JPH09212284A - Coordinate input device and coordinate input display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display free contents without placing any load on a host computer by outputting the area number corresponding to a previously set area when the area is pointed. SOLUTION: A coordinate input value detection part 109 of a digitizer control part 107 inputs a voltage value according to a previously set sampling rate. Then the detection part 109 converts this voltage value into the coordinate value (coordinate data) corresponding to an LCD 102. When the coordinate data are inputted from the detection part 109 to a coordinate value area decision processing part 110, a decision process is performed by referring to an area data storage part 108. When the coordinate data correspond to a coordinate value input area, a decision processing part 110 outputs the coordinate data to the host computer 110 through a communication part 112. Consequently, the position of a function area can freely be set even when the display screen is switched on the coordinate input device which reduces the load of the CPU process on the host computer side.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coordinate input device such as a digitizer (tablet). Also, the present invention
The present invention relates to a coordinate input display device in which a coordinate input device and a display unit are integrated, such as a pen computer and a pen-type electronic notebook.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a coordinate input device, when a digitizer (tablet) is pointed, the X coordinate value and the Y coordinate value become a packet, and data of several bytes are output from the device. FIG. 6 shows the data format of the output coordinate values.

As shown in FIG. 6, the first first byte is X.
The upper 3 bits of the coordinate data, the 2nd byte is the lower 5 bits of the X coordinate, the 3rd byte is the upper 3 bits of the Y coordinate, and the 4th byte is the lower 5 bits of the Y coordinate. (However, when the resolution of the coordinate input device is 10 bits). The coordinate value of the total 4 bytes of data is output to the host computer.

When the designated area of the digitizer (tablet) is pointed, the coordinate input device outputs it to the host computer as coordinate data in a 4-byte format. The host computer which has received the 4-byte format coordinate data discriminates which area is pointed. In the coordinate input device and the coordinate input display device, when a previously designated area is pointed and determined and processing is performed, it is the host computer side that determines whether or not the designated area, and the CPU processing of the host computer Extra burden on.

Therefore, it has been proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-322026 (G06F3 / 03) to perform such processing on the digitizer control section side instead of the host computer side. In this conventional example, when writing in the function area (button area), the command corresponding to this function is output. Then, when writing in the coordinate input area, the coordinate data is output.

[0006]

In this conventional example, the function area (button area) is fixed on the right side of the screen. However, in today's mobile terminals,
If the function area is fixed at a predetermined position, the expression of the screen display content is limited.

[0007] The present application provides a coordinate input display device capable of freely displaying contents without imposing a burden on the host computer.

[0008]

The present invention comprises a coordinate input value detecting section, a coordinate value area discrimination processing section, an area number determining section and an area number output section, and when a preset area is pointed, the area is set. The area number corresponding to is output. In addition, when there is an area where a part or a part of two or more areas set in advance overlap each other, the other of the two area numbers or the plurality of area numbers is prioritized, and the priority area number is assigned. Is output from the area number output unit.

Further, a coordinate input display device (10) for selecting coordinate position data or region correspondence data according to the designated coordinate position region and outputting the selected data to the host computer (105) side.
In (0), when the screen display content of the display unit (102) is switched, an area data storage unit (108) is provided for updating the area data designating the area according to the screen content. And

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of one embodiment of the present invention. (100) is a coordinate input display device. (101) is a digitizer for coordinate input. The digitizer (101) is a known resistance film pressure-sensitive digitizer. The digitizer (101) outputs a voltage value corresponding to the pressed coordinates. Although the digitizer in this embodiment is a resistance film pressure sensitive type, the magazine "Invention 1996 2
As is well known from “Month issue”, 58P-65P, Hiroki Hayashi and Hiroshi Oda, “New technology from patent information 20, tablet device”
Other schemes exist and the present application is not limited to this. That is, another coordinate input method may be used.
It may be integrated with the display unit as in Japanese Patent No. 294918 (G06F3 / 033).

Reference numeral (102) is an LCD. This LCD (102)
Constitute the display section. (103) is a stylus pen. (104) is a display control unit (104). The display control unit (104) is composed of VRAM or the like. (105) is a host computer. This host computer (105), if the display screen content needs to be changed due to pen operation,
Screen display data for this purpose is written in the display control unit (104). The display control unit (104) displays the display content updated by this writing on the LCD (102).

Reference numeral (106) is a power-saving pen down / up detector. This power-saving pen down / up detector (1
06), when the operation with the pen (103) is not performed,
The digitizer control unit (107) is set to the power saving mode. That is, when the pen-up is detected, the power saving mode is set, and when the pen-down is detected, the normal mode is restored. Incidentally, such a power saving function is disclosed in JP-A-4-352219 (G06F3 / 03),
It is well known as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-289769 (G06F3 / 03).

Reference numeral (108) is an area data storage unit, which is a feature of the present application. The area data storage unit (108) stores coordinate data defining a coordinate value output area, coordinate data defining a function area, and an area number corresponding to each function area. In other words, LCD (102)
Function area (202,203,2 in Figure 2 displayed in
Area of digitizer (101) in Figure 3 corresponding to area 04)
The coordinate data for defining (212,213,214) is stored.

