JPH08305875A - Coordinate information operation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a coordinate information operation device on which plural points can be operated at the same time by using a device that can individually detect the coordinates of a person who has plural fingers or a pen type tip. CONSTITUTION: The positions and sizes of plural figures are determined according to coordinates 4 and 5 of plural points, obtained by using a table 1 where the coordinates of plural points are inputted at the same time and a coordinate input means such as a pen 2 and a finger 3, to display a figure group 6, and one figure 8 is selected out of the displayed figures by using coordinates 7 different from the inputted coordinates.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coordinate information operating device using a device capable of individually detecting the positions of a plurality of fingers or pens.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a GUI (graphical user interface) mainly composed of images appears with the development of computers, a mouse or pen is used as an input device for designating a specific position in an image or selecting a menu or a button. , Tablet, touch panel and other pointing devices have appeared. A pointing device is used to indicate a specific coordinate on the screen of a calculator, and with the press of a button, for example, to open a menu,
Yes when selecting an object or answering a question on the computer
It is used in various situations such as selecting s / No with a button. As a development of this pointing device, in a vector input device (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 64-21522), the number of fingers touching on the tablet is changed to determine how many fingers are touching from the contact area. There is one that switches the operation mode. In addition, "VIDEO
ESK "(Krueger, 1983: Artificial
ialReality, Addison-Wesle
In y), "multi-point control" in which a silhouette of a hand is image-processed using a video camera to capture a plurality of points, and as an example, a system for selecting a text area with both hands was presented.

[0003]

Since a mouse, a pen and the like are pointing devices that can use only one point as position input at the same time, they cannot use a plurality of position designations and a switch function by buttons at the same time. "VIDEO DEDES
In "K", although a plurality of positions can be designated, since it is image processing, accurate position input, real-time processing, and a switch function of simultaneously pressing a button cannot be realized. For this reason, there are problems that the time required for operations such as accurate input of coordinate information and execution of various functions cannot be shortened and operability cannot be improved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In consideration of the above problems of the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a coordinate information manipulating device which can further improve the operability and can shorten the operation time as compared with the prior art. .

[0005]

The present invention according to claim 1 utilizes a coordinate inputting means for simultaneously inputting the coordinates of a plurality of points and the coordinates of the plurality of input points, and a plurality of points based on a predetermined rule. A figure generating means for generating a figure, a display means for displaying the plurality of generated figures, and a single figure is selected from the plurality of displayed figures based on input predetermined selection information. It is a coordinate information operation device provided with a selection means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, coordinate input means for simultaneously inputting the coordinates of a plurality of points, and figure generation for determining the positions and sizes of a plurality of figures from the coordinates of the plurality of points obtained by using the coordinate input means. Means, display means for displaying a plurality of figures of which the position and size are determined, and one figure is selected from the plurality of displayed figures by using a point different from the input plurality of points. It is a coordinate information operation device provided with a selection means.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the figure generating means determines the shape, position and size of the figure so that the coordinates of a plurality of points correspond to at least feature points of vertices or corner points of the figure. It is an information operating device.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the graphic generation means determines coordinate information of the graphic so that the coordinates of a plurality of points correspond to at least the diagonal line or the end point of the diameter of the graphic. It is a device.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, coordinate input means for simultaneously inputting the coordinates of a plurality of points, detection means for detecting a change in the coordinates of a plurality of points obtained by using the coordinate input means, and the detection result The coordinate information operating device includes an area designating unit that designates a predetermined area by using the area designating unit and an area display unit that displays the designated area.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the predetermined area is designated by using the detection result, the line segment connecting the predetermined coordinates of the plurality of points is moved based on the detection result of the change of the coordinates. The coordinate information operating device is to specify the area through which the moved line segment passes.

According to the present invention of claim 7, the area designating means comprises means for changing the shape of the area by partially deforming a line segment connecting the coordinates of the plurality of points into a free curve such as a curve or a broken line. It is an information operating device.

