JP5241272B2 - Coordinate input device, coordinate input control method, coordinate input control program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a coordinate input device, a coordinate input control method, and a coordinate input control program that detect coordinates designated on a coordinate input surface.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a conference system has been developed as an electronic conference system equipped with a large display for displaying electronic information from a conventional whiteboard or an OHP (Overhead projector) main body. Such an electronic conference system has a function of, for example, enabling the participants to efficiently share information brought individually and displaying network information.

  As a large display used in the electronic conference system, a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, a surface electric field display, a rear projection display, and the like are adopted, and the display area tends to increase in size and definition in the future. Along with this, the amount of information that can be displayed is also increasing. For example, in a PC (personal computer) environment, an environment in which many windows are simultaneously opened on one screen and many applications are operated is common.

  As an input interface used for such a large display or the like, there are a mouse and a keyboard, a pen that can be used like a white board, and a touch panel interface by a finger that can intuitively touch an object. Proposals have been made on how to operate, draw, and annotate existing documents and images using the input interface on the large screen display. Has been industrialized.

  Conventionally, various techniques have been proposed to improve operability when operating windows and objects using a large display or the like. Patent Document 1 mentions a technique for selecting an arbitrary image from displayed images and switching an image to be controlled according to the selected image. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses a technique for distributing and supplying coordinate data to either an application or an OS based on the position and context of a window in which each of a plurality of applications is displayed, and input coordinate data. It has been mentioned. In a meeting with a plurality of participants, a scene in which a plurality of inputs are performed simultaneously is assumed. Therefore, when an input occurs in Patent Document 3, another input is input until the input ends. It mentions technology related to exclusive control to be prohibited.

  Known techniques for detecting coordinates using a pen or finger as an input interface include, for example, an electromagnetic induction method, an electromagnetic transfer method, a resistance film method, an electrostatic coupling method, an ultrasonic method, a light blocking method, and a light pen method. Yes. In the coordinate detection, in addition to the detection of touch-down coordinates in a state where the pointing tool is in contact with the coordinate input surface, a method of detecting touch-up coordinates in a state where the predetermined distance pointing tool is separated from the coordinate input surface It has been known. In general, touch-down coordinates are referred to as pen-down detection coordinates, and touch-up coordinates are referred to as proximity input, proximity input, and the like.

In the case of a drawing application, generally, touchdown coordinates are displayed as drawing lines, touchup coordinates are displayed as cursors, and drawing lines are not displayed. Further, in the case of a so-called touch panel method in which a finger is input, the output coordinates are only touchdown coordinates. As a technique for detecting this touch-down state, Patent Document 4 discloses a technique for displaying a warning when a plurality of coordinates are detected, and Patent Document 5 describes a coordinate depending on whether the right hand or the left hand is used for coordinate input. A technique for selecting is disclosed. Further, Patent Document 6 refers to a technique for switching a click operation by detecting the number of touchdown coordinates and the like.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-305917 JP 2006-202138 A JP 2004-005430 A JP 2002-055569 A JP 2004-185495 A JP 2000-284912 A

  In the above-described technique, since the problem of the input interface is uniformly dealt with, for example, the operability may be deteriorated depending on the application to be used. Among applications, there are applications (window areas) that are configured only with large menus (buttons) and do not need to display a touch-up state with a cursor until the target button is touched down. On the other hand, there are applications (window areas) in which menus (buttons) are configured in various ways and the cursor needs to display the position of the touch-up state until the target button is touched down. In this way, the configuration of menus, buttons, and the like varies greatly depending on the application. Even if it is attempted to deal with this uniformly, it does not lead to improvement of the operating environment.

  The cursor display or non-display of the touch-up coordinates or the touch-down coordinates can be performed by controlling transmission / non-transmission of the touch-up coordinate information to the application on the driver side. However, in this case, coordinate information related to touch-up and touch-down is always transmitted from the coordinate input device side to the driver, and the communication burden increases accordingly.

  When a plurality of different applications or the same application is displayed on the display screen at the same time, an area that requires cursor display and a non-cursor area are mixed depending on the display area of the application. . In this case, even if the driver controls the cursor display and the cursor non-display, it is difficult to perform the cursor display control suitable for the area, and the operability is improved when various applications are deployed on the same screen. It was bad.

  In addition, as described above, there has been proposed a technique that prevents erroneous input and the like by improving the operability by determining the state of the touch-down coordinate, but determines the state of the touch-up coordinate and displays the cursor. There is no proposal for a technique for controlling the coordinates concerned. If only the state of the touch-down coordinate is determined, the operation related to fine cursor display according to the purpose cannot be improved.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a coordinate input device, a coordinate input control method, and a coordinate input control program that improve the operability when inputting coordinates with a pointer. With the goal.

In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention is a coordinate input device that detects coordinates instructed on a coordinate input surface, and a contact position in a state where an indicator is in contact with the coordinate input surface. Detecting means for detecting coordinates including touch-down coordinates indicating the position of the indicator in a non-contact state approaching within a predetermined distance from the coordinate input surface, and coordinates detected by the detecting means When the touch-up coordinates are detected by the detecting means and the area identifying means for identifying the area on the coordinate input surface, coordinate information corresponding to the touch-up coordinates according to the area identified by the area identifying means and control means for controlling transmission to the driver, the non-transmission, the coordinate input surface, a first region for accepting the coordinate input singular at the same timing, double at the same timing A second area that accepts the coordinate input, and the control means identifies that the coordinates detected by the detection means are touch-up coordinates, and that the area identification means is an input to the second area If it is, coordinate information corresponding to the touch-up coordinates is not transmitted to the driver .

Another aspect of the present invention is a coordinate input control method in a coordinate input device that detects coordinates instructed on a coordinate input surface, wherein the detecting means is in contact with the coordinate input surface with the indicator. A detection step of detecting coordinates including a touch-down coordinate indicating a contact position in a state and a touch-up coordinate indicating a position of an indicator in a non-contact state approaching within a predetermined distance from the coordinate input surface; A region identifying step for identifying a region on the coordinate input surface of the coordinates detected by the detecting step, and a region identified by the region identifying step when the control means detects a touch-up coordinate by the detecting step. transmitting to the driver of the coordinate information corresponding to the touch-up coordinates in accordance with, seen including a control step of controlling the non-transmission, the coordinate input surface, the singular coordinate input at the same timing A first area to be received and a second area to receive a plurality of coordinate inputs at the same timing. In the control step, the coordinates detected in the detection step are touch-up coordinates, and the region identification step When the input is identified as input to the second area, coordinate information corresponding to the touch-up coordinates is not transmitted to the driver .

According to another aspect of the present invention, a computer incorporated in a coordinate input device that detects coordinates designated with respect to a coordinate input surface indicates a contact position in a state where an indicator is in contact with the coordinate input surface. a touchdown coordinate, and detecting means for detecting coordinates and a touch-up coordinates indicating the position of the indicator of the non-contact state close to the within a predetermined distance from the coordinate input surface, the coordinates detected by said detecting means When a touch-up coordinate is detected by the detection unit and a region identification unit that identifies a region on the coordinate input surface, to a driver of coordinate information corresponding to the touch-up coordinate according to the region identified by the region identification unit the transmission, and a control means for controlling the non-transmission, the coordinate input surface, a first region for accepting the coordinate input singular at the same timing, double at the same timing A second area that accepts the coordinate input, and the control means identifies that the coordinates detected by the detection means are touch-up coordinates, and that the area identification means is an input to the second area If so, the coordinate information corresponding to the touch-up coordinate is not transmitted to the driver, and the coordinate input device is made to function.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the operability at the time of coordinate input by the indicator, compared to the case where the coordinate input control in this configuration is not performed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a coordinate input device, a coordinate input control method, and a coordinate input control program according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following embodiments, coordinates indicating a contact position in a state where an indicator such as a pen or a finger is in contact with the coordinate input surface are referred to as touch-down coordinates. In addition, coordinates indicating the position of a pointer such as a pen or a finger in a non-contact state that is approached within a predetermined distance from the coordinate input surface are referred to as touch-up coordinates.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a coordinate input device 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a process flow in the coordinate input device 2.