Further, FIG. 2 displayed on the LCD (102).
The coordinate data for defining the areas (216, 215) of the digitizer (101) of FIG. 3 corresponding to the areas of the normal input area (206) and the sign input area (205) are stored. Also, LC
The contents of the display screen displayed on D (102) are as shown in FIG.
If changed, it will be updated. Then, the data is changed to define the function button areas (219, 220, 221) and the coordinate input areas (217, 218) of FIG.

Further, this area data storage unit (108)
In the area, area correspondence data (area numbers: A, B, C) corresponding to the function button areas (202, 203, 204) are stored. This is because the area corresponding data (A) corresponding to the case where the function button (202) of FIG. 2 is pressed is output. This change of the area data storage unit (108) is realized by rewriting the internal data of the area data storage unit (108) in response to the change of the display screen content.
A plurality of area data corresponding to a plurality of display screen contents may be stored in advance so that only the stored data corresponding to the displayed display screen contents can be referred to.

(109) is a coordinate input value detection unit. The coordinate input detection unit (109) samples the voltage value and changes it into digital data. Then, it is converted into coordinate data corresponding to the display dots on the LCD. (110) is a coordinate value area discrimination processing unit. This coordinate value area discrimination processing unit (110),
The input coordinate data is the coordinate value output area (216,215,217,2
In the case of 18), the coordinate data is output to the communication unit (112). Further, the coordinate value area discrimination processing unit (110) determines that the input coordinate data is the function area (212, 213, 214, 21).
If it is 9,220,221), the coordinate data is output to the area number determination unit (111). This coordinate value area discrimination processing unit (110)
Indicates that the input coordinate data is in the function area (21
2,213,214,219,220,221) or the coordinate value output area (21
6,215,217,218)? Judgment of the area data storage
The determination is made by referring to the data in (108).

Reference numeral (111) is an area number determination unit. The area number determination unit (111) determines the area correspondence data (area number) corresponding to the coordinate data from the coordinate value area discrimination processing unit (110) by referring to the data in the area data storage unit (108). (11
2) is a communication unit. When the function area is operated, the communication unit (112) outputs the area correspondence data determined by the area number determination unit (106) to the host computer (105).

Further, the communication section (112) sends coordinate data to the host computer (10) when the coordinate value input area is operated.
Output to 5). In addition, the communication unit (112)
It also outputs pen down / up data for notifying the host computer (105) of the up. The host computer (105) uses the pen down / up data to turn off the coordinate processing mode during pen up? or not? Is a matter of choice by the designer.

It is assumed that the initial screen of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 has the contents shown in FIG. When the power of this device is turned on, the host computer (105) stores the area data in the area data storage unit (108) via the communication unit (112). The area data is data defining the function area and the coordinate value input area as shown in FIG. 3, and area corresponding data corresponding to the function area.

When the surface of the digitizer (101) is pushed by the stylus pen (103) during the actual operation, the power-saving control pen-down / up detection unit (106) detects the pen-down and the digitizer control unit (107). Activate. Digitizer controller
The coordinate input value detection unit (109) of (107) takes in this voltage value in accordance with a preset sampling rate.

Then, the coordinate input value detecting section (109) uses this voltage value as a coordinate value (coordinate data) corresponding to the LCD (102).
Convert to By the way, when processing by coordinates is performed, the coordinates at the same position are often unnecessary, and the first coordinate position data is used, but the coordinate data at the same position thereafter is often discarded. Conventionally, this disposal is
It was done on the host computer (CPU) side.

In this embodiment, the coordinate input detection unit (1
In 09), it is judged whether the coordinates are the same. If the coordinate values are the same, the coordinate data is stored in the coordinate value area discrimination processing unit (1
Do not hand over to 10). The coordinate value area discrimination processing unit (110) discriminates whether the value of the coordinate data is the coordinate value existing in the designated area or the coordinate data not belonging to the designated area. That is, the coordinate input value detection unit
When the coordinate data is input to the coordinate value area discrimination processing unit (110) from (109), the discrimination processing is performed with reference to the area data storage unit (108).

In the coordinate value area discrimination processing section (110), if it is a coordinate value input area, the coordinate data is transferred via the communication section (112).
Output to the host computer (110). In the case of FIG. 2, since the handwriting is displayed during writing, the host computer (105) displays the LCD via the display control unit (104).
In (102), the display of the pressed position by the pen is changed to the black dot display.

When the coordinate value area discrimination processing unit (110) determines that the area is a function area, the area number determination unit (11
In 1), search for the corresponding area number, and
The area corresponding data is output to the host computer (105) from 11) according to the area number format shown in FIG. The host computer (105) executes the function specified by this area correspondence data. For example, when switching the screen display, new screen data is transferred to the display control unit (104), and new area data corresponding to the screen content is transferred to the area data storage unit (communication unit (112)). 108)
Set to.

In this embodiment, every time the screen is switched,
Although the area data is set, as described above, all of the area data may be set in advance and the referred area data may be validated according to the screen content. Further, in this embodiment, both the coordinate value input area and the function area are set, but this may be only the function area. That is, when it is not the function area, it may be determined that it is the coordinate value input area.

