JPH11175244A - Pointing device, data processor, positional information transferring method and storage medium storing computer readable program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reflect space coordinate information and other instruction data to data processing by judging the kind of the operation mode of an instruction body freely movable on a space coordinate and switch-controlling a data kind to transfer from a communication means based on the judging result. SOLUTION: An integration means 3 calculates space coordinate positional information based on each detected value of a first detecting means detecting the angular speed of the instructing body 1 freely movable on the space coordinate and a second detecting means detecting the acceleration of the body 1. Then, the calculated space coordinate positional information is transferred to an information processor 7 by a communication means 6. The judging means of a controller 5 judges the kind of the operation mode of the body 1 and based on the judging result, the control means of the controller 5 switch-controls the kind of data transferred from the means 6. Thereby, space coordinate information and other instructing data are reflected to data processing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pointing device, a data processing apparatus, a position information transfer method, and a computer readable program for processing position information of an indicator manually moved on spatial coordinates by an operator. It relates to a storage medium that has been used.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a digitizer, a mouse, a touch panel, and the like have been proposed as pointing devices for inputting position information. Usually, a digitizer and a mouse are used as devices of a computer device.

[0003]

However, in recent years, it has become common to output the screen of a personal computer with a liquid crystal projector for presentation.

In this case, in the case of a digitizer or a mouse, in order to instruct position information during a presentation, it is necessary to perform an operation instruction while comparing a screen of a personal computer with a screen of a liquid crystal projector, and thus operability is extremely poor. .

[0005] Further, a touch panel in which a screen and a screen are integrated can be considered, but this also requires a touch panel having the same size as the screen, resulting in a problem that the cost is increased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the present invention calculates a spatial position coordinate of a pointer which can be freely moved on a spatial coordinate by a user, and provides the data processing device with the data. To provide a pointing device, a data processing device, a position information transfer method, and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program which can easily perform a data processing instruction based on an operation instruction on a screen of an external display device by transferring. It is.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a first detecting means for detecting an angular velocity of a pointer which can freely move on spatial coordinates, and detecting an acceleration of the pointer. A second detection unit, a calculation unit that calculates spatial coordinate position information based on each detection value of the first and second detection units, and a data processing device that calculates the spatial coordinate position information calculated by the calculation unit. Communication means for transferring data to the pointer, determination means for determining the type of operation mode of the pointer, and control means for switching and controlling the type of data to be transferred from the communication means based on a determination result by the determination means. is there.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the pointer has a pointing member for notifying a display target indicated by a cursor on a screen of the data processing device of a predetermined instruction.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the predetermined instruction by the instruction member is any one of a selection instruction, a selection movement instruction, and a start instruction, or a combination instruction thereof.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a reset process is performed in which a pressing instruction state of the pointing member is determined and a current spatial coordinate position is set as a reference position.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the calculation means is configured to be detachable from the indicator.

In a sixth aspect according to the present invention, the indicator spatially moves on spatial coordinates set based on an external screen area displayed by an external display device.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a cursor displayed on a screen of a display device is moved based on spatial position coordinate information wirelessly transmitted from a pointer movable in spatial coordinates by manual operation. It has control means for controlling, and data processing means for executing a predetermined process based on predetermined instruction information wirelessly transferred from a pointer movable in spatial coordinates by manual operation.

An eighth invention according to the present invention has interface means for communicating with an external display device, and transfers the same screen information on the screen of the display device to the external display device via the interface means. Is what you do.

