JP2981335B2 - RBI input device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hit point input device for detecting a hit point position using a board surface and enabling an input corresponding to the position detection.

<Summary of the Invention> A hit point input device according to the present invention detects a hit point position on a board-shaped operation surface for inputting data and the like, and defines items defined at the hit point position, for example, numerical values and characters. , Function (including area specification)
And the like so that the user can input information items such as In particular, hitting is performed with an input pen that vibrates on the operation surface, vibrations from the hitting position at that time are received by a plurality of vibration sensors, and a receiving signal is calculated to detect the hitting position. Thus, by grasping the input position (coordinate position), it becomes possible to input the above-mentioned items pre-assigned to the area of the coordinate position. Therefore, the present invention relates to an input device that does not use a conventional complicated mechanism, is highly accurate, is inexpensive, and has good operability, and is suitable for an information input device and a copying device including an area input device. Things.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art As a method of inputting items (various information),
Conventionally, various methods have been used.

[0004] For example, a keyboard or the like is used in an electronic device or the like to input information by a key, and a sensor (a switch by an electric contact or the like) for individually detecting an input is provided for each key. ing.

In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a keyboard as described above is provided on an operation unit.
There is provided an area input device used when designating an area to be copied or an area not to be copied. There are the following various input methods for inputting a conventional area.

(1) A copy image is superimposed on a transparent sheet provided with a grid-like scale in advance, and the scale of the transparent sheet is set on the X-axis and Y-axis.
A method in which the data is read in the axial direction and the operator inputs one point at a time using the numeric keypad.

(2) A method in which X-axis and Y-axis graduations are provided around the document table, the graduations are read in the same manner, and data of necessary points are inputted from a ten-key pad.

(3) A method in which a switch array is provided at regular intervals in each direction of the X axis and the Y axis on the document table, and corresponding coordinates are input by operating two switches.

(4) A method in which a sensor matrix array is formed in a plane on the upper surface of a document cover, for example, separately from the document table, and the position is input using an input pen or the like.

As described above, if the area input methods (1) and (2) are adopted, the configuration can be made inexpensively, but the operability is extremely poor. If the method (3) is adopted, it is necessary to input the data of each of the X-axis and the Y-axis separately.

According to the input method (4), the operability is improved, but the entire input device becomes expensive because the sensor matrix array is expensive. Also, a table such as a platen for reading a document requires transparency and smoothness, a sensor matrix array cannot be directly provided, and a dedicated table for placing a document and inputting a designated position is provided. There is a need. In this case, there is a disadvantage that the original must be replaced.

Therefore, an area input device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-244068 has been proposed. This is an apparatus that uses a platen itself on which a document is placed, designates a required area of the document placed on the platen with a dot, and specifies the area. In particular, by using an input pen, a vibration source is incorporated in the pen, at least three vibration detecting elements are provided around the document table, and the input pen is used to strike the document table to thereby determine the position of the dot. The position of the hit point is specified by receiving the three vibration detecting elements and detecting the reception timing. Although the specific means and configuration for specifying the hitting point position are not specified in detail, the use of the platen itself and the need for a key input device and a matrix array do not require cost reduction. Can be achieved.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-2440
According to the device for inputting an area described in JP-A-68-68, a necessary area of the original can be specified by hitting the original table on which the original is placed, which is very convenient.

However, since the sensor for detecting the vibration is disposed around the document table, the processing of the signal line for deriving the signal detected by the sensor becomes troublesome.
The routing is complicated, and maintenance work in assembly, service, and the like becomes troublesome.

The present invention simplifies the processing of signal lines from the above-mentioned sensors, and allows the number of sensors to be specified with the minimum necessary number of hitting points, thereby simplifying assembly and cost. It is an object of the present invention to provide a point input device capable of reducing the number of hit points.

[0016]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above objects of the present invention are attained.
RBI input device for achieving includes an operation surface having RBI fillable region, an input pen for RBI the operation surface,
A plurality in place of the operation surface, and a sensor for receiving the vibrations from strike position of the operating surface at said sensor
Between each sensor when detecting vibration from the hit point
Each seek time difference comprises calculating means for calculating the strike position on the operating surface by the pen for the input by the difference between said time, and means for performing an input corresponding to the I Ri computed strike position to the arithmetic means The sensor is arranged in a straight line at one side end of the operation surface, and one of the plurality of sensors is provided.
Is positioned at the center of the operation surface, and the center sensor is
And a symmetrical position with a certain interval around the sensor
Another sensor is arranged in the sensor .

Further, according to the present invention, in the above-mentioned hitting point input device, the arithmetic means is arranged at a position symmetrical with the center sensor.
Find the time difference between each of the other sensors placed,
Based on these time differences, the position hit with the input pen
It is configured to calculate .

