JPH09282084A - Pointing device and information processing system utilizing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable simple input processing excluding a simple error such as a typing error by incorporating a means, with which a code printed on the surface of paper is automatically recognized, into a pointing device such as a mouse. SOLUTION: A moving amount detecting part 11 detects a moving amount at the time of operating a pointing device 1 by a user and outputs a signal corresponding to that moving amount. Besides, a detecting signal processing part 13 processes an electric signal outputted by a signal intensity detection part 12 corresponding to the black/white of the code printed on paper and outputs an ASCII code of a character corresponding to the code. Namely, this detecting signal processing part 13 is operated synchronously with a pulse of an electric signal (y) in (y) direction outputted from the moving amount detecting means 11, analyzes the pattern of black/white signal system of printed code outputted by the signal intensity detecting part 12 and converts it to the ASCII code of the correspondent character string. When the pointing device 1 is scanned in -y direction, recognizing processing is performed in the order of scanning.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing system or pointing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to reduce the burden of data input work by a user of an information processing device such as a personal computer, data such as an input item printed on paper is read by a reading device such as a scanner. A method for reading and automatically recognizing by an information processing device is known (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-22).
67775). At this time, reduce the number of interfaces to attach the reading device to the information processing device,
A mouse having a function of inputting a position on a screen of a display means such as a CRT and a function of reading a code printed on the surface of a printed material is known as a means for improving the operability of the user (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 10-1999) 3-10315 gazette). This mouse is a barcode detection unit for detecting barcodes,
Information is provided by having a bar code reader function by providing a selector that determines whether to use the function of the mouse or the bar code reader and a bar code reader switch that is the selection condition of the selector. It is possible to read a barcode without connecting a barcode reader separate from the mouse to the processing device.

[0003]

However, in order to support the user's input work to the information processing apparatus using the mouse having the bar code reading function, the input data is printed in advance in the form of a bar code. There is a need. That is,
If the character can be directly recognized by the mouse, the user can be provided with a simpler input method, but the conventional mouse having the barcode reading function cannot directly recognize the character. A normal mouse can be moved in any direction on a plane by the user. Also, the angle of the mouse on the plane for operating the mouse at this time can be changed to an arbitrary angle.
Therefore, when the user scans the mouse to recognize the character, the direction of the scan and the direction of the character string to be recognized are misaligned, the angle of the mouse is changed and rotated, or the reading position is shifted. Therefore, when trying to recognize a character, there arises a problem that the recognition rate decreases.

The mouse is usually operated by the user with the right hand. When the mouse is operated with the right hand, the code printed on the paper is scanned in the left direction at the recognition position. There is a feature that it is easy to confirm. That is, the normal code is written from left to right, but when automatically recognizing this code with the mouse, it is better for the user to recognize the code in the opposite direction, that is, from right to left. It will be easy for us to use.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a small code automatic recognition device suitable for an information processing apparatus, which is provided with a data input means utilizing automatic recognition of codes printed on the surface of paper.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a pointing device such as a mouse used in an information processing apparatus for executing application software represented by a word processor, CAD, etc., A means for realizing automatic recognition of the code printed on the surface of the paper is built in and configured. That is, the pointing device of the present invention is
Along with the movement amount detection unit that has a means for inputting the position, the code printed on the measurement object such as paper is irradiated with light, and the reflected light of the linear recognition area is measured and converted into an electric signal. And a signal strength detector having a means for

Further, according to the present invention, when a user scans a pointing device to recognize a code such as a character, the code recognition rate is deviated due to a deviation between the direction of the scan and the direction of the character string to be recognized. In order to solve the problem of deterioration of the image quality, an underline is added to a code such as a character to be read and printed, and the position of the code is obtained with the underline as a reference to improve the recognition rate. Further, according to the present invention, in order to read by a pointing device having an automatic code recognition function, marks indicating the start and end of data are printed in advance before and after the code to be read.

Further, the present invention addresses the problem that the recognition rate of the code decreases due to the rotation of the mouse that occurs when the user scans the pointing device to recognize the code. The code recognition rate is improved by the means for detecting the change in the angle. That is, in order to detect this change in the angle, two or more sets of signal intensity detecting units for recognizing the code are provided, and the distance d between the recognition areas of each signal intensity detecting unit corresponds to the sampling interval of the reflected light. A signal output from the signal strength detection unit for the same recognition region by setting d such that n (n = 1, 2, 3 ...) times the length L, that is, d = n × L. The presence or absence of rotation of the pointing device is detected by comparing the above, and if there is rotation, the data for code recognition is corrected.

