JP2001166874A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize an input device small in the number of light receiving and emitting elements. SOLUTION: This input device is provided with a frame part 10 to surround an input range 11 by plural sets of opposed sides, a light emitting means 20 to emit light to be transmitted to the input range 11, a first bending means 30 to transmit light received from the light emitting means toward the applicable set of opposed sides, a second bending means 40 to transmit the light received from the light emitting means to a prescribed converging position, a light receiving means 50 provided at the converging position and an arithmetic means 60 to generate positional data C corresponding to a light shielding position in the input range 11 based on a light receiving state B of the light receiving means 50. Many optical paths to be secured in the input range for detecting positions are covered by a small number of light emitting and receiving elements by constituting the device to bend the optical paths at the opposed sides.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an input device suitable for an input unit for a touch panel, a simple input tablet, and the like. More specifically, the present invention relates to an optical device for detecting a light-shielded position in a frame for inputting position information. Related to an input device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A touch panel or the like is frequently used for inputting information relating to a position where a fingertip or a pen tip is lightly touched or about to be touched into a data processing device. Optical position detection method,
A detection method based on a change in resistance of a conductive film such as ITO, a method using ultrasonic waves, a method based on a change in capacitance, and the like are employed. Among them, the optical type has an advantage that contact is not required for an input operation and has a wide application range.

The principle is that a large number of optical paths substantially parallel to the input range are formed, and when a finger or the like is put in any one of the optical paths and a light-shielded state occurs, position data is generated based on the optical path position. That is. And for that,
In a conventional optical input device, pairs of a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode and a light receiving element such as a phototransistor are introduced by the number of optical paths, and are disposed so as to sandwich or surround an input range.

[0004]

However, optical elements such as light-emitting diodes have characteristic variations.
If the number of elements is large, adjustment becomes complicated and troublesome. Also, since the device life is governed by the shortest-lived elements, the longer the number of elements, the longer the life. Furthermore, the resolution of position detection is determined by the density of the optical path, and its improvement is accompanied by an increase in the number of elements, so that it is not easy to improve the resolution and accuracy.

[0005] In order to overcome the drawbacks of the conventional one while adopting the optical system, the advantages of the optical system can be further utilized.
It is a technical problem to reduce the number of optical elements such as light-emitting elements and to devise a sufficient number of optical paths even if the number of elements is reduced. The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and has as its object to realize an input device having a small number of light receiving / emitting elements.

[0006]

The first to fifth solving means invented to solve such a problem are as follows.
The configuration and operation and effect will be described below.

[First Solution Means] The input device of the first solution means (as described in claim 1 at the beginning of the application) is a frame section surrounding an input range with a plurality of sets of opposite sides, and the input device. A light emitting means for emitting light to be sent into the range; a first bending means provided on the frame portion for transmitting light received from the light emitting device toward the opposite side of the corresponding set; and the first bending means provided on the frame portion Bending means for transmitting the light received from the lens to a predetermined light condensing position, light receiving means provided at the light condensing position, and position data corresponding to a light shielding position in the input range based on a light receiving state of the light receiving means. And arithmetic means for generating

[0008] In the input device of the first solving means, the light emitted from the light emitting means and reaching the first bending means travels through the input range in the frame portion to the opposite side of the corresponding set. Then, the light is collected by the second bending means to the light condensing position, and then received by the light receiving means. Then, when a fingertip or the like is put in the frame portion and light is shielded, position data corresponding to the light-shielded position is generated by the calculating means based on the light receiving state at that time.

As described above, when the light-shielding action is performed in the input range within the frame portion, the light-shielding action is detected and the position information is input. At the time of the detection, light is collected from the second bending means toward the light-receiving means. Therefore, the light receiving means covers an optical path over a wider range on the opposite side of the corresponding set as compared with the case other than the above. Also, in the light emitting means, if the light can be transmitted to one side of the set, an optical path in an appropriate direction in the input range is formed by the first bending means, so that an optical path over a wider range can be easily formed. It will be able to cover.

This makes it possible to cover a plurality or a large number or a series of optical paths to be secured in the input range for position detection with a pair or a small number of light transmitting / receiving elements. As a result, the number of optical elements can be reduced as compared with the conventional one, while employing the optical method. Therefore, according to the present invention, an input device having a small number of light receiving / emitting elements can be realized.

[Second Solution] The input device of the second solution (as described in claim 2 at the beginning of the application) is the input device of the first solution, wherein The bending means and the second bending means reflect light.

In the input device of the second solving means, not only the optical path from the first bending means to the second bending means but also the light path from the light emitting means to the first bending means and the second bending means. Since the optical path to the light receiving means also comes inside the frame, the necessary distance between the light emitting / receiving element and the bending means is secured inside the frame. The constraint of having to arrange is relaxed. Accordingly, since the light emitting and receiving elements can be housed in or attached to the frame portion and incorporated into the device, the device can be downsized. Therefore, according to the present invention, an input device having a small number of light receiving / emitting elements can be realized compactly.

