JPH11203043A - Ultrasonic digitizer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digitizer which always transmits ultrasonic signals for digitizing input toward an ultrasonic wave receiving element by means of a digitizer pen having plural ultrasonic wave output means. SOLUTION: This ultrasonic digitizer consists of plural ultrasonic wave receiving elements 3, a lighthouse part 4 which provides a direction of the elements 3, a digitizer control part 5 including a means which demodulates the ultrasonic signals received by the elements 3 to calculate and output a time difference and a means which calculates and outputs coordinates on the display screen of an ultrasonic signal transmission source based on the time difference, and a digitizer pen 1 which includes a direction detection means to detect a direction of the part 4 based on the output signal of the part 4, plural ultrasonic wave output means 11 of different types of directivity and a means which selectively switches the means 11 by the output of the direction detection means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic digitizer having a large screen display as a digitized display screen, and more particularly to an apparatus using a digitizer pen having a plurality of ultrasonic output means having different directivities.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional ultrasonic digitizer. The ultrasonic digitizer device includes a digitizer pen 1 having ultrasonic output means 11,
A plurality of ultrasonic receiving elements 3; a time difference calculating means for demodulating the ultrasonic signals received by the plurality of ultrasonic receiving elements 3 to calculate and output a time difference; and a display screen (display) 2 of an ultrasonic signal transmission source based on the time difference And a digitizer control unit 5 having coordinate calculation means for calculating and outputting the above coordinates. The ultrasonic signal transmitted from the ultrasonic output means 11 is
The ultrasonic wave is received by an ultrasonic wave receiving element 3 such as an ultrasonic microphone arranged at three places in the upper part of the display 2 and is converted into an electric signal. The time difference data between the three ultrasonic receiving elements 3 is calculated and output from the electric signal by the time difference calculating means,
The coordinate calculating means calculates the sound wave propagation velocity (34
(0 m / sec), the coordinate data on the display 2 screen is calculated and output, and the coordinate data is used as a digitizer input. Generally, the operation of the ultrasonic digitizer apparatus such that the large screen display 2 as a display screen as shown in this example is
In many cases, general customers are not dedicated operators but are at show venues. Since the ultrasonic wave output means 11 of the digitizer pen 1 is provided at only one place, the ultrasonic wave signal is emitted in the direction opposite to that of the ultrasonic wave receiving element 3, and as a result, digitizer input cannot be performed or erroneous input may occur. Problems occur.

[0003]

In view of the above problems,
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a digitizer device which uses a digitizer pen having a plurality of ultrasonic output means and always transmits an ultrasonic signal for digitizing input in the direction of an ultrasonic receiving element.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a digitizer device having a large screen display such as a PDP or a liquid crystal projector as a digitized display screen, a lighthouse section for outputting a plurality of ultrasonic receiving elements and a direction in which the ultrasonic receiving elements are installed. Digitizer having time difference calculating means for demodulating ultrasonic signals received by a plurality of ultrasonic receiving elements and calculating and outputting a time difference, and coordinate calculating means for calculating and outputting coordinates on a display screen of an ultrasonic signal transmission source from the time difference. A control unit, a direction detecting unit that detects a direction of the lighthouse unit based on an output signal from the lighthouse unit, a plurality of ultrasonic output units having different directivities, and a unit that selectively switches the ultrasonic output unit by the direction detection unit output. And a digitizer pen.

[0005] Further, the digitizer control unit includes a demodulation unit for demodulating received signals from the plurality of ultrasonic receiving elements,
A time difference calculation unit for calculating and outputting a time difference between the reception signals from the plurality of ultrasonic receiving elements, a coordinate calculation unit for calculating and outputting coordinates on the display screen from the time difference between the reception signals, and supplying a predetermined modulated wave signal And a drive unit for driving and outputting the modulated wave signal to the lighthouse unit.

Further, the signal transmitting means of the lighthouse is an LED
Or an infrared laser element, or an ultrasonic output element such as an ultrasonic speaker.

Further, the ultrasonic receiving element is a microphone or a ceramic ultrasonic sensor for converting an ultrasonic signal into an electric signal.