[0018]

According to the hitting point input device of the present invention constructed as described above, by hitting an arbitrary point on the operating surface with the input pen, the sensor arranged at one end of the operating surface is provided. The vibration transmitted through the operation surface is detected at different timings. And when the sensor detects
Based on the time difference between each sensor,
The calculating means calculates. Based on the calculation result, it is possible to input the contents of the item assigned corresponding to the hit point position. In this case, the plurality of sensors are arranged in a straight line at one end of the operation surface , and the other sensors are arranged with respect to the center sensor.
Sensors are arranged symmetrically, so each sensor
Processing of signal lines from the server can be performed on the same side, making processing simple
Wear. In addition, vibration is detected by the arranged sensors
To determine the time difference at the time of
It is necessary to directly detect when the operation surface is hit with the force pen.
However, the arithmetic processing is simplified.

According to the present invention , the center sensor and the other
Difference between sensors located at symmetrical positions
Is calculated and the hitting position is calculated. Therefore, the hitting position can be accurately and easily determined using at least three sensors.
Can be sought .

[0020]

FIG. 1 is a top view showing an operation surface of a copying apparatus having a dot input device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the copying apparatus.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a table glass which is an operation surface formed of a single transparent glass plate disposed on the upper surface of a copying machine main body. Document placement area for placing the
An image of a document placed in the area can be copied. Also 4
Indicates a designated area of the document to be placed, a rectangular area having the operation surface as a diagonal line between two points 5-5 ′, reference numeral 6 is a reference line for placing the leading end of the document 3 as a reference, and reference numeral 7 is a placement line. The reference index of the original to be printed is, for example, a center line in image formation of the original.

Reference numeral 8 arranged on the right side indicates a part of an input operation area, which is an input section for performing various copy modes such as functions of the copying machine according to the present invention and other data input. The input unit 8 is, for example, a table glass 1
The information is printed on the front surface or the back surface, and is used to input items according to the content of the print. The input unit 8 includes items A and B for specifying an area, items C to F for setting a processing mode for performing copying, and an item G for selecting various colors by setting a mode of a color specification F for an image. There is. Further, a print switch 8- for operating the copying apparatus is provided.
1 is provided.

An input section 9 for other input items necessary for input operation of the copying machine is provided below the table glass 1. The input unit 9 is also printed on the back surface or the front surface of the table glass 1 similarly to the input unit 8. Input unit 9
Is also provided with a liquid crystal display unit 10. In particular, a numerical value input unit 9-1 for inputting numerical data, a magnification setting unit 9-2 for setting a copy magnification, and an exposure mode setting unit 9 for setting an automatic exposure mode (AE) or a manual exposure mode (ME).
-3 is printed on the table glass 1 with a predetermined area determined. Numerical data and the like input by the numerical value input unit 9-1 are displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 10.

The liquid crystal display unit 10 not only displays the number of sheets but also changes the display contents in various ways, and hits an arbitrary position of the liquid crystal display unit 10 with an input pen or the like according to the display contents. Thus, it is also possible to input items according to the display contents of the liquid crystal display unit 10. Therefore, the liquid crystal display unit 1
Arbitrary display can be performed by setting 0 to a dot matrix configuration.

On the other hand, in order to detect the strike position at the table glass 1, (hereinafter referred to as sensors) strike position detection sensor according to the present invention disposed on a straight line at one end of the bottom of the table glass 1 S _{1 to} S ₃ . The sensors S _{1 to} S ₃ are directly adhered to the back or front surface of the table glass 1. The sensors S _{1 to} S ₃ are arranged in a straight line on the X axis, for example, the sensor S ₂ is shown in FIG.
Of the table glass 1 divided into two in the horizontal direction
At the origin O (0,0) . Soshi
Te, and the sensors S ₁ and S ₃ is disposed at a position of the left and right symmetry with respect to the center sensor S _2, for example (-L, 0) and (L, 0). These sensors S ₁ to S _3, there is provided in order to detect the RBI position on the table glass 1, also detects the vibration transmitted from the strike position
It is. Therefore, the sensor S ₁ to S _3, for example, is constituted by a piezoelectric element, it detects the reception timing.
Thus for the sensor S ₁ to S ₃ is provided at one end of the table glass 1, the signal line for deriving the detection signal, can in the process at the same side, its handling is very easy .

The hit point for designating the hit point position on the one surface of the table glass is performed with an input pen. The input pen 12 has a mounting portion 11 formed in a concave shape at an upper portion of the copying apparatus on the left side of the document mounting area 2 as a predetermined position, and is mounted at that position. This mounting part 11
Is provided with a placement state detecting means (not shown) for detecting the placement state of the input pen 12. Such an input pen 1
2 includes a vibration source (not shown) for vibrating the tip 12-1, a switch for manually or automatically closing an electric contact when the tip 12-1 is pressed against an operation surface, a power supply, and the like. When the contacts are closed, power is supplied to the vibration source to vibrate the tip 12-1.

