JP5655450B2 - Optical detection apparatus and information processing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical detection device, an information processing system, and the like.

  In recent years, electronic devices such as mobile phones, personal computers, car navigation devices, ticket vending machines, and bank terminals have used display devices with a position detection function in which a touch panel is arranged on the front surface of a display unit. According to this display device, the user can point to an icon of a display image or input information while referring to an image displayed on the display unit. As a position detection method using such a touch panel, for example, a resistance film method or a capacitance method is known.

  However, such a touch panel is attached to the display unit of an electronic device from the beginning, and it is difficult to add a touch panel function later on a notebook personal computer or the like that is not equipped with a touch panel. It is difficult to realize operation instructions. Further, in the touch panel, since the fingertip or the like is brought into contact with the screen, the screen may be stained or damaged, or the liquid crystal pixels may be destroyed.

  On the other hand, a projection display device (projector) and a display device for digital signage have a larger display area than a display device of a mobile phone or a personal computer. Therefore, even in these display devices, it is difficult to realize the touch panel function by the above-described resistance film method or capacitance method by retrofitting. In the case of a projection display device, there are Patent Documents 1 and 2.

JP 11-345085 A JP 2001-142463 A

  According to some aspects of the present invention, it is possible to provide an optical detection device, an information processing system, and the like that can add a position detection function by being attached to the display unit as a retrofit.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, an irradiation unit that emits irradiation light, a light receiving unit that receives reflected light due to reflection of the irradiation light by an object, and a light reception result of the light receiving unit, Information is communicated between the information processing device and a detection unit for detecting position detection information, an attachment unit for detachably attaching an optical detection device to the display unit of the information processing device having a display unit, and the information processing device. The present invention relates to an optical detection device including an interface unit.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the optical detection device can be detachably attached to the display unit of the information processing device, so that the position detection function can be added by attaching it to a display unit that does not have a position detection function. can do. In addition, since information can be communicated between the optical detection device and the information processing device via the interface unit, the position detection information of the object can be transmitted to the information processing device. As a result, information for position detection can be associated with instructions for the information processing apparatus, so that the user can give an operation instruction such as a hovering operation or a confirmation operation to the information processing apparatus by moving a fingertip or the like. become.

  In the aspect of the invention, the interface unit may transmit the position detection information to the information processing apparatus.

  In this way, the information processing apparatus can receive the position detection information via the interface unit, and therefore can perform necessary processing based on the position detection information.

  In the aspect of the invention, the interface unit may transmit calibration information for calibration processing for position detection to the information processing apparatus.

  In this way, the information processing apparatus can perform a calibration process based on the received calibration information. As a result, calibration processing can be performed according to the size of the detection area or the like, so that desired detection accuracy can be ensured even if the display size of the display unit changes.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the calibration information may be a calibration program.

  In this way, the information processing apparatus can perform the calibration process by installing and executing the received calibration program.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the information processing apparatus displays a calibration screen on the display unit based on the calibration program, and the detection unit displays the calibration screen after the calibration screen is displayed. The position detection information corresponding to the calibration coordinate position is detected, and the interface unit transmits the position detection information corresponding to the calibration coordinate position to the information processing apparatus, and the information processing apparatus May perform the calibration process based on the received position detection information.

  In this way, according to the calibration screen displayed on the display unit, the user points the calibration coordinate position with, for example, a finger, a pen, a pointing device, etc., and the optical detection device detects it, and the detection result The information processing apparatus can execute the calibration process such that the position detection information and the calibration coordinate position correspond to each other.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the operation may be performed based on a power source supplied from the information processing apparatus via the interface unit.

  In this way, it is possible to secure a power source necessary for the operation by connecting to the interface unit of the information processing apparatus. As a result, a dedicated power source for the optical detection device becomes unnecessary.

  In the aspect of the invention, the interface unit may be a USB interface.

  In this way, it is possible to supply power necessary for the operation of the optical detection device via the USB interface. In addition, information can be communicated between the information processing apparatus and the optical detection apparatus via the USB interface.

  In the aspect of the invention, the light receiving unit may include a plurality of light receiving units, and the plurality of light receiving units may be arranged along a direction intersecting a display surface of the display unit.

  In this way, each light receiving unit can receive reflected light from different detection areas. By doing so, it is possible to detect in which detection area the object is present.

  In the aspect of the invention, the plurality of light receiving units may be arranged at positions having different heights in a direction intersecting the display surface.

  In this way, the light receiving unit can receive the reflected light from the detection areas having different heights in the direction intersecting the display surface. As a result, it is possible to detect position detection information in the direction intersecting the display surface.

  In the aspect of the invention, the plurality of light receiving units may have different heights in a direction intersecting the display surface when the display surface is a surface along the XY plane, and different X You may arrange | position to a coordinate position.

  In this way, the light receiving unit can receive the reflected light from the detection areas having different heights in the direction intersecting the display surface. Furthermore, since the light receiving units may be arranged at different X coordinate positions, it is not necessary to have the same mounting position when mounting the light receiving unit on the display unit of the information processing apparatus.

  In the aspect of the invention, the plurality of light receiving units may include an incident light limiting unit that limits incident light in a direction intersecting the display surface, and the shorter the distance from the display surface, The degree of restriction may be set strongly.

  In this way, the detection area can be set narrower as the distance from the display surface is shorter, and the detection area can be set wider as the distance from the display surface is longer. As a result, it is possible to increase the detection accuracy in the detection area close to the display surface and to reduce the detection accuracy in the detection area far from the display surface. Therefore, efficient detection suitable for the application can be performed.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the irradiation unit includes a light source unit that emits light source light, a curved light guide that guides the light source light from the light source unit along a curved light guide path, and An irradiation direction setting unit that receives the light source light emitted from the outer peripheral side of the light guide and sets the irradiation direction of the irradiation light in a direction from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side of the curved light guide. But you can.

