JP2655494B2 - Position information input method and device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a position information input method and apparatus, and more particularly to a position information input device for inputting position information indicating a coordinate position on a screen to an information processing apparatus such as a computer having a display screen. The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a position information input device (pointing device) for instructing and inputting position information for moving a cursor on a screen with respect to an information processing device such as a computer having a display screen is particularly required for operation. In order to eliminate the need for space, a sphere such as a ball that is rotatable and has a part of its outer periphery exposed to the outside, and the amount of rotation of this sphere is converted into an electric signal Circuit part that converts the amount of rotation of the part of the sphere that is exposed to the outside with the finger of the operator into an electric signal, thereby positioning the part in the control unit of an information processing device such as a computer. A device for inputting information, for example, a trackball has been proposed and used.

[0003]

Therefore, in such a conventional position information input device, it is necessary to: When rotating a sphere with a finger, it is necessary to rotate the sphere with a force greater than the rotational friction of the sphere, and the operator's finger becomes tired. 2. When moving the cursor on the screen at high speed, there is a limit due to the rotational friction of the sphere. 3. Since the operation is performed by directly touching the sphere with a finger, the sphere needs to be cleaned. 4. In consideration of operability, the size of the sphere is limited, and there is a limit to miniaturization. There were problems such as. The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and provides a position information input method and apparatus capable of reducing a burden on a finger at the time of operation, performing comfortable operation, and reducing the size. It is intended to be.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, a position information input method according to the present invention emits two beams of beams from different directions with respect to a fingerprint such as a finger, and outputs the beams. The reflected light detection signal corresponding to the unevenness of the fingerprint is generated by receiving each light beam reflected by the device, and the position information that changes according to the movement of the fingerprint is generated and output based on the reflected light detection signal. It is.

[0005] A position information input device according to the present invention comprises:
A case body having a window for detecting the movement of a fingerprint such as a finger applied to the upper part, and a second body which is arranged inside the case body and emits beam-like light rays from different directions with respect to the window. A first light-emitting section and a second light-emitting section, which receive light rays emitted from the first and second light-emitting sections and reflected by a fingerprint present near the window, and reflected in accordance with unevenness of the fingerprint; First and second light receiving units for outputting a light detection signal, and a rectangular wave signal and a fingerprint of a fingerprint corresponding to the moving amount of the fingerprint based on the respective reflected light detection signals from the first and second light receiving units. And a waveform shaping unit that generates and outputs a moving direction signal corresponding to the moving direction. further,
Each light receiving unit has a counter for adding and subtracting a rectangular wave signal based on the moving direction signal.

Each of the light receiving sections is provided with two light receiving elements arranged adjacent to each other so as to be able to receive light rays at the same time, and a reflected light detection signal corresponding to the presence or absence of light reception by these light receiving elements. The waveform shaping unit recognizes a light receiving order in each light receiving element based on each reflected light detection signal output from each light receiving unit, and according to the recognition result, each light receiving unit Means for outputting a movement direction signal every time. Furthermore, the waveform shaping unit detects, based on the respective reflected light detection signals output from the respective light receiving elements, which light receiving elements have received light at the same time and then detects which light receiving element has stopped receiving light. It has means for recognizing the light receiving order in the light receiving element.

[0007]

Therefore, the light beams emitted from the first and second light emitting portions pass through the window of the housing, are reflected by the fingerprint of the finger, and pass through the window again, and the first and second light receiving portions. And is input to the waveform shaping unit as a reflected light detection signal corresponding to the unevenness of the fingerprint, and is converted into a rectangular wave signal indicating the moving amount of the fingerprint and a moving direction signal indicating the moving direction and output to the host device. .

[0008]

Next, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a position information input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numerals 1a and 1b denote beam-like light beams 3 having a small diameter (for example, a light beam having a diameter of 5 mm).
A light emitting portion for emitting a laser beam of about 0 μm), 6 is an operator's finger, 7 is a fingerprint of the finger 6, 10 is a casing made of resin such as plastic for blocking disturbance light to the light receiving portions 2a and 2b. , 5 are provided on the upper surface of the housing 10 and the fingers 6
Windows (holes) 2a, 2b for projecting light beam 3
Is a light receiving unit that receives and detects the light beam 3 emitted from the light emitting units 1a and 1b and reflected by the fingerprint 7 of the finger 6, and outputs reflected light detection signals SXA and SXB and SYA and SYB corresponding to the unevenness of the fingerprint 7. .

Reference numeral 20 denotes a reflected light detection signal SXA, SXB, S
YA and SYB are converted into pulsed rectangular wave signals SX1 and SY1 indicating the moving amount of the fingerprint 7, respectively, and the moving direction signals DIRX and DIRY indicating the moving direction of the fingerprint 7 are output.
, And 40 and 40 are moving direction signals DI
This is a counter that individually adds or subtracts the rectangular wave signals SX1 and SY1 based on RX and DIRY, and outputs the counting result to a higher-level device (not shown).

FIGS. 2A and 2B are configuration diagrams of the position information input device. FIG. 2A is a plan view, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X'-X '. Reference numeral 4 denotes a printed wiring board which is disposed so as to face the upper surface of the housing 10 where the window 5 is provided. The light emitting units 1a and 1b and the light receiving units 2a and 2b
The windows 5 are arranged to face each other on the X and Y axes on the printed wiring board 4 orthogonal to each other with the center axis Z of the window 5 as an intersection.

Now, when the operator moves the finger 6 near the upper side of the window 5, the light beam 3 emitted from the light emitting units 1a and 1b
Is reflected on the fingerprint 7 of the finger 6 through the window 5, and the light rays 3 passing through the window 5 again are received by the light receiving units 2a and 2b, respectively. In response, reflected light detection signals SXA and SXB and SYA and SYB are output from the light receiving sections 2a and 2b, respectively, and the waveform shaping section 20 outputs pulse-shaped rectangular wave signals SX1 and SX1.
In addition to being shaped and output to SY1, the moving direction of the finger 6 is detected and output as moving direction signals DIRA and DIRB.
The pulse numbers of the rectangular wave signals SX1 and SY1 are added or subtracted and counted based on A and DIRB. Position information is calculated by a host device such as an information processing device based on the counting result, and cursor position control on the screen is performed. Done.

Next, the light receiving operation in the light receiving sections 2a and 2b will be described. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the propagation of the light beam 3 on the X axis. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 6 denotes a finger, 7 denotes a fingerprint, 7a denotes a convex portion of the fingerprint 7, and 7b denotes a concave portion of the fingerprint 7.
The light beam 3 emitted from the light emitting unit 1a passes through the window 5 provided on the housing 10, is reflected on the convex portion 7a of the fingerprint 7, passes through the window 5 again, and is detected by the light receiving unit 2a. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the light receiving sections 2a and 2b. A and B are light receiving elements for independently detecting the light beam 3, C is a light receiving surface, and a beam-like light reflected by the convex portion 7a. The light beams 3 are arranged in series on the X-axis at intervals that can be detected simultaneously.

Generally, the interval between the fingerprints 7 is about 500 μm, and the finger 6 moves to form a beam 3 (light diameter of about 50 μm).
When m) is projected on the concave portion 7b of the fingerprint 7, the light beam 3 is reflected in a direction different from that of the light receiving portion 2a,
It is not detected by the light receiving section 2a. Therefore, the place where the light beam 3 is irradiated in accordance with the movement of the finger 6, that is, the convex portion 7a and the concave portion 7b are alternately switched, and the light beam 3 reflected by the convex portion 7a passes on the light receiving surface C of the light receiving portion 2a. It moves from the light receiving elements A to B or from B to A, and this is intermittently detected by each of the light receiving elements A and B.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing the detecting operation of the light receiving sections 2a and 2b, and shows a case where the convex portion 7a of the fingerprint 7 moves to the left in the order of (a) to (c). FIG.
3 is a timing chart showing signals of respective units in FIG. First, at time T0 in FIG. 6, as shown in FIG. 5 (a), the convex portion 7a of the fingerprint 7 is slightly rightward, and the light beam 3 emitted from the light emitting portion 1a is And is detected only by the light receiving element B of the light receiving section 2a. Accordingly, in FIG. 6, the reflected light detection signal SXB from the light receiving element B becomes H level indicating “reflected light exists”, and the reflected light detection signal SXA from the light receiving element A becomes L
Remains at the level.

Next, at time T1, as shown in FIG. 5B, the convex portion 7a of the fingerprint 7 has moved to the center position, and the light beam 3 emitted from the light emitting portion 1a The light is reflected by the portion 7a and detected by both the light receiving elements A and B of the light receiving portion 2a. In FIG. 6, the reflected light detection signals SXA and SX are detected.
Both B become H level indicating “there is reflected light”. Further, at time T2, as shown in FIG.
Of the light emitting portion 1a
Is reflected by the convex portion 7a of the fingerprint 7, and is detected only by the light receiving element A of the light receiving portion 2a. In FIG. 6, the reflected light detection signal SXB indicates "no reflected light".
Level, and the reflected light detection signal SXB from the light receiving element A
Remain at the H level.

Therefore, as the convex portion 7a of the fingerprint 7 moves from right to left, the light beam 3 reflected by the convex portion 7a
The light receiving surface of the light receiving section 2a is moved from B to A in the direction of time T.
2, the light beam 3 is simultaneously emitted by the two light receiving elements A and B.
From the state (b) in which the light beam 3 is detected,
Is detected, it is recognized that the light beam 3 has moved from B to A on the light receiving surface, that is, the finger 6 has moved from right to left, and the moving direction signal DIRX Becomes an H level indicating “movement to the left”.

The level of the moving direction signal DIRX is held and output until the moving direction changes. Contrary to the above, from the state (b) at time T5, at time T6, only the light receiving element B uses the light beam 3 for the light beam 3. Is detected, it is recognized that the light beam 3 has moved in the direction from A to B on the light receiving surface C, that is, the finger 6 has moved from left to right, and the moving direction signal DIRX is obtained. Becomes an L level indicating “movement to the right”. As described above, from the state (b) in which the light beam 3 is detected by the two light receiving elements A and B at the same time, the moving direction of the finger 6 depends on which of the light receiving elements A and B stops detecting the light beam 3 first. Is detected.

The rectangular wave signal SX1 indicating the moving amount is
The signal is at the H level during a period in which the reflected light is simultaneously detected by both the light receiving elements A and B, that is, from time T1 to T2 when both of the reflected light detection signals SXA and SXB are at the H level. The rectangular wave signal SX1 indicates the amount of movement of the convex portion 7a of the fingerprint 7, and the reflected light is reflected on the light receiving surface C of the light receiving portion 2a.
It is only necessary to output the signal every time it crosses, for example, the light receiving elements A,
One of the reflected light detection signals SXA and SXB output from B may be shaped and output as the rectangular wave signal SX1.

In this manner, movement detection is performed in exactly the same manner in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and the rectangular wave signals SX1 and SX1 indicating the amount and direction of movement in each axis direction.
SY1 and the moving direction signals DIRX and DIRY are generated by the waveform shaping section 20. These signals are input to counters 30 and 40 provided for each axis, and based on the moving direction signals DIRX and DIRY, for example, the rectangular wave signals SX1 and SY1 in accordance with the H level of the moving direction signals DIRX and DIRY. The number of pulses is added and counted, subtracted and counted according to the L level, and the counting result is output to the host device.

In the above description, the counter 3
0 and 40 are provided to count the rectangular wave signals SX1 and SY1 output from the waveform shaping section 20 and output the counting result to the host device. Provided on the device side, the rectangular wave signals SX1 and SY1 output from the position information input device are
The position information on the display screen may be calculated by performing addition or subtraction counting based on the respective moving direction signals DIRX and DIRY, and the same operation and effect as described above can be obtained.

The light receiving elements A and B of the light receiving sections 2a and 2b
A predetermined threshold value may be provided for the light reception level detected in step (1), and if a light reception level higher than the threshold value is detected, it may be determined that “reflected light exists”. It is possible to suppress erroneous detection due to the generated light beam and output accurate reflection detection signals SYA and SYB according to the unevenness of the fingerprint 7. Note that such a means for comparing and judging with the threshold may be provided in each of the light receiving units 2a and 2b, or may be provided in the input stage of the waveform shaping unit 20.

[0022]

As described above, according to the present invention, as a position information input method, two beams in the form of beams are emitted from different directions with respect to a fingerprint such as a finger, and the respective rays reflected by the fingerprint are received. By doing so, the reflected light detection signals corresponding to the unevenness of the fingerprint are respectively generated, and based on these reflected light detection signals, the position information that changes according to the movement of the fingerprint is generated and output. The burden on the finger at the time of operation is reduced as compared with the case of, and the operation can be performed comfortably.

The present invention also provides a position information input device,
First and second light-emitting portions for emitting beam-shaped light rays from different directions with respect to the window, and first and second light-receiving portions are provided, and fingers emitted from the respective light-emitting portions and present near the window are provided. Each light receiving part receives the light beam reflected by the fingerprint, and outputs a reflected light detection signal according to the unevenness of the fingerprint, and the waveform shaping part responds to the amount of movement of the fingerprint based on these reflected light detection signals. A rectangular wave signal and a moving direction signal corresponding to the moving direction of the fingerprint are generated and output, so that the burden on the finger at the time of operation is reduced compared to the conventional position information input device, and the operation can be performed comfortably. And miniaturization. Also, for each light receiving unit, a counter is provided for adding and subtracting a rectangular wave signal based on the moving direction signal, and position information is calculated from each signal and output to the host device. A configuration for calculating position information from these signals is unnecessary on the side, and the configuration is simplified.

Further, two light receiving elements disposed adjacent to each other so as to receive light rays at the same time are provided in each light receiving section,
The waveform shaping unit recognizes the order of light reception in each light receiving element based on each reflected light detection signal output from each light receiving element in each light receiving unit, and outputs a moving direction signal for each axis according to the recognition result. Thus, an accurate moving direction signal can be generated without requiring a complicated configuration. Further, the waveform shaping unit detects, based on the respective reflected light detection signals output from the respective light receiving elements, which light receiving elements simultaneously receive light and then detects which light receiving element has stopped receiving light. Since the light receiving order in the elements is recognized, the light receiving order can be recognized with a simple circuit configuration, and the device can be further downsized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a plan view and a sectional view of a position information input device.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing propagation of light rays on an X axis.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a light receiving unit.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a detection operation of a light receiving unit.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing signals of respective units in FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

1a, 1b: light emitting unit, 2a, 2b: light receiving unit, 3: light beam,
5 windows, 6 fingers, 7 fingerprints, 7a projections, 7b recesses,
10: today's body, 20: waveform shaping unit, 30, 40: counter, SXA, SXB, SYA, SYB: reflected light detection signal, SX1, SY1: square wave signal, DIRX, DIRY
... moving direction signal.

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A position information input device for inputting position information indicating a coordinate position on a screen to a host device such as an information processing device having a display screen. By emitting two light beams and receiving each of the light beams reflected by the fingerprint, a reflected light detection signal corresponding to the unevenness of the fingerprint is generated, and a position that changes according to the movement of the fingerprint based on the reflected light detection signals. A position information input method, wherein information is generated and output. 2. A position information input device for inputting position information indicating a coordinate position on a screen to a host device such as an information processing device having a display screen, wherein a fingerprint such as a finger placed on the upper part is moved. A housing having a window for detection, first and second light-emitting portions disposed inside the housing and emitting beam-shaped light rays from different directions to the window, respectively; The first and second light-receiving sections receive light rays emitted from the first and second light-emitting portions and reflected by a fingerprint present near the window, and output reflected light detection signals corresponding to the unevenness of the fingerprint. A second light receiving unit, a rectangular wave signal corresponding to the moving amount of the fingerprint, and a moving direction signal corresponding to the moving direction of the fingerprint, based on the respective reflected light detection signals from the first and second light receiving units. Generate the output wave Position information input device, characterized in that it comprises a shaping unit. 3. The position information input device according to claim 2, further comprising a counter for adding and subtracting the rectangular wave signal based on the moving direction signal for each of the light receiving units. Input device. 4. The position information input device according to claim 2, wherein each of said light receiving sections is provided with two light receiving elements arranged adjacent to each other so as to be able to receive the light rays at the same time, and light receiving detection by these light receiving elements. Means for outputting a reflected light detection signal corresponding to the presence or absence of each of the light receiving elements, wherein the waveform shaping section includes a light receiving element for each light receiving element based on the respective reflected light detection signals output from the light receiving sections. Means for recognizing a light receiving order and outputting a moving direction signal for each light receiving unit according to the recognition result. 5. The position information input device according to claim 4, wherein the waveform shaping unit is configured to detect whether each of the light receiving elements simultaneously receives light based on the respective reflected light detection signals output from each of the light receiving elements. A position information input device having means for recognizing a light receiving order in each light receiving element by detecting whether or not the light receiving element stops receiving light.