JP5528256B2 - Optical touch panel device and optical touch panel - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical touch panel device and an optical touch panel that allow input at a plurality of positions at once.

  One type of conventionally used touch panel is an optical touch panel. Patent Document 1 discloses an example of an optical touch panel. The optical touch panel has a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction along the edge of the rectangular display surface, and a plurality of light emitting elements are arranged at positions facing the light emitting elements along the edge of the rectangular display surface. The light receiving elements are arranged. The light emitted from each light emitting element travels along the surface of the display surface and is received by the light receiving elements at the opposing positions. When the user designates the position on the display surface using a finger or a pen, a light receiving element that cannot receive light due to light being blocked is generated. The optical touch panel detects the coordinates of the position indicated by the user on the display surface by specifying the position of the light receiving element that cannot receive light among the light receiving elements arranged in the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction. When the user moves the position indicated on the display surface continuously, the optical touch panel can detect the locus of the position indicated by the user on the display surface by storing the history of the indicated position. Is possible. The optical touch panel can also draw by displaying the detected locus on the display surface.

JP 2004-318257 A

  The light receiving elements corresponding to the coordinates (xi, yi) of the position designated by the optical touch panel are defined as a light receiving element xi and a light receiving element yi. That is, when the position of the coordinates (xi, yi) is instructed, the light receiving element xi and the light receiving element yi cannot receive light. When the optical touch panel indicates the position at two locations of coordinates (xi, yi) and coordinates (xj, yj), the light receiving element xi, the light receiving element yi, the light receiving element xj, and the light receiving element yj cannot receive light. However, even if the position is designated at two positions of coordinates (xi, yj) and coordinates (xj, yi), it is impossible to receive light with the same light receiving element, so the optical touch panel may detect an incorrect position. . Therefore, when a plurality of positions are designated on the optical touch panel, it is difficult to accurately detect the designated positions. In particular, when the optical touch panel detects the trajectory of a plurality of positions indicated on the display surface, it detects an incorrect position when the x-coordinates or y-coordinates of the plurality of positions overlap due to the approaching or crossing of the trajectories. Thereafter, there is a risk of detecting an incorrect trajectory.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an optical touch panel device and an optical touch panel capable of accurately detecting the locus of a plurality of designated positions. There is to do.

An optical touch panel device according to the present invention has a flat surface portion, generates an optical path along the flat surface portion, and any of the flat surface portions so as to block any of the optical paths. An optical touch panel device including a pointing device that indicates a position, the optical touch panel device includes a plurality of pointing tools, the pointing tool includes a movement sensor that detects a movement state of the pointing tool, and the optical touch panel is a single touch panel . When the optical path is interrupted by the indicator, a means for determining a position on the plane portion indicated by the single indicator based on the position of the blocked optical path, and the plane indicated by each indicator Means for storing a history of positions on the unit, and when the light path is blocked by a plurality of pointing tools, based on the position of the blocked optical path, a plurality of points on the plane portion indicated by the plurality of pointing tools Means for determining location candidates , From the candidates of said plurality of positions, by selecting the candidate in the position moved the in the direction indicated by the moving state of the pointing tool from the position included in the history of the position where each pointing device has instructed, each It has a means to determine the position on the plane part which the indicator indicated, and a means to update the history of the position on the plane part which each indicator indicated.

An optical touch panel device according to the present invention includes a plane portion, a means for generating a plurality of parallel first optical paths along the plane portion, and a plurality of parallel crosses intersecting the plurality of first optical paths along the plane portion. An optical touch panel having means for generating a second optical path, and means for specifying the positions of the first optical path and the second optical path blocked in the plurality of first optical paths and the second optical path, and any of the first optical paths And an optical touch panel device including an indicator that indicates any position on the plane portion by contacting the plane portion so as to block the second optical path. Means for storing identification information for identifying the pointing tool; contact detecting means for detecting contact with the flat surface; a movement sensor for detecting a movement state of the pointing tool; and the contact detecting means for the flat surface. Contact with the Means for transmitting the identification information and movement information indicating the movement state of the pointing device detected by the movement sensor to the optical touch panel. The means for receiving the identification information and the movement information from the single optical path when the single first optical path and the second optical path are blocked and the identification information and the movement information are received from the single pointing instrument. Means for determining the instructed position on the plane part based on the result of specifying the positions of the blocked first optical path and second optical path, and a history of the position on the plane part instructed by a plurality of indicating tools means for, first optical path及beauty second optical path by a plurality of pointing device is interrupted, when receiving the identification information and movement information from a plurality of pointing device, shielding sectional been the first optical path及beauty second optical path based on a particular result of the position, the double Means for determining a plurality of position candidates on the plane portion designated by the pointing tool, and from among the plurality of position candidates, the position of each pointing tool is determined based on the position included in the history of the position designated by each pointing tool. by selecting a candidate in the movement information has moved in the direction indicated position, means for determining a position on said flat portion each pointing device has instructed, the position on the flat portion each pointing tool instructs And a means for updating the history .