  In this way, it is possible to form an irradiation light intensity distribution in which the intensity at one end of the light guide is high and the intensity at the other end is weak. As a result, it is possible to suppress the influence of ambient light such as ambient light, so that it is possible to detect an object with higher accuracy.

  Another aspect of the present invention relates to an information processing system including any one of the optical detection devices described above and the information processing device.

1A and 1B are basic configuration examples of an optical detection device. An example of the flowchart of a calibration process. 3A to 3C show examples of calibration screens. An example of the flowchart of a calibration process. FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are diagrams illustrating calibration processing relating to Z1 and Z2. The 1st structural example of a light-receiving part. The 2nd structural example of a light-receiving part. 8A and 8B are configuration examples of the light receiving unit. The detailed structural example of an irradiation part. FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a method of detecting coordinate information. 11A and 11B show signal waveform examples of the light emission control signal. Irradiation unit modification 13A and 13B are configuration examples of an information processing system.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. The present embodiment described below does not unduly limit the contents of the present invention described in the claims, and all the configurations described in the present embodiment are indispensable as means for solving the present invention. Not necessarily.

1. Optical Detection Device FIGS. 1A and 1B show a basic configuration example of an optical detection device and an information processing system according to this embodiment. The optical detection device 100 of the present embodiment includes a detection unit 110, an interface unit 120, an irradiation unit EU, a light receiving unit RU, and an attachment unit MTU. In addition, the information processing system according to the present embodiment includes an optical detection device 100 and an information processing device 200. Note that the optical detection device 100 and the information processing system according to the present embodiment are not limited to the configurations shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, and some of the components may be omitted or other components may be used. Various modifications such as replacement and addition of other components are possible.

  The detection unit 110 detects the position detection information IDET of the object OB based on the light reception result of the reflected light LR due to the irradiation light LT reflected by the object OB. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, for example, the detection unit 110 sets a detection area RDET, which is an area in which the object OB is detected, with respect to a target surface along the XY plane. In this case, the position detection information IDET related to the X coordinate position and the Y coordinate position of the object OB existing in the detection area RDET is detected. The position detection information IDET may further include position detection information regarding the Z coordinate position of the object OB. A method for detecting the position detection information IDET will be described later.

  Here, the XY plane is a plane along a target surface (display surface) defined by the display unit 220, for example. The target surface is a surface to be set for the detection area RDET, and is, for example, a display surface of a display of an information processing device, a projection surface of a projection display device, or a display surface of a digital signage.

  The detection area RDET is an area (region) in which the object OB is detected. Specifically, for example, the light receiving unit RU receives reflected light LR due to the irradiation light LT being reflected by the object OB. Thus, this is an area where the object OB can be detected. More specifically, this is an area where the light receiving unit RU can receive the reflected light LR and detect the object OB, and the detection accuracy can be ensured within an acceptable range.

  The interface unit 120 communicates information with the information processing apparatus 200. Specifically, the interface unit 120 is, for example, a USB interface, transmits the position detection information IDET to the information processing apparatus 200, and transmits the calibration information ICRB for the position detection calibration process to the information processing apparatus. 200. More specifically, the calibration information ICRB is a calibration program, and a calibration process is executed by the calibration program.

  The calibration process is a process for the information processing apparatus 200 to correctly calculate the coordinate position where the object OB exists in the detection area RDET based on the position detection information IDET detected by the optical detection apparatus 100. is there. Specifically, for example, according to the calibration screen displayed on the display unit 220, the calibration coordinate position designated by the user is pointed by an object (fingertip, pen tip, etc.), and is then detected by the optical detection device 100. Is detected, and the information processing apparatus 200 executes the calibration process so that the position detection information IDET as the detection result corresponds to the calibration coordinate position. In this way, desired detection accuracy can be ensured even if the size of the detection area changes. A plurality of calibration coordinate positions can be provided in the detection area RDET.

  During the period in which the calibration process is executed, the information processing apparatus 200 displays a calibration screen on the display unit 220 based on the calibration program, and then the detection unit 110 is a position corresponding to the calibration coordinate position. The detection information IDET is detected, and the interface unit 120 transmits the position detection information IDET corresponding to the calibration coordinate position to the information processing apparatus 200. Then, the information processing apparatus 200 performs calibration processing based on the received position detection information IDET.

  Further, power is supplied from the information processing apparatus 200 to the optical detection apparatus 100 via the interface unit 120. Specifically, for example, the first power supply voltage VDD and the second power supply voltage VSS are supplied, and the optical detection device 100 operates based on these power supply voltages. For example, in the case of a USB interface, a power supply voltage of 5 V is supplied from the VBUS terminal as the first power supply voltage VDD, and a GND terminal (0 V) is used as the second power supply voltage VSS.

  The irradiation unit EU emits irradiation light LT to the detection area RDET. As will be described later, the irradiation unit EU includes a light source unit composed of a light emitting element such as an LED (light emitting diode), and emits, for example, infrared light (near infrared ray close to the visible light region) when the light source unit emits light. .

  The light receiving unit RU receives the reflected light LR resulting from the irradiation light LT being reflected by the object OB. The light receiving unit RU may include a plurality of light receiving units PD. For example, a photodiode or a phototransistor can be used as the light receiving unit PD.

  The attachment unit MTU is for detachably attaching the optical detection device 100 to the display unit 220 of the information processing device 200. For example, the attachment unit MTU may be configured to sandwich the end of the display unit 220 with a clip, or may be fixed to the end of the display unit 220 with a screw or the like. Further, the attachment position is not limited to the upper end of the display unit 220 as shown in FIG. 1A, and may be attached to, for example, the lower end, the left end, or the right end, or may be attached to a corner. Since the optical detection device 100 according to the present embodiment can be attached to a display unit (display or the like) as a retrofit by the mounting unit MTU, a position detection function such as a touch panel can be provided without adding a hand to the display unit. Can do.

