JPS63120324A - Coordinate input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To decide the coordinate input of a vibration input point and to improve operability with a coordinate input device, by securing a contact between 1st and 2nd vibration transmitting plates with deformation and detecting the vibrations supplied via the contact point by each vibration sensor. CONSTITUTION:The 1st and 2nd vibration transmitting plates 8a and 8b are set to a coordinate input device with a prescribed space secured between them. The plate 8a contains plural vibration sensors 6 and vibratos 4a and 4b that give vibrations to the plates 8a and 8b respectively. Then vibrations are applied to the plate 8a by a vibration pen 3 and the vibrations of the plate 8a are detected by the sensors 6 and then by a signal waveform detecting circuit 9. The vibrator 4a in the pen 3 is driven by a vibration generating part driving circuit 2 to convert the electrical vibrations into ultrasonic wave vibrations. These vibrations are applied to the plate 8a. Then a contact is secured between both plates 8a and 8b with the coordinate input of the pen 3. The input vibrations are detected by each sensor 6 via said contact point and the coordinate input position is decided by an arithmetic control circuit 1.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention "Industrial Application Field" The present invention relates to a coordinate input device, in particular, a coordinate input device that detects vibrations input to a vibration transmission plate using a plurality of sensors provided on the vibration transmission plate, and detects vibrations input to the vibration transmission plate. The present invention relates to a coordinate input device that detects the coordinates of a vibration input point on a vibration transmission plate from a delay time.

[Prior Art] Coordinate input devices using various input devices, tab sheets, etc. are known as devices for inputting single characters, figures, etc. into a processing device such as a computer.

In this type of system, input image information consisting of characters, figures, etc. is output to a display device such as a CRT display or a recording device such as a printer.

The following various methods are known for detecting the coordinates of a tablet in this type of device.

1) A method that detects changes in the resistance value of a sheet material placed opposite the resistive film.

2) A method of detecting 'iTi magnetic or electrostatic induction from conductive sheets placed opposite each other.

3) A method that detects a sonic vibrations transmitted from the input pen to the tablet.

In methods 1) and 2), it is difficult to form a transparent tablet because a resistive film or a conductive film is used. On the other hand, in method 3), the tablet can be constructed from a transparent material such as an acrylic plate or a glass plate, so the input tablet can be placed on a liquid crystal display or the like, making it feel as if the image is being read on a piece of paper. It is possible to configure an information input/output device that can be used and has a good operational feel.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, the above-mentioned ultrasonic vibration method has a problem in that it requires a special input pen called a vibrating pen. In other words, it is quite cumbersome to perform input work by dragging a vibrating pen around with signal lines for synchronizing with the vibration detection side and signal lines for supplying power supply voltage, and it is quite cumbersome to input data using a finger or ordinary pen. There is a problem in that the operability is inferior to other methods that allow input using a pen.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, vibrations input to the vibration transmission plate are detected by a plurality of sensors provided on the vibration transmission plate, and the vibrations are transmitted. In a coordinate input device that detects the coordinates of a vibration input point on a vibration transmission plate from a vibration delay time on the plate, a first
and a second vibration transmission plate, a plurality of vibration sensors provided on the first and second transmission plates, a vibrator that applies vibration to the first and second vibration transmission plates, and the first vibration transmission plate. a vibrating pen that inputs vibration to the vibration sensor; and means for detecting the coordinates of a vibration input point on the first vibration transmission plate based on a vibration detection signal output by a vibration sensor of the first vibration transmission plate; The coordinates at the first vibration transmission plate -1- of the vibrating pen, or the coordinates given to the il or the second vibration transmission plate when the first vibration transmission plate and the second vibration transmission plate are brought into contact. We adopted a configuration that detects the coordinates of the vibration transmission point.

According to the configuration described above, in addition to inputting coordinates using a vibrating pen, the first or second vibration transmitting plates are deformed with a finger, an ordinary pen, a pencil, etc., and the two are brought into contact with each other. 1st
The coordinates of the vibration input point can be determined by detecting the vibration input to the first or second vibration transmission plate via the contact point using the vibration sensor of the first or second vibration transmission plate.

[Example] The present invention will now be described in detail based on an example shown in the drawings.

Figure 1 shows 1 unreleased! This figure shows the structure of a coordinate human-powered device that employs jl. The device shown in Figure 1 is capable of not only detecting coordinates using a vibrating pen, but also inputting coordinates by directly operating the tablet with a finger, pencil, etc. without using a vibrating pen (this operating mode is hereinafter referred to as touch panel mode). It is considered.

