JPS63298518A - Signal device for indicating position of display - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily generate a moving instructing signal without a fatigue by moving a position instructing object in a space and forming the moving instructing signal. CONSTITUTION:An X axis light beam Xb and a Y axis light beam Yb constitute a XY coordinate and are selectively interrupted by the position indicating object 6. Consequently, to X axis and Y axis light receiving elements 4a-4e, 5a-5e, an output corresponding to the position of the position indicating object 6 is obtained. The object 6 may be any object which is a shading object, a finger, for instance. Thereby, the fatigue due to the movement of the position indicating object in the space 3 is extremely reduced and even when the object 6 is moved, the consumption or the deterioration of an input device is not completely generated or substantially generated.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention is a method for indicating the position of a cursor or a character on the display surface of a display used in information equipment such as computers, CAD, and OA. The present invention relates to a position indication signal input device.

[Prior art and its problems] When moving a cursor on the screen of a display from a first point to a second point on the XY coordinates and drawing a straight line or curved line from the first point to the second point, etc. A mechanical input device 51 (mechanical mouse) shown in FIG. 6 is known as a coordinate position input device used for. This input device 51 includes a rotatable metal ball 52, X- and Y-axis shafts 53, 54 that are in contact with the ball 52 so as to be perpendicular to each other, and each shaft 53.
．． Rotary encoder 55.5 mounted on 54
6: When the input device 51 is moved in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, or a direction including both axes components by bringing the sphere 52 into contact with a plane, the input device 51 responds to the rotation of the sphere 52 corresponding to this movement. The shafts 53 and 54 rotate, and position indication signals corresponding to the movement of the input device 51 in the X-axis and Y-axis directions are obtained from the rotary encoders 55 and 56, and the cursor on the display is moved to correspond to this position indication signal. Move to.

However, the input device 51 shown in FIG. 6 has the drawbacks that the ball 52 and shafts 53, 54 may malfunction due to rust on the ball 52, wear on the shaft 53, 54, dust, etc., and the rotation noise of the ball 52 is a problem. However, the input device 51 has the disadvantage that heavy operation for a long period of time causes fatigue.

FIG. 7 shows a conventional optical input device.
8b is configured to be read by an infrared light-emitting optical reader 60 (optical mouse). The optical reading device W 60 includes an infrared light emitting diode 61, a light emitting element 62, a lens 63.
64, and a Y-axis reader configured in the same manner as this, and outputs a coordinate position signal by moving on the pad 7. However, this optical reading device 60 has disadvantages in that the contact portion wears out and deteriorates because it must be moved while in contact with the pad 57, and that it becomes tiring when used for a long time due to its own weight. .

Furthermore, in both the mechanical input device 251 shown in FIG. 6 and the optical input device shown in FIG. Therefore, if the amount of movement of the cursor is large, the amount of movement of the mechanical input device 51 and the optical reading device ff60 must also be increased, and the time required to move the cursor inevitably becomes longer. As a result, it has poor operability and is prone to fatigue.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an input device that can easily generate a signal for instructing movement of a display such as a cursor or a character.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention for solving the above problems and achieving the above objects will be described with reference to the reference numerals in the drawings showing the embodiments. A device for inputting a movement instruction signal to the display 13 for moving a display of a cursor 15 or a character, etc.
A light emitting element 1a for providing a plurality of X-axis beams xb positioned at a predetermined distance from each other in the axial direction to a predetermined space 3 in which a light-shielding position indicating object 6 such as a finger or a stick can be moved. ~1e, and a plurality of Y-axis light beams Y located at predetermined intervals in the Y-axis direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction.
Y@light emitting elements 2a to 2e for giving b to the space 3
and the plurality of X-axis beams xb that have passed through the space 3.
X-axis light receiving elements 4a to 4e for independently detecting the X-axis light receiving elements 4a to 4e, Y-axis light receiving elements 5a to 5e for independently detecting the plurality of Y-axis original beams yb that have passed through the space 3, and the X-axis light receiving elements It is connected to the elements 4a to 4e and the Y-axis light receiving elements 5a to 5e, and the X-axis beam xb and the Y-axis beam Yb are selectively blocked by the movement of the position indicating object 6 in the space 3. Forming an instruction signal for forming a display movement instruction signal for instructing movement of the display of the cursor 15 or character, etc. based on the outputs of the X-axis and Y-axis light receiving elements 4a to 4e, 5a to 5e obtained correspondingly. The present invention relates to a display position indication signal input device comprising a circuit. Note that the light beam in the above invention means both a visible light beam and an invisible light beam.