[Third Solution] The input device of the third solution (as described in claim 3 at the beginning of the application) is the input device of the second solution, wherein the input device is a plate-like body. Are provided so as to extend in the input range, and the plate-like body is provided with an optical path from the first bending section to the second bending section, an optical path from the light emitting section to the first bending section, and the second bending section. From the optical path to the light receiving means.

In the input device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the plate-like body spreads in the input range, whereby the light path from the first bending means to the second bending means, that is, a light-shielding object with a finger or the like is provided. Is separated from the optical paths located before and after it, that is, from the optical path from the light emitting means to the first bending means and the optical path from the second bending means to the light receiving means.

Thus, even if a finger or the like is put in the input range,
Since the optical path outside the light-shielding object is partitioned by the plate-like body, the light is never shielded. Therefore, even if the light receiving / emitting element is housed in or attached to the frame portion and the light path outside the light shielding target comes inside the frame portion, an appropriate light shielding position is reliably detected regardless of that. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize an input device that can reliably detect a position even when the number of light emitting / receiving elements is small and the device is compact.

[Fourth solving means] The input device of the fourth solving means (as described in claim 4 at the beginning of the application) is the input device of the first to third solving means, The light emitting means sequentially changes the light transmission destination, and the arithmetic means generates position data based on the timing of the change.

In the input device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the light for position detection sequentially scans the input range, and the scanning position in the input range is the time elapsed from the reference timing such as the start of scanning. Is associated with. Thus, even if the light receiving element has only a single function of measuring the amount of light, and even if the light receiving element and the light emitting element have a wide optical path, the position can be reliably detected based on the scanning timing. Therefore, according to the present invention, an input device having a small number of light receiving / emitting elements can be reliably realized.

[Fifth Solution Means] The input device of the fifth solution means (as described in claim 5 at the beginning of the application) is the input device of the first to third solution means, The light-emitting means transmits light while developing light,
The light receiving means performs light reception while forming an image of light.

In the input device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the light emitted from the light emitting means expands and spreads in the input range, and is then collected and received. Since an image is formed at the time of light reception, position detection is reliably performed based on the spatial information of the image. Thus, even if the light emitting element and the light receiving element have a wide optical path, and the light transmission and reception are performed collectively in the range, the position detection can be performed reliably. Therefore, according to the present invention, an input device having a small number of light receiving / emitting elements can be reliably realized.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Specific embodiments for implementing the input device of the present invention achieved by such a solution will be described with reference to the following first to seventh embodiments.
The first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 embodies the first solution described above, and the second embodiment shown in FIGS.
The embodiment embodies the above-described second solution, and the third embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is a modification thereof.
The fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 6 embodies the above-described third solution, and the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is a modified example thereof, and is shown in FIGS. The sixth embodiment embodies the fourth solution described above, and FIG.
The seventh embodiment shown in FIG. 14 embodies the fifth solution described above. In the drawings, for simplicity and the like, illustrations of casings, fasteners such as bolts, and couplings such as hinges are omitted, and those necessary and related to the description of the invention are mainly described. Illustrated.

[0021]

First Embodiment A specific configuration of a first embodiment of the input device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1A and 1B show the structure, wherein FIG. 1A is a plan view and FIG. The light emitting point and the light receiving point are indicated by black circles when the light emitting point and the light receiving point are specified in the illustration of the light emitting means and the light receiving means. The optical path is indicated by a dashed-dotted line, and the data processing devices and the like that are not included in the input device but are indicated by a dashed-dotted line.

The input device can also be mounted on a position data processing device 70 to which the input position data is transmitted. When the input device is mounted, an operation panel 71 and a display 72 of the position data processing device 70 are provided. Are thinly arranged around the frame portion 10 so as to be able to be incorporated in a place where the screen of the display unit 72 can be seen from the through opening of the operation panel 71.

The frame portion 10 is a frame made of a quadrilateral metal or the like, which is slightly larger than the screen of the display portion 72, and has a central portion largely omitted to form an input range 11. The input range 11 surrounded by the quadrangular frame is also a quadrilateral, and is formed to have substantially the same size as the screen of the display unit 72. Such an input range 11 includes left and right opposite sides (first
It is surrounded by two sets (a plurality of sets) of opposing sides including a set of opposing sides and upper and lower opposing sides (a second set of opposing sides).

The frame portion 10 is mounted on a substantially flat substrate 12, and a through-hole corresponding to the input range 11 is formed in the substrate 12. It spreads out from the frame part 10 so that it may expand outside in the piled state. Then, the first bending means 30 and the second bending means 40 are incorporated in the frame portion 10 in order to make the whole thin, and the light emitting means 20, the light receiving means 50, and the arithmetic means are provided on the surface of the substrate 12 on which the frame portion 10 is mounted. 60 are mounted.