  In the optical touch panel device according to the present invention, the flat part is a display surface for displaying an image, and the optical touch panel displays an image representing a locus of a position on the flat part indicated by an indicator. The apparatus further comprises means for displaying on the plane portion.

  The optical touch panel device according to the present invention is characterized in that the movement sensor is configured to detect a moving direction of the pointing tool.

An optical touch panel according to the present invention includes a plane portion, means for generating a plurality of parallel first optical paths along the plane portion, and a plurality of parallel crosses intersecting the plurality of first optical paths along the plane portion. An optical touch panel comprising: means for generating the second optical path; and means for specifying the positions of the first optical path and the second optical path blocked among the plurality of first optical paths and the second optical path. The means for receiving the identification information for identifying an external pointing tool that indicates any of the positions, and the movement information indicating the movement state of the external pointing tool, and the single first optical path and the second optical path are blocked. When the identification information and the movement information related to the single external pointing tool are received, the instructed position on the plane portion is determined based on the result of specifying the positions of the blocked first optical path and second optical path. means for determining, indicated position on said flat portion Means for storing the gravel, a plurality of first optical path及beauty second optical path is blocked, a plurality of when receiving the identification information and movement information relating to an external pointing device, the plurality of first optical path that is shut off及beauty based on a specific result of the position of the second optical path, and means for determining a plurality of candidate positions on said flat surface portion which is instructed, from the candidates of said plurality of positions, included in the history of the indicated position position by selecting a candidate which is in a position moved in the direction of movement information shown according to the outside of the pointing device from which, means for determining the indicated plurality of positions on said flat portion, indicated finger the And a means for updating the history of a plurality of positions on the plane part.

  In the present invention, a plurality of positions on the flat surface part included in the optical touch panel can be indicated by contacting with a plurality of indicating tools. The pointing tool includes a movement sensor, and transmits identification information for identifying the pointing tool and movement information indicating a movement state of the pointing tool to the optical touch panel when the pointing tool comes into contact with the flat surface portion. The optical touch panel determines the position on the plane instructed by the plurality of indicators based on the transition of the optical path blocked by the indicator in contact with the plane portion and the movement state of the indicators.

  In the present invention, the optical touch panel has a display surface on which a position is pointed by the pointing tool, and displays the locus of the position pointed by each pointing tool on the display surface. As a result, drawing using a plurality of pointing tools becomes possible.

  In the present invention, the pointing tool detects the moving direction with a movement sensor, and the optical touch panel determines the position on the plane instructed by the pointing tools based on the moving direction of the pointing tool.

