JP2002055770A - Coordinate input device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a coordinate input device capable of maintaining the calculation accuracy of a coordinate position. A coordinate input device includes a coordinate input surface.
The direction of the two coordinates input to
An auxiliary mirror 104 for detecting from directions different from the directions detected by L and 102R as direct light, a determining unit 153 for recognizing that two coordinate directions are not detected separately in one optical unit 102, Judgment unit 1
When it is recognized by the optical unit 53 that the two are not detected separately, the two coordinate directions detected by the other optical unit 102, the two coordinate directions detected by the auxiliary mirror 104, and the Based on the position and the position of the other optical unit 102, a coordinate input surface 101
And a calculation unit 151 for calculating the positions of the two coordinates actually input to the CPU.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coordinate input device, and more particularly to a coordinate input device which detects a direction of a coordinate input on a coordinate input surface and calculates a position of the coordinate.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as represented by an optical coordinate input device, there is a coordinate input device that detects the direction of a coordinate input on a coordinate input surface from two directions and calculates the position of the coordinate. Was.

FIG. 15 shows an example of a conventional optical coordinate input device. The coordinate input device 300 includes a coordinate input surface 301 used for inputting coordinates, a reflecting portion 302 surrounding three sides of the coordinate input surface 301 and recursively reflecting the incoming light in the incoming direction. It is composed of optical units 303 arranged at both ends of the input surface 301.

The optical unit 303 has a coordinate input surface 301
The light emitting unit irradiates light that spreads in a fan shape substantially parallel to the light emitting unit, and a light receiving unit that receives light reflected by the reflecting unit 302 and returned recursively. In the light receiving unit, for example, a line sensor is provided to detect the direction of light blocked by a finger, a pointing stick, or the like. The coordinate input device 300 can calculate the position of the coordinate input to the coordinate input surface 301 based on the light blocking direction detected by the two optical units 303 and the distance between the optical units 303.

Conventional techniques related to such a coordinate input device include, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-267614, "Position Detecting Device", Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-105332, "Touch Panel Device", and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 214941, "Position Input Device" and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-108267, "Touch Panel Input Device" are known.

[0006]

However, the prior art has the following problems. The coordinate input device 300 shown in FIG. 15 has a problem that when a plurality of coordinates are input, it may not be possible to accurately calculate the position of the coordinates. Here, a case where two coordinates are input will be described for simplicity of explanation.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a case where the accuracy of position calculation is maintained by the positional relationship of the input coordinates in the conventional optical coordinate input device. FIGS. In a conventional optical coordinate input device,
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a case where the accuracy of position calculation is degraded due to the positional relationship between input coordinates. As shown in FIG. 16, when the two optical units 303 can detect the directions of the two coordinates, the calculation accuracy of the position of the input coordinates is maintained.

However, as shown in FIG. 17, in the left optical unit 303, the rear coordinate B is blocked by the input coordinate A, and only one point is detected in the direction of the coordinate. Occurs. At this time, the calculation accuracy of the coordinate position is maintained for the coordinate A near the optical unit 303 on the left side, but the calculation accuracy for the coordinate B farther is reduced due to the influence of the main shadow or penumbra of the coordinate A. Not maintained. In particular, when the front coordinate A is input by a thick pointing stick or the like, the calculation accuracy of the position of the rear coordinate B significantly decreases.

Further, as shown in FIG. 18, when the direction of the coordinate A and the direction of the coordinate B are extremely close, the width of the shadow is widened. When the input direction is determined or the midpoint of the half width is determined as the coordinate input direction, the calculation accuracy of both the coordinates A and the coordinates B cannot be maintained. That is, the calculation accuracy of the coordinates is reduced due to the overlapping of the directions.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a coordinate input device capable of maintaining the calculation accuracy of a coordinate position.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, a coordinate input device according to a first aspect of the present invention detects a direction of a coordinate input on a coordinate input surface from two separate positions. First and second direction detecting means, and the coordinates based on directions of the coordinates detected by the first and second direction detecting means and positions of the first and second direction detecting means, respectively. And a calculating means for calculating the position of the coordinate input device. A third direction for detecting the direction of the coordinate input to the coordinate input surface from a direction different from the first and second direction detecting means. When two coordinates are input to the coordinate input surface, the direction of the two coordinates is detected separately by one of the first and second direction detecting means. It has not been A non-separation recognition unit for recognizing the two coordinates, when the one direction detection unit recognizes that the directions of the two coordinates are not detected separately, the control unit controls the calculation unit. And the first
And the direction of the two coordinates detected by the other direction detecting means of the second direction detecting means, the direction of the two coordinates detected by the third direction detecting means, and the third direction. Calculation control means for calculating, based on the position of the direction detection means and the position of the other direction detection means, the position of the two coordinates actually input to the coordinate input surface. is there.

That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, even when a plurality of input coordinates have a directional occlusion or overlap, the directions of the coordinates can be detected separately.