[Operation] X-axis light beam xb and Y-axis beam Yb in the above invention
constitutes an XY coordinate and is selectively blocked by the position indicating object 6. As a result, the X-axis and Y-axis light receiving elements 4a~
4e, 5a to 5e, outputs corresponding to the position of the position pointing object 6 are obtained.The zero position pointing object 6 may be any light blocking object, for example, it may be a finger. Therefore, fatigue due to movement of the position indicating object 6 within the space 3 is extremely small.

Further, even if the position pointing object 6 is moved, the input device will not be worn out or deteriorated at all or substantially not.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the amount of movement of a display such as a cursor or character corresponding to the movement speed of the position pointing object 6 can be obtained. Therefore, a large amount of movement of the display can be obtained with a small amount of movement of the position pointing object 6.

[Embodiment] Next, a position indicating signal input device for a display according to an embodiment of the present invention will be explained based on FIGS. 1 to 5.

The input device shown in FIG.
A plurality of XIFI11 light-emitting elements 1a, 1b, each consisting of light-emitting diodes and converging lenses arranged at intervals of about m,
ICs 11d and 1e, and a plurality of Y-axis light emitting elements 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, consisting of light emitting diodes and converging lenses arranged at intervals of about 3 to 10m+n in the Y-axis direction.
2e, a plurality of X-axis light-emitting elements 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, and Y-axis light-emitting elements 2a-2e, each consisting of a phototransistor arranged opposite to the X-axis light-receiving elements 1a-1e through a space 3. A plurality of Y-axis light receiving elements 5a and 5b each consisting of a phototransistor arranged opposite to each other with a space 3 interposed therebetween.
, 5c, 5d, and 5e. Each light emitting element 1a to 1e
, 2a to 2e are light receiving elements 4a to 2e that emit a plurality of X-axis light beams Xb and Y-axis beams Yb shown by dotted lines, and are opposed to each other.
4e and 5a-5e are provided with optical input.

In addition, in FIGS. 1 to 3, for convenience of illustration, five X@ and Y axis light emitting elements 1a to 1e, 2a to 2e and five X@ and Y@ light emitting elements 4a to 4e, 5a to 5e are shown. However, in reality, it is desirable to arrange about 10 to 50 of them.

The space 3 has a size that allows the insertion and movement of a light-shielding position pointing object 6, such as a finger or a stick, for selectively blocking the beams xb and yb.

When the position indicating object 6 is moved within the space 3, a signal indicating this movement is transmitted to the X-axis and Y-axis light receiving elements 4a to 4e, 5a to 5e.
obtained from.

The microprocessor 7, that is, the microcomputer, forms a cursor movement instruction signal based on the outputs of the light receiving elements 4a to 4e, 5a to 5e, and includes a program and a fourth
As shown in the figure, it has a built-in memory M having two storage areas M1 and M2.

The X-axis and Y-axis light receiving elements 4a-4e, 5a-5e are connected to the microprocessor 7 via a buffer 8.9 and a data bus 10.11. Each buffer 8.9 is for sending the outputs of the X-axis light receiving elements 4a to 4e and the outputs of the Y-axis light receiving elements 5a to 5e to the microprocessor in a time-sharing manner. Microprocessor 7 and X-axis and Y-axis buffers 8
．． A decoder 12 provided between the X-axis and Y-axis buffers 8.9 decodes the switching signal given from the microprocessor 7 and sequentially switches and controls the X-axis and Y-axis buffers 8.9.

