JPH06214712A - Information input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an information input device whose occupancy area of the device is small, which is portable and is provided with multiple input parts. CONSTITUTION:When an operator operates switches added in accordance with fingers, an ultrasonic wave originating element 101 and an electromagnetic wave originating element 102 simultaneously start originating. An electromagnetic wave receiving element 105 receives a set signal and a timer counting circuit in a control part 106 is reset. The timer counting circuit counts time until respective ultrasonic wave receiving elements 103 and 104 receive ultrasonic waves. An arithmetic circuit in the control part obtains the position of the finger for operating the switch from propagation time to the two ultrasonic wave receiving elements 103 and 104. The control part 106 is provided with a virtual keyboard key arrangement learning mechanism storing data of a virtual keyboard generated in accordance with the operator. The mechanism collates the data of the position of the finger with the key arrangement of the virtual keyboard so as to specify an inputted key.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information input device used for an information processing device such as a computer, a word processor, a game machine and an industrial control device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an information input means such as a computer,
A keyboard is commonly used. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of a conventional keyboard input system, and shows a system in which the operator's hand 203 operates the keyboard 201 to input information to the information processing apparatus 202. The operator operates the keyboard 201 with both hands and inputs, but the operator essentially needs only the feedback information display output to the CRT display body 204. When the operator becomes proficient in key input to some extent, without looking at the keyboard, the CRT display 20
It becomes more common to enter keys while watching 4.

As another means for inputting information, there is pen input. This is often used for three-dimensional shape design and moving image production. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a conventional pen input system.
When an operator holding the electronic pen 301 operates the pen in an arbitrary space, ultrasonic waves are emitted from the tip of the electronic pen 301. In this system, the ultrasonic wave is received by the ultrasonic wave receiving elements 302 arranged at a plurality of fixed points, the position of the electronic pen 301 is analyzed by the arithmetic device 303, and the information is input to the information device.

[0004]

The conventional keyboard is
Insufficient reliability of electrical contacts when quickly inputting a large amount of data, large keyboard dimensions, especially for mobile applications, and the keyboard occupies most of the desk space during desktop work. There is a problem. From the above, the need for a keyboard that does not occupy space wirelessly and adaptability to the work environment have become issues. On the other hand, pen input is convenient for selecting menus and inputting coordinate data and the like because it is input with a single pen, but it is not suitable for key input of characters and the like. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to solve the above problems, to provide a portable information input device which can promptly input a large amount of data, does not require a large space when used.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized by an apparatus having the following structure. That is, it is composed of an operating device and a main body attached to the hand of the operator who operates the virtual keyboard, the operating device is provided corresponding to each finger of the operator, and a switch that operates according to the operation of the finger, An ultrasonic wave transmission element that is provided corresponding to each finger and that starts operation by the switch of each finger, and a reset signal transmission that generates a reset signal with a faster propagation speed than ultrasonic waves when one of the switches is activated. Means and reset signal transmitting means for transmitting the reset signal to the main body, and the main body has a plurality of ultrasonic receiving elements installed at a predetermined distance, reset signal receiving means, and a control unit. The control unit instructs a user to perform a model key input operation and stores a key layout of the virtual keyboard corresponding to the operator, and a reset when the switch is operated. Signal receiving means receives a reset signal from the time when the ultrasonic receiving elements receive ultrasonic waves, calculates the position of the finger corresponding to the operated switch, and the key arrangement storing means. It is an apparatus provided with a key identifying means for identifying a key by collating with the data of.

An apparatus having the following structure is also a characteristic of the present invention. That is, it consists of an operating device and a main body that are attached to the hands of the operator who operates the virtual keyboard,
The operation device is provided corresponding to each finger of the operator and is operated in response to the operation of the finger, and the operation device is provided corresponding to each finger of the operator and is operated by the switch of each finger. A sound wave receiving element, at the same time as the reception of the ultrasonic wave receiving element, a stop signal transmitting means for transmitting a stop signal having a faster propagation speed than ultrasonic waves, and a stop signal transmitting means for transmitting the stop signal to the main body, The main body is installed at a predetermined distance, and at a predetermined cycle, a plurality of ultrasonic wave transmitting elements that start transmitting at a sufficient time interval compared to the time of propagating in the range of the virtual keyboard with each other, and a stop signal reception Means and a control unit, the control unit instructing an operator to perform a model key input operation to store a key arrangement of the virtual keyboard corresponding to the operator, and the switch. When moving, it measures the time from the time when the last signal of each ultrasonic wave transmitting element is transmitted to the time when the stop signal receiving means receives the stop signal corresponding to each ultrasonic wave transmitting element, and corresponds to the activated switch. The device is provided with key specifying means for calculating the position of the finger and for specifying the key by collating with the data in the key layout storage means.