The light emitting means 20 has an appropriate semiconductor laser, light emitting diode or the like as a light emitting element serving as a light source. The emitted light is scanned or developed according to the control signal A, and is transmitted via the first bending means 30. The first set of light emitting means 21 arranged on the left side of the frame 10 corresponds to two sets of opposing sides in the input range 11.
And the second in-group light-emitting means 22 disposed above the frame 10
Are provided. The first set is for detecting and inputting the position in the Y direction, that is, the vertical position in the figure, and the second set is for detecting and inputting the position in the X direction, that is, the horizontal direction in the figure. is there. Note that such grouping is the same for the following first bending means 30 and the like and other embodiments.

The first bending means 30 is divided into a first bending means 31 in the first set and a first bending means 32 in the second set, each of which is composed of a Fresnel lens or the like. First bending means 3 in the first set
Numeral 1 is provided on the left side of the frame portion 10 and covers the vertical range of the input range 11. When light is received from the light emitting means 21 in the first set anywhere, the direction is set when transmitting the light. Is refracted so that any refracted light travels along an optical path substantially parallel to the upper side and the lower side of the frame portion 10. The first bending means 32 in the second set is provided at the upper side of the frame portion 10 and covers the horizontal range of the input range 11, and receives light from the light emitting means 21 in the second set anywhere. When transmitting the light, the direction is refracted so that any refracted light travels along an optical path substantially parallel to the left side and the right side of the frame portion 10.

The second bending means 40 is divided into a first bending means in the first set 41 and a second bending means 42 in the second set, each of which is composed of a Fresnel lens or the like. Second bending means 4 in the first set
1 is provided on the right side of the frame 10 opposite to the left side of the first bending means 31 in the first set, and the input range 11
Of the first set in the first set
When light is received from the bending means 31, its direction is refracted when transmitting the light, and any refracted light is reflected by the first right-hand side.
The light is sent to the focusing position. The second bending means 42 in the second set is connected to the first bending means 32 in the second set in the frame 10.
Is provided at the lower side opposite to the upper side, and covers the horizontal range of the input range 11. When light is received from the first bending means 32 in the second group anywhere, the direction of the light when transmitting the light is transmitted. Is refracted, and any refracted light is sent to the lower second condensing position.

The light receiving means 50 includes a light receiving element,
A first set of light receiving means 51 provided at the above-described first light condensing position toward the bending means 41 and a light receiving element provided at a second light collecting position toward the second bending means 42 within the second set. Each of them has a phototransistor or a photodiode as a light receiving element to perform photoelectric conversion, and if necessary, an appropriate signal amplifying circuit or the like is added. The result of the photoelectric conversion is sent to the calculating means 60 as a light receiving signal B.

The arithmetic means 60 is constituted by an electronic circuit such as a one-chip or plural-chip microprocessor which also serves as a control means.
A conversion circuit or the like is built in or externally attached. In the program processing, a control signal A for the light-emitting units 21 and 22 is generated and output, and the input range 11
When the light is shielded, the position data C corresponding to the light shielding position in the input range 11 is generated based on the input light receiving signal B or both the control signal A and the light receiving signal B, and the position data C is generated. The processing data is sent to the position data processing device 70 after the processing device 70 prepares the input data. The processing procedure and the like will be described in detail in the following operation description.

The mode of use and operation of the input device of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG.
Shows the operation state, (a) shows an optical path and the like when the position in the up-down direction and the Y direction is detected by the first set of means, and (b) shows the optical path and the like of the second set. 5 shows an optical path and the like when detecting the position in the left-right direction and the X direction.

A control signal A is sent from the calculating means 60,
In response, the first in-group light emitting means 21 emits light (FIG. 2).
(See (a)), the emitted light scans while developing or spreading in a fan shape, and illuminates almost the entire area of the first bending means 31 in the first set. Proceeding to the two-folding means 41, the light is refracted again and condensed, and finally received by the first set of light receiving means 51. In this way, a large number of optical paths substantially parallel to the upper side and the lower side of the input range 11 are secured by the first set of means.

When the light shielding means 80 such as a fingertip is put into the input range 11, the light path passing through the light shielding position is cut off, and the light receiving amount of the first group light receiving means 51 is reduced only in that part. The light receiving state is calculated as a light receiving signal B by the arithmetic means 6.
Then, the arithmetic means 60 performs an appropriate smoothing process, a detection process of an inflection point / extreme value, and the like, and reduces the amount of received light in the longitudinal direction of the second bending means 41 in the first set, that is, in the vertical direction in the figure. The position is calculated. Thus, first, the position in the Y direction in the input range 11 is detected.

Next, when the second in-group light-emitting means 22 emits light in response to the control signal A (see FIG. 2B), the emitted light also scans while expanding or spreading in a fan-like manner. It illuminates almost the entire area of the first bending means 32 in the set, where it is vertically refracted and then proceeds to the second bending means 42 in the second set, is refracted again and condenses, and finally the second set The light is received by the internal light receiving means 52. In this way, a large number of optical paths substantially parallel to the left side and the right side of the input range 11 are secured by the second set of means.