According to the present invention of claim 8, coordinate input means for simultaneously inputting the coordinates of a plurality of points, detection means for detecting a change in the coordinates of a plurality of points obtained using the coordinate input means, and the coordinate input means. A figure selection means for selecting a figure using one of a plurality of points obtained by using the above and a display means for displaying the selected figure, and a point different from the point used for the figure selection The change in the coordinates of the figure is detected by the detection means, and based on the detection result, the coordinates of the point used for the figure selection are utilized to at least deform, scale, or rotate the selected and displayed figure. It is a coordinate information operating device.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, coordinate input means for simultaneously inputting the coordinates of a plurality of points, detection means for detecting a change in the coordinates of a plurality of points obtained using the coordinate input means, and the coordinate input means. Assigning means for assigning a parameter for determining the shape of the figure to each of the coordinates of a plurality of points obtained by using, a figure selecting means for selecting a figure using a point different from the point to which the parameter is assigned, and the selected And a display unit for displaying the figure, the coordinate information operating device deforming the shape of the selected and displayed figure in response to a change in the shape determination parameter according to a change in the coordinates of the plurality of points. .

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a coordinate information operating device which uses, as the parameters for determining the shape of the graphic, line segment thickness, length, corner sharpness, curvature, distortion rate and the like.

The present invention of claim 11 uses a finger, a pen, a pen-shaped tip, or a combination of a finger and a pen-shaped coordinate as the coordinate input to the coordinate input means. It is an information operating device.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, as the coordinate input means, there is provided a coordinate information operating device using a tablet for individually detecting coordinate positions where a plurality of fingers or pen-shaped objects are in contact with each other on the operation surface. is there.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the coordinate input means for inputting the coordinates of a plurality of points and the coordinates of the plurality of points obtained by the coordinate input means are used to represent a plurality of predetermined individual functions. Display means for displaying the function display of
Utilizing the change in the coordinates of a plurality of points obtained by using the coordinate input means, the operation of selecting the function to be executed from the plurality of displayed functions and the operation of instructing the execution of the function are simultaneously performed. This is a coordinate information operation device.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the coordinate input means for simultaneously inputting the coordinates of a plurality of points and the individual function display for displaying each function on the screen corresponding to the coordinates of the plurality of points obtained using the coordinate input means. Means, an information processing means for executing the function, a function holding means for detecting a change in coordinates of a plurality of points obtained by using the coordinate input means, and holding a function corresponding to each coordinate, and a coordinate information operating device. is there.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a coordinate information operating device for allocating the individual function based on the relative positional relationship of the coordinates of the plurality of points.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a coordinate information operating device for allocating the individual function based on the input order of the coordinates of the plurality of points.

In the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, when the coordinates of all or some of the plurality of points cannot be obtained, the execution of the function assigned to the lost coordinates is canceled, and the function is displayed. Is a coordinate information operation device for erasing or changing.

In the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of position information acquisition means for simultaneously obtaining a plurality of position information and the position information obtained by the plurality of position information acquisition means are respectively displayed on the screen corresponding to the coordinates as a representation. At least one of the display means, the position association information processing means for performing information processing associated with the position of the representation, and the processing content of the position association information processing means selectively changes the function of another position association information processing means. The coordinate information operating device is provided with an information processing selection changing means and an information transmitting means for transmitting the selected and changed function on a screen.

The present invention according to claim 19 is a coordinate information operating device for displaying the symbol corresponding to the selected and changed function on the screen by changing the symbol shape.

[0024]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the coordinate inputting means inputs the coordinates of a plurality of points at the same time, and the figure generating means uses the inputted coordinates of the plurality of points to form a plurality of figures based on a predetermined rule. The plurality of generated figures are displayed by the display means, and one figure is selected from the plurality of displayed figures based on predetermined selection information input by the selecting means. Thereby, the coordinates of a plurality of points can be simultaneously input by the coordinate input means, so that, for example, the operability can be improved and the operation time can be shortened.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the coordinate input means inputs coordinates of a plurality of points at the same time, and the figure generating means uses the coordinates of the plurality of points obtained by the coordinate input means to determine the positions and sizes of the plurality of figures. The display means displays a plurality of figures of which the position and the size are determined, and the selection means selects one figure from the plurality of displayed figures by using a point different from the input plurality of points. Select.

According to the present invention of claim 5, the coordinate input means inputs coordinates of a plurality of points at the same time, the detection means detects a change in the coordinates of the plurality of points obtained by using the coordinate input means, and the area designation means A predetermined area is designated by using the detection result, and the area display means displays the designated area.

