JPH07334307A - Image input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To clearly discriminates between the plotting execution mode and coordinate detection mode of the image input device judging from the difference of the sound outputted from a speaker. CONSTITUTION:With a plotting switch 14, the coordinate detection mode wherein coordinates (x) and (y) of a plotting pen 11 on an input pad and the plotting execution mode wherein the detected input coordinates are determined are switched. The oscillation frequency of a VCO 41 and the gain of an amplifier 41 are controlled with pieces Ex and Ey of input coordinate information and the interval and loudness of the sound radiated from the speaker 43. According to whether the plotting switch 14 is ON or OFF, the oscillation frequency of the VCO 41 and the gain of the amplifier 42 are switched even in case of the same coordinate position to make the interval and loudness of the sound outputted from the speaker 43 different between the plotting execution mode and coordinate detection mode.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image input device by inputting coordinates.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a two-dimensional coordinate input device called a tablet has been known. As shown in FIG. 4, with this tablet 10, a desired pen can be drawn by moving a dedicated pen 11 on an input screen (pad) 12 while inputting a series of coordinates. .
That is, it is also used as a drawing device.

At the time of drawing, first, the function key 1
Operate 3 to specify "line thickness", "line color", and the like. Next, the pen 11 is operated while pressing the drawing switch 14. By pressing the switch 14, the pad 12
The coordinates (input coordinates) of the pen 11 above are determined, and a series of input coordinate information is sequentially captured as image data.

If the tablet 10 and the receiver 1 are connected by the video cable 2, the drawn picture can be displayed on the screen SC of the receiver 1. It is also possible to make a hard copy using a video printer (not shown).

The tablet 10 as described above is, for example,
It is configured as shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, pad 1
2 has a two-dimensional input space of x and y, and from the pad 12, voltages Ex and Ey corresponding to the coordinates (x, y) of the position pressed by the pen 11 are used as input coordinate information and are a pad control circuit. 15 are supplied. The pad control circuit 15 has an interface function, and the function key 1
3 and the drawing switch 14 are connected.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a system control system, which is a CPU
A (system control circuit) 21, a ROM 22 in which various programs and fixed data are stored, and a RAM 23 for temporarily holding variable data and image data,
CPU 21, ROM 22, RAM 23 are bus lines 24
Connected by. The pad control unit 15 described above is also connected to the bus line 24.

Reference numeral 30 denotes a video system, which is an image processing circuit 31.
The image processing circuit 31 includes an image memory 32 and an encoder 33 to which analog primary color signals of red, blue, and green are supplied from the image processing circuit 31, and the image processing circuit 31 includes the bus line 24.
The composite video signal from the encoder 33 is led to the output terminal 34.

Reference numeral 40 denotes an audio system, which comprises a voltage controlled oscillator (hereinafter referred to as VCO) 41, a variable amplifier 42, and a speaker 43. The speaker 43 has an amplifier 4
2, the output of VCO 41 is supplied. And
Input coordinate information Ex and Ey from the pad 12 are supplied to the VCO 41 and the amplifier 42 as control signals, respectively.

In the conventional device of FIG. 5, the pad control circuit 15 is used.
In, the input coordinate information Ex and Ey from the pad 12 that is in contact with the pen 11 is converted into data that can be decoded by the CPU 21.

Further, the pad 12 and the function key 1
If there is any input from 3, the pad control circuit 15
Information indicating that there is an input is transmitted to the CPU 21.
Upon receiving this information, the CPU 21 checks the input source.

When the input source is the function key 13 and, for example, a setting operation is performed to draw a "yellow""boldline", the CPU 21 performs a setting process corresponding to the operation.

Further, when the drawing switch 14 is pressed,
The CPU 21 moves to the position on the pad 12 pressed by the pen 11 according to the setting by the function key 13.
For example, a drawing process is performed such as drawing a "yellow thick line". In this drawing process, a drawing condition such as "yellow thick line" and a drawing position are set in the image processing circuit 31.

When the drawing switch 14 is pressed, image information corresponding to these drawing conditions and drawing positions is stored in the image memory 32 in the data format.
The image information read from the memory 32 is processed by the processing circuit 31.
In the above, it is converted into an RGB signal and further converted into a composite video signal in the encoder 33 and is led out to the output terminal 34.

On the other hand, in the voice system 40, the input coordinate information Ex supplied from the pad 12 in accordance with the operation of the pen 11,
With Ey, for example, the oscillation frequency of the VCO 41 is controlled for the position change in the X coordinate direction, and the gain of the amplifier 42 is controlled for the position change in the Y coordinate direction.

As a result, when the pen 11 is operated, the frequency and volume of the sound from the speaker 43 change according to the position of the pen 11, so that it is possible to enjoy the change in sound at the same time as drawing.

