JPH07261919A - Information input method its device and information offering system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable a user to perform the remote control of the pointing actions on a display screen where the information is shown, and also to reduce the action amount of the pointing to shorten the pointing action time in an information offering system, etc. CONSTITUTION:A processor 10 projects a menu on a screen 3 by a video projector 2 for a user. The user uses a remote controller 1 to emit a visible semiconductor laser beam and points his desire position in the shown menu from a remote place. An optical sensor part 5 detects the position pointed by the laser beam and inputs it to the processor 10. The processor 10 obtains the choices of the user corresponding to the pointed position through a coordinate conversion part 6, and requests an information center for the information corresponding to those choices and shows the received information to the user in the same way.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

The present invention relates to an information providing system, etc.
Particularly, the present invention relates to an information input method and apparatus suitable for an information providing system or the like that provides single media information such as still images and moving pictures, or multimedia information combining these by using a projector and a screen according to a user's request. Is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional information providing system, a KB (keyboard), a mouse, a touch panel or the like is used as a means for a user to input information.

In an information providing system for searching for a desired still image or moving image in a menu format, when a menu is presented by the system, the user uses the numeric keys arranged on the KB to select desired option numbers. Or use the cursor movement keys (that is, "↑", "↓", "←", "→") arranged on the KB or the mouse to move the cursor to the desired position. The menu is being searched by a method such as moving and designating or designating by touching a desired option with a finger using a touch panel. Here, the options are represented by characters, a still image, a moving image, or the like.

Further, in the information providing system capable of scrolling and displaying the screen like map information,
The user uses a mouse or the like to specify a scroll destination such as “↑”, “↓”, “←”, “→” displayed on the display.

Further, in the moving image providing system in which the user designates a position with respect to the displayed moving image, detailed information regarding a person, an object, etc. existing at the position is presented, and the user uses a mouse or the like. The cursor is moved to a desired position and designated.

Further, in a hypermedia system that provides more detailed information by pointing to an image or characters (strings) displayed on the display, the user desires a cursor by using a KB or a mouse. It is specified by moving it to an image or text (column).

[0007]

In the above-mentioned conventional information providing system, since the input means is a KB or mouse connected to the processor by a cable or the like, or a touch panel attached to the display, the user can remotely It is difficult to operate, and in order for the user to point to the presented image information, it is necessary to move the cursor to the desired position using the cursor movement keys or the mouse. The amount of operation of was increased and the operation took time, and pointing was delayed.

The present invention enables a user to remotely operate when information is presented on a display screen such as a screen as in an information providing system which provides corresponding information in response to a user's request. At the same time, it is an object of the present invention to reduce the amount of operation for the user to perform pointing on the presented image information and to shorten the operation time for the user to perform pointing.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, in the information input method of the invention of claim 1, visible light or visible semiconductor laser light is irradiated on the information display screen to point the visible light. The irradiation position of light or visible semiconductor laser light is detected and used as pointing information.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the above method, the visible light or the visible semiconductor laser light is irradiated with an electromagnetic wave outside the wavelength existing in the environment together with the visible light or the visible semiconductor laser light. Instead, the irradiation position of the electromagnetic wave is detected and used as pointing information.

According to the invention of claim 3, a remote controller for irradiating the information display screen with visible light or a visible semiconductor laser light for pointing, and a remote controller arranged in front of or behind the information display screen. And a sensor for generating pointing information by detecting the irradiation position of visible light or visible semiconductor laser light.

Further, in the invention of claim 4, in the above device configuration, the remote controller is irradiated with visible light or visible semiconductor laser light and electromagnetic waves outside the wavelength existing in the environment, and the sensor is the visible light. Alternatively, the pointing position is generated by detecting the irradiation position of the electromagnetic wave instead of the visible semiconductor laser light.

According to the invention of claim 5, in the information providing system for providing corresponding information at the request of the user, the information system projects the information from the video projector onto the screen and presents the information to the user, and the user transmits visible light or The desired position is pointed in the information presented by using the remote controller that emits the visible semiconductor laser light, and the information system specifies the position where the visible light or the visible semiconductor laser light is irradiated by the user. This is an information input method for detecting as an entity and performing the corresponding processing.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in the above information input method, the remote controller emits an electromagnetic wave outside the wavelength existing in the environment together with visible light or visible semiconductor laser light, and the information system is the above-mentioned. Instead of visible light or visible semiconductor laser light, the position irradiated with the electromagnetic wave is detected as the one designated by the user, and a corresponding process is performed.

According to the invention of claim 7, a screen, a projector for projecting information from the information processing means on the screen, and emitting visible light or visible semiconductor laser light for pointing the information on the screen. An information providing system configuration having a remote controller and a sensor which is arranged near the screen and detects the irradiation position of the visible light or the visible semiconductor laser light and inputs the detected position to the information processing means.