According to the present invention of claim 8, the coordinate input means inputs coordinates of a plurality of points at the same time, the detecting means detects changes in the coordinates of the plurality of points obtained by using the coordinate input means, and the figure selecting means A figure is selected by using one of a plurality of points obtained by using the coordinate input means, the display means displays the selected figure, and a point different from the point used for the figure selection is displayed. A change in coordinates is detected by the detecting means, and based on the detection result, the coordinates of the point used for selecting the figure are utilized to at least deform, scale up, or rotate the figure displayed and selected.

In the present invention of claim 9, the coordinate input means inputs coordinates of a plurality of points at the same time, the detecting means detects changes in the coordinates of the plurality of points obtained by using the coordinate input means, and the allocating means performs the change. A parameter for determining the shape of the figure is assigned to each of the coordinates of the plurality of points obtained using the coordinate input means, the figure selecting means selects the figure using a point different from the point to which the parameter is assigned, and the display means The selected figure is displayed, and the shape of the selected and displayed figure is deformed in accordance with the change of the shape determination parameter according to the change of the coordinates of the plurality of points.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the coordinate input means inputs the coordinates of a plurality of points, and the display means utilizes the coordinates of the plurality of points obtained by using the coordinate input means, and the predetermined individual functions are obtained. Displaying a plurality of function displays that represent, using the change in the coordinates of a plurality of points obtained using the coordinate input means,
A selection operation of a function to be executed from the plurality of displayed function displays and an execution instruction operation of the function are simultaneously performed.

In the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the coordinate input means inputs the coordinates of a plurality of points at the same time, and the individual function display means displays each function on the screen corresponding to the coordinates of the plurality of points obtained using the coordinate input means. After displaying, the information processing means executes the function, and the function holding means detects the change in the coordinates of a plurality of points obtained by using the coordinate input means and holds the function corresponding to each coordinate.

In the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, the plurality of position information acquisition means simultaneously obtains a plurality of position information, and the representation display means obtains the position information obtained by the plurality of location information acquisition means as a representation on the screen corresponding to the coordinates. Each of them is displayed, and the position association information processing means performs information processing associated with the position of the representation, and the information processing selection changing means performs at least one of the processing contents of the position association information processing means to other position association information processing. The function of the means is selectively changed, and the information transmitting means conveys the selected and changed function on the screen.

Thus, for example, a mechanism for individually detecting the contact position of a plurality of fingers or a pen-shaped object is provided, and the coordinates are simultaneously input by the coordinate detection of a plurality of points to operate the plurality of points for drawing. It is possible to simultaneously realize individual functions such as, area designation, and graphic transformation.

[0033]

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a coordinate information operating device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the configuration of this embodiment will be described with reference to the same figure.

As shown in the figure, the tablet 1 as the coordinate input means of the present invention uses a finger 3 or a pen-shaped tip 2 which is brought into contact with the surface of the tablet 1 at the same time to coordinate the coordinates of a plurality of points. Is a means to input at the same time. The configuration of the tablet 1 will be described later. The computer 10 as the figure generating means of the present invention is means for utilizing the coordinates of a plurality of points input by the tablet 1 and generating a plurality of figures based on a predetermined rule described later. The display device 11 as the display means of the present invention is a means for displaying a plurality of figures generated by the computer 10. Further, the tablet 1 also including the function as the selection means of the present invention is displayed on the display device 11 based on new coordinates as predetermined selection information input by a finger or a pen-shaped tip 2 or the like. One figure is selected from the plurality of displayed figure groups 6.

In such a structure, the coordinate information operating method will be described while explaining the operation of this embodiment.

In FIG. 2, the user is the tablet 1
It is possible to simultaneously input the coordinates of the object 2 having a pen-shaped tip or the finger 3 as 4 and 5, respectively, on the surface. When the object 2 having a pen-shaped tip is used as the coordinate, it corresponds to the coordinate 4 as it is because the contact area between the tip and the tablet surface is small. However, when using a large contact area with the tablet surface such as a fingertip, the center (center of gravity) of the area is set to coordinate 5. By the way, the area information of the area where the fingertip contacts can be used for the change of the pressure and the determination of the operation mode in addition to the coordinate input.

When the coordinates 4 and 5 of two points are simultaneously input by fingers, pens, or a combination of fingers and pens,
It is assumed that the input mode of the tablet 1 is the figure input mode.