  The information processing apparatus 200 is, for example, a personal computer (PC) such as a notebook computer, and includes a control unit 210, a display unit 220, an interface unit 230, and a storage unit 240. The control unit 210 is a CPU, for example, and controls data processing, communication processing, display processing, and the like based on a program to be executed. The display unit 220 is a display such as a liquid crystal panel, for example, and displays an image based on the control of the control unit 210. The interface unit 230 is, for example, a USB interface, performs communication with the optical detection device 100, and supplies power to the optical detection device 100. The storage unit 240 stores programs and data.

  The information processing device 200 may be, for example, a PC connected to an image projection device and displaying an image on a screen, or an information processing device that recognizes handwritten characters written on a whiteboard.

  According to the optical detection device of this embodiment, since the detection device can be attached to the display as a retrofit, a position detection function such as a touch panel can be added without modifying the display such as a liquid crystal panel. . Furthermore, since the necessary detection accuracy can be ensured by the calibration process, it is possible to cope with various displays of different sizes with one optical detection device. For example, even when the display area is small, such as a notebook PC display, or when the display area is large, such as a screen of an image projection apparatus, an optical detection device is prepared for each size. This is not necessary, and the same optical detection device can be used.

  Further, in the touch panel, since the fingertip or the like is brought into contact with the screen, the screen may be stained or damaged, or the liquid crystal pixels may be destroyed. In addition, in a touch panel used by an unspecified number of users, sanitary problems may occur due to direct contact. According to the optical detection device of the present embodiment, an operation instruction can be given without bringing a fingertip or the like into contact with the screen as in a touch panel, so that the possibility of such a problem being reduced.

  FIG. 2 is an example of a flowchart of calibration processing for X coordinate position detection and Y coordinate position detection.

  First, the optical detection device 100 is attached to the display unit 220 by the attachment unit MTU, and the information processing device 200 (PC) and the optical detection device 100 are connected by a USB cable. Then, power is supplied from the PC 200 to the optical detection device 100 via the USB (step S1).

  Next, a calibration program is transmitted from the optical detection device 100 to the PC 200 via the USB (step S2). In the PC 200, a calibration program is installed (step S3). At this time, for example, a message shown in FIG. The calibration program is stored in a storage medium such as an optical disk such as a CD-ROM, a hard disk, and a nonvolatile storage device such as an EEPROM.

  When the calibration program is executed in the PC 200, a calibration start selection screen (for example, the screen shown in FIG. 3B) is displayed on the display 220 (step S4). If the user selects to start the calibration process (step S5: YES), the PC 200 displays an image of the calibration screen on the display 220 (step S6). If the user does not select the start of the calibration process (step S5: NO), the selection waiting state is continued.

  The calibration screen displayed in step S6 is, for example, the screen shown in FIG. 3C, and nine calibration coordinate positions (points) P1 to P9 are displayed on the screen. The user can input a calibration coordinate position by pointing (pointing) a point where the cursor is located (P1 in FIG. 3C) with a fingertip or a pen tip.

  Subsequently, the optical detection device 100 detects a position designated by the user with a fingertip or the like (step S7). The position detection information related to the detected X coordinate position and Y coordinate position is transmitted to the PC 200 via the USB (step S8). Then, the PC 200 determines the position instructed by the user based on the received position detection information, and executes the calibration process (step S9).

  When there are a plurality of points (calibration coordinate positions) designated by the user, the process returns to step S7 based on the determination in step S10, and the next point indicated by the cursor (for example, P2 in FIG. 3C) is selected by the user. , The position detection information of the instructed point is detected.

  When the detection of the position detection information is completed for all the calibration coordinate positions (points), it is possible to proceed to the calibration process related to the Z coordinate position through the determination in step S10 (A1 in FIG. 4).

  Note that in the calibration screen shown in FIG. 3C, nine calibration coordinate positions are provided, but the number may be smaller or larger.

  In the optical detection device 100 of the present embodiment, according to a configuration example (FIGS. 6 and 7) of the light receiving unit RU described later, not only the X coordinate position and the Y coordinate position of the object OB but also the position related to the Z coordinate position. Detection information can be detected. Further, the position detection information related to the Z coordinate position of the object OB can be associated with the operation instruction information for the information processing apparatus 200. As a result, when the Z coordinate position of the object (fingertip, pen tip, etc.) is within a predetermined range, the user operates the object to give a predetermined operation instruction to the information processing apparatus 200. It becomes possible to give.

  Specifically, for example, when the Z coordinate position of the object is larger than Z1 and equal to or smaller than Z2 (Z1 <Z2), the operation instruction by the fingertip or the like is recognized as a hovering operation. By this hovering operation, for example, a cursor displayed on the display unit 220 (display) can be moved. Further, for example, when the Z coordinate position of the object is equal to or less than Z1, the operation instruction by the fingertip or the like is recognized as a confirmation operation. By this confirmation operation, for example, a button on the screen can be designated to execute a predetermined command, handwritten characters can be input, and the screen can be scrolled.

  In the information processing system of the present embodiment, calibration processing for associating the Z coordinate position with the operation instruction information can be performed by a calibration program. Specifically, this calibration process is performed by using a Z coordinate threshold value (for example, Z1 and the above) for determining whether an operation instruction by an object (such as a fingertip) is a hovering operation or a confirmation operation. This is a process for calibrating Z2).

  In this way, the user can give an instruction such as a hovering operation or a confirmation operation to the information processing apparatus 200 by moving a fingertip or the like. Further, since the calibration process for calibrating the threshold value (for example, Z1, Z2) of the Z coordinate for determining whether the operation is a hovering operation or a confirmation operation can be performed, the user can operate it by himself / herself. The Z coordinate threshold can be set to facilitate.