  In FIG. 1, a display device 1 includes a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, a display such as a surface electric field display and a rear projection display, and a coordinate input device 2 that detects a coordinate input by an optical method.

  The coordinate input device 2 is mounted integrally with a display, and detects coordinates input by an indicator such as a dedicated pen or a finger with a part or the whole of the display area as a coordinate input surface. In this embodiment, the case where coordinate detection is performed by an optical method will be described as an example, but it is needless to say that coordinate input may be detected by a method other than this. In the display device 1, a change in the state of the detection light is detected by the sensor unit 21 provided in the periphery of the display device, and coordinates indicated by a pen or the like are detected. The detected coordinates are input to the calculation control unit 22.

  In an optical coordinate input device, there are a method of using as a touch panel by coordinate input by a finger and a method of detecting both touch-up coordinates and touch-down coordinates by the dedicated pen 3, but in this embodiment, the latter The explanation is based on the premise. The optical-related mechanism related to coordinate detection in the latter method is composed of, for example, a light projecting unit, a retroreflective unit, a light receiving unit, and an angle detecting unit. The light projected by the light projecting means is retroreflected by the retroreflecting means to the periphery of the coordinate input effective area, and the light is received by the light receiving means. Then, the angle detection means provided at at least two corners of the coordinate input effective area detects a direction indicated by a finger or a pen from a change in the light amount distribution detected by the light receiving means, and derives a plurality of derived The position coordinates are calculated based on the angle information.

  Here, the flow of processing in the coordinate input device 2 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The touch-down (pen-down) state in which the coordinate input surface is touched (contacted) with the dedicated pen 3 (S101) is detected by detecting the touch on the coordinate input surface with a pen switch (not shown) attached to the pen tip of the dedicated pen 3. Is done. At the time of touchdown, a touchdown signal is transmitted from the dedicated pen 3 to the sensor unit 21 (S102). For example, optical means (infrared rays or the like) or wireless communication means (electromagnetic waves or the like) is used for transmitting the touchdown signal. The touchdown signal sent to the sensor unit 21 is further sent to the coordinate detection unit 23 in the calculation control unit 22 (S103).

  Further, the sensor unit 21 performs detection not only when the coordinate input surface is touched (contacted) but also when the sensor unit 21 is separated (S101 and S102) as long as it is within the detection range of the sensor. Then, the information on the instruction state is sent from the sensor unit 21 to the coordinate detection unit 23 in the calculation control unit 22 (S103). The coordinate detection unit 23 detects the coordinates based on the instruction state information from the sensor unit 21 and calculates the instructed coordinates by calculation (S104). The calculated coordinates are sent to the touch-up / touch-down identifying unit 24.

  The touch-up / touch-down identifying unit 24 checks whether a touch-down signal is transmitted from the sensor unit 21 in response to the coordinate detection, and identifies whether the coordinate is due to touch-up or touch-down. As a result, if the touch-down signal is confirmed, the touch-up / touch-down identifying unit 24 identifies the touch-down coordinate. On the other hand, if the touch-down signal cannot be confirmed, the coordinates are detected in a state where the pen tip of the dedicated pen 3 is not touching the coordinate input surface, that is, in a state away from the coordinate input surface. The touchdown identifying unit 24 identifies the coordinates as touchup coordinates. The touch-up coordinates correspond to the cursor display coordinates at the time of so-called proximity input and proximity input.

  Here, when the touchdown signal is confirmed and identified as the touchdown coordinate (YES in S105), the touchdown coordinate information is sent from the touchup / touchdown identification unit 24 to the coordinate transmission control unit 26 (S111). In this case, the coordinate transmission control unit 26 transmits the touchdown coordinate information as it is to the input device driver 4 (S112).

  If the touchdown signal is not confirmed and is identified as a touchup coordinate (NO in S105), the touchup / touchdown identification unit 24 transmits the touchup coordinate information to the coordinate area identification unit 25 (S106). . The coordinate area identification unit 25 identifies to which application area the touch-up coordinates are displayed, and assigns an area identifier (for example, identification information indicating an application) to the touch-up coordinate information. Conventionally, the touch-up coordinates detected (identified) by the coordinate input device 2 are transmitted as they are to the driver or application as coordinate information. Note that coordinate information in the display area of each application on the display device 1, that is, the window area occupied on the display area of the application, is sent in advance to the coordinate area identification unit 25 from the application via the input device driver 4. Yes. The display area information of each application on the display device 1 is sequentially sent to the coordinate area identification unit 25 even when the position, size, and the like are changed by an operator's window operation, for example. At this time, the coordinate area identification unit 25 updates and stores the latest display area information. The coordinate information of the window area occupying the display area of the application is generally obtained by acquiring the information of the window handle of the application.

  Here, the application 51 and the application 52 have different specifications relating to the cursor display form. Specifically, the application 51 displays the touch-up coordinates as a cursor, but the application 52 does not display the touch-up coordinates as a cursor. On the display area of the display device 1, there are a first area in which the touch-up coordinates are displayed as a cursor, and a second area in which the touch-up coordinates are not displayed. The first area (corresponding to the touch-up coordinate cursor display area 61) is a display area corresponding to the application 51, and the second area (corresponding to the touch-up coordinate cursor non-display area 62) is the application 52. Is a display area corresponding to.

  The coordinate area identification unit 25 transmits the touch-up coordinate information to which the area identifier is assigned to the coordinate transmission control unit 26 in the calculation control unit 22 (S107). Then, the coordinate transmission control unit 26 controls the transmission / non-transmission of the touch-up coordinate information based on the sent touch-up coordinate information and the region identifier assigned thereto. If the touch-up coordinate information is an area identifier indicating that it is a coordinate in the touch-up coordinate cursor display area 61 (YES in S108), the coordinate transmission control unit 26 uses the touch-up coordinate information as an input device driver. 4 is transmitted (S109). When the touch-up coordinate information is an area identifier indicating that the coordinates are in the touch-up coordinate cursor non-display area 62 (NO in S108), the coordinate transmission control unit 26 displays the touch-up coordinate information. It is not transmitted (not transmitted) to the input device driver 4 (S110). The coordinate transmission control unit 26 performs control related to transmission and non-transmission of the touch-up coordinate information every time the touch-up coordinate is detected.

  In the input device driver 4, if the received coordinate information is coordinates for the touch-up coordinate cursor display area 61, the coordinate information is transmitted to the application 51 as cursor display coordinates. Since the touch-up coordinates for the touch-up coordinate cursor non-display area 62 are not transmitted from the coordinate input device 2 to the input device driver 4, no cursor display is performed in the area 62. Note that the touch-down coordinate information for the area 62 is transmitted from the coordinate input device 2 to the application 52 via the input device driver 4, and is displayed as a cursor.

  When the touch-up coordinate information is sent to the application 51, the application 51 performs cursor display based on the touch-up coordinate information. When the touch-down coordinate information is sent, the application 51 executes the button-down command while displaying the cursor in consideration of continuity from the cursor display state at the time of touch-up. Note that the button down command may be executed without displaying the cursor. On the other hand, in the case of coordinate input to the touch-up coordinate cursor non-display area 62, the application 52 receives only touch-down coordinate information without receiving touch-up coordinate information, and issues touch-down commands and button-down commands without cursor display. Run.

  As described above, with the above-described configuration, it is possible to perform control when the cursor is displayed with the touch-up coordinates according to the applications 51 and 52 displayed on the display device 1 and when the cursor is not displayed with the touch-up coordinates.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 3, a case where the above processing is performed in a display area composed of an area that requires a finer operation than the size of the portion related to the instruction of the pointing tool and an area that does not need to be operated. Briefly described.