The coordinate input device according to a second aspect of the present invention,
2. The coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein the calculation control unit refers to a position of the one direction detection unit and a direction detected by the one direction detection unit, so that the coordinate input surface is determined. The position of the two coordinates actually input is calculated.

That is, according to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to remove a dummy point composed of the direction of one coordinate by the first direction detecting means and the direction of the other coordinate by the second direction detecting means. .

The coordinate input device according to a third aspect of the present invention,
2. The coordinate input device according to claim 1, further comprising a distinguishing unit that distinguishes the directions of the two coordinates detected by the first or second direction detecting unit, wherein the calculation control unit is configured to execute the distinguishing unit. 3. The position of the two coordinates actually input to the coordinate input surface is calculated based on the directions of the two coordinates distinguished by the following.

That is, according to the third aspect of the present invention, dummy points can be eliminated.

The coordinate input device according to claim 4 is
First and second optically directly detecting the direction of the coordinates input to the coordinate input surface from two separate positions.
Based on the direction of the coordinates optically directly detected by the first and second direction detecting means and the position of the first and second direction detecting means, respectively. Calculating means for calculating a position, wherein the direction of the coordinates input to the coordinate input surface is changed from a direction different from the directly detected direction to the first or second direction detecting means. A reflecting mirror to be detected for the reflecting mirror, rotating means for rotating the reflecting mirror, and one of the first and second direction detecting means when two coordinates are input to the coordinate input surface. A non-separation recognizing means for recognizing that the directions of the two coordinates are not separately detected by the detecting means; and the direction of the two coordinates is detected by the one direction detecting means by the non-separable recognizing means. When it is recognized that the two coordinate directions are not detected, the rotation unit controls the rotation unit to separate and detect the directions of the two coordinates with respect to the one detection unit or the other detection unit. A control means for controlling the calculation means so that the directions of the two coordinates directly detected by the other detection means and the two directions detected by the one or other direction detection means via the reflecting mirror; Calculation control means for calculating, based on the direction of one coordinate, the position of the other direction detection means, and the position of the reflecting mirror, the position of the two coordinates actually input to the coordinate input surface; , Is provided.

That is, in the invention according to claim 4, even when a plurality of input coordinates have a directional occlusion or overlap, the direction of the coordinates can be detected separately.

Further, the coordinate input device according to claim 5 is
5. The coordinate input device according to claim 4, wherein the calculation control unit refers to a position of the one direction detection unit and a direction detected by the one direction detection unit, so that the coordinate input surface The position of the two coordinates actually input is calculated.

That is, the invention according to claim 5 can eliminate the dummy point.

The coordinate input device according to claim 6 is
5. The coordinate input device according to claim 4, further comprising a distinguishing unit that distinguishes between the directions of the two coordinates detected by the first or second direction detecting unit, wherein the calculation control unit includes the distinguishing unit. 6. The position of the two coordinates actually input to the coordinate input surface is calculated based on the directions of the two coordinates distinguished by the following.

That is, the invention according to claim 6 can eliminate the dummy point.

Further, the coordinate input device according to claim 7 is
5. The coordinate input device according to claim 4, wherein the first and second direction detection units pass through the rotation center of the reflecting mirror when detecting the directions of the two coordinates via the reflecting mirror. 6. In this case, the directions of the two coordinates are optically detected based on the generated light.

That is, in the invention according to claim 7, coordinates can be detected at a fixed position where there is no blur due to rotation.

[0025]

[Embodiment 1]

(Schematic Configuration of Coordinate Input Device) FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of the coordinate input device according to the first embodiment. The coordinate input device 100 emits a rectangular coordinate input surface 101 for inputting coordinates (position A in the figure) with a pointing rod or finger such as a pen, and irradiation light parallel to the coordinate input surface 101 and in a fan shape.
An optical unit 102 for receiving the reflected light (the optical unit on the left is 102L and the optical unit on the right is 102R) is arranged on the outer edge of the coordinate input surface 101 and emits light emitted by the optical unit 102. And a reflector 103 that recursively reflects in the light incident direction.

Further, the coordinate input device 100 has an auxiliary mirror 104 for separating the direction of the two coordinates input to the coordinate input surface 101 when one of the optical units 102 cannot detect the direction separately. In the following, the capital letter L is an index for identifying various parameters used in the left optical unit 102L, and the capital letter R is an index for identifying various parameters used in the right optical unit 102R. The position where the coordinates are input is referred to as a coordinate point as appropriate.

The coordinate input device 100 further includes a control unit 1
The control unit 105 includes a calculation unit 151 that calculates a coordinate position based on the direction of the coordinates detected by the optical units 102L and 102R and the positions of the optical units 102L and 103R, and the rotation of the auxiliary mirror 104. A rotating unit 152 for performing control and one optical unit 1
02, a determination unit 153 that determines that the direction of the coordinates has not been detected separately, and a storage unit 154 that stores the movement history of each coordinate and distinguishes the plurality of coordinates when there are a plurality of input coordinates. And an interface unit 156 that manages an interface when connected to an external device, for example, a personal computer (PC) 106.