In a ninth aspect according to the present invention, the control means calculates spatial position coordinate information based on detection data wirelessly transferred from a pointer movable in spatial coordinates by manual operation, and displays the display device. This controls the movement of the cursor displayed on the screen.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a detecting step of detecting an angular velocity of a pointer which can freely move on space coordinates and an acceleration of the pointer, and detecting spatial coordinate position information based on each detected value. A calculating step of calculating, a communication step of transferring the calculated spatial coordinate position information to a data processing device, and a determining step of determining whether the operation mode of the pointer is a detection mode or a transfer mode, Transferring a different type of data based on the determination result.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a detecting step for detecting an angular velocity of a pointer which can freely move on spatial coordinates and an acceleration of the pointer, and detecting spatial coordinate position information based on each detected value. A calculating step of calculating, a communication step of communicating and transferring the calculated spatial coordinate position information to a data processing device, and a determining step of determining whether the operation mode of the pointer is a detection mode or a transfer mode. And a transfer step of transferring different types of data based on the determination result. The computer-readable program is stored in a storage medium.

[0018]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a pointing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a pen type position detecting device main body (main body). The sensor unit 2 is arranged and fixed inside the main body 1. Reference buttons 41 and 42 function as selection means described later, and are provided on the outer side surface of the main body 1. Since the positions of the selection buttons 41 and 42 are specified while holding the main body 1 with a human hand, the location is not particularly limited as long as the location is easy to push.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of a pointing device and a data processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 2 denotes a sensor unit having a uniaxial angular velocity detecting means and a biaxial acceleration detecting means. In the present embodiment, the angular velocity detecting means uses a vibrating gyroscope. The vibrating gyroscope and the acceleration detecting means are manufactured using a semiconductor process technology such as a micromachine, but the manufacturing method is not limited thereto.

Reference numeral 3 denotes integration means for performing an integration operation on the output from the sensor unit 2. Reference numeral 4 denotes a selection unit, which corresponds to, for example, a right button and a left button of a mouse. Reference numeral 5 denotes a controller such as a microprocessor, which calculates coordinates based on signals from the integration means 3 and the selection means 4, and sends the coordinates to the information processing apparatus 1 such as a personal computer (not shown) via the communication means 6. ON / OF of means 4
The F information is transmitted using wired or wireless communication.

Reference numeral 7 denotes an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer, which includes a CPU, a memory, a keyboard, a display controller, and a receiving means for receiving data transmitted from the main body 1 (not shown). The information processing device 7 is connected to an external display device (not shown) via a display controller, and outputs processing results processed by the information processing device 7 to an external display device (including a large display of a projector (not shown) or a video interface). OHP included)
Can be displayed.

A display controller (not shown) of the information processing device 7 communicates with the wired or wireless communication 8 received from the main unit 1.
The movement of the cursor displayed on the external display device can be controlled based on the spatial position coordinate information transmitted by using. Further, the information processing apparatus 7 performs predetermined processing based on the ON / OFF information of the selection means 4 received from the main body 1, for example, by moving a cursor to a desired icon or button displayed on an external display device, and When the selection button 41 is pressed, the selection processing and the execution processing of the icon are performed, and the processing corresponding to the button can be executed.

Hereinafter, a characteristic configuration of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

In the pointing device configured as described above, first detecting means (using an oscillating gyro in the angular velocity detecting means) for detecting the angular velocity of the pointer which can freely move on spatial coordinates, and the pointing device Second detecting means for detecting the acceleration of the body, calculating means (integrating means 3) for calculating spatial coordinate position information based on each detection value of the first and second detecting means, and calculating by the calculating means Communication means 6 for transferring the spatial coordinate position information to the data processing device (information processing device 7), and judging means for judging the type of operation mode of the pointer (controller stored in a memory (not shown) Executing a program) and controlling the switching of the type of data to be transferred from the communication unit based on the determination result by the determination unit. 5 executes a control program stored in a memory (not shown) to perform switching control), so that the spatial coordinate information of the pointer that freely moves on the spatial coordinates is transferred to the data processing device, and the spatial coordinates are transferred to the data processing device. Information and other instruction data can be reflected in data processing.

The indicator 1 has indicator members (buttons 41 and 42) for notifying a predetermined instruction to a display object pointed by a cursor on the screen of the data processing device. Cursor movement control can be performed accordingly.

