JP3174162B2 - Coordinate input control method and 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 coordinate input control method and apparatus for inputting and processing coordinate data specified on a coordinate input surface.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in handwritten character recognition and the like, a display unit is provided below a transparent coordinate input device, and a figure input on the coordinate input device is displayed as if written on the display unit. Devices have been developed. Such a coordinate input device includes an electromagnetic induction method and an electrostatic coupling method using electric coupling between a panel and a stylus, an ultrasonic method for detecting a position designated by a delay time of a sound wave, and two sheets. Apply a transparent resistive film on a glass plate,
There is an analog resistance division method in which the glass plates are brought into contact with each other by being pressed by a finger or the like, and the current ratio flowing therethrough is measured. In any of these methods, when there is a coordinate input, it is necessary to wait a certain time until the coordinate input signal is stabilized or to perform A / D conversion before calculating the input position coordinates.
Therefore, when coordinate input is performed continuously,
It takes a certain time interval from reading the coordinates of a specified point to reading the coordinates of the next specified point.

For this reason, when a coordinate position is designated continuously on the coordinate input surface of the coordinate input device, unless the coordinate designation speed is constant, as shown in FIG. 14, the coordinate designation speed is low. At this time, the coordinate input detection points are dense, and when the pointing speed is high, the coordinate input detection points are coarse. In FIG. 14, white circles indicate detected coordinate input points, and 1
Reference numeral 40 denotes an input start point (a start point of a line segment), and 141 denotes an input end point (an end point of a line segment). In general, when inputting a line segment, the movement speed of the coordinate pointing point becomes slower at the start and end of the input of the line segment, so the number of coordinate input detection points becomes denser than near the middle point of the line segment. Tends to increase.

When performing image processing such as resolution conversion on image data input from a coordinate input device,
The coordinate data input from the coordinate input device has been used as it is. As described above, the input line segment data has a high data density near the start point and end point of the line segment and becomes coarse near the center of the line segment. In some cases, a coordinate input point is detected in excess of the number of data required for the above, and the number of data may be insufficient near the midpoint of the reverse line segment. As a result, extra arithmetic processing is performed, and the time required for image processing becomes longer,
Alternatively, there has been a problem that the response speed to the coordinate input is reduced.

Further, the input resolution required for the coordinate input device has been determined by an application using the same. For example, in the case of handwritten character recognition, if an accuracy of 10 lines per 1 mm is required, the input accuracy of the coordinate input device must be 10 lines per mm correspondingly. However, high-precision coordinate input devices use an electromagnetic induction method, an electrostatic coupling method, an ultrasonic method, or the like. These require additional devices such as sense lines, coils, microphones, and speakers, and are expensive. is there. In addition, since high-precision coordinate input is not always required, the value of use as a single component is not good.

[0006]

As described above, the input coordinate data tends to have a high density near the start and end points of the line segment and a low density near the middle of the line segment. In the vicinity of the start and end points of the minute, data is thinned out, and in the vicinity of the midpoint of the line segment, a coordinate interpolation process is performed such that a new coordinate point is added by numerical processing.
Since it is necessary to use the continuity of the input points in order to perform the coordinate interpolation processing, the coordinate point conversion by the numerical processing can be performed only at least after the coordinates are input. In addition, this coordinate interpolation processing requires a considerable amount of calculation, although it depends on the accuracy of the conversion. Therefore, if the trajectory of the input point is to be displayed during the coordinate input, the coordinate point display for the coordinate input is performed for the above-described reason. The reaction speed becomes slow and the feeling of use becomes poor. Therefore, in the case of continuous coordinate input, it is conceivable that a display corresponding to the coordinate input is not performed. However, if no display is performed, it is difficult to understand what graphic is input, which is extremely inconvenient in operation.

Further, as described above, a normal application does not always require a high-resolution coordinate input. Therefore, only when a high-resolution coordinate input is requested, a low-resolution coordinate input device is used. What is necessary is to convert the input coordinate data into high-resolution coordinate data numerically. When performing such coordinate conversion, if the conversion magnification is designated by a number, it is difficult to intuitively determine the size of the converted graphic from the specified conversion magnification.

Further, when the input coordinate set is smaller than a certain size, even if such coordinate interpolation processing is executed, sufficient data for image processing such as character recognition cannot be obtained. If the coordinate interpolation process is always performed regardless of the size of the set, the efficiency of the input device becomes poor.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional example, and the distance between coordinate data is kept substantially constant while the input start point, input end point and inflection point of continuously input coordinate data are stored. It is an object of the present invention to provide a coordinate input control method and a coordinate input control method in which image processing in the subsequent stage can be performed efficiently by keeping the values within the range.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, a coordinate input control device according to the present invention has the following arrangement. That is, a coordinate input control device that outputs coordinate data specified on the coordinate input surface, and based on coordinate data that is continuously input, a display position corresponding to the coordinate data is specified from the coordinate input surface. Display means for displaying a symbol indicating that, at least input start point, input end point and inflection point of the continuous coordinate data are detected, and holding means for storing their coordinate values; and Of which
A point-to-point distance other than the coordinate values held in the holding means is obtained, and if the point-to-point distance is equal to or longer than a predetermined length, coordinate data is added between the points, and the point-to-point distance is equal to or shorter than a predetermined length. And control means for deleting the coordinate data. In order to achieve the above object, a coordinate input control device of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, a coordinate input control device that outputs coordinate data specified on a coordinate input surface, indicating means for indicating an input range of coordinate data, and display means for displaying the input range specified by the indicating means. Comparing the input range indicated by the indicating means with the range of the coordinate data actually input,
Scaling factor determining means for determining the scaling factor of the input coordinate data; and the coordinate data is determined by the scaling factor determined by the scaling factor determining means so that the input coordinate data falls within the input range. And a zooming means for zooming.