Although not shown, the auxiliary mirror 10
Reference numeral 4 is rotated by a stepping motor, and the angle of the auxiliary mirror 104 can be known by the movement of the stepping motor. Also, the coordinate input surface 10
Reference numeral 1 denotes a flat plate in the figure, but it does not necessarily mean that a tangible flat plate is required, and the flat plate 1 is formed by irradiation light irradiated parallel to the coordinate input surface 101 from the optical unit 102 as described later. It may be a virtual surface.

The coordinate input surface 101 may be a display surface such as an LCD or the like, and may display various processing results under the control of the PC 106. As a result, a large-sized touch panel can be formed, and a highly convenient coordinate input device can be provided.

(Structure of Reflecting Section) The surface of the reflecting section 103 is covered with a member that reflects the incoming light recursively in that direction. One example is a corner cube reflector. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a corner cube reflector. Among them, FIG. 1A is a perspective view, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view along a straight line passing through the vertex and the center of the bottom circle. The corner cube reflector has a conical shape and the inner surface is made of aluminum or the like to increase the reflection efficiency. As shown in the figure, the corner cube reflector reflects incident light recursively because the cone angle is 90 degrees.

(Structure of Optical Unit) Next, the optical unit 102 will be described in detail. FIG. 3 shows the optical unit 1.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a reference numeral 02 in a direction parallel to the coordinate input surface 101 and in a direction orthogonal to the traveling direction of the irradiation light (the y-axis direction in the figure). FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the optical unit shown in FIG. 3 from the traveling direction of the irradiation light (from the x-axis direction in the drawing). The light emitting unit 121 is a light emitting element 1 that emits irradiation light.
22, and cylindrical lenses 123a to 123c that deflect the irradiation light emitted by the light emitting element 122 in a predetermined direction. Reference numeral 124 denotes a half mirror, which deflects the irradiation light passing through the cylindrical lens 123 toward the reflection unit 103.

As the light emitting element 122, for example, a light emitting member such as a laser diode or a pinpoint LED can be used. The irradiation light emitted from the light emitting element 122 is narrowed down by the cylindrical lens 123a, and becomes a light beam parallel to the z-axis direction. Subsequently, the irradiation light is applied to the two cylindrical lenses 12.
The diffused light spreads in a fan-shape in the y-axis direction via the cylindrical lens 3b and the cylindrical lens 123c (see FIG. 4).

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the light receiving section 125 includes a light receiving lens 126 for condensing the reflected light from the reflecting section 103 passing through the half mirror 124 and a plurality of light receiving elements such as a photo sensor. And a line sensor 127. Reflection unit 10 illuminated from light emitting element 122
The reflected light returning on the same path by 3 reaches different positions on the line sensor 127 by the light receiving lens 126.

(Detection of Direction by Optical Unit) Next, detection of the direction of coordinates by the line sensor 127 will be described. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the principle of direction detection by the light receiving unit 125. Although the figure mainly shows the light receiving unit 125, the light emitting element 122 and the half mirror 124 that transmits the reflected light are also shown. In addition,
Since the light emitting element 122 is located above the half mirror 124 (at the position of z> 0 in the coordinate system in the figure), it is indicated by a dot for convenience.

When a finger is inserted at a certain position A on the coordinate input surface 101 and the irradiation light is cut off, the reflected light does not reach a corresponding point on the line sensor 127 corresponding to that direction. That is, as shown in the drawing, when a finger that blocks light is inserted into the position A on the coordinate input surface 101, the light passing therethrough is blocked, and the area of the line sensor 127 where the light receiving intensity is low at the position D ( Dark point). Since the position of the dark spot D corresponds one-to-one with the shielding direction (position A), the shielding direction is detected by the line sensor 127.

It should be noted that the cylindrical lens 123c is controlled so that the received light intensity at the line sensor 127 is uniform.
A shaded filter may be provided at the subsequent stage or at the previous stage of the line sensor 127. This eliminates the need to set a direction-dependent threshold value for each element of the line sensor 127, and facilitates control.

(Contents of Operation Unit) The operation unit 151 determines the dark spot D
The position of the coordinate A is calculated from the shielding direction based on. The dark spot D has a one-to-one correspondence with a detection angle θd (see FIG. 5) obtained by measuring an indicator rod, a finger, or the like from the optical axis.
If the position D of the upper dark spot is known, the detected angle θd can be known. Assuming that the distance from the light receiving lens 126 to the line sensor 127 is f, θd is given by Expression (1) as a function of D. θd = arctan (D / f) (1)

Strictly speaking, tan (θd) = D / f is not obtained due to refraction of light by the light receiving lens 126. However, since the relationship between the detection angle θd and D / f is uniquely determined, here, it is simple. Therefore, it is assumed that equation (1) holds. The optical axis indicates the optical axis of the light receiving lens 126.