Further, the digitizer pen is provided with a plurality of direction sensors for receiving output signals from the lighthouse, a selection switching unit for sequentially selecting and switching the direction sensors, and a direction sensor output having the highest level than the output of the selection switching unit. A direction detection unit that detects the direction of the lighthouse, an ultrasonic oscillation unit that oscillates an ultrasonic signal, and a plurality of unidirectional ultrasonic output units,
A drive switching unit that selects an ultrasonic wave output unit closest to the direction of the lighthouse based on the output of the direction detection unit and drives and outputs an ultrasonic signal.

Further, the ultrasonic output means is an ultrasonic output element such as an ultrasonic speaker or an electrostrictive element such as an electrostrictive ferrite which generates an electric distortion by an ultrasonic electric signal.

Further, the direction sensor is a phototransistor for converting and outputting infrared light to an electric signal, a solar cell for generating an electromotive force by infrared light, and a photoelectric conversion device such as a Cds device for changing an internal resistance value by infrared light. An element, an ultrasonic microphone, or a ceramic ultrasonic sensor that converts an ultrasonic signal into an electric signal.

Further, a switch SW1 for performing a click input or the like on the digitizer pen and a switch SW2 for performing a drag input or the like on the digitizer pen.
And a switch unit constituted by the following steps is added, and a click & drag operation function is added to the digitizer pen.

Further, a SW1 shaft having a flange portion at the center slidably from the tip of the digitizer pen housing, a push spring for pushing the SW1 shaft outward from the inside, and the other end of the SW1 shaft , A switch mechanism arranged at the inner end of the push button, a slidable push button inserted into the through hole of the grip portion of the digitizer pen housing, and a switch mechanism arranged at the inner end of the push button. SW2.

Further, the switch mechanism comprises a switch piece obtained by welding a contact to a leaf spring and a metal piece connected to the ground end of the circuit. A magnet piece is provided at the other end of the SW1 shaft or at the inner end of the push button. It is fixed by adhesion or fusion, and a magnetoresistive element is arranged inside the digitizer pen housing, or a magnet piece is fixed to the other end of the SW1 shaft or the internal end of the push button by adhesion or fusion. Then, the magnetic reed switch is arranged inside the digitizer pen housing.

[0014]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an ultrasonic digitizer according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a main part of the same, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a partial cross section of the digitizer pen. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a partial cross section of various switch mechanisms. The schematic operation of this apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. The present apparatus is an ultrasonic digitizer apparatus mainly used by general visitors in an exhibition hall or the like, regardless of a dedicated operator, using a large screen display 2 such as a PDP or a liquid crystal projector as a digitized display screen. Also, since the screen size of the digitizer device is often changed depending on the purpose of display, the digitized screen size is required to be flexible. The apparatus includes an ultrasonic receiving element 3 disposed at three positions, that is, a left end, a right end, and a central part of an upper portion of a display 2, a lighthouse 4 for outputting an upward signal where the ultrasonic receiving element is installed, A digitizer control unit 5 having means for demodulating the ultrasonic signal received by the ultrasonic receiving element 3 and calculating and outputting the time difference, and means for calculating and outputting the coordinates on the display screen of the ultrasonic signal transmission source from the time difference; A digitizer pen having direction detecting means for detecting the direction of the lighthouse section based on an output signal from the section 4, a plurality of ultrasonic output means 11 having different directivities, and means for selectively switching the ultrasonic output means by the output of the direction detecting means; 1 and 1. Ultrasonic receiving element 3 at both left and right ends
As described above, the mutual distance changes depending on the purpose, and each time, the basic condition setting of the coordinate calculation is selected and set. However, since this operation is not directly related to the purpose of the present application, the description is omitted. As the ultrasonic receiving element 3, an ultrasonic microphone, an ultrasonic ceramics sensor, or the like is disposed in a fixed or detachable manner on the display device. The direction detecting means detects the direction of the lighthouse from the signal transmitted by the lighthouse 4 and outputs the ultrasonic signal transmitted from the digitizer pen 1 to the ultrasonic output means 1 having directivity in the direction of the lighthouse.
By selectively switching 1, the output directivity of the ultrasonic signal transmitted from the digitizer pen 1 always faces the lighthouse 4. Detailed description will be made with reference to FIGS. The oscillator 55 oscillates a continuous or intermittent ultrasonic signal, and the ultrasonic signal drives the lighthouse unit 4 by the driving unit 56. The transmitting element of the lighthouse unit 4 is an infrared light emitting diode such as an LED, an infrared light emitting element such as an infrared laser element,
Alternatively, an ultrasonic output element such as an ultrasonic speaker is selected. It is necessary to change the signal form of the oscillator 55 depending on the element used in the lighthouse unit 4, and is set separately due to external noise and the influence on other devices.