  Here, in the area corresponding to the former, an application 51 composed of an object or the like that requires a fine operation is displayed, and this area is referred to as a touch-up coordinate cursor display area 61 here. In the area corresponding to the latter, an application 52 composed of an object or the like that is larger than the size of the part related to the instruction of the pointing tool is displayed. This area is here referred to as a touch-up coordinate cursor non-display area 62. And Note that an object or the like that requires a fine operation indicates, for example, a small operation object, a small selection menu, a fine drawing target object, an operation object with a narrow interval, or the like. A large object refers to a large operation object, a large selection menu, a rough drawing target object, an operation object with a wide interval, and the like.

  In FIG. 3, a touch-up coordinate cursor display in which an operator displays an object or the like that requires a fine operation compared to the size of a part related to the instruction of the pointing tool, for example, the pen tip part of the dedicated pen 3. Suppose that an attempt is made to indicate the area 61. In this case, the cursor corresponding to the touch-up coordinates by the dedicated pen 3 is displayed before the touch-down state is entered. Therefore, the operator performs a final touchdown operation while confirming the cursor display, that is, while performing feedback. Thus, even when an object or the like that is finer than the size of the part related to the instruction of the pointing tool is operated, the instruction can be performed with high positional accuracy.

  On the other hand, it is assumed that the operator tries to indicate the touch-up coordinate cursor non-display area 62 in which an object or the like that requires a finer operation than the size of the pen tip portion of the dedicated pen 3 is displayed. In this case, the cursor is not displayed in the touch-up state. In the first place, the cursor is displayed on the premise of mouse operation. In other words, it is intended to indicate the indicated position in the process until the left button of the mouse is clicked, and it may be considered that such display is not necessary in the whiteboard application. In an application whose concept is an instruction form for drawing on a paper with a pen, the cursor display form itself is unfamiliar, and when writing characters, it is assumed that the cursor display may interfere with the operation. Furthermore, when operating an object or the like that is larger than the size of the part related to the instruction of the pointing tool, there is little possibility of erroneous operation, and therefore the necessity for cursor display is low. For this reason, in the touch-up coordinate cursor non-display area 62, an optimal display form and operation environment in the application area, that is, cursor non-display, is realized.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the cursor display can be automatically switched according to the area on the display screen (in this case, the display area of the application). Thereby, even when various applications are developed on the same screen, it is possible to provide a user interface environment in which an operator can operate intuitively and easily.

  Further, when the cursor is not displayed, coordinate information is not transmitted from the coordinate input device 2 to the input device driver 4, so that the communication load between the coordinate input device 2 and the input device driver 4 is reduced, and the processing load on the driver and application is also reduced. Can be reduced.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, Embodiment 2 will be described. In the second embodiment, a case will be described in which the cursor display is switched according to the number of detected coordinates, not the area where the coordinates are detected.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the coordinate input device 2 according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process flow in the coordinate input device 2 illustrated in FIG. 4. The configuration of the coordinate input device 2 shown in FIG. 4 is basically the same as that shown in FIG. The difference is that only a single application 53 is displayed on the display device 1 and that the coordinate area identification unit 25 is removed and a coordinate number identification unit 27 is provided instead. Further, the coordinate detection unit 23 is different in that a plurality of coordinates can be detected simultaneously.

  Here, the flow of processing in the coordinate input apparatus 2 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Since the processing from S201 to S204 is the same as the processing from S101 to S104 in FIG. 2 of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted here. In FIG. 5, a case where two coordinates are detected as a plurality of coordinates at the same sampling timing (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the same timing) will be described.

  In S205, the touch-up / touch-down identifying unit 24 checks whether a touch-down signal is transmitted from the sensor unit 21 in response to the coordinate detection, and determines whether the coordinate is due to touch-up or touch-down. Identify. Here, when the touch-down coordinate whose correspondence with the touch-down signal is confirmed is included (YES in S205), the touch-up / touch-down identifying unit 24 transmits the touch-down coordinate information to the coordinate transmission control unit 26. (S213). Upon receiving this, the coordinate transmission control unit 26 transmits touchdown coordinate information to the input device driver 4 (S214). If there is a touch-up coordinate identified at the same timing, the touch-up coordinate information is also transmitted to the input device driver 4.

  If the touchdown coordinate is not included (NO in S205), the touchup / touchdown identification unit 24 transmits the touchup coordinate information to the coordinate number identification unit 27 (S206). Conventionally, the touch-up coordinates detected (identified) in the coordinate input device 2 are transmitted as coordinate information to the driver or application as they are.

  The coordinate number identification unit 27 identifies whether the received touch-up coordinate information is singular or plural. If the touch-up coordinate information is singular (YES in S207), the coordinate number identifying unit 27 gives a singular flag to the touch-up coordinate information (S208), and if there is a plurality of touch-up coordinate information (in S207). NO), a plurality of flags are assigned (S209). The coordinate number identification unit 27 transmits the touch-up coordinate information to the coordinate transmission control unit 26 after providing the flag.

  The coordinate transmission control unit 26 determines whether a single flag or a plurality of flags is added to the touch-up coordinate information transmitted from the coordinate number identification unit 27. If the flag is singular (YES in S210), that is, if it is singular touch-up coordinate information, the coordinate transmission control unit 26 transmits this touch-up coordinate information to the input device driver 4 (S211). On the other hand, in the case of a plurality of flags (NO in S210), that is, in the case of a plurality of touch-up coordinate information, the coordinate transmission control unit 26 does not transmit (not transmit) the touch-up coordinate information to the input device driver 4. (S212).

  The above is the description of the processing flow in the coordinate input device 2 according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, for example, an optical method is used as a coordinate detection method capable of simultaneously detecting a plurality of coordinates. In the case of the optical method, the signal information of the pen tip switch is necessary to ensure the identification of a plurality of coordinates input simultaneously, but multiple touch-up coordinates without the pen tip switch signal information are detected with the identification information. Is technically difficult. That is, at present, a plurality of touch-down coordinates can be detected, but detection of a plurality of touch-up coordinates is difficult. Therefore, as described above, when it is identified that there are a plurality of touch-up coordinates, the touch-up coordinates are not transmitted to the input device driver 4.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between input coordinates and output coordinates in the coordinate input device 2 described above.

  Here, N for input and output indicates none (not), UP indicates touch-up coordinates, and DOWN indicates touch-down coordinates. Table numbers 1-1 to 1-6 correspond to the flowchart of FIG.

  Referring to this table, as described above, when a plurality of touch-up coordinates are detected, it can be seen that the cursor is not displayed. In addition, when one touchdown coordinate and one touchup coordinate are mixed, it is understood that coordinate information indicating both is transmitted to the input device driver 4.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, when a plurality of touch-up coordinates are detected at the same timing, the touch-up coordinates are not transmitted to the driver (application) side. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the operability on the application side from deteriorating due to uncertain information (coordinate detection).

(Embodiment 3)
Next, Embodiment 3 will be described. In the third embodiment, a case will be described in which singular / plurality is determined including both touch-up coordinates and touch-down coordinates, and the cursor display is switched according to the detected number of coordinates.

  Since the configuration of the coordinate input device 2 according to the third embodiment is basically the same as that shown in FIG. 4, the description thereof is omitted. In the embodiment described above, the description is omitted, but when touching down, a unique identifier (hereinafter referred to as a pen ID) possessed by each dedicated pen 3 and a touchdown signal are simultaneously transmitted from the dedicated pen 3. It is input to the coordinate input device 2.

  Here, the flow of processing in the coordinate input apparatus 2 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the processing from S301 to S304 is the same as the processing from S201 to S204 in FIG. 5 of the second embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  In S305, the touch-up / touch-down identifying unit 24 checks whether a touch-down signal is transmitted from the sensor unit 21 in response to the coordinate detection, and determines whether the coordinate is due to touch-up or touch-down. Identify. As a result, in the case of the touchdown coordinate whose correspondence with the touchdown signal is confirmed (YES in S305), the touchup / touchdown identification unit 24 assigns the touchdown ID to the touchdown coordinate. At this time, an instruction order identifier N is also given for each pen ID of the touchdown signal (S306). The initial value of the instruction order identifier N is 1, and is counted up (N = N + 1) every time this routine is passed. More specifically, the instruction order identifier N of the coordinates first designated for the coordinate input area is 1, and if the touchdown is continued thereafter, each time the coordinates are sampled, 2, 3, 4 ... and counts up until touched up.