Further, in this embodiment, even when the writing by the pen is projected from the coordinate value input area to the function area, the area corresponding data corresponding to the function area is output, but this is done even if the output is prohibited. Good. Further, the output may be prohibited, and in this case, the coordinate data may be output. Alternatively, when the pen computer does not input the pen-up data / pen-down data after the coordinate data and the area-corresponding data is directly input on the host computer side, this function may be invalidated and the function may be invalidated.

Although the first embodiment has been described in terms of hardware, the digital control unit (107) is a control unit with an A / D converter.
It can also be realized with a chip microcomputer. This embodiment will be described. The operation of the control microcomputer chip will be described with reference to the process flowchart of FIG.

In the initial setting, the host computer sets the coordinate data and the area number for defining the area. First of all, first, the lower left corner coordinates of the function area of the first square, which is the value set in the initial state.
(Xs0, Ys0) and upper right corner coordinates (Xe0, Ye0) are determined (303, 304, 305, 306).

If it is within this function area, the corresponding area number is output (311). If it is not the first function area, the second function area is similarly determined, and if it is within the area, the corresponding area number is output. In this flowchart, the number of function areas is two, but naturally, this operation may be repeated for the number of function areas.

If it does not correspond to all the function areas, coordinate data is output (312). Next, a process flow chart when the display screen is switched will be described again with reference to FIG. When the pen is down, the coordinate data is detected (401) and the coordinate data corresponding to the resolution of the LCD is created. Determine whether the display screen has changed. If there is no screen switching, normal processing (414) is performed according to the flowchart described in FIG.
If there is a screen switch, read the update data (4
Perform 13) and update the index data. Later,
Discrimination is performed using this data as an index.

Next, the cross function (button) area will be described. The cross-shaped function area is configured by overlapping rectangular areas A and B. In this way, when a part or a part of two or more preset areas has an overlapping area, the other of the two area numbers or the plurality of area numbers is prioritized and A simple example in which the area number is output from the area number output unit will be described.

That is, as shown in FIG. 10, area A [(lower left corner coordinates (Xsa, Ysa), upper right corner coordinates (Xea, Yea)]]
And B area [(lower left corner coordinates (Xsb, Ysb), upper right corner coordinates
(Xeb, Yeb)], when an overlapping area is designated, which area number is set to the overlapping area. Areas to be prioritized are first set at the time of initial setting.

In the processing flow chart of FIG. 8, the order of priority is set by making the determination in the set order.

[0034]

In the coordinate input device and the coordinate input display device, when a previously designated area is pointed and a predetermined process is performed, it is determined whether or not the designated area and the area number (area correspondence). By outputting (data), the position of the function area can be freely set even when the display screen is switched in the coordinate input device that reduces the load of the CPU processing on the host computer side.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a coordinate input display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a display screen of a coordinate input display device.

FIG. 3 is a digitizer corresponding to the display screen of the coordinate input display device in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a display screen after the display screen of the coordinate input display device is switched.

5 is a digitizer corresponding to the display screen of the coordinate input display device in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a coordinate data output format in a conventional coordinate input device.

FIG. 7 is an area number format according to the first embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 8 is a process flowchart of the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a process flowchart diagram when the display screen is switched.

FIG. 10 is an example of the case of having overlapping regions according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

(109) ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Coordinate input value detection unit, (110) ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Coordinate value area discrimination processing unit, (111) ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Area number determination unit, (108) ・ ・Area data storage unit (111) Area number determination unit (112) Communication unit (104) Display control unit (212,213,214,219,220,221 )) ・ ・ Function area, (215,216,217,218) ・ ・ ・ ・ Coordinate value input area.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. In the coordinate input device, when there is an area in which a part or a part of two or more preset areas overlap, a priority is given to the other of the two area numbers or the plurality of area numbers. A coordinate input device, wherein the prioritized area number is output from the area number determination unit (111). 2. In the coordinate input display device, when there is an area where a part or a plurality of preset two or more areas overlap, the other of the two area numbers or the plurality of area numbers are prioritized. A coordinate input display device, characterized in that the prioritized area number is output from the area number determination unit (111). 3. A coordinate input display device (100) for selecting coordinate position data or region correspondence data according to a designated coordinate position region and outputting the selected data to a host computer (105) side. A coordinate input display device, comprising: an area data storage unit (108) for updating the area data designating the area corresponding to the screen content when the screen display content is switched. 4. When the area of the designated coordinate position is the first area, the coordinate position data is transferred to the host computer (1
10) side, and when the area at the specified coordinate position is the second area, the area corresponding data is output to the host computer (1
In the coordinate input display device (100) for outputting to the 10) side, when the screen display content of the display unit (102) is switched, the area data defining the first and second areas corresponding to the screen content. A coordinate input display device, comprising: an area data storage section (108) for updating the area. 5. A host computer for the area-corresponding data corresponding to the protruding second area when the coordinate input position protrudes from the first area to the second area.
5. The output to the (110) side is prohibited.
Coordinate input display device.