Further, the predetermined instruction by the instruction member is any of a selection instruction (click), a selection movement instruction (drag), an activation instruction (double-click), or a combination instruction thereof, so that a normal pointing device operation is performed. Can be performed on the spatial coordinates.

Also, the state of pressing the pointing member is determined and reset processing is performed using the current spatial coordinate position as a reference position. The operation instruction environment can be freely constructed.

Further, since the integrating means 3 is configured to be detachable from the pointer 1, the data processing load on the pointing device can be reduced, and the pointing device can be reduced in cost and size.

The indicator moves spatially on spatial coordinates set based on an external screen area displayed by an external display device (including a large display of a projector not shown or an OHP having a video interface). Coordinate data or instruction data in which spatial coordinate information indirectly instructed at a position close to the external display screen is replaced with plane coordinate information on the data processing device can be transferred.

Further, for example, an operator performing a presentation moves a cursor displayed on a screen of a display device based on spatial position coordinate information wirelessly transmitted from a pointer movable in spatial coordinates by manual operation. Control means (a display controller (not shown) on the information processing device 7 side) for controlling, and data for executing predetermined processing based on predetermined instruction information wirelessly transferred from a pointer movable in spatial coordinates by manual operation With the processing means, the pointing processing on the spatial position coordinates distant from the data processing apparatus can be processed as the pointing processing on the data processing apparatus side.

Further, the apparatus has interface means for communicating with an external display device (including a large display of a projector (not shown) or an OHP having a video interface), and the same screen as the screen of the display device via the interface means. Since the information is transferred to the external display device, the pointing process on spatial position coordinates distant from the data processing device is reflected on a display screen such as a large display physically separated from the screen on the data processing device. Can be.

Further, the control means (display controller or CPU of the information processing device 7) calculates spatial position coordinate information based on detection data wirelessly transferred from a pointer movable in spatial coordinates by manual operation. Control the movement of the cursor displayed on the screen of the display device, thereby reducing the data processing load on the pointer and reflecting the operation instruction of the pointer on the movement of the cursor displayed on the screen of the display device. Can be done.

Next, the operation will be described.

In the present embodiment, when a presentation is made in front of the screen on which the image of the personal computer is projected by the liquid crystal projector, pointing on the personal computer screen is performed by operating a mouse,
It is assumed that characters written on the screen are input to a personal computer. Hereinafter, description will be given based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a data processing procedure of the pointing device according to the present invention. In addition, (1) to (5) indicate each step.

First, in step (1), the initial position is reset. This corresponds to a process of first determining an initial position when inputting the movement of a human hand. In this embodiment, a specific point on the screen is set first.
By instructing the main body 1 to abut on this point and double-clicking the selection switch 41, the initial reset operation is completed.

Next, in step (2), it is determined whether the input mode is the character input mode (mode = 1). In the present embodiment, when both the selection button 41 and the selection button 42 have been pressed for a predetermined time, the mode is set to “1”.

If it is determined in step (2) that the mode is "1", the flow proceeds to step (4); otherwise, the flow proceeds to step (3).

In step (3), it is determined whether a normal mouse operation (drag, drop, click, double click) is being performed. This is select button 4
It is determined by monitoring whether 1, 42 are turned on.

If either one of the selection buttons 41 and 42 is on, the mode becomes "0". In step (5), the on information of the selection buttons 41 and 42 is transmitted to the personal computer via the communication means 6. send. On the other hand, when it is determined that the mode is not “0”, the process returns to the step (2).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (2) that the mode is "1", the coordinate position of the main body 1 is calculated in step (4). That is, the coordinate position of the main body 1 is calculated by integrating the output from the sensor section 2 by the integration means 3 and converting the output into displacement information. Next, in step (5), the calculated coordinate position is sent as coordinate information to the personal computer via the communication means 6, and the process returns to step (2).