[0011] In order to achieve the above object, a coordinate input control method of the present invention includes the following steps. That is, a coordinate input control method for inputting coordinate data from a coordinate input device and performing display based on the coordinate data. The coordinate input control method corresponds to the coordinate data in the input order of the coordinate data based on continuously input coordinate data. A dot is displayed at a display position to be edited, and the coordinate data is edited while the input start point, input end point, and inflection point of a continuous coordinate data group are stored. In order to achieve the above object, a coordinate input control method of the present invention includes the following steps. That is, a coordinate input control method for outputting coordinate data specified on a coordinate input surface, wherein a display position corresponding to the coordinate data is specified from the coordinate input surface based on continuously input coordinate data. A display step of displaying a symbol indicating that the coordinate data is detected, at least an input start point, an input end point, and an inflection point of the continuous coordinate data are detected, and a storage step of storing their coordinate values; and Among them, a distance between points other than the coordinate values held in the holding step is obtained, and if the distance between the points is a predetermined length or more, coordinate data is added between the points, and the distance between the points is a predetermined length. And a control step of deleting the coordinate data in the following case. In order to achieve the above object, a coordinate input control method of the present invention includes the following steps. That is, a coordinate input control method for outputting coordinate data designated on a coordinate input surface, wherein an instruction step of designating an input range of coordinate data and an input range designated in the instruction step are displayed on a display unit. A display step, a magnification ratio determining step of comparing the input range designated in the instruction step with the range of the actually input coordinate data, and determining a magnification ratio of the input coordinate data; A scaling step of scaling the coordinate data by the scaling factor determined in the scaling factor determining step so that the coordinate data falls within the input range.

[0012]

In the above arrangement, dots are displayed at the display positions corresponding to the coordinate data in the input order of the coordinate data based on the coordinate data input continuously, and the input start point of the continuous coordinate data group is displayed. It operates so as to edit the coordinate data while keeping the input end point and the inflection point. Further, according to the configuration of the present invention, based on coordinate data that is continuously input, a sign indicating that an instruction has been given from the coordinate input surface is displayed at a display position corresponding to the coordinate data, and the continuous coordinate data is displayed. At least the input start point, the input end point, and the inflection point of the data are detected, their coordinate values are held, and a distance between points other than the held coordinate values is obtained from the coordinate data. If the distance is equal to or greater than a predetermined length, coordinate data is added between the points, and if the distance between the points is equal to or less than a predetermined length, the coordinate data is deleted. Further, according to the configuration of the present invention, the input range of the coordinate data is designated, the designated input range is displayed on the display unit, and the input range is compared with the range of the actually input coordinate data. Determine the magnification of the coordinate data
An operation is performed so that the input coordinate data is scaled at the determined scaling factor so that the input coordinate data falls within the input range.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of coordinate input of certain line segment data. Each point indicated by a white circle and a black circle indicates a detection point of the coordinate input. 101 indicates a start point of coordinate input, 102 indicates an end point, and black circles 103 to 106 indicate inflection points at which the increase or decrease of coordinate values is switched between two adjacent points. Since there is a tendency for the speed of the coordinate designation to be slow even near these inflection points, the density of the input coordinate points becomes high similarly to the vicinity of the start point 101 and the end point. These start points, end points, and inflection points are collectively referred to as “singular points” hereinafter. In the present embodiment, at the time of coordinate input, the point at which the coordinate is input is displayed as it is, and after the input is completed, the display of the displayed coordinate point is ended.

Further, by controlling the coordinate conversion process according to the state of an external switch installed in a housing or the like,
Coordinate conversion processing according to the application to be used, such as performing coordinate conversion only at the time of specific input, is performed.

Further, when performing the coordinate conversion, the coordinate input is performed after designating the size of the converted graphic instead of designating the conversion magnification by a number.

Further, upon completion of the input, the size of the outer shape of the input coordinate set is calculated. If this size is smaller than a certain size frame, this frame is displayed and the input data is invalidated. To be.

The details will be described below.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the coordinate input unit of the coordinate input device of the present embodiment.