In this case, the graphic group 6 determined by the coordinates 4 and 5 of the two points is generated by the processing in the computer 10, and the position corresponding to the coordinates 4 and 5 of the two points on the tablet 1 is displayed on the screen of the display device. The graphic group 6 is displayed at. From this figure group 6, for example, a circle 8 is selected by newly inputting coordinates 7 different from the first two input points with another finger or pen. In this example, the shape of the graphic is determined by inputting the coordinate 7 later, but it is also possible to input the graphic after determining the shape in advance by a menu or the like.

As a method for determining the size and position of a figure, the coordinates of vertexes, corner points, inflection points, etc. on the figure contour line, and both end points of line segments such as figure radius, diameter and diagonal line are coordinated. It can be considered to correspond to.

As an example, a figure determined by the coordinates of two points is given, but there are cases where it is not decided without three or more points or figure generation rules such as a triangle, and a plurality of points are input at the same time. It is possible to deal with these as well.

As a figure generation rule, a geometrical circle, for example,
In the case of a square, a regular n-gon, etc., if one point is positioned, the subsequent one will be a parameter for changing the size. In the case of a square or a regular n-sided polygon, the orientation of the axis is also used as an element, and this needs to be determined by using rotation described later or in advance. In the case of an ellipse or a rectangle, even if one point is positioned, it is necessary to determine the vertical and horizontal sizes individually. Conventionally, the diagonal vertices are selected to include two vertical and horizontal elements. However, if the above operating method is used, it is possible to freely change the size by changing the positions in the vertical and horizontal directions. Even in a figure composed of a free-form curve, the same enlargement, reduction, rotation, etc. can be operated by using the inclusion rectangle or the inclusion circle.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, by specifying the coordinates of a plurality of points at the same time, it is possible to input data at a higher speed than the conventional pointing that can detect only one position at the same time. Therefore, it is possible to significantly reduce the amount of movement of the pointing as compared with the conventional method.

Next, FIG. 3 is an example of area designation in a coordinate information operating device according to another embodiment of the present invention, and the configuration and operation of this embodiment will be described at the same time with reference to FIG. . The configuration of this embodiment is basically the same as that described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 3, coordinates 201 to coordinates 202
A change in the coordinate from the coordinate 203 to the coordinate 204 is detected, and the area 205 in which the line segment between the coordinate 201 and the coordinate 203 moves to the line segment between the coordinate 202 and the coordinate 204 is designated. . By the method of designating this area, it is possible to erase an area such as an eraser, conversely fill the area, and select an area within the area.

FIG. 4 shows an example of area designation in another embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 4, coordinates 301 to coordinates 302
The change in the coordinates from the coordinates 303 to the coordinates 304 is detected, the intersection of the changes is detected, and the region 305 is designated by rubber-like integration with respect to the region from the start to the end of the intersection. By this area designation, it is possible to select objects in detail from a set of complicated and large arrangements.

Next, FIG. 5 shows an example of graphic rotation in the coordinate information operating device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
The configuration of this embodiment is basically the same as that described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 5, a target graphic 401 is selected by coordinates 402. Coordinate 40 different from coordinate 402
3 can be used to detect that the coordinate 403 has changed to the coordinate 404, and according to the change, the graphic 401 can be rotated about the coordinate 402 to form the graphic 405. In this example, it is rotation, but coordinate 4 is centered on coordinate 402.
It is also possible to give a change in accordance with the mode such as enlargement, reduction, inclination, or distortion according to the amount of change of 03 to the coordinate 404. By the way, only the correspondence relationship for independently changing the vertical and horizontal sizes is given to the two coordinates, and the vertical and horizontal sizes are simultaneously changed according to the change of the coordinates regardless of the positions of the two coordinates. It is also possible to do so.

FIG. 6 shows an example of simultaneous deformation of figures in the coordinate information operating device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

A scroll bar 5 is displayed on the screen of the display device 11.
A plurality of 01s are provided, and a plurality of areas are set on the tablet 1 so as to correspond to the respective scroll bars 501 as in the screen display (not shown). Tablet 1
Various parameters for determining a graphic shape, which will be described later, are assigned to the respective areas designated above. Further, the change of the coordinates in the area on the tablet 1 corresponds to the change within the same parameter assigned to the area.

That is, the user can place his / her finger on the tablet 1 in the four areas at the same time to simultaneously define and input the coordinates corresponding to the four parameters. The figure 502 changes according to changes in these inputs. Therefore, it becomes possible to input data much faster than in the past.