Display 1 connected to microprocessor 7
3 includes a display surface 14, and a cursor 1 is placed on this display surface 14.
5. The cursor 15 moves in response to a movement instruction signal given from the microprocessor 7.

The microprocessor 7 obtains information on the direction, amount, and speed of movement of the position indicating object 6 in the space 3, and forms a signal indicating the amount of cursor movement so that the amount of movement of the cursor 15 corresponding to these information can be obtained. .

Since the amount of movement of the cursor 15 corresponds to the movement speed of the position pointing object 6, when the position pointing object 6 moves at low speed from point A to point B, for example, the cursor 1
The amount of movement of the cursor 15 is small, and when the position pointing object 6 is moved from the same point A to point B at high speed, the amount of movement of the cursor 15 is large.

A pulse counter 16 is connected to the microprocessor 7 in order to measure the moving speed of the position indicating object 6.

This counter 16 measures the moving time of the position indicating object 6 based on the outputs of the respective light receiving elements 4a to 4e and 5a to 5e by counting clock pulses, and provides the result to the microprocessor 7.

A first and a second control switch 17 , 18 connected to the microprocessor 7 are connected to the microprocessor 7 . The first control switch 17 is operated to initiate the movement of the cursor 15, and the second control switch 18 is connected to the interrupt terminal of the microprocessor 7, and is activated to initiate the movement of the cursor 15. It controls the microprocessor 7 to interrupt and execute other programs such as changing the CRT screen display. Note that, of course, the control switches 17 and 18 may be used for purposes other than those described above.

2 and 3 show the mechanical configuration of the input device shown in FIG. 1, including X-axis and Y-axis light emitting elements 1a to 1e, 2a to 2e, X-axis light receiving elements 4a to 4e, and Y% light receiving element 5a. ~5e
are arranged around the periphery of a recess 22 provided in the frame 21 of the container 20 to obtain the space 3. container 20
In addition to the frame portion 21, the device has a portion 23 on which a hand is placed to improve operability. The recess 22 for obtaining the space 3 in the frame 21 is a square with a side length of approximately 3 to 5 am, and the length of the part 23 on which the hand is placed from the right end to the right end of the recess 22 is determined to be approximately 10 to 153 mm. The length from the second control switch 18 to the right end of the portion 23 is determined to be approximately 8 to 12 cm.

A plate 26 for positioning and switch operation is arranged on the bottom surface 24 of the recess 22 via a spring 25. Plate 2
6 is displaced downward against the spring 25 to turn on the first control switch 17. A large number of positioning protrusions 27 on the plate 26 are arranged at positions corresponding to the intersections of the beams xb of the X-axis light emitting elements 1a to 1e and the beams Yb of the Y-axis light emitting elements 2a to 2e. This protrusion 27 not only functions as a mark in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, but also has the function of knowing the position by the feel when the position indicating object 6, such as a finger or a stick, is brought into contact with it.

Each light emitting element 1a to le, 2a to 2e, and each light receiving element 4
a to 4e and 5a to 5e are openings 28.a to 5e formed in the wall surface of the recess 22 to avoid interference with objects that are not facing each other.
It is located at the back of 29.

[Operation] Next, using the flowchart in Figure 5, perform the steps in Figures 1 to 4.
The operation of the input device and display shown in the figure will be explained.

Now, the cursor 1 on the display surface 14 of the display 13
5 is required to move from point a to point b, the position pointing object 6 is moved into space 3.

Insert it and press the plate body 26. This turns on the first control switch 17, and in response, the microprocessor 7 starts forming a cursor movement instruction signal as shown in block 30 of FIG.

Next, the position pointing object 6 inserted into the space 3 is moved in accordance with the desired movement direction of the cursor 15.

That is, when it is desired to move the cursor 15 toward the upper right, the position pointing object 6 is also moved toward the upper right in the XY coordinates of the space 3. If the travel distance chart from point a to point b of the cursor 15 is long, the position pointing object 6 is moved as fast as possible. However, cursor 15
When the cursor 15 reaches near the desired position, it is desirable to reduce the moving speed of the position pointing object 6 to accurately position the cursor 15. Kurtzl 15
Since the moving distance of the cursor 15 is determined, if the moving amount of the position pointing object 6 is at least high, the moving distance of the cursor 15 will be long. Conversely, if the position pointing object 6 is moved slowly, the moving distance of the cursor 15 will be shortened even if the amount of movement is large, and accurate positioning of the cursor 15 will be possible.