  In the present invention, the optical touch panel can accurately detect the instructed plural positions even when the plural positions on the plane are instructed by the plural indicating tools. In addition, the optical touch panel can accurately indicate a plurality of designated positions even when the x-coordinates or y-coordinates of the plurality of designated positions overlap when trajectories of the plurality of designated positions on the plane approach or intersect. The present invention has excellent effects, such as being able to be detected.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the external appearance of the optical touch panel apparatus of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of an optical touch panel. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of a light emission part and a light-receiving part. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of a pen-type indicator. It is a schematic diagram which shows the external appearance of the pen-type indicator provided with the switch. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the operation | movement which an optical touch panel performs. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example which instruct | indicated on the display surface with two pen-type indicating tools. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example which determined wrong the position on the display surface instruct | indicated with the pen-type indicator. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example which determined correctly the position on the display surface instruct | indicated with the pen-type indicator. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the optical touch panel apparatus which does not display an image.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof.
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the appearance of the optical touch panel device of the present invention. The optical touch panel device includes an optical touch panel 1 and a plurality of pen-type indicators (indicators) 2 that a user holds by hand to indicate any position of the optical touch panel 1. . The optical touch panel 1 is provided with an upright display surface (planar portion) 171. The pen-type pointing tool 2 is held by a user's hand, and points to any position on the display surface 171 by bringing the tip of the pen-type pointing tool 2 into contact with the display surface 171. The optical touch panel 1 detects the position on the display surface 171 instructed by the pen-type indicator 2. The optical touch panel 1 and the pen-type indicator 2 are configured to be able to transmit and receive data to and from each other. An external computer 3 such as a personal computer can be connected to the optical touch panel 1.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the optical touch panel 1. The optical touch panel 1 includes a control unit 11. The control unit 11 includes a calculation unit that performs a calculation, a memory that stores a control program necessary for the operation of the optical touch panel 1, a memory that stores temporary data associated with the calculation, and the like. The optical touch panel 1 includes a rectangular display surface 171 formed of an image display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an EL (electroluminescence) panel, and a display control unit 172 that performs control for displaying an image on the display surface. . The display surface 171 is connected to the display control unit 172, and the display control unit 172 is connected to the control unit 11. The optical touch panel 1 includes a light emitting unit 12 including a plurality of light emitting elements and a light receiving unit 13 including a plurality of light receiving elements. The light emitting unit 12 is connected to the address decoder 141, and the address decoder 141 is connected to the control unit 11. The light receiving unit 13 is connected to the address decoder 142, and the address decoder 142 is connected to the control unit 11. Further, the light receiving unit 13 is connected to the A / D converter 143, and the A / D converter 143 is connected to the control unit 11.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the light emitting unit 12 and the light receiving unit 13. A plurality of light emitting elements 121, 121,..., 121 are arranged side by side along the edge of one side of the rectangular display surface 171. The light emitting element 121 is a light emitting diode (LED) that emits infrared light. In FIG. 3, the optical path of the infrared light emitted from each light emitting element 121 is indicated by a broken line. The plurality of light emitting elements 121, 121,..., 121 are arranged so that the optical paths of the emitted infrared light are parallel to each other along the display surface 171. The optical path of the infrared light emitted from each light emitting element 121 corresponds to the first optical path in the present invention. The direction in which the plurality of light emitting elements 121, 121,. Further, a plurality of light emitting elements 122, 122,..., 122 made of LEDs that emit infrared light are arranged side by side along a side orthogonal to the x-axis direction of the display surface 171. In FIG. 3, the optical path of the infrared light emitted from each light emitting element 122 is indicated by a broken line, and the optical path of the infrared light emitted from each light emitting element 122 corresponds to the second optical path in the present invention. The plurality of light emitting elements 122, 122,..., 122 are arranged so that the optical paths of the emitted infrared light are parallel to each other along the display surface 171, and the plurality of light emitting elements 122, 122,. The aligned direction is taken as the y-axis direction of the display surface 171. The light emitting unit 12 includes light emitting elements 121, 121,..., 121 and light emitting elements 122, 122,. The light emitting unit 12 includes a multiplexer (not shown), and each of the light emitting elements 121, 121, ..., 121 and the light emitting elements 122, 122, ..., 122 is connected to the multiplexer.

  A plurality of light receiving elements 131, 131,..., 131 are arranged side by side along the edge of the side opposite to the side of the display surface 171 on which the plurality of light emitting elements 121, 121,. . That is, the light receiving elements 131, 131, ..., 131 are arranged in the x-axis direction. The light receiving element 131 is a photodiode that receives infrared light. One of the light receiving elements 131, 131, ..., 131 is opposed to each of the light emitting elements 121, 121, ..., 121. Infrared light emitted from one light emitting element 121 is received by one light receiving element 131 and is not received by another light receiving element 131. In addition, a plurality of light receiving elements 132 made of photodiodes that receive infrared light along the edge of the side facing the side of the display surface 171 along which the plurality of light emitting elements 122, 122,. 132,..., 132 are arranged side by side. That is, the light receiving elements 132, 132,..., 132 are arranged in the y-axis direction. One of the light receiving elements 132, 132,..., 132 is opposed to each of the light emitting elements 122, 122,. The light receiving unit 13 includes light receiving elements 131, 131,... 131 and light receiving elements 132, 132,. The light receiving unit 13 includes a multiplexer (not shown), and each of the light receiving elements 131, 131,... 131 and the light receiving elements 132, 132,.

  The control unit 11 outputs a signal for sequentially scanning the plurality of light emitting elements to the address decoder 141, and outputs a signal for sequentially scanning the plurality of light receiving elements to the address decoder 142. The address decoder 141 sends a signal for selecting any one of the light emitting elements 121, 121,..., 121 and the light emitting elements 122, 122,. Output to. The address decoder 142 selects a light receiving element facing the selected light emitting element among the light receiving elements 131, 131,... 131 and the light receiving elements 132, 132,. To the light receiving unit 13. The selected light emitting element emits infrared light, the selected light receiving element receives infrared light, and outputs an intensity signal indicating the intensity of the received infrared light as a voltage value to the A / D converter 143. To do. The A / D converter 143 converts the intensity signal from the light receiving element into an 8-bit digital signal, for example, and outputs the converted intensity signal to the control unit 11. The control unit 11 sequentially repeats the process for acquiring the intensity signals from the respective light receiving elements so as to acquire the intensity signals from all the light receiving elements. For example, the control unit 11 causes the light emitting elements 121, 121,..., 121 to emit light sequentially from the end to acquire an intensity signal from the opposing light receiving elements, and then sequentially causes the light emitting elements 122, 122,. An intensity signal is obtained from the light receiving element that is opposed to the light.