Reference numeral 201 denotes a transparent coordinate input unit arranged on the front of the display unit 202. Note that this coordinate input unit 201
May be arranged on the rear surface of the display unit 202. However, in this case, it is necessary to use a non-contact type in which the coordinates can be input even if the coordinates indicating means and the surface of the coordinates input unit 201 are not in contact with each other.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the coordinate input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Reference numeral 301 denotes a control circuit for controlling the coordinate input unit 201. According to an instruction from the coordinate instruction unit 302, detection of the coordinate input and detection of the designated coordinate position are performed. The coordinate indicating unit 302 is a stylus in the case of a capacitance type or an electromagnetic induction type in which coordinates are input in pairs with the coordinate input unit 201. 303 is a CPU, which is a ROM 3
In accordance with the control program stored in the CPU 05, various applications are executed and various devices are controlled. 3
A RAM 04 stores programs and data for performing various calculations and processes for controlling the coordinate input device. RO
Various control programs and data are recorded in M305.

With the above configuration, the user can display the display unit 202.
The position of the mark displayed on the screen is designated by using the pen or the coordinate designating unit 302 to give an instruction to the apparatus or to input characters or figures by tracing the coordinate input surface of the coordinate input unit 201. .

In the apparatus of this embodiment, two thresholds are set for the distance between two consecutive points, and the smaller threshold (L ₁
By when the distance between two points is short deletes the point, when the distance than is longer larger threshold (and L ₂₎ is to add the coordinates on a straight line connecting the two points than) the Keep the distance between coordinates within a certain range. As a result, the apparent resolution is improved, and efficient data is generated by discarding unnecessary data.

Next, a software control method of a line drawing / graphics input process in the coordinate input device of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the present embodiment, a set of coordinate points input in continuous coordinates in the input process is called a “line segment”, and a set of line segments input within a predetermined time interval is called a “coordinate set”. A control program for executing this processing is stored in the ROM 305.

This process is started when a coordinate input instruction is input from the coordinate instruction section 302, and the process proceeds to step S2.
Then, the coordinate data indicated by the coordinates is input. Next, the process proceeds to step S3, where a dot or a line is displayed at a position corresponding to the input coordinate data. Next, the process proceeds to step S4 to determine whether the input of the line segment data has been completed.
That is, it is determined whether the continuous coordinate input has been completed. If not, the process returns to step S2 to execute the above-described processing.
In step S4, a signal from the coordinate input unit 201 is detected, and it is determined whether or not the input of continuous coordinates has been completed based on the detection result. Here, the output signal from the coordinate input unit 201 is configured to be held until read out. For example, if the output signal is at a high level, it indicates that a coordinate input has been performed.
The determination can be made by indicating that there is no coordinate input at 1.

In step S5, it is determined whether or not the coordinate set data input has been completed. Here, the input of the coordinate set data starts a timer when the input of the line segment data ends, and determines that the input ends when the timer counts out a certain time interval and times out. Note that the output signal from the coordinate input unit 201 is monitored during the counting by the timer. If the coordinate input is performed before the timeout, the process returns to step S2 to perform the next line segment data input processing.

When the input of the coordinate set data is completed, the flow advances to step S6 to store the read coordinate data. At this time, it is assumed that the coordinate points and the line segment data have a data structure so that the input time series can be understood, and that the coordinate points belong to which line segment data. Next, proceeding to step S7, the display processing based on the input coordinate data is ended, and the line drawing figure input processing is ended in step S8.

Next, the coordinate interpolation processing in the coordinate input device of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Note that this coordinate interpolation processing is executed for each line segment belonging to the coordinate set input in the line drawing figure input processing described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. A control program for executing this processing is stored in the ROM 305.

First, in step S11, it is determined whether interpolation processing has been performed on all line segment data belonging to the coordinate set. If the interpolation processing has not been performed on all the line segment data, the process proceeds to step S12, and when the processing on all the line segment data ends, the process returns to the main process. Step S
At 12, one line segment data to be subjected to the interpolation processing is selected. Next, the process proceeds to step S13, for example, selection of a singular point in the line segment shown in FIG. Next, in step S14, performs a first starting point a ₁ as two points to be processed in the initial setting for selecting a ₂ point input to the second.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a line segment coordinate data represent coordinate data in a _n, n is 1 ≦ n ≦ N (N is a natural number)
Indicates that the smaller n is the point input earlier in time. Also, it represents the distance between a _n and a _n-1 in D _n-1.

Then, the process proceeds to a step S15, and it is determined whether or not the later input point among the coordinates between the two points to be processed is a singular point. If it is not a singular point, the process proceeds to step S16, and if it is a singular point, the process proceeds to step S22. Step S
At 16, it is determined whether the distance D _n-1 between the two points is shorter than the above _- described threshold L ₁ . Here, L ₁ is 2 described above.
The smaller of the two thresholds of the point-to-point distance. If the distance D _n−1 between the two points is smaller than L ₁ , the process proceeds to step S17. In step S18, the coordinate data number is updated. Because the this time too close the point a _n to a point a _n-1, remove the point and updates the point a _{n + 1} shifts the data number in a _n. However, data before an _-1 is not updated. FIG. 7 shows an example of deleting coordinate points at this time. In FIG. 7, a circle indicated by a dotted line indicated by 70 indicates a deleted coordinate point (point a _{n in} FIG. 6).

Next, the process proceeds to step S18, where two points to be used in the next process are set from the coordinate data group. More specifically, the coordinate data number n is incremented by one. After this processing, the process returns to step S15.