When the desired amount of movement of the cursor 15 cannot be obtained by moving the position pointing object 6 from one end of the space 3 to the other end,
The position indicating object 6 is extracted from the space 3, inserted into the space 3 again, and the same operation is repeated.

The operations described above proceed according to the program of the microprocessor 7. Block 3 of the flowchart in Figure 5
When the operation starts according to 0, first, the memory M is cleared. That is, XY! in the memory M before the position pointing object 6 moves! Both the area M1 for entering the target open position and the area M2 for entering the XYa target open position after movement are in a clear state.As shown in the zero-order block 32, the light receiving elements 4a to 46.5a to 5e Execute a reading of the output of .

This light reception output is read by transmitting an output indicating on/off (light reception/non-light reception) of the X-axis light reception elements 4a to 4e from the X-axis buffer 8 to the data bus based on the switching signal given from the microprocessor 7 to the decoder 12. This is achieved by sending an output from the Y@buffer 9 to the microprocessor 7 via the data bus 11, which indicates whether the Y-axis light receiving elements 5a to 5e are on or off. The microprocessor 7 is the X-axis coordinate light receiving element 4
a to 4e and the Y-axis coordinate light receiving elements 5a to 5e determine the position of the position indicating object 6 in the XY coordinates, and write this position in the first area M1 of the memory M.
Since it has addresses corresponding to the axis positions X1 to X5 and the Y axis positions 'W, Y-Y5, the coordinate position of the position pointing object 6 can be stored.

The signal processing speed of the microprocessor 7 is
Since the moving speed is significantly faster than the moving speed of , even when the position indicating object 6 is moving, the signal indicating the same coordinate position 1 can be repeatedly obtained multiple times.

Next, as shown in block 33, the light receiving elements 4a to 4e,
It is determined whether or not 5a to 5e are blocked by the position indicating object 6. If all the outputs of the light receiving elements 4a to 4e and 5a to 5e are in the ON (light receiving) state, it means that the position indicating object 6 is not inserted into the space 3, so N
The output of O is obtained, and the process returns to block 31 to store the memory M.
Clear and read the coordinate position again. If it is determined in block 33 that the light is blocked, YES
is obtained, and in the next block 34 the counter 6 is reset.

In block 35, similarly to block 32, the outputs of the light receiving elements 4a to 48.5a to 5e are read. That is, after a certain period has elapsed since the reading in block 32, the light reception output is read again.

However, the read result in block 35 is stored in memory M
The second area M2 written in the second area M2 has exactly the same structure as the first area M1, and can store the coordinate position data of the position pointing object 6.

Next, as shown in block 36, the light receiving elements 4a to 4e, 5 determine whether or not the position indicating object 6 is inserted into the sky surface 3.
The determination is made based on whether or not a-5e is shielded from light. If, N
If o, it means that the position pointing object 6 has been removed from the space 3, so the process returns to block 31 and waits for the position pointing object 6 to be inserted into the space 3. On the other hand, if a YES output is obtained from block 36, the operation moves to block 37.

In block 37, based on the coordinate data corresponding to the first reading written in the first area M1 in block 32 and the coordinate data corresponding to the second reading written in the second area M2 in block 37, , obtains the moving force If+1 information and moving amount information of the position indicating object 6, and writes this into an internal memory (not shown).

Next, in block 38, it is determined whether the position pointing object 6 has moved. If the amount of movement is zero, the output is NO, and the process returns to block 35, where the light receiving elements 4a to 4e are activated again.
, 5a to 5e are written in the second area M2.Y indicates that the position support object 6 has moved from the block 38.
If an ES output is obtained, the value of the counter 16 is read as shown in the next block 39. Now, if the position pointing object 6 is moved from point A to point B in FIG. 1, the time required to move from point A to point B is counted by the counter 16, and this counted value is 7 is written.