That is, if one point on the table glass 1 is hit with the input pen 12, the vibration of the input pen tip 12-1 is transmitted to each of the centers S _{1 to} S ₃ from the hit point.
At this time, each of the hit point position detection sensors S _{1 to} S ₃ detects (receives) vibration according to the linear distance from the hit point position. In this case, the time (timing) for receiving at the linear distance from the hit point position is different. As a result, the coordinate position at which the dot is placed with respect to the origin O (0, 0) can be obtained by calculation. Accordingly, it is possible to determine whether the hit point is on the document placement area 2 or the input point 8 or 9. Further, the input unit 8 or 9 can determine which position of each input item, and can input a signal of the item.

As shown in FIG. 2, the copying apparatus has a table glass 1 disposed on an upper portion thereof, and a document cover 13 covering the upper portion thereof, which can be opened and closed.

Next, an input operation will be described with reference to an example of an image editing operation procedure in a copying apparatus provided with a dot input device according to the present invention.

With the image side of the original 2 facing upward, the original 3 is placed along the reference line 6 along the reference line 6 using the original position reference index 7 as a mark in the area of the copyable area 2.

When the user holds the input pen 12 placed on the placement unit 11 in his / her hand, the input pen placement state detection unit provided at that position detects the input pen 12 and sets the copy condition input state mode. Is set to Thus, by hitting the area of the start item A of the input unit 8 with the input pen 10, the area for the original 3 placed in the procedure can be specified. A desired designated area 4 is designated from the image surface side of the document 3 by hitting two designated points 5, 5 'which are diagonal lines.

When a plurality of areas are designated, input can be made by repeating the above operation.

When terminating the area designation, by hitting the input position B with the input pen 12, a plurality of position data designated in the procedure are signal-input to the copier body as the designated area.

The processing mode of a document whose area is specified is
There are trimming, masking, centering, color designation, and the like. Each of them can be input by hitting the area of C to F as necessary.

After the above-mentioned operation, the input by designating the area of the original and the input of the copy processing mode by the area designation, the operation for setting the copy conditions such as the number of copies, the magnification, and the exposure mode with the input pen 12 are performed. Can be done together.

Thus, by operating the print switch 8-1 with the input pen 12, a copy operation is performed according to the various copy conditions input as described above.

Here, regarding the detection of the hitting position on the table glass 1 by the input pen 12, the time differences T ₁ and T ₂ from the sensors S _{1 to} S ₃ are detected as shown in the time chart of FIG. By measuring and calculating based on this, the coordinates of the hit point position can be obtained.

In FIG. 3, by hitting a designated point on the table glass 1 with the input pen 12, a shock wave oscillating at a specific cycle reaches each of the detection sensors S _{1 to} S ₃ via the table glass 1. . At this time, t ₀ is the timing when the dot is hit with the input pen 12, and t ₁ to
t ₃ is a timing detection their signals at each sensor S ₁ to S _3. T ₁ and T ₂ indicate a time difference between the sensors S _{1 and} S ₂ and a time difference between the sensors S _{2 and} S ₃ . This time difference is detected, and the time differences T ₁ , T
_{From (2} ), coordinates (x, y) at an arbitrary hitting position on the table glass 1 can be obtained.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an outline of a dot input device applied to the present invention and a control circuit of a copying machine.

In FIG. 4, the sensors S _{1 to} S ₃ convert vibration into an electric signal, and use a piezoelectric sensor, a strain sensor, a micro microphone, or the like. For example, the sensor S ₁ includes an amplifier 41, filter 42, constituting a part of the detection circuit C1 of the composed receive signal in the comparator 43 and the latch 44. When vibration is detected by the sensor S _1, after which the vibration is converted into an electric signal by the sensor is amplified by an amplifier 41 to a predetermined level.
From the amplified signal, frequencies unnecessary for detection are removed by the filter 42, and the amplified signal is extracted as a signal having only a specific frequency. When the comparator 43 detects a signal of a certain magnitude or more, the comparator 43 outputs a valid signal. This valid signal is immediately sent to the latch 44 and is held there. When the valid signal (for example, the set state) held in the latch 44 is confirmed by the CPU 45, time counting is performed and each of the sensors S ₁ to S _{1 is} output.
It is treated as a signal for measuring a time difference according to S _3.
When the CPU 45 confirms the signal latched by the latch 44 and measures the time difference T ₁ , T ₂ , it outputs a reset signal R ₁ for fixing the latch 44.