  FIG. 4 is an example of a flowchart of the calibration process for detecting the Z coordinate position. First, a calibration start selection screen related to the Z coordinate position is displayed on the display 220 (step S11). If the user selects the start of the calibration process (step S12: YES), the PC 200 displays a first stop instruction on the display 220 (step S13). If the user does not select the start of the calibration process (step S12: NO), the selection waiting state is continued.

  The first stop instruction in step S13 instructs the user to stop the object (fingertip, pen, etc.) at a desired Z coordinate position for the calibration process related to the Z coordinate position Z1. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 5A, an instruction such as “Please stop your finger at the position of Z1” is displayed on the display 220.

  Subsequently, the position detected by the user with the fingertip or the like is detected by the optical detection device 100 (step S14), and the position detection information regarding the detected Z coordinate position is transmitted to the PC 200 via the USB (step S14). S15). Then, the PC 200 determines the position instructed by the user based on the received position detection information, and executes a calibration process related to Z1 (step S16). For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, the Z coordinate position of the fingertip is detected, and the calibration process for Z1 is performed.

  Next, the PC 200 displays a second stop instruction on the display 220 (step S17). The second stop instruction instructs the user to stop the object (fingertip, pen, etc.) at a desired Z coordinate position for the calibration process related to the Z coordinate position Z2. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 5B, an instruction such as “Please stop your finger at the position of Z2” is displayed on the display 220.

  Subsequently, the optical detection device 100 detects the position designated by the user with the fingertip or the like (step S18), and the position detection information regarding the detected Z coordinate position is transmitted to the PC 200 via the USB (step S18). S19). Then, the PC 200 determines the position instructed by the user based on the received position detection information and executes the calibration process for Z2 (step S20). For example, as shown in FIG. 5B, the Z coordinate position of the fingertip is detected, and the calibration process for Z2 is performed.

  FIG. 6 shows a first configuration example of the light receiving unit RU of the present embodiment. In the first configuration example shown in FIG. 6, the light receiving unit RU includes three light receiving units PD1 to PD3 (a plurality of light receiving units in a broad sense), and the light receiving units PD1 to PD3 intersect the display surface of the display unit 220. Arranged along the direction. Specifically, the three light receiving units PD1 to PD3 are arranged at positions having different heights (distances from the display surface) in a direction intersecting the display surface. Alternatively, when the display surface is a surface along the XY plane, the heights in the directions intersecting the display surface are different and the X coordinate positions are arranged.

  The light receiving units PD1 to PD3 include an incident light limiting unit that limits incident light in a direction intersecting the display surface. Specifically, the light receiving units PD1 to PD3 include a slit or the like for limiting an angle (for example, an angle in the Z direction) on which incident light is incident, and are reflected from the object OB present in the detection areas RDET1 to RDET3, respectively. The light LR is received. For example, the light receiving unit PD1 receives the reflected light LR from the object OB present in the detection area RDET1, but does not receive the reflected light LR from the objects OB present in the other detection areas RDET2 and RDET3. The irradiation unit EU emits irradiation light LT to the three detection areas RDET1 to RDET3. Each of the detection areas RDET1 to RDET3 is an area set for a target surface (display surface) along the XY plane.

  By doing in this way, it is possible to detect in which detection area of the three detection areas RDET1 to RDET3 the object OB exists, and therefore detecting position detection information related to the Z coordinate of the object. Can do. As described above, calibration processing for associating the position detection information about the Z coordinate with the operation instruction information can be performed.

  Note that the configuration example of FIG. 6 includes three light receiving units, but may include four or more light receiving units.

  FIG. 7 shows a second configuration example of the light receiving unit RU of the present embodiment. In the second configuration example shown in FIG. 7, the light receiving unit RU includes three light receiving units PD <b> 1 to PD <b> 3 (a plurality of light receiving units in a broad sense) and is arranged along the direction intersecting the display surface of the display unit 220. The The light receiving units PD1 to PD3 have an incident light restricting unit that restricts incident light in a direction intersecting the XY plane (display surface). The shorter the distance from the display surface, the stronger the degree of restriction of incident light. Is set. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, the incident light incident on the PD 1 is most strongly limited, and the incident light incident on the PD 3 is limited most weakly. As a result, the longer the distance from the display surface, the wider the detection area is set in the Z direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the detection area RDET1 closest to the display surface has the smallest width in the Z direction, and the detection area RDET3 farthest from the display surface has the widest width in the Z direction.

  In this way, for example, when an operation is performed in a detection area close to the display surface, such as a confirmation operation, the detection accuracy is increased, while an operation is performed in a detection area far from the display surface, such as a hovering operation. In this case, the detection accuracy can be lowered. As a result, efficient position detection, operation instructions, and the like are possible.

  8A and 8B show configuration examples of the light receiving units PD1 to PD3 each having the slit SLT (incident light limiting unit LMT in a broad sense). As shown in FIG. 8A, a slit SLT is provided in front of the light receiving element PHD to limit incident incident light. The slit SLT is provided along the XY plane, and can limit the angle in the Z direction where incident light is incident. That is, the light receiving units PD1 to PD3 can receive incident light incident within a predetermined angle range defined by the slit width of the slit SLT.

  FIG. 8B is a plan view seen from above of the light receiving unit having the slit SLT. For example, a wiring board PWB is provided in a housing (case) such as aluminum, and the light receiving element PHD is mounted on the wiring board PWB.

