JPS63316226A - Graphic input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the operability of respective types of graphic inputs by instructing an input with the condition of the stylus pen of a coordinates input device. CONSTITUTION:A coordinates input device 1 is composed of a tablet and a stylus pen as a coordinates instructing part, and an operator operates the pen, executes the instruction of the coordinates, turns on and off a switch provided at the stylus pen and executes the movement of the position of the stylus pen. The operation states are detected respectively by a coordinates detecting means 2, a switch condition detecting means 3 and a reading limit detecting means 4 and based on the detecting result, a function deciding circuit 5 decides the objective processing. The means also detect the change of the states together with the decision and decide the processing of the purpose. Consequently, without executing the menu item designation, many processings can be selected and designated.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Summary] When inputting a straight line, curved line, etc. using a coordinate input device, it is necessary to specify a menu or the like. For this reason, even inputting a single straight line requires complicated operations and takes a lot of time. The present invention instructs input based on the state of a stylus pen of a coordinate input device.According to the present invention, various graphic inputs can be performed without instructing a menu or the like, and the graphic input device has improved operability. equipment becomes possible.

[Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to a coordinate input device, and more particularly to a graphic input device for inputting various graphics.

[Traditional technique]

With the development of computer technology, it has become possible to process graphic information. For example, it is now possible to create desired graphic information by inputting straight lines and curves using a coordinate input device.

Conventionally, digitizers, mice, and the like have been used as devices for manually drawing straight lines and curves as described above. This device that creates graphic information using a digitizer or mouse is configured so that it can use this coordinate input function to select functions such as inputting and deleting straight lines and curves using a menu selection method. .

The menu selection method is linear input displayed on the display device,
In this method, items such as curve input, circle/double input, area deletion, etc. are instructed by controlling cursor movement from a coordinate input device, and the desired items are processed. For example, if a plurality of straight lines are to be entered manually, the user first selects the item "Line Input" from the various items displayed on the display device by operating the coordinate input device described above and moving the cursor. Next, specify the starting point and ending point of the straight line,
Manpower. Furthermore, when manually inputting a curve after that, end the straight line input (operate the coordinate input device to move the cursor to the "end" item and instruct it), and select the "curve input" item from the menu item again. This selection is also i
;Similarly to the above, operate the coordinate input device to move the cursor as indicated by each item. and,
Input the desired curve using the coordinate input device. Through such operations, multiple straight and curved figures can be input.

[Problem that the invention sought to solve]

In the conventional graphic saw as described above, menu item instructions and graphic input are sequentially repeated. In general, the functionality has been improved so that even complex shapes can be input.
Menu items must be requested multiple times.

Each time a process such as graphic input is performed, the above-mentioned menu item has to be designated, so there is a problem in that it takes a lot of time to operate the item designation. In addition, the more complicated the processing becomes, the more time is required for this operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the conventional art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a graphic input device that allows instructions for a plurality of types of processing without having to specify menu items, and has good operability.

[Means for determining the problem]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of the present invention.

The coordinate input device 1 is composed of, for example, a tablet and a stylus pen serving as a coordinate indicating section, and information operated by an operator is applied to the coordinate detecting means 2, the switch state detecting means 3, and the reading limit detecting means 4.

The coordinate detection means 2 detects the indicated position of the stylus pen in the coordinate input device 1, the switch-shaped detection means 3 detects whether the switch provided on the stylus pen is on or off, and the reading limit detection means 4 detects the position indicated by the stylus pen. Detects whether the tablet has moved out of the reading range of the tablet. These detection results are applied to the function determination circuit 4, and the function determination circuit 4 determines the processing intended by the operator.

[For production]

The operator operates the stylus pen to specify coordinates, turn on/off a switch provided on the stylus pen, and move the position of the stylus pen.

These states made by the operator are detected by coordinate detection means 2, switch state detection means 3, and reading limit detection means 4, respectively. Based on the detection result, the function determining circuit 5 determines the intended processing. The function determination circuit 5 determines the intended process based on the results of the manual detection from the coordinate detection means 2, the switch state detection means 3, and the reading limit detection means 4. Changes are also detected to determine the intended processing. By also detecting this change in state, many processes can be selected and specified without having to define one menu item.