The coordinate information is converted into character information on the personal computer. This is not particularly limited. In addition,
In the present embodiment, the communication in step (5) is performed by infrared wireless communication. The communication protocol is not particularly limited.

Hereinafter, a characteristic configuration of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

A detection step (step (4) in FIG. 3) for detecting the angular velocity of the pointer and the acceleration of the pointer 1 which can freely move on the space coordinates, and spatial coordinate position information based on each detected value. A calculating step of calculating (step (4) in FIG. 3), a communication step of communicating and transferring the calculated spatial coordinate position information to a data processing device (step (5) of FIG. 3); A determination step for determining whether the operation mode is the detection mode or the transfer mode (steps (2) and (3) in FIG. 3) and a transfer step for transferring different types of data based on the determination result (FIG. 3 (5)) and the CP (not shown) of the controller 5
U can execute a control program stored in a memory resource such as a ROM to easily issue a data processing instruction based on an operation instruction on the screen of the external display device.

A form in which a program code corresponding to the process shown in FIG. 3 is stored in an external storage medium or an internal storage resource, and the CPU in the controller 5 reads and executes the program code from a storage medium (not shown) storing the program code. Are also included in the embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the configuration of a data processing program readable by the pointing device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs readable by the pointing device according to the present invention.

Although not shown, information for managing a group of programs stored in the storage medium, such as version information and a creator, is also stored, and information dependent on the OS or the like on the program reading side, such as a program, is stored in the storage medium. An icon or the like for identification display may also be stored.

Further, data dependent on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs on a computer or a program for decompressing a program to be installed when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

The functions shown in FIG. 3 in this embodiment may be executed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when a group of information including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Things.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program code of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved when U) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, C
DR, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, RO
M, EEPROM and the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also an OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) And the like perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

[0058]

As described above, according to the present invention,
First detecting means for detecting an angular velocity of a pointer capable of freely moving on spatial coordinates; second detecting means for detecting an acceleration of the pointer; and detection of each of the first and second detecting means Calculating means for calculating spatial coordinate position information based on the value; communication means for transferring the spatial coordinate position information calculated by the calculating means to a data processing device; and determining the type of operation mode of the pointer. The data processing device includes: a determination unit; and a control unit that switches and controls the type of data to be transferred from the communication unit based on a determination result by the determination unit. And the spatial coordinate information and other instruction data can be reflected in the data processing.

Further, since the pointer has a pointer for notifying a predetermined instruction to a display object pointed by the cursor on the screen of the data processing device, the cursor is controlled in accordance with the instruction of the pointer. be able to.

Further, the predetermined instruction by the instruction member is any one of a selection instruction, a selection movement instruction, and a start instruction or a combination instruction thereof. Therefore, an operation instruction similar to an ordinary operation of the pointing device is given on the spatial coordinates. It can be carried out.

Also, the state of pressing the pointing member is determined and reset processing is performed with the current spatial coordinate position as a reference position. The operation instruction environment can be freely constructed.

Further, since the calculation means is configured to be detachable from the pointer, the data processing load on the pointing device can be reduced, and the pointing device can be reduced in cost and size.

Since the pointer moves spatially on the space coordinates set based on the external screen area displayed by the external display device, the spatial coordinate information indirectly indicates at a position close to the external display screen. Can be transferred with the coordinate data or the instruction data in which is replaced by the plane coordinate information on the data processing device.

Further, control means for controlling the movement of a cursor displayed on the screen of the display device based on spatial position coordinate information wirelessly transferred from a pointer movable in spatial coordinates by manual operation, Data processing means for performing predetermined processing based on predetermined instruction information wirelessly transferred from a pointer movable in spatial coordinates by means of a pointing processing on spatial position coordinates remote from the data processing apparatus. Can be processed on the data processing device side as a pointing process.

Further, there is provided interface means for communicating with the external display device, and the same screen information as on the screen of the display device is transferred to the external display device via the interface means. A pointing process on spatial position coordinates distant from the data processing device can be reflected on a display screen such as a large display physically separated from the screen.