  On the other hand, in the case where the correspondence with the touch-down signal is not confirmed in S305, that is, in the case of the touch-up coordinate (NO in S305), the touch-up / touch-down identifying unit 24 uses the touch-up ID and the instruction order as the touch-up coordinate. An identifier N is assigned (S307). The instruction order identifier N given to the touch-up coordinates is also set to an initial value of 1 as in the case of the touch-down coordinates described above, and is counted up (N = N + 1) every time this routine is passed. However, when compared with the touch-up coordinates sampled immediately before, for example, when the detected position of the coordinates is not within a predetermined distance, it is reset as no continuity (N = 1).

  When the instruction order identifier or the like is given to the touch-down coordinates and the touch-up coordinates, the touch-up / touch-down identification unit 24 uses either or both of the touch-down coordinate information and the touch-up coordinate information as a coordinate number identification unit. 27. If there are still coordinates detected at the same timing (NO in S308), the process returns to S305 again. On the other hand, if there are no other coordinates detected at the same timing (YES in S308), the coordinate number identification unit 27 identifies the number of touch-up coordinates and touch-down coordinates at the same timing.

  Here, when the coordinate is identified as singular (YES in S309), the singular coordinate information is transmitted to the coordinate transmission control unit 26 (S310). Upon receiving this, the coordinate transmission control unit 26 determines whether or not the single coordinate information holds a touchdown ID. If the touchdown ID is held (YES in S311), the coordinate transmission control unit 26 transmits the touchdown coordinate information to the input device driver 4 (S313). On the other hand, if the touchdown ID is not held, that is, if it is a touchup coordinate (NO in S311), the coordinate transmission control unit 26 transmits the touchup coordinate information to the input device driver 4 (S312).

  If it is determined that there are a plurality of coordinates at the same timing (NO in S309), the plurality of coordinate information is transmitted to the coordinate transmission control unit 26 (S314). Here, the multi-coordinate processing in S315 is shown in FIG. In FIG. 8, the coordinate transmission control unit 26 determines whether or not a plurality of coordinates at the same timing are a plurality of touch-up coordinates. This determination is made based on whether there are a plurality of touch-up IDs. As a result, when a plurality of touch-up IDs are confirmed (YES in S401), the coordinate transmission control unit 26 does not transmit (not transmit) all coordinate information to the input device driver 4 (S402).

  On the other hand, when the touch-up ID is singular (NO in S401), the coordinate transmission control unit 26 transmits all the coordinate information to the input device driver 4 (S403). Note that NO in S401 is a case where a single touch-up coordinate and a single / plural touch-down coordinate are detected, or a case where a plurality of touch-down coordinates are detected.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a relationship between input coordinates and output coordinates in the coordinate input device 2 described above. Here, N for input and output indicates none (not), UP indicates touch-up coordinates, and DOWN indicates touch-down coordinates. Each table number corresponds to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  A difference from the table of FIG. 6 described in the second embodiment is that a first instruction and a rear instruction are distinguished from each other with respect to input coordinates. This distinguishes the time after the touch down or touch up state for the same coordinate input area. That is, when the coordinates are input to the coordinate input area first and are continued, this is used as the first instruction, and the coordinates input during the continuation are used as the subsequent instruction.

  Also, the field column indicating the coordinate input area is provided with a front instruction and a rear instruction, respectively. For example, WB indicates a whiteboard area whose main function is drawing, and BM indicates an operation area related to a menu with fine buttons. In the rightmost column of the table, a determination criterion column is provided, and a determination criterion as a basis for processing to output coordinates based on input coordinates is shown. This is a processing rule for realizing the operating environment and specifications. This difference in rules will be described in an embodiment described later.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, singular / plurality is determined including both touch-up coordinates and touch-down coordinates, and coordinate transmission control is performed. In this case, the same effect as that of the second embodiment can be obtained.

(Embodiment 4)
Next, Embodiment 4 will be described. In the fourth embodiment, a case will be described in which, when a plurality of coordinates are detected at the same timing, cursor display is performed in consideration of the continuity of the coordinates (coordinate detection continuity). Note that part of the processing in the coordinate input device 2 according to the fourth embodiment is the same as the processing in the third embodiment, and therefore only the differences will be described here. The difference lies in the multiple coordinate processing in FIG. 8 of the third embodiment. Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, only multi-coordinate processing will be described. In addition, since the structure of the coordinate input device 2 concerning Embodiment 4 becomes a structure similar to FIG. 4, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In FIG. 10, in this process, when it is determined that there are a plurality of touch-up coordinates and touch-down coordinates at the same timing, and the plurality of pieces of coordinate information are transmitted from the coordinate number identification unit 27 to the coordinate transmission control unit 26. Be started.

  The coordinate transmission control unit 26 determines whether or not a plurality of coordinates at the same timing are a plurality of touch-up coordinates. This determination is made based on whether there are a plurality of touch-up IDs. As a result, when a plurality of touch-up IDs are confirmed (YES in S501), the coordinate transmission control unit 26 does not transmit (not transmit) all coordinate information to the input device driver 4 (S502).

  On the other hand, if the touch-up ID is singular (NO in S501), the coordinate transmission control unit 26 uses only the coordinates of the previous instruction (coordinates with a large count of the instruction order identifier N) as coordinate information as the input device driver. 4 (S503). That is, in the process of S503, the coordinate information of the coordinates detected from the previous sampling time (rather than the current sampling) is preferentially transmitted to the input device driver 4.

  In this way, since only the coordinates of the first instruction are transmitted to the input device driver 4 in S503, the coordinates of the subsequent instruction (coordinates with a small count number of the instruction order identifier N) are not transmitted to the input device driver 4. The processing in this case corresponds to the table numbers 2-7 and 2-10 in the table shown in FIG. In Table Nos. 2-7 and 2-10, a first-come-first-served rule is shown as the determination criterion. For example, in Table 2-7, the touchdown is continuously detected before the touchup is detected, and only the touchdown coordinates are transmitted to the input device driver 4. On the other hand, in Table 2-10, touch-up is continuously detected before touch-down is detected, and only touch-up coordinates are transmitted to the input device driver 4.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the coordinates are given to the input device driver 4 in consideration of the order in which instructions are given to the coordinate input area, that is, the continuity of touchdown or touchup (continuity of coordinate detection). Send. Thereby, for example, the operator who has input the touch-up coordinates is not blocked by the input of the touch-up coordinates by the subsequent operator.

(Embodiment 5)
Next, Embodiment 5 will be described. In the fifth embodiment, a case where the cursor display is switched according to both the area on the display screen where the coordinates are detected and the number of coordinate inputs will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the coordinate input device 2 according to the fifth embodiment, and FIGS. 12 to 15 are flowcharts illustrating a processing flow in the coordinate input device 2 illustrated in FIG. 11. The configuration of the coordinate input device 2 shown in FIG. 11 is basically the same as that shown in FIGS. As a difference, within the display area (window) corresponding to the application 53, there is a first area (touch-up coordinate cursor display area 631) and a second area (touch-up coordinate cursor non-display area 632). is there. The touch-up coordinate cursor display area 631 includes, for example, an operation button part. The touch-up coordinate cursor non-display area 632 is an area for drawing with the dedicated pen 3 as a whiteboard, for example. In this region 632, drawing may be performed simultaneously by a plurality of dedicated pens 3. In this case, for example, at the time of simultaneous drawing by the two dedicated pens 3, an ID that is a unique identifier of each dedicated pen 3 and a touchdown signal are simultaneously transmitted from the dedicated pen 3. In the coordinate input device 2, it is received by the sensor unit 21, the ID is identified by the coordinate detection unit 23, and the ID signal is transmitted to the input device driver 4 together with the touchdown coordinates. By doing so, the application 53 can perform drawing with lines having different attributes, for example, color, line type, and thickness, for each dedicated pen 3 by using the dedicated pen ID passed through the input device driver 4. . With such a configuration, in the coordinate detection unit 23, even when the drawing with the dedicated pen 3 or the like is performed at the same timing (strictly, including a very close timing), the sensor unit 21 By receiving information on a plurality of instruction states, detection and calculation of a plurality of coordinates can be performed.