Further, in the invention of claim 8, in the above system configuration, the remote controller emits electromagnetic waves outside the wavelength existing in the environment together with visible light or visible semiconductor laser light, and the sensor is It is assumed that the position irradiated with the electromagnetic wave instead of visible light or visible semiconductor laser light is detected as being designated by the user and is input to the information processing means.

[0017]

According to the information input method and apparatus of the inventions of claims 1 and 3, the user irradiates a visible light or a visible semiconductor laser light on the information display screen to perform pointing,
By detecting the irradiation position and using it as pointing information, it is possible to remotely input information using a display screen of information in a wide range of applications.

According to the information input method of the invention of claims 5 and 7, in the information providing system for providing corresponding information in response to a user's request, the user uses a remote controller for emitting visible light or visible semiconductor laser light. , By allowing the user to remotely operate by allowing the information system to point to a desired position in the information presented on the screen, the information presented by the information system to the user Reduces the amount of operation for pointing and reduces the operation time for the user to perform pointing.

Claims 2, 4, 6 and 8
In the invention, in each of the above apparatus, method, and system, visible light or visible semiconductor laser light is used to enable pointing on a display screen such as a screen by using an electromagnetic wave having a wavelength that does not exist in the environment, The input position of the pointing information is detected by detecting the irradiation position of the electromagnetic wave, so that the malfunction due to the electromagnetic wave existing in the environment having the same wavelength as the visible light or the visible semiconductor laser light used for pointing is eliminated.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

The configuration of one embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. This embodiment is an example when applied to an information retrieval system,
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the information retrieval terminal. In the figure, 1 is a remote controller, 2 is a screen, 3 is a video projector, and 5 is an optical sensor unit. As a component of the processor 10, 4 is a display control unit, 6 is a coordinate value conversion unit, and 7 is a coordinate value conversion unit.
Is a communication control unit, 8 is a line control unit, and 9 is an information receiving unit.

FIG. 2 shows an arrangement example of the remote controller 1, the screen 2, the video projector 3 and the optical sensor 5 in the information retrieval terminal. A remote controller 1 operated by a user is provided in front of the screen 2, and a laser beam emitted from the video projector 3 for projecting an image on the screen 2 and the remote controller 1 passes behind the screen 2 and is emitted behind the screen 2. The optical sensor unit 5 is arranged.

The screen 2 and the video projector 3 are
The so-called rear projection type or front projection type may be used.

The information retrieval terminal is connected to the information center through the line controller 8 by a communication network or the like. The information center stores multimedia information such as still images, moving images, and audio.

Here, the information retrieval terminal itself may be a stand-alone type that holds such multimedia information.

After the connection is established between the information search terminal and the information center, the menu request command is transferred from the information search terminal to the information center. Upon receiving the menu request command, the information center transfers a menu confirmation response to the information search terminal.

Here, an example of a format of the menu request command, the menu confirmation response, etc. is shown in FIG. As the parameter of the menu confirmation response, in addition to the total number of options and the menu body, there are option numbers that exist corresponding to the options and layout information that the options should be arranged on the screen.

When the information retrieval terminal receives the menu confirmation response, the line control unit 8 notifies the communication control unit 7 of the menu confirmation response. Notification control unit 7
With respect to the parameter of the menu confirmation response, holds the option number and layout information existing corresponding to the option, and the menu body notifies the display control unit 4. The display control unit 4 notifies the video projector 3 of the menu body. The video projector 3 projects the menu body concerned on the screen 2.

When the user looks at the menu displayed on the screen 2 and finds a desired option, he or she uses the remote controller 1 to emit a visible semiconductor laser beam toward the option.

Here, the substance of the remote controller 1 is, for example, a laser pointer used in a presentation using an OHP (for example, a visible semiconductor laser beam having a wavelength of 670 nm (red) or the like is used). Alternatively, a remote controller for a television or a video equipped with such a laser pointer can be given. FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of the remote controller 1. In the figure, the button "1",
“2”, ..., “0” are buttons for inputting numbers, and the button “R” is a button for confirming input of numbers, which are transmitted to the processor 10 through the transmission window 12 for the processor. The button "P" is a pointer button, and visible semiconductor laser light is emitted from the counter screen transmission window 11 while the user is pressing the button.

The emitted semiconductor laser light is passed through the screen 2
Through. The optical sensor unit 5 collects the semiconductor laser light and removes unnecessary electromagnetic waves other than the semiconductor laser. Then, when the semiconductor laser is irradiated on the light receiving surface in the optical sensor unit 5, the optical sensor unit 5 measures the coordinate values in the light receiving surface irradiated by the semiconductor laser, and converts the coordinate values into the coordinate value conversion unit. Notify 6 (A).

