JPH01306877A - Coordinate input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To confirm coordinate specified positions through a document by outputting a light beam from a depressed section among plural sections. CONSTITUTION:The coordinate input device 81 is constituted by arranging a light shield plate 83 and a coordinate detection plate 84 on a flat plate type light emitting element 82 and superposing a transparent or nearly transparent protection layer composed of a polyester film 85 and a urethane film 86 thereupon. A coordinate detection plate 84 is a plate which is equipped with an X-coordinate detection sheet and a Y-coordinate detection sheet and detects coordinates of a depression position and is transparent or nearly transparent, and the document is irradiated with light which is transmitted through a light emitting element 82 and a light shield plate 83. The specified point illuminates directly and can be confirmed, so anybody can easily confirm input coordinate data and the operability of data input is improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a coordinate input device that is convenient for use when performing horizontal construction work such as image extraction and deletion using a copying machine, for example.

``Prior Art'' Various types of copying machines have been introduced that are capable of compiling a document, such as cutting out a portion of the document and copying it, or deleting a portion of the document. In such copying machines, editing areas are specified by inputting coordinate data in numerical values or by using a pointing device. In the former input method, the input operation is performed while specifying the area numerically, which makes it impossible to input intuitively, and there is a possibility of specifying the wrong area, requiring considerable skill. From this point of view, it is common practice to specify an editing area using a pointing device.

FIG. 7 shows an example of such a conventionally used copying machine.

The console panel 1 is located on the front of the upper part of the main body 11 of this copier.
2 is placed. A document holding plate 13 is arranged on the back side of the console panel 12 so as to be openable and closable, and a coordinate input device 14 is attached to the upper part thereof. In this copying machine, an operator operates the console panel 12 to set the copying machine to, for example, silk collection mode, places a document (not shown) on the coordinate input device 14, and specifies coordinates. After that, the operator opens the original holding plate 13, places the original on the platen glass (not shown in this figure), closes the original holding plate 13 again, and places the original on the console panel 1.
Press start button 15 on top of 2. As a result, the copy paper (not shown) stored in the cassette tray 16
is fed into the main body 12, and a toner image formed on a photoreceptor drum (not shown) is transferred thereto. An erase lamp (not shown) capable of partially erasing the electrostatic latent image is arranged on the photosensitive drum, so that the image in the area specified by the coordinate input device 14 is erased or extracted. The toner image will be transferred to the copy paper. The copy paper on which the toner image has been transferred is fixed by a fixing device (not shown), and then is discharged onto the same discharge tray (not shown).

FIG. 8 shows the internal structure of the coordinate input device used in this copying machine. The coordinate input device 14 has an X-coordinate detection sheet 22 for detecting the X-coordinate placed on a substrate 21, and a Y-coordinate detection sheet 25 for detecting the Y-coordinate placed thereon via a conductive rubber 23 and an insulating spacer 24. The structure is as follows. The Y-coordinate detection sheet 25 is covered with a protective layer consisting of a polyester film 26 and a urethane film 27. A frame 28 is arranged around the urethane film 27, and a spacer 29 is arranged between the frame 28 and the substrate 21. Further, from the coordinate input device 14, a lower resistance sheet terminal 31 and an upper resistance sheet terminal 3 are input into the main body 12 shown in FIG.
2 is drawn out.

FIG. 9 is for explaining the operating principle of this coordinate input device. Now, assume that the operator inputs coordinates by applying pressure from above the urethane film 27 shown in FIG. 8 (downward in the direction of the arrow). As a result, the X coordinate detection sheet 22 and the Y coordinate detection sheet 25 come into contact at point P.

Incidentally, the coordinate input device 14 alternately performs operations for detecting the Y coordinate and the X coordinate. When the point P is pressed and the Y coordinate detection operation is performed, the two switches 35 and 36 arranged on the Y coordinate detection sheet 25 are closed and connected to the power source 37. As a result, the voltage at point P is a voltage divided by the resistance of the Y-coordinate detection sheet 25.

