JPH11259223A - Coordinate input device and control method thereof, and computer-readable memory - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable accurate output even when coordinates are inputted plural times within a very short distance by deciding one of a 1st area wherein a 2nd input position includes a 1st input position, a 2nd area around it, and a 3rd area as another area and controlling the output of the coordinate values of the 2nd input position according to the decision. SOLUTION: The 1st area A having its center at the coordinates of a 1st point where an input pen is put down and the 2nd area B surrounding the 1st area A are set. An area which is not included in the 1st area A and 2nd area B is regarded as the 3rd area C. When the 2nd input position following the 1st input position is included in the 1st area A, coordinate output is done because of variation of <= one pixel. When the 2nd input position is included in the 2nd area B, is the possibility of fluctuations of the coordinate values, so the coordinate values are not outputted. When the 2nd input position is included in 3rd area C, it is considered that normal input has been done and then the coordinate values are outputted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a coordinate input device for outputting a coordinate value indicating an input position, a control method thereof, and a computer-readable memory.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a coordinate input device, there has been known a device for pointing on a tablet using input means such as an input pen and inputting coordinates. As a method of calculating the input coordinates, there are a method using electromagnetism, a method using static electricity, a method using a resistive film, and the like. Further, a coordinate input device that calculates coordinates input using ultrasonic waves disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-62771 detects a delay time of a wave propagating on a tablet as an input surface. This is a method of calculating input coordinates. In this method, there is no need to perform any work on the tablet, such as a matrix-shaped electric wire, so that an inexpensive device can be provided. Moreover, if a transparent sheet glass is used for the tablet, a coordinate input device with higher transparency than other methods can be configured.

In such a coordinate input device, the accuracy of the coordinate input includes a static deviation with respect to an absolute coordinate position and a dynamic fluctuation in a minute area. As the static displacement, for example, the absolute position (1
01, 101). For example, there is known a method of performing the shift correction in this case by holding a correction table.

On the other hand, the dynamic fluctuation is that the coordinate value indicating the input position fluctuates irrespective of whether the input pen is fixed at one point which is the input position. In order to prevent such a fluctuation, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, when the coordinate A of the first point which is the input position is detected, a ± constant suppression area is set around the coordinate value. . Then, whether or not to output the coordinate value of the coordinate B is controlled depending on whether or not the coordinate B which is the next input position exists in this coordinate area. By doing so, dynamic fluctuations are suppressed, and the user can use the coordinate input device without fluctuations.

[0005]

However, in the case of suppressing the above-mentioned dynamic fluctuations in coordinate input as in the prior art, if the input speed is higher than a certain speed V as shown in FIG. Although the output of the coordinates, which is the position, is possible, if the input speed is slow and the amount of movement of the input pen is small, it may not be possible to output the coordinates, which is the input position, despite the input. Was. For example, in FIG. 8, x marks a and b are not recognized as coordinates, and their coordinate values are not output. As a more specific example, if a certain figure is moved on the screen and alignment is performed in units of display dots, if the suppression area is set to be longer than the display dot interval, alignment cannot be performed. Problems arise.

As described above, in a conventional coordinate input device having a suppression area in coordinate input, when coordinates are input a plurality of times within a very short distance, all of the input positions are accurately output. I couldn't do that.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and even when coordinates are input a plurality of times within a minute distance while considering fluctuations in coordinate values, the coordinates of the input position are not determined. It is an object of the present invention to provide a coordinate input device, a control method thereof, and a computer-readable memory capable of accurately outputting a coordinate.

[0008]

A coordinate input device according to the present invention for achieving the above object has the following arrangement.
That is, a coordinate input device that outputs a coordinate value indicating an input position, wherein a second input position following the first input position is set in a first region including the first input position as a center and around the first region. Third region other than the second region, the first region and the second region
A determination unit that determines which of the regions the image belongs to; and a control unit that controls output of a coordinate value of the second input position based on a determination result of the determination unit.

Preferably, the determining means includes a calculating means for calculating a difference between the first input position and the second input position, and the second input position is calculated based on a calculation result of the calculating means. To which of the first, second, and third regions belongs.

Preferably, when the determination means determines that the second input position belongs to the second area, the control means does not output the coordinate value of the second input position.