In the digitizer pen 1, a direction sensor 14 is arranged near the head of the pen at intervals of 120 degrees with respect to the center axis. The direction sensor 14 includes a phototransistor that converts and outputs infrared light into an electric signal, a solar cell that generates electromotive force by infrared light, and a CdS device that changes the internal resistance value by infrared light according to the method of the lighthouse 4 described above. Infrared light receiving elements such as photoelectric conversion elements,
Alternatively, an ultrasonic sound receiving element such as an ultrasonic microphone or a ceramic ultrasonic sensor that converts an ultrasonic signal into an electric signal is selected. The output of the three direction sensors is selected by the selection switching unit 15
, And is input to the direction detector 16. The direction detection unit 16 detects an input level that is one-half of the distance from the lighthouse unit 4 or one-square of the distance from an ALC (Automatic
Level control) controls the level to the appropriate level, detects the level of the three signals controlled to the appropriate level, and outputs the direction sensor of the maximum level. The ultrasonic transmitter 13 oscillates and outputs a continuous or intermittent ultrasonic signal indicating the location of the digitizer pen. The ultrasonic signal is supplied to the drive switching unit 12
And is output to the ultrasonic output means 11 via the interface, and is output as an ultrasonic wave. At this time, based on the detection output of the direction detection unit 16, the switching control unit 17 issues a control command to the drive switching unit 12 so that the ultrasonic output unit 11 installed at the same angle as the direction sensor 14 of the maximum input is driven. put out. As the ultrasonic output means 11, an ultrasonic output element such as an ultrasonic speaker or an electrostrictive element such as an electrostrictive ferrite that generates an electric distortion by an ultrasonic electric signal is selected.

The ultrasonic signals output from the ultrasonic output means 11 installed in the direction closest to the lighthouse section 4 are received by the ultrasonic receiving elements 3 arranged at the above-mentioned three places, and the corresponding demodulation is performed. Input to the unit 51. The demodulation unit 51 controls the input level to an appropriate level by the ALC function,
The original ultrasonic signal is demodulated and input to the time difference calculator 52. The time difference calculator 52 inputs the remaining two time difference data and the respective ultrasonic receiving element numbers to the coordinate calculator 53 based on the input signal at the earliest timing. Coordinate calculator 53
Is the sound velocity from the time difference data (approximately 340 m / sec)
The coordinate data on the display 2 screen is calculated and output based on the above, and the coordinate data is used as a digitizer output. The system memory 57 stores a control program for each unit of the digitizer control unit.
Control is performed based on a control program stored in the system memory 57, and a control command is issued to each unit.

Further, the digitizer pen 1 has built-in switches (SW1, SW2) 18 and 19 which have a click and drag function required for operating the computer, but this function can be installed outside. It is. S
When W1 is turned on, the switching control unit 17 issues a signal output command to the drive switching unit 12, and further, when SW2 is turned on, issues an output stop command. The configuration and structure of the digitizer pen 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3B is an external view of the ultrasonic digitizer pen viewed from the tip direction. The direction sensors 14 are arranged at 120-degree intervals about the center axis of the pen. (A) shows a partial cross-sectional view of the ultrasonic digitizer pen, in which the above-mentioned functional unit and a battery are built in a pencil-type casing. Further, an ultrasonic output unit 11 is arranged in a pair with the direction sensor 14. Both the ultrasonic signal and the infrared signal are signals having a single directivity, and the transmitting side element and the receiving side element of the signal need to face each other within the directivity range. In the present device, the direction sensor 1
4, the direction of the lighthouse is detected, and an ultrasonic signal is transmitted and output from the ultrasonic output means 11 installed in a pair with the direction sensor 14, thereby satisfying the above-described conditions.