The signal detecting circuit C1, a detection <br/> out means constituted from the sensor S ₁ until the latch 44 as one of the detection units, as well as sensors S _2, signals detected vibration by S ₃ for it is also the signal processing by the signal detecting circuit C2, C 3.

Next, a control block diagram of the copying machine of the present invention shown in FIG. 4 will be described.

The microcomputer (CPU) 45 includes sensors S ₁ to S ₁ detected by operating the input pen 12.
Timing signal (time difference by the signal input I1~I3 of a vibration detection signal from the detection circuit C1~C3 from S ₃ T _1, T
₂ ) A program for measuring and calculating the position of the hit point 4 and a program for controlling the operation of the copying apparatus according to the input by inputting data required for copying and data required for copying from the input units 8 and 9 and the like. , A detection timing of the sensors S _{1 to} S ₃ , a calculation result of the designated point, a RAM 47 for temporarily storing the copying conditions of the copying apparatus, a copying state of the copying apparatus, etc., and the number of input / output terminals of the CPU 45 (Input / output ports) 48 and the like are connected to extend control and assist control. The I / O 48 includes various sensors 49, a keyboard 50, and a plurality of driving elements 51 necessary for controlling the driving of the optical system of the copying apparatus and controlling the conveyance of the copy sheet.
And a driver 53 for driving a plurality of control elements 52 and a voice transmitter 54, and a display device (liquid crystal display unit 10) 5
5 is connected.

Based on signals detected by the detection circuits C1 to C3 in FIG.
5, the input item corresponding to the coordinates of the hit point position, for example, if it is a document placement area, it is grasped that it is one point of area designation, and the input units 8 and 9 input the respective information. Will do. This is performed according to a program stored in the ROM 46.

The time difference measured as described above is determined by the CP which controls the copying machine main body in the block diagram of FIG.
Measured at U45, the CPU 45 calculates the position where the input pen 12 hits the table glass 1 based on the time difference.

Therefore, a method of calculating the position of the designated point P which has been hit according to the present invention will be described. This calculation program is stored in the ROM 46. The designated points P are sensors S _{1 to} S arranged at three places on a straight line (on the X axis) on one side of the table glass 1.
The measured timing difference from ₃ can be obtained by calculating by the following method.

FIG. 5 shows the sensors S _{1 to} S _{3 according} to FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for obtaining coordinates (x, y) of a hit point P according to the arrangement of the points. This will be described below with reference to FIG. Each coordinate position of each of the sensors S _{1 to} S ₃ arranged on the table glass 1 is equal to S as described above.
₁ ; (−L, 0), S ₂ ; (0, 0), S ₃ ; (L,
0). The coordinates of the designated point P are (x, y).
Further, the speed at which the vibration is transmitted in the table glass 1 is represented by v [m
/ Sec].

The actual vibration transmission speed of the table glass 1 varies depending on the material and the manufacturing method, but is 3000 to 4500 m / sec. In the case of soda glass, it is about 4300 m / sec.

In FIG. 5, the point (point) of the hit point position
The straight line distance from P to the sensor S ₁ is A, the straight line distance from the point P to the sensor S ₂ is B, the straight line distance from the point P to the sensor S ₃ is C, and the intersection of the straight line lowered from the point P to the X axis Is P ′, the right triangles PP ′S ₁ , PP ′S
₂ and PP'S ₃ , the following equations hold.

[0050]

(Equation 1)

[0051]

(Equation 2)

[0052]

(Equation 3)

[0053] (1) Now, the point point P of the strike position is closest to the sensor S _1, ie, the x-coordinate of P is x <-L
/ 2, the reception time difference T ₁ between the sensors S ₁ and S ₂ is
Since the difference between the linear distances from the point P to the sensors S ₁ and S ₂ is equal to the value obtained by dividing the difference by the velocity v of the vibration transmitted through the table glass 1, the relationship is expressed by the following equation. .

[0054]

(Equation 4)

Similarly, the reception time difference T ₂ between the sensors S ₂ and S ₃ in the Y-axis direction is the difference between the linear distances from the point P to the sensors S ₂ and S ₃ by the speed v at which the vibration is transmitted through the table glass 1. Since the relationship is equal to the divided value, the relationship is expressed by the following equation.

[0056]

(Equation 5)

Equations (1), (2) and (3) and the equations (4) and (5) above yield the following equations.

[0058]

(Equation 6)

[0059]

(Equation 7)

[0060]

(Equation 8)

However, K ₁ and K ₂ in the above equations (6) to (8) are K ₁ = T ₁ · v K ₂ = T ₂ · v.