Preferably, when the determination means determines that the second input position belongs to the first area and there is an input position subsequent to the second input position belonging to the first area, The control means calculates an average value of coordinate values of each input position including the second input position belonging to the first area, and outputs the average value as a coordinate value of the second input position.

Preferably, the control means changes a sampling rate in outputting coordinate values based on a result of the determination by the determination means.

A control method of a coordinate input device according to the present invention for achieving the above object has the following configuration. That is,
A method of controlling a coordinate input device that outputs a coordinate value indicating an input position, wherein a second input position following the first input position is a first input position.
A determination step of determining which of a first area including the input position at the center, a second area set around the first area, and a third area other than the first area and the second area; A control step of controlling the output of the coordinate value of the second input position based on the determination result of the determination step.

A computer-readable memory according to the present invention for achieving the above object has the following configuration. That is,
A computer-readable memory storing a program code for controlling a coordinate input device that outputs a coordinate value indicating an input position, wherein a second input position following the first input position includes a first input position centered on the first input position. An area, a second area set around the first area, a program code of a determination step of determining whether the area belongs to a third area other than the first area and the second area, and a determination result of the determination step And a program code for a control step of controlling output of the coordinate value of the second input position based on the

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. [Embodiment 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a coordinate input device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an arithmetic control circuit for controlling the entire apparatus and calculating a coordinate position. 2 is a vibrator drive circuit, which is built in the vibration input pen 3;
The vibrator 4 (piezoelectric element such as PZT) in the vibration input pen 3 is driven by the pen drive signal output from the arithmetic and control circuit 1. The vibration generated by the vibrator 4 passes through the horn and causes the pen tip 5 to vibrate. Reference numeral 8 denotes a vibration transmission plate made of a transparent member such as a glass plate. The coordinate input by the vibration input pen 3 is applied to a coordinate input effective area on the vibration transmission plate 8 (a region indicated by a solid line A in the figure: hereinafter, effective). Area)
This is done by touching. A vibration isolator 7 is provided on the outer periphery of the vibration transmitting plate 8 to prevent (reduce) the vibration input by the vibration input pen 3 from being reflected at the end face of the vibration transmitting plate 8 from returning to the center. And vibration sensors 6a to 6b that convert mechanical vibration of a piezoelectric element or the like into an electric signal at the boundary.
d is fixed.

The vibrations detected by the vibration sensors 6a to 6d are amplified by preamplifiers 12a to 12d and then input to a signal waveform detection circuit 9. Then, the signal waveform detection circuit 9 performs signal processing, outputs the processing result to the arithmetic and control circuit 1, and calculates coordinates. The details of the signal waveform detection circuit 9 will be described later. Reference numeral 11 denotes a display such as a liquid crystal display, which is arranged behind the vibration transmission plate 8.
Then, the arithmetic and control circuit 1 outputs the position traced by the vibration input pen 3 to a host device such as a personal computer. The host device drives the display drive circuit 10 based on the coordinates indicated by the position, and can display the regulation of the vibration input pen 3 as if writing with a writing instrument on paper. I have.

The vibration frequency of the vibrator 4 is selected to a value at which a plate wave can be generated on the vibration transmission plate 8. Further, the elastic wave propagating through the vibration transmission plate 8 is a plate wave, and has an advantage that the surface of the vibration transmission plate 8 is less susceptible to scratches, obstacles, and the like than surface waves.

The arithmetic and control circuit 1 operates at predetermined intervals (for example,
The coordinate acquisition operation is repeated every 10 ms) and the vibration input pen 3
Output of the coordinate information and the pen pressure information. In the coordinate acquisition operation, a plurality of vibration sensors 6a to 6d are sequentially selected,
The arrival delay time of the elastic wave is detected for each of the vibration sensors 6a to 6d. The arrival delay time includes a group delay time tg based on the group velocity of the plate wave and a phase delay time tp based on the phase velocity.
The distance between the vibration input pen 3 and each of the vibration sensors 6a to 6d is calculated based on the two delay times. The vibration input pen 3 is connected to the vibration input pen 3 via a cord.
Various controls such as power supply to the system are performed. In the first embodiment, a coordinate input device using a vibration input pen is described as an example of the coordinate input unit, but the coordinate input unit is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a coordinate input device for inputting coordinates using electromagnetic, electrostatic, resistive films and the like.