On the other hand if the distance between two points D _n-1 were the threshold L ₁ or more in step S16 advances to step S19, 2
It is determined whether the point distance D _n-1 is longer than the threshold L ₂ . Here L ₂ is towards the two thresholds of the distance between the two points previously described large. If the distance between the two points is greater than L _2, the process proceeds to step S20, straight line (a _n -a _n-1) Add 1 point from the point a _n-1 at a distance L ₃ on (see FIG. 8 ). Here, the coordinates of the additional point are calculated. Further, the distance L ₃ is preset in L ₁ or in L ₂ within the following ranges. FIG. 8 shows an example of adding coordinates at this time.

Next, the process proceeds to step S21, where the coordinate data number
Update the issue. Then point a_n A_{n + 1} To data number
And add an additional coordinate point to a_n Update as However
Then a _n-1 Do not update previous data. After this,
Proceeding to step S18, the same processing as described above is repeated. In addition,
Distance D between two points in step S19_n-1 Is L_Two If the following
If D_n-1 Is L₁ L_Two Since it is less than
The process proceeds to step S18 without performing the process.

Further, in step S15, if the point a _n was specific point proceeds to step S22, the point a _n determines whether the end point. If a _n is not the end point, step S
Proceed to 18. That is, no processing is performed at the singular point. This is because the singular point is important data characterizing the shape of the line segment data, so that the positional relationship does not collapse due to the interpolation processing. On the other hand, when the point a _n was the end point proceeds to step S11. Thus, step S11
If it is determined that the coordinate interpolation processing has been completed for all line segment data, the process returns to the main processing.

According to the above-described processing, the coordinate input unit 201
By interpolating the data input from the data into a coordinate group spaced at an interval within a certain range, unnecessary data is discarded, and efficient data holding is enabled.

By using the control method described above, the coordinate input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention can be realized. <Second Embodiment> When inputting a line drawing in a coordinate input device in which a display unit and a coordinate input unit are physically overlapped as in this embodiment, the size written on the coordinate input unit 201 is usually The data is stored in the same physical size and displayed on the display unit. However, if the coordinate input unit 201 does not have a sufficient resolution, the user inputs a line drawing figure that is larger than the actual size of the line drawing figure to be input, performs coordinate interpolation processing, and then reduces the size by coordinate conversion. By storing and displaying the data, the resolution of the coordinate input unit 201 can be artificially increased.

In this embodiment, a switch is provided externally, and it is determined whether or not to perform coordinate conversion for size reduction according to the state of the switch. Hereinafter, the mode for performing the coordinate conversion for the size reduction is referred to as a reduction input mode.

Also, instead of specifying the reduction ratio at the time of the reduction conversion by a numerical value, a rectangular frame is written on the coordinate input device to specify the size after the reduction conversion, and thereafter, the size is greatly input to an area outside the frame. A minimum rectangular frame (hereinafter, referred to as a minimum circumscribed frame) surrounding the drawn line drawing figure is extracted, and a reduction ratio is calculated and determined from these two frames. Reduction conversion is performed using this magnification, and the image is displayed in the previously specified rectangular frame. FIG. 9 shows an overview of such a coordinate input device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 9, reference numeral 210 denotes an apparatus main body;
The main body 210 is assumed to be used, for example, placed horizontally on a desk. 201 is a coordinate input unit;
Reference numeral 2 denotes a display unit. Either of the coordinate input unit 201 and the display unit 202 may be located on the front surface as in the first embodiment. Reference numeral 211 denotes a switch for instructing whether to perform coordinate conversion for size reduction. This switch 211 also serves as a palm rest when inputting coordinates,
When the user holds the pen to input a line drawing, the user places his hand on the palm rest, that is, the switch 211, and the switch 2
11 is pressed and the mode is switched. In this case, the input mode is not switched because the instruction is performed directly without using the palm rest when indicating the approximate position such as selecting an icon.

Next, FIG. 10 shows a schematic configuration of the coordinate input device of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 9, and the same parts as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Numeral 301a denotes a control circuit for controlling the coordinate input unit 201, which detects a coordinate input and a designated coordinate position in accordance with an instruction from the coordinate instructing unit 302, and sets a mode from the mode changeover switch 211. A switching instruction has been input. The coordinate indicating unit 302 is a stylus in the case of a capacitance type or an electromagnetic induction type in which coordinates are input in pairs with the coordinate input unit 201. 303a
Is a CPU that executes various applications and controls various devices according to a control program stored in the ROM 305a. A RAM 304a stores programs and data for performing various calculations and processes for controlling the present coordinate input device. Various control programs and data are recorded in the ROM 305a.

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
A coordinate input mode switching process in the coordinate input device according to the second embodiment will be described.

First, in step S31, the current input mode is stored. This is the input mode switch 21
1 is to read a signal input from the device 1 and store it in the RAM 304a. Next, the process proceeds to step S32, where the RAM 3
The input mode stored in 04a is read, and it is determined whether or not the input mode is the reduction mode. If the mode is the reduction mode, the flow advances to step S33 to input a line drawing figure input from the coordinate input unit 201. The contents of this processing conform to the processing described in the first embodiment (the flowchart of FIG. 4).
Here, after the reduction conversion, a rectangular frame for specifying the size to be displayed is input.