(y). At point P, the Y coordinate detection sheet 25 and the X coordinate detection sheet 22 are in electrical contact via the conductive rubber 23. Therefore, this voltage Vp(y) is outputted to the Y resistance sheet partial voltage output line 38 via the X coordinate detection sheet 22.

On the other hand, when the point P is pressed and the X coordinate detection operation is performed, the two switches 41 and 42 arranged on the X coordinate detection sheet 22 are closed and connected to the power source 43. At this time, the two switches 35 and 36 mentioned above are opened and electrically disconnected from the source 37. The voltage at point P is divided by the resistance of the X coordinate detection sheet 22 and becomes one voltage Vp (
X). This voltage Vp(X) is Yv mark detection sheet 2
5 and is output to the X coordinate sheet partial pressure output line 44.

FIG. 10 shows the coordinate input device in a state where a coordinate input operation is being performed.

The coordinate input device 14 having an internal structure shown in FIG. 8 is divided into a coordinate data input section 51 and an input operation section 52. The operator places the document 53 so that its left corner is the coordinate data input section 51.
Set to match the left corner of . After setting the copying machine to the editing mode as described above, rectangular areas are input by specifying the four corners of these areas. For example, to designate figure A, press the four corner points 54 to 57 in order with a thin stick or the like, and after specifying these coordinates, press the input completion button 59 on the input operation section 52. As a result, the figure A is recognized by the copying machine.

To additionally designate figure B, after specifying the four corner points 61 to 64 of figure B around j, the input completion button 59 is pressed.

FIG. 11 shows the display state of the area on the liquid crystal display disposed near the start button 15 of FIG. 7.

The liquid crystal display 71 displays various messages during normal copying work, and when inputting coordinate data from the coordinate input device 14 in collection mode, displays the specified areas A and B with the size of the original 53. It is displayed by relationship. Depending on the copying machine, a fluorescent display board, CRT, or the like may be used in place of the liquid crystal display to display the same image. The reason why the outline of the designated area is displayed on the display in this way is to prevent the operator from making operational mistakes and to facilitate the operation by sequentially displaying the status of the operation.

``Problem to be Solved by the Invention'' With the conventional coordinate input device described above, even if coordinates are input, it is not possible to directly confirm how the coordinates were input. For this reason, the above-mentioned measure was taken to confirm the specified area on the display, but in this case as well, the input area for coordinates and the area display area were physically separated, making it difficult to confirm the input data. The problem was that it was difficult to do.

Furthermore, it is difficult to display accurate positions and shapes on simple displays such as the liquid crystal display mentioned above, and when editing shapes, etc., the results are often unsatisfactory. Ta.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a coordinate input device that can confirm the input state of coordinate data on the spot where the coordinate data is input.

"Means for Solving the Problems" The present invention provides (i) a light beam output board that is divided into a plurality of sections and selectively outputs light beams using these sections as units;
(11) pressed position detection means arranged along one surface of the light beam output plate to detect a pressed position;
>The coordinate input device is provided with a flat plate drive means for outputting a light beam from a section of the light beam output plate corresponding to the position detected by the suppression position detection means.

That is, in the present invention, since the light beam is output from the pressed section among the plurality of sections, the designated coordinate positions can be confirmed through the document.

The light output plate itself may be a selective light emitting means for selectively emitting light, or may be a selective transmitting means for selectively transmitting light. In the latter case, a flat light emitting source may be disposed on the other surface of the light beam output plate, or another light source, such as a mirror for guiding incident light from external light, may be disposed.

"Example" The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to Examples.

FIG. 1 shows the internal structure of a coordinate input device in an embodiment of the present invention. This coordinate input device 81 is
It has a structure in which a light shielding plate 83 and a coordinate detection plate 84 are arranged on a flat light emitting element 82, and a transparent or nearly transparent protective layer made of a polyester film 85 and a urethane film 86 is superimposed thereon. ing.

Here, the light emitting element 82 is composed of a planar light emitting element such as an electroluminescence element that utilizes a light emitting phenomenon caused by the application of an electric field, and the entire element emits light uniformly.