[0016]

In the conventional image input device as described above, the drawing switch 14 is pressed to determine the coordinate data of the position of the pen 11 on the pad 12, and this data is stored. Is stored in the memory 32 and drawing processing is performed.

In other words, if the drawing switch 14 is not pressed, only the coordinates of the position of the pen 11 on the pad 12 are detected, and this coordinate data is not stored in the memory 32, and the drawing process is performed. Is not done.

However, in the conventional image input device, regarding the arbitrary position of the pen 11 on the pad 12,
In the drawing execution mode and the coordinate detection mode as described above, the frequency and volume of the sound from the speaker 43 are the same,
There is a problem that the user cannot distinguish between the drawing execution mode and the coordinate detection mode by the sound from the speaker 43.

In view of the above point, an object of the present invention is to provide an image input device capable of distinguishing the drawing execution mode and the coordinate detection mode by the sound from the speaker.

[0020]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the image input apparatus according to the present invention makes the coordinate input means 11, 12 and the input coordinates x, y correspond to the reference numerals of the embodiments described later. A coordinate fixing means 14 that is fixed by a predetermined operation, an image data forming means 21 that forms image data corresponding to the fixed series of coordinate information, a memory 32 that stores the image data, and a video signal is formed from the image data. The video signal forming means 31 and 33, the audio signal generating means 41 and 42, and the sound emitting means 43 are provided so that the frequency or amplitude of the audio signal of the audio signal generating means is controlled in accordance with the input coordinates. In the image input device described above, the frequency or the amplitude of the audio signal is changed according to whether or not the coordinate fixing means is operated.

[0021]

According to this structure, the frequency or the amplitude of the audio signal changes when the coordinate fixing means 14 is operated and when it is not operated. Therefore, the pitch or volume from the sound emitting means 43 changes accordingly. Thus, the drawing execution mode and the coordinate detection mode are clearly distinguished.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the image input device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. The configuration of an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, portions corresponding to those in FIG. 5 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

In the audio system 40A of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, adders 44 and 45 are inserted in the paths through which the input coordinate information Ex and Ey from the pad 12 are supplied to the VCO 41 and the amplifier 42, respectively. The voltage V14 at the midpoint of connection between the drawing switch 14 and the pad control circuit 15 is supplied as input mode information commonly to the adders 44 and 45. The other structure is the same as that shown in FIG.

Next, the operation at the time of mode switching according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, as is apparent from FIG. 1, the voltage V14 at one end of the drawing switch 14 is, for example, “L” depending on whether the drawing switch 14 is turned on or off.
And "H".

Therefore, from the coordinate detection mode in which the drawing switch 14 is not pressed, the drawing switch 14 is pressed,
When the drawing execution mode is changed, the oscillation frequency of the VCO 41 is switched and the gain of the amplifier 42 is switched, so that the frequency and volume of the sound emitted from the speaker 43 are changed.

For example, the VCO 41 in the coordinate detection mode
, And the gain g of the amplifier 42 is f (x, H); g (y, H), in the drawing execution mode, f (x, L); g (y, L), respectively. Is switched to.

Thus, in this embodiment, when the pen 11 presses the input surface of the pad 12 in the coordinate detection mode in which the drawing switch 14 is not pressed and in the drawing execution mode in which the drawing switch 14 is pressed. In addition, the pitch and volume of the sound emitted from the speaker 43 can be changed, and the user can
The drawing execution mode and the coordinate detection mode can be clearly distinguished by the sound from the speaker 43. Also,
By changing the pitch and volume in the coordinate detection mode and the drawing execution mode, it is possible to increase the enjoyment of drawing a picture.

Next, another embodiment of the image input apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

The configuration of another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, parts corresponding to those in FIGS. 1 and 5 are given the same reference numerals and duplicate explanations are omitted.

In this embodiment, the CPU 2 is controlled by a program stored in the ROM 22, so-called software.
In No. 1, a pair of audio data is generated and its frequency and amplitude are controlled.

In the voice system 40B of FIG. 2, the CPU
The pair of audio data generated in 21 is transmitted through the I / O 46 connected to the bus line 24 to the pair of DAs.
It is supplied to the converters 47 and 48, respectively, and converted into a pair of analog audio signals S47 and S48. This voice signal S4
The frequencies of 7 and S48 are f47 and f48, respectively, and the amplitudes of the audio signals S47 and S48 are A47 and A48, respectively.

The audio signals S47 and S48 output from the D / A converters 47 and 48 are shown as resistors with movable contacts so that the operation of this embodiment can be intuitively understood. It is supplied to the amplifier 42 through 49.

In the differential mixing circuit 49, the input coordinate information Ey from the pad 12 and the drawing switch 14 are added through the adder 45, similarly to the amplifier 42 of the embodiment shown in FIG.
Is supplied with the voltage V14 at one end. The rest of the configuration is the same as in FIG.