  In the fifth embodiment, for example, an optical method is used as a coordinate detection method capable of simultaneously detecting a plurality of coordinates. Use optical system. In the case of the optical method, the signal information of the pen tip switch is necessary to ensure the identification of a plurality of coordinates input simultaneously, but multiple touch-up coordinates without the pen tip switch signal information are detected with the identification information. Is technically difficult. That is, at present, a plurality of touch-down coordinates can be detected, but detection of a plurality of touch-up coordinates is difficult. Considering these, each display area shown in FIG. 11 is as follows.

  The touch-up coordinate cursor display area 631 is an area that accepts only a single coordinate input at a time, and is an area for displaying touch-up coordinates as a cursor. The touch-up coordinate cursor non-display area 632 receives a plurality of touch-down coordinate inputs, but does not display the cursor related to the touch-up coordinates.

  Here, the flow of processing in the coordinate input apparatus 2 according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the processing from S601 to S604 is the same as the processing from S101 to S104 in FIG. 2 of the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

  In S605, the touch-up / touch-down identifying unit 24 checks whether a touch-down signal is transmitted from the sensor unit 21 in response to the coordinate detection, and determines whether the coordinate is due to touch-up or touch-down. Identify. As a result, in the case of the touch-down coordinate whose correspondence with the touch-down signal is confirmed (YES in S605), the touch-up / touch-down identifying unit 24 gives the touch-down ID to the touch-down coordinate. At this time, an instruction order identifier N is also given for each pen ID of the touchdown signal. Thereafter, the touch-up / touch-down identifying unit 24 transmits the touch-down coordinate information to which the touch-down ID or the like is assigned to the coordinate area identifying unit 25 (S606).

  The coordinate area identification unit 25 identifies which area in the application area the touchdown coordinate information belongs to, and assigns an area identifier to the touchdown coordinate information. That is, here, it is identified whether the coordinates are detected in the touch-up coordinate cursor display area 631 or the touch-up coordinate cursor non-display area 632. The processing here substantially identifies an area that accepts only a single coordinate input at a time and an area that accepts a plurality of coordinate inputs at the same time. When the area where the coordinates are detected is identified, the coordinate area identifying unit 25 assigns an identifier indicating the area to the touchdown coordinate information, and transmits the touchdown coordinates to the coordinate number identifying unit 27 (S607).

  On the other hand, in the case where the correspondence with the touch-down signal is not confirmed in S605, that is, in the case of the touch-up coordinate (NO in S605), the touch-up / touch-down identifying unit 24 uses the touch-up ID and the instruction order as the touch-up coordinate. An identifier N is assigned. Thereafter, the touch-up / touch-down identifying unit 24 transmits the touch-up coordinate information to which the touch-up ID is given to the coordinate region identifying unit 25 (S608).

  In response to this, the coordinate area identification unit 25 identifies which area in the application area the touch-up coordinate information belongs to. Then, an area identifier based on the identification result is assigned to the touch-up coordinates, and the touch-up coordinate information is transmitted to the coordinate number identifying unit 27 (S609). If there are still coordinates detected at the same timing (NO in S610), the process returns to S605 again. On the other hand, if there is no other coordinate detected at the same timing (YES in S610), the details will be described later, but after executing the coordinate transmission control process (S611), this process is terminated.

  Next, the coordinate transmission control process in S611 of FIG. 12 will be described using FIG.

  When this process is started, the coordinate number identification unit 27 identifies whether the coordinates (touch-up coordinates, touch-down coordinates) received at the same timing are singular or plural. If it is determined that there are a plurality of coordinates (NO in S701), the plurality of coordinate information is transmitted from the coordinate number identification unit 27 to the coordinate transmission control unit 26 (S702). Thereafter, although details will be described later, after the multi-coordinate transmission control process is performed (S703), the process ends.

  If it is determined that the coordinates are singular (YES in S701), the singular coordinate information is transmitted from the coordinate number identifying unit 27 to the coordinate transmission control unit 26 (S704). The coordinate transmission control unit 26 determines whether or not the single coordinate information holds a touchdown ID. As a result, if the touchdown ID is held (YES in S705), the coordinate transmission control unit 26 transmits the touchdown coordinate information to the input device driver 4 (S706). On the other hand, if the touchdown ID is not held, that is, if it is touchup coordinate information (NO in S705), the coordinate transmission control unit 26 detects the touchup coordinate information in the touchup coordinate cursor non-display area 632. Judge whether the coordinates are correct. As a result, if the coordinates are detected in the touch-up coordinate cursor non-display area 632 (YES in S707), the coordinate transmission control unit 26 does not transmit (non-transmit) the touch-up coordinate information to the input device driver 4 ( S708). If the coordinates are not detected in the touch-up coordinate cursor non-display area 632 (NO in S707), the coordinate transmission control unit 26 transmits the touch-up coordinate information to the input device driver 4 (S709). Thereafter, this process ends.

  Next, the multi-coordinate transmission control process in S703 of FIG. 13 will be described using FIG.

  When this process is started, the coordinate transmission control unit 26 determines whether or not there are a plurality of touch-up coordinates. As a result, when a plurality of touch-up IDs are confirmed (YES in S801), the coordinate transmission control unit 26 does not transmit (not transmit) all coordinate information to the input device driver 4 (S802). If the touch-up ID is singular (NO in S801), it is determined whether or not the designated area identifiers of a plurality of coordinates are the same. That is, it is determined whether or not a plurality of coordinates are detected in the same region (for example, touch-up coordinate cursor display region 631). If not detected in the same area (NO in S803), the details will be described later, but after performing the different area transmission control process (S805), this process ends.

  On the other hand, if the coordinates are detected in the same area (YES in S803), it is determined whether the coordinates are detected in the touch-up coordinate cursor non-display area 632 or not. As a result, if the coordinates are detected in the touch-up coordinate cursor non-display area 632 (YES in S804), the coordinate transmission control unit 26 transmits only the touch-down coordinate information to the input device driver 4. At this time, the touch-up coordinate information is not transmitted (not transmitted) to the input device driver 4 (S806). If the coordinates are not detected in the touch-up coordinate cursor non-display area 632 (NO in S804), the coordinate transmission control unit 26 does not transmit all the coordinate information to the input device driver 4 (S807). This is because the touch-up coordinate cursor display area 631 does not accept a plurality of coordinate inputs.

  Next, the different area transmission control process in S805 of FIG. 14 will be described with reference to FIG.

  When this process is started, the coordinate transmission control unit 26 determines whether there is a touch-down coordinate detected in the touch-up coordinate cursor non-display area 632 from the plurality of coordinate information. As a result, if there is a touchdown coordinate detected in the touchup coordinate cursor non-display area 632 (YES in S901), the coordinate transmission control unit 26 transmits the touchdown coordinate information to the input device driver 4. At this time, the touch-up coordinates are not transmitted (not transmitted) to the input device driver 4 (S902). This is because a priority rule between regions is set to prioritize coordinate input to the touch-up coordinate cursor non-display region 632 when coordinate inputs are made simultaneously to different regions.

  On the other hand, if there is no touch-down coordinate detected in the touch-up coordinate cursor non-display area 632 (NO in S901), the coordinate transmission control unit 26 does not transmit (non-transmit) all coordinate information to the input device driver 4 ( S903).

  The table numbers shown in FIG. 9 are associated with the flowcharts (S706, S708, S709, S802, S806, and S902) shown in FIGS.

  The above is the description of the processing flow in the coordinate input device 2 according to the fifth embodiment. By performing such processing, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, when independent drawing is performed on the region 632 with a plurality of dedicated pens 3, the cursor is not displayed. This is because when drawing is performed in the area 632, a cursor display is not particularly required due to the nature of the work that does not require fine work.