In the above description, the detection angle θd is calculated by
1, but the storage unit 15
4 may be provided with a correspondence table that associates the position D with the detection angle θd, and the detection angle θd may be obtained from the dark point D with reference to this correspondence table. That is, the calculation in the calculation unit 151 includes reference to a correspondence table which is a calculation result.

When the detection angle θd is obtained, the calculation angle θc used for calculating the coordinate point A, that is, the direction of the coordinate point A with the optical unit 102 as a reference line is obtained. The coordinate point A can be obtained from the calculated angle θc and the distance between the optical units 102. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between the coordinate point A, the distance w between the optical units, and the right calculation angle θcR and the left calculation angle θcL used when calculating the coordinate point A. Although a detailed calculation process is omitted, the coordinate point A (x, y) is given by Expression (2). x = w · tan θcR / (tan θcL + tan θcR) y = w · tan θcL · tan θcR / (tan θcL + tan θcR) (2)

As is clear from the above description, if the position of the dark spot D on the line sensor 127 is known, the detection angle θd
The calculated angle θcR (or θcL) can be calculated based on the following equation, and the position A can be calculated by Expression (2). This calculation is performed by the calculation unit 151. Note that the detection angle θd
The conversion formula for calculating the calculation angle θcR (or θcL) is determined uniquely if the mounting angle of the optical unit 102 is known, and therefore the description thereof is omitted.

It should be noted that also in the equation (2), the storage unit 154
The dark spot D and the position A in the left and right optical units 102
A correspondence table corresponding to (x, y) is provided, and the position A (x,
y) may be determined. In the above description, the control unit 1
Reference numeral 05 denotes a configuration built in the coordinate input device 100, but the control unit 105 excluding the interface unit 156.
May be provided in the above-described PC 106, for example. In the latter case, the coordinate input device 100 includes the PC.

The coordinate input device 100 calculates the position of the coordinates input to the coordinate input surface 101 by the above-described units. In addition, even when there are a plurality of input coordinates, if the dummy points described later can be removed, the positions of the plurality of input coordinates can be accurately calculated in principle.

However, when the plurality of coordinates inputted by the optical unit 102 are substantially on a straight line, in other words, when the plurality of coordinates inputted by the optical unit 102 cannot be detected separately, the position of the coordinate Calculation accuracy cannot be maintained. The coordinate input device 100 solves this problem by providing the auxiliary mirror 104, and maintains the calculation accuracy of the coordinate position. In the following description, a case where the number of input coordinates is two will be described for convenience of description.

(Contents of Judgment Unit) The auxiliary mirror 104 separates and detects the direction of the input coordinate when the direction of the input coordinate cannot be separated, in other words, when the direction is blocked or overlapped. Used for The determination unit 153 determines whether the directions of the coordinates are detected separately.
Most simply, one of the optical units 102 detects that the input coordinate is one, and the other optical unit 10
In 2, when it is detected that the input coordinates are two,
There is a method of determining that coordinates are not detected separately.

When the direction of the coordinates is detected by the line sensor 127, an element portion having a light receiving intensity smaller than a certain threshold value is set as the shielding direction. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of dark point detection by the line sensor (128 elements) when the determination unit 153 detects that coordinates are not separated. As indicated by the oblique lines, the line sensor of the right optical unit 102R detects that the light receiving intensity is smaller than a predetermined threshold value at the 26th element, the 27th element, the 91st element, the 92nd element, and the 93rd element. I have. On the other hand, the line sensor of the left optical unit 102L has a 56th element, a 57th element,
58 th element, 59 th element, 60 th element, and 61 th element
The element detects that the received light intensity is smaller than a predetermined threshold.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for determining the shielding or overlapping direction by the determining unit 153. The determining unit 153 first detects the average number of continuous elements detected as dark points (step S701). Thereby, the thickness of the finger or the pointing stick used for the input can be known. Under the above detection conditions, the left optical unit 10
Since the number of continuations of 2L is 6, and the number of continuations of the right optical unit 102R is 2 or 3, it is detected that the number of continuations is 2 or 3 excluding the protruding number of continuations 6.

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the number of continuations is a group, and whether or not the number of the groups matches the left and right line sensors 127 (step S702). If the numbers match (step S702: YES), it is determined that there is no occlusion or overlap in the direction of the input coordinates (step S703). On the other hand, if the numbers do not match (step S702: No), it is determined that occlusion or overlap has occurred in the direction of the input coordinates (step S7).
04). Under the above detection conditions, the right optical unit 10
Since the number of 2R chunks is 2 and the number of left chunks is 1, the determination unit 153 determines that the direction is blocked or overlapped.

Finally, the judgment section 153 judges that the shielding or the overlap has occurred in the direction corresponding to the detection area where the continuous number is protruding (step S705). Under the above-described detection conditions, it is determined that occlusion or overlap has occurred in the detection area of six consecutive numbers.