When the light shielding means 80 such as a fingertip is put in the input range 11, the light path passing through the light shielding position is cut off, and the light receiving amount of the second group light receiving means 52 is reduced only in that part. The light receiving state is calculated as a light receiving signal B by the arithmetic means 6.
The calculation means 60 also performs appropriate smoothing processing, detection processing of inflection points and extreme values, and the like. The received light amount in the longitudinal direction of the second bending means 42 in the second set, that is, in the left-right direction in FIG. The lowered position is calculated. Thus, the position in the X direction in the input range 11 is also detected.

Finally, the X direction of the light shielding means 80,
When the two positions in the Y direction are aligned, the arithmetic means 60 includes the position data C in one suitable electronic message and sends it to the position data processing device 70. The detection of the Y-direction position, the detection of the X-direction position, and the transmission of the position data C are repeated at a predetermined cycle, and the position of the light shielding means 80 in the input range 11 is detected as needed. Thus, in this input device, the light-shielded position in the input range 11 is detected and the position data is input to the position data processing device 70, although the number of light-emitting elements and light-receiving elements is very small, two each.

[0036]

Second Embodiment The input device of the present invention whose plan view is shown in FIG. 3 is different from that of the first embodiment in that the bending means 31, 32, 41 and 42 are all mirrors. And the point where the light emitting means 21 and 22 and the light receiving means 51 and 52 come to the four corners of the frame portion 10. In addition, although not shown, the substrate 12 needs to be small enough to mount the calculating means 60, and is provided so as to be hidden on the back surface of the frame portion 10.

In each of the bending means 31, 32, 41, and 42, the input range 11 side is a surface for reflecting light.
Then, the first in-group light emitting means 21 for transmitting light toward the reflecting surface of the first in-group first bending means 31 at the left side of the frame portion 10
The second in-group light-emitting means 22, which is disposed at an empty place on the right side of the frame portion 10, for example, at the upper right corner, and transmits light toward the reflection surface of the second in-group first bending means 32 on the upper side, A second portion that is disposed at the lower right side, for example, at the lower right corner, and transmits light toward the reflection surface of the first bending means 32 in the second pair on the upper side.
The in-group light-emitting means 22 is disposed, for example, at the lower right corner where it is vacant on the lower side, and the first in-group light receiving means 51 that receives light from the reflection surface of the first in-group second bending means 41 on the right side is located on the left side It is located in a vacant place, for example, in the lower left corner, and the second
The second in-group light receiving unit 52 that receives light from the reflection surface of the in-group second bending unit 42 is disposed at an upper left side, for example, at the upper left corner.

The bending means 31, 32, 41, 42
In any case, the reflecting surface should be formed in a curved shape in order to reflect light in a predetermined direction that slightly changes at each part when the light is bent by reflection. For this reason, the reflection surface is formed in a series of steps having different inclination angles (see FIG. 3B). The width and the like of each stage are determined according to the resolution allowed in the specification, and when a high resolution is required, the width must be narrow. Otherwise, the width may be wide. further,
The inclined state of these reflecting surfaces is such that an optical path described in the following operation description is secured. It should be noted that the blur amount of the optical path is determined based on the width and the inclination angle of each step, and the resolution is governed by the blur amount, so that the width of each step does not directly become the resolution.

The mode of use and operation of the input device of the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG.
Shows the optical path and the like when detecting the position in the Y direction in three stages.

The light emitted from the light emitting means 21 in the first set is first expanded in a fan shape by expansion and scanning, and illuminates almost the entire reflection surface of the first bending means 31 in the first set (FIG. 4A). Then, the light is reflected rightward, and then proceeds to the second bending means 41 in the first set (see FIG. 4B). The light is again reflected and collected (see FIG. 4C). The light is received by the first set of light receiving means 51. In this way, a large number of optical paths substantially parallel to the upper side and the lower side of the input range 11 are secured by the first set of means.

When the light-shielding means 80 such as a fingertip is put into the input range 11 (see FIG. 4B), the optical path passing through the light-shielding position is cut off, and only that part of the light-receiving means in the first group is set. The amount of received light at 51 decreases. Although illustration is omitted, and the vertical and horizontal directions are different, the input range 1 is similarly set by the second set of means 22, 32, 42 and 52.
A large number of optical paths substantially parallel to the left side and the right side of 1 are also ensured, and the light receiving amount of the portion shielded by the light shielding unit 80 also decreases.

Thus, also in this case, the pair of light receiving signals B
Are obtained, and the calculation means 60 calculates both positions of the light shielding means 80 in the X direction and the Y direction in the input range 11. In addition, this input device has not only a small number of light-emitting elements and light-receiving elements, but also the entire device including these elements is compactly assembled.

Depending on the position of the light shielding means 80, not only the parallel optical path between the bending means but also the optical path between the bending means and the light emitting / receiving means may be interrupted (FIG. 4 (c)).
Regarding this, the number of light-emitting elements and light-receiving elements is increased, and the input range 11 is divided, and only the portions that can be reliably detected are combined, or the scanning direction is changed by the lower right half and the upper left half of the input range 11. In addition to switching so that the light blocking of the parallel optical path always appears first, the influence can also be removed by a method of partitioning by the plate-like body 13 as in a fourth embodiment described later.