  On the other hand, for example, when a printout operation is to be performed, the buttons in the area 631 are operated. However, in this case, in order to avoid making a mistake and pressing the adjacent button, it is fine and accurate. Work is required. In this case, as shown in FIG. 16, when the dedicated pen 3 is brought close to the vicinity of the area 631 where the operation buttons are arranged, a cursor corresponding to the touch-up coordinates is displayed. As a result, the operator can accurately touch down the button corresponding to the printout operation, relying on the displayed cursor.

  As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, it is possible to secure the area 631 where the operation can be accurately performed and the area 632 where a plurality of inputs can be performed at the same time. Incorrect operation due to transmission to the device driver 4 side can be suppressed.

  In the fifth embodiment, the case where the cursor display is switched according to the region has been described. However, this switching may be performed by other means, for example, a mode.

(Embodiment 6)
Next, Embodiment 6 will be described. In the sixth embodiment, a case where cursor display is performed in consideration of the continuity of coordinates (continuity of coordinate detection) when coordinates are detected in different regions at the same timing will be described. Note that part of the processing in the coordinate input device 2 according to the sixth embodiment is the same as the processing in the fifth embodiment, and therefore only the differences will be described here. The difference is in the different area transmission control process in FIG. 15 of the fifth embodiment. Therefore, in the sixth embodiment, only the different area transmission control process will be described. The configuration of the coordinate input device 2 according to the sixth embodiment is basically the same as that shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 17, this process is started when coordinates are detected in different areas at the same timing. In this process, first, the coordinate transmission control unit 26 refers to the instruction order identifier N assigned to the coordinates, and determines whether the coordinates of the previous instruction (coordinates where the count number of the instruction order identifier N is large) are touchdown coordinates. Is done. As a result, when the coordinates of the previous instruction are touchdown coordinates (YES in S1001), the coordinate transmission control unit 26 transmits the touchdown coordinate information to the input device driver 4. At this time, the post-instruction coordinate information is not transmitted (not transmitted) to the input device driver 4 (S1002).

  On the other hand, if the first specified coordinate is a touch-up coordinate (NO in S1001), it is determined whether the coordinate is a coordinate detected in the touch-up coordinate cursor non-display area 632 or not. As a result, if the coordinates are detected in the touch-up coordinate cursor non-display area 632 (YES in S1003), the coordinate transmission control unit 26 transmits the touch-down coordinate information of the subsequent instruction to the input device driver 4. At this time, the touch-up coordinates of the previous instruction are not transmitted (not transmitted) to the input device driver 4 (S1004). That is, in the touch-up coordinate cursor non-display area 632, in order to hide the cursor related to the touch-up coordinate, priority is given to the touch-down coordinate that is a subsequent instruction.

  If the coordinates are not detected in the touch-up coordinate cursor non-display area 632 (NO in S1003), the coordinate transmission control unit 26 transmits the touch-up coordinate information of the previous instruction to the input device driver 4. At this time, the post-instruction coordinate information is not transmitted (not transmitted) to the input device driver 4 (S1005).

  As described above, according to the sixth embodiment, even when coordinates are detected in different areas at the same timing, the input device is considered in consideration of the order in which instructions are given to the coordinate input area, that is, the continuity of coordinates. Coordinates can be transmitted to the driver 4 side.

  Note that the priority rule is not limited to that in the sixth embodiment. For example, the post-instruction coordinate may be given priority over the pre-instruction coordinate, or may be detected in the touch-up coordinate cursor non-display area 632, for example. You may give priority to the coordinate which was made absolutely.

(Embodiment 7)
Next, Embodiment 7 will be described. In the first to sixth embodiments described above, the states of the touch-up coordinates and the touch-down coordinates are independently compared and determined. However, in actual operation, the touch-up coordinate state transitions from the touch-up coordinate state to the touch-down coordinate state except when the touch-up coordinate state alone returns to the N state (a state where the instruction is completely stopped). It changes continuously to the coordinate state. Therefore, in the seventh embodiment, a case where the operability is further improved will be described in view of this series of coordinate input operations.

  In FIG. 18, the touch-up coordinates detected when approaching the coordinate input surface during touchdown are UP1, and the touch-up coordinates detected when leaving the coordinate input surface as a subsequent process of the touchdown coordinates are UP2. . Here, as shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, there are three reverse point points (reverse point points 1 to 3) where the coordinate detection is reversed between the first instruction and the subsequent instruction. The reverse point is a series of coordinates instructed before the post instruction, and should be detected in preference to the post instruction in all processes until the coordinates are not detected. Yes, but not so. For example, detection of touch-up coordinates includes coordinate detection patterns from non-detection to touch-up (UP1) and touch-down to touch-up (UP2). If the subsequent points are compared using the changed time as a reference, there is a state where the comparison order is reversed. However, with respect to the reverse rotation point 2, there is no problem because the previous instruction has not been detected.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 18C, the reverse point occurs not only in the UP2 but also in the touchdown coordinate state. In other words, even if it is determined that the touch-up coordinate is the first instruction, such a reverse phenomenon occurs when the latter instruction moves to the touch-down at an earlier timing.

  Such a situation occurs when the front and rear touch-up coordinate states and the touch-down coordinate states are detected without being associated in time series during coordinate detection. Originally, at the reverse rotation points 1 and 3, as long as the coordinates of the previous instruction are not detected and are continuous, the coordinate information should always be transmitted to the input device driver 4 side with priority over the subsequent instruction. .

  In order to realize this, in the seventh embodiment, coordinates determined to have continuity are detected as the same continuous coordinates even if a transition between touch-up coordinates and touch-down coordinates occurs. That is, in the seventh embodiment, in all the coordinate states from UP1 to Down to UP2, the identification that the previous instruction is the previous instruction is continuously held, and the reverse state is eliminated.

  Here, the flow of processing when the continuity of coordinates (continuity of coordinate detection) is considered will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. In FIG. 19, only differences from the processing of FIG. 7 in the third embodiment will be described.

  In step S1105, the touch-up / touch-down identifying unit 24 checks whether a touch-down signal is transmitted from the sensor unit 21 in response to the coordinate detection, and determines whether the coordinate is due to touch-up or touch-down. Identify. As a result, in the case of a touchdown coordinate whose correspondence with the touchdown signal is confirmed (YES in S1105), the touchup / touchdown identification unit 24 assigns a touchdown ID to the touchdown coordinate. At this time, an instruction order identifier N is also given for each pen ID of the touchdown signal (S1106). At this time, the touch-up / touch-down identifying unit 24 stores the instruction order identifier, the coordinate information, and the touch-down ID in a storage unit such as a RAM (Random Access Memory).

  Thereafter, the touch-up / touch-down identifying unit 24 determines whether the current touch-down state is a touch-down due to a state change from touch-up to touch-down, that is, a transition from touch-up coordinates. This determination is made by comparing the previous instruction order identifier N, touchdown ID, and touchup ID held in the storage means described above. Here, if the touchdown ID was also last time (NO in S1107), the touchdown state is maintained, so the instruction order identifier N remains as it is, and the touchdown coordinate information is stored in the coordinate number identification unit 27. It is transmitted (S1109).

  On the other hand, if it is confirmed in S1107 that the previous touch-up ID was held, a state change from touch-up to touch-down has occurred. In this case, the previous coordinate information stored in the storage means is compared with the current coordinate information to determine the continuity of the coordinates. For example, if the difference (distance) from the previous coordinate is within a predetermined range, it is determined that there is continuity.

  If it is determined that there is continuity (YES in S1107), the count-up is performed after inheriting the value of the instruction order identifier N of the previous touch-up coordinates (S1108). That is, when the state changes from touch-up to touch-down, for example, when the instruction order identifier N of the touch-up coordinates so far is 100, N is not equal to 1, but N = 100 + 1 = 101. . Thereafter, the touchdown coordinate information is transmitted from the touchup / touchdown identifying unit 24 to the coordinate number identifying unit 27 (S1109).