Next, in block 40, the amount of movement of the cursor 15 is calculated. In this case, instead of forming a signal proportional to the amount of movement Lx, Ly of the position indicating object 6 in the X-axis and Y-axis directions obtained in block 37, the inverse number 1/T of the movement time T is used as the amount of movement Lx, Ly. The amount of movement Cx, cy of the cursor 15 in the X-axis and Y-axis directions is determined by multiplying by .

Next, as shown in block 41, a signal indicating movement of the cursor 15 is supplied to the display 13.

That is, the microprocessor 7 provides the display 13 with a signal indicating the amount of movement Cx of the cursor 15 in the X-axis direction and a signal indicating the amount of movement cy in the Y-axis direction, which were obtained in block 40.

As a result, the cursor 15 on the display 13 moves by C
Move by a distance corresponding to x and Cy. Now, if the position indicating object 6 moves from point A to point B in the required time T in Fig. 1, then Cx=kXLxl/T, Cy=kxLy 1
The cursor 15 moves by /T (where k is a constant).

Next, as shown in block 42, a second area M of memory M
2 to the first area M1.

As a result, the coordinates taken after the movement are used as the coordinate data before the movement in determining the next movement instruction signal. When the transfer of the coordinate data is completed, the process returns to block 34 to reset the counter 16, and the moving amount and moving time of the position pointing object 6 are determined again to form a moving instruction signal for the cursor 15.

Note that when the position indicating object 6 moves in the space 3 of FIG. 1 with a component moving from left to right, the amount of movement Lx in the X-axis direction takes a positive value, and conversely, it moves from right to left. When the object moves with a component of , the amount of movement Lx in the X-axis direction takes a negative value. Similarly, when the position indicating object 6 moves in the space 3 with a component moving from bottom to top, the amount of movement Ly in the Y-axis direction takes a positive value, and conversely, it has a component moving from top to bottom. When it moves, the Y-axis direction movement amounts l and y take negative values.

After moving the cursor 15 to a desired position, the second control switch 18 is operated when performing another operation (for example, changing the CRT screen display) using interrupt control.

This embodiment has the following advantages.

(1) By moving the position indicating object 6 such as a finger or a stick within the space 3, it is possible to generate a coordinate position input signal (cursor movement instruction signal) for moving the cursor 15. Compared to the input device shown in FIG. 7, it is easier to move the cursor 15, and fatigue caused by long-term use is reduced.

(2) Coordinate position input signals can be generated virtually without contact, so there is no wear and tear on the input device.
＜Excellent durability.

(3) Since the movement time of the position pointing object 6 is measured by the counter 16 and the amount of movement of the power tool 16 is changed according to the change in the moving speed, the moving speed of the position pointing object 6 can be increased. Accordingly, a large amount of movement of the cursor 15 can be obtained. In other words, even if the xY, 1,000-plane space of the space 3 is small, a large amount of movement of the cursor 15 can be obtained.

(4) Since the first control switch 17 can be turned on by disposing the plate 2-6 under the space 3 and pressing it, the control switch 17 has good operability.

(5) The second control switch 18 is arranged on the side surface of the frame 21 near the space 3 as shown in FIG. It is possible to operate. Therefore, it has excellent operability.

(6) Since the part 23 on which the palm of the hand is placed is provided, the coordinate position input operation can be easily performed.

(7) Since the protrusion 27 is provided on the plate 26 at the bottom of the space 3, it not only serves as a marker for the coordinates, but also makes it possible to know the XY coordinate position by touch. Therefore, display 1
A coordinate position input signal can be given while looking at 3.

[Modifications] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and, for example, the following modifications are possible.

(1) For convenience of illustration, five X-axis light emitting elements 1 are shown in Figure 1.
Although five Y-axis light emitting elements 2a to 2e are arranged, the number of these elements may be set to about 10 to 50, and the number of light receiving elements may also be set to about 10 to 50 correspondingly. Furthermore, a plurality of light emitting elements and light receiving elements may be provided on a single chip.