〔Example〕 Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail using the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. The cubereso 1-0, which is a coordinate input device, has a stylus pen 7, and coordinates indicated by the stylus pen 7 and various states described below are detected by a coordinate detection circuit 8 and a pen/switch state detection circuit 9.
, is added to the reading limit detection circuit 10. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of information output by the tablet 6. Tablet 6
The information outputted from this consists of status, X coordinate, and X coordinate. The status information is information representing the state of the pen, and the bit DO indicates 0N10FF of the first switch, the bit DI indicates on/off of the second switch, and the third bit indicates whether or not the pen is within the valid reading range. Each represents

In an embodiment of the invention, the stylus pen includes -i
In addition to the first switch, which is turned on/off when the tip of the stylus pen is pressed on the tablet, there is a button switch provided on the grip of the stylus pen. FIG. 4(A) is an explanatory diagram of the first switch, and FIG. 4(B) is an explanatory diagram of the second switch. When the pen tip 7-2 of the stylus pen 7 is not pressed (against the tablet), the first switch is off (OFF), and when pressed, it is turned on (ON). Further, as described above, the second switch is provided on the clip portion, and is turned on by being pressed down with the index finger when the clip portion is held. Pino 1-Do and DI of the above-mentioned status information are bits representing on/off of these switches.

FIG. 3(C) is an explanatory diagram of the reading limit indicating the limit of the range in which the position indicated by the stylus pen can be read. The reading limit is a plane above the tablet surface, for example 1 cm.

When the pen tip of the stylus pen 7 is below this point, the via D2 of the status information mentioned above is turned on, and when it is above this point, that is, above the reading limit, it is turned off.

The X coordinate and the X coordinate are data representing coordinates when the stylus pen 7 is within the reading limit. In addition, stylus pen 7
If it exists within the reading limit, the embodiment of the present invention operates to read that coordinate, and the reading of this coordinate is not related to turning on/off the first switch of the stylus pen 7.

The output information of the tablet is applied to the coordinate detection circuit 8, the pen switch state detection circuit 9, and the reading limit detection circuit IO, and each circuit 8-10 detects the coordinates and the state of the stylus pen 7 from the information. The coordinate detection circuit 8 is a means for determining the target coordinates from the above-mentioned information tk outputted from the tablet, such as setting the coordinates of the lower left corner to (0, O), or taking into consideration the area excluding the menu item area. . The pen switch state detection circuit 9 is a circuit that similarly detects on/off of the first and second switches from the bit DO1DI of the state information. Further, the reading limit detection circuit 10 is a circuit that similarly detects whether the position of the stylus pen 7 is within the reading range from the bit D2 of the status information.

That is, the X coordinate of the output information of the tablet mentioned above,
The coordinate information is detected by the coordinate detection circuit 8, the bit DO1D1 which is the first and second switch information is detected by the pen switch state detection circuit 9, and the bit D2 is detected by the reading limit detection circuit 10.

The function determining circuit 11 includes the detection outputs of the coordinate detection circuit 8, the pen/switch state detection circuit 9, and the reading limit detection circuit 10.
-■ have been added, and the function determining circuit 11 determines the content to be processed from these detection results and executes it. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the function determining circuit 11. Outputs ■ to ■ of the coordinate detection circuit 8, pen switch state detection circuit 9, and reading limit detection circuit 10 described above are the stroke exchange control circuit 11-
Join 1. In the embodiment of the present invention, this output
(2) Control described later is performed depending on the state. In particular, it controls the CRT (display unit) 13 to display manually drawn figures via the display control circuit 13 and to store determined data. A confirmed stroke buffer stores confirmed data, and a virtual stroke buffer stores information before being finalized.

FIG. 6 is an explanation of the processing contents in each state of the store exchange control circuit 11-1. The straw insertion membrane control circuit ll-1 detects the states rF31 to s5. State S1
represents the time when the first switch is ON, the second switch is OFF, and the reading range is ON. Also, state 82~s
5 is "first switch, second switch reading range" is r
OFF, OFF, ONJ, rOFF, ON, ONJ, "
OFF, OFF, 0N-OFFJ, rOFFXON.

This is when 0FF-ONJ (7). In addition, 0N-OFF.

0FF-ON changes the state from ON to OFF.
It represents the point in time when the signal changes from ON to ON.