In the figure, a vibration transmitting plate 8a is made of acrylic, glass, or the like and transmits vibrations transmitted from the vibrating pen 3 to three vibration sensors 6 provided at its corners. In coordinate detection using a vibrating pen in this example,
By measuring the transmission time of the ultrasonic vibration transmitted from the vibrating pen 3 to the vibration sensor 6 via the vibration transmitting plate 8a, the coordinates of the vibrating pen 3 on the vibration transmitting plate 8a are detected.

The vibration transmitting plate 8a has its peripheral portion covered with an anti-reflection material 7 made of silicone rubber or the like in order to prevent vibrations transmitted from the vibrating pen 3 from being reflected at the peripheral portion and returning toward the center. Supported.

The vibration ben 3 that transmits ultrasonic vibrations to the vibration transmission plate 8a has a vibrator 4a made of a piezoelectric element inside, and a vibrator 4a with a sharp tip for amplifying the ultrasonic vibration generated by the vibrator 4a. The vibration is transmitted to the vibration transmission plate 8a via the horn portion 5.

FIG. 2(A) shows the structure of the vibrating vent 3. A vibrator 4 a built in the vibrating ben 3 is driven by a vibrator drive circuit 2 . The drive signal for the vibrator 4a is supplied as a low-level pulse signal from the arithmetic and control circuit 1 shown in FIG. is applied to

'The mechanical drive signal is converted to mechanical Jl by the vibrator 4a.
fl is converted into sweat wave vibration and transmitted through the horn section 5 to the diaphragm 8.
transmitted to.

The vibration frequency of the vibrator 4a is selected to a value that can generate plate waves on the vibration transmission plate 8a made of acrylic, glass, or the like. Further, when driving the vibrator, a vibration mode is selected in which the vibrator 4a mainly vibrates in the vertical direction as shown in FIG. 2(A) with respect to the vibration transmission plate 8a. Further, by setting the vibration frequency of the vibrator 4a to the resonance frequency of the vibrator 4a, efficient vibration conversion can be achieved.

Vibration transmission plate 8a from vibration ben 3 configured as described above
The polar wave transmitted to the vibration transmitting plate 8a is a plate wave, which has the advantage that it is less affected by scratches on the surface of the vibration transmission plate 8a, obstacles, etc. compared to surface waves.

Again, in FIG. 1, the vibration sensor 6 provided at the corner of the vibration transmission plate 8a is also constituted by a mechanical to electrical conversion element such as a piezoelectric element. The output signals of each of the three vibration sensors 6 are input to the waveform detection circuit 9, and the subsequent arithmetic control circuit l
is converted into a processable detection signal. The arithmetic control circuit 1 performs vibration transmission time X + constant processing, and the vibration bend 3
The coordinate position of the vibration transmitting plate 8aL is detected.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, a vibration transmission plate 8b is provided in addition to the vibration vent 3 as a member for inputting vibrations to the vibration transmission plate 8a. The vibration transmission plate 8b is made of the same material as the vibration transmission plate 8a and is supported by a material 7 for anti-reflection, and a vibrator 4b made of a piezoelectric element or the like is provided at the negative corner of the vibration transmission plate 8b. This vibrator 4b is also driven by the same drive signal as that of the vibrating vane 3 described above.

The vibration transmission plate 8b provided with the vibrator 4b is disposed opposite to the vibration transmission plate 8a having the vibration sensor 6 with a predetermined pressure apart via a spacer 8C, as shown in FIG. 2(C).

The vibration of the vibrator 4b is caused by the operator pushing down the vibration transmission plate 8a on the L side with his finger F to deform it as shown in FIG. 2(B), and bringing it into contact with the lower vibration transmission plate 8b. The vibration is transmitted to the side vibration transmission plate 8a. Lower vibration transmission plate 8
The vibration b is transmitted to the vibration transmission plate 8a via the contact point P of the vibration transmission plates 8a and 8b. Therefore, by detecting vibration using the vibration sensor 6 described in 1 and measuring the vibration delay time, it is possible to detect the contact point P even in the finger operation mode.
The coordinates of can be detected.

The configuration and coordinate calculation processing of the arithmetic control circuit 1 will be described in detail below, but since the arithmetic processing is different depending on whether the vibration vent 3 is used or not, the arithmetic control circuit 1 has a mode switching function as shown in Fig. 1. The switch 1a is connected, and this switch sets the vibration ben mode using the vibrating ben 3,
Alternatively, it is possible to switch between a touch panel mode using the finger F or other members.