(2) A scanner may be provided in the buffer 8.9, and the outputs of the light receiving elements 4a to 4e and 5a to 5e may be sent to the microprocessor 7 by time division multiplexing.

(3) The frame portion 21 and the space 3 may not have a rectangular planar shape, but may have a hexagonal shape, a circular shape, or the like.

(4) The light emitting elements 1a to 1e, 2a to 2e are not limited to visible light emitting diodes or infrared light emitting diodes, and may be other light emitting means.

(5) A recess may be provided in the plate body 26 instead of the protrusion 27.

(6) Provide a switch for selectively reading the received light output information based on the movement of the position pointing object 6, or
And the second control switch 17, 18 may be used to selectively read out the light reception output information, and the movement of the position pointing object 6 only during the period specified by this switch may be obtained as valid information. In this case, when repeatedly moving the position pointing object 6 from one end of the space 3 to the other end in order to obtain a large amount of movement of the cursor 15, it is necessary to keep the position pointing object 6 within the space 3. becomes possible. That is, when the position pointing object 6 moves in the reverse direction, the light reception output information can be disabled by the switch, and can be enabled only when moving in the forward direction (desired direction).

(7) It is of course applicable to the case where characters such as numbers, letters, symbols, or similar displays are moved instead of the cursor 15.

(8) A configuration may be adopted in which some or all of the plate body 26, the control switches 17 and 18, and the part 23 on which the hand is placed are omitted. Also, the second IL control switch 18 may be located on the opposite side of the position shown in FIG. 2 for left-handed people.

(9) Cursor 1 changes depending on the moving speed of the position pointing object 6.
This method can also be applied when the amount of movement of the rod is not changed.

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the above, the present invention does not move the entire input device, but moves the position indicating object in space to form the movement instruction signal, so the movement instruction signal can be generated without fatigue. can be easily generated. Furthermore, since the entire input device is not moved, wear and deterioration of the input device is less likely.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the principle of a position indication signal input device for a display according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway front view of the input device of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the principle of the configuration of the memory in the microprocessor of FIG. 1; Figure 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the input device in Figure 1, Figure 6 is a plan view showing the principle of a conventional mechanical input device, and Figure 7 is a diagram showing the principle of a conventional optical input device. FIG. la ~1e-X@light-emitting element, 2a-2e ・Yn light-emitting element, 3... Space, 4a-4e... X-axis light receiving element, 5a-5e... Y-axis light receiving element, 6... Position Pointing object, 7...Microprocessor, 13...Display, 14...Display surface, 15...Cursor.

Claims (1)

[Claims] [1] A device for inputting a movement instruction signal to the display (13) for moving a cursor (15) or a display of a character or the like on the display surface (14) of the display (13). A plurality of X-axis light beams (Xb) positioned at a predetermined distance from each other in the X-axis direction are moved by a predetermined positioning object (6) such as a finger or a stick. Light emitting elements (1a to 1) for providing space (3)
e), and a plurality of Y-axis light beams (Yb) positioned at predetermined intervals in the Y-axis direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction, into the space (
3), and Y-axis light emitting elements (2a to 2e) for providing light to the plurality of X-axis light beams (X
b) X-axis light receiving elements (4a to 4e) for independently detecting
), and the plurality of Y-axis light beams (Y
b) Y-axis light receiving elements (5a to 5e) for independently detecting
), the X-axis light receiving element (4a to 4e) and the Y-axis light receiving element (
5a to 5e), and movement of the position indicating object (6) in the space (3) causes the X-axis light beam (Xb
) and the X-axis and Y-axis light receiving element (4) obtained in response to selectively blocking the Y-axis light beam (Yb).
a to 4e, 5a to 5e), and an instruction signal forming circuit for forming a display movement instruction signal for instructing movement of the display of the cursor (15) or character, etc. position indication signal input device. [2] The display movement instruction signal forming circuit controls the cursor (
15) The display position instruction signal input device according to claim 1, which is a circuit that forms the display movement instruction signal so that the amount of movement of the display of a character or the like changes.