  The controller 11 calculates the amount of light received by each light receiving element from the intensity signal acquired from each light receiving element. When the amount of light received by a certain light receiving element exceeds a predetermined threshold, the control unit 11 determines that the optical path of the infrared light received by the light receiving element is not blocked. When the amount of light received by a certain light receiving element is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, the control unit 11 determines that the optical path of infrared light received by the light receiving element is blocked. In this way, the control unit 11 identifies the light receiving element in which the optical path of the received infrared light is blocked. When the pen-type pointing tool 2 is in contact with the display surface 171 to indicate any position on the display surface 171, the optical path passing through the position indicated by the pen-type pointing tool 2 is blocked. The control unit 11 performs a process of determining a position on the display surface 171 designated by the pen-type pointing tool 2 from the identified position of the light receiving element. For example, the amount of light received by the light receiving element 131 at the position of coordinates (xi, 0) and the light receiving element 132 at the position of coordinates (0, yi) is less than or equal to the threshold, and the amounts of light received by other light receiving elements are less than the threshold. When it exceeds, the control part 11 determines the coordinate of the position on the display surface 171 instruct | indicated as (xi, yi). Details of the processing for determining the position on the display surface 171 designated by the pen-type pointing tool 2 will be described later.

  Further, the control unit 11 is connected to a receiving unit 15 for receiving information transmitted from the pen-type pointing tool 2 and an interface unit 16 that can be connected to the external computer 3. Information received by the receiving unit 15 will be described later. The control unit 11 transmits position data indicating the position on the display surface 171 designated by the pen-type pointing tool 2 from the interface unit 16 to the external computer 3. The computer 3 stores the position data received from the optical touch panel 1 and executes a process according to the position data. Further, the control unit 11 outputs position data to the display control unit 172, and the display control unit 172 performs processing for displaying an image indicating the position on the display surface 171 designated by the pen-type pointing tool 2 on the display surface 171. Do.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the pen-type pointing tool 2. The pen-type pointing tool 2 includes a control unit 21. The control unit 21 includes a calculation unit, a memory that stores a control program, a memory that stores temporary data associated with the calculation, and the like. The pen-type indicator 2 includes a switch (contact detection means) 22 that is turned on when the display surface 171 of the optical touch panel 1 is touched by a user operation. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an appearance of the pen-type pointing tool 2 provided with the switch 22. The switch 22 is a mechanical switch provided at the tip of the pen-type indicator 2. In a state where the tip of the pen-type indicator 2 is not in contact with any object, the switch 22 is off. When the tip of the pen-type indicator 2 comes into contact with the display surface 171, the switch 22 is pushed in and turned on. The switch 22 is connected to the control unit 21, and the control unit 21 performs processing for detecting that the switch 22 is turned on. The switch 22 is not limited to a mechanical switch, and may be another switch such as an optical switch.

  The control unit 21 is connected to an acceleration sensor (movement sensor) 23 that detects the movement state of the pen-type pointing tool 2. The acceleration sensor 23 is a triaxial acceleration sensor and detects the moving direction of the pen-type pointing tool 2. The movement sensor in the present invention is not limited to a triaxial acceleration sensor, and may be other sensors such as a gyro sensor. The movement sensor in the present invention is a sensor that detects the direction in which the pen-type indicator 2 moves on the display surface 171 with the tip of the pen-type indicator 2 in contact with the display surface 171 using an optical sensor or the like. There may be.

  Further, the control unit 21 transmits an ID memory 24 for storing an ID code (identification information) unique to the pen-type pointing tool 2 for identifying the pen-type pointing tool 2 and various data to the optical touch panel 1. Is connected to the transmission unit 25. The transmission unit 25 is a communication unit that transmits data to the optical touch panel 1 by wireless communication using ultrasonic waves, infrared rays, radio waves, or the like. Note that the pen-type pointing tool 2 and the optical touch panel 1 are not limited to a mode in which wireless communication is performed, and the pen-type pointing tool 2 and the optical touch panel 1 are connected by wire and perform wired communication with each other. Form may be sufficient.

  When the control unit 21 detects that the switch 22 is turned on, contact information indicating that the pen-shaped indicator 2 has touched the display surface 171 and the pen-type indicator 2 detected by the acceleration sensor 23. The movement information indicating the movement direction is generated, and the ID code is read from the ID memory 24. Next, the control unit 21 associates the generated contact information and movement information with the read ID code, and then causes the transmission unit 25 to transmit to the optical touch panel 1. The optical touch panel 1 receives contact information, movement information, and an ID code from the pen-type pointing tool 2 at the receiving unit 15.