FIG. 3 shows the structure of the arithmetic control circuit l shown in FIG.

Here, a structure 6''i of a vibration detection system using a vibration sensor 6 and a drive system for the vibrators 4a and 4b of the vibration bender 3 and the vibration transmission plate 8b is mainly shown.

The microcomputer 11 includes an internal counter, ROM, and RAM. The drive signal generation circuit 12
It outputs a drive pulse of a predetermined frequency to the vibrator drive circuit 2 shown in the figure, and is activated by the microcomputer 11 in synchronization with the coordinate calculation circuit.

The count value of the counter 13 is latched into the latch circuit 14 by the microcomputer 11.

On the other hand, the waveform detection circuit 9 shown in FIG.
Outputs 9-ing information. This timing information is input to input ports 1-15, respectively.

The timing signal inputted from the waveform detection circuit 9 is inputted to the input port t-15j, and is compared with the count value in the lira latch circuit 14 by the 'l'1 constant circuit 16.
The information is transmitted to the microcomputer 11. That is, the vibration transmission time is expressed as the latch value of the output data of the counter 13, and the vibration transmission time value is used to determine the position of the seat! ! :! An operation is performed.

The output control process for display D l 1' is performed by the human output boat 17.
This is done via I7.

FIG. 4 explains the detected waveform input to the waveform detection circuit 9 of the first fj and the measurement process of the vibration transmission time based on the detected waveform. In FIG. 4, the reference numeral 41 indicates the vibration bender 3 and the vibrators 4a and 4 of the vibration transmission plate 8b.
The driving signal (-) pulse applied to b.

First, coordinate calculation in vibration Benn mode will be explained.

Vibration transmission J+78 from vibration transmission plate 8b or vibration ben 3
The vibration transmitted to the vibration sensor 6 travels within the vibration transmission plate 8a for a time tg corresponding to the distance to the vibration sensor 6, and then reaches the vibration sensor 6.

Reference numeral 42 in FIG. 4 indicates a signal waveform detected by the vibration sensor 6. The plate wave used in this embodiment is a dispersive wave, so the relationship between the envelope 421 and phase 422 of the detected waveform with respect to the propagation distance within the vibration transmission plate 8a changes during vibration transmission according to the transmission distance. do.

Here, the speed at which the envelope advances is assumed to be group velocity vg, and the phase velocity is assumed to be Vp. From this difference in group velocity and phase velocity, one stroke in the distance between the vibration sensor 3 and the vibration sensor 6 can be detected.

First, if we focus only on the first envelope 421, its velocity is Vg, and if we detect a certain point, for example, the peak of the waveform J2, as indicated by reference numeral 43 in FIG.
and the distance d between the vibration sensor 6 is the vibration transmission time tg, d=Vgφt, ff...(
1). Although this equation relates to one of the vibration sensors 6, the same equation can indicate the distance between the other two vibration sensors 6 and the vibration human power I-P.

Furthermore, in order to determine coordinate values with more jΩi accuracy, 1
To detect the phase value - 1, a specific detection point of the phase waveform 422 in FIG. and the distance d between the vibration bends is d=n@λp+Vp cut p - (2) where input p is the wavelength of the elastic wave and n is an integer.

From formula (1) and (2) of IFj, we get E! ! ! l&
n is n=[(Vgllt g−VpHt p)/input p
+l/N]...(3). Here, N is a real number other than O, and the number &j is used. For example, if N=2, n can be determined within ±1/2 wavelength. n obtained as described above can be determined.

By substituting n obtained as above into equation (2), the distance between the vibration vent 3 and the vibration sensor 6 can be accurately determined by A1.
1l can be determined.

The two vibration transmission times tg and tp shown in FIG. 4 are measured by the waveform detection circuit 9 shown in FIG. The waveform detection circuit 9 is constructed as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 5, the output signal of the vibration sensor 6 is amplified to a predetermined level by a preamplifier circuit 51. The amplified signal is input to the envelope detection circuit 52, and only the envelope of the detection signal is extracted. The timing of the peak of the extracted envelope is detected by the envelope peak detection circuit 53. The peak detection signal is detected by a signal detection circuit 54 composed of a mono multivibrator, etc.
The envelope 8-speed time detection signal Tg has a predetermined waveform.
is formed and input to the arithmetic control circuit l.