  Also, in S1105, in the case where the correspondence with the touchdown signal is not confirmed, that is, in the case of the touchup coordinate (NO in S1105), the touchup / touchdown identification unit 24 described above for the touchup coordinate. Perform processing. Since this process is basically the same as the process of S1106 to S1109 in the touchdown coordinates, the description thereof is omitted. Processing may be performed by replacing the touchdown with touchup and changing the state from touchup to touchdown with the state change from touchdown to touchup.

  As described above, according to the seventh embodiment, even when a state change occurs from touch-up to touch-down and from touch-down to touch-up, the cursor display can be controlled by determining the continuity of coordinates. The reverse point as described above does not occur. As long as the operator who performed the coordinate input first continues the operation, it is not affected by the operator who started the operation later.

  In the above description, the improvement of the third embodiment has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the processing considering the continuity of coordinates according to the seventh embodiment can be applied to the processing described in the other embodiments.

(Embodiment 8)
Next, Embodiment 8 will be described. In the first to sixth embodiments described above, when a plurality of touch-up coordinates are detected, a process of not transmitting the corresponding touch-up coordinates to the input device driver 4 is performed. However, when a predetermined priority rule is set, the touch-down cursor display may be interrupted in the middle of the process until reaching the final process in some rules. For example, it occurs in cases indicated by table numbers 2-10, 2-12, 2-16, and 2-17 in the table shown in FIG.

  In other words, when the post-instruction changes state from touchdown to touchup while the previous instruction touchup coordinate is kept in that state, it is temporarily determined that there are a plurality of touchup coordinate states on the way. At that moment, the touch-up coordinates of the previous instruction are also not transmitted to the input device driver 4 and the cursor is not displayed.

  Therefore, in the eighth embodiment, a method for solving this problem will be described by taking the multi-coordinate process of S315 in FIG. 7 of the third embodiment as an example. Here, by the processing of S1105 to S1113 described in FIG. 19 in the above-described eighth embodiment, the instruction order identifier is given to the instruction order identifier in consideration of coordinate continuity (coordinate detection continuity). It shall be.

  In FIG. 20, this process is performed when it is determined that there are a plurality of touch-up coordinates and touch-down coordinates at the same timing, and the plurality of pieces of coordinate information are transmitted from the coordinate number identification unit 27 to the coordinate transmission control unit 26. Be started.

  The coordinate transmission control unit 26 determines whether or not a plurality of coordinates at the same timing are a plurality of touch-up coordinates. This determination is made based on whether there are a plurality of touch-up IDs. As a result, when the touch-up ID is single (NO in S1201), the coordinate transmission control unit 26 transmits all coordinate information to the input device driver 4 (S1203). This process is the same as S403 in FIG. 8 in the third embodiment described above.

  On the other hand, when a plurality of touch-up IDs are confirmed (YES in S1201), the coordinate transmission control unit 26 compares instruction order identifiers of the plurality of touch-up coordinates. Here, for example, assuming that the instruction order identifiers assigned to each of the plurality of touch-up coordinates are N1 and N2, the touch-up coordinate information having the larger instruction order identifier N value is transmitted to the input device driver 4 (S1202). .

  For example, when N1> N2, the touch-up coordinate information of the instruction order identifier of N1 is transmitted to the input device driver 4. On the other hand, the touch-up coordinate information of the instruction order identifier of N2 is not transmitted (not transmitted) to the input device driver 4. The coordinates to which the NI is assigned are, for example, touch-up coordinates to which an instruction order identifier considering continuity is given by the processing of S1105 to S1113 described in FIG. The coordinates to which N2 is given are the coordinates designated for the first time, that is, the coordinates that are the first touch-up coordinates this time. As described above, the touch-up coordinates to which N1 or N2 is assigned can be clearly identified by determining the continuity of the coordinates described above.

  As described above, according to the eighth embodiment, the touch-up coordinate of the previous instruction is transmitted to the input device driver 4 side without being influenced by the coordinate of the subsequent instruction in either case of UP1 or UP2. .

  The above is an example of a typical embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and shown in the drawings, and can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from the scope of the present invention. .

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, a case where coordinates are detected by an optical method will be described. However, any coordinate system having a similar detection function and performance may be used, and coordinate detection may be performed by other methods.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the display and the coordinate input device that detects the coordinate input are integrated has been described. However, the display area and the coordinate input area may be configured separately. Can cope with the processing in the above-described embodiment.

  Moreover, in the touch-up coordinate cursor display area (61, 631) described in the above-described embodiment, it is desirable that a sufficient area for performing an accurate operation is secured around the operation target object such as the operation button. . If there is a touch-up coordinate cursor non-display area (62, 632) in the vicinity of the operation target object, the cursor is not displayed unless the position is very close to the operation target object, which is inconvenient for the operation.

  Further, in order to more accurately operate the operation target object in the touch-up coordinate cursor display area (61, 631) described in the above-described embodiment, a certain range of the range of the actual touch-up coordinate cursor display area 631 The area may be expanded. Further, when an operation is performed within the touch-up coordinate cursor display area (61, 631), even if the user has once moved out of the area, a predetermined range or a certain range from the touch-up coordinate cursor display area (61, 631). If it is within, the cursor may be kept displayed.

  It should be noted that the present invention can take the form of, for example, a system, apparatus, method, program, or recording medium. Specifically, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices, or may be applied to an apparatus composed of a single device.

  Further, the present invention achieves the functions of the embodiments by supplying a software program directly or remotely to a system or apparatus, and reading and executing the supplied program code by a computer incorporated in the system or apparatus. This includes cases where

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. That is, the present invention includes a computer program (for example, a coordinate input control program) itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention. In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to an OS (Operating System), or the like.

  Examples of the computer-readable recording medium for supplying the computer program include the following. For example, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD- R).

  As another program supply method, a client computer browser is used to connect to a homepage on the Internet, and the computer program of the present invention is downloaded from the homepage to a recording medium such as a hard disk. In this case, the downloaded program may be a compressed file including an automatic installation function. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the present invention.

  Further, the program of the present invention may be encrypted, stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, and distributed to users. In this case, a user who has cleared a predetermined condition is allowed to download key information for decryption from a homepage via the Internet, execute an encrypted program using the key information, and install the program on the computer. You can also.

  In addition to the functions of the above-described embodiment being realized by the computer executing the read program, the embodiment of the embodiment is implemented in cooperation with an OS or the like running on the computer based on an instruction of the program. A function may be realized. In this case, the OS or the like performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  Furthermore, the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, so that part or all of the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized. May be. In this case, after the program is written to the function expansion board or function expansion unit, the CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit is a part of the actual processing or based on the instructions of the program. Do everything.

It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the coordinate input device 2 concerning Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow in the coordinate input device 2 according to the first embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the outline | summary of the process in the coordinate input device 2 concerning Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the coordinate input device 2 concerning Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow in the coordinate input device 2 according to the second embodiment. It is a 1st figure which shows the relationship between the input coordinate in the coordinate input device 2, and an output coordinate. 10 is a first flowchart showing a flow of processing in the coordinate input device 2 according to the third embodiment. 10 is a second flowchart showing a flow of processing in the coordinate input device 2 according to the third embodiment. It is a 2nd figure which shows the relationship between the input coordinate in the coordinate input device 2, and an output coordinate. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow in the coordinate input device 2 according to the fourth embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the coordinate input device 2 concerning Embodiment 5. FIG. 10 is a first flowchart showing a flow of processing in the coordinate input device 2 according to the fifth embodiment. 10 is a second flowchart showing a flow of processing in the coordinate input device 2 according to the fifth embodiment. 14 is a third flowchart showing a flow of processing in the coordinate input device 2 according to the fifth embodiment. 14 is a fourth flowchart showing a flow of processing in the coordinate input device 2 according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an overview of processing in a coordinate input device 2 according to a fifth embodiment. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow in the coordinate input device 2 according to the sixth embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the outline | summary of the process in the coordinate input device 2 concerning Embodiment 7. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow in the coordinate input device 2 according to the seventh embodiment. 14 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in the coordinate input device 2 according to the eighth embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Display device 2 Coordinate input device 3 Dedicated pen 4 Input device driver 21 Sensor part 22 Operation control part 23 Coordinate detection part 24 Touch up / touch down identification part 25 Coordinate area | region identification part 26 Coordinate transmission control part 27 Coordinate number identification part 51, 52, 53 applications