[0007]

When the operator performs an input operation on the virtual keyboard with the operation device, the switch is actuated, ultrasonic waves are emitted (or received) from the corresponding finger, and the ultrasonic waves are transmitted to a plurality of units installed in the main body. The position of the fingertip is detected when the ultrasonic receiving element receives (or transmits). The operator performs model key input in advance, stores the key layout corresponding to the operator in the key layout storage device, and learns to form a virtual keyboard. The operator's input key is specified by comparing the detected fingertip position with the already learned key layout, and information is input to the information processing device.

[0008]

【Example】

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a first embodiment of the information input device of the invention. For each glove worn by the operator,
An electromagnetic wave transmitting element 102 and an ultrasonic wave transmitting element 101 corresponding to each finger are provided. Further, the main body is composed of the ultrasonic receiving element 103, the ultrasonic receiving element 104, and the electromagnetic wave receiving element 1.
05 and the control unit 106. Control unit 1
A virtual keyboard, which the operator inputs in advance by model key input, is formed in 06. When an input operation is performed using the gloves in this state, ultrasonic waves and electromagnetic waves are simultaneously emitted from the ultrasonic wave transmitting element 101 and the electromagnetic wave transmitting element 102 of the corresponding finger, respectively. The transmitted ultrasonic wave is received by the ultrasonic wave receiving element 103, the ultrasonic wave receiving element 104, and the electromagnetic wave is received by the electromagnetic wave receiving element 105, and the data is input to the control unit 106. The control unit 106 detects the position of the corresponding fingertip from these data, identifies the key by comparing with the key arrangement of the virtual keyboard, and inputs the key to the information processing apparatus 107.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the structure of the main body in this embodiment. The control unit 106 of the main body is the electromagnetic wave receiving element 1
05, ultrasonic receiving element 103, ultrasonic receiving element 10
4, a clock counting circuit 401 for inputting a received signal from the input terminal 4, an arithmetic circuit 402 for calculating the position of a finger based on the output data of the circuit, and a virtual keyboard formed in response to an operator's model key input. , And a virtual keyboard key layout learning mechanism 403 having a learning function.

When the operator performs an input operation, ultrasonic waves and electromagnetic waves are emitted from the corresponding finger, and first, the electromagnetic wave receiving element 10
The electromagnetic wave is received at 5, and the reset signal of the electromagnetic wave causes
The total clock circuit 401 is reset and the operation is started. Next, each ultrasonic receiving element 103, 104
At, the ultrasonic waves are received, and the ultrasonic propagation distances are measured by measuring the time from electromagnetic wave reception to ultrasonic wave reception. From the measurement result and the distance between the ultrasonic receiving elements 103, 104, the arithmetic circuit 402 detects the position of the fingertip corresponding to the input, and the virtual keyboard key arrangement learning mechanism 403 identifies the input key in comparison with the detection result, Input to the information processing device 107.

FIG. 5 shows the principle of detecting the position of the fingertip. An ultrasonic wave transmission element 101 corresponding to a finger that has performed an input operation,
At the distances L and R between the ultrasonic receiving element 103 and the ultrasonic receiving element 104, electromagnetic waves are transmitted from the electromagnetic wave transmitting element 102 at the same time as the ultrasonic waves during the input operation. It is obtained from the time difference and the speed of sound between the reception at each of the ultrasonic receiving element 103 and the ultrasonic receiving element 104. Obtained values L, R, ultrasonic receiving element 103, and ultrasonic receiving element 1
The position of the ultrasonic transmission element 101 is detected using the Pythagorean theorem from the distance L0 between the ultrasonic transmission element 101 and the position 04.