[0044]

Third Embodiment FIG. 5 is a plan view of a main part of an input device according to the present invention, which is a modification of the second embodiment described above, and includes three types.

First, the input device shown in FIG.
The difference from the embodiment is that the light receiving means 51 in the first set and the light receiving means 52 in the second set are combined into one and the light receiving means 5
It is a point that has become 0, and the light condensing position of the second bending means 41 in the first set has shifted from the lower left direction to the upper left direction correspondingly. In this case, although the number of light receiving elements is further reduced, the first
Since the in-group light emitting means 21 and the second in-group light emitting means 22 emit light alternately at different timings, even if the light is received by the same light receiving means 50, both positions in the X direction and the Y direction are obtained according to the timing. .

Next, the input device shown in FIG.
The difference from the embodiment is that the first group light emitting means 21 and the second group light emitting means 22 are combined into one and the light emitting means 2
0 and the corresponding second set of light receiving means 52
Moves from the upper left corner to the upper right corner, and the first
This is the point that the inclination directions of the reflection surfaces of the first bending means 31 in the group and the second bending means 42 in the second group are corrected. In this case, although the number of light emitting elements is further reduced, the light emitting means 20 irradiates widely both the first bending means 31 in the first set and the second bending means 41 in the first set, so that X The positions in the direction and the Y direction are obtained.

Finally, the difference between the input device of FIG. 5C and that of the second embodiment described above is that
And the second set of light emitting means 22 are integrated into a light emitting means 20, and the first set of light receiving means 51 and the second set of light receiving means 52 are integrated into a light receiving means. 50, and correspondingly, the inclination direction of the reflecting surface of the first bending means 31 in the first set and the second bending means 41 in the first set is corrected. In this case, although the number of light receiving / emitting elements is reduced, the light emitting means 20 irradiates widely both the first bending means 31 in the first set and the second bending means 41 in the first set, and both means 31, Since irradiation is performed at different timing with respect to 41, both positions in the X direction and the Y direction are obtained.

[0048]

Fourth Embodiment An input device of the present invention whose structure and operation are shown in FIG. 6 is different from those of the second and third embodiments described above in that the plate-like body 13 is introduced. This is the point that the first bending means 30 and the second bending means 40 also perform reflection in the thickness direction (vertical direction in the vertical sectional view).

The plate 13 is made of a thin metal plate, a plastic plate, or the like, is provided so as to extend over the entire input range 11, and bisects the space of the input range 11 surrounded by the frame 10 in the thickness direction. It has become something. The frame 10 is supported only at four corners and the like in order to secure a gap capable of forming an optical path between the four sides and the first bending means 30 or the second bending means 40.

The first bending means 30 and the second bending means 40 (the first bending means 31 and the second bending means 41 in the first set in the vertical sectional view of FIG. 2B) have a reflecting surface of a plate. In the vertical cross-sectional view at the height of the shape 13, the vertical direction is divided vertically, the upper side is obliquely downward, and the lower side is obliquely upward.
Although illustration is omitted, the light emitting means 20 and the light receiving means 50 are not shown.
The light emitting point and the light receiving point are located below the plate-shaped body 13 and are directed to the lower side of the reflection surfaces of the first bending means 30 and the second bending means 40.

In this case, the light emitted from the first in-group light emitting means 21 (see FIG. 6 (c)) passes through the lower side of the plate 13 and reaches the first in-group first bending means 31. Reflect twice. At that time, the light is turned upward by the first reflection, becomes horizontal by the second reflection, and then passes through the upper side of the plate-like body 13 to the second bending means 41 in the first set. There again it is reflected twice, where it falls down in the first reflection and turns sideways in the later reflection. Then, the light passes through the lower side of the plate 13 and reaches the first set of light receiving means 51. Although illustration is omitted, the light from the second set of light emitting means 22 to the second set of light receiving means 52 proceeds similarly.

As described above, the parallel optical path from the first bending means 30 to the second bending means 40 can be any one of the optical path from the light emitting means 20 to the first bending means 30 and the optical path from the second bending means 40 to the light receiving means 50. Also, it is partitioned by the plate 13. The light blocking means 80 entering the input range 11 from above only blocks the parallel light path above the plate 13 and never blocks the light spread from the light emitting means 20 or the light collected by the light receiving means 50. Thus, even if the light emitting unit 20 and the light receiving unit 50 are incorporated in the frame unit 10, the extra light paths other than the parallel light paths necessary for the position input are reliably protected from the light shielding unit 80.