Further, a phase delay time detection signal Tp is formed by a comparator detection circuit 58 from this Tg signal 2 and the original signal delayed by the delay time adjustment circuit 57, and is inputted to the arithmetic control circuit l.

The circuit shown below is for one vibration sensor 6, and the same circuit is provided for each of the other sensors.

If the number of sensors is generalized to h, then h detection signals each having an envelope delay time Tgl to h1 phase delay time Tpl-h are input to the arithmetic control circuit 1.

In the arithmetic control circuit of FIG. 3, the above Tgl~h, Tp1~
The h signal is input from the input port 15, and the count value of the counter 13 is taken into the latch circuit 14 using each timing as a trigger.As mentioned above, the counter 13 is started in synchronization with the drive of the vibrator pen. The latch circuit 14 has envelope and phase a i
Data indicating f time is captured.

When three vibration sensors 6 are arranged at the positions S1 to S3 at the corners of the vibration transmission plate 8a as shown in FIG. Straight line distance to the position of vibration sensor 6 R1i d 1
" d 3 can be obtained.Furthermore, the coordinates (X, y) of the position P of the vibrating vent 3 can be obtained from the three-square theorem using the following equation based on the linear distances d1 to d3 using the arithmetic control circuit l. I can do it.

Here, X and Y are distances along the X and Y axes between the vibration sensor 6 at the positions S2 and S3 and the sensor at the origin (position S l ).

In the manner described above, the position coordinates of the vibrating pen 3 can be detected in real time. Here, distance d, to d]
The sum and difference of A=dl +d2. B=dl-d
2. Define C=d, →-d:>, D=di-d knee 1.

Next, the coordinate calculation at touch panel mode 1;'+y will be explained.9 As shown in FIG. 1, it is assumed that the vibrator 4b of the vibration transmission plate 8b is mounted at the origin position 2tSl in FIG.

In this case, as is clear from FIG. 6, Sl, S2, S
Since the vibration is transmitted through both the vibration transmission plates 8a and 8b, the distance information obtained by the vibration sensor 6 at each position of 3 is as follows.

Sl: 2-d, =I 32: dB + d2 = A S3: dl + d3=C Therefore, even in touch panel mode.

From the information obtained from Sl and S2, B=d1-d2, D=d
ld: (each value of 11), and these can be (4
) and (5), the coordinates (x, y) of the vibration input point P can be determined in real time.

1- The values of A, A and C are as in (2) and (3) above, respectively.
Since it is calculated from the formula, the group velocity Vg and phase velocity Vp must be equal for the vibration transmission MMs 8a and 8b. In other words, since the vibration transmission plates 8a and 8b must have the same V-quality characteristics, the vibration transmission plates 8a and 8b must have the same characteristics as V quality.
, 8b must be formed from the same material and have the same thickness.

Since there are no other restrictions, it is conceivable that the vibration transmission plates 8a and 8b are made of transparent plates such as glass or acrylic, and used by stacking them on a display device such as a CRT display. In this case, a dot is displayed on the display corresponding to the coordinates of the detected vibration input point, and the point is made up of elements such as points and lines whose dimensions are input using the vibration bevel 3 or a finger. Images can be displayed as if they were aged on paper.

In addition, according to such a configuration, a menu is displayed on the display, and the menu item [1] is selected using the vibrating pen or finger, or a prompt is displayed and the vibrating pen or finger is brought into contact with a predetermined position. Input methods can also be used.

Alternatively, in the case where the vibration transmission plate does not need to be transparent, a material such as 1 to T metal may be used.

The operation of the vibration Ben mode or evening/Sochiban mode described in -1- is switched by switch 1a.

Therefore, the operation panel can be changed by changing the switch la to perform coordinate input processing using the mode 11I.

Vibration transmitting plate 8a of vibration sensor '4j6 or vibrator 4b
, 8b can be selected from various positions without being limited to the above. However, the method of coordinate calculation is different.

FIG. 7 shows different arrangements of the vibration sensor 6 and the vibrator 4b. In this embodiment, the vibration sensor 6 corresponding to position S3 in FIG. 6 is omitted, and the sensor on the vibration transmission plate 8a is placed at the
As shown in the figure, only two points, 2ffiSl and S2, were used. The configuration of the vibrator 4b on the vibration transmission plate 8b side is the same as described above.

