JP3350339B2 - Drag mode setting method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a pointing device in place of a mouse, and more particularly to a drag mode setting method in a tablet-type coordinate input device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the development of a GUI (Graphical User Interface) environment, a mouse has been widely used as a pointing device of a computer, particularly a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer).

That is, a mouse is moved on an operation pad, the amount of movement is output to a personal computer as mouse relative movement data, and the movement of a cursor displayed on a display of the personal computer is controlled. Then, while moving this cursor over the icon displayed on the display or during the movement, operate the button switch provided on the mouse to click, double-click,
A mouse-specific operation such as dragging is performed to input a command or the like defined for the icon to a personal computer.

One of the commands to the personal computer using such a mouse is a drag mode setting command for setting a drag mode. Here, the drag mode is a mode in which the icons and files are copied or moved, and the size of a window displayed on the display is changed. In the case of a mouse, the drag mode setting command Is output by moving the mouse while pressing a specific button switch (normally a left button switch in a mouse having two left and right button switches) provided in the.

That is, by such an operation, a drag mode setting command having a predetermined format and code is given to the personal computer, and the personal computer is set to the drag mode.

At this time, data indicating the amount of movement (position) of the mouse is also given to the personal computer. If you release the mouse button switch during the above operation,
A drag mode release command is given from the mouse to the personal computer, and the drag mode is released.

However, since it is necessary to move the mouse on the operation pad as described above, it is difficult to secure a space for operating the mouse in a portable computer, especially in a portable computer such as a notebook computer.
Also, the size and shape were not suitable for storage when carrying with a personal computer.

Accordingly, a tablet-type coordinate input device for outputting relative movement data to a personal computer or the like using the principle of a tablet instead of a mouse has been developed.

In this method, a fingertip or a pen for position indication (hereinafter, collectively referred to as a position indication pen or pen in the present specification) is moved (hereinafter referred to as a pen-on) while being pressed on a flat input surface. The position (coordinate) data is output to a personal computer, and there are various methods such as electrostatic coupling, electromagnetic induction, and resistance contact.

The drag mode setting method in such a tablet type coordinate input device is as follows: (1) A switch for setting the drag mode is provided on the shaft portion or the rear end portion of the position indicating pen, and the switch is manually operated when desired. A signal of a specific format generated by the operation is converted into a drag mode setting command similar to that of a mouse, and given to a personal computer. (2) A push switch for setting a drag mode or pressure-sensitive at the tip of a position indicating pen A method of providing an element, and converting the signal of a specific format generated by applying a pressing force to the element to the drag mode setting command and applying the signal to a personal computer; (3) the lower part of the input surface of the tablet type coordinate input device An input surface for drag mode setting incorporating a switch and a pressure-sensitive element is placed in a stack, and generated by detecting the pressing force on it. A method of converting a signal of a specific format into the drag mode setting command and giving the signal to a personal computer; (4) a specific format generated by tapping the input surface of the tablet-type coordinate input device a specified number of times with a position indicating pen Is converted into the drag mode setting command and given to a personal computer.

[0011]

However, in the above methods (1) to (3), the structure (hardware configuration) of the tablet-type coordinate input device and the pen becomes complicated and expensive. In particular, the methods (1) and (2) require a communication means from the position pointing pen to the tablet-type coordinate input device or the like, and the hardware configuration becomes more complicated and expensive.

The method (4) has a simpler hardware configuration and is less expensive than the methods (1) to (3), but has the following problems. That is, in the conventional tapping method, there is a condition that tapping is performed twice within a predetermined time, and the two tappings must be performed at the same position or the second position must be within a predetermined distance from the first position. .

This is normal (other than drag mode operation)
During the pen continuous pressing and moving operation, if omission occurs in the position data indicating pen on for some reason, such as noise,
As a result, the PC side temporarily recognizes that the pen is turned off, and then determines that the pen is turned on again.
This is because it is necessary to distinguish this from the tapping operation for shifting to the drag mode.

That is, if there is no restriction on the second tapping position with respect to the first tapping position,
As described above, omission occurs in the position data indicating pen-on,
If it is determined that there was a second tapping,
This is because it becomes impossible to distinguish whether a drag mode setting command has been issued or a normal pen continuous movement operation has been performed.

[0015] For this reason, there is a problem that the tapping operation is conditioned as described above, and the drag mode setting operation becomes cumbersome and the usability is reduced.

An object of the present invention is to provide a drag mode setting method capable of simplifying the hardware configuration, reducing the cost, and improving the usability.

[0017]

According to the present invention, there is provided a drag mode setting method according to the present invention, wherein a drag generated in a tablet type coordinate input device by a drag mode setting operation to the tablet type coordinate input device. A drag mode setting method for outputting a mode setting command to a computer and setting the computer in a drag mode, wherein the drag mode setting command detects a pen-on of a pen for instructing a position to the tablet-type coordinate input device, and Generated in the tablet-type coordinate input device when the distance from the position data detected immediately before is within a certain area for at least one hour interval, and set the drag mode.
The drag mode set on the computer is
After detecting the pen-off of the pen that indicates the position,
Detect pen-on again within the second time interval and
It is characterized in that it is not released when it is detected .

The detection of the drag mode setting command is continued for at least a first time interval after detecting the pen-on of the pen for instructing the position to the tablet-type coordinate input device, and the distance from the position data detected immediately before is within a certain area. At a certain time, if it is generated in the tablet-type coordinate input device, if the input surface of the tablet-type coordinate input device is pressed once with a pen in a normal tablet-type coordinate input device, the tablet is allowed to stand still for a certain period of time without any change. This means that the drag mode setting operation has been performed.

As described above, according to the method of the present invention in which the drag mode can be set only by once pressing the pen on the input surface of the tablet-type coordinate input device and keeping the pen at the first time interval , the input surface of the tablet-type coordinate input device can be set. In comparison with the conventional method of tapping twice within a predetermined range, the setting operation is simplified and the usability is improved. In addition, the above (1) to
Compared with the method (3), the hardware configuration is simplified and the price is reduced.

Further, even if the position data indicating the pen-on is lost during the normal pen continuous movement operation, it is temporary and the personal computer does not mistakenly determine the drag mode.

Further, after shifting to the drag mode, the pen
Even if the power is temporarily turned off, the pen
Turn on and detect position data, continue drag mode
Is considered.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a drag mode setting method which is the basis of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, first, in step 11, the pen pressure or contact (proximity in the case of a non-contact type, generally referred to as press in the present specification) is detected on the input surface of the tablet coordinate input device. When the pen-on is determined to be Yes (Y),
A timer is set (step 12).

The set time of this timer is, for example, 500
msec to 1.5 sec, here 500 msec. This timer counts down.
The state where the count value becomes 0 or the state where the timer is not set is called overflow. If it is determined in step 11 that the pen-on is No (N), step 11 is repeated, and the apparatus is in a pen-on standby state.

In step 13, the position (coordinates) indicated by the pen pressing on the input surface of the tablet type coordinate input device is detected as an absolute value.

In step 14, it is determined whether or not the timer has overflowed (the count value is 0 or the timer is not set). If the timer has not overflown, the process proceeds to step 15, where the difference between the pen pointing position detected in step 13 and the pen pointing position detected in the previous step 13, that is, relative movement data indicating the relative movement amount is stored in the tablet in a predetermined format. Output from the type coordinate input device.

Step 15 is for outputting relative movement data in a normal operation. When the relative movement data is 0, it is determined that the pressed position has not changed, and the relative movement data is not output. . In the first flow in which pen-on is detected, the timer has not overflown yet and proceeds to step 15, but the relative movement data is 0.
, No relative movement data is output.

Next, the same pen-on detection as in step 11 is performed (step 16), and the pen-on is determined to be Yes.
If the determination is (Y), the process proceeds to step S17. During this time,
When the pen-on is released, it is determined that the normal operation has been completed, No (N) is determined, and the process proceeds to step 11 to return to the pen-on standby state.

In step 17, it is determined whether or not the difference between the previously output pen indicated position and the currently output pen indicated position is less than the reference value A. This determination is to determine whether the pressing and moving operation has been performed intentionally. If the pressing and moving operation is less than the reference value A in a certain area, it is regarded as a change in the pressing position within the detection error, and the pressing and moving operation is performed. Is not performed.

The reference value A is determined when the input surface of the tablet-type coordinate input device has 1024 dots in each of the X and Y directions.
For example, two to three dots, here three dots.

If it is determined in step 17 that the value is not less than the reference value A, it is determined that the operation is a normal pen continuous pressing and moving operation (other than the drag mode operation), and the process proceeds to step 12.
In the first processing in step 17, since the difference from the previously detected pen pointing position is 0, it is determined that the difference is not less than the reference value A, and the process proceeds to step 13.

From the second time onward, if the operation at that time is a normal pen continuous pressing and moving operation, the difference from the previous position is equal to or more than the reference value A in a certain area, so the flow proceeds to step 12. After proceeding to step 12, the timer is reset in step 12 each time. Therefore, the timer is not determined to overflow in step 14 and the step 12 is performed as long as the normal pen continuous pressing and moving operation is performed. Repeat ~ 17.

On the other hand, when shifting to the drag mode, since the same position is continuously pressed, in step 17, the distance from the position data detected immediately before is within a fixed area, that is, less than the reference value A. Yes, the process returns to step 13 without resetting the timer.

Therefore, during this circulating flow, the timer overflows (the count value becomes 0), and
The Y determination is made in step 4, and after the pen-on is detected, it is determined that the distance from the position data detected immediately before is within a certain area for a predetermined time or more. Specifically, after detecting pen-on, if the difference between consecutive absolute positions of the pen pointing position is within 3 dots for 500 msec, it is determined that the drag mode setting operation has been performed, and the process proceeds to step 18. Processing is transferred.

If it is determined in step 14 that the mode is the drag mode, a drag mode setting command to be output to the personal computer is generated. Here, the drag mode setting command is data corresponding to output data when the left button switch of the mouse is pressed, and is data indicating that a drag mode setting operation has been performed.

In step 18, data indicating that the drag mode setting operation has been performed is stored in step 14.
Difference between the pen pointing position detected in step 13 and the current pen pointing position immediately before the Y determination is made (relative movement data)
At the same time, the information is output from the tablet-type coordinate input device in a predetermined format.

As long as the drag operation is continued, since the pen is on, the pen is turned on (Y determination) in the next step 19, and the position detection in step 13 is performed again.
In other words, while the drag mode is continued, step 12 is not performed, that is, the timer is not reset, the timer remains overflowed, and the processes of steps 13, 14, 18, and 19 are repeated unless the pen-on is released, and the relative Updates and outputs movement data. At this time, similarly, data indicating that the drag mode setting operation has been performed is output from the tablet-type coordinate input device together with the updated relative movement data in a predetermined format.

If pen-on is not detected in step 19 (in the case of N determination), it is assumed that the drag mode has been released, and the routine goes to step 11 to be in a pen-on standby state.

As described above, it is determined in step 17 whether or not the pen pointing position is within a certain area, and in step 14 whether or not the pen position pointing within the certain area is continued for a certain time or more. The fixed time, which is the timer setting time in this case, is distinguished from a normal operation (an operation in which the drag mode is not set).
In a normal operation, the time is sufficiently long enough to be distinguished from the time from when the pen is turned on to when the movement is started. In this case, the time is 500 msec.

The fixed area is an area for discriminating that the movement while the pen is on is an error in position detection when the same position is pressed. In this case, the reference value A is 3 dots / 1024 dots. It is. That is, position detection is assumed to be performed with an accuracy of 3/1024, and within the reference value A, it is assumed that the same position is pressed.

The specific numerical values of the certain time and the certain area are set within such a range of the purpose, and are not limited to the above .

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of the method of the present invention .
It is a chart.

In the above-described method , when the pen mode is released after the shift to the drag mode, the drag mode is automatically released. However, the input mode is narrow during the drag mode operation, and the drag mode is divided into several operations. When the user wants to operate, the user must perform the operation of shifting to the drag mode again each time the pen-on is released. Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, even if the mode is shifted to the drag mode and the pen-on is temporarily released, if the pen-on is performed again within a predetermined time, the drag mode is considered to be continued.

In the drag mode setting method illustrated in FIG. 2, it is determined whether or not the second timer overflows (whether or not the second timer exceeds a set time, for example, 1 sec) between steps 13 and 14 in FIG. Step 21 for determination is inserted, and step 22 for setting the second timer is inserted between step 19 and step 11.

In FIG. 2, for convenience of explanation, a timer corresponding to the timer in FIG. 1 is referred to as a first timer.
The set time t2 of the second timer is set to be sufficiently longer than the set time t1 of the first timer (t2 >> t1). The second timer also counts down, and a state in which the count value becomes 0 or a state in which the timer is not set is referred to as an overflow in the same manner as the first timer.

In the example of FIG. 2, if the determination result is Yes (Y) in step 14 and it is determined that the drag mode setting operation has been performed, then if pen-on is not detected in step 19 (N determination) However, if the pen is turned on again within the predetermined time and the process proceeds to step 21 within the set time t2 of the second timer, the drag mode is regarded as being continued, and the process proceeds to step 18. In other words, even if the pen is once separated from the input surface of the tablet-type coordinate input device, if the pen is immediately pressed again to the input surface of the tablet-type coordinate input device, the pen is It is assumed that the user keeps pressing the input surface, and the drag mode is maintained.

Hereinafter, the example of FIG. 2 will be described in detail. In the example of FIG. 2, the same processing as in the example of FIG. 1 is performed unless the second timer is set in step 22. That is, the case where the normal pen continuous pressing and moving operation is performed and the case where the pen-on is continued after the drag mode setting operation are the same as the example of FIG.

If this is indicated by the step numbers in the drawing, if the normal pen continuous pressing and moving operation is performed, the first flow after turning on the pen is as follows: steps 11 → 12 → 13 →
21 → 14 → 15 → 16 → 17 → 13 → 21 → 14 → 1
The processing is performed in the order of 5 → 16, and thereafter, unless the pen-on is determined to be N in step 16, steps 17 → 12 → 13
The processing of → 21 → 14 → 15 → 16 is repeated, the first timer is reset each time, and the relative movement data in the normal pen continuous pressing movement is updated and output in a predetermined format.

When the operation for shifting to the drag mode is performed, the process moves from step 14 to step 18, where the drag mode is set, and as long as the pen-on is continued (drag mode continues), steps 14 → 18 → 19 → 13 →
The same processing is repeated in the order of 21 → 14, and the relative movement data is updated and output. At this time, the data indicating that the drag mode setting operation, which is the drag mode setting command, has been performed is output from the tablet-type coordinate input device in a predetermined format together with the updated relative movement data in the first manner. This is the same as in the embodiment.

Next, the case where the pen-on is released during the drag mode processing, that is, the case where the pen-on is not detected in step 19 (N determination) will be described.

In this case, in step 22, the second timer whose set time is t2 is set, and the routine shifts to the pen-on standby state in step 11.

In the pen-on standby state, if the pen is not turned on for more than the time t2, the second timer overflows and returns to the initial state. Therefore, if the input surface is pressed and moved next, the processing corresponding to the normal pen continuous pressing and moving operation is executed. If the input surface is pressed for a certain time and then moved, the above-described processing corresponding to the drag mode is executed. Is done.

In step 22, after the second timer is set, if the input surface is pressed again within a predetermined time in the standby state, it is determined in step 11 that pen-on has been detected (Y determination). Processing proceeds.

In step 21, it is determined whether or not the second timer has overflowed (count value is 0). In step 21, if the time t2 has not elapsed, that is, if the second timer has not overflown, N
When the determination is made, the process proceeds to step 18. That is, the drag mode is not canceled but maintained.
As long as the pen-on does not become N determination at 9 and the second timer does not overflow (the count value is 0), the processing of steps 13 → 21 → 18 → 19 → 13 is repeated,
The relative movement data is updated and output.

At this time, the data indicating that the drag mode setting operation has been performed is output from the tablet-type coordinate input device in a predetermined format together with the updated relative movement data. ,
This is the same as when pen-on is also continued.

During the repetition of the flow, the second
The timer overflows and at step 21 Y
However, since t2 >> t1 is set as described above, the first timer is already set when the second timer overflows.
The timer also overflows, Y is determined in step 14, and the drag mode is continued. That is, step 1
8, and as long as the pen-on continues (drag mode continues), steps 14 → 18 → 19 → 13
The same processing is repeated in the order of → 21 → 14, and the same processing as described above is performed.

[0057]

As described above, according to the present invention, the drag mode setting command generated in the tablet type coordinate input device by the drag mode setting operation to the tablet type coordinate input device is transmitted to the tablet type coordinate input device. After detecting the pen-on of the pen that instructs the position, it is generated within the tablet-type coordinate input device when the distance from the position data detected immediately before is within a certain area for a certain period of time or more. When the input surface of the tablet-type coordinate input device is pressed once with the pointing pen, the drag mode setting operation is performed simply by keeping the input surface still for a certain period of time, improving the usability. In addition, there is an effect that the hardware configuration can be simplified and the price can be reduced.

Further, tablet-type coordinate input with a narrow input surface
On the device, move the pen in one direction in drag mode
However, the pen reached the end of the input
Away from the input surface and re-drive from the opposite side
Even if the pen is moved in one direction in the
Drag mode is not canceled. Therefore, drag
Eliminates the need to redo mode settings, further improving usability
Up.

[0059]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing a basic method of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of the method of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 Pen-on determination step 14 Timer (first timer) overflow presence / absence determination step 16 Pen-on determination step 17 The difference between the previous designated position and the current designated position is the reference value A.
Step of determining whether the value is less than

Continuation of the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 3/033 320 G06F 3/03 310 G06F 3/03 380

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A drag mode setting method for outputting a drag mode setting command generated in a tablet type coordinate input device to a computer by a drag mode setting operation to the tablet type coordinate input device to set the computer to a drag mode. In the drag mode setting command, after detecting a pen-on of a pen for giving a position instruction to the tablet-type coordinate input device, the distance from the position data detected immediately before the first time interval is within a certain area. when it is produced in the tablet coordinate input device, the output of the drag mode setting command, the computer
The set drag mode is the pen of the pen that indicates the position.
After detecting OFF, turn the pen on again within the second time interval.
A drag mode setting method, wherein the detection is not canceled when the position data is detected .