FIG. 6 is a system diagram of the present invention. When corresponding fingers generate electromagnetic waves and ultrasonic waves at the same time on the virtual keyboard, when the electromagnetic waves are received on the main body side due to the difference in propagation time, the total clock circuit operates at time t = t0. Each time the delayed ultrasonic wave is received by the ultrasonic wave receiving element arranged at two fixed points, the time t1,
Obtain t2 from the total clock circuit, measure the distance between the fingertip and each receiving element, detect the fingertip position from the measured value and the distance L0 between the two ultrasonic receiving elements, and select the corresponding input key on the virtual keyboard. Identify.

FIG. 7A shows an example of an infrared light emitting circuit mechanism in which a voltage controlled by a logic gate 750 emits infrared light from an infrared light emitting LED 754 through a current limiting resistor 752. The logic gate 750 outputs a signal voltage only when both of its two input terminals are at H level.

FIG. 7B shows an example of an infrared light receiving circuit mechanism. Infrared light 702 passes through infrared light pass filter 710 and phototransistor 722 in electric field shield case 718.
Is received by. The received infrared light is converted into an electric signal, amplified by a preamplifier 728, and further output as a light reception signal via an amplifier circuit with filter 726. The infrared pass filter 710 is preferably installed in order to remove visible light and short wavelength light other than infrared light to avoid optical noise and optical saturation.
Install to avoid electromagnetic noise other than light.

FIG. 8 shows an electromagnetic wave and ultrasonic wave transmission circuit mechanism using a single crystal oscillator. A signal oscillated by the crystal oscillating circuit 802, for example, 8 MHz is a 1 MHz continuous waveform transmitting circuit 874, a 128 Hz narrow pulse transmitting circuit 876,
The signals are input to the 40 kHz continuous waveform transmission circuit 878, and signals of a predetermined frequency are output from each circuit. The signal that has passed through the input circuit 862 that prevents chattering that occurs when the switch 864 is ON is the flip-flop 84.
The waveform is shaped as 2, 844 and passes through a differentiating circuit 826 including a gate 848. Signal through gate 848,
The signal emitted from the 1 MHz continuous waveform transmission circuit 874 and the signal emitted from the 128 Hz narrow pulse transmission circuit 876 are modulated by the high frequency modulation circuit 812,
The LC resonance circuit 816 is amplified by the high frequency amplification circuit 814.
An electromagnetic wave signal is output from the antenna 884 through the antenna.
On the other hand, the signal passing through the gate 848 and the signal emitted from the 40 kHz continuous waveform transmitting circuit 878 are modulated by the ultrasonic modulating circuit 828 into inverted signals SPA and SPB, respectively, amplified by the amplifier 830 and amplified by the speaker 83.
An ultrasonic signal is output from 2.

FIG. 9 shows the waveform of each point in the circuit of FIG. P1 MHz, P40 KHz, and P128 Hz are 1 MHz continuous waveform transmission circuit 874, 40 kHz continuous waveform transmission circuit 878, and 128 Hz narrow pulse transmission circuit 8, respectively.
1MHz continuous pulse output from 76, 40kHz
A continuous pulse and a 128 Hz narrow pulse are shown. SW
IN indicates a switch input signal which is chattered and shaped by the input circuit 826, and SWP indicates a switch shaped differential signal which is output from the switch input signal through the differentiating circuit 826. SPA and SPB are ultrasonic modulation circuits 828.
2 shows SP drive and SP inversion drive signal waveforms, which are applied to both ends of the speaker 832, and ultrasonic waves are transmitted by instantaneous potential fluctuations. SOUND, EMW
AVE represents a transmission ultrasonic wave and a transmission electromagnetic wave transmitted from the speaker 832 and the antenna 884, and Msig,
Ssig represents the relationship between the detected ultrasonic wave and the detected electromagnetic wave in the receiving circuit mechanism shown in FIG. 10, and Δt is the difference in propagation time between the electromagnetic wave and the ultrasonic wave.