(Contents of auxiliary mirror) Next, auxiliary mirror 1
04 will be described. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the optical unit 102 separates and detects the coordinate direction by the auxiliary mirror 104. As shown in the figure, the left optical unit 102L cannot separate and detect the coordinates A and B as direct light. Therefore, the light emitting unit 121 emits light even toward the rotation center of the auxiliary mirror 104, and separates and detects the coordinates A and B via the auxiliary mirror 104.

It should be noted that the light emitting section 121 is provided with the auxiliary mirror 104.
May be emitted at all times, or may be emitted only when the determination unit 153 determines that the direction has been blocked or overlapped. Although not particularly shown in the drawing, a light emitting element used for the auxiliary mirror 104 may be provided separately from the light emitting element 122.

In the figure, reference numeral 107 denotes a stepping motor arranged on the back of the coordinate input surface 101. The stepping motor 107 rotates under the control of the rotating unit 152. In addition, the rotation unit 152 can know the angle of the auxiliary mirror 104 by controlling the stepping motor. The optical unit 102 is the auxiliary mirror 10
By knowing the angle of the auxiliary mirror when the dark point is detected via the line 4, the direction of the dark point at the coordinates A and B can be indirectly known.

The optical unit 102 is the auxiliary mirror 1
Irradiation light is emitted to the rotation center of 04. This allows
Even if the auxiliary mirror 104 rotates, the reflected light recursively reflected by the reflector 103 passes through the rotation center of the auxiliary mirror 104 again and returns to a fixed position of the optical unit 102. That is, since the light receiving unit 125 can always receive the reflected light via the auxiliary mirror 104 at a fixed position, the detection efficiency can be improved.

The optical unit that receives the reflected light from the auxiliary mirror 104 is not limited to the left optical unit 102L that cannot detect the direction of the coordinates separately and may be the right optical unit 102R. The auxiliary mirror 10
Since the reflected light (shielded light) via 4 can be received at a fixed position, it may be detected, for example, by (the end of) the line sensor 127, or may be detected by providing a separate sensor.

(Exclusion of Dummy Points) The optical unit 102 of the coordinate input device 100 has the coordinate input
The fan-shaped light is emitted in parallel to 01, and the light-receiving unit 125 detects shielding or overlapping in two directions. The light receiving portion 125, in the direction which advance with respect to the coordinate A, which can not know the direction with respect to the coordinate B. Therefore, virtual image points (dummy points) are connected from the two directions detected by the left optical unit 102L and the two directions detected by the right optical unit 102R. FIG.
Is a schematic diagram showing an example of a dummy point.

Various methods can be considered as a method for excluding the dummy points. For example, the storage unit 154 assigns IDs in the order of the input coordinates, and calculates the position of the coordinates (trajectory) calculated by the calculation unit 151. ) May be appropriately tracked to distinguish the directions of a plurality of coordinates. In some cases, the coordinates of one of the optical units may coincide with each other due to movement of the input coordinates. In this case, the directions of the coordinates can be distinguished from the trajectory up to that point.

The irradiation light emitted from the optical unit 102 can be scanned on the coordinate input surface as a thin beam. Thereby, the two directions can be distinguished based on the detection timing in both optical units,
The two coordinates can be distinguished from each other.

(Calculation of Positions of Two Points) Next, calculation of coordinates using the auxiliary mirror 104 will be described. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between parameters when calculating coordinates using the auxiliary mirror 104. Coordinate input surface 1 as shown
Consider a coordinate system in which an x-axis is provided in the horizontal direction and a y-axis is provided in the vertical direction. This coordinate system is a coordinate system provided for the coordinate input surface 101 irrespective of the coordinate systems shown in FIGS.

In the figure, angles θA and θB indicate angles of coordinates A and B measured from the rotation center of the auxiliary mirror 104 using the x-axis as a reference line. It is assumed that whether the detected angle belongs to the coordinate A or the coordinate B can be distinguished in advance by excluding the dummy point as described above. θkA and θkB are the coordinates A
And the angle of the auxiliary mirror 104 with respect to the x-axis when the coordinate B is detected. θy indicates the mounting angle of the auxiliary mirror 104. At this time, θA, θB and θkA, θkB
Is represented by the following equation (3). θA = 180− (2 · (θkA−θy)) θB = 180− (2 · (θkB−θy)) (3)

Although the calculation process is omitted, θA, θB and θc
From RA and θcRB, the position (xA, yA) of the coordinate A can be obtained as in the following equation (4). Note that θcR
A, θcRB are the coordinates A from the right optical unit 102R.
Alternatively, the calculated angle is obtained by measuring the coordinate B. xA = (w · tan θcRA-a · tan θA-b) / (tan θcRA-tan θA) yA = w · tan θcRA-[((w · tan θcRA-a · tan θA-b) / (tan θcRA-tan θA)] (4) )

Similarly, the position (xB, yB) of the coordinate B can be obtained as in the following equation (5). xB = (w · tan θcRB-a · tan θB-b) / (tan θcRB-tan θB) yB = w · tan θcRB-[((w · tan θcRB-a · tan θB-b) / (tan θcRB-tan θB)] (5) Note that a and b represent the auxiliary mirror 1 from the optical unit 102L.
The distance in the x-direction and the distance in the y-direction to the rotation center 04 are shown.