Claims (13)

A coordinate input device that detects coordinates designated with respect to a coordinate input surface,
Touch-down coordinates indicating a contact position in a state where the indicator is in contact with the coordinate input surface, and touch-up coordinates indicating a position of the indicator in a non-contact state approaching within a predetermined distance from the coordinate input surface. Detection means for detecting coordinates;
Area identifying means for identifying an area on the coordinate input surface of coordinates detected by the detecting means;
Control means for controlling transmission and non-transmission of coordinate information corresponding to the touch-up coordinates to the driver according to the area identified by the area identifying means when the detection means detects the touch-up coordinates. And
The coordinate input surface is
A first region that accepts a single coordinate input at the same timing;
A second region that accepts a plurality of coordinate inputs at the same timing;
Have
The control means includes
If the coordinates detected by the detection means are touch-up coordinates and the area identification means identifies that the input is for the second area, coordinate information corresponding to the touch-up coordinates is not transmitted to the driver. <br/> A coordinate input device characterized by the above. The coordinate input area on the coordinate input surface is provided corresponding to the display area on the display,
In the display area of the display corresponding to the first area, the touch-up coordinates are displayed as a cursor, and in the display area of the display corresponding to the second area, the touch-up coordinates are not displayed. The coordinate input device according to claim 1 . The coordinate input area on the coordinate input surface is divided into a plurality of areas,
The control means includes
When a plurality of coordinates are detected at the same timing by the detection means, the coordinate information corresponding to the detected coordinates is based on the priority rule between the areas set for each area on the coordinate input surface where the coordinates are detected. transmission, to control the non-transmission coordinate input apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in. The control means includes
2. When a plurality of coordinates are detected at the same timing by the detection means, transmission and non-transmission of coordinate information corresponding to the detected coordinates are controlled based on continuity of detection of each coordinate. Or the coordinate input device of 2. A coordinate input device that detects coordinates designated with respect to a coordinate input surface,
Touch-down coordinates indicating a contact position in a state where the indicator is in contact with the coordinate input surface, and touch-up coordinates indicating a position of the indicator in a non-contact state approaching within a predetermined distance from the coordinate input surface. Detection means for detecting coordinates;
Area identifying means for identifying an area on the coordinate input surface of coordinates detected by the detecting means;
Control means for controlling transmission and non-transmission of coordinate information corresponding to the touch-up coordinates to the driver according to the area identified by the area identifying means when the detection means detects the touch-up coordinates;
Comprising
The control means includes
Coordinate input apparatus characterized by not transmit if multiple touch-up coordinates have been detected at the same timing, the coordinate information corresponding to the touch-up coordinates to the driver by the detecting means. The coordinate input surface is
A first region that accepts a single coordinate input at the same timing;
A second region that accepts a plurality of coordinate inputs at the same timing;
Have
The control means includes
If the coordinates detected by the detection means are touch-up coordinates and the area identification means identifies that the input is for the second area, coordinate information corresponding to the touch-up coordinates is not transmitted to the driver.
The coordinate input device according to claim 5. The coordinate input area on the coordinate input surface is provided corresponding to the display area on the display,
In the display area of the display corresponding to the first area, the touch-up coordinates are displayed as a cursor, and in the display area of the display corresponding to the second area, the touch-up coordinates are not displayed.
The coordinate input device according to claim 6. The coordinate input area on the coordinate input surface is divided into a plurality of areas,
The control means includes
When a plurality of coordinates are detected at the same timing by the detection means, the coordinate information corresponding to the detected coordinates is based on the priority rule between the areas set for each area on the coordinate input surface where the coordinates are detected. Control transmission and non-transmission
The coordinate input device according to claim 5, wherein: The control means includes
When a plurality of coordinates are detected at the same timing by the detection means, transmission / non-transmission of coordinate information corresponding to the detected coordinates is controlled based on continuity of detection of each coordinate.
The coordinate input device according to claim 5, wherein: A coordinate input control method in a coordinate input device for detecting coordinates designated on a coordinate input surface,
Touch-down coordinates indicating a contact position when the indicator is in contact with the coordinate input surface, and a touch-up indicating a position of the non-contact indicator approaching within a predetermined distance from the coordinate input surface. A detection step of detecting coordinates including coordinates;
An area identifying step for identifying an area on the coordinate input surface of the coordinates detected by the detecting step;
When the control means detects touch-up coordinates in the detection step, control for controlling transmission or non-transmission of coordinate information corresponding to the touch-up coordinates to the driver according to the region identified in the region identification step and a step seen including,
The coordinate input surface is
A first region that accepts a single coordinate input at the same timing;
A second region that accepts a plurality of coordinate inputs at the same timing;
Have
In the control step,
When the coordinate detected in the detection step is a touch-up coordinate and is identified as an input to the second region in the region identification step, coordinate information corresponding to the touch-up coordinate is not transmitted to the driver. A coordinate input control method in a coordinate input device. A coordinate input control method in a coordinate input device for detecting coordinates designated on a coordinate input surface,
Touch-down coordinates indicating a contact position when the indicator is in contact with the coordinate input surface, and a touch-up indicating a position of the non-contact indicator approaching within a predetermined distance from the coordinate input surface. A detection step of detecting coordinates including coordinates;
An area identifying step for identifying an area on the coordinate input surface of the coordinates detected by the detecting step;
When the control means detects touch-up coordinates in the detection step, control for controlling transmission or non-transmission of coordinate information corresponding to the touch-up coordinates to the driver according to the region identified in the region identification step Process and
Including
In the control step,
When a plurality of touch-up coordinates are detected at the same timing in the detection step, coordinate information corresponding to the touch-up coordinates is not transmitted to the driver.
A coordinate input control method in a coordinate input device. A computer built in the coordinate input device that detects the designated coordinates on the coordinate input surface,
Touch-down coordinates indicating a contact position in a state where the indicator is in contact with the coordinate input surface, and touch-up coordinates indicating a position of the indicator in a non-contact state approaching within a predetermined distance from the coordinate input surface. detecting means for detecting coordinates,
A region identification means for identifying an area in the coordinate input surface of the detected coordinates by the detecting means,
Control means for controlling transmission and non-transmission of coordinate information corresponding to the touch-up coordinates to the driver according to the area identified by the area identifying means when the detection means detects the touch-up coordinates ;
Comprising
The coordinate input surface is
A first region that accepts a single coordinate input at the same timing;
A second region that accepts a plurality of coordinate inputs at the same timing;
Have
The control means includes
If the coordinates detected by the detection means are touch-up coordinates and the area identification means identifies that the input is for the second area, coordinate information corresponding to the touch-up coordinates is not transmitted to the driver.
A coordinate input control program for causing a coordinate input device to function. A computer built in the coordinate input device that detects the designated coordinates on the coordinate input surface,
Touch-down coordinates indicating a contact position in a state where the indicator is in contact with the coordinate input surface, and touch-up coordinates indicating a position of the indicator in a non-contact state approaching within a predetermined distance from the coordinate input surface. Detection means for detecting coordinates;
Area identifying means for identifying an area on the coordinate input surface of coordinates detected by the detecting means;
Control means for controlling transmission and non-transmission of coordinate information corresponding to the touch-up coordinates to the driver according to the area identified by the area identifying means when the detection means detects the touch-up coordinates;
Comprising
The control means includes
When a plurality of touch-up coordinates are detected at the same timing by the detection means, coordinate information corresponding to the touch-up coordinates is not transmitted to the driver
A coordinate input control program for causing a coordinate input device to function.

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