  In the optical touch panel 1, a correspondence between the movement direction of the pen-type pointing tool 2 detected by the acceleration sensor 23 and the direction on the display surface 171 is set in advance. For example, the user moves the single pen-type pointing tool 2 while touching the display surface 171, and the pen-type pointing tool 2 transmits movement information indicating the moving direction detected by the acceleration sensor 23. At this time, the user moves the pen-type indicator 2 in at least two types of directions. Based on the movement direction indicated by the movement information and the change in the position of the pen-type pointing tool 2 determined based on the light reception result of the light-receiving unit 13, the control unit 11 displays the movement direction and the display surface of the pen-type pointing tool 2 indicated by the movement information. A process of associating the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction on 171 is performed. The control unit 11 also stores setting information indicating an association between the moving direction of the pen-type pointing tool 2 and the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction on the display surface 171 in an internal memory.

  Next, the operation of the optical touch panel device of the present invention will be described. The control unit 21 of the pen-type pointing tool 2 transmits contact information, movement information, and an ID code from the transmission unit 25 to the optical touch panel 1 when the switch 22 is turned on. The optical touch panel 1 receives contact information, movement information, and an ID code transmitted from the pen-type pointing tool 2 at any time by the receiving unit 15.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of operations performed by the optical touch panel 1. The control unit 11 of the optical touch panel 1 causes the light emitting unit 12 to emit infrared light and the light receiving unit 13 to receive infrared light as needed, and the infrared light blocked from the intensity signal acquired from each light receiving element. It is determined whether there is an optical path (S1). The block of any optical path of infrared light means that the pen-type indicator 2 held by the user has indicated any position on the display surface 171. If there is no blocked infrared light path (S1: NO), the controller 11 repeats the determination of the presence or absence of the blocked infrared light path as needed. When there is an optical path of the blocked infrared light (S1: YES), the control unit 11 determines whether or not the position on the display surface 171 designated by the pen-type pointing tool 2 is one place ( S2). When the number of light receiving elements in which the optical path of the received infrared light is blocked is one in each of the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction, the designated position on the display surface 171 is one place. When there are a plurality of light receiving elements in which the optical path of the received infrared light is blocked in at least one of the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction, the indicated positions on the display surface 171 are a plurality of positions.

  When the position on the display surface 171 instructed by the pen-type pointing tool 2 is one place (S2: YES), the control unit 11 acquires the ID code received by the receiving unit 15 in association with the contact information ( S3). Next, the control unit 11 determines the position on the display surface 171 instructed by the pen-type indicator 2 based on the position of the light receiving element where the optical path of the received infrared light is blocked (S4). In step S4, the control unit 11 determines that the optical path of the infrared light received by the light receiving element 131 at the position of the coordinate (xi, 0) and the light receiving element 132 at the position of the coordinate (0, yi) is blocked. Then, the coordinates of the designated position on the display surface 171 are determined as (xi, yi). Next, the control unit 11 associates the ID code of the pen-type pointing tool 2 with the position on the display surface 171 designated by the pen-type pointing tool 2, and stores the correspondence result in the internal memory (S5). ). Next, the control unit 11 outputs position data indicating the position on the display surface 171 instructed by the pen-type pointing tool 2 from the interface unit 16 to the computer 3 in association with the ID code of the pen-type pointing tool 2. (S6). Next, the control unit 11 displays the locus of the position on the display surface 171 designated by the pen-type pointing tool 2 identified by the ID code, based on the history of the position on the display surface 171 associated with the ID code. Processing to be displayed on the surface 171 is performed (S7). In step S <b> 6, the control unit 11 generates image data indicating the locus of the position on the display surface 171 designated by the pen-type pointing tool 2, and outputs the generated image data to the display control unit 172. Based on the image data from the control unit 11, the display control unit 172 causes the display surface 171 to display an image representing the locus of the position on the display surface 171 designated by the pen-type pointing tool 2. After step S7 ends, the control unit 11 returns the process to step S1.

  When there are a plurality of positions on the display surface 171 instructed by the pen-type pointing tool 2 in step S2 (S2: NO), the control unit 11 receives the information in association with the contact information in the receiving unit 15, respectively. A plurality of ID codes are acquired (S8). Next, the control unit 11 determines whether or not a new ID code is included in the acquired plurality of ID codes apart from the ID code that is already stored in association with the position on the display surface 171. Is determined (S9). If there is a new ID code (S9: YES), the controller 11 uses a pen-type indicator 2 that is different from the pen-type indicator 2 that has already indicated any position on the display surface 171. The position on the display surface 171 instructed is determined (S10). In step S <b> 10, the control unit 11 determines the position on the display surface 171 that is newly instructed based on the position of the light receiving element from which the optical path of the infrared light is newly blocked.

  For example, the coordinates (x1, y1) of the indicated position on the display surface 171 are already stored, and the coordinates (x1, 0), (x2, 0), (0, y1) and (0, y2) are stored. Assume that the optical path of infrared light received by the light receiving element at the position is blocked. The control unit 11 has coordinates (x2, 0) and (x) different from the coordinates (x1, 0) and (0, y1) corresponding to the coordinates (x1, y1) already stored among the coordinates of the light receiving element. 0, y2) is determined as the coordinates of the light receiving element corresponding to the newly designated position. From the coordinates (x2, 0) and (0, y2) of the light receiving element corresponding to the newly designated position, the control unit 11 sets the coordinates of the newly designated position on the display surface 171 to (x2, y2). And decide. Note that the control unit 11 can determine the newly designated position even when the x-coordinate or y-coordinate of the newly designated position matches the already stored coordinates. For example, the coordinates (x1, y1) of the indicated position on the display surface 171 are already stored, and the light receiving elements at the positions of the coordinates (x1, 0), (x2, 0), and (0, y1) are stored. Assume that the optical path of the received infrared light is interrupted. The control unit 11 determines that the y-coordinate of the designated position is the same, and determines the coordinate of the newly designated position on the display surface 171 as (x2, y1).

  Next, the control unit 11 associates the ID codes of the plurality of pen-type pointing devices 2 with the plurality of positions on the display surface 171 designated by the pen-type pointing device 2 and stores the correspondence results in the internal memory. Store (S5). At this time, the control unit 11 associates the new ID code with the newly designated position on the display surface 171. Next, the control unit 11 outputs position data indicating a plurality of positions on the designated display surface 171 from the interface unit 16 to the computer 3 (S6). Next, the control unit 11 controls the display on the display surface 171 designated by the pen-type pointing tool 2 identified by each ID code based on the history of the position on the display surface 171 associated with each of the plurality of ID codes. A process of displaying the locus of the position on the display surface 171 is performed (S7). A plurality of trajectories will be displayed on the display surface 171.

  In step S9, when there is no new ID code among the acquired plurality of ID codes (S9: NO), the control unit 11 is based on the position of the light receiving element where the optical path of the infrared light is blocked. A process of determining candidates for a plurality of positions on the designated display surface 171 is performed (S11). At the stage of step S11, each pen-type indicator 2 may move from the position on the display surface 171 stored in association with the ID code and indicate another position. When the pen-type indicator 2 is moving, the optical path of infrared light blocked by the pen-type indicator 2 is switched, and when the position on the display surface 171 stored in association with the ID code is indicated. A light path different from the light path of the blocked infrared light is blocked. In a state in which the plurality of pen-type indicators 2 may have moved, the position indicated by the plurality of pen-type indicators 2 is determined only from the position of the light receiving element where the optical path of the infrared light is blocked. It is not possible to obtain a plurality of candidates at the indicated position. In step S11, the control unit 11 performs a process of listing a plurality of positions on the display surface 171 that can block the blocked infrared light path. Next, the control unit 11 acquires a plurality of pieces of movement information received by the receiving unit 15 in association with the contact information and the ID code, respectively (S12). Next, based on the movement direction of each pen-type indicator 2 indicated by the movement information associated with each ID code and the history of positions stored in association with each ID code, the control unit 11 Processing for determining the position on the display surface 171 instructed by each of the pen-type pointing devices 2 is performed (S13). Specifically, the control unit 11 selects the candidate at the position moved in the movement direction indicated by the movement information from the final position included in the history from among the plurality of candidates, and thereby on the instructed display surface 171. Determine the position. The control unit 11 selects one pen-type pointing tool 2, determines the position on the display surface 171 designated by the pen-type pointing tool 2, reduces the number of candidates, and instructs the other pen-type pointing tool 2. The position on the display surface 171 is determined.

  For example, two locations are indicated on the display surface 171, and infrared light received by the light receiving elements at the coordinates (x1, 0), (x2, 0), (0, y1), and (0, y2) is received. Suppose that the optical path of light is interrupted. The candidate coordinates of the indicated position are a combination in which one is (x1, y1) and the other is (x2, y2), and a combination in which one is (x1, y2) and the other is (x2, y1). is there. The coordinates of the final position in the history of the position of one pen-type pointing tool 2 that indicates two places are (x1, y0), y0 <y1, and the movement direction of the pen-type pointing tool 2 is the value of the y-coordinate. Is the direction in which increases. The control unit 11 indicates that the coordinates of the position on the display surface 171 designated by the pen-type pointing tool 2 are candidates for (x1, y1), (x2, y2), (x1, y2) and (x2, y1). It is determined that (x1, y1). Since the coordinates of the position on the display surface 171 designated by one pen-type pointing tool 2 are (x1, y1), the control unit 11 positions the position on the display surface 171 designated by the other pen-type pointing tool 2. Is determined as (x2, y2).