Further, according to the present invention, as another means for detecting the change in the angle between the pointing device and the cord, two sets of movement amount detecting portions for measuring the change in the position of the pointing device are provided, and the pointing device is provided at two points. Detect changes in device position. The change in angle is obtained from the data of the change in position.

Further, according to the present invention, in a pointing device having a function of automatically recognizing a code, the signal detecting portion of the signal strength detecting portion is set to a user's wrist with respect to a reference point for measuring a position change of the pointing device. On the opposite side, further, has a mark or a characteristic shape for indicating the signal detection portion of the signal strength detection section, or
By having a structure through which the user can see through the signal detection portion of the signal strength detection unit, the user can easily scan the code to be recognized.

Further, according to the present invention, in order to recognize the code in the opposite direction, the detection signal processing unit having the code recognition function is provided with means for temporarily storing the recognized code, and the user recognizes the code as an object to be recognized. The recognition result of each code is stored until the scanning of the code to be completed is completed. Then, when the scanning is completed, the pointing device of the present invention outputs the temporarily stored result in the order opposite to the order in which the result is recognized by the scanning. Furthermore, the present invention is an information processing apparatus that executes a program including a process of editing a document having a figure, a table, and the like, a display device that displays the document to be edited on a screen, and the pointing device according to claim 1. An information processing system comprising a device, wherein the information processing apparatus re-displays the identification code given to each edited document and the document on the screen, and is necessary for editing the figures and tables included in the document. Having means for holding information consisting of a set with data, the user using the pointing device,
By inputting the identification code printed on the surface of the document, the figures and tables included in the document are displayed on the screen of the display device. Further, in this information release processing system, by providing a printing device having a function of automatically printing a code readable by the pointing device, a more user-friendly system is provided.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention provides an information processing apparatus by providing a code reading function to a pointing device used for inputting a position on a screen of a display means and connecting the same to an information processing apparatus to form a system. Word processor, CA
When executing application software such as D, the code printed on the surface of the paper is automatically recognized without adding a new input device to facilitate the user's data input work. is there. Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention based on the above concept will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a view conceptually showing the outer appearance and an outline of main internal components for explaining the mechanism of the pointing device of this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a pointing device having a code reading function of this embodiment. CAD device
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a system configuration example when applied to The code printed on the surface of the paper which can be read by the pointing device of this embodiment is shown in FIG.
Is an alphanumeric string such as. In addition, in the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus 2 has software for implementing a CAD function and has a function of executing processing such as reading of a data file and input of a value. Further, in the present embodiment, the information processing device 2 is realized by a so-called personal computer,
It is configured by a display device 3 having a screen for displaying a result of executing the process and a message to the user, and a data input device 4 having a keyboard for inputting data.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 50 designates a pointing device 1.
Reference numerals 51 and 52 are switch buttons for inputting a signal to the position on the display device 3 which the user indicates with the pointing device, and are the same as those used in the conventional pointing device. In addition, reference numerals 56 to 62 in FIG. 2 denote components related to the movement amount detection unit 11, 65 to 67 denote components related to the signal strength detection unit 12, and 5
Reference numeral 3 is a component related to the output signal processing unit 13.

The movement amount detecting section 11 in FIG. 1 has a function of detecting the movement amount of the pointing device 1 when a user operates the pointing device 1 and outputting a signal corresponding to the movement amount. This function is realized by processing an electric signal detected by the mechanism of 56 to 62 in FIG. 2 with an electronic circuit (not shown). That is, the movement amount detection unit 11 is an optical rotary encoder that is orthogonal to the ball body 56 rotating with the movement of the pointing device 1 shown in FIG. 1 in two directions x and y and rotates together with the attached shaft. The number of rotations of 57 and 58 is counted by using the light emitting elements 59 and 61 and the light receiving elements 60 and 62, and an electric signal, that is, an x pulse and ay pulse is generated for each unit distance movement in each of x and y directions. Output. The length of the unit distance at this time is set to a length sufficient and sufficient for the recognition of the character string corresponding to the barcode by the detection signal processing unit 13 described later.

Further, in FIG. 2, the detection signal processing unit 13 processes the electric signal corresponding to the black and white of the code 54 printed on the paper output from the signal strength detection unit 12, and the character corresponding to the code 54 is processed. The ASCII code of is output. That is,
The detection signal processing unit 13 operates in synchronization with the y pulse output from the movement amount detection unit 11, and analyzes the pattern of the black and white signal series of the code printed on the paper output by the signal strength detection unit. Then, it is converted into the ASCII code of the corresponding character string. In the case of the present embodiment, when the user scans the pointing device in the -y direction, first, the result of recognition of the ASCII code "h32" corresponding to "2" as the first character is obtained. Hereinafter, recognition processing is sequentially performed in the order of scanning with the pointing device.