FIG. 10 shows an electromagnetic wave and ultrasonic wave receiving circuit mechanism. The electromagnetic wave is received by the antenna and the LC resonance circuit 1
At 060, a signal near the transmission frequency, for example, 8 MHz is extracted and transmitted to the high frequency amplifier circuit. The signal passes through a detection circuit 1050 which is well known in radio and television reception circuits, and a transmitted signal is extracted. Then, the signal transmitted by the electromagnetic wave and shaped into 128 Hz is latched at the rising timing and further the counter 1028 is set. On the other hand, when an ultrasonic wave is received by the ultrasonic wave receiving element (microphone) 1012, the amplifier circuit 1016 performs filtering and amplification, resets the flip-flop 1024, and the counter 1028 counts clock pulses for time measurement. Is stopped, the measured value is latched in the latch circuit 1022, and is transmitted to the CPU side.

FIG. 11 is a graph of time and signal showing an example of simultaneous input of two fingers. That is, this is the case where the two finger input signals Ain and Bin overlap. In such a case, the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic wave transmitting element of the glove during the input operation can be frequency-modulated or transmitted multiple times at different phases or at fixed time intervals, so that simultaneous key input can be performed. On the other hand, when two or more kinds of ultrasonic waves or ultrasonic waves of a frequency other than a specific frequency are received, the gate is closed to prevent the device from operating, thereby preventing malfunction. That is, the identification signals A and B are used for identification.

Further, as a countermeasure against malfunction, the input operation during the traveling time ΔT between the ultrasonic glove transmitting element and the main body receiving element, that is, the main body side electromagnetic wave reception by the glove side electromagnetic wave transmission is during ΔT. Close the gate to prevent it from operating.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a finger position confirmation learning mechanism in the information processing apparatus. When learning the letter A, the display device 1201 indicates "A", and the operator 1202 types A. Arithmetic unit 12
03 and the input detection address generation circuit 1204, the data A * is read and the correct data A is read into the comparison table storage circuit 1205 by using the conversion data A * as an address. Reading is performed by outputting the data A to the A * input. The reference table should be a non-volatile memory so that it will not disappear even when the power is turned off.

FIG. 13 shows an ultrasonic electromagnetic wave transmitting mechanism which does not require a power source. When the polarized vibrating piece 1310 is hit with the trigger member 1312, the ultrasonic wave 1314 with the adjusted frequency is obtained.
Is transmitted from the vibrating piece 1310. The pulse voltage including the linking generated at the same time is supplied to the LC resonance circuit 1322 via the diode 1316, an attenuation signal of the LC resonance frequency is generated, and the electromagnetic wave 133 is transmitted via the antenna 1326.
4 is transmitted. The frequency of the electromagnetic wave transmitted is determined by the capacitor 1318 and the coils 1320 and 1324.

FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing an example of a fingertip of a glove provided with an ultrasonic wave transmitting mechanism using an ultrasonic wave transmitting element and an electromagnetic wave transmitting mechanism using an electromagnetic wave transmitting element. When the operator's fingertip performs a key input operation on the virtual keyboard, the fingertip switch 1412 touches a tabletop or the like corresponding to the virtual keyboard to operate, and at the same time, the ultrasonic transmission element 1414 is operated.
More ultrasonic waves 1428 are transmitted, and the LC resonance circuit 14
Electromagnetic wave 1418 is emitted from antenna 1430 through 16. Further, if the ultrasonic waves 1428 and the electromagnetic waves 1418 emitted from the fingertips can be distinguished by adding their own frequencies or modulations, simultaneous key input can be performed as shown in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a switch mechanism for detecting a key input by bending a finger. A finger shape detecting element (slide resistance) for detecting bending of a finger and a motor for generating a reaction are formed in each finger of a glove provided with an ultrasonic wave transmitting element and an electromagnetic wave transmitting element. When the operator performs an input operation by bending a finger 1528 on the virtual keyboard, the wire 1514 is pulled toward the fingertip through the flexible sleeve 1524, and the finger shape detecting element 1512 operates, whereby ultrasonic waves and electromagnetic waves are generated. The signal is transmitted and the position of the fingertip is detected by each receiving element. At this time, when the corresponding key is input on the main body side, the motor 1520 is activated immediately and the wire 1514 is wound up via the pulley 1518. As a result, it is pulled back from the fingertip stopper 1522 via the wire 1514, and the fingers 1528 return to the normal state. The feature of this device is that it allows key input even in the air without the need for a desk, etc., and because it has a reaction, it has a key touch operation feeling even for key input operation in the air. Is.