Next, an area set for controlling output of coordinates will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an area set for controlling output of coordinates according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 2, when a coordinate which is a position of a first point at which the input pen is pen-down with respect to the coordinate plane is set as a reference, a first area A centered on the coordinate and a periphery of the first area A are defined. The second area B is set so as to surround it. Further, a region not included in the first region A and the second region B is referred to as a third region C.
And

Even if the input pen is not moved,
Due to the influence of noise or the like, the coordinate value of the input position of the input pen may fluctuate by several pixels. Therefore, the first area A is set as an area of ± R1 pixels around the input coordinates and the second area B is set as an area of ± R2 pixels (fluctuation width) around the input coordinates. Here, the values of R1 and R2 may be determined in consideration of the fluctuation of the coordinate value output from the coordinate input device. For example, when the fluctuation width of the coordinate value is included in ± 2 to 3 pixels, R1 is determined. One pixel and R2 are set to three pixels. Of course, a fluctuation width larger than the actual fluctuation width may be set in order to guarantee an error.

When these three areas are set, following the coordinates (x1, y1) as the first input position,
ΔX = x1−x2 (1) ΔY = y1−y2 (2) is calculated from the coordinates (x2, y2) as the second input position. Then, the calculated ΔX and ΔY are equal to the above 3
One of the two areas is determined. That is, ΔX,
If ΔY is ΔX ≦ R1, ΔY ≦ R1, the first region A is R1 <ΔX ≦ R2, if R1 <ΔY ≦ R2, the second region B is ΔX> R2, and if ΔY> R2 is the third region C. .

The output of the coordinate values is controlled based on the result of the determination.

For example, when the second input position is included in the first area A, since the change is smaller than R1 pixel, the coordinate output is performed. When the second input position is included in the second area B, the coordinate value is not output because there is a possibility that the coordinate value fluctuates. Alternatively, if the configuration is such that the output of coordinate values must be output continuously, the coordinate values serving as the first reference may be output. Also,
When the second input position is included in the third area C, it is determined that a normal input has been performed, and the coordinate value is output.

When the coordinate values are output, the three areas are reset using the output coordinate values as new reference values, and the same processing is repeated for subsequent inputs.

As described above, by controlling the output of the coordinate values, even if the input of the coordinates is performed a plurality of times within a minute distance, that is, the movement amount from the first input position to the second input position is minute. Even in such a case, it is possible to accurately output the coordinate value of each input position.

Next, the processing executed in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing executed in the first embodiment of the present invention.

First, in step S52, the coordinate value of the input position is obtained. When the coordinate value cannot be obtained (at the time of pen-up), the obtaining operation is repeated. When the coordinate values have been obtained, it is determined in step S53 whether or not the coordinates are the first point (the first coordinate value of pen-down). If it is the first point (YES in step S53), the coordinate value is output in step S57 without making any determination. Then, in step S58, the output coordinate values are stored as reference coordinate values.

On the other hand, if the acquired coordinate value is not the first point (NO in step S53), the flow advances to step S54 to calculate a difference between the acquired coordinate value and the previously stored reference coordinate value. Next, in step S55, it is determined based on the calculated difference value in which region the acquired coordinate value is included. In the case of the first embodiment, it is determined whether or not the acquired coordinate value is included in the second area B in order to suppress the coordinate value of only the second area B. When the acquired coordinate value is not included in the second area B (NO in step S55), that is, when the acquired coordinate value is included in the first area A or the third area C, step S57 is performed.
To output the coordinate values in the same manner as the first point. Then, in step S58, the coordinate value is updated as a new reference coordinate value.

On the other hand, if the acquired coordinate value is included in the second area B (YES in step S55), step S56
When the present apparatus continuously requests output of coordinate values, the apparatus outputs reference coordinate values. If the present apparatus does not request continuous coordinate output, the coordinate value need not be output.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, even when coordinates are input a plurality of times within a small distance, the coordinate values of the input position can be accurately calculated while considering the fluctuation of the coordinate values. Can be output. [Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the output of coordinate values is controlled based on the three regions. However, the output of coordinate values can be controlled for each of the three regions.

For example, when the fluctuation of one pixel frequently occurs in the first area A, the usability deteriorates. Therefore, when there are a plurality of coordinate values acquired in the first area A, it is possible to reduce the fluctuation by averaging the coordinate values.