For example, various parameters such as sharpness and bluntness 503 at a figure corner point, thickness 504 of a figure line segment, straight line and curve 505 in a figure line segment, distortion degree 506 of a line segment in a figure line segment are simultaneously used as parameters. Can be changed. In addition to the characteristics of the figure surrounded by one contour line, various factors such as smoothness around the line segment, line segment continuity, and continuity of each differential coefficient can be considered. Further, a figure surrounded by two or more contour lines is a combination of figures surrounded by one contour line, and the positional relationship of two or more combinations together with the same feature as one time, each feature due to mutual influence, etc. Can be considered. Some of the parameters that characterize these figures are completely independent of each other, and some of them are closely related to each other. As a target to be changed by the above operation method, features that are closely related to each other are changed at the same time. As a result, it is possible to give a change in a figure that is difficult to obtain when the changes are made one by one.

Next, FIG. 7 shows an example of allocation of a plurality of coordinate functions in a coordinate information operating device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

When the coordinate detection order is used as the allocation method, for example, the first coordinate is designated by the pointing function 601.
As a result, it is assumed that the pointing function 602, the circle figure drawing function 603, the square figure drawing function 604, the area designation function 605, and the text input function 606, which are sequentially moved from those individually detected, are assigned. Once a function is assigned, it is displayed on the screen with a symbol that expresses that function, and if the coordinate position changes, it moves accordingly. It is a state in which the text input function 607 that is left behind after being moved last is sequentially disappeared from the one whose coordinates cannot be detected due to the finger being released on the tablet surface, for example. Since the function is realized by selecting the function corresponding to the last remaining coordinate, it is possible to perform selection and coordinate movement at the same time, and reduce unnecessary movement such as movement for function menu selection. Is possible. Although an example in which the functions are assigned according to the order of position detection has been shown, it is also possible to assign the functions in advance depending on the relative position of the coordinates from the left or from the top when they are detected at the same time. As a function to assign, a straight line for drawing,
Circles, ellipses, triangles, squares, free-form curves, etc., line segment, character and area thickness, dotted line, arrow, color, font type and other attribute designation, area selection, figure selection, figure transformation, figure placement setting,
It is possible to simultaneously realize a plurality of functions of an application that can use a pointing device capable of inputting a plurality of points at the same time, such as editing work such as cut and paste, display switching, and the like. As a result, the operation for switching the function (operation for selecting the function) and the operation for realizing the function can be handled in the same manner, so that information can be operated at high speed.

Next, FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a computer system as a coordinate information operating device according to another embodiment of the present invention. The configuration and operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 8, 701 is a tablet and 702.
Is a computer, 703 is a display, and 704 is a sharp pen made of a conductive plastic.
05 is a finger. Since the tablet 701 has a large number of independent electrodes, a plurality of contact objects can be detected at the same time, and the coordinate position of each contact object is transmitted to the computer in a timely manner. Further, 706 is a button displayed on the screen, and 707 and 708 are cursor pointers also displayed on the screen.

Next, the information processing of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In the program of the flow chart, the position information of the tablet surface coordinates of the finger and the pen input from the tablet 701 is received and displayed on the screen with an arrow. There is a one-to-one correspondence between the entire screen and the tablet. Here, it is assumed that the initial setting function given to each arrow icon is line drawing. When a finger is placed at the lower left corner of the tablet, an arrow icon is displayed at the lower left corner of the screen, and the frame of the square drawing function of the button corresponding to the position of the finger is thickly displayed.
At this point, the function associated with the icon indicated by the arrow at the right end is the square drawing function. Even if you are in the middle of drawing a square, if you move your left finger, the function will change at that point.

Next, another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 10, the icon shapes are a finger shape 901 and a square shape 902, respectively. That is, the selected function is displayed in the form of an icon on the screen.

Next, another embodiment will be shown with FIG.

In FIG. 11, the absolute coordinates 1001 of the tablet are displayed on the screen so as to be superimposed on the execution screen of the drawing program using the mouse and the keyboard. This frame is displayed when two or more position coordinates are detected on the tablet. Also, the frame of absolute coordinates is displayed so that when the finger or the like is placed on the outermost frame of the tablet, the frame moves in the corresponding direction. There is a button at the top left of the screen to specify the function of the icon. In this drawing program, the function of the cursor is changed by moving the mouse cursor to the button position and clicking the mouse button or by combining the control key and the character key. In this embodiment, a control code is issued to the entry of the keyboard input processing program of the drawing program when a finger touches a separately provided button at the lower left corner of the tablet.