FIG. 16 shows an embodiment of the finger shape detecting element and reaction generating mechanism for detecting the bending of the finger in FIG. Although the knob 1614 of the potentiometer changes according to the bending of the finger 1528 in FIG. 15 and the output Vr1622 of the potentiometer 1616 also changes, Vr162.
2 is an arithmetic unit 160 including an arithmetic circuit for reaction calculation
2 is input and analyzed. As a result, when it is recognized as an input, the output Vc1620 is generated from the arithmetic unit 1602, and the motor 160 is generated at (Vc-Vr) via the amplifier circuit 1612.
8 to drive potentiometer knob 1614 with a wire via pulley 1610 to adjust potentiometer output Vr1622 to return to a normal state.
Further, the strength of the reaction can be adjusted by changing the amplifier gain 1618 or the current limiting resistor 1604.

FIG. 17A shows the relationship between the potentiometer output voltage Vr and the operation output Vc in FIG.
(B) is a graph showing the relationship between the finger bending angle Θ and the finger reaction force F. The potentiometer output voltage Vr is the finger bending angle Θ
However, since the reaction is required for the fingertip to touch the input key of the virtual keyboard when the finger is bent to some extent, the value of the operation output Vc is increased on the operation device side. The finger reaction force F also increases in proportion to this, and the operator feels as if he / she touched the key with his / her fingertip.
When the input key is pushed further to some extent, the calculation output Vc decreases and the finger reaction force F also decreases, so that no force is applied to the fingertip, but when the key is further pressed, the calculation output Vc increases to the maximum, and in proportion thereto. The finger reaction force F also increases to the maximum, and the fingertip cannot press the key any further.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of an information input device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Ultrasonic wave transmission element 1
The ultrasonic wave is emitted from the ultrasonic wave transmitting element 803 and the ultrasonic wave transmitting element 1804 at fixed time intervals. Here, the transmission timings of the ultrasonic wave transmitting element 1803 and the ultrasonic wave transmitting element 1804 are set to have a time difference sufficiently longer than the time it takes for the ultrasonic waves to propagate through the virtual keyboard area. When an operator wearing gloves provided with the ultrasonic receiving element 1801 and the electromagnetic wave transmitting element 1802 performs an input operation on the already formed virtual keyboard, the ultrasonic receiving element 1801 corresponding to the operated finger is Receive ultrasonic waves. Immediately upon reception, an electromagnetic wave is emitted from the electromagnetic wave transmitting element 1802, and the electromagnetic wave is received by the electromagnetic wave receiving element 1805, whereby the propagation time of the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic wave transmitting element 1803 and the ultrasonic wave transmitting element 1804 is controlled by the control unit 1806. Measure at. That is, the time from the start of transmission of the ultrasonic wave transmission element to the stop signal of the electromagnetic wave is measured. From this, the position of the corresponding fingertip is detected, the key is specified by comparison with the key layout of the virtual keyboard, and the key is input to the information processing device 1807.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of the main body in the second embodiment. The electromagnetic wave receiving element 1805 includes a plurality of ultrasonic wave transmitting elements 1803 and 1804 and a control unit 1806. The control unit 1806 includes a total clock number circuit 1904 and an arithmetic circuit 190.
5, and a virtual keyboard key arrangement learning mechanism 19 formed by storing and learning corresponding to the operator's model key input
And 06.

When the operator performs an input operation, the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic wave transmitting elements 1803 and 1804 of the main body are received by the ultrasonic wave receiving element attached to the glove and immediately returned as an electromagnetic wave. When the electromagnetic wave is received by the electromagnetic wave receiving element 1805, the propagation time of the ultrasonic wave is measured by the clock counting circuit 1904, and the calculation circuit 1905 responds to the input based on the measurement result and the distance between the ultrasonic wave transmitting elements 1803 and 1804. The position of the fingertip is detected, an input key is specified by the virtual keyboard key layout learning mechanism 1906 in comparison with the detection result, and the input key is input to the information processing device 1907.