Here, the optical sensor unit 5 is a block for measuring a two-dimensional position where a light spot is irradiated,
It is configured as shown in FIG. That is, the optical sensor unit 5
Is a lens 51 for collecting diffused light, a filter 52 for removing unnecessary electromagnetic waves, a light receiving surface 53 on which light is irradiated, and a controller for measuring coordinate values on the irradiated light receiving surface 53. It is composed of 55. Lens 5
The positions of 1 and the filter 52 may be reversed.

The coordinate value conversion unit 6 converts the coordinate value on the light receiving surface 53 notified from the optical center unit 5 into the coordinate value on the screen 2, and the coordinate value generated by the conversion is sent to the communication control unit 7. Notify (B).

Here, FIG. 6 shows an example of the inter-block interface information regarding the measurement processing of the irradiation position of the semiconductor laser light in the information retrieval terminal. In this example, the optical sensor unit 5
From the coordinate value converting section 6 to the coordinate value converting section 6 and the coordinate value on the light-receiving surface shown in (a) above is sent out, and from the coordinate value converting section 6 to the communication control section 7 on the screen shown in (a) above. The coordinate values at are sent.

The communication control unit 7 extracts the option number and layout information held as described above, checks which option the notified coordinate value corresponds to, and extracts the corresponding option number. Then, the communication control unit 7 edits the format of the search request command specifying the option number,
Notify the line controller 8. The line controller 8 transfers the search request command to the information center.

In the above, if there is no option corresponding to the coordinate value notified from the coordinate value conversion unit 6, the communication control unit 7 determines that the coordinate value notified from the coordinate value conversion unit 6 next. Wait for

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the menu display processing in the above information retrieval terminal.

Upon receipt of the search request command, the information center extracts the option number from the search request command, performs a search based on the option number, reads the corresponding multimedia information from the database, and returns a search confirmation response. The format is edited and the search confirmation response is transferred to the information search terminal.

Here, an example of the format of the search request command, the search confirmation response, etc. is shown in FIG. As parameters of the search confirmation response, in addition to the media type and the image information body, there are the component image numbers that exist corresponding to the component images that make up the image information and the layout information that the component images should be arranged on the screen.

When the information search terminal receives the search confirmation response, the line controller 8 notifies the communication controller 7 of the search confirmation response. The notification control unit 7 holds the component image number and the layout information of the component image corresponding to the component image regarding the parameter of the search confirmation response, and notifies the display control unit 4 of the image information body. The display control unit 4 notifies the video projector 3 of the image information body. The video projector 3 projects the image information body on the screen 2.

When the user looks at the image information displayed on the screen 2 and finds a desired component image, the user uses the remote controller 1 to emit a semiconductor laser toward the component image. The emitted semiconductor laser light passes through the screen 2. The optical center unit 5 collects the semiconductor laser light and removes unnecessary electromagnetic waves. And
When the light receiving surface in the optical sensor unit 5 is irradiated with the semiconductor laser light, the optical sensor unit 5 measures the coordinate value in the light receiving surface irradiated with the semiconductor laser light, and converts the coordinate value into the coordinate value conversion unit. Notify 6.

The coordinate value conversion unit 6 converts the coordinate value on the light receiving surface notified from the optical center unit 5 into the coordinate value on the screen 2, and notifies the communication control unit 7 of the coordinate value generated by the conversion. To do.

The communication controller 7 extracts the component image numbers and layout information held as described above, checks which component image the notified coordinate value corresponds to, and extracts the corresponding component image numbers. Then, the communication control unit 7 edits the format of the search request command specifying the component image number and notifies the line control unit 8 of the format. The line controller 8 transfers the search request command to the information center.

Upon receipt of the search request command, the information center extracts the option number from the search request command, performs a search based on the component image number, and searches the database for multimedia information related to the component image. The format of the search confirmation response is read and edited, and the search confirmation response is transferred to the information retrieval terminal.

When the information search terminal receives the search confirmation response, the line control unit 8 notifies the communication control unit 7 of the search confirmation response. The notification control unit 7 extracts the image information body with respect to the parameter of the search confirmation response and notifies the display control unit 4 of the image information body. The display control unit 4 notifies the video projector 3 of the image information body. The video projector 3 projects the image information body on the screen 2.

It should be noted that the present invention is directed to the method and apparatus exemplified in the above embodiments, that is, the visible light or visible semiconductor laser light is radiated on the display screen of information for pointing, and the visible light or visible semiconductor is irradiated. An information input method for detecting the irradiation position of laser light and pointing information, a remote control for irradiating visible light or visible semiconductor laser light on the information display screen for pointing, and a front surface of the information display screen or By adopting an information input device having a sensor arranged behind and detecting pointing position of visible light or visible semiconductor laser light from the remote controller to generate pointing information, not limited to the above information providing system. , Can be applied to a wide range of uses.