In this state, the stroke membrane control circuit 11-1 operates. At the time of GSI, the tip of the stylus pen is pressed onto the tablet left and is within the reading range. At this time, the stylus pen is generally moving on the tab to draw a figure, and the stroke control circuit 1 knee 1 sequentially determines the coordinates and this vector from the coordinate detection circuit 8. The data is stored in the buffer 11-2. The confirmed stroke buffer 11-2 is a memory that stores data after completing a confirmed point or between points, and after completing the point or vector data, that is, between points, the data is continuously outputted from the display control circuit 12 and displayed. . Note that in this display, it is displayed as a solid line. State IS2 is a case where the first and second switches are OFF and the reading range is within the reading range. -2 (usually the end point) is connected with a dotted line. Condition 1133 is a case where the stylus pen is not pressed on the tablet left, the second switch is pressed with the index finger to turn it on, and the end point of the confirmed stroke stored in the virtual stroke buffer 11-3 is within the reading range. (end point of the confirmed stroke), reads one point before the erased point from the confirmed stroke buffer 11-2, and writes it to the virtual stroke buffer 11-3.
Store in. At this time, the confirmed stroke buffer 11-
For one point read from within 2, the point stored in the virtual stroke buffer becomes the starting point of the virtual stroke.

State S4 is a case where the stylus pen 7 is moved out of the reading range while the second switch remains OFF, and the virtual stroke buffer is cleared. In other words, all OF
This is when the F state is entered, and when the virtual stroke buffer is cleared and the state of the stylus pen 7 does not change after that, editing processing to the displayed figure, that is, the stroke insertion film control circuit 11-1 is performed. The operation stops.

State S5 is a state in which the second switch is turned on and the stylus pen 7 is moved within the reading range, and in this state, the stroke exchange control circuit starts the operation of creating a virtual stroke. That is, the data of the point closest to the current position of the stylus pen 7 to be stored in the confirmed stroke buffer 11-2 is read, and the data is stored in the virtual stroke buffer 11-2.
Transfer to 3. At this time, a virtual stroke is displayed on the CRT 13 via the display control circuit 12 using the stored point in the virtual stroke buffer 11-3 as a starting point.

Through the above-described operation of the stroke switching circuit 11-1, various processing specifications can be performed without specifying menu items. Note that a function assignment determination table 11-4 is connected to the stroke switching control circuit 11-1.
The stroke control circuit 11-1 reads out state instruction data corresponding to the states of each switch and the stylus pen 7 from the function assignment determination table and processes the data.

The present invention has been described in detail above, but in order to further clarify the present invention, the present invention will be further explained using the results of operating the embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the operation and processing functions of the stylus pen 7. Operation number C1 is an operation in which the stylus pen 7 is moved while the pen is down (the first switch for detecting the depression of the stylus pen 7 is on). This operation is the input of a free curve, and corresponds to state S1 in FIG. 2, and the figure is fixed as it moves. Operation number C2 is an operation in which the pen is moved up (within the reading range) from the pen down state. This operation is performed using RUBBERBIND.
), which corresponds to state S2 in FIG. When pen-down, the operation is the same as the above-mentioned operation C1, but when pen-up, the last pen-down or end point data is used as the starting point of a virtual stroke, and the area from that starting point to the current stylus specs position is rubber bound as a virtual stroke. . For example, when drawing a desired figure, a virtual stroke is temporarily expressed as a straight line (dotted line) with the last point of the points drawn and confirmed so far as the starting point and the current position of the stylus pen 7 as the end point. The straight line to be determined becomes clear.

This is why the point finally determined based on the contents of the determined stroke buffer 11-2 described above is stored in the virtual stroke buffer as the starting point. Operation number C3 is an operation in which the second switch is pressed in the state of the pen amplifier. This operation is point cancellation and corresponds to state S3 in FIG. Since the pen is in the up state, virtual strokes are displayed and rubber bound as in operation C2. At this time, when the second switch is pressed, the last point data in the confirmed stroke buffer 11-2 is erased, the point one point before it is read out and stored as the starting point in the virtual stroke buffer, and the previous point data is The bound point is canceled and the previous point is rubber bound.