Further, in FIG. 2, the output signal switching section 14 is
When the code signal output switch 53 is pressed, the signal strength detection unit 12 and the detection signal processing unit 13 perform code recognition processing, and when the code signal output switch 53 is not pressed, the movement amount detection unit 11, the unit distance movement signal in the x and y directions is output to the bus which is a data communication means to the information processing apparatus. At the same time, the identification signals for identifying the two types of signals are also output together. That is, when the user presses the code signal output switch 53 to read the barcode using the pointing device of this embodiment, the output signal switching unit 14 changes the barcode to the information processing device 2. A corresponding ASCII code and an identification signal indicating that it is an ASCII code are output, and when the other code signal output switches 53 are not pressed, the movement amount of the position is output as in the conventional pointing device.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart for explaining the processing flow of the output signal switching means 14 of the pointing device of this embodiment. In addition, FIG. 4 illustrates components 20 to 26 related to the signal strength detection unit 12 that recognizes a two-dimensional code.
66 and 67, and the component 23 related to the detection signal processing unit 13,
And the components 23, 25 relating to the output signal switching unit 14,
It is a block diagram explaining the structure of 26. In the present embodiment, the processing of the detected signal is realized by software in the DSP 23 (digital signal processor).

First, the portion related to the signal strength detection unit 12 will be described with reference to FIG. The signal intensity detection unit 12 causes the line sensor 6 to transmit the reflected light from the recognition target code 68 emitted by the illumination LED 66 via the imaging optical system 20.
Image on 7. That is, the intensity distribution of the light input to the line sensor 67 corresponds to the black-and-white distribution in the x-axis direction at a certain position of the character string to be recognized. FIG.
In the example, the recognition area 71 is imaged on the line sensor and converted into an electric signal. The length of this recognition area 71 is
Set it so that it is sufficiently larger than the height of the code to be recognized. The electric signal corresponding to this intensity distribution is amplified by the amplifier circuit 21 and then converted into 22 digital data by the A / D conversion circuit. That is, in the present embodiment, the black and white distribution in the measurement area 71 on the paper is converted into 16-bit data such that the white portion is 0 and the black portion is 1. FIG.
, The data output from the A / D conversion circuit 22 is “00011111110001000”. Also, in FIG.
The SP23, that is, the Digital Signal Processor, controls the LED drive circuit 24 that drives the LED for illumination and controls the A / D.
The control of the conversion circuit 22 is executed. This control is DSP23
It can be easily realized by the software executed in.

Further, in this embodiment, the detection signal processing unit 1
3 is realized by the DSP 23. That is, the memory of the DSP 23 holds in advance data consisting of a series of digital data for each character and a pair of ASCII codes corresponding to the character, and digital data for each character and digital for black and white on paper detected by the signal strength detection means 12. The series of data are sequentially compared to obtain ASCII corresponding to the character having the matching pattern. Further, in this embodiment, the recognition symbols 69a and 69b shown in FIG. 1 are printed in advance at the beginning and end of the recognized character string. Further, the characters to be recognized are 68 in FIG.
In order to improve the recognition accuracy, an underline as shown in (4) is printed in advance, and the underline is compared with the series of the digital data using the symbols 69a and 69b. That is, when the character string is recognized and input by the pointing device of the present embodiment, the symbol 69a or 6 for starting reading is inputted.
The observation of the series of digital data corresponding to 9b is used as a trigger to compare the data in synchronization with the unit distance movement signal output from the movement amount detection unit 11. This allows
The recognition can be performed without being affected by the scanning speed of the pointing device by the user. Further, by shifting the data output by the signal strength detection unit 12 so that the bit corresponding to the underline becomes the least significant bit, the influence of the shift in the reading position of the pointing device is corrected. For example, in the case of the data used in the above example, it is shifted to the right by 3 bits and "0
"0000011111110001" is compared with the character pattern to be held in the DSP in advance.

Further, the pointing device of this embodiment temporarily stores the recognized character string in the stack, that is, the memory inside the pointing device, and automatically recognizes it when the user switches the code signal output switch 53 from the ON state to the OFF state. The obtained results are collectively output to the information processing device 2. At this time, the data output by the output signal switching unit 14 is the ASCII code for the character string obtained by rearranging the character strings recognized by the detection signal processing unit 13 in the reverse order. For example, when the user scans the pointing device 50 of FIG. 7 in the −y direction while pressing the code signal output switch 53, the detection signal processing unit 13 outputs “2”, “1”,
Characters are recognized in the order of "0", "0", "H", "S" and stored in the stack. Next, when the user turns off the code signal output switch 53, the output signal switching unit 14
The recognition character strings are rearranged in the order of "S", "H", "0", "0", "1", "2", and the ASCII code corresponding to this is output.