Next, the switch mechanism of the switch section (SW1, SW2) will be described. As shown in (a), the basic configuration is as follows: a SW1 shaft 18a slidable from the distal end of the digitizer pen housing and having a flange portion 18b at the center, and a push spring 18c for pushing the SW1 shaft outward from inside, S
SW1 comprising a switch mechanism 18 disposed at the other end of the W1 shaft 18a, a slidable push button 19a inserted into a through hole of a grip portion of the digitizer pen housing, and an inner end of the push button 19a. And a switch mechanism SW2. The switch mechanism is composed of a switch piece having a contact welded to a leaf spring and a metal piece 20 connected to the ground end of the circuit. FIG.
The magnet pieces 18d and 19b are fixed to the other end of the W1 shaft 18a or the inner end of the push button 19a by bonding or fusion, for example.
The configuration is such that magnetoresistive elements 21a and 21b are arranged on a printed board 21 inside the digitizer pen 1 housing. The description of the ON / OFF operation of the circuit is omitted. FIG.
(B) The other end of the SW1 shaft 18a or the push button 19
The magnetic reed switches 21c and 21d are arranged on the printed circuit board 21 inside the casing of the digitizer pen 1 by fixing the magnet pieces 18d and 19b to the inner end of a by gluing or fusing. The description of the ON / OFF operation of the circuit will be omitted.

[0019]

The present invention is implemented as described above and has the following effects. The direction detecting means detects the direction of the lighthouse part based on a signal transmitted from the lighthouse part, and selectively switches an ultrasonic signal transmitted from the digitizer pen to an ultrasonic output means having directivity in the direction of the lighthouse part. Accordingly, the output directivity of the ultrasonic signal transmitted from the digitizer pen can always be directed toward the lighthouse.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of one embodiment of an ultrasonic digitizer device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a main block diagram of an embodiment of an ultrasonic digitizer according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a partial cross section of the first embodiment of the ultrasonic digitizer pen according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a partial cross section of various embodiments of the switch mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a digitizer device according to the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digitizer pen 2 Display 3 Ultrasonic reception element 4 Lighthouse 5 Digitizer control part 11 Ultrasonic output means 12 Drive switching part 13 Ultrasonic oscillation part 14 Direction sensor 15 Selection switching part 16 Direction detection part 17 Switching control part 18 SW1 18a SW1 Shaft 18b Flange portion 18c Press spring 18d, 19b Magnet piece 19 SW2 19a Push button 20 Metal piece 21 Printed circuit board 21a, 21b Magnetic resistance element 21c 21d Magnetic radar switch 51 Demodulation section 52 Time calculation section 53 Coordinate calculation section 55 Oscillator 56 Drive section 57 System memory 58 Control unit