Next, the specific structure of the tablet used in the above embodiment and its operation will be described.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a basic system for inputting coordinate information using a tablet as the coordinate input means of the present invention.

In FIG. 12, reference numeral 101 denotes a tablet which the operator touches with his / her finger or the like (details will be described later). 10
2 is a mechanical switch installed on the lower surface of the tablet 101, which is O when the operator applies pressure on the tablet 101.
N. 103 is a current detection circuit, which is the tablet 101.
Detect the current flowing through the upper resistor. Reference numeral 104 is an analog switch circuit for switching the strip resistance on the tablet 101 in accordance with a command from the MPU 106. Reference numeral 105 denotes an A / D converter, which converts the current detected by the tablet 101 into a voltage and further converts this into a digital value. An MPU (microprocessor) 106 obtains a value from the A / D converter 105, performs arithmetic processing, and controls the tablet 101. It also receives information from the mechanical switch 102. Reference numeral 107 denotes a host CPU, which receives position information of the operator's finger, moves the cursor on the screen, and performs processing for moving the application program. A display 108 outputs the processing result of the host CPU 107 as visual information.

FIG. 13 is a detailed explanatory diagram of the operating principle of the tablet 101, and is a diagram showing a method of detecting the contact position by the operator's finger or the like.

Here, 101 is a tablet, 104 is an analog switch, 105 is an A / D converter, and 106 is M.
PU, 111 is an operator's finger, 112 is a terminal, 113 is an operational amplifier, 114 is a sample and hold circuit, and 115 is a current detection resistor.

[0069] Tablets 101 x-axis on the (horizontal) Yes disposed strip resistor of x ₁ ~x _n in the direction (resistors R) are each one end of which is connected to ground while the other end of the analog switch remains It is connected to 104. This analog switch 104 selects only one strip-shaped resistor according to a command from the MPU 106. It should be noted that both ends of the strip-shaped resistor on the tablet 101 are provided with unused portions that do not allow fingers to approach each other. The reason for this is that when a finger touches a portion near both ends of the strip resistor, the time constant formed by the contact portion capacitance between the strip resistor and the finger becomes small, which causes a measurement error.

First, a method for detecting the finger position in the y-axis (vertical) direction when the operator's finger 111 touches the strip-shaped resistor x _n via the insulator as shown in the figure will be described below.

First, the band-shaped resistor x ₁ is selected by the analog switch 104, the potential E is applied to the terminal 112, and a current is passed through the band-shaped resistor to detect the current I _a1 . Subsequently, the analog switch 104 is sequentially switched to the resistors x ₂ , x ₃ , ..., X _n to sequentially output the currents I _a2 , I _a3 , ..., I _an by the voltage across the current detection resistor 115. Detect it. The current I _ai when the resistor x _i is selected is detected as I _ai = E / R (1), and its change over time is as shown in Fig. 14 (actually, there is a slight transient phenomenon due to stray capacitance. However, the illustration is omitted here). Operator's finger 1 for resistor
Since 11 is touched, the path from the finger to the ground through the human body is a kind of capacitor (capacitance C).
The equivalent circuit at this time is as shown in FIG. Here, the distance from the analog switch 104 to the position touched by the operator's finger 111 is y _1i (upper side in FIG. 13), the resistance is R _1i , and the distance from the position touched by the operator's finger 111 to the ground is
When y _2i (lower side in FIG. 13) and resistance are R _2i , the following relationship holds.

R = R _1i + R _2i (2) y _1i : y _2i = R _1i : R _2i (3) Further, the current I _ai is I _ai = E (SCR _2i + 1) / [R _1i (SCR _2i + 1) + _R2i ] (4), and this time change is as shown in FIG.