As described above, in the coordinate input device according to the first embodiment, even if one of the optical units cannot separate and detect two coordinates input to the coordinate input surface, the coordinate is used by the auxiliary mirror. Can be detected separately. This makes it possible to maintain the calculation accuracy of the coordinate position even when the direction is occluded or overlapped.

[Embodiment 2] In Embodiment 2, a coordinate input device for irradiating a beam-like irradiation light will be described. Note that the same parts as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals for the respective components of the coordinate input device of the second embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

(Schematic Configuration of Coordinate Input Device) FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an optical unit of the coordinate input device according to the second embodiment. The coordinate input device 200 emits beam-like irradiation light while scanning the coordinate input surface 101 in parallel with the coordinate input surface 101 used for inputting coordinates, and receives reflected light. Optical unit 202 (the optical unit on the left
02L and the optical unit on the right side is 202R)
And an absorbing member 203 arranged on the outer edge of the coordinate input surface 101 and absorbing the irradiation light emitted from the optical unit 102, and when the two coordinate directions input to the coordinate input surface 101 cannot be detected separately. Auxiliary mirror 10 for separating directions
And 4.

The control unit 105 shown in FIG. 1 is omitted. The coordinate input to the coordinate input device 200 is performed by the pointing rod 1 having the irregular reflection portion 181 coated with the irregular reflection agent.
08.

(Structure of Optical Unit) FIGS. 13 and 1
4 is a plan view and a front view showing an example of a schematic configuration of the optical unit 202. The optical unit 202 includes a light emitting element 221 that emits laser light, a polygon mirror 222 that reflects the laser light, a drive motor 223 that rotates the polygon mirror 222, and a light receiving lens that collects light reflected by the pointing rod 108. 224, a photo sensor 225 for detecting the reflected light condensed by the light receiving lens 224, and the auxiliary light receiving lens 22 for condensing the light from the auxiliary mirror 104
6 (omitted in FIG. 14) and a photo sensor 227 for detecting light collected by the auxiliary light receiving lens 226. Reference numeral 228 indicates a light entrance window for taking in light entering from the auxiliary mirror 104.

Since the optical unit 202 scans the coordinate input surface with beam-shaped light, unlike the optical unit 102 that uniformly radiates fan-shaped light, the light reflection timing is detected by the left and right optical units 102. By doing so, a plurality of coordinates can be distinguished. That is, in this embodiment, no dummy point occurs. Therefore, even when a plurality of coordinates are input, the calculation of the coordinate position can be easily performed.

However, as in the first embodiment, when there is occlusion or overlap in the direction of the input coordinates, the coordinate detection accuracy cannot be maintained. Therefore, in this case, the reflection of the light applied to the auxiliary mirror 104 is detected to maintain the detection accuracy. Since the pointing rod 108 diffusely reflects light, light emitted to the auxiliary mirror 104 is different from light directly traveling to the optical unit 202 by the pointing rod 108.
Although there is light that goes recursively to the auxiliary mirror 104, it does not need to be considered because the light that goes directly cannot contribute to the direction separation after all.

Although the pointing rod 108 is provided with the irregular reflection part 181, it may be replaced with one using a retroreflective member like the reflection part 103 of the first embodiment.

As described above, in the coordinate input device according to the second embodiment, since the coordinates are detected by the beam-like light, so-called dummy points can be removed in advance, and the calculation accuracy of the coordinate position is maintained. be able to.

In the first and second embodiments, the direction of the coordinates is detected by the optical unit. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Any other method can be used as long as the directions of the input coordinates can be detected from places separated from each other. Any type is acceptable. For example, the direction may be detected by using not only the optical direction detecting means described in the first and second embodiments but also, for example, an elastic wave or a sound wave.

Further, it can be said that the auxiliary mirror 104 and either the left or right optical unit 102 form a third optical unit. Therefore, the mirror is not limited to a mirror as long as the direction of the coordinates can be separated. For example, a third optical unit may be actually provided. In this case, the positions of the coordinates may be calculated by complementing each other without adding a master and a slave to each other.

[0073]

As described above, in the coordinate input device of the present invention (claim 1), the first and second direction detecting means separate the directions of the coordinates input to the coordinate input surface by two.
From each of the two positions, and the calculating means calculates the coordinates based on the directions of the coordinates detected by the first and second direction detecting means and the positions of the first and second direction detecting means, respectively. The third direction detecting means detects the direction of the coordinates input to the coordinate input surface from a direction different from the directions of the first and second direction detecting means, and the non-separation recognizing means detects When two coordinates are input to the coordinate input surface, the direction of the two coordinates is not detected separately in one of the first and second direction detecting means. When the non-separation recognizing unit recognizes that the direction of the two coordinates has not been detected separately, the calculation control unit controls the calculating unit. And said The direction of the two coordinates detected by the other direction detecting means of the first and second direction detecting means, the direction of the two coordinates detected by the third direction detecting means, and the third direction. Based on the position of the direction detecting means and the position of the other direction detecting means, the position of the two coordinates actually input to the coordinate input surface is calculated. Even when there is directional occlusion or overlap, it is possible to separate and detect the direction of the coordinates, thereby making it possible to provide a coordinate input device that can maintain the calculation accuracy of the coordinate position. .