Operation C4 is an operation in which the stylus pen 7 is moved outside the reading range in the pen-up state. This operation confirms the stroke and corresponds to state S4 in FIG. In this state, as described above, the virtual stroke buffer 11-3 is cleared, so the data at the start and end points of the virtual stroke disappears, and as a result, the display of the virtual stroke stops. At this time, since there is no change in the point instructing the confirmed stroke, that is, the data stored in the confirmed stroke buffer 11-2, the point up to the last pen-down point is valid.

Operation C5 is a case where the stylus pen 7 is moved within the reading range while holding down the second switch. This operation is a stroke correction and corresponds to shape MS5 in FIG. When this state is entered, the confirmed stroke buffer 11-
The end point within 2 is stored as the start point in the virtual stroke buffer 11-3. In addition, when entering this state, the final stroke buffer 11-2 set the closest point in the sofa 11-2 as the correction point, so the final stroke buffer 11-2 temporarily erases that point, and the point that was erased is connected to the straight line. Read the coordinates of the connected points and save the coordinates to virtual stroke buffer 1.
1-3 as the starting point, the stroke can be corrected by the operation in state S5. For example, as shown in Figure 8, when you temporarily erase points in the middle and rubber bind them, the two erased points (PI, P2) are connected to the position Px indicated by the pen with a virtual stroke (dotted lines X1, X2). Ru. Furthermore, if the state is ls5 in FIG. 6, the end point becomes the starting point (P3) of the virtual stroke as shown in FIG. ) are connected.

FIGS. 10(A), (B), and (C) are examples of operations for inputting strokes. In the embodiment of the present invention, when the stylus pen 7 is moved up or down over one point (the first switch is turned on/off), the point is stored, and the point is further moved up or down at the next point. That is, as shown in FIG. 10(B), points P14 and P
When the stylus pen 7 is continuously moved up and down at I5, a straight line between point P14 and point PI5 is determined (stored in the determined stroke buffer 11-2 in FIG. 5).

Then, after specifying the point P15, the stylus pen 7 is moved outside the successive range to form one straight line. Also, as shown in Figure 10 (A), points PIO1pH, PI2, PI
By pointing the tablet at 3 or more points in succession with the stylus pen 7 and moving the stylus pen 7 up and down, a continuous polygonal line can be displayed. Also, Figure 10 (C)
As shown in the figure, by pressing the pen tip onto the tablet left and moving the stylus pen 7, it is possible to input the curve along which the stylus pen 7 has moved. Similarly to the above, this curve human power can also be applied to points P16 and P17 by raising the pen at point P17 and further moving the stylus pen 7 out of the reading range.
The curve connecting these can be determined. Note that FIG. 10 (D) is a symbol that indicates that the stylus pen 7 is moved in a raised state and moved out of the reading range, and this operation is performed at the end of inputting a polygonal line, straight line, or free curve. It's in. Also, as shown in Figure 11, at point P20, move the pen down (lower the pen).
is moved to point P21 and a curve CU1 is drawn. Next, the stylus pen 7 is moved up and down to point P22 (within the reading range) with the pen amplifier still in use. This allows a straight line CU2 to be drawn. Next, if you move to the pen 23 and move the pen down, you can draw a straight line CU3. Furthermore, if the stylus pen 7 is moved to the point P24 in this state (with the pen down), the song 7cu3 is drawn, and after the pen is moved to the point P25 and the stylus pen 7 is moved up and down, the straight line CU5 is drawn. By sequentially repeating the above-mentioned operations, broken lines, curved lines, etc. can be drawn continuously.

FIG. 12 is an example diagram of the deletion operation. As shown in FIG. 12(A), points 26 and 27 are connected by a curve CU6, points 27, 28, and 29 are connected by a polygonal line, and point 2
If you turn on the second switch of the stylus pen 7 while the point C28 and the position of the stylus pen 7 are connected by a virtual stroke, the straight line (part of the polygonal line) between the point C28 and the point C29 will be erased, and the position of the stylus pen 7 will be erased. As shown in Figure 12 (B), the line CU8 connecting points P28 and P29 disappears.Then, when the second switch is operated one more time, the line CU7 connecting points P29 and 29 disappears. At this time, the start point of the erased line, that is, the end point of the confirmed stroke, and the stylus pen 7 are connected by a virtual stroke, but as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, by moving the squillous pen 7 out of the reading range until it reaches the pen-up state, the virtual stroke is erased and only the curve CU6 remains. Also, as shown in Figure 13,
One end P27 of the remaining curve CU6 left after the operation in Figure 12
In order to further erase a part of the point, when the point P27 is approached with the second switch turned on, the point P27 and the position indicated by the stylus pen 7 are connected by a virtual stroke (
Figure 13(B)). At this time, if the second switch of the stylus pen 7 is turned off and then turned on again, a part of the curve disappears (Figure 13 (C))
).