[0053]

Fifth Embodiment The input device of the present invention whose longitudinal front view is shown in FIG. 7 is different from that of the above-described fourth embodiment in that the display contents of the display unit 72 can be seen through the input range 11. The point is that the plate 13 is made of transparent glass.
In addition, in order to secure sufficient strength and rigidity even with glass, a thick plate-like body 13 is employed. In order to prevent the frame portion 10 from becoming thick even when the plate-shaped body 13 becomes thick, the lower optical path to be protected from light shielding is provided in the plate-shaped body 13 by utilizing the transparency of the plate-shaped body 13. Is secured. Further, the four sides of the plate 13 are connected to the first bending means 30.
And, it extends just below the second bending means 40, is formed on an inclined surface, and the inside is replaced with a reflecting mirror by aluminum evaporation or the like. Note that the upper and lower relationships are described based on the longitudinal sectional view.

In this case, the light emitted from the light emitting means 21 in the first group passes through the plate 13 and reaches the inclined reflecting surface immediately below the first bending means 31 in the first group, where it is directed upward. After exiting the plate 13, it is turned sideways by the reflection of the first folding means 31 in the first set, and then passes through the upper side of the plate 13 to the second folding means 41 in the first set. There, first,
The light is reflected downward by the second bending means 41 in the set, enters the plate-shaped body 13, and then turns sideways on the inclined reflecting surface immediately below the second bending means 41 in the first set. Then, the light passes through the plate 13 and reaches the first set of light receiving means 51. Although illustration is omitted, the light from the second set of light emitting means 22 to the second set of light receiving means 52 proceeds similarly.

Thus, also in this case, the first bending means 30
The parallel optical path from the light source to the second bending means 40 is
0 to the first bending means 30 and the second bending means 4
The light path from 0 to the light receiving means 50 is separated by the plate 13 and extra light paths other than the parallel light paths required for position input are reliably protected from the light blocking means 80. Moreover,
In this case, the input operation can be performed while looking at the display unit 72 through the transparent plate 13.

[0056]

Sixth Embodiment The input device according to the present invention, which shows five types of light emitting means in FIG. 8, is a scanning type when further embodying the above-described respective embodiments. The light destination is sequentially changed. Further, the arithmetic means 60 controls the scanning of the light emitting means 20 by the control signal A, and generates the position data C by detecting the light shielding position based on the timing of the change of the light transmission destination in the scanning. It has become.

The light emitting means 20 shown in FIGS.
Are provided with a movable member 20b and a drive unit 20c in addition to the light source 20a in order to change the light sequentially. The light emitted from one light source 20a is bent by the movable member 20b, and the control signal A By moving the movable member 20b by the driving unit 20c in accordance with the above, the bending angle changes and the light transmission destination is swung within a predetermined range.

More specifically, FIG. 8A shows the light source 2
Reference numeral 0a denotes a laser unit that emits laser light, a movable member 20b is a reflecting member such as a prism, and a small motor in which a driving unit 20c swings. FIG. 8B shows the light source 20.
a is a light emitting diode (LED) having a high directivity, the movable member 20b is a swinging reflecting mirror such as a galvanometer mirror or a rotating reflecting mirror such as a polygon mirror, and the driving unit 20c swings or rotates. It is. The driving unit 20c
In addition to the motor main body, a speed conversion unit such as a gear unit and a drive mode conversion unit such as a cam unit are appropriately provided.

FIG. 8C shows an actuator in which the light source 20a is an LED, the movable member 20b is a transparent refraction lens, and the drive section 20c moves forward and backward. As such a drive unit 20c, a device in which a rotation-linear motion conversion means is added to a rotary motor can be used, but an electrostrictive element or an electromagnetic motor which directly performs forward and backward drive is preferable. Examples of such an electromagnetic motor include a conductive motor such as a voice coil and an electrostatic motor similar to a condenser microphone. FIG. 8D shows an example in which the movable member 20b is a lightweight Fresnel lens and the driving unit 20c is used.
In addition, the burden on the user and the downsizing have been achieved.

Further, the light emitting means 20 shown in FIG.
Is designed so that the light transmission destination can be sequentially changed without mechanical operation. For this purpose, in addition to a light source 20a such as an LED or a laser, a developing unit 20d, a sequential opening / closing unit 20e, and a driving unit 20f With Expanding means 20
Reference numeral d denotes a cylindrical lens or the like which spreads light emitted from one light source 20a in a fan shape over a predetermined angle range. The sequential opening / closing means 20e is an electronic shutter such as a liquid crystal panel, in which a required number of liquid crystal cells are formed in a line based on the resolution and the like. Drive unit 2
Reference numeral 0f denotes a liquid crystal driver or the like, which generates an appropriate drive signal according to the control signal A and sequentially sends the drive signal to the opening / closing means 20e. When the liquid crystal cells of the sequential opening / closing means 20e are sequentially opened and closed one by one, the light transmission destination is swung within a predetermined range accordingly.

The use and operation of the input device of the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG.
Shows the operation state, (a) shows an optical path or the like for determining the reference timing, (b) shows an optical path or the like when detecting the position in the X direction, (c) shows a waveform example of the reference signal, and (d) shows a waveform example of the reference signal. It is a waveform example of a light receiving signal. In this example, in order to enhance the grasp of the scanning timing based on the control signal A or to omit the scanning timing, the light reception for determining the reference timing is provided at the upper left corner of the above-described FIG. A means 53 is provided (see FIG. 6A).

In this case, the light emitted from the light emitting means 20 is
First bending means 31 in the first set and first bending means 3 in the second set
2, the light receiving means 5 during the scanning.
3 is also received. The light reception (see FIG. 6A) is temporarily performed only when the light transmission destination of the light emitting means 20 is directly directed to the light receiving means 53 (time t0). When the light transmission destination of the light emitting means 20 passes the light receiving means 53 and runs on the first bending means 32 side in the second group, the input range 1
In FIG. 1, an optical path from the upper side to the lower side repeatedly appears and disappears from the left side to the right side with a time lag (time t1 to tn) (see FIG. 9B).

When the light-shielding means 80 such as a fingertip is put in such an input range 11, the optical path is cut off at the timing of scanning the light-shielded position (at time ti in FIG. 9B). reference). Then, in the reference signal D output from the light receiving unit 53 (see FIG. 9C), a pulse indicating the reference timing appears before the scanning in the Y direction (time t0). After a lapse of a predetermined time corresponding to the light shielding position (time ti), a pulse indicating light shielding appears in the light receiving signal B indicating the light receiving state of the second set of light receiving means 52 (see FIG. 9D). . Further, although illustration is omitted, similar signals can be obtained in the same manner for the first set of means 31 having different directions.

Then, based on these signals, the timing between the appropriate pulses is calculated by the arithmetic means 60 and converted into a relative position in the input range 11 in the X and Y directions. In this way, even if the light receiving element is a single phototransistor, photodiode, or the like that receives light at one point, and the light receiving result at each instant does not include a spatial spread, the input of the position in the input range 11 can be appropriately performed. Will be

[0065]

Seventh Embodiment FIG. 10 shows an input device according to the present invention in which two types of light emitting means and two types of light receiving means are shown.
When the fifth embodiment is further embodied, it is of a collective transmission / reception type, in which the light emitting means 20 transmits light to a predetermined range with the development of light. The light receiving means 50 receives light with an image.

The light emitting means 20 shown in FIG.
Are light emitting diodes, and the light emitting means 20 in FIG. 10B is a semiconductor laser as the light source 20a, but each of them is a developing means 20d composed of a cylindrical lens or the like.
Is added, so that the light emitted from one light source 20a is spread in a fan shape over a predetermined angle range.

In the light receiving means 50 of FIG. 10C, the photoelectric conversion member 50b is an image pickup device such as a CCD, and the light receiving means 50 of FIG.
Although the light receiving position detecting element such as D is provided, each of them is provided with an image forming means 50a composed of a lens or the like so as to process the linear image. The PSD is generally of an enhancement type in which a resistance line and a reference voltage line running side by side on a light receiving line are conducted at a light receiving portion. However, in this case, since a light shielding position is detected, a depletion type which cuts off at the light receiving portion is used. Is easier to use.

In this case, if necessary for discrimination in the X and Y directions, each set of light sources 20a is turned on or off alternately or sequentially according to the control signal A by the arithmetic means 60.
A linear image corresponding to the light transmission state over a predetermined range in the X and Y directions is formed on each set of the photoelectric conversion members 50b. When the photoelectric conversion member 50b is an image sensor, image data for one line is obtained as the light receiving signal B, and the arithmetic unit 60 performs appropriate image processing on the image data to generate position data C. . Further, when the photoelectric conversion member 50b is a PSD, the resistance partial voltage that changes according to the conduction location acts on the applied voltage and the like, and a voltage value corresponding to the light shielding position is obtained in the light receiving signal B. In 60, simply A /
The position data C can be generated only by performing D conversion or the like and taking in the data.

As described above, the input of the position information in the input range 11 can be performed quickly and appropriately without performing any mechanical operation in the input device.

[0070]

[Others] In each of the above embodiments, the detection of the X-direction position and the detection of the Y-direction position are performed alternately at different timings. However, this is not essential, and the same light receiving element is used for the detection in both directions. Unless it is not possible to discriminate unless time-division is used due to shared use, both position detections may be performed simultaneously or in parallel.

The method of combining the light source 20a, the movable member 20b, and the driving unit 20c, and the method of combining the light source 20a and the
The combination with 0d is not limited to the above, and various combinations are possible. Further, the light emitting means 20
The light-receiving unit 50 and the like may be provided with an appropriate optical filter, an electric modulation discriminating unit, and the like in order to remove and suppress the influence of disturbance light.

[0072]

As is clear from the above description, in the input device according to the first solving means of the present invention, the optical path is bent at the opposite side, so that the input range can be detected for position detection. There is an advantageous effect that a large number of optical paths to be secured can be covered by a small number of light transmitting / receiving elements, and as a result, an input device having a small number of light receiving / emitting elements can be realized.

Further, in the input device according to the second solving means of the present invention, since the light emitting and receiving elements do not have to be arranged outside the frame part, the input device having less light emitting and receiving elements can be provided. There is an advantageous effect that the device can be realized compactly.

Further, in the input device according to the third solution of the present invention, the light path is partitioned in accordance with the suitability of the light shielding, so that the light receiving / emitting element is small and the position is small even if the light receiving / emitting element is compact. There is an advantageous effect that an input device that can reliably perform detection can be realized.

Further, in the input device according to the fourth solution of the present invention, by adopting the scanning method, there is obtained an advantageous effect that an input device having a small number of light receiving / emitting elements can be reliably realized. Play.

According to the input device of the fifth solution of the present invention, the combination of the image formation and the collective light transmission makes it possible to reliably realize an input device with a small number of light receiving / emitting elements. Has an advantageous effect.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows the structure of a first embodiment of the input device of the present invention, where (a) is a plan view and (b) is a longitudinal front view.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show the operation state, FIG. 2A shows an optical path and the like when a position in a vertical direction and a Y direction is detected by each means of a first set, and FIG. It shows an optical path and the like when the means detects the position in the left-right direction and the X direction.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the structure of a second embodiment of the input device of the present invention, wherein (a) relates to a frame portion and (b) relates to bending means.

FIG. 4 shows an optical path and the like at the time of Y-direction position detection in three stages.

FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the input device of the present invention;
It is a principal part top view which shows a modification of a kind.

FIG. 6 shows a structure and an operation state of a fourth embodiment of the input device of the present invention, where (a) is a plan view and (b)
(C) is a longitudinal sectional front view.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional front view of a fifth embodiment of the input device of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a fifth embodiment of the input device according to the present invention;
It is a schematic diagram of a kind of light emitting means.

FIGS. 9A and 9B show the operation state, FIG. 9A shows an optical path and the like for determining a reference timing, FIG. 9B shows an optical path and the like when X-direction position detection is performed, FIG. 9C shows a waveform example of a reference signal, and FIG. )
Is a waveform example of the light receiving signal.

FIG. 10 shows a seventh embodiment of the input device of the present invention.
(A) and (b) are schematic diagrams of two types of light emitting means,
(C) and (d) are schematic diagrams of two types of light receiving means.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Frame part 11 Input range 12 Substrate (base | substrate part, mounting parts, frames, etc., support part) 13 Plate-shaped body (partition plate, transparent plate) 20 Light emitting means (light emitting member, light emitting element) 20a Light source (laser, light emitting diode, point) 20b Movable member (sequentially changing means of light transmission destination, scanning means) 20c Driving unit (oscillation / rotation driving source, vibration source, scanning means) 20d Expanding means (collective light transmission means) 20e Sequential opening / closing means (electronic shutter) 20f Driving unit (electronic shutter drive control unit, scanning unit) 21 First set internal light emitting unit (light emitting unit for vertical / Y-direction position detection) 22 Second internal light emitting unit (left / right direction / X direction) Light emitting means for position detection) 30 First bending means (Fresnel lens, refractive member, reflecting mirror) 31 First bending means in first set (vertical / Y-direction position detecting bending means) 32 First in second set Means of bending (Left / Right / X-direction position detecting bending means) 40 Second bending means (Fresnel lens, refraction member, reflector) 41 Second bending means in first set (vertical / Y-direction position detecting bending means) 42 The second bending means in the two sets (the bending means for detecting the position in the horizontal direction and the X direction) 50 Light receiving means (light receiving amount measuring means, photoelectric conversion means, light receiving member, light receiving element) 50a Image forming means (lens, collective light receiving means) 50b Photoelectric conversion member (CCD, imaging means, PSD,
Position detecting means) 51 First set of light receiving means (light receiving means for vertical / Y direction position detection) 52 Second set of light receiving means (light receiving means for left / right / X direction position detecting) 53 Light receiving means (reference position) Reference signal / reference timing determination / calibration 60 Calculation means (position data generation means, control means) 70 Position data processing device (position data destination) 80 Light shielding means (light shielding position designation means, light shielding member, pen tip, fingertip) )

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A frame section surrounding an input range with a plurality of sets of opposing sides, light emitting means for emitting light to be sent to the input area, and light received from the light emitting means provided in the frame section facing the set. A first bending means for sending light toward the side, a second bending means provided on the frame portion for sending light received from the first bending means to a predetermined light condensing position, and a light receiving means provided at the light condensing position And an arithmetic unit for generating position data corresponding to a light shielding position in the input range based on a light receiving state of the light receiving unit. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first bending means and said second bending means reflect light.
Input device as described. 3. An optical path extending from the first bending unit to the second bending unit, an optical path from the light emitting unit to the first bending unit, and an optical path from the second bending unit to the light receiving unit. The input device according to claim 2, further comprising a plate-shaped body that partitions an optical path to the input device. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said light emitting means sequentially changes a light transmission destination, and said arithmetic means generates position data based on a timing of the change.
The input device according to claim 3. 5. The light-emitting device according to claim 1, wherein said light-emitting means transmits light with light development, and said light-receiving means performs light reception with image formation. An input device described in any one of the above.