Further, the coordinate input device of the present invention (Claim 2)
The coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein the calculation control unit refers to a position of the one direction detection unit and a direction detected by the one direction detection unit, thereby performing the coordinate input. Since the position of the two coordinates actually input to the surface is calculated, dummy points can be removed, and thereby a coordinate input device capable of maintaining the calculation accuracy of the coordinate position can be provided. It becomes possible.

Further, the coordinate input device of the present invention (claim 3)
2. The coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein the distinguishing means distinguishes the directions of the two coordinates detected by the first or second direction detecting means, respectively, and the calculation control means determines the direction of the two coordinates. The position of the two coordinates actually input to the coordinate input surface is calculated based on the directions of the two coordinates distinguished by the means, so that the dummy point can be removed, thereby It is possible to provide a coordinate input device that can maintain the calculation accuracy of the position.

Further, the coordinate input device of the present invention (claim 4)
The first and second direction detecting means optically directly detect the direction of the coordinates input to the coordinate input surface from two separated positions, respectively, and the calculating means detects the first and second directions. The position of the coordinates is calculated based on the direction of the coordinates optically directly detected by the direction detecting means and the positions of the first and second direction detecting means. The first or second direction detecting means detects the direction of the coordinates input to the first or second direction detecting means from a direction different from the direction directly detected, and the rotating means rotates the reflecting mirror to perform non-separation recognition. When two coordinates are input to the coordinate input surface, the direction of the two coordinates is separately detected by one of the first and second direction detecting means. Not realize that not rotate When the non-separation recognizing means recognizes that the two coordinate directions are not detected separately by the one direction detecting means, the controlling means controls the rotating means to detect the one of the two directions. The direction of the two coordinates is detected separately by the detecting means or the other detecting means, and the calculation control means controls the calculating means to detect the direction of the two coordinates directly detected by the other detecting means. Based on the directions of the two coordinates, the directions of the two coordinates detected by the one or other direction detecting means via the reflecting mirror, the position of the other direction detecting means, and the position of the reflecting mirror. Therefore, since the position of the two coordinates actually input to the coordinate input surface is calculated, even if the input coordinates have a directional occlusion or overlap, the directions of the coordinates are separated. Detection Rukoto can, thereby, it is possible to provide a coordinate input device capable of maintaining the accuracy of calculation of the coordinate position.

Further, the coordinate input device of the present invention (claim 5)
The coordinate input device according to claim 4, wherein the calculation control unit refers to a position of the one direction detection unit and a direction detected by the one direction detection unit, thereby performing the coordinate input. Since the position of the two coordinates actually input to the surface is calculated, dummy points can be removed, and thereby a coordinate input device capable of maintaining the calculation accuracy of the coordinate position can be provided. It becomes possible.

Further, the coordinate input device of the present invention (claim 6)
5. The coordinate input device according to claim 4, wherein the distinguishing unit distinguishes the directions of the two coordinates detected by the first or second direction detecting unit, and the calculation control unit determines the direction of the two coordinates. The position of the two coordinates actually input to the coordinate input surface is calculated based on the directions of the two coordinates distinguished by the means, so that the dummy point can be removed, thereby It is possible to provide a coordinate input device that can maintain the calculation accuracy of the position.

Further, the coordinate input device of the present invention (claim 7)
5. The coordinate input device according to claim 4, wherein
And when the second direction detecting means detects the directions of the two coordinates via the reflecting mirror, optically changing the directions of the two coordinates based on light passing through the center of rotation of the reflecting mirror. , It is possible to detect coordinates at a fixed position where there is no shake due to rotation, and thereby it is possible to provide a coordinate input device that can maintain the calculation accuracy of the coordinate position.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of a coordinate input device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a corner cube reflector of the coordinate input device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the optical unit from a direction orthogonal to a traveling direction of irradiation light (from a y-axis direction) in a plane parallel to a coordinate input plane.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the optical unit shown in FIG. 3 in a traveling direction of irradiation light (from an x-axis direction).

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a principle of direction detection by a light receiving unit of the coordinate input device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a coordinate point A, a distance w between optical units, and a right calculated angle θcR and a left calculated angle θcL used when calculating the coordinate point A;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of dark point detection of a line sensor (128 elements) when the determination unit of the coordinate input device according to the first embodiment detects that coordinates are not separated.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for determining a shielding or overlapping direction of a determination unit of the coordinate input device according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a manner in which the optical unit detects a coordinate direction separated by an auxiliary mirror in the coordinate input device according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a dummy point in the coordinate input device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a relationship between parameters when calculating coordinates using an auxiliary mirror in the coordinate input device according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an optical unit of the coordinate input device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing an example of a schematic configuration of an optical unit of the coordinate input device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a front view showing an example of a schematic configuration of the optical unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional optical coordinate input device.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a case where the accuracy of position calculation is maintained by the positional relationship between input coordinates in a conventional optical coordinate input device.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a case where the accuracy of position calculation becomes poor due to the positional relationship of input coordinates in a conventional optical coordinate input device.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing another case in which the accuracy of position calculation is deteriorated due to the positional relationship of input coordinates in a conventional optical coordinate input device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100, 200 Coordinate input device 101 Coordinate input surface 102, 202 Optical unit 102L Left optical unit 102R Right optical unit 103 Reflecting unit 104 Auxiliary mirror 105 Control unit 106 Personal computer (PC) 107 Stepping motor 108 Indicator rod 121 Light emitting unit 122, 221 Light emitting element 123a, 123b, 123c Cylindrical lens 124 Half mirror 125 Light receiving unit 126, 224 Light receiving lens 127 Line sensor 151 Operation unit 152 Rotating unit 153 Judgment unit 154 Storage unit 156 Interface unit 181 Diffuse reflection unit 203 Absorbing material 222 Polygon mirror 223 Drive motor 225,227 Photo sensor 226 Auxiliary light receiving lens

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. The direction of a coordinate input on a coordinate input surface is defined as
First and second direction detecting means for detecting from two separated positions, respectively, the directions of the coordinates detected by the first and second direction detecting means, and the first and second direction detecting means, respectively.
And a calculating means for calculating the position of the coordinate based on the position of the second direction detecting means, wherein the direction of the coordinate input on the coordinate input surface is determined by the first and second directions. A third direction detecting means for detecting from a direction different from the direction detecting means, and two coordinates are input to the coordinate input surface,
A non-separation recognizing means for recognizing that the direction of the two coordinates is not detected separately in one of the first and second direction detecting means; and When one of the direction detecting means recognizes that the directions of the two coordinates are not detected separately, the control means controls the calculating means to control the other of the first and second direction detecting means. The direction of the two coordinates detected by the direction detecting means;
Based on the directions of the two coordinates detected by the direction detecting means, the position of the third direction detecting means, and the position of the other direction detecting means. And a calculation control means for calculating the position of the two coordinates. 2. The calculation control unit is actually input to the coordinate input surface by considering a position of the one direction detection unit and a direction detected by the one direction detection unit. The coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein the position of the two coordinates is calculated. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a distinguishing unit that distinguishes between the two coordinate directions detected by the first or second direction detecting unit, wherein the calculation control unit is configured to distinguish the two directions detected by the distinguishing unit. 2. The coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein a position of the two coordinates actually input to the coordinate input surface is calculated based on directions of the two coordinates. 3. 4. The direction of the coordinates input to the coordinate input surface,
First and second direction detecting means for optically directly detecting from two separated positions, respectively, and the first and second direction detecting means;
Calculating means for calculating the position of the coordinates based on the directions of the coordinates optically directly detected by the direction detecting means and the positions of the first and second direction detecting means. In the apparatus, the direction of the coordinates input to the coordinate input surface may be changed from a direction different from the directly detected direction to the first or second direction.
A reflecting mirror to be detected by the direction detecting means, a rotating means for rotating the reflecting mirror, and when two coordinates are input to the coordinate input surface,
A non-separation recognizing means for recognizing that the direction of the two coordinates is not detected separately in one of the first and second direction detecting means; and When it is recognized that the directions of the two coordinates are not separately detected by the one direction detecting means, the rotating means is controlled to the one detecting means or the other detecting means. A rotation control means for separating and detecting the directions of the two coordinates, and a direction of the two coordinates directly detected by the other detection means, and the one or the other direction, by controlling the calculation means. Based on the directions of the two coordinates detected by the detecting means via the reflecting mirror, the position of the other direction detecting means, and the position of the reflecting mirror, the coordinates actually enter the coordinate input surface. It was equipped with a calculation control means for calculating the position of the two coordinates are coordinate input apparatus according to claim. 5. The calculation control means is actually input to the coordinate input surface by considering a position of the one direction detection means and a direction detected by the one direction detection means. The coordinate input device according to claim 4, wherein the position of the two coordinates is calculated. 6. A discriminating means for discriminating between the directions of the two coordinates detected by the first or second direction detecting means, wherein the calculation control means is configured to discriminate the two directions detected by the discriminating means. The coordinate input device according to claim 4, wherein the position of the two coordinates actually input to the coordinate input surface is calculated based on the directions of the two coordinates. 7. The first and second direction detecting means,
When detecting the directions of the two coordinates via the reflecting mirror, the directions of the two coordinates are optically detected based on light passing through the center of rotation of the reflecting mirror. Item 5. The coordinate input device according to item 4.