Then, the process proceeds to a step S34, and a step S3
The minimum circumscribed frame surrounding the rectangular frame input in step 3 is extracted. As shown in FIG. 12, the maximum value (x _max , y _max ) and the minimum value (x _min , y _min ) of the X coordinate and the Y coordinate in the coordinate set are obtained.
Can be determined from 12, reference numeral 120 denotes an input line drawing figure, and 121 denotes a minimum circumscribed frame extracted based on the line drawing figure 120. x _min is the minimum value of the X coordinate of the line drawing graphic 120 that is input, y _min is the minimum value of the Y coordinate of the line drawing graphic 120 that is input, x _{ma x} is the maximum value of the X coordinate of the line drawing graphic 120 that is input ,, y _max is the maximum value of the Y coordinate of the input line drawing graphic 120.

Then, the process proceeds to a step S35, and a step S3
The rectangular frame extracted in step 4 is displayed on the display unit 202. In step S3 6, to input the line drawing graphic. This processing is the same as in step S33. Then, the process proceeds to a step S37, and a minimum rectangular frame surrounding the line drawing figure input in the step S36 is extracted. This minimum circumscribed rectangular frame is determined in step S
34, and can be extracted.

Then, the process proceeds to a step S38, and a step S3
4 and the reduction magnification is calculated from the two rectangular frames extracted in step S37. At this time, the reduction ratio is calculated for each of the X axis and the Y axis, and the larger one is selected. By doing so, the coordinate set after the reduced conversion can be displayed in the frame extracted in step S34.

Next, the process proceeds to a step S39, where a coordinate interpolation process is performed. The contents of this processing are in accordance with the processing described in the flowchart of FIG. 5 of the first embodiment. In step S40, the coordinate values of the coordinate set subjected to the interpolation processing are converted at the reduction ratio calculated in step S38. Next, step S
Proceeding to 41, the interpolation set is displayed in the rectangular frame displayed in step S35. At this time, in step S36, this processing is performed after the display of the line drawing figure already displayed is completed. Next, the process proceeds to step S42, and the display of the rectangular frame displayed in step S35 ends.

On the other hand, if the mode is not the reduced input mode in step S32, the flow advances to step S43 to input a line drawing figure. The contents of this processing are the same as in steps S33 and S36. Next, the process proceeds to step S44, where coordinate interpolation processing is performed. This processing is the same as in step S39.
Thus, the process proceeds to step S45, where the coordinate set is displayed on the display unit 20.
2 is displayed. This processing is the same as that in step S41.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the input mode set by the switch 211 is read before inputting the coordinates, and the reduction conversion of the line drawing is performed according to the read mode. Since it is not known when the user operates the switch 211 to change the input mode, it is necessary to monitor the input mode set by the switch 211 at regular time intervals.

In the above-described method, the user can easily switch the input mode using the external switch 211.
In the reduction input mode, the reduction ratio can be automatically calculated by inputting a line drawing figure after inputting the display frame after the reduction, so that it is not necessary to specify the magnification numerically, and the size after the input is intuitively reduced. Can be specified.

The data input largely on the coordinate input unit 201 is reduced and converted and displayed.
Even when 01 does not have a sufficient resolution, the resolution of the coordinate input unit 201 can be artificially increased. <Third Embodiment> When performing a process of converting the line drawing graphic data input from the coordinate input unit 201 into a symbol having the closest shape among the line drawing graphic symbols stored in the system in advance, a certain number or more is required. It is necessary to input line drawing graphic data having the coordinate data of Also, a coordinate input unit 2
Once the resolution of 01 and the size of the line drawing on the reading device are determined, the number of data can be obtained by calculation.

In view of the above, in the third embodiment of the present invention, the threshold value of the number of coordinate data required for symbol conversion is defined by the size drawn on the coordinate input unit 201 of the line drawing figure, and this threshold value is defined. When a line drawing figure smaller than the size is input, the input is invalidated, a rectangular frame required for the threshold value (hereinafter, referred to as a minimum input frame) is displayed on the display unit 202, and a rectangular frame is displayed to the user. Prompts you to enter a line drawing figure with a size other than.

The external structure and block diagram of the coordinate input device according to the third embodiment of the present invention conform to those of the first embodiment.

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
A process in the coordinate input device according to the third embodiment will be described.

In step S51, a line drawing figure is input.
This process conforms to the flowchart of FIG. 4 of the first embodiment. Next, the process proceeds to step S52, and the minimum circumscribed frame of the line drawing figure input in step S51 is extracted. This processing is in accordance with step S34 of the second embodiment. Next, in step S53, the sizes of the minimum circumscribed frame extracted in step S52 and the minimum input frame are compared, and if the minimum circumscribed frame is smaller, the process proceeds to step S54. At this time, the comparison of the sizes of the frames is performed based on the length of the side of each frame.