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. A digitizer device using a large screen display such as a PDP (Plasma Display Panel) or a liquid crystal projector as a digitized display screen, comprising: a plurality of ultrasonic receiving elements; and a signal in a direction in which the ultrasonic receiving elements are installed. A lighthouse for outputting, a time difference calculating means for demodulating an ultrasonic signal received by the plurality of ultrasonic receiving elements and calculating and outputting a time difference, and a coordinate for calculating and outputting coordinates on a display screen of an ultrasonic signal transmitting source from the time difference. A digitizer control unit having an arithmetic unit; a direction detection unit for detecting a direction of the lighthouse unit based on an output signal from the lighthouse unit; a plurality of ultrasonic output units having different directivities; and the ultrasonic output unit; A digitizer pen having means for selecting and switching according to an output, wherein the direction detecting means detects the lighthouse portion from a signal transmitted by the lighthouse portion. The directionality of the ultrasonic signal transmitted from the digitizer pen is detected and switched by selectively switching the ultrasonic signal output from the digitizer pen to the direction of the lighthouse. An ultrasonic digitizer device characterized in that it always faces the lighthouse. 2. A digitizer control unit comprising: a demodulation unit for demodulating received signals from a plurality of ultrasonic receiving elements; and a time difference calculating unit for calculating and outputting a time difference between received signals from a plurality of ultrasonic receiving elements. A coordinate calculator for calculating and outputting coordinates on a display screen from a time difference between the received signals; a transmitter for supplying a predetermined modulated wave signal; and a driver for driving and outputting the modulated wave signal to the lighthouse unit. 2. The ultrasonic digitizer according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The ultrasonic digitizer according to claim 1, wherein the signal transmission means of the lighthouse section is an infrared light emitting diode such as an LED (light emitting diode). 4. An ultrasonic digitizer according to claim 1, wherein said signal transmitting means of said lighthouse is an infrared laser device. 5. An ultrasonic digitizer according to claim 1, wherein said signal transmitting means of said lighthouse is an ultrasonic output element such as an ultrasonic speaker. 6. The ultrasonic digitizer according to claim 1, wherein said ultrasonic receiving element is a microphone. 7. The ultrasonic digitizer according to claim 1, wherein said ultrasonic receiving element is a ceramic ultrasonic sensor for converting an ultrasonic signal into an electric signal. 8. A digitizer pen, comprising: a plurality of direction sensors for receiving an output signal from the lighthouse unit; a selection switching unit for sequentially selecting and switching the direction sensor; and a level higher than the output of the selection switching unit. A direction detector that detects the output of the direction sensor and outputs the direction of the lighthouse, an ultrasonic oscillator that oscillates an ultrasonic signal, a plurality of ultrasonic output units having unidirectionality, and an output of the direction detector. And a drive switching unit that selects the ultrasonic output unit closest to the direction of the lighthouse and drives and outputs the ultrasonic signal. The lighthouse unit output signal is received by a plurality of direction sensors, and the direction detection is performed. The unit detects the direction of the lighthouse from the output of the direction sensor,
2. The ultrasonic digitizer device according to claim 1, wherein the switching control unit selects the ultrasonic output unit closest to the lighthouse direction based on an output signal of the direction detection unit and switches and drives the ultrasonic signal. 9. An ultrasonic digitizer according to claim 8, wherein said ultrasonic output means is an ultrasonic output element such as an ultrasonic speaker. 10. An ultrasonic digitizer according to claim 8, wherein said ultrasonic output means is an electrostrictive element such as an electrostrictive ferrite which generates an electric distortion by an ultrasonic electric signal. 11. An ultrasonic digitizer according to claim 8, wherein said direction sensor is a photodiode for converting and outputting infrared light into an electric signal. 12. The ultrasonic digitizer according to claim 8, wherein said direction sensor is a phototransistor for converting and outputting infrared light into an electric signal. 13. The ultrasonic digitizer according to claim 8, wherein said direction sensor is a solar cell that generates an electromotive force by infrared light. 14. The ultrasonic digitizer according to claim 8, wherein said direction sensor is a photoelectric conversion element such as a CdS device for changing an internal resistance value by infrared light. 15. The ultrasonic digitizer device according to claim 8, wherein said direction sensor is an ultrasonic microphone. 16. The ultrasonic digitizer device according to claim 8, wherein said direction sensor is a ceramic ultrasonic sensor for converting an ultrasonic signal into an electric signal. 17. The digitizer pen further includes a switch unit including a switch SW1 for performing a click input and a switch SW2 for performing a drag input and the like, and a click & drag operation function is added to the digitizer pen. The ultrasonic digitizer according to claim 8, wherein 18. A SW1 shaft slidable from a tip end of the digitizer pen housing and having a flange at a central portion, a push spring for pushing the SW1 shaft outward from inside, and the SW1 shaft. A switch mechanism arranged at the other end of the switch, a slidable push button inserted into a through hole of a grip portion of the digitizer pen housing,
18. A switch comprising a switch mechanism disposed at an inner end of the push button.
An ultrasonic digitizer device as described. 19. The ultrasonic digitizer according to claim 18, wherein said switch mechanism comprises a switch piece having a contact welded to a leaf spring and a metal piece connected to a ground end of a circuit. 20. The switch mechanism, wherein a magnet piece is fixed to the other end of the SW1 shaft or the inner end of the push button by bonding or fusing, and a magnetoresistive element is arranged inside the digitizer pen housing. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein
An ultrasonic digitizer according to claim 8. 21. The switch mechanism, wherein a magnet piece is fixed to the other end of the SW1 shaft or the inner end of the push button by bonding or fusing, and a magnetic reed switch is arranged inside the digitizer pen housing. 19. The ultrasonic digitizer according to claim 18, wherein: