JPH07302148A - Information input device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] Enter key information and pointing information manually. [Structure] The information input device manually inputs both key information and pointing information into the computer 1. It is composed of a combination of an operation tool 5 having a body 6 which can be held in a posture-controllable manner, and a pair of light sources 7a, 7b which are arranged at a predetermined reference position and emit light projections 8a, 8b to the operation tool 5. The operation tool 5 is provided with a plurality of keys 9 arranged on the body 6, and the desired key information is input to the computer 1 by a selection operation with a finger. A light projection detector 10 is incorporated in the body 6, and detects the incident azimuth of the light projections 8a and 8b viewed from the side of the operation tool 5 which changes according to the posture of the body 6, and uses the computer 1 as pointing information.
To enter.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information input device used in a computer system such as a personal computer, a word processor, a graphic system and a game machine. More specifically, the present invention relates to a handheld operation-device-type information input device used for inputting key information such as pointing information and text data for cursor control by manual operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Keyboards and mice are typical examples of conventional computer information input devices. The keyboard inputs key information such as text data and menu selection data by selectively pressing a plurality of keys.
On the other hand, the mouse inputs pointing information such as a cursor position for conversational operation with a graphic user interface incorporated in a computer, for example.

[0003]

Conventionally, an operator operates a keyboard and a mouse separately to input key information and pointing information. Since the operator performs the information input operation while appropriately selecting the keyboard and the mouse, there is a problem that the work efficiency is poor because the operator must frequently move his / her hands. In addition, the information input device such as a keyboard and a mouse is set on a desk for use, and there is a limit in place for working on a computer, which is a practical problem. For example, you cannot sit on a sofa and operate a computer in a comfortable state. In addition, it was not possible to easily carry out work such as information processing while maintaining an upright posture in a car on the way to work.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide an information input device capable of simultaneously inputting key information and pointing information without bothering an operator. And It is another object of the present invention to provide an information input device which can be operated by a computer in a free state without being restricted by a work place or a work posture. The following measures have been taken in order to achieve this object. That is, the information input device according to the present invention is based on the fact that both the key information and the pointing information are manually input to the computer. The information input device is composed of a combination of an operation tool having a body that can be gripped in a posture control manner, and at least one light source that is arranged at a predetermined reference position and that emits light to the operation tool. The operation tool is provided with a plurality of keys arranged on the body, and the desired key information is input to the computer by performing a selection operation with a finger. Further, it is provided with a light projection detector incorporated in the body, and detects the incident direction of the light projection seen from the operation tool side, which changes according to the posture of the body, and inputs it to the computer as pointing information.

Preferably, a pair of light sources spaced apart from each other are arranged at the reference position. On the other hand, the projection detector is equipped with an image sensor, and by analyzing the spot image obtained by imaging a pair of light sources to detect the incident azimuth of the two projections, in addition to the three-dimensional position, The four-dimensional pointing information indicating the amount of rotation is input to the computer. Also preferably, the plurality of keys arranged on the body are divided into two blocks, left and right. Vowel elements of the Japanese syllabary are assigned to one block and consonant elements of the Japanese syllabary are assigned to the other block. The Japanese syllabary information is input to the computer by selecting and operating the two in an appropriate combination.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the light source is fixed at a reference position set at a desired portion of an operator who holds the body, and is arranged relative to a light projection detector incorporated in the body. There is. In this case, the body contains the computer itself which is the target of information input. In addition to this, it also has a built-in display for visually displaying the input key information and pointing information.

[0007]

The information input device according to the present invention comprises a combination of an operating tool having a body which can be held in a posture-controllable manner and a light source which is arranged at a predetermined reference position and emits light to the operating tool. The light source is set, for example, at a reference position of a computer provided separately from the operation tool. The operation tool is manually operated while being held by the operator. When entering key information, select and press the key placed on the body with your thumb. Since the operation tool is held by both hands, no work desk or the like is required. Therefore, the information input operation can be performed in a standing position or a comfortable position sitting on the sofa. Further, when inputting the pointing information, the light receiving surface of the light projecting detector incorporated in the operating tool is directed to the light source provided at the reference position. By displacing the operating tool at hand, the angle of the light receiving surface changes with respect to the virtual optical axis connecting the detector and the light source. Therefore, the projected spot image moves along the light receiving surface.
By detecting the light receiving position of this spot image, pointing information according to the attitude of the operating tool can be input to the computer. For example, when the cursor is displayed on the display connected to the computer, it is possible to input desired pointing information by moving the cursor in association with the change in the attitude of the operation tool. The reference position where the light source is arranged does not necessarily need to be set in a computer that is separated. When the computer and the display are housed in the operation tool itself, a portable information processing device is obtained, and in this case, the operator's desired part can be selected as the reference position for setting the light source. For example, the light source can be attached to the operator's clothes by using a wearing tool, and the pointing information can be input while looking at the display while facing the light projection detector incorporated inside the body toward you. In this case, since the operation tool and the computer are integrated, it becomes possible to easily perform the computer work in a car on the way to work.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a first embodiment of an information input device according to the present invention. This information input device is for manually inputting both key information and pointing information into the computer 1 on the main body side. A display 2 such as a CRT is connected to the computer 1 on the main body side, and a cursor 4 or the like is displayed on the screen 3 of the display 2 as desired.

This information input device comprises a combination of an operating tool 5 and a light source. The operation tool 5 includes a body 6 that is gripped by an operator in a posture-controllable manner. On the other hand, the light source is arranged at a predetermined reference position and emits light to the operating tool 5. In this embodiment, the reference position is set to the lower part of the display 2, and the pair of light sources 7a and 7b are arranged apart from each other, and emit the light projections 8a and 8b toward the body 6, respectively.

The operation tool 5 is provided with a plurality of keys 9 arranged on the body 6, and desired key information is input to the computer 1 mainly by selecting operation with the thumbs of both hands. Information transmission to the computer 1 is performed by wire or wirelessly. When the wireless system is adopted, the operation tool 5 is wireless, so that the operability is further improved. The operation tool 5 further includes a light projection detector 10 incorporated in the body 6, and detects the incident azimuth of the light projections 8a and 8b viewed from the operation tool 5 side, which changes according to the posture of the body 6, to detect pointing information. Is input to the computer 1. The cursor 4 displayed on the screen 3 of the display 2 is moved in association with the pointing information. Therefore, the operator can freely input the pointing information by visually changing the posture of the body 6 while visually checking the cursor 4. The body 6 is provided with a button 11a that can be turned on / off by the index finger for switching between key information input and pointing information input. Further, it is provided with another button 11b used for executing pointing information or the like. The button 11b has a function equivalent to that of a switch provided on a normal mouse.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing a specific configuration example of the operation tool 5 shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the plurality of keys 9 arranged on the front surface side of the body 6 are divided into two blocks. In the block 9L on the left side, the vowel elements of the Japanese syllabary are assigned to each key. Also, symbols necessary for inputting Japanese text data such as dakuten, semi-dakuten, and punctuation marks are assigned. On the other hand, block 9 on the right side
In R, the consonant element of the Japanese syllabary is assigned to each key. By properly selecting and operating the keys belonging to both blocks 9L and 9R, it is possible to input the Japanese syllabary information to the computer 1 via the cable 12. A space key 9a and an execution key 9b are also provided in the center of the body 6. Since these keys can be mainly depressed by the thumbs of both hands, it is not necessary to release the holding of the body 6 itself. On the other hand, when inputting the pointing information, the button 11a is operated to put the light projecting detector 10 into an operating state, and a command to turn on the light sources 7a and 7b is issued to the computer 1 via the cable 12. The light sources 7a and 7b may be LEDs, for example. After that, when the holding posture of the body 6 is changed, corresponding pointing information is sent to the computer 1 side via the cable 12. The cursor 4 displayed on the display 2 moves as the posture of the body 6 changes. For example, when the cursor 4 hits a desired menu display, the button 11b is turned on to execute the pointing information.

Next, the optical operation of the information input device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. As described above, in the present embodiment, the pair of light sources 7a and 7b made of LEDs or the like are arranged at the reference position in a mutually spaced relationship. On the other hand, the operation tool 5 includes a projection detector 1 including a micro TV camera and the like.
0 is built in and is equipped with an image pickup device such as a CCD. The image pickup device picks up the light sources 7a and 7b to generate a spot image, and outputs corresponding image data. An image processor 13 is connected to the TV camera, receives image data, analyzes the spot image, and detects the incident directions of the two light projections 8a and 8b. Thereby, a three-dimensional position including the horizontal position x, the vertical position y, and the distance z of the operation tool 5 with respect to the reference position is calculated. In addition to this, the tilt angle (rotation amount) θ of the operation tool 5 with respect to the straight line connecting the pair of light sources 7a and 7b is calculated. Four-dimensional data x, y, obtained in this way
Input z and θ as pointing information into the computer. Such input of four-dimensional pointing information can be utilized for communication with three-dimensional images in the fields of multimedia and virtual reality, for example. The present invention is not limited to the input of three-dimensional or four-dimensional pointing information, and a single light source may be arranged at the reference position. Corresponding to this, by incorporating a two-dimensional light receiving element in the light projection detector, at least the horizontal direction and the vertical direction of the body 6 can be detected, and two-dimensional pointing information can be obtained. This is sufficient for simple cursor controls and menu selections.

FIG. 4 shows the four-dimensional position (x, y,
It is a schematic diagram showing the calculation principle of z, (theta). As shown in the figure, a pair of spot images Pa and Pb corresponding to a pair of light sources are projected on the image pickup device 14 of the TV camera. The image data output from the image sensor 14 is processed to obtain P
The X and Y coordinates of a and Pb are obtained respectively. Next, the midpoint P of the pair of spot images Pa and Pb is obtained using these coordinate values. The coordinate value x of the midpoint P represents the horizontal position, and the coordinate value y also represents the vertical position. Next, the distance z between the pair of spot images Pa and Pb is calculated. This value z decreases as the operating tool 5 moves away from the light sources 7a and 7b. Therefore, z represents the distance of the operating tool 5. Finally, the spot image P
An intersection angle θ between a straight line passing through a and Pb and the X axis is calculated.
This intersection angle θ represents the amount of rotation of the operating tool 5.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram showing a second embodiment of the information input device according to the present invention. The basic structure is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numerals to facilitate understanding.
The different point is that the body 1 of the operation tool 5 has the computer 1 itself, which is a target of information input, built therein. In addition to the computer 1, a display 2 for visually displaying the input key information and pointing information is also incorporated. In this way, in this embodiment, the computer 1,
A portable computer system in which the display 2 and the operation tool 5 are integrated can be obtained. On the other hand, the light source 7 is composed of a single LED element or the like, and is attached to the mounting tool 15. The light source 7 is fixed at a reference position set at a desired portion such as clothes of an operator who holds the body 6 with both hands.
Is arranged relative to the light projection detector 10 incorporated in the.

FIG. 6 shows how to use the operating tool 5 shown in FIG. In this example, the mounting tool 15 is the operator 1
It is attached to the clothes of No. 6. The body 6 is held by both hands, and the light projecting detector 10 provided inside is faced to the front and faced to the light source 7 supported by the wearing tool 15. In this state, the operator 16 changes the posture of the body 6 while looking at the display 2 and inputs desired pointing information.
Such a portable type or handy type computer system can be handled very easily, for example, even in a vehicle on the way to work. The key information can be input with the fingers and the posture of the body 6 can be changed with both hands to input the pointing information.

[0016]

As described above, according to the present invention, the operating tool is provided with a plurality of keys arranged on the body, and the desired key information is input to the computer by the selection operation with the finger, while the body is operated. It is equipped with a light projection detector built in to detect the incident direction of the light projection seen from the operation tool side, which changes according to the posture of the body, and inputs it to the computer as pointing information. As a result, the key information and the pointing information can be input without moving the operator's hand, which has the effect of improving the operation efficiency. Also, by combining a pair of light sources and a two-dimensional image pickup device, it becomes possible to input four-dimensional pointing information, which is suitable for multimedia applications and virtual reality applications. Furthermore, by dividing a plurality of keys arranged in the body into two blocks and assigning vowel elements and consonant elements to each block, it is possible to input kana character sentences and the like with a handy type operation tool. In addition, by integrating a computer and a display in the body, it is possible to realize a portable information device that can be used in any working posture.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a first embodiment of an information input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a specific configuration example of an operating tool used in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a pointing operation of the operation tool shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a process of calculating pointing information.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram showing a second embodiment of the information input device according to the invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of using the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Computer 2 Display 3 Screen 4 Cursor 5 Operation Tool 6 Body 7 Light Source 7a Light Source 7b Light Source 8 Light Emitting 8a Light Emitting 8b Light Emitting 9 Key 10 Light Emitting Detector 13 Image Processor 14 Image Sensor 15 Mounting Tool

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus for manually inputting both key information and pointing information to a computer, which comprises an operating tool having a body that can be held in a posture-controllable manner, and an operating tool arranged at a predetermined reference position. It consists of a combination with at least one light source that emits light to the operation tool, and the operation tool has a plurality of keys arranged on the body, and inputs desired key information to the computer by selecting and operating with a finger. In addition, it is equipped with a light emission detector built into the body,
An information input device characterized by detecting an incident azimuth of the projection viewed from the side of an operating tool which changes according to a posture of a body and inputting the detected azimuth to a computer as pointing information. 2. A pair of light sources spaced apart from each other is arranged at a reference position, and the light projecting detector is provided with an image pickup element, and a spot image obtained by picking up an image of the pair of light sources is analyzed to display two images. 2. The information input device according to claim 1, wherein four-dimensional pointing information indicating a rotation amount is input to the computer in addition to the three-dimensional position by detecting the incident direction of the projection of the book. 3. A plurality of keys arranged on the body are divided into two blocks, left and right, and one block is assigned a vowel element of the Japanese syllabary and the other block is assigned a consonant element of the Japanese syllabary. 2. The information input device according to claim 1, wherein the Japanese syllabary character information is input to the computer by appropriately selecting both. 4. The light source is fixed to a reference position set at a desired portion of an operator who holds the body, and is arranged relative to a light emission detector incorporated in the body. 1. The information input device according to 1. 5. The body incorporates the computer itself, which is a target of information input.
Information input device described. 6. The information input device according to claim 5, wherein the body has a built-in display for visually displaying key information and pointing information input in addition to the computer.