In step S54, the minimum input frame and the input line drawing figure are displayed, and the minimum input frame is displayed with the line drawing figure superimposed on the position where the line drawing figure was input. After displaying during this processing, a wait operation is performed. An appropriate time, a minimum input frame, and an input line drawing figure are displayed by the weight. Next, the process proceeds to step S55, and the display of the displayed minimum input frame and the line drawing figure ends.

If it is determined in step S53 that the minimum circumscribed frame of the input line drawing graphic is larger than the minimum input frame, the process ends.

In the third embodiment, if the line drawing figure does not have a sufficient size, the input is invalidated, but if the line drawing figure has a sufficient size, after the input of the line drawing is completed,
The coordinate interpolation processing shown in the first embodiment is performed. Also, it is assumed that the size of the minimum input frame is calculated from the resolution of the coordinate input unit 201 and the number of data required for symbol conversion, and is registered in the coordinate input device in advance.

In the third embodiment, when the line drawing figure input by the user is invalid, the minimum input frame and the line drawing figure are displayed at the same position after the input, and the display ends after a predetermined time. The user can know that the currently input data is invalid, and can know that it is necessary to input a line drawing graphic with a size larger than the displayed minimum input frame.

As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, in the coordinate input device in which the display unit and the coordinate input unit 201 are physically overlapped, the input start point of the continuously input coordinate group is set. , While preserving the input end point and the inflection point, reduce some coordinates or add coordinates on a straight line between the coordinates of two consecutive points to keep the distance between the coordinates within a certain range. , The number of data is not excessively increased near the start and end points of the line segment, and efficient data can be held. In addition, since the coordinates are added near the midpoint of the line segment, the number of data increases, and the reliability in image processing after this processing is improved.

Further, as a result of performing the coordinate interpolation processing, efficient data is generated, so that the subsequent image processing time is shortened, the response speed up to the display for the coordinate input is increased, and the usability is improved. .

When inputting coordinates, the coordinate input point is displayed as it is, and after the input is completed, the display of the displayed coordinate point is ended. Therefore, when inputting, the locus of the user's input is understood, and the display is terminated. The user can be notified that the input processing has been completed and the processing has shifted to the next processing.

Further, by controlling the coordinate conversion processing in accordance with the state of an external switch installed in a housing or the like,
The user can easily switch the input mode.

When performing the above coordinate conversion, instead of specifying the conversion magnification numerically, the size of the figure after conversion is specified, and then the coordinates are input to automatically calculate the conversion magnification. The user does not need to specify the magnification numerically, and can intuitively specify the size after input.

The coordinate data input on the input coordinate input unit 201 is reduced and converted to display the coordinate data.
Even if 01 does not have a sufficient resolution, the resolution of the coordinate input unit 201 can be increased in a pseudo manner. At this time, since the singular point of the input data is stored, the shape is not lost even if the size is changed by the coordinate conversion. Therefore, it can be used even with the inexpensive low-resolution coordinate input unit 201.

Also, upon completion of the input, the size of the outer shape of the input coordinate set is calculated, and if this size is smaller than a certain size frame, coordinate interpolation processing is not executed and this frame is displayed. In order to invalidate the input data, the user knows that the currently input data is invalid without waiting for the coordinate interpolation processing time, and draws a line drawing with a size larger than the displayed minimum input frame. You can know that you need to input a figure. Next, a coordinate input device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view of the coordinate input device of the fourth embodiment. Note that, in the following description, portions common to the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

Reference numeral 201 denotes a coordinate input unit. In this case, two glass plates coated with a transparent resistive film are grounded at equal intervals over the entire surface, and when they are pressed by a finger or a pen, they contact each other. This is an analog resistance division type touch panel that allows a current to flow and obtains a contact position (depressed position) based on the current ratio. A control circuit 203 controls the touch panel 201 and the display unit 202. A switch 204 is used to input various instructions.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the coordinate input device of the fifth embodiment.

Reference numeral 160 denotes a controller,
And input the position and the like designated by the coordinate input unit 201 to perform various controls. An interface unit 161 converts an analog signal from the coordinate input unit 201 into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal. A memory 162 is used for temporarily storing a control program of the controller 160 and various data. A CPU 163 displays an input coordinate set input from the controller 160, executes various applications, controls various devices, and the like. A memory 164 stores a control program of the CPU 163 and various data.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a coordinate input process in the controller 160 of the coordinate input device of the fifth embodiment. A control program for executing this process is stored in the memory 162.

First, in step S61, the coordinate input unit 201
Is input and converted to theoretical coordinate values.
Next, the process proceeds to step S62, in which the coordinate values are stored in the CPU 163.
To the display unit 2 at a resolution unique to the coordinate input unit 201.
02 is displayed. Next, in step S63, based on the signal from the coordinate input unit 201, it is determined whether the coordinate input is continuous, that is, whether the coordinate input is continuously pressed by a pen or the like. If the input has not been completed, step S6
Returning to step 1, the above-described processing is executed.

When the input is completed, the process proceeds to step S64,
The lengths of the vertical, horizontal, and diagonal lines of the input coordinate data are obtained. Next, proceeding to step S65, the length of this diagonal is 2
It is checked whether it is not less than 00 dots. If not, the process proceeds to step S66, and the coordinate data is converted to the second resolution. This processing will be described later in detail with reference to FIGS.