From the equation (4), at the time when the finger is touched (S = ∞), I
_It can be seen that the current of _ai = E / R _1i can be detected. Where E
Since R _1i is known, R _{2i is calculated} from Eq. (2).
Is required. Then, the position of the finger in the y-axis direction is obtained from the relationship of Expression (3). The flat part of I _ai actually observed corresponds to a sufficiently high frequency part of the transient response. That is, the precise position of y is a position where the capacitance due to the contact surface between the finger and the strip-shaped resistor exceeds a certain value (a position where the time constant is satisfied, that is, the length of the strip-shaped resistor contact surface strip from the upstream side has a constant value. p is exceeded) and not the center of the finger contact portion. For this reason, for example, when the finger is strongly pressed, y changes, and the time constant changes depending on the position of the finger in the y-axis direction. Therefore, the constant value p itself is also a function of y. Therefore, in order to obtain the actual center position of the finger, the center is calculated after calculating the contour position of the finger on the upstream side of the strip, or the contact surface of the finger is assumed to be circular, and the x-axis data etc. are calculated. It is also necessary to use the correction process together.

The current I _ai is detected by the operational amplifier 113 depending on the voltage across the current detection resistor 115 through which the current I _ai flows.
The sample & hold circuit 114 holds the peak value (I _ai = E / R _1i in FIG. 16). The sampled data passes through the A / D converter 105,
Input to the MPU 106.

The finger position detection in the x-axis direction is performed by detecting the strip-shaped resistor x _i.
Scan and select those that have a transient response above the stray capacitance. A current value I _ai = E / R _1i above a set value among the strip-shaped resistors x _i touched by a finger was detected (hereinafter,
ON resistor is abbreviated). In order to achieve high detection accuracy, the strip resistors are usually arranged at a finer interval than the contact width of the finger, so only one resistor is ON.
There is not one, but an ON resistor exists adjacently.
Then, the number of adjacent ON resistors varies depending on the finger pressure and the relative position of the finger in the x-axis direction. These x-coordinate values are averaged, or the center position is obtained by assuming that the shape of the finger is circular and the position is defined as the position in the x-axis direction where the finger touches.

Further, the contact area of the finger changes when the tablet surface is strongly pressed to depress the mechanical switch 102 to specify the place, or when the finger is released and held at the position where the cursor is. At this time, since the calculated center position of the finger may be displaced, the previous value is held.

In addition, when a plurality of fingers touch a plurality of points at the same time, a situation in which an OFF resistor is sandwiched between ON resistors may be detected. A plurality of points can be input and detected at the same time by estimating the average or the center position of the resistor. A flowchart of the detection method at this time is shown in FIG.
Shown in

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

That is, a mechanism for individually detecting the contact position of a plurality of fingers or objects having pen-like tips is provided, and coordinates are simultaneously detected by coordinate detection of a plurality of points to operate a plurality of points to draw or draw an area. It is possible to simultaneously implement individual functions such as designation and figure transformation.

In the above embodiment, the coordinate input means and the display means are separately provided, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a display function is added to the tablet to display the coordinate input means and the display means. The means may be arranged on the same side of the tablet.

[0081]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention has the advantages that the operability is much better than that of the prior art and the operation time can be shortened.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a coordinate information operation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of generating a graphic according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of area designation in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of area designation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of graphic rotation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of simultaneous deformation of figures in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of multiple coordinate function allocation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a basic system using a tablet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a circuit configuration diagram of a tablet or the like according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a time change diagram of a current flowing through a resistor of a tablet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an equivalent circuit diagram when a tablet touches a tablet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a time change diagram of current when a tablet touches a finger in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a detection method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 tablet 2 pen 3 finger 4 pen coordinate 5 finger coordinate 6 plural figure group 7 figure designated coordinate 8 circle

Claims (19)