The light shielding plate 83 is a plate that transmits or blocks light in units of M rows and N columns of cells. These are of the same format as those used in LCD televisions, for example.
Cell sizes may be even larger than these. For example, even if one side of one cell is about 1 to several millimeters in size, sufficient accuracy can be obtained for specifying coordinates in image extraction and the like.

The coordinate detection plate 84 is a plate that includes an X coordinate detection sheet 22 and a Y coordinate detection sheet 25 as shown in FIG. 9, for example, and detects the coordinates of a pressed location.

However, the coordinate detection plate 84 needs to be transparent or close to transparent. This is because it is necessary to irradiate the original with the light that has passed through the light emitting element 82 and the light shielding plate 83. Coordinate detection plate 8
The coordinate detection accuracy of No. 4 may be approximately the same as the arrangement accuracy of each cell on the light shielding plate 83. In other words, if the coordinate detection plate 84 has the accuracy to recognize a section (cell) with a side of 1 mm, the light shielding plate 83 can also control cells of the same size to turn on or off. It is fine as long as it is something.

FIG. 2 shows an outline of the circuit configuration of this coordinate input device. The coordinate input device 81 is equipped with a UPC (central processing unit) 91.

The CPU 91 is connected to the following units by a bus 92 such as a data bus.

(i) ROM 93: This is a read-only memory that stores programs for performing various controls of this coordinate input device.

(ii) RAM 94: Random access memory for temporarily storing various processing data.

<iii) Keyboard 95: The following keys are arranged here.

(a) Rectangle key for specifying a rectangle using two points on both ends of the diagonal line (b) Polygon key for inputting a triangle, quadrilateral, or a figure with more angles (C) End of area specification (d) Display key for displaying a figure based on the points forming the figure; (iv) Light-emitting element driver 96: This is a driver circuit for controlling the lighting of the light-emitting element 820.

(v) Light-shielding driver 97: A driver circuit for driving the light-shielding plate 83.

(vi) Coordinate input circuit 98: This is a circuit for recognizing input coordinates when the coordinate detection plate 84 is operated and supplying coordinate data to the CPU 91 side.

Note that if this coordinate input device is configured as a part of a copying machine, for example, CP[J91, ROM93, R
Of course, it is possible to use the AM94 and the like provided in the main body of the copying machine.

FIG. 3 shows an outline of the input operation of this coordinate input device.

The operator places the document on this coordinate input device and presses the rectangle key or polygon key depending on the figure to be input (steps ①, ②). When the rectangle key is pressed (step ■; Y), a rectangle mode for inputting rectangular data is entered (step ■). In the rectangle mode, if two points are input, a rectangle will be specified based on them. When the end key is pressed (step ■; Y), the graphic data designated at that time is registered in the coordinate data registration area of the RAM 94 (step ■). In this rectangular mode, if points are continuously input, a plurality of areas will be registered two points at a time.

On the other hand, if the polygon key is pressed (step ■; Y)
, the device is set to polygon mode (step ■). In this polygon mode, a polygon is specified by the number of points input until the end key is pressed (step 2; Y). When the end key is pressed (step ■; Y), the graphic data designated at that time is registered in the coordinate data registration area of the RAM 94 (step ■).

4th TI! J represents an operation in which a specified point or area is displayed.

When the operator presses the rectangle key or the polygon key to set the mode, the CPU 91-side optical element 82 starts emitting light (step 2). However, in this state, the light shielding driver 97 is not driven, and no light can be seen from below the document placed on the coordinate input device 81.

In this state, when the operator presses a desired point on the document with a pen or the like (step 2; Y), the coordinate input circuit 98 recognizes the coordinate and transfers it to the bus 92.

c p U 9 t stores this coordinate data in a predetermined area of the RAM 94 (step ■). The CPU 91 reads out the coordinate data stored in this area, controls the light shielding driver 97, and removes the light shielding state only for the part of the corresponding coordinates (step 2). As a result, light passes through the input point, and that part of the document is illuminated from below.