The determination in step S65 will be described with reference to FIG. 18. In FIG. 18, since there are 12 vertical dots and 9 horizontal dots, the diagonal is 15 dots. In this case, the process proceeds from step S65 to step S66, and the second Is converted to the resolution. Note that the value of 200 dots is a numerical value that can be determined to be sufficient as the quality of the figure.
Of course, any number is acceptable.

The process then proceeds to step S67, where the lower end of the input original coordinate set and the lower end of the converted coordinate set after step S66 have been executed are combined, and
The figure input to 02 or the figure after conversion is displayed.
Next, the process proceeds to step S68, and the CPU 163 executes image processing such as character recognition and contour extraction based on the obtained image data.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of resolution conversion processing.
Here, a smoothing process in a case where the number of dots is equal to or less than a predetermined number of dots is shown.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the smoothing process. A control program for executing this process is stored in the memory 162.

First, in step S71, the input coordinate set is directly interpolated to make all coordinate data to be subjected to resolution conversion continuous. This processing will be described later with reference to the flowchart in FIG. Next, proceeding to step S72, the first data of the coordinate set obtained in step S71 is set as point of interest 1, and the next coordinate point is set as point of interest 2 in step S73. In step S74, it is checked whether or not the next point of interest, that is, the point of interest 2 is empty, that is, whether or not the processing has been completed. If not, the process proceeds to step S75, in which it is determined whether the adjacent point of interest 1 and the point of interest 2 are connected by a horizontal line or a vertical line. If so, the process proceeds to step S79, and the point of interest 2 is newly added. The point of interest 1 is set, and the process returns to step S73 again.

If it is determined in step S75 that the line is not a straight line, the process proceeds to step S76, where it is determined whether the line is an upper right line or a lower right line.
The point is deleted, and one point on the upper right is added (see FIG. 21). On the other hand, if the coordinate sequence is not a right-downward coordinate line in step S76 (upward rightward), the process proceeds to step S78, in which two lower right points are deleted and one upper left point is added (see FIG. 22).

FIG. 21 shows a process of deleting and adding a coordinate point in a coordinate line descending to the right, showing a point 221 to be deleted and a point 222 to be added. FIG.
Indicates addition and deletion of coordinate points in the upper right coordinate sequence, 223 indicates a point to be deleted, and 224 indicates a point to be added.

FIG. 24 shows an example of linear interpolation.
Is a flowchart showing the linear interpolation processing.

In FIG. 23, reference numerals 231 and 232 indicate input coordinate points. As shown on the right side of FIG. 23, these two coordinate points are connected by a plurality of interpolated dots.

In FIG. 24, first, the center points are connected from the input point 1 to the input point 2 in step S81, and the input point 1 is set as the point of interest in step S82. Next, the process proceeds to step S83, and among the coordinates around the point of interest, the coordinates having the longest length of the straight line drawn in step S81 are selected from among the seven coordinates excluding the previously placed dot. At this time, if the line segments have the same length, the left coordinate is selected. This will be described with reference to FIG. 23. Assuming that the point of interest is point 240, the dot 241 is selected because the dot 241 has a longer line segment passing length than the dot 243 and the dot 241.

Then, the process proceeds to a step S84, wherein a step S8 is executed.
A dot is placed at the coordinate position selected in step 3, and the point of interest is moved there. Next, the process proceeds to step S85, and step S8
Whether the point of interest set in step 4 matches input point 2
That is, it is determined whether the new point of interest is the final point. If so, the process is terminated. If not, the process returns to step S83 to execute the above-described process.

By repeating the above processing, the resolution can be increased in the order of a power of two. Therefore,
When the resolution of the input image and the target resolution are not in a power of two relationship, the resolution is converted to a power which is the closest value larger than the target resolution. By doing so, the target resolution can be reached. For example, if it is desired to increase the resolution by a factor of three, the process shown in FIG. 19 is performed twice to increase the resolution by a factor of four, and then by thinning out every four dots in the vertical and horizontal directions, thereby reducing the resolution by a factor of three. Image data can be obtained. Note that the resolution conversion is not limited to the above-described processing, and it goes without saying that another method may be used.

In the above-described embodiment, the resolution conversion is always performed, but this resolution conversion is not always necessary. Therefore, a means for instructing a resolution conversion only when high resolution is required is provided, and a resolution conversion process is executed only when a resolution conversion is instructed,
In other cases, the resolution conversion process may not be performed, or only the simple resolution conversion process may be performed.

The operation of the coordinate input device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention having such means for instructing the conversion of the resolution is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

Steps S91 to S93 in FIG. 25 are the same as steps S61 to S63 in FIG. 17 described above. Next, proceeding to step S94, the state of the mode changeover switch is checked, and if this switch is on, proceeding to step S95, the resolution is converted to the second resolution by numerical processing.
This resolution conversion processing may be, for example, the resolution conversion processing shown in FIGS. 19 to 24 or another resolution conversion processing. On the other hand, if the switch is off, the process proceeds to step S96, and the resolution is converted to the third resolution by numerical processing. This is also shown in FIGS.
The conversion process of the resolution indicated by the symbol may be performed, or another resolution conversion process may be performed.