Then, the coordinate values acquired first are output, but the coordinate values acquired thereafter are averaged. Also, the first
When averaging all the coordinate values acquired in the area A, the average value XaveN and the acquired X
Coordinate value XN + 1, new average value XaveN + 1 at X coordinate value
Then, XaveN + 1 = XaveN + (XN + 1-XaveN) / (N + 1) (3), and the Y coordinate value can be calculated by the same formula.

It is also possible to fix the number of coordinates for averaging coordinate values. In this case,
A storage area such as O is provided to store the acquired coordinate values. Then, an average of the stored coordinate values may be output, and each time the coordinate values are output, the sequentially acquired coordinate values may be replaced.

Furthermore, if the acquired coordinate value is a large movement that extends to the third area C, the above-described averaging may limit sharp inputs and may not be suitable for the above processing. . Therefore, it is effective to perform the above averaging only when there is not much movement due to a low-speed input such that a coordinate value is obtained in the first area A.

The processing executed at this time will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing executed in the second embodiment of the present invention.

First, in step S62, the coordinate value of the input position is obtained. When the coordinate values can be obtained, step S63
Then, it is determined whether or not the coordinate value is the first point. If it is the first point (YES in step S63), without making any determination, the coordinate value is set as the output coordinate in step S64. Next, in step S65, the coordinate values of the set output coordinates are set as reference coordinate values. In step S66, the coordinate value of the set output coordinates is set to the average value, and the average number (N in equation (3)) is cleared. Then, in step S75, the set coordinate values are output.

On the other hand, if the acquired coordinate value is not the first point (NO in step S63), the flow advances to step S67 to calculate a difference between the acquired coordinate value and the previously stored reference coordinate value. Next, in step S68, it is determined whether or not the obtained coordinate value is included in the first area A based on the calculated difference value. If the acquired coordinate value is included in the first area A (YES in step S68), the process proceeds to step S69, where the average value is recalculated with the average value so far and the coordinate value acquired this time, and the average number is incremented. . Next, in step S70, the recalculated average value is set as the coordinate value of the output coordinates. Next, in step S71, the calculated average value is set as a reference coordinate value. And step S
At 75, the set reference coordinate value is output.

On the other hand, if the acquired coordinate value is not included in the first area A (NO in step S68), step S72
Then, it is determined whether or not the acquired coordinate value is included in the second area B. When the acquired coordinate value is included in the second area B (YES in step S72), the reference coordinate value is set as the output coordinate. Then, in step S75, the set reference coordinate values are output.

On the other hand, if the acquired coordinate value is not included in the second area B (NO in step S72), step S74.
To set the acquired coordinate values as the reference coordinate value and the average value, and clear the average number of times. Then, step S75
Then, the obtained coordinate values are output.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to control the output of the coordinate values for each set area while obtaining the effects described in the first embodiment. [Embodiment 3] It is also possible to control the coordinate acquisition interval (sampling rate) for each of the three regions. For example, if the acquired coordinate value is a large movement that extends to the third area C, the input point must be moved very quickly. In such a case, by setting a high sampling rate, it is possible to output accurate coordinate values.

On the other hand, if the acquired coordinate value is a small movement that extends to the first area A and the second area B, a high sampling rate may result in many identical coordinate values being output. Unnecessary processing may be increased. Therefore, in such a case, by setting a low sampling rate, it is possible to output accurate coordinate values without imposing a large load on processing.

As an example for the above three areas, in the first area A and the second area B, frequent output of coordinate values is avoided by reducing the sampling rate.
In the third area C, it is possible to output accurate coordinate values by increasing the sampling rate.

The processing executed at this time will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing executed in the third embodiment of the present invention.

First, in step S82, the coordinate value of the input position is obtained. If the coordinates can be obtained, step S83
Then, it is determined whether or not the coordinate value is the first point. If it is the first point (YES in step S83), the coordinate value is output in step S84 without any determination. Then, in step S94, the output coordinate values are set as reference coordinate values.

On the other hand, if the acquired coordinate value is not the first point (NO in step S83), the flow advances to step S86 to calculate a difference between the acquired coordinate value and the previously stored reference coordinate value. Next, in step S87, it is determined whether or not the acquired coordinate value is included in the first area A based on the calculated difference value. If the acquired coordinate value is included in the first area A (YES in step S87), the process proceeds to step S88, and the acquired coordinate value is output. Next, step S92
To lower the sampling rate. Then, in step S94, the output coordinate values are set as reference coordinate values.