(2) Similarly, the time difference T ₂ when the point P is closest to the sensor S ₂ , that is, when −L / 2 ≦ x ≦ L / 2, is the same as the equation (5). But T
To detect the vibration faster towards the sensor S ₂ in _1, the time difference T ₁ becomes T ₁ = t ₁ -t _2. Therefore, the positions of the distances B, x, and y can be calculated according to equations 9 and 10. Here, y can be calculated in the same manner as in the above equation (8). That is, if the distances B and x are calculated irrespective of the detection timing difference between the sensors S _{1 to} S ₃ , the distances B and x can be calculated by the equation (2).

[0063]

(Equation 9)

[0064]

(Equation 10)

(3) Next, when the point P is closest to the sensor S ₃ , that is, when the time difference T ₁ , T
₂ is the opposite of equations 4 and 5. Thus, the distances B and x are as shown in the following Expressions 11 and 12. However, the y Ru can be calculated by a formula of the number 8.

[0066]

[Equation 11]

[0067]

(Equation 12)

With the above equation, the (x, y) coordinates of the designated point P at which the hitting point has been performed can be obtained by calculation. This operation, by CPU 45, in accordance with ROM46 program, and detects the timing t ₁ ~t ₃ of each sensor S ₁ to S _3, each of the time difference T _1, T
₂ can perform measurement.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart for explaining the control contents for detecting the timing from t ₁ to t ₃ . Figure 6 below
The timing detection from t ₁ to t ₃ will be described with reference to FIG.

S01: time when operation on the operation surface can be accepted;
For example, this control program can be started only in a state where the copy enabling condition is satisfied.

At the same time as the start, the timer TM starts for timing detection. The timer TM uses 0.1 μsec as a counting unit in order to make the permissible error of the position detection of the hit point within 1 mm.

Reason: 1 mm ÷ 4300 m / sec ≒ 0.23 μ
According to sec (4300 m / sec is the sound wave transmission speed of general soda glass), if the measurement is performed at a cycle twice or more than that, the allowable error can be measured within 1 mm. For example, about 0.1 μs
ec is the unit of measurement.

[0073] s02: Enable signal from the sensor S ₁ I ₁
Is determined. The effective signal I ₁ is a signal CPU45 an input state of the signal from the latch 44 has been recognized in the detection circuit C1 in FIG.

S03: When I ₁ is detected, it is determined whether or not the I ₁ detection flag F ₁ is ON.

[0075] s04: First than the flag F ₁ is when I ₁ is detected is not ON, ON detection flag F ₁
And stores the value of the count time of the timer TM at that time in a predetermined storage area M ₁ of the detection timing t ₁ as RAM 47. Then, in order to fix the output of the latch 44 to LOW, the turning ON the R ₁ output of CPU 45.

[0076] S05～s07: When I ₁ is not detected in s02, or when the flag F ₁ is already turned ON at s03, or when terminating the respective process in s04 proceeds to s05, sensor S ₂ for, by the same processing as s02~s04 described above, performs time measurement timing t _2.

[0077] s08~s10: performing the time of measurement of the timing t ₃ in the same manner for the sensor S _3.

[0078] s11: t ₁ in s02~s10 ~t
_If all the timings of ₃ are detected, the flags F ₁ to
F ₃ is determined all ON and proceeds to s13 of processing the calculation and strike position of the time difference shown in FIG. Timing t ₁
Either ~t ₃ executes s02~s11 timing detection program again returns to s02 if not detected.

S12: When the detection of all the timings from t _{1 to} t ₃ is completed, the transmitter 54 is turned on to emit a beep sound to notify the operator of the completion of the signal input.

[0080] As described above, the timing t ₁ ~t ₃ to the vibration from the specified point P of the RBI table glass 1 sensor S ₁ to S ₃ detects recognized by CPU 45,
This detection timing time is stored in each area of the RAM 47.

Subsequently, the CPU 45 executes the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 to determine the timings t _{1 to} t ₃ detected in the flowchart of FIG. , 12, the coordinate position (x, y) of the specified point P can be obtained.

S13: It is determined which of the detected timings t ₁ , t ₂ , t ₃ stored in the RAM 47 is earlier, that is, which is detected earlier. Therefore, the detection timing time t stored in the storage areas M ₁ and M ₂ of the RAM 47
By comparing the magnitudes of ₁ and t ₂ , it is possible to determine which is faster.

S14: detection timing t₁ Is the fastest place
If (time is short), T₁ And T_Two Each
Imming t₁ ~ T_Three Is calculated. Toes
, T ₁ For (t_Two -T₁ ), T_Two about
(T_Three -T_Two ) And the value is stored in RAM 47
Storage area M_Four And M_Five To memorize.

S15, s16: If the time differences T ₁ and T ₂ at the timings detected as described above are calculated,
From the position of the hit point P in the equation, the sensor S ₂
Calculate the linear distance B to the origin position (0,0). In addition, the x coordinate position of the hit point P is obtained according to the equation (7). For the determined distance B and the x-coordinate position, region M _B of the RAM 47, it is stored in the Mx.