Thus, the process proceeds to step S97, where the resolution-converted coordinate set is displayed at the original position, and image processing is performed on the coordinate set in step S98. These processes are the same as the processes in steps S67 and S68 in FIG. 17 described above.

As described above, according to the fourth and fifth embodiments, the resolution conversion is performed on the coordinate set input from the coordinate input unit, and the data is output, thereby supporting a high-resolution application. There is an effect that can be done.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Needless to say, the present invention can also be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program for implementing the present invention to a system or an apparatus.

[0094]

As described above, according to the present invention, the distance between coordinate data is kept substantially constant while the input start point, input end point and inflection point of continuously input coordinate data are stored. There is an effect that the subsequent image processing can be efficiently performed by keeping the range. According to the present invention, the magnification is set to a number.
Figure based on input coordinate data without having to specify
The effect is that the size of the shape can be specified intuitively.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating singular points of a line drawing figure input from a coordinate input device.

FIG. 2 is an external structural view of a coordinate input device according to first and third embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a coordinate input device according to first and third embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a line drawing figure input process in the coordinate input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a coordinate interpolation process according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of line segment data of a line drawing figure input in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of deleting coordinate points of line segment data of an input line drawing graphic according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of adding coordinate points of line segment data of an input line drawing graphic according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an external structure of a coordinate input device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a coordinate input device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a line drawing figure reduction input process according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a minimum circumscribed frame of an inputted line drawing figure in the second and third embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a line drawing figure input process according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of detection of coordinate detection points when a line drawing figure is input.

FIG. 15 is a schematic structural view of a coordinate input device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a coordinate input device according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a coordinate input process in the coordinate input device of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a specific example of coordinate input data in the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a resolution conversion process according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a smoothing process in the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a resolution conversion method according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining a resolution conversion method in the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining linear interpolation in a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a linear interpolation process in the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating a coordinate input process according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 160 controller 161 interface 162, 164 memory 201 coordinate input unit 202 display unit 203 control circuit 204 switch 210 device body 211 mode changeover switch 301, 301a control circuit 302 coordinate indicating unit 303, 303a, 163 CPU 304, 304a RAM 305, 305a ROM

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 3/03 380 G06F 3/033 360

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. Coordinate data is input from a coordinate input device,
A coordinate input control method for performing display based on the coordinate data, comprising: displaying dots at display positions corresponding to the coordinate data in the input order of the coordinate data based on continuously input coordinate data; A coordinate input control method, wherein the coordinate data is edited while the input start point, the input end point, and the inflection point of the data group are stored. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of, when a frame indicating the outer dimensions of the set of input coordinate data is input, performing a reduction conversion so that the input coordinate data group falls within the frame. The coordinate input control method according to claim 1. 3. The coordinate input control method according to claim 1, wherein the editing of the coordinate data includes addition and deletion of the coordinate data. 4. A coordinate input control device for outputting coordinate data designated on a coordinate input surface, wherein the coordinate input control device outputs, based on coordinate data continuously inputted, a display position corresponding to the coordinate data from a coordinate input surface. Display means for displaying a symbol indicating that the instruction has been made; at least an input start point of the continuous coordinate data;
Holding means for detecting an input end point and an inflection point and holding their coordinate values; and obtaining a distance between points other than the coordinate values held in the holding means, among the coordinate data, Control means for adding coordinate data between the points if is equal to or greater than a predetermined length, and deleting the coordinate data if the distance between the points is equal to or less than a predetermined length. Control device. 5. A coordinate input control method for outputting coordinate data designated on a coordinate input surface, comprising: a display position corresponding to the coordinate data based on continuously input coordinate data; A display step of displaying a symbol indicating that the instruction has been made; and at least an input start point of the continuous coordinate data,
A holding step of detecting an input end point and an inflection point and holding their coordinate values; and finding a distance between points other than the coordinate values held in the holding step in the coordinate data, A control step of adding coordinate data between the points if the length is longer than a predetermined length, and deleting the coordinate data if the distance between the points is shorter than a predetermined length. Method. 6. A coordinate input control device for outputting coordinate data designated on a coordinate input surface, wherein said designation means designates an input range of coordinate data, and an input range designated by said designation means is displayed. a display unit, compared with the range of actual input coordinate data and instructions input range by said indicating means, is the input coordinate
A magnification determining means for determining the magnification ratio data, as the input coordinate data falls within the input range, determined by the magnification determining means the coordinate data
And a scaling means for changing the magnification at the set magnification. 7. Coordinate data designated on a coordinate input surface is
A coordinate input control method for outputting, An instruction step of instructing an input range of coordinate data; Displaying the input range specified in the specifying step on a display unit
Display step; The input range indicated in the instruction step and the actual input
Compare with the coordinate data range and enter the input coordinate data.
A magnification determining step of determining the magnification of the data, The input coordinate data falls within the input range.
As described above, the coordinate data is determined in the magnification determining step.
A variable magnification step of varying the magnification at And a coordinate input control method.