In such a configuration, the coordinate calculation formula based on the straight line distance determined from the vibration delay time is as follows.

y=, 7 correct 〒-7-two balls-ding...(7)
The data required here are dB, dl d2, d, +d2, and as is clear from FIG. 8, these are obtained in the vibration Venn mode by the sensors at each position S1 and S2 as follows.

Sl:d.

S2: d2 Also, in the touch panel mode, data can be obtained as 512-d'I S2 : cii + d2, so each of the above data d,, di- can be obtained from these values.
By calculating η of d2 and dl+d2, the coordinates can be determined based on equations (6) and (7).

It is also conceivable to provide a vibrator on the upper vibration transmission plate 8a.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a vibrator 4b is provided at position SL (see FIGS. 6 and 8) of vibration transmission plate 8a, and one vibration sensor 6 is provided at position S3, while one vibration sensor 6 is provided at position S3 of vibration transmission plate 8b. place 2
A configuration in which two vibration sensors 6 are provided in 1S1 and S3 is considered.

According to such a configuration, in the vibration Venn mode, the above-mentioned (
4), (5), and (6) in touch panel mode.
, (7) can be used to perform coordinate detection processing.

[Effect of the Invention 1] As is clear from the above, according to the present invention, the vibrations input to the vibration transmission plate are transmitted to the vibration transmission plate multiple times! In a coordinate input device that detects the coordinates of a vibration input point on the vibration transmission plate from vibration on the vibration transmission plate by detecting vibration on the vibration transmission plate with a sensor provided, first and second 2 vibration transmission plates, and a plurality of i on the first and second transmission plates.
a submerged vibration sensor, a vibrator that transmits vibration to the first or second vibration transmission plate, a vibration pen that inputs vibration to the first vibration transmission plate, and the first vibration transmission. The first signal is detected based on the vibration detection signal output by the plate vibration sensor.
means for detecting the coordinates of a vibration input point on the vibration transmission plate of the vibrating pen, the coordinates of the vibration input point of the vibrating pen on the first vibration transmission plate, or the first vibration transmission plate and the second vibration transmission plate. The system uses a configuration that detects the coordinates of the transmission point of the vibration applied to the first or second vibration transmission plate when the two vibration transmission plates are in contact with each other. It is possible to provide an excellent coordinate input device that can input coordinates in any mode that does not use a vibrating pen to operate a vibration transmitting plate.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a coordinate input device using the present invention, Figure 2 (A) is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of the vibrating pen in Figure 1, and Figure 2 (B) is a touch panel mode. Explanation showing the input operation in [4, Fig. 2 (C) is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of the vibration transmission plate, Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the structure of the arithmetic control circuit in Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a waveform diagram showing a detection waveform explaining pressure path measurement between a vibration pen and a vibration sensor,
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the wave detection circuit in FIG. 1, FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of the vibration sensor, and FIGS. 7 and 8 are vibration sensors and vibration FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a further arrangement of the vibration sensor and the vibrator. 1... Arithmetic control circuit 3... Vibration ben 4a
, 4b... Vibrator 6... Vibration sensor 8a,
8b...Vibration transmission plate 15...Input boat 51...Preamplifier 52...Envelope detection circuit 54.58...Signal detection circuit 59...A/D conversion circuit Fig. 2 (8 ) (Lowering port 30 Sawatohiro control road 7' day 2, 7 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1) The vibration input to the vibration transmission plate is detected by a plurality of sensors provided on the vibration transmission plate, and the coordinates of the vibration input point on the vibration transmission plate are determined from the vibration delay time on the vibration transmission plate. A coordinate input device for detection includes first and second vibration transmission plates arranged a predetermined distance apart, a plurality of vibration sensors provided on the first and second transmission plates, and first and second vibration transmission plates. a vibrator that applies vibration to a plate; a vibrating pen that inputs vibration to the first vibration transmission plate; and a first vibration transmission plate based on a vibration detection signal output by a vibration sensor of the first vibration transmission plate. means for detecting the coordinates of a vibration input point on the first vibration transmission plate of the vibrating pen, or when the first vibration transmission plate and the second vibration transmission plate are in contact with each other; A coordinate input device characterized in that the coordinate input device detects the coordinates of a transmission point of vibration applied to a first vibration transmission plate or a second vibration transmission plate. 2) The coordinate input device according to claim 1, further comprising means for selecting either an operation mode in which the vibrating pen is used or an operation mode in which the vibration transmission plates are brought into contact with each other.