[0085] s17: s13 if Hayakere better detection timing of the sensor -S ₂ from the detection timing of the sensor S ₁ at where between the sensor S _3, any Do fast detection timing is determined. Therefore, the sensor S
If the detection timing of ₂ is faster, shorter than the time of the time the timing t ₂ is t ₃ (or equivalent).

[0086] S18 to S20; if a fast detection timing t _2, the time difference T _1, T ₂ of each of the timing t ₁ ~t ₃ is, T
₁ = t ₁ −t ₂ , T ₂ = t ₃ −t ₂ , and the time difference is stored in the areas M ₄ and M ₅ of the RAM 47. The linear distance B from RBI point P to the origin is calculated at the number 9 of the formula, for the x-coordinate at that time, the number 10 a predetermined region M _B of the RAM47 is calculated by a formula: is stored in Mx.

[0087] S21 to S23; if Hayakere detection timing of the sensor S ₃ is in s17, the time difference when the T
_1, T ₂ is sought at _{T 1 = t 1 -t 2,} T 2 = t 2 -t 3, the value is stored in the area M _4, M ₅ of RAM 47. Thereafter, the linear distance B from the hit point P to the origin and the x-coordinate of the hit point P are calculated by equations 11 and 12, and the calculation results are stored in the storage units M _B and Mx.

S24: As described above, each of the sensors S _{1 to} S
_If the linear distance B from the hit point P to the origin and the x coordinate of the hit point P are calculated in accordance with the timing difference due to ₃ , the y coordinate of the hit point is calculated based on the equation (8). This calculation result is stored in a predetermined area My of the RAM. (Note that the value of the coordinate y is stored as a positive value in order to detect a hit point position having a higher value than the sensors S _{1 to} S ₃ arranged on the X axis, and the sensors S _{1 to} S ₃
For example, when the position where is provided is arranged above the table glass 1 and the lower hit position is detected, it can be processed as negative. The coordinates (x, y) of the designated point P which has been hit as described above can be detected, and the value is stored in the designated storage area of the RAM 47. When the position P is detected, the position corresponding to the position on the table glass 1 is determined by a program, and the key input unit 8,
It is possible to determine whether the instruction is an input instruction by the user 9 or a document area designation in the document placing area 2. This determination is made by individually allocating areas on the table glass 1 and
This is stored in advance in, for example, the ROM 46 or the like. This may be stored in a separately provided storage unit instead of the ROM 46.

Therefore, in order to simplify the following description,
Regarding the coordinates of the table glass 1 in the X and Y directions, -X
_{8 to} X ₈ and Y ₀ (0) to Y ₁₂ are divided into a plurality of parts. In particular, the X coordinate points applied to the sensors S ₁ and S ₃ are represented by −X ₈ , X
₈ Manuscript for the mounting region 2, -X ₈ ~X
₆ and within the range of Y _{2 to} Y ₁₁ . The hit points in that area are stored as an area designation input, for example, in the ROM 46 in association with the X and Y direction areas and the document placement area 2.

The input sections 8 and 9 are printed at positions outside the document placing area 2. In addition, the input section 8 is an input key for designating a designated area of a document and setting copy conditions such as each copy mode, and is assigned coordinate areas of each of A to G and the print switch 8-1. That is, the input unit 8 is assigned to a coordinate area of X ₆ or more (X _{6 to} X ₈ ) in the X direction. Furthermore, the print switch 8-1, Y direction of a region is defined as Y ₀ to Y _2, for a start key A for the area input is allocated as Y ₁₁ to Y _12. Here, as for the input section 8, if the number of information input items (key number) is, for example, "n", the area corresponding to the n items and the item are stored in association (for example, the ROM 46). .

Further, the input section 9 is assigned as an area of Y ₂ or less (Y _{0 to} Y ₂ ) in the Y direction, and especially in the area of Y _{1 to} Y ₀ , the numeric key 9 is used.
-1 numbers 6-9, clear key C, and automatic or manual exposure setting key 9-3, Y ₂ in the region of to Y _1, numerical 0-5 and magnification setting key 9-2 numeric keys 9-1 Are assigned to the respective areas. Therefore, -X _2-
As a number 0 or 6 in the region of X _1, -X ₁ ~
In the area of X ₀ (0), it is assigned as a numerical value 1 or 7, and similarly in X _{4 to} X ₆ , it is assigned as a magnification setting key 9-2 or an exposure mode setting key 9-3.
These are stored in the ROM 46 in advance, for example, and the input items in each area are also stored correspondingly.