Next, with reference to FIG. 3 as well, the operation at the time of mode switching of another embodiment of the present invention will be described.

First, in step 101, the pen 11
It is determined whether or not the input surface of the pad 12 has been pressed. If not, the operation returns to the original state and waits for the operation of the pen 11. When the pen 11 presses the input surface of the pad 12,
In step 102, it is determined whether the drawing switch 14 is pressed, that is, whether the drawing execution mode is set.

In the case of the drawing execution mode, step 103
The frequency of the pair of audio signals S47 and S48 when the drawing switch 14 is pressed is set in accordance with the input X coordinate. In this case, for example, the frequency of the signal S47 is f47 (x, L) and the frequency of the signal S48 is f48 (x, L).
L).

In the next step 104, both audio signals S47 and S48 in the output signal S49 of the mixing circuit 49 when the switch 14 is pressed according to the input Y coordinate.
The mixing ratio of m (y, L) is set, and step 1
In No. 05, the volume when the switch 14 is pressed, that is, the amplitudes A47 (L) and A48 of both signals S47 and S48.
(L) is set.

In step 102, in the coordinate detection mode in which the drawing switch 14 is not pressed,
Moving to step 106, a pair of audio signals S4 when the switch 14 is not pressed according to the input X coordinate
The frequencies of 7 and S48 are set respectively. In this case, for example, the frequency of the signal S47 is expressed as f47 (x, H) and the frequency of the signal S48 is expressed as f48 (x, H).

In the next step 107, both audio signals S47, S in the output signal S49 of the mixing circuit 49 when the switch 14 is not pressed according to the input Y coordinate.
The mixing ratio m (y, H) of 48 is set, and in step 108, the volume when the switch 14 is not pressed, that is, the amplitudes A47 (H), A of both signals S47, S48.
48 (H) is set.

As described above, in this embodiment, in the coordinate detection mode in which the drawing switch 14 is not pressed and in the drawing execution mode in which the drawing switch 14 is pressed, the frequencies f47, S48 of both audio signals S47, S48, Since f48 and the amplitudes A47 and A48 are switched, and the mixing ratio m of the two audio signals S47 and S48 is also switched, the pitch and volume of the sound emitted from the speaker 43 can be changed, and the sound quality thereof is also changed. Therefore, the user can more clearly distinguish the drawing execution mode and the coordinate detection mode by the sound from the speaker 43.

Further, since the sound quality is changed between the coordinate detection mode and the drawing execution mode, the enjoyment of drawing a picture can be further increased.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a so-called hardware differential mixing circuit 49 is used to output both audio signals S.
Although the mixing ratio m of 47 and S48 is changed, this differential mixing circuit can be realized by software.

Also, by using this software to premix a pair of audio data corresponding to both audio signals S47 and S48, two data are required in the embodiment of FIG. It is also possible to use only one converter.

[0044]

As described above, according to the present invention, the sound is output in accordance with the coordinate detection mode for detecting the coordinates of the drawing pen on the input pad and the drawing execution mode for confirming the detected input coordinates. Since the frequency or amplitude of the signal or the mixing ratio of multiple audio signals is switched, the pitch or volume of the sound from the speaker is changed accordingly.
Alternatively, the sound quality can be switched, and the drawing execution mode and the coordinate detection mode can be clearly distinguished.

Further, by changing the sound quality between the coordinate detection mode and the drawing execution mode, it is possible to obtain the image input apparatus which can increase the enjoyment of drawing a picture.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of an image input apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional image input device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 tablet (coordinate input device) 12 input pad 14 drawing switch 15 pad control circuit 21 system control circuit (CPU) 30 video system 40A, 40B audio system 41 voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) 42 variable amplifier 47, 48 D-A converter 49 Differential mixing circuit Ex, Ey Input coordinate information V14 Input mode information

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A coordinate inputting means, a coordinate fixing means for fixing input coordinates by a predetermined operation, an image data forming means for forming image data corresponding to a fixed series of coordinate information, and storing the image data. Memory, video signal forming means for forming a video signal from the image data, audio signal generating means, and sound emitting means, and the frequency or amplitude of the audio signal of the audio signal generating means corresponds to the input coordinates. In the image input device controlled as described above, the frequency or amplitude of the audio signal is changed depending on whether or not the coordinate fixing means is operated. 2. The voice signal generating means generates a plurality of voice signals having different frequencies, and the frequencies or the amplitudes of the plurality of voice signals change depending on whether or not the coordinate determining means is operated. The image input device according to claim 1. 3. The image input according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of audio signals are mixed at a ratio corresponding to the input coordinates, and the mixing ratio changes depending on whether or not the coordinate fixing means is operated. apparatus.