  In FIG. 9, the detailed structural example of the irradiation part EU of this embodiment is shown. The irradiation unit EU in the configuration example of FIG. 9 includes light source units LS1 and LS2, a light guide LG, and an irradiation direction setting unit LE. Moreover, the reflective sheet RS is included. The irradiation direction setting unit LE includes the optical sheet PS and the louver film LF. Note that the irradiation unit EU of the present embodiment is not limited to the configuration of FIG. 9, and various components such as omitting some of the components, replacing them with other components, and adding other components. Variations are possible.

  The light source units LS1 and LS2 emit light source light and have light emitting elements such as LEDs (light emitting diodes). The light source units LS1 and LS2 emit, for example, infrared light (near infrared light close to the visible light region). That is, the light source light emitted from the light source units LS1 and LS2 has a wavelength band that is not included in the wavelength band light that is efficiently reflected by an object such as a user's finger or a touch pen, or ambient light that becomes disturbance light. It is desirable to be light. Specifically, infrared light with a wavelength near 850 nm, which is light in a wavelength band with high reflectance on the surface of the human body, infrared light near 950 nm, which is light in a wavelength band that is not so much included in environmental light, etc. It is.

  The light source unit LS1 is provided on one end side of the light guide LG as shown by F1 in FIG. The second light source unit LS2 is provided on the other end side of the light guide LG as indicated by F2. Then, the light source unit LS1 emits the light source light to the light incident surface on one end side (F1) of the light guide LG, thereby emitting the irradiation light LT1, and detecting the first irradiation light intensity distribution LID1. Form (set) the area. On the other hand, the light source unit LS2 emits the second light source light LT2 by emitting the second light source light to the light incident surface on the other end side (F2) of the light guide LG, so that the first irradiation light is emitted. A second irradiation light intensity distribution LID2 having an intensity distribution different from that of the intensity distribution LID1 is formed in the detection area. In this way, the irradiation unit EU can emit irradiation light having different intensity distributions according to the position in the detection area RDET.

  The light guide LG (light guide member) guides the light source light emitted from the light source units LS1 and LS2. For example, the light guide LG guides the light source light from the light source units LS1 and LS2 along a curved light guide path, and the shape thereof is a curved shape. Specifically, in FIG. 9, the lie guide LG has an arc shape. In FIG. 9, the light guide LG has an arc shape with a center angle of 180 degrees, but may have an arc shape with a center angle smaller than 180 degrees. The light guide LG is formed of, for example, a transparent resin member such as acrylic resin or polycarbonate.

  At least one of the outer peripheral side and the inner peripheral side of the light guide LG is processed to adjust the light output efficiency of the light source light from the light guide LG. As a processing method, for example, various methods such as a silk printing method for printing reflective dots, a molding method for forming irregularities with a stamper or injection, and a groove processing method can be adopted.

  The irradiation direction setting unit LE realized by the prism sheet PS and the louver film LF is provided on the outer peripheral side of the light guide LG and receives light source light emitted from the outer peripheral side (outer peripheral surface) of the light guide LG. And the irradiation light LT1 and LT2 by which the irradiation direction was set to the direction which goes to an outer peripheral side from the inner peripheral side of the light guide LG of curved shape (arc shape) are radiate | emitted. That is, the direction of the light source light emitted from the outer peripheral side of the light guide LG is set (restricted) to an irradiation direction along, for example, the normal direction (radial direction) of the light guide LG. Thereby, irradiation light LT1 and LT2 come to radiate | emit radially in the direction which goes to the outer peripheral side from the inner peripheral side of the light guide LG.

  Such setting of the irradiation direction of the irradiation light LT1, LT2 is realized by the prism sheet PS, the louver film LF, or the like of the irradiation direction setting unit LE. For example, the prism sheet PS sets the direction of the light source light emitted at a low viewing angle from the outer peripheral side of the light guide LG to the normal direction side so that the peak of the light emission characteristic is in the normal direction. The louver film LF blocks (cuts) light in a direction other than the normal direction (low viewing angle light).

  As described above, according to the irradiation unit EU of the present embodiment, the light source portions LS1 and LS2 are provided at both ends of the light guide LG, and the light source portions LS1 and LS2 are alternately turned on to thereby generate two irradiation light intensity distributions. Can be formed. That is, the irradiation light intensity distribution LID1 in which the intensity on one end side of the light guide LG is increased and the irradiation light intensity distribution LID2 in which the intensity on the other end side of the light guide LG is increased can be alternately formed.

  By forming such irradiation light intensity distributions LID1 and LID2 and receiving the reflected light of the object by the irradiation light of these intensity distributions, the influence of ambient light such as ambient light is minimized. It is possible to detect an object having a high height. That is, it is possible to cancel out the infrared component included in the disturbance light, and it is possible to minimize the adverse effect of the infrared component on the detection of the object.

2. Coordinate Information Detection Method FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a coordinate information detection method by the optical detection device 100 of the present embodiment.

  E1 in FIG. 10A is a diagram showing the relationship between the angle of the irradiation direction of the irradiation light LT1 and the intensity of the irradiation light LT1 at that angle in the irradiation light intensity distribution LID1 of FIG. At E1 in FIG. 10A, the intensity is highest when the irradiation direction is the direction DD1 in FIG. 10B (left direction). On the other hand, the intensity is lowest when the direction is DD3 (right direction), and the intensity is intermediate in the direction DD2. Specifically, the intensity of the irradiation light monotonously decreases with respect to the angle change from the direction DD1 to the direction DD3, for example, changes linearly (linearly). In FIG. 10B, the arcuate center position of the light guide LG is the arrangement position PE of the irradiation unit EU.

