PROCN indicating the item numbers 1 to 5 of the control page shown in FIG. 16A is set to 1 (create). As a result, a frame is displayed around 1. (Create), and the inside of the frame is shaded and displayed. Then, check the value of the work area MP for pressure sensor _{S 1 ~S 4 (1) ~MP} (4). This value is either 0, 1, or 2, where 0 is no input, 1 is weak input, and 2 is strong input.

Since the is MP (1) = 1 is m ₁ pattern of Figure 12 (a), decrements the PROCN. That is, the item number of the control page is reduced by one. However, when the item number is 1, it is set to 5. Since by M ₁ pattern MP (1)> 1 is the Fig. 10 (a), 2 reduces PROCN. Because when the MP (3) = 1 is m ₃ pattern of Fig. 12 (c), it is incremented by 1 to PROCN. This means that it is moved in reverse. Since MP (3)> 1 when is a M ₃ pattern of Figure No. 10 (b), it is 2 increases PROCN. And since when the MP (4)> 0 is the M ₄ or m ₄ patterns moves to the process in accordance with the value of PROCN at that time.

FIG. 24 shows the creation processing of PROCN = 1, FIG. 28 shows the recording processing of PROCN = 2, and FIG. 29 shows the termination processing of PROCN = 5.
Shown in the figure.

Figure 22 is a timer interrupt routine, thereby taking the output of the A / D converted value and the encoded width data was the pressure sensor S ₁ to S _4.

The direction pattern determination routine of FIG. 23, the sensor S ₁ ~
Work area MP corresponding to the input from the S ₄ (1) ~MP
Each level S of (4) is defined as an m-pattern threshold level K · LEV1 and an M-pattern threshold level K · LE
Compare with V2 (> K.LEV1), give values of 0, 1, and 2 to each of MP (I) (I = 1 to 4).

In the creation program of FIG. 24, the width WP of the operation object is determined, the scroll processing of FIG. 30 is performed for WP5 corresponding to the palm, and the decision of FIG. 26 is performed for 5> WP3 corresponding to 3 to 4 fingers. Processing, and for one finger, the 27th
Perform the character pattern matching shown in the figure. CDIM (p, x,
y) is the address of the character to be erased, and CBuFF of the pattern matching program is a buffer for storing the character code.

〔The invention's effect〕

The above-described vector input device of the present invention has the following advantages.

(1) The user can input without knowing the arrangement of the key switches and the position of the switch for a specific purpose.

(2) When used in a word processor or the like, it is only necessary to draw the target character directly on the input board, so that the input time can be reduced.

(3) Graphic input can be realized without a dedicated input device such as a mouse.

(4) If a transparent input plate is provided in front of the display, the user can input while looking at the display, so that the user does not need to move his head much, which leads to an improvement in input speed and a reduction in fatigue. Even when the input plate is not arranged on the front of the display, it is sufficient to draw the target character with the fingertip, so that it matches the daily sense and is easy to input even for a non-expert.

(5) In terms of the system, since only the display and the input plate attached to the front surface or the like are required other than the device main body, the desk space usable by the operator increases. For this reason, the space can be used for referencing and checking reference materials, thereby improving work efficiency and reducing fatigue.

(6) Since the amount and direction of the force, the size and the position of the contact object, and the like are added to the input parameters, the number of selection inputs and auxiliary inputs other than character input can be reduced, and the input time can be reduced.

(7) The input plate mounted on the front of the display can also be used as an ultraviolet cut filter, so that the number of components can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 is a basic configuration diagram of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an external view of the present invention, FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional keyboard input method, FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an input unit of the present invention, FIG. Is an enlarged view of an infrared switch matrix, FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a partial circuit diagram of FIG. 6, FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a sampling pattern by A / D conversion, 9 is an explanatory diagram of a pattern storage memory, FIGS. 10 to 14 are explanatory diagrams of various standard patterns, FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a page configuration, FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of a document creation process, FIG. Is an explanatory diagram of an input method based on an object width, FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of a moving operation, FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of an operation at the time of character input, FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an input character pattern, FIG. FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing each process.

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] An input plate (13) capable of minutely moving in a plane, a pressure sensor (1) for detecting the direction and amount of a force applied in a movable direction of the input plate, and an output of the sensor as a digital value An A / D converter (3) for converting the size of the input plate (13), a detector (5, 6) for detecting the size of an object operating the input plate (13), and an encoder (7) for encoding the output of the detector ) And operating the input plate (13) from the output of the A / D converter (3) to determine the type of the input vector and operating the input plate (13) from the output of the echo unit (7). A vector input device, comprising: a processor (4) for determining the size of the determined object and performing an input process by combining the two determination results.