Next, the flow of the above processing in the pointing device in the present embodiment will be described using the flowchart of FIG. Output signal switching unit 1 of this embodiment
4 starts processing when the program of the information processing device 2 is activated.

First, in step 101, it is judged whether or not a unit length position movement signal from the movement amount detection section 11 is output. If no signal is output, the process returns to step 101. If the signal is output, the process proceeds to step 102.

In step 102, it is judged whether or not the state of the code signal output switch 53 has changed from the on state to the off state, and if there is a change, the next step is
Continue to 104. If there is no change, or if there is a change from the off state to the on state, the process proceeds to step 103.

In step 104, the output signal switching unit 1
4 is the ASC of the character string recognized by the detection signal processing unit 13.
The II code is read from the stack in reverse order and is output to the information processing device. When the process of step 104 is completed, the process returns to step 101.

In step 103, it is determined whether the code signal output switch 53 is pressed, that is, whether the switch is on or off. If the switch 53 is pressed and is on, the process proceeds to step 105. If the switch 53 is off, the process proceeds to step 106.

In step 105, the detection signal processing unit 13
Executes the processing of recognizing the character by the output of the signal strength detection unit 12 and writing the ASCII code of the recognized character in the stack of the DSP 23. In step 106, the unit length movement signal is output to the information processing device 2 as it is.
At this time, an identifier indicating that the output signal is the data of the unit length movement signal is also output. Step 10
When the process of 5 or 106 is completed, step 101
Return to

The output signal switching section 14 of the pointing device according to the present embodiment repeats the above steps 101 to 106 until the program of the information processing apparatus 2 is completed.

Next, an embodiment of CAD using the data input method by the pointing device of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the processing flow of the data input method of this embodiment. The processing of the present embodiment is a CAD program executed by the information processing device 2, and is a CAD program executed by the user for a sheet, that is, a figure or a table printed on paper.
In order to edit the contents, when displaying it again on the display device,
It is started as a part of the CAD program.

First, in step 201, the information processing device 2 displays the data input screen 81 on the display device 3. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a data input screen 81 displayed on the display device 3 in this example. The data input screen 81 of FIG. 6 includes a message 91 for prompting the user to input a sheet name for calling display information, an input data display area 86,
It comprises a data confirmation button object 83 and a cancel button object 84. In addition, the screen 80 of the display device 3
The arrow-shaped pointer 85 whose display position changes on the screen 80 in response to the operation of the pointing device 1 by the user is displayed on. Further, in the present embodiment, the pointer 85 is moved onto the button objects 83 and 84 displayed on the data input screen 81, and the pointing device 1 is moved.
By pressing the operation button 51 of, the information processing device 2 can detect a signal corresponding to the click of each button.

Next, in step 202, it is determined whether or not code data is input from the pointing device 1, and if there is input, the process proceeds to step 205. If there is no input, go to step 203.

Next, at step 203, it is judged whether or not there is an input from the data input device 4, and if there is an input, the routine proceeds to step 204. If there is no input, the process proceeds to step 205.

Next, in step 205, it is determined whether the cancel button 84 has been clicked by the user,
If it is clicked, all the processes are canceled, the data input screen 81 is hidden, and the present process is terminated. If not clicked, the process returns to step 202. That is, the processing of steps 202, 203 and 205 is repeated until the user clicks the data input or cancel button.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the input screen 81 when the code data is input in step 202 or 203. When it is determined in step 202 that the code data is input from the pointing device 1, Displays the code data in the sheet name display area 86 of the input screen in step 204 as shown in FIG. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, from the pointing device 1 to the code 54 shown in FIG.
As a result of inputting the example of, the sheet name "SH0012"
Shows an example in which is input. Furthermore, the example of the screen of FIG. 7 shows the result of the user operating the code signal output switch 53 of the pointing device 1 without pressing it and moving the pointer 85 to the area of the confirmation button 83. When the display of data is completed in step 204, the process proceeds to step 207.

If it is determined in step 203 that the code data is input from the data input device 4, the code data is displayed in the input data display area 86 of the input screen in step 206. When the display of data is completed in step 206, the process proceeds to step 207.