Referring to FIG. 8, a description will now be given of the input state of the input section 8, 9 or the area designation input in FIG. 1 at the position of the designated point P hit by the present invention. FIG. 8 shows which region the coordinate point calculated in FIG. 7 belongs to, and determines whether the coordinate point is input as a key input signal by the input units 8 and 9 or is set and input for region specification. Is a control flow for discriminating which key has been input.

S30: The value of the counter i is set to 1.
The counter i relates to the coordinate position in the X and Y directions. For example, when the counter i is “1”, for example, in the X coordinate, the coordinates of an area corresponding to −X ₈ to −X ₇ are read out. , Y coordinates, the coordinates of the area from 0 (Y ₀ ) to Y ₁ are read. Accordingly, the counter i, by the count contents sequentially increased, with respect to the Y-direction Y ₀ to Y _1, Y ₁ to Y _2, stepwise reads region up · · Y ₁₀ to Y _12, X-coordinate -X ₈ with respect to ~-X
_7, is used an area up to _{-X 7 ~X 6 ·· X 7 ~X} 8 as a counter for reading stepwise.

S31: Detected coordinates (x,
y) are stored in the areas Mx and My of the RAM 47, respectively. Therefore, the position stored in the area Mx of RAM, determines whether the coordinate position is larger than (value) stored in correspondence with the X direction of the X ₆ stored in the ROM 46. This is performed to determine whether or not the hit point P is a hit point input for designating an area in the document placing area 2.

[0095] s32: If X ₆ larger, as a key input at the input unit 8, or the input of which key region is determined. That is, the value of the y-coordinate stored in the My of the hit point P is the value of the Y-coordinate stored in the ROM 46.
₀ and it is within the region between Y ₁ whether to determine. This Y _s ~ stored in ROM46 with the content of the counter i
Y _{s + 1} is read. That is, the counter 1 is "1"
, The coordinate areas of Y ₀ and Y ₁ are read, and it is compared whether or not the detected hit point P is within this area.

[0096] s33: when contained between Y ₀ and Y ₁ determines the print switch 8-1.

[0097] s34: s32 in the case of Y ₀ and not in between the Y _1, adds 1 to the counter i, to i = 2.

S35: It is determined whether or not the value of the counter i exceeds the number n. If not, the process returns to s32,
Then it determines whether an area Y ₁ and Y ₂ in the same manner as the previous s32, determines if Y ₁ and Y ₂ in the region in s33 to be a print switch 8-1. This is because in the print switch 8-1, because it is assigned as an area to Y ₀ to Y _2, is also included for Y ₁ to Y _2. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the area is the area of the print switch 8-1. However, if the counter i is “1”, the coordinates of the Y _{0 to} Y ₂ areas may be set in advance to be read. In this case, the above n
With respect to the number of input keys of the input unit 8,
The coordinates of each area may be stored.

The above determination is repeated until the counter i reaches n, and it is possible to determine which of the keys A to G and the print switch 8-1 has been designated. In order to determine a color when specifying a color, when the area above or below the key G is determined, although not shown in FIG. 8, the coordinates (x, Y) of the hit point P are determined. the value of x is, by determining whether an area X ₉ or higher, can recognize that a key specification of the red (or green) or blue (or tea).

S36: When the counter i exceeds n, it is determined that an accurate area has not been specified or an input error has occurred, and the display device 55 (may be shared by the liquid crystal display unit 10 or provided separately. May be displayed.).

S37: If the coordinates (x, y) of the detected point P are within the area of the input section 9 of the table glass 1, the coordinates of the point y (the value stored in My) are:
To determine whether the Y ₂ following areas. That is, when the hit point P is not in the area of the input unit 8, it is determined whether or not the hit point P is in the area of the input unit 9.

S38: In the case of the area of the input unit 9,
Counter i (= 1) coordinate area -X ₈ ~-X ₅ in the X direction corresponding to the read, whether or not this region is determined. Here, the area of the counter i = 1 is the left part of the liquid crystal display unit 10. By changing the display content in various ways, it is possible to input necessary items. In addition, the area -X ₅ to -X on the right side of the liquid crystal display unit 10.
_The same applies to ₂ . Therefore, when the disable input by the liquid crystal display unit 10, the area in the X direction in counter i = 1, the region of -X ₂ ~-X ₁ may be set in advance as read. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the area is within the above-described area.

S39: If the hit point P is within the predetermined area in s38, it is input as a key item in the input unit 9. In this case, although not shown in FIG. 8, when it is determined that the input item is within the area in the X direction, the upper and lower
That By storing the contents of the My is determined whether Y ₁ or more, can be specified whether the upper number or lower numbers of numerical keys 9-1. The same applies to the keys 9-2 and 9-3.

S40: If it is not within the area in s38, the content of the counter i is incremented by 1, and the next area in the X direction is read out in s38, and the same determination as described above is performed.