Further, the control means calculates spatial position coordinate information based on detection data wirelessly transferred from a pointer movable in spatial coordinates by manual operation, and displays a cursor displayed on a screen of a display device. Control the movement of
The operation instruction of the pointer can be reflected on the movement of the cursor displayed on the screen of the display device while reducing the data processing load on the pointer.

A detecting step of detecting the angular velocity of the pointer and the acceleration of the pointer which can freely move on the space coordinates; a calculating step of calculating spatial coordinate position information based on each detected value; A communication step of communicating and transferring the spatial coordinate position information to the data processing apparatus; and a determining step of determining whether the operation mode of the pointer is the detection mode or the transfer mode, based on the determination result. Since the method includes a transfer step of transferring the type of data, it is possible to easily perform a data processing instruction based on an operation instruction on the screen of the external display device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a pointing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of a pointing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure of the pointing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by the pointing device according to the present invention.

[Description of Signs] 1 main body 2 sensor unit 3 integration means 4 selection means 5 controller 6 communication means 7 information processing device

Claims (11)

[Claims] A first detecting means for detecting an angular velocity of a pointer capable of freely moving on spatial coordinates; a second detecting means for detecting an acceleration of the pointer; and the first and second Calculating means for calculating spatial coordinate position information based on each detection value of the detecting means; communication means for communicating and transferring the spatial coordinate position information calculated by the calculating means to a data processing device; operating mode of the pointer A pointing device, comprising: a determination unit that determines the type of the device; and a control unit that controls switching of the type of data to be transferred from the communication unit based on a determination result by the determination unit. 2. The pointing device according to claim 1, wherein the pointer has a pointing member for notifying a display target indicated by a cursor on a screen of the data processing device of a predetermined instruction. 3. The pointing device according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined instruction by the instruction member is any one of a selection instruction, a selection movement instruction, and a start instruction, or a combination instruction thereof. 4. The pointing device according to claim 2, wherein a pressing instruction state of the instruction member is determined, and reset processing is performed using a current spatial coordinate position as a reference position. 5. The pointing device according to claim 1, wherein said calculation means is configured to be detachable from said indicator. 6. The pointing device according to claim 1, wherein the pointer spatially moves on spatial coordinates set based on an external screen area displayed by an external display device. 7. A control means for controlling movement of a cursor displayed on a screen of a display device based on spatial position coordinate information wirelessly transmitted from a pointer movable in spatial coordinates by manual operation, and manual operation. And a data processing means for executing predetermined processing based on predetermined instruction information wirelessly transferred from a pointer movable in spatial coordinates. 8. An interface device for communicating with an external display device, wherein the same screen information as on the screen of the display device is transferred to the external display device via the interface device. 8. The data processing device according to 7. 9. A cursor displayed on a screen of a display device by calculating spatial position coordinate information based on detection data wirelessly transferred from a pointer movable in spatial coordinates by manual operation. 8. The data processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the movement of the data is controlled. 10. A detection step of detecting an angular velocity of a pointer and an acceleration of the pointer that can freely move on space coordinates, a calculation step of calculating spatial coordinate position information based on each detected value, A communication step of transferring the obtained spatial coordinate position information to a data processing device; a determining step of determining whether the operation mode of the indicator is a detection mode or a transfer mode; and different types based on the determination result. And a transfer step of transferring the data. 11. A detecting step of detecting an angular velocity of a pointer and an acceleration of the pointer that can freely move on spatial coordinates, a calculating step of calculating spatial coordinate position information based on each detected value, A communication step of communicating and transferring the obtained spatial coordinate position information to a data processing device; and a determining step of determining whether the operation mode of the pointer is a detection mode or a transfer mode, based on the determination result. And a transfer step of transferring the data of the type. A storage medium storing a computer readable program.