In step 207, it is judged whether or not the cancel button 84 has been clicked by the user. If it is judged that the user has clicked, all the processing is canceled,
The data input screen 81 is hidden and the process ends. If not clicked, the process proceeds to step 208.

In step 208, it is determined whether or not the confirmation button 83 has been clicked by the user, and if it is determined that it has been clicked, the process proceeds to step 209. If not clicked, the process returns to step 207. That is, steps 207 and 208 are repeated until the cancel button 84 or the confirmation button 83 is clicked.

Next, when it is determined in step 208 that the confirmation button 83 has been clicked, step 209
Then, a file corresponding to the sheet name is searched from a sheet display information storage means (not shown) that holds a plurality of files each including a pair of a sheet name and display information of the information processing device 2, and a sheet diagram or the like is displayed on the display device. Display the table. Then, the data input screen 81 is hidden and the process ends.

With the pointing device of this embodiment for executing the above processing, the user of CAD aligns the mark 65 of the pointing device with the position of the code printed on the surface of the paper, and presses the code signal output switch 53. CAD data can be input by simply scanning or tracing on the paper. That is, the pointing device of the present embodiment can realize an input process which is simple and eliminates simple errors such as typos without inputting data from an input device, that is, a keyboard. This is the signal switching unit 14 of the present invention.
Accordingly, whether the data output by the pointing device 1 to the information processing device 2 is a unit distance movement signal,
Alternatively, by assigning an identifier for determining whether it is an ASCII code corresponding to the read barcode, the position on the screen of the display device can be designated using the same body and a single data communication means. This is because the code can be read.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG. This embodiment is an embodiment for correcting the rotation of the pointing device that occurs when the user uses the present pointing device for character recognition to improve the character recognition rate. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of the second embodiment of the pointing device of the present invention. In FIG. 9, the pointing device of the second embodiment of the present invention has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment of the present invention except that it has two sets of signal strength detection units 12. That is, in this embodiment, the same components as the signal strength detecting means A12a, 66a, 67a, 20a, 2 as in the first embodiment, are used.
1a, 22a, 24a and new signal strength detection means B1
2b related parts, 66b, 67b, 20b, 21b,
22b and 24b. Further, the signal processing of the signal strength detecting means A, B 12a, 12b is performed by one DSP 2
Run with 3.

First, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the external appearance of the pointing device of this embodiment and particularly the upper half of the main parts. In this second embodiment, the irradiation LEDs 66a, 6 corresponding to the two sets of signal intensity detection units 12a, 12b are provided.
6b and line sensors 67a and 67b, each having two sets, and two sets of circuits related thereto, having the same configuration as FIG. 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention. However, the area 71a on the paper read by the first line sensor 67a
And the distance d between the second line sensor 67b and the area 71b on the paper read by the output of the movement amount detection unit 11, that is, the distance L on the paper corresponding to the unit distance movement signal in the y direction. Set equal.

FIG. 10 shows a signal strength detector 12 for correcting the rotation of the pointing device and recognizing a two-dimensional code.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a part that realizes a, 12 b, a detection signal processing unit 13, and an output signal switching unit 14. This figure is the same as FIG. 4 of the first embodiment of the present invention.
Illumination LEDs 66a, 66b, imaging optical systems 20a, 20
b, line sensors 67a, 67b, amplifier circuits 21a, 2
1b, A / D conversion circuits 22a and 22b, and LED driving circuits 24a and 24b are provided in two sets, respectively, but the individual functions are the same as in the first embodiment described above.