FIG. 20 shows the principle of detecting the two-dimensional position of the fingertip. Ultrasonic transmitting element 1803 and ultrasonic transmitting element 1
804 emits ultrasonic waves at regular time intervals. When the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the ultrasonic wave transmitting element 1803 is received by the ultrasonic wave receiving element 1801 corresponding to the finger that has performed an input operation on the virtual keyboard, at the same time, an electromagnetic wave is transmitted from the electromagnetic wave transmitting element 1802 and the electromagnetic wave receiving element 1805 The propagation time of the ultrasonic wave is measured by receiving the electromagnetic wave, and then the ultrasonic wave is transmitted from the ultrasonic wave transmitting element 1804, and similarly, the electromagnetic wave is transmitted from the electromagnetic wave transmitting element 1802 at the same time as being received by the ultrasonic wave receiving element 1801. Then, by receiving the electromagnetic wave at the electromagnetic wave receiving element 1805, the distances L and R between the ultrasonic wave transmitting element 1803, the ultrasonic wave transmitting element 1804, and the ultrasonic wave receiving element 1805 can be calculated from the respective propagation times of the ultrasonic waves. Then, the position of the fingertip is detected based on the Pythagorean theorem from the distance L0 between the ultrasonic elements and L and R.

FIG. 21 is a system diagram of the second embodiment. When the glove side receives the ultrasonic waves emitted from the main body during the input operation on the virtual keyboard, the electromagnetic waves are returned and the ultrasonic waves are emitted after a certain time Δτ after the ultrasonic waves are transmitted. Reply. The main body measures the time from the transmission of ultrasonic waves to the reception of electromagnetic waves, obtains the distances between the ultrasonic transmission element and the ultrasonic reception element, and detects the position of the fingertip. Further, ultrasonic waves and ultrasonic waves are modulated and distinguished from each other, and reception of a plurality of electromagnetic waves within a time interval Δτ of both ultrasonic waves transmission by simultaneous input is invalid in order to prevent malfunction.

[0031]

According to the present invention, when each finger is provided with a transmitting element, the input is for 10 pens, which is optimum for inputting a large amount of data which was not suitable for conventional pen input. In addition, since input with one finger is equivalent to conventional pen input, three-dimensional shape design, moving image production, etc. are also possible based on the same principle.

On the other hand, depending on the improvement of the device, the size can be considerably reduced, so that the problems of inconvenience when the keyboard is carried and the problem of securing a working space can be solved. Since the virtual keyboard can be installed at any position, for example, while lying down or walking, free and formless key typing is possible.

Further, this device is to input a key by detecting a fingertip position, but if the fingertip position can be plotted in three-dimensional coordinates so that a figure can be drawn, a shape more in line with the image of the operator can be obtained. This object can be displayed on the CRT, and by rotating, deforming, or moving the object, the work can be progressed more efficiently.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a conventional keyboard input system.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a conventional electronic pen input system.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a main body in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a principle diagram of input fingertip position detection in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a system diagram in the first embodiment.

7A is the infrared light emitting circuit mechanism of the first embodiment, and FIG. 7B is the infrared light receiving circuit mechanism of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an ultrasonic electromagnetic wave dual oscillation circuit using crystal oscillation in the first embodiment.

9 is a waveform of each part of the circuit shown in FIG.

10 is a circuit with a receiver for the circuit of FIG. 8 and a counter for distance measurement.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the relationship between time and signals for a plurality of simultaneous key inputs in the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a key layout position memory learning mechanism in the main body of the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 is another circuit mechanism for transmitting ultrasonic waves and electromagnetic waves used in the first embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of an example in which the pressure switch, the ultrasonic wave transmitter, and the electromagnetic wave transmitter of the first embodiment are applied to a fingertip.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a finger shape detection element mechanism and a reaction generation mechanism of the first embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a circuit diagram of a reaction generating mechanism according to the first embodiment.

17A is a graph showing the relationship between the operation output Vc and the potentiometer output voltage Vr in FIG. 16, and FIG. 17B is a graph showing the relationship between the finger reaction force F and the finger bending angle Θ in FIG. .

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus of Example 2.