  Next, the control unit 11 associates the ID code of each pen-type pointing tool 2 with a new position on the display surface 171 designated by each pen-type pointing tool 2, and stores the result of the correspondence in the internal memory. Store (S5). At this time, the control unit 11 associates each ID code with a new position on the display surface 171 designated by the pen-type pointing tool 2 identified by each ID code. As a result, the position on the display surface 171 indicated by each pen-type pointing tool 2 is updated. Next, the control unit 11 outputs position data from the interface unit 16 to the computer 3 (S6), and performs a process of displaying the locus of the position designated by the plurality of pen-type pointing devices 2 on the display surface 171 (S7). ).

  An example in which the locus of the position designated by the pen-type pointing tool 2 is displayed on the display surface 171 will be described. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example in which the display surface 171 is instructed with two pen-type pointing devices 2. FIG. 7A shows a state before the pen-type pointing tool 2 is moved. Of the two pen-type indicators 2, 1A is attached to one and 2B is attached to the other. The moving directions of the two pen-type pointing devices 2 are indicated by white arrows. The pen-type indicator 2A is at coordinates (x1, y1) and moves downward in the drawing. The pen-type indicator 2A is at coordinates (x2, y2) and moves upward in the drawing. FIG. 7B shows a state in which the y-coordinates of the two pen-type pointing devices 2 that have moved overlap. There are two types of candidates for coordinates of the pen-type pointing tool 2A in the state shown in FIG. 7B, (x1, y3) and (x2, y3). Based on the moving direction of the pen-type pointing tool 2A, the coordinates of the pen-type pointing tool 2A are determined to be (x1, y3). Similarly, the coordinates of the pen-type pointing tool 2B are determined to be (x2, y3).

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example in which the position on the display surface 171 designated by the pen-type pointing tool 2 is erroneously determined. If the position indicated by the pen-type indicator 2A is erroneously determined when the y-coordinates overlap as shown in FIG. 7B, the locus displayed on the display surface 171 is separated from the pen-type indicator 2A. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example in which the position on the display surface 171 designated by the pen-type pointing tool 2 is correctly determined. On the display surface 171, the trajectories of the pen-type pointing devices 2A and 2B are correctly displayed. In the present invention, by determining the position indicated by the pen-type pointing tool 2 based on the movement information, the locus of the pen-type pointing tool 2 can be correctly displayed as shown in FIG.

  As described above in detail, when the display surface 171 of the optical touch panel 1 is instructed by the plurality of pen-type indicators 2, the optical touch panel 1 changes the optical path of the blocked infrared light and each pen type. Based on the moving direction of the pointing tool 2, the display surface 171 designated by each pen-type pointing tool 2 is determined. Thereby, even when a plurality of positions on the display surface 171 are instructed, the optical touch panel 1 can accurately detect the instructed plurality of positions. In addition, the optical touch panel 1 has a plurality of instructed even when the x-coordinates or y-coordinates of the instructed plural positions are overlapped when the trajectories of the plural instructed positions on the display surface 171 approach or intersect. Can be accurately detected. Furthermore, the optical touch panel 1 accurately detects a plurality of designated positions and displays a locus of the designated positions on the display surface 171. For this reason, the user can draw on the display surface 171 by operating the plurality of pen-type pointing devices 2, and can input the drawn image to the optical touch panel 1.

  In the present embodiment, the pen-type pointing tool 2 has been shown to transmit an ID code, contact information, and movement information when the switch 22 is turned on. The contact information may not be transmitted. That is, in this embodiment, the pen-type indicator 2 transmits the ID code and movement information to the optical touch panel 1 when the switch 22 is turned on. In the form in which the pen-type pointing tool 2 transmits the contact information, the optical touch panel 1 receives the contact information from the pen-type pointing tool 2, so that the pen-type pointing tool 2 moves any position on the display surface 171. Detect that you are instructing. In the form in which the pen-type pointing tool 2 does not transmit contact information, the optical touch panel 1 receives the ID code and movement information transmitted when the pen-type pointing tool 2 touches the display surface 171, whereby the pen-type pointing tool 2 is transmitted. It is detected that the tool 2 indicates any position on the display surface 171. As described above, the present invention can be realized even when the pen-type pointing tool 2 does not transmit contact information.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, although the form which detects the interruption | blocking of an optical path by detecting that the light-receiving amount in a light receiving element fell was shown, the optical touch panel 1 reflected with the pen-type indicator 2 The form which detects interruption | blocking of an optical path by detecting infrared light may be sufficient. The optical touch panel 1 may be configured to generate an optical path using light other than infrared light such as visible light. In the present embodiment, the optical touch panel 1 performs processing for displaying an image on the display screen 171. However, the optical touch panel device of the present invention performs processing for displaying an image on the display screen 171 by a computer. 3 may be executed. Moreover, in this Embodiment, although the pen-shaped indicator 2 showed the form which detects a moving direction as a movement state, it is not restricted to this, The pen-shaped indicator 2 uses various movement sensors, The moving state may be a form in which speed, acceleration, presence / absence of movement, or the like is detected. Even in this case, the optical touch panel can detect the position on the display surface 171 instructed by the plurality of pen-shaped pointing devices 2 based on the movement state of the pen-shaped pointing device 2.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, although the form which displays the locus | trajectory of the pen-type indicator 2 on the display screen 171 was shown, the optical touch panel device of this invention displays other images, such as a menu image, on the display surface 171. It may be a form that displays and executes various processes according to the instructed position. Further, the optical touch panel device of the present invention may have a form using a plane that does not display an image as a plane whose position is indicated. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an optical touch panel device that does not display an image. The optical touch panel 1 functions as a pen tablet that does not display an image and outputs position data indicating the position instructed by the pen-type pointing tool 2 to the computer 3. The computer 3 executes a process according to the position data, such as displaying the locus of the pen-type pointing tool 2 indicated by the position data. Also in this form, the optical touch panel 1 can accurately detect a plurality of positions instructed by using the plurality of pen-type indicators 2.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Optical touch panel 11 Control part 15 Reception part 171 Display surface (plane part)
2 Pen-type indicator (indicator)
21 Control unit 22 Switch (contact detection means)
23 Acceleration sensor (movement sensor)
24 ID memory 25 Transmitter 3 Computer