Next, a processing method relating to the correction portion of the rotation angle in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 (A), (B) and FIG. 11 (A) and 11 (B) show the positions of the character (“0”) that the user intends to recognize using the pointing device of this embodiment and the recognition areas 71a and 71b on the two sheets of paper. It is a figure which shows a relationship. That is, FIG. 11A shows the positional relationship when the pointing device is scanned in the horizontal direction (−y direction) with respect to the character to be recognized. When the user continues to scan the recognition target character with the pointing device while keeping this direction, the data output by the signal strength detection unit in the first recognition area 71a and the signal strength in the second recognition area 71b after one step. It should be exactly the same as the data output by the detector. However, when the pointing device rotates by θ during this one step, the two data do not match. Conversely,
If the two data do not match, it can be said that the pointing device has rotated. In this embodiment, based on such a fact, correction for rotation is added to improve the character recognition rate.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the flow of the rotation detection process of the detection signal processing unit 13. This process is activated each time x pulses are output from the moving distance detection unit 11. In the figure, first, in step 401, the signal strength detection unit 12 reads the result of digitizing the signals detected by the two sets of line sensors 67a and 67b, that is, the outputs of the A / D conversion circuits 22a and 22b into the register of the DSP 23. . The data at this time are S1 (k) and S2, respectively.
(K). Next, in step 402, the data S1 (k−) read by the line sensor 67a n steps before.
1) is loaded into the register from the memory of the DSP 23.
Next, in step 403, S2 (k) and S1 (k-1) are compared. If they are equal, the process proceeds to step 404, and if they are not equal, the process proceeds to step 405. In step 404, S2
(K) is stored in the memory of the DSP 23 as the output of the signal strength detection unit 12. In step 405, S2 (k)
The result of the processing for correcting the rotation is stored in the memory of the DSP 23 as the output of the signal strength detection unit 12. In step 406, S1 (k) is changed to DSP2.
Store in memory of 3. Then, in step 407, the value of k is set to k + 1. By the above processing, the correction when the pointing device is rotated is realized. As described above, it is possible to improve the recognition rate of the code by the pointing device by determining whether or not the code is rotated by the code recognition and correcting the data that is the input of the recognition when the code is rotated. In this embodiment, the area 71a on the paper read by the first line sensor 67a and the area 71b on the paper read by the second line sensor 67b.
The distance d between the output and the output of the movement detection unit 11, that is, y
Although it is set equal to the distance L on the paper corresponding to the unit distance movement signal in the direction, if the distance d is an integral multiple of L, the rotation is detected by changing the processing timing by the software of the DSP 23. It is possible.

Next, a third embodiment of the pointing device of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, the rotation of the pointing device is detected by setting the character recognition areas 71 of the signal strength detection unit 12 at two places. However, the movement for detecting the amount of movement of the position of the pointing device in the x and y directions is detected. The rotation can also be detected by preparing two sets of quantity detecting units. That is, as shown in the configuration of the system in FIG. 14, it is possible to obtain the rotation angle by providing two sets of the movement amount detection units 11 of the pointing device. It should be noted that FIG. 14 has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment except that two sets of the movement amount detecting units 11a and 11b are provided, and therefore, description will be made using the same reference numerals.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the external appearance of the pointing device of the third embodiment and the layout of the main parts. In this figure, 56a, 57a, 58a, 59aa, 59ab, 60
aa, 60ab, 61aa, 62ab, 61aa, 62a
b is a part related to the movement amount detection unit A11a, 56b, 5
7b, 58b, 59ba, 59bb, 60ba, 60bb,
61ba, 62bb, 61ba, 62bb are components related to the movement amount detection unit B11b. Other than these, it is the same as the first embodiment.

In FIG. 13, this pointing device has two balls that rotate with the movement of the pointing device 1, and each of the balls 56a and 56b.
With respect to the optical rotary encoder 57 which is orthogonal to each other in two directions x and y and rotates together with the attached shaft.
The rotation speeds of a, 57b, 58a and 58b are determined by the light emitting element 59
a, 59b, 61a, 61b and light receiving elements 60a, 60
b, 62a, and 62b are used for counting, and an electrical signal, that is, xa, xb pulse, ya, yb pulse is output for each unit distance in each of x and y directions.
Then, the moving distance L observed by the ball body 56a
a = (Σxa + Σya) ^ (1/2) and the moving distance Lb = (Σxb + Σyb) observed by the ball body 56b.
It is possible to improve the character recognition rate by comparing ^ (1/2) and correcting the rotation when the values are different.

In the three embodiments, as shown in the external view of the pointing device 50 of FIG. 1, for example, to show the range in which the light receiving element 64 is observable to the user, the corresponding pointing device body 50 is formed. The mark 65 was attached to the surface of the device at a position visible to the user operating this pointing device. The external view of the embodiment of the pointing device shown in FIG. 15 shows a structure for allowing the user to more easily understand the range in which the light receiving element 64 of the signal intensity detecting section can be observed. That is, a part of the body is formed of a transparent plastic cover 90 so that a portion near the observable range of the light receiving element 64 of the pointing device can be seen through. This allows the user to more easily scan the code or character string to be recognized as compared with the three embodiments.

In this embodiment, a means for recognizing a code is incorporated in the same body as the pointing device, which is small in size and enables automatic input of a code without requiring a new connection terminal in the information processing apparatus. In short, the signal output from the pointing device is a signal for designating a position on the screen, or a signal obtained from the read code is switched, and an identification signal for determining which signal is output. Can be realized by any method as long as there is a means for giving.