  Further, E2 in FIG. 10A is a diagram showing the relationship between the angle of the irradiation direction of the irradiation light LT2 and the intensity of the irradiation light LT2 at that angle in the irradiation light intensity distribution LID2 of FIG. In E2 of FIG. 10A, the intensity is highest when the irradiation direction is the direction of DD3 of FIG. On the other hand, the intensity is the lowest in the direction of DD1, and the intermediate intensity in the direction of DD2. Specifically, the intensity of irradiation light monotonously decreases with respect to an angle change from the direction DD3 to the direction DD1, and changes linearly, for example. In FIG. 10A, the relationship between the angle in the irradiation direction and the intensity is a linear relationship, but the present embodiment is not limited to this, and may be a hyperbolic relationship, for example.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 10B, it is assumed that the object OB exists in the direction DDB of the angle θ. Then, when the irradiation light intensity distribution LID1 is formed by light emission from the light source unit LS1 (in the case of E1), as shown in FIG. 10A, the object OB existing in the direction of DDB (angle θ). The intensity at the position is INTa. On the other hand, when the irradiation light intensity distribution LID2 is formed by the light source unit LS2 emitting light (in the case of E2), the intensity at the position of the object OB existing in the direction of DDB is INTb.

  Therefore, the direction DDB (angle θ) in which the object OB is located can be specified by obtaining the relationship between the intensities INTa and INTb. For example, if the distance of the object OB from the arrangement position PE of the optical detection device is obtained by the method shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B described later, the object is based on the obtained distance and the direction DDB. The position of OB can be specified. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 12 to be described later, two irradiation units EU1 and EU2 are provided as the irradiation unit EU, and the directions DDB1 (θ1) and DDB2 (θ2) of the object OB with respect to the irradiation units EU1 and EU2 are obtained. For example, the position of the object OB can be specified by the directions DDB1 and DDB2 and the distance DS between the irradiation units EU1 and EU2.

  In order to obtain such a relationship between the intensity INTa and INTb, in the present embodiment, the light receiving unit RU receives the reflected light (first reflected light) of the object OB when the irradiation light intensity distribution LID1 is formed. . If the detected light reception amount of the reflected light at this time is Ga, this Ga corresponds to the intensity INTa. The light receiving unit RU receives the reflected light (second reflected light) of the object OB when the irradiation light intensity distribution LID2 is formed. When the detected light reception amount of the reflected light at this time is Gb, this Gb corresponds to the intensity INTb. Therefore, if the relationship between the detected light reception amounts Ga and Gb is obtained, the relationship between the intensity INTa and INTb can be obtained, and the direction DDB in which the object OB is located can be obtained.

  For example, the control amount (for example, current amount), the conversion coefficient, and the emitted light amount of the light source unit LS1 are Ia, k, and Ea, respectively. In addition, the control amount (current amount), the conversion coefficient, and the amount of emitted light of the light source unit LS2 are Ib, k, and Eb, respectively. Then, the following expressions (1) and (2) are established.

Ea = k · Ia (1)
Eb = k · Ib (2)
Further, let fa be the attenuation coefficient of the light source light (first light source light) from the light source unit LS1, and let Ga be the detected received light amount of the reflected light (first reflected light) corresponding to this light source light. Further, the attenuation coefficient of the light source light (second light source light) from the light source unit LS2 is fb, and the detected light reception amount of the reflected light (second reflected light) corresponding to the light source light is Gb. Then, the following expressions (3) and (4) are established.

Ga = fa · Ea = fa · k · Ia (3)
Gb = fb · Eb = fb · k · Ib (4)
Therefore, the ratio of the detected light reception amounts Ga and Gb can be expressed as the following equation (5).

Ga / Gb = (fa / fb). (Ia / Ib) (5)
Here, Ga / Gb can be specified from the light reception result in the light receiving unit RU, and Ia / Ib can be specified from the control amount of the irradiation unit EU. Intensities INTa and INTb and attenuation coefficients fa and fb in FIG. 10A are in a unique relationship. For example, when the attenuation coefficients fa and fb are small values and the attenuation is large, it means that the strengths INTa and INTb are small. On the other hand, when the attenuation coefficients fa and fb are large and the attenuation is small, it means that the strengths INTa and INTb are large. Therefore, the direction, position, etc. of the object can be obtained by obtaining the attenuation factor ratio fa / fb from the above equation (5).

  More specifically, one control amount Ia is fixed to Im, and the other control amount Ib is controlled so that the detected light reception amount ratio Ga / Gb becomes 1. For example, the light source units LS1 and LS2 are controlled to turn on alternately in reverse phase, the detected received light amount waveform is analyzed, and the other control is performed so that the detected waveform is not observed (Ga / Gb = 1). The amount Ib is controlled. Then, from the other control amount Ib = Im · (fa / fb) at this time, the ratio fa / fb of the attenuation coefficient is obtained, and the direction, position, etc. of the object are obtained.

  Further, as in the following formulas (6) and (7), control may be performed so that Ga / Gb = 1 and the sum of the control amounts Ia and Ib is constant.

Ga / Gb = 1 (6)
Im = Ia + Ib (7)
Substituting the above equations (6) and (7) into the above equation (5), the following equation (8) is established.

Ga / Gb = 1 = (fa / fb) · (Ia / Ib)
= (Fa / fb) · {(Im−Ib) / Ib} (8)
From the above equation (8), Ib is expressed as the following equation (9).

Ib = {fa / (fa + fb)} · Im (9)
Here, if α = fa / (fa + fb), the above equation (9) is expressed as the following equation (10), and the attenuation coefficient ratio fa / fb is expressed by the following equation (11) using α. It is expressed in

Ib = α · Im (10)
fa / fb = α / (1-α) (11)
Therefore, if Ga / Gb = 1 and control is performed so that the sum of Ia and Ib becomes a constant value Im, α is obtained from Ib and Im at that time by the following equation (10), and the obtained α is increased. By substituting into Equation (11), the ratio fa / fb of the attenuation coefficient can be obtained. This makes it possible to obtain the direction, position, etc. of the object. Further, by controlling so that Ga / Gb = 1 and the sum of Ia and Ib becomes constant, it becomes possible to cancel the influence of disturbance light and the like, and the detection accuracy can be improved.