On the other hand, if the acquired coordinates are not included in the first area A (NO in step S87), the flow advances to step S89 to determine whether or not the obtained coordinate values are included in the second area B. If the acquired coordinate value is included in the second area B (YES in step S89), the reference coordinate value is output.
Next, in step S92, the sampling rate is set to a low speed. Then, in step S94, the output coordinate values are set as reference coordinate values.

On the other hand, if the acquired coordinate value is not included in the second area B (NO in step S89), step S91
To output the coordinate values. Next, step S93
To set the sampling rate to high speed. Then, in step S94, the output coordinate values are set as reference coordinate values.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, it is possible to control the output of the coordinate values for each set area while obtaining the effects described in the first embodiment.

Even if the present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), a device including one device (for example, a copier, a facsimile machine) Etc.).

Another object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and to provide a computer (or CPU) of the system or apparatus.
And MPU) read and execute the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, 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, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or 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 the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) May perform some or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize 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, It goes without saying that the CPU included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0061]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A coordinate input device, a control method thereof, and a computer-readable memory capable of accurately outputting coordinates, which are input positions, even when coordinates are input a plurality of times within a minute distance while considering fluctuations in coordinate values Can be provided.

[0062]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a coordinate input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an area set to control output of coordinates according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process executed in a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process executed in a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an area set for controlling output of coordinates in the related art.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a conventional problem.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a conventional problem.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Operation control circuit 2 Oscillator drive circuit 3 Oscillation input pen 4 Oscillator 5 Pen tip 6a-6d Vibration sensor 7 Vibration-proof material 8 Vibration transmission board 9 Signal waveform detection circuit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yuichiro Yoshimura 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Katsuyuki Kobayashi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inside the corporation

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A coordinate input device for outputting a coordinate value indicating an input position, wherein a second input position following the first input position is a first area including the first input position as a center, Determining means for determining to which of a second area set around the third area other than the first area and the second area belongs; and determining the second input position based on a determination result of the determining means. A coordinate input device comprising: control means for controlling output of coordinate values. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit includes a calculating unit configured to calculate a difference between the first input position and the second input position, wherein the second input position is determined based on a calculation result of the calculating unit. The coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein it is determined which of the first area, the second area, and the third area belongs to. 3. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein when the determination unit determines that the second input position belongs to the second area, the control unit does not output the coordinate value of the second input position. 2. The coordinate input device according to 1. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second input position belongs to the first area, and the second input position belongs to the first area.
When it is determined that there is an input position subsequent to the input position, the control means calculates an average value of coordinate values of each input position including the second input position belonging to the first area, and calculates the average value. The coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein the coordinate input device outputs the coordinate value of the second input position. 5. The coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes a sampling rate in outputting coordinate values based on a result of the determination by the determination unit. 6. A control method of a coordinate input device for outputting a coordinate value indicating an input position, wherein the second input position following the first input position is a first area including the first input position as a center, A determining step of determining which of a second area set around one area and a third area other than the first area and the second area belongs to the second area, based on a determination result of the determining step, A control step of controlling output of coordinate values of the input position. 7. The determining step includes a calculating step of calculating a difference between the first input position and the second input position, wherein the second input position is determined based on a calculation result of the calculating step. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein it is determined which of the first area, the second area, and the third area belongs to. 8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the control step does not output a coordinate value of the second input position when the second input position is determined to belong to the second area by the determining step. The control method of the coordinate input device according to claim 1. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second input position belongs to the first area and the second input position belongs to the first area.
When it is determined that there is an input position following the input position, the control step calculates an average value of coordinate values of each input position including the second input position belonging to the first area, and calculates the average value. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the coordinate value is output as a coordinate value of the second input position. 10. A method according to claim 1, wherein:
7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the control unit changes a sampling rate in outputting the coordinate value. 11. A computer-readable memory storing a program code for controlling a coordinate input device for outputting a coordinate value indicating an input position, wherein a second input position following the first input position corresponds to the first input position. A program code for a determination step of determining which of a first area included in the center, a second area set around the first area, and a third area other than the first area and the second area; A program code for a control step of controlling output of a coordinate value of the second input position based on a result of the determination in the determination step.