FIG. 19 is a configuration diagram of a main body according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a principle diagram of input fingertip position detection in the second embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a system diagram in Example 2.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 101 ultrasonic wave transmitting element 102 electromagnetic wave transmitting element 103 ultrasonic wave receiving element 104 ultrasonic wave receiving element 105 electromagnetic wave receiving element 106 control unit 401 counting clock circuit 402 arithmetic circuit 403 virtual keyboard key arrangement learning mechanism 1801 ultrasonic wave receiving element 1802 electromagnetic wave transmitting element Reference numeral 1803 ultrasonic wave transmitting element 1804 ultrasonic wave transmitting element 1805 electromagnetic wave receiving element 1806 control unit 1904 total clock number circuit 1905 arithmetic circuit 1906 virtual keyboard key arrangement learning mechanism

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An operating device mounted on the hand of an operator who operates a virtual keyboard, and a main body, the operating device comprising:
A switch that is provided corresponding to each finger of the operator and that operates according to the movement of the finger, an ultrasonic transmission element that is provided corresponding to each finger and that starts operation by the switch of each finger, and the switch When any one of them operates, it has a reset signal transmitting means for generating a reset signal having a propagation speed faster than ultrasonic waves, and a reset signal transmitting means for transmitting the reset signal to the main body, and the main body is kept at a predetermined distance. A plurality of ultrasonic receiving elements installed, a reset signal receiving means, and a control unit, and the control unit instructs the operator to perform a model key input operation, and keys of the virtual keyboard corresponding to the operator. When a key array storage means for storing an array and the switch are operated, from a time point when the reset signal receiving means receives a reset signal to a time point when each of the ultrasonic wave receiving elements receives an ultrasonic wave. During measured, both for calculating the position of the finger corresponding to the actuated switch, identifying the key against the data in the key array storage unit, the information input device comprising the key specifying unit. 2. An operating device mounted on the hand of an operator who operates a virtual keyboard, and a main body, the operating device comprising:
A switch that is provided for each finger of the operator and that operates in response to the movement of the finger, and that is provided for each finger of the operator,
An ultrasonic receiving element which starts operation by the switch of each finger, a stop signal transmitting means for transmitting a stop signal having a propagation speed faster than ultrasonic waves at the same time as reception of the ultrasonic receiving element, and the stop signal in the main body And a stop signal transmitting means for transmitting, the main body is installed at a predetermined distance, and starts transmission at a predetermined cycle and at a sufficient time interval compared to the time of propagating in the range of the virtual keyboard with each other. It has a plurality of ultrasonic wave transmitting elements, a stop signal receiving means, and a control unit, and the control unit instructs the operator to perform a model key input operation and stores the key arrangement of the virtual keyboard corresponding to the operator. When the key arrangement storage means and the switch are activated, the stop signal receiving means corresponds to each ultrasonic wave transmitting element from the time when the last signal of each ultrasonic wave transmitting element is transmitted. It is characterized in that the time until the signal is received is measured, the position of the finger corresponding to the operated switch is calculated, and the key specifying means for specifying the key by collating with the data in the key arrangement storing means is provided. Information input device. 3. The information input device according to claim 1, wherein the reset signal transmitting means is an electromagnetic wave transmitting element, and the reset signal receiving means is an electromagnetic wave receiving element. 4. The information input device according to claim 2, wherein the stop signal transmitting means is an electromagnetic wave transmitting element, and the stop signal receiving means is an electromagnetic wave receiving element. 5. The information input device according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic wave is a multiple modulated sound wave having a plurality of frequencies. 6. When a plurality of ultrasonic waves are detected at the same time,
The information input device according to claim 3, wherein the key specifying unit has a function of invalidating the key input. 7. The information input device according to claim 4, wherein the key specifying means has a function of invalidating a key input when electromagnetic waves of a plurality of frequencies are simultaneously received. 8. The electromagnetic wave is infrared light emitted from an infrared light emitting diode.
Information input device described in. 9. The ultrasonic wave is an ultrasonic wave generated by mechanical resonance vibration of a polarized piezoelectric capacitor, and the electromagnetic wave is a radio wave radiated from an electric resonance circuit excited at the mechanical resonance. Information input device described in 3 or 4 10. The information input device according to claim 1, wherein the switch includes a pressure switch attached to the side of the fingertip and is activated when the fingertip comes into contact with a desk or the like. 11. The information input device according to claim 1, wherein the switch includes a finger shape detecting element, and operates by detecting bending of a finger.