This allows the operator to easily confirm which part of the document has been designated.

When the operator specifies the next point in this state without pressing the display key or the end key (steps ■, ■; N), the coordinate data of the second point is added to the above-mentioned predetermined area of the RAM, and these points are are confirmed together by light emitted from the back side of the document (steps ■ to ■). In the same manner, the input points are added one after another and displayed as transmitted light of the document until the end key is pressed (step 2).

Incidentally, the operator may want to grasp the entire figure during or after inputting coordinate data. In such a case, the display key must be pressed. When the display key is pressed, step (2); Y), the CPLI 91 calculates the input figure based on the relationship between the currently input coordinate data and the input mode (step (2)). For example, in rectangle mode, if the display key is pressed after entering 4 points, 2
The area of two rectangular figures will be calculated. Each figure resulting from the calculation is developed as a bitmap in another area of the RAM 94 (step 2).

The CPU 91 controls the light shielding driver 97 according to this developed figure (step 0). As a result, the light shielding plate 8
3 selectively emits light in a state in which each figure is filled with light beams, and this is confirmed by the operator through the document. This light-emitting display continues until the operator presses the end key and registers the input coordinate data in the registration area (step 0).

FIGS. 5 and 6 show an example of the lighting control described above. Of these, Figure 5 shows two points P, , P2
The figure shows a state in which these points are brightly illuminated from the back side of the original 53 while the input is performed. FIG. 6 shows an example in which the display key is pressed and a rectangular area 99 specified by these two points P1 and P2 is displayed as transmitted light.

In the embodiments described above, a light-shielding plate is placed on top of the light-emitting element, but the light-emitting element itself is not covered by the light-emitting element itself.+J hook-shaped light-emitting elements are arranged in a configuration in which light emission can be selectively performed in units of these light-emitting elements. It goes without saying that there is no need to use a light shielding plate if it is a light shielding plate.

Further, in the embodiment, a point or a figure is displayed by filling it in, but it is also possible to display a line connecting the points.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the designated point can be confirmed by directly shining, so anyone can easily confirm the input coordinate data, and the operability of data input is improved. Further, by adding a circuit or the like, the coordinate input device itself can be used as a display device, so that character data necessary for input operations can be displayed to further improve operability.

[Brief Description of the Drawings] Figures 1 to 5 are diagrams for explaining one embodiment of the present invention, of which Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of the coordinate input device, and Figure 2 is A block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the coordinate input device, FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an overview of the coordinate data input operation of the coordinate input device, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing input data display control, and FIG. 5 is a display of input points. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an example of the display state of an input figure, FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a conventional copying machine equipped with a coordinate input device, and FIG. 8 is a plan view showing an example of the display state of input figures. An explanatory diagram showing the internal configuration of a coordinate input device used in a copying machine, FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram of this coordinate input device, and FIG. 10 shows the coordinate input device in a state where a coordinate input operation is being performed. The plan view shown in FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the display state of the area on the liquid crystal display disposed near the start button in FIG. 7. 81... Coordinate input device, 82... Light emitting element, 83... Light shielding plate, 84... Coordinate detection plate, 91... CPU, 93...
ROM. 94...RAM. Applicant: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Representative: Patent Attorney Umeo Yamauchi No. 1 Fig. 2＼ ””-82-83-84 Fig. 3 Fig. 4 Fig. 5' Fig. 8 Fig. 2'7゛ゝ22 Figure 9

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A light beam output plate that is divided into a plurality of sections and selectively outputs light beams using these sections as a unit, and a pressed position arranged along one surface of this light beam output plate. A coordinate input device comprising: a pressed position detecting means for detecting a pressed position; and a flat plate driving means for outputting a light beam from a section of the light beam output plate corresponding to a position detected by the pressed position detecting means. 2. The coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein the light beam output plate is selective light emitting means for selectively emitting light beams. 3. The light output plate is a selective transmission means for selectively transmitting light, and a flat light emitting source is disposed on the other surface of the light output plate, according to claim 1. coordinate input device.