[Claims] 1. A coordinate input means for simultaneously inputting the coordinates of a plurality of points, a figure generation means for generating a plurality of figures based on a predetermined rule using the inputted coordinates of the plurality of points, and the generated figures. A display means for displaying a plurality of figures, and a selection means for selecting one figure from the plurality of displayed figures based on predetermined selection information inputted,
A coordinate information operation device comprising: 2. A coordinate input means for simultaneously inputting the coordinates of a plurality of points, a figure generation means for determining the positions and sizes of a plurality of figures from the coordinates of the plurality of points obtained by using the coordinate input means, and the position, Display means for displaying a plurality of figures of which size is determined; and selecting means for selecting one figure from the displayed plurality of figures by using points different from the input plurality of points A coordinate information operation device characterized by the above. 3. The figure generation means determines the shape, position and size of the figure so that the coordinates of a plurality of points correspond to at least the characteristic points of the vertices or corner points of the figure. The described coordinate information operation device. 4. The figure generation means determines the shape, position and size of the figure so that the coordinates of a plurality of points correspond to at least the diagonal line or the end point of the diameter of the figure. Coordinate information operation device. 5. A coordinate input means for simultaneously inputting the coordinates of a plurality of points, a detection means for detecting a change in the coordinates of a plurality of points obtained by using the coordinate input means, and a predetermined area using the detection result. A coordinate information operating device comprising: an area designating means for designating a designated area; and an area display means for displaying the designated area. 6. Designating a predetermined area using a detection result means moving a line segment connecting predetermined coordinates of the plurality of points based on the detection result of the change in the coordinates, and moving the moved line. The coordinate information operating apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the area is used to specify a minute. 7. The area designating means comprises means for changing the shape of the area by partially deforming a line segment connecting the coordinates of the plurality of points into a free curve such as a curve or a polygonal line. Or the coordinate information operating device according to item 6. 8. A coordinate input means for simultaneously inputting the coordinates of a plurality of points, a detection means for detecting a change in the coordinates of a plurality of points obtained by the coordinate input means, and a plurality of means obtained by the coordinate input means. A graphic selection means for selecting a graphic using one of the points and a display means for displaying the selected graphic are provided, and the change in the coordinates of a point different from the point used for the graphic selection is described above. Coordinates which are detected by the detection means, and on the basis of the detection result, the coordinates of the points used for the graphic selection are utilized to at least deform, scale up, or rotate the selected and displayed graphic. Information manipulation device. 9. A coordinate input means for simultaneously inputting the coordinates of a plurality of points, a detection means for detecting a change in the coordinates of a plurality of points obtained by using the coordinate input means, and a plurality of means obtained by using the coordinate input means. Assigning means for assigning a parameter for determining the shape of a figure to each coordinate of points, figure selecting means for selecting a figure using a point different from the point to which the parameter is assigned, and a display for displaying the selected figure Means for deforming the shape of the selected and displayed figure in response to a change in the shape determination parameter according to a change in coordinates of the plurality of points. 10. The coordinate information operating device according to claim 9, wherein thickness, length, sharpness of corners, curvature, distortion rate and the like are used as the parameters for determining the shape of the figure. 11. A finger, a pen, an object having a pen-shaped tip, or a combination of a finger and a pen-shaped object is used to indicate the coordinates input to the coordinate input means. The coordinate information operation device according to any one of 10 to 10. 12. A tablet for individually detecting a coordinate position where a plurality of fingers or pen-shaped objects are in contact with the operation surface is used as the coordinate input means. The coordinate information operation device according to any one of the above. 13. A coordinate input means for inputting the coordinates of a plurality of points, and a plurality of function displays each showing a predetermined individual function are displayed by utilizing each coordinate of the plurality of points obtained by using the coordinate input means. A display unit, using a change in coordinates of a plurality of points obtained by using the coordinate input unit, selecting an operation to be executed from the plurality of displayed function displays and executing the function. A coordinate information operating device characterized in that an instruction operation is performed at the same time. 14. Coordinate input means for simultaneously inputting the coordinates of a plurality of points, individual function display means for displaying each function on a screen corresponding to the coordinates of a plurality of points obtained using the coordinate input means, and the function Coordinate information comprising: information processing means to be executed; and function holding means for detecting a change in coordinates of a plurality of points obtained by using the coordinate input means and holding a function corresponding to each coordinate. Operating device. 15. The individual function is assigned based on the relative positional relationship of the coordinates of the plurality of points.
3. The coordinate information operating device according to 3 or 14. 16. The individual function is assigned based on the input order of the coordinates of the plurality of points.
3. The coordinate information operating device according to 3 or 14. 17. When the coordinates of all or some of a plurality of points cannot be obtained, the execution of the function assigned to the coordinates that cannot be obtained is canceled, and the function display is erased or changed. 15. The coordinate information operating device according to claim 13 or 14. 18. A plurality of position information acquisition means for simultaneously obtaining a plurality of position information, a representation display means for respectively displaying the position information obtained by the plurality of position information acquisition means as a representation on a screen corresponding to coordinates, said representation Position association information processing means for performing information processing associated with the position, and at least one of the processing contents of the position association information processing means selects and changes the function of another position association information processing means. And a coordinate information operating device for transmitting the selected and changed function on a screen. 19. The coordinate information operating device according to claim 18, wherein the representation corresponding to the selected and changed function is displayed on the screen by changing the representation shape.