S41: It is determined whether or not the counter i has exceeded the numerical value m. In this case, m is the number of distinct areas, and when the liquid crystal display unit 10 is not used as an input unit, for example, m is set to “7” in the example of FIG.

S42: If the counter i exceeds m, the input by the hit point P is invalid or an input error is displayed again.

[0107] s43: s31 and at s37, storing the detected coordinates of the hitting point point P (x, y), Mx , the following values of the _{X 6} for My, the case of more than the value of Y _2, designated points Since P has hit the copyable area 2 in FIG. 1, the coordinate position (x, y) of the designated point P is displayed.
In this case, for example, if a scale is printed around the document placing area of the table glass 1 and displayed on the display device 55 (the liquid crystal display unit 10) as a numerical value corresponding to the scale value,
In addition to being able to check between the detected hitting position P and the displayed hitting position, the operator can roughly check the hitting position by comparing the actually hitting position with the displayed coordinate position. If two hit points P are detected, a signal is input in a quadrangular area forming the diagonal line as shown in FIG.

As described above, the position can be detected from the hit point on the table glass 1, and a signal corresponding to the area of this position is input. For example, in a copying machine, input of an image area of a document and other operations are performed. Can be input by an apparatus formed on the same surface.

In FIG. 1, the sensors S _{1 to} S ₃ are denoted by X.
Although they are arranged on a straight line on the axis, they are not limited to this, and they may be arranged on a straight line along the reference line 6 to detect the hitting point position. In this case, for the sensors S _2, placed in the position of the original center 7, the sensors S ₁ and S ₃ are
It may be disposed in symmetric <br/> position (vertical in FIG. 1) left and right around the center S _2.

[0110] Moreover, in FIG. 1, since the seeking of strike position coordinates (x, y) position of the sensor S ₂ as the origin, will be the value of x indicates a positive or negative, operation and other processes if troublesome, the position of the sensor S ₁ if the origin, can be treated only by a positive value. Alternatively, strike position sensor S ₂ as the origin (x, y) even in the case of seeking, it is possible to easily convert the position of the sensor S ₁ as the origin. This can be achieved by adding the value corresponding to “L” to the value of x obtained by the calculation.

[0111]

According to the RBI input device according to the present invention, multiple
Number of sensors in a straight line and one sensor
Center and the other sensors to the left of the center sensor
Is located right symmetrical positions, the processing of the detection signal line from the sensors is simplified, it becomes easy Oite to assemble. At the same time, the other sensors are symmetrical with respect to the center sensor.
The time difference between those sensors.
It is possible to easily calculate the hitting position. to this
Detects the state of hitting the operation surface with the input pen
Eliminates the need.

Further, the symmetrical arrangement with the center sensor is provided.
Find the time difference from the sensor and easily find the hit point
Can be calculated accurately and easily.
Can perform arithmetic processing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a top view showing details in the vicinity of a document placing area showing an example of a copying apparatus including a dot input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a copying apparatus including the dot input device in FIG.

3 is a time chart showing a state in which, when a designated point on the table glass is hit with an input pen in the hit point input device of FIG. 1, the shock wave is transmitted through the table glass and reaches respective sensors.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing a control circuit configuration for measuring a difference in detection timing and controlling a copying apparatus in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for calculating a coordinate position related to a hit point position in FIG. 1 by calculation;

FIG. 6 is a control flowchart for measuring a time difference between detection timings in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart according to a calculation process for calculating a hitting position based on a time difference in the control flow of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for determining an input item relating to an area of a hit position according to the present invention;

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 table glass 2 copyable area 3 original 8, 9 input section 12 input pen 45 CPU 46 ROM 47 RAM S _{1 to} S ₃ dot position detection sensor

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Tokiyuki Okano 22-22 Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Inside Sharp Corporation (72) Inventor Yoichi Shimazawa 22-22 Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka City, Osaka (56) References JP-A-2-277117 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G06F 3/03

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] And 1. A operation surface having an RBI fillable region, an input pen for RBI said operating surface, a plurality in place of the operation surface, the sensor for receiving the vibrations from strike position of the operating surface When detected the vibration from RBI position by said sensor
Performing each of the calculated time difference, and calculating means for calculating a strike position on the operating surface by the pen for the input by the difference between said time, the input corresponding to the I Ri computed strike position to the arithmetic means between each sensor when Means, wherein the sensor is disposed in a straight line at one end of the operation surface, and one of the plurality of sensors is
It is located at the center of the operation surface, and its center sensor is
Other symmetrical positions at a fixed interval around the sensor
A hit point input device comprising a sensor . 2. The arithmetic means comprises a center sensor and a left-right pair.
Time between other sensors located at the nominal position
Find the difference and hit the point with the input pen based on these time differences.
2. The hit point input device according to claim 1 , wherein the calculated position is calculated .