In the embodiment of the present invention, all lines, regardless of whether they are straight or curved, are vector-indicated, and the curves are also composed of very short dotted lines. Straight lines to nearby points are canceled. After this cancellation, when I turn it on on the pen tablet, the point P
27' and point P28' are connected by a straight line (Fig. 13 (D)
). By lifting up the stylus pen 7 and moving it out of the reading range, lines CU6' and vACU7' can be drawn.

It is also possible to perform this rubber binding between two points by, for example, operating a key to change the processing function in state S5. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of rubber binding. In the middle part of the curve connecting point P30 and point p3i, a second
When the switch is turned on and brought closer (Fig. 14 (A))
, the two lines connecting the points closest to the position indicated by the stylus pen 7 are temporarily erased (FIG. 14(B)).

Then, once the second switch is turned off and then turned on again, the point 32 and the line connected to that point are erased. Incidentally, at this time, the information stored in the stroke buffer 11-2 is also erased. For example, if the stylus pen 7 is moved, the two virtual strokes change into a line connecting the movement of the stylus pen 7 and the position indicated by the stylus pen 7. The subsequent functions are the same as those explained in FIG.

As described above, the present invention provides first switch information based on the top and bottom of the stylus pen 7, second switch information provided on the shaft of the stylus pen 7, and further information on the reading range of the position of the stylus pen 7. Depending on the information, various states can be entered, and many operating functions can be generated depending on the states. In the embodiment of the present invention, five types of functions are generated, but the number is not limited to this, and six to seven types may be generated depending on the number of functions used. Further, although not shown in the drawings, by continuing to change the mode by using a keyboard or the like to change the type at once, it becomes possible to specify even more functions.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, in addition to the switch for detecting the up and down position of the stylus pen 7, the stylus pen also includes a switch operated by a finger and a switch for detecting whether the pen approaches or leaves the tablet surface. By providing this, it is possible to instruct a plurality of processes without instructing menu items, and it is possible to obtain a graphic input device with good operability.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 1 is a block diagram of the present invention, Figure 2 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is a configuration diagram of output information of the tablet, and Figure 4 (A).
is an explanatory diagram of the first switch, FIG. 4(B) is an explanatory diagram of the second switch, FIG. 4(C) is an explanatory diagram of the reading limit, FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of the function setting circuit, and FIG. The figure is an explanatory diagram of the processing contents of the stroke exchange control circuit, Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram of stylus pen operation and processing functions, Figures 8 and 9 are explanatory diagrams of rubber binding, and Figure 10 (
A) to (D), Fig. 11 is an operation example diagram of stroke input, Fig. 12 (A) to (D) is an operation example diagram of cancellation, and Fig. 13 (
A) to (E) are explanatory diagrams of human-powered extinguishing operations, and FIGS. 14(A) to (C) are explanatory diagrams of rubber binding. l...Coordinate input device, 2...Coordinate detection means, 3...Switch state detection means, 4...Reading limit detection means, 5...Operation determination circuit.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1) A coordinate input device having a coordinate indicating section and reading coordinates indicated by the coordinate indicating section, coordinate detecting means for detecting input coordinates in the coordinate input device, and a coordinate input device for detecting input coordinates in the coordinate input device; switch state detection means for detecting the state of a switch provided in the coordinate indicating section; reading limit detecting means for detecting that the position of the coordinate indicating section of the coordinate input device exceeds a read limit of the coordinate input device; , comprising a function determination circuit which receives the outputs of the coordinate detection means, the switch state detection means, and the reading limit detection means, determines a plurality of states from the outputs, and generates corresponding graphic data. Graphic input device. 2) The coordinate indicating section of the coordinate input device is a stylus pen, the coordinate detecting means detects the coordinates specified by the stylus pen, and the switch state detecting means instructs pen on/off in response to the coordinate instruction of the stylus pen. The graphic input device according to claim 1, wherein the graphic input device also detects the state of a switch.