  Next, an example of a method for detecting coordinate information of an object using the optical detection device of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 11A is an example of a signal waveform for light emission control of the light source units LS1 and LS2. The signal SLS1 is a light emission control signal of the light source unit LS1, the signal SLS2 is a light emission control signal of the light source unit LS2, and these signals SLS1 and SLS2 are in reverse phase. The signal SRC is a light reception signal.

  For example, the light source unit LS1 is turned on (emits light) when the signal SLS1 is at the H level, and is turned off when the signal SLS1 is at the L level. The light source unit LS2 is turned on (emits light) when the signal SLS2 is at the H level, and is turned off when the signal SLS2 is at the L level. Therefore, in the first period T1 in FIG. 11A, the light source unit LS1 and the light source unit LS2 are alternately turned on. That is, the light source unit LS2 is turned off during the period when the light source unit LS1 is turned on. As a result, an irradiation light intensity distribution LID1 as shown in FIG. 9 is formed. On the other hand, the light source unit LS1 is turned off during the period when the light source unit LS2 is turned on. As a result, an irradiation light intensity distribution LID2 as shown in FIG. 9 is formed.

  As described above, the detection unit 110 performs control of alternately emitting (lighting) the light source unit LS1 and the light source unit LS2 in the first period T1. And in this 1st period T1, the direction where the target object located seen from the optical detection apparatus (irradiation part) is detected. Specifically, for example, in the first period T1, light emission control is performed such that Ga / Gb = 1 and the sum of the control amounts Ia and Ib is constant as in the above-described formulas (6) and (7). Do. Then, as shown in FIG. 10B, the direction DDB in which the object OB is located is obtained. For example, the ratio fa / fb of the attenuation coefficient is obtained from the above equations (10) and (11), and the direction DDB in which the object OB is located is obtained by the method described in FIGS. 10 (A) and 10 (B).

  Then, in the second period T2 following the first period T1, the distance to the object OB (the distance in the direction along the direction DDB) is detected based on the light reception result of the light receiving unit RU. Then, based on the detected distance and the direction DDB of the object OB, the position of the object is detected. That is, in FIG. 10B, the X and Y coordinate positions of the object OB can be specified by obtaining the distance from the arrangement position PE of the optical detection device to the object OB and the direction DDB in which the object OB is located. As described above, the position of the object OB can be specified by obtaining the distance from the time difference between the lighting timing of the light source and the light receiving timing and combining this with the angle result.

  Specifically, in FIG. 11A, a time Δt from the light emission timing of the light source units LS1 and LS2 by the light emission control signals SLS1 and SLS2 to the timing when the light reception signal SRC becomes active (the timing when the reflected light is received) is detected. To do. That is, the time Δt from when the light from the light source units LS1 and LS2 is reflected by the object OB and received by the light receiving unit RU is detected. By detecting this time Δt, since the speed of light is known, the distance to the object OB can be detected. That is, the shift width (time) of the arrival time of light is measured, and the distance is obtained from the speed of light.

  In addition, since the speed of light is quite high, there is also a problem that it is difficult to detect the time Δt by obtaining a simple difference using only an electric signal. In order to solve such a problem, it is desirable to modulate the light emission control signal as shown in FIG. Here, FIG. 11B is a schematic signal waveform example schematically representing light intensity (amount of current) by the amplitude of the control signals SLS1 and SLS2.

  Specifically, in FIG. 11B, the distance is detected by, for example, a known continuous wave modulation TOF (Time Of Flight) method. In this continuous wave modulation TOF method, continuous light that is intensity-modulated with a continuous wave having a constant period is used. Then, while irradiating the intensity-modulated light and receiving the reflected light a plurality of times at time intervals shorter than the modulation period, the waveform of the reflected light is demodulated and the phase difference between the irradiated light and the reflected light is obtained. Thus, the distance is detected. In FIG. 11B, only the light corresponding to one of the control signals SLS1 and SLS2 may be intensity-modulated. Further, instead of the clock waveform as shown in FIG. 11B, a waveform modulated by a continuous triangular wave or Sin wave may be used. Further, the distance may be detected by a pulse modulation TOF method using pulsed light as continuously modulated light. Details of the distance detection method are disclosed in, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-8537.

  In FIG. 12, the modification of the irradiation part EU of this embodiment is shown. In FIG. 12, first and second irradiation units EU1 and EU2 are provided as the irradiation unit EU. These first and second irradiation units EU1 and EU2 are arranged apart by a given distance DS in the direction along the surface of the detection area RDET of the object OB. That is, they are arranged apart from each other by a distance DS along the X-axis direction of FIGS. 1 (A) and 1 (B).

  The first irradiation unit EU1 emits first irradiation light having different intensities according to the irradiation direction radially. The second irradiation unit EU2 emits second irradiation light having different intensities according to the irradiation direction radially. The light receiving unit RU targets first reflected light from the first irradiation light from the first irradiation unit EU1 reflected by the object OB and second irradiation light from the second irradiation unit EU2. Second reflected light is received by being reflected by the object OB. And the detection part 110 detects the position POB of the target object OB based on the light reception result in the light-receiving part RU.

  Specifically, the detection unit 110 detects the direction of the object OB relative to the first irradiation unit EU1 as the first direction DDB1 (angle θ1) based on the reception result of the first reflected light. Further, based on the reception result of the second reflected light, the direction of the object OB relative to the second irradiation unit EU2 is detected as the second direction DDB2 (angle θ2). Based on the detected first direction DDB1 (θ1) and second direction DDB2 (θ2) and the distance DS between the first and second irradiation units EU1, EU2, the position POB of the object OB is detected. Ask for.

  According to the modification of FIG. 12, the position POB of the object OB can be detected without obtaining the distance between the optical detection device and the object OB as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B. become.

3. Information Processing System FIGS. 13A and 13B show a configuration example of the information processing system of the present embodiment. In the configuration example of FIG. 13A, the optical detection device 100 is attached to a display (display unit in a broad sense) 220 of a personal computer (information processing device in a broad sense) 200. Then, the optical detection device 100 and the personal computer 200 are electrically connected via the USB cable USBC.

  Power is supplied from the personal computer (PC) 200 to the optical detection device 100 via a USB interface (interface section in a broad sense). In addition, position detection information is transmitted from the optical detection device 100 to the PC 200 via the USB interface. Also, a calibration program for calibration processing is transmitted from the optical detection apparatus 100 to the PC 200. This calibration program is installed in the PC 200, and calibration processing is executed.

  In the configuration example of FIG. 13B, the optical detection device 100 is attached to a screen (display unit in a broad sense) 20. An image is displayed on the screen 20 by the image projector 10 connected to the PC 200. Then, the optical detection device 100 and the PC 200 are electrically connected via the USB cable USBC. Similarly to the above, power is supplied via the USB interface, and position detection information and a calibration program are transmitted. As described above, since the optical detection device of the present embodiment can be retrofitted to the screen of the image projection device, an operation instruction can be given with a fingertip or a pen to a wide display area such as the screen. It becomes possible.

  As described above, since the optical detection device of the present embodiment can be attached to the display later by the attachment portion, it is possible to add a position detection function such as a touch panel without adding a hand to the display. it can. In this way, the user can give an instruction such as a hovering operation or a confirmation operation to the information processing apparatus by moving a fingertip or the like. Furthermore, since an operation instruction can be given without touching the screen with a fingertip or the like like a touch panel, it is possible to prevent the screen from being soiled or damaged.

  Even if the display area is large like a screen or the display area is narrow like a notebook PC display, the necessary position detection accuracy can be ensured by the calibration process. It becomes possible to cope with one optical detection device.

  Furthermore, since the calibration process for calibrating the threshold value (for example, Z1, Z2) of the Z coordinate position for determining whether the operation is a hovering operation or a confirmation operation can be performed, the user can operate The threshold value of the Z coordinate position can be set so that it is easy to do.

  Although the present embodiment has been described in detail as described above, it will be easily understood by those skilled in the art that many modifications can be made without departing from the novel matters and effects of the present invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included in the scope of the present invention. For example, a term described with a different term having a broader meaning or the same meaning at least once in the specification or the drawings can be replaced with the different term in any part of the specification or the drawings. The configurations and operations of the optical detection device and the information processing system are not limited to those described in the present embodiment, and various modifications can be made.

EU irradiation unit, RU light receiving unit, LT irradiation light, LR reflected light,
PD1 to PD3 light receiving unit, PHD light receiving element,
RDET, RDET1 to RDET3 detection area, MTU mounting part,
SLT slit, LG, LG1, LG2 light guide, LS1, LS2 light source part,
RS reflective sheet, PS prism sheet, LF louver film,
LE irradiation direction setting unit, LID1 first irradiation light intensity distribution,
LID2 second irradiation light intensity distribution,
10 image projection device, 20 screen, 100 optical detection device,
110 detection unit, 120 interface unit,
200 information processing device, 210 control unit, 220 display unit,
230 interface unit, 240 storage unit

Claims (12)

An irradiation unit that emits irradiation light; and
A light receiving unit for receiving reflected light by the irradiation light being reflected by an object;
Based on the light reception result of the light receiving unit, a detection unit for detecting information for detecting the position of the object;
An attachment unit for detachably attaching at least the irradiation unit and the light receiving unit to the display unit of the information processing apparatus having a display unit;
Look including an interface portion for communicating information between said information processing apparatus,
The light receiving unit has a plurality of light receiving units,
The plurality of light receiving units are arranged along a direction intersecting a display surface of the display unit. In claim 1 ,
The optical detection device, wherein the plurality of light receiving units are arranged at different heights in a direction intersecting the display surface. In claim 2 ,
When the display surface is a surface along the XY plane, the plurality of light receiving units have different heights in a direction intersecting the display surface and are arranged at different X coordinate positions. An optical detection device. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3 ,
The plurality of light receiving units include an incident light limiting unit that limits incident light in a direction intersecting the display surface,
The optical position detection device, wherein the degree of restriction of the incident light is set stronger as the distance from the display surface is shorter. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4 ,
The optical detection apparatus, wherein the interface unit transmits the position detection information to the information processing apparatus. In claim 5 ,
The optical detection apparatus, wherein the interface unit transmits calibration information for calibration processing for position detection to the information processing apparatus. In claim 6 ,
The optical detection apparatus, wherein the calibration information is a calibration program. In claim 7 ,
The information processing apparatus displays a calibration screen on the display unit based on the calibration program,
The detection unit detects the position detection information corresponding to the calibration coordinate position after the calibration screen is displayed,
The interface unit transmits the position detection information corresponding to the calibration coordinate position to the information processing apparatus;
The information processing apparatus performs the calibration process based on the received position detection information. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 8 .
An optical detection apparatus that operates based on power supplied from the information processing apparatus via the interface unit. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 9 ,
The optical detection device, wherein the interface unit is a USB interface. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 10 .
The irradiation unit is
A light source unit for emitting light source light;
A curved light guide for guiding the light source light from the light source section along a curved light guide path;
An irradiation direction setting unit that receives the light source light emitted from the outer peripheral side of the light guide and sets the irradiation direction of the irradiation light in a direction from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side of the curved light guide An optical detection device. The optical detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 ,
An information processing system comprising the information processing apparatus.

Images