[0050]

According to the pointing device of the present invention, the user of CAD aligns the mark of the pointing device with the position of the code of the character string data printed on the surface of the paper, and presses the code signal output switch. CAD data can be input by simply scanning on the paper, that is, tracing. That is, the pointing device of the present embodiment can realize an input process that is simple and eliminates simple errors such as typos without inputting data from an input device, that is, a keyboard.
This is for determining whether the data output by the pointing device to the information processing device is the unit distance movement signal or the ASCII code corresponding to the read code by the signal switching unit of the present invention. By assigning an identifier, the designation of the position on the screen of the display device in the same body and using a single data communication means,
This is because the code can be read.

Further, in the pointing device having the function of automatically recognizing the code of the present invention, the signal detecting portion of the signal strength detecting portion is provided on the side opposite to the user's wrist with respect to the reference point for measuring the position change of the pointing device. In addition, by having a mark or a characteristic shape for indicating the signal detection portion of the signal strength detection unit, or by having a structure that allows the user to see through the signal detection portion of the signal strength detection unit, , Allows the user to easily scan the code to be recognized.

Further, according to the present invention, two sets of line sensors of the signal strength detection unit are used, or two sets of movement amount detection units are used and the data strength detection unit is used by using any one of these data. By correcting the rotation angle of, it is possible to realize code recognition with a high recognition rate by correcting the rotation when the user scans the pointing device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a mechanism of a pointing device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a system configuration example when a pointing device having a code reading function according to the present invention is applied to CAD.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a processing flow of an output signal switching unit of the pointing device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a circuit of a portion that realizes a signal strength detection unit, a detection signal processing unit, and an output signal switching unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a processing flow of a data input method using the pointing device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a data input screen displayed on the display device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a data input screen displayed on the display device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the external appearance of the pointing device of the second embodiment and the layout of essential components.

FIG. 9 shows the pointing device of the second embodiment as CA.
6 is a block diagram showing an example of a system configuration when applied to D. FIG.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a circuit of a part that realizes a signal strength detection unit, a detection signal processing unit, and an output signal switching unit according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between a character to be recognized by a user using the pointing device of the present embodiment and a recognition area on a paper.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a rotation detection process flow of the signal strength detection unit.

FIG. 13 is an external view and an explanatory view of main internal components for explaining the mechanism of the pointing device of the third embodiment.

FIG. 14 shows the pointing device of the third embodiment as C
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a system configuration when applied to AD.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a pointing device according to a fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference numeral 50 ... Pointing device body, 51, 52 ... Switch, 53 ... Code signal output switch, 55 ... Connection cable, 56 ... Ball body, 57, 58 ... Optical rotary encoder, 59, 61, 63 ... Light emitting element, 60 , 6
2, 64 ... Light receiving element, 65 ... Recognition range identifying mark, 6
6 ... Irradiation LED, 67 ... Line sensor, 68 ... Recognition target character string, 69 ... Recognition symbol, 70 ... Paper on which code is printed.

Front page continuation (72) Inventor Yoshiaki Ichikawa 7-2 Omika-cho, Hitachi City, Hitachi, Ibaraki Hitachi, Ltd. Electric Power & Electric Development Headquarters (72) Inventor Takashi Iijima 5-2 Omika-cho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture No. 1 Incorporated company Hitachi Ltd. Omika Plant (72) Inventor Yoshikazu Ishii 7-2 Omika-cho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture Incorporated Hitachi, Ltd. Electric Power & Electric Development Headquarters (72) Inventor Naoyuki Yamada Ibaraki Prefecture 7-2 Omika-cho, Hitachi-shi Hitachi, Ltd. Electric Power & Electric Machinery Development Division