Further, in the above embodiment, the visible light emitted from the remote controller 1 is the visible semiconductor laser light used in the laser pointer, but the semiconductor laser light emitted by the user is used. In an environment where electromagnetic waves of the same wavelength may be irradiated on the optical sensor unit 5, the electromagnetic waves may cause a malfunction. Therefore, in such a case, visible light used by the laser pointer as the light emitted from the remote controller 1 and laser light having a wavelength that does not exist in the environment (for example, near infrared light) are used together, and As the filter of the sensor unit 5, for example, a filter that transmits only near infrared rays is used. As a result, when the user presses the button on the remote controller 1, both the visible light and the near-infrared light are emitted, of which visible light is removed by the filter 52 of the sensor unit 5, and only the near-infrared light is detected by the sensor unit 5. Since the light is received by the light receiving surface 53, the malfunction does not occur.

[0048]

As described above, according to the information input method and apparatus of the inventions of claims 1 and 3, it is possible to remotely input information using the information display screen in a wide range of applications. Is.

According to the fifth and seventh aspects of the invention, in particular, in the information providing system for providing corresponding information in response to the user's request, the user can remotely operate and the presented information can be provided. On the other hand, it is possible to reduce the amount of operation for the user to perform pointing and to shorten the operation time for the user to perform pointing.

Claim 2, Claim 4, Claim 6, Claim 8
According to the invention, in each of the above cases, malfunction can be eliminated particularly in an environment in which an electromagnetic wave having the same wavelength as visible light used for pointing or visible semiconductor laser light exists.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an information search terminal which is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an arrangement example of each block in the information search terminal.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a format of a menu request command, a menu confirmation response, etc. transferred between the information retrieval terminal and the information center.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a remote controller in the information retrieval terminal.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an optical sensor unit in the information retrieval terminal.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of inter-block interface information relating to measurement processing of an irradiation position of a semiconductor laser in the information retrieval terminal.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a flowchart regarding menu display processing in the information retrieval terminal.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a position example of a format such as a search request command and a search confirmation response transferred between the information search terminal and the information center.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Remote control 2 ... Screen 3 ... Video projector 4 ... Display control part 5 ... Optical sensor part 6 ... Coordinate value conversion part 7 ... Communication control part 8 ... Line control part 9 ... Information receiving part 10 ... Processor

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A display screen of information is irradiated with visible light or visible semiconductor laser light for pointing, and an irradiation position of the visible light or visible semiconductor laser light is detected to be used as pointing information. How to enter information. 2. Irradiating visible light or visible semiconductor laser light with electromagnetic waves outside the wavelength existing in the environment,
2. The information input method according to claim 1, wherein an irradiation position of the electromagnetic wave is detected instead of the visible light or the visible semiconductor laser light and used as pointing information. 3. A remote controller for irradiating visible light or a visible semiconductor laser light on the information display screen for pointing, and a visible light or visible light from the remote controller arranged in front of or behind the information display screen. An information input device, comprising: a sensor that detects an irradiation position of semiconductor laser light to generate pointing information. 4. The remote controller irradiates visible light or visible semiconductor laser light with electromagnetic waves outside the wavelength existing in the environment, and the sensor is irradiated with the electromagnetic wave instead of the visible light or visible semiconductor laser light. 4. The information input device according to claim 3, wherein the position is detected to generate pointing information. 5. An information providing system for providing corresponding information according to a user's request, wherein the information system projects information from a video projector onto a screen and presents it to the user, and the user emits visible light or visible semiconductor laser light. The desired position in the information presented using the remote control is pointed to, and the information system detects the position irradiated with the visible light or the visible semiconductor laser light as the one designated by the user and performs a corresponding process. A method for inputting information, characterized by performing. 6. The remote controller emits an electromagnetic wave outside the wavelength existing in the environment together with visible light or visible semiconductor laser light, and the information system uses the electromagnetic wave instead of the visible light or visible semiconductor laser light. 6. The information input method according to claim 5, wherein the irradiated position is detected as specified by the user and a corresponding process is performed. 7. A screen, a projector for projecting information from the information processing means on the screen, a remote controller for emitting visible light or visible semiconductor laser light for pointing information on the screen, and a vicinity of the screen. An information providing system, characterized in that it has a sensor which is disposed at a position for detecting the irradiation position of the visible light or the visible semiconductor laser light and inputs it to the information processing means. 8. The remote controller emits an electromagnetic wave outside the wavelength existing in the environment together with visible light or visible semiconductor laser light, and the sensor is replaced with the visible light or visible semiconductor laser light. The information providing system according to claim 7, wherein the position irradiated with is detected as being designated by the user and is input to the information processing means.