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A data processing device connected to an information processing device having a display device, the positions of which can be freely moved in a plurality of directions which are not parallel to each other according to a user's operation, and the respective directions can be set. A movement amount detection unit having a means for detecting the movement amount by the user to the digital data and converting it into digital data,
A display position on the screen of a pointer displayed on the display device by a user of the information processing device and a display area based on the data of the movement amount output by the movement amount detection unit for each movement of a predetermined distance. With a pointing device capable of inputting an event associated with, automatically recognizing a code such as a character or a symbol printed on the surface of a paper, and inputting data corresponding to the code into the information processing apparatus, A signal strength detection unit having means for detecting the color distribution of the surface of the object and converting it into digital data, and a function for detecting the start and end of recognition of the code by the user, the signal strength detection unit converting The digital data and the movement amount data converted by the movement amount detecting unit are switched according to the operation by the user and output to the information processing device. The output signal switching unit having a step is provided in the same casing, and the user moves the surface of the paper on which the code to be recognized is printed in parallel in accordance with the signal detection portion of the signal intensity detection unit of the pointing device. A pointing device, which outputs a signal related to the digital data converted by the signal strength detection unit when the device is operated. 2. The pointing device according to claim 1, wherein the signal strength detection unit in the body of the pointing device is a region for recognizing a code printed on paper, and the movement. In the positional relationship of the movement amount detection portion, which is the reference point of the movement amount detection mechanism of the amount detection portion, the movement amount detection portion is located closer to the wrist of the user who operates the pointing device than the signal detection portion. Pointing device with structure. 3. The pointing device according to claim 1, wherein the signal output from the pointing device by the output signal switching unit is movement amount data for designating a position on the screen, or A pointing device that outputs a signal or data for identifying whether the signal is the digital data converted by the signal strength detection unit. 4. The pointing device according to claim 1, wherein in the signal strength detection unit, the timing of sampling the color distribution of the code to be recognized is the movement amount data output by the movement amount detection unit. A pointing device that synchronizes with the output timing. 5. The pointing device according to claim 1, wherein the signal strength detection unit has a sequence of data output as a result of detection of a code to be recognized as an input, and detection having means for converting the code into the code. A pointing device including a signal processing unit. 6. The pointing device according to claim 1, wherein the detection signal processing unit includes a set of data and a series of data output by the signal strength detection unit for all codes to be recognized. Information consisting of matching is held in advance, and a series of data output as a result of detection of a code to be recognized by the signal strength detection unit is compared with a series of data of the information, and a code having a series pattern is identified. The pointing device to output. 7. The pointing device according to claim 5, further comprising: temporary storage means for temporarily storing the code obtained as a result of the recognition by the detection signal processing unit in the order of recognition, the output signal switching unit. By the detection of the recognition start by, the detection signal processing unit temporarily stores the code obtained as a result of recognition in the order of recognition, and by the detection of the recognition end by the output signal switching unit, stores in the temporary storage means, A pointing device that reads the stored code in the reverse order of storage and outputs the read code to the information processing apparatus. 8. The code of the pointing device according to claim 1, when a user performs a reading operation in a direction that is not parallel to a code printed on a measurement target whose recognition target is the pointing device. In order to correct the recognition, two or more signal strength detection units are provided, and the distance d between the respective signal detection units is larger than the distance 1 corresponding to the movement amount data output by the movement amount detection unit. pointing device. 9. The pointing device according to claim 8, wherein an interval d between signal detection portions of the signal strength detection unit.
Is an integral multiple of the distance l corresponding to the movement amount data output from the movement amount detection unit, that is, d = n × l,
n: a pointing device, which is an integer. 10. The code of the pointing device according to claim 1, when a user performs a reading operation in a direction that is not parallel to a code printed on a measurement target whose recognition target is the pointing device. A pointing device having two or more movement amount detection units for performing recognition correction and having a function of detecting movement amounts in directions that are not mutually independent. 11. The pointing device according to claim 1, wherein the movement amount detection unit measures movement amounts lx and ly in X and Y directions parallel to the surface of the object to be measured and orthogonal to each other. Timing for sampling the color distribution of the code to be recognized by the signal intensity detection unit, having a function of outputting a unit distance signal each time the unit distance S moves in a predetermined direction based on the value of ly Is a pointing device that is synchronized with the unit distance signal. 12. The pointing device according to claim 1, wherein the pointing device has a mark or a characteristic shape for indicating a signal detection portion of the signal strength detection unit. 13. The pointing device according to claim 1, wherein the pointing device has a structure that allows a user to see through a signal detection portion of the signal strength detection unit. 14. An information processing apparatus which executes a program including a process of editing a document having figures, tables, etc., a display device which displays the document to be edited on a screen, and the pointing device according to claim 1. An information processing system comprising: the information processing apparatus, an identification code given to each edited document;
The document is displayed again on the screen, and means for holding information consisting of a set of data necessary for editing the figures and tables included in the document is provided, and the user uses the pointing device to display the document. An information processing system for displaying a graphic or a table included in the document on a screen of a display device by inputting the identification code printed on the surface. 15. The information processing system according to claim 14, further comprising a printing device having a function of printing the document, wherein the printing device prints the document when the printing device prints the document. An information processing system having a function of automatically printing a code recognizable by the pointing device on the same paper. 16. The information processing system according to claim 15, wherein in the data printed by the printing device, the code recognizable by the pointing device includes an underline attached to the character string. 17. The information processing system according to claim 15, wherein a code recognizable by a pointing device printed by the printing device is given to each of the delimiters of the input to the information processing system. An information processing system that includes symbols that represent the beginning and end of a.