Claims (5)

An optical touch panel that has a flat surface portion and generates a plurality of optical paths along the flat surface portion, and an indicator that indicates any position on the flat surface portion so as to block any optical path. Type touch panel device,
With multiple indicators,
The pointing tool has a movement sensor for detecting the movement state of the pointing tool,
The optical touch panel
Means for determining the position on the plane portion indicated by the single indicator based on the position of the interrupted optical path when the optical path is interrupted by a single indicator;
Means for storing a history of positions on the flat surface indicated by each indicator;
Means for determining candidates for a plurality of positions on the planar portion instructed by the plurality of indicating tools based on the positions of the blocked optical paths when the optical paths are blocked by the plurality of indicating tools;
By selecting a candidate at a position moved in the direction indicated by the movement state of each pointing tool from the positions included in the history of the position indicated by each pointing tool from among the plurality of position candidates, Means for determining a position on the plane portion indicated by the tool;
Optical touch panel device, characterized in that it comprises a means for updating the history of the position on the flat portion each pointing device has instructed. A plane section, means for generating a plurality of parallel first optical paths along the plane section, means for generating a plurality of parallel second optical paths intersecting the plurality of first optical paths along the plane section, and a plurality An optical touch panel having means for specifying the positions of the first optical path and the second optical path blocked in the first optical path and the second optical path, and the first optical path and the second optical path so as to be blocked. In an optical touch panel device provided with an indicator that indicates any position on the plane portion by contacting the plane portion,
With multiple indicators,
The indicator is
Means for storing identification information for identifying the pointing device;
Contact detection means for detecting contact with the planar portion;
A movement sensor for detecting a movement state of the pointing tool;
Means for transmitting the identification information and movement information indicating the movement state of the pointing tool detected by the movement sensor to the optical touch panel when the contact detection means detects contact with the flat portion; Have
The optical touch panel
Means for receiving identification information and movement information from the pointing device;
When the single first optical path and the second optical path are blocked and the identification information and the movement information are received from the single pointing tool, the position on the plane portion indicated by the single pointing tool is blocked. Means for determining based on the result of specifying the positions of the first optical path and the second optical path;
Means for storing a history of positions on the flat surface designated by a plurality of pointing devices;
The first optical path及beauty second optical path by a plurality of pointing device is interrupted, when receiving the identification information and movement information from a plurality of pointing device, a specific result of the position of the first optical path及beauty second optical path which is shielding sectional Based on the above, means for determining candidates for a plurality of positions on the plane portion indicated by the plurality of pointing tools;
By selecting a candidate at a position moved in the direction indicated by the movement information of each indicator from the positions included in the history of the position indicated by each indicator from the plurality of position candidates, Means for determining a position on the plane portion indicated by the tool ;
Optical touch panel device, characterized in that it comprises a means for updating the history of the position on the flat portion each pointing device has instructed. The plane portion is a display surface for displaying an image,
The optical touch panel
3. The optical touch panel device according to claim 1, further comprising means for displaying an image representing a locus of a position on the planar portion designated by the pointing tool on the planar portion. The optical touch panel device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the movement sensor is configured to detect a movement direction of the pointing tool. A plane portion; means for generating a plurality of parallel first optical paths along the plane portion; and means for generating a plurality of parallel second optical paths intersecting the plurality of first optical paths along the plane portion. In an optical touch panel comprising: means for specifying the positions of the first optical path and the second optical path blocked in the plurality of first optical paths and the second optical path,
Means for receiving identification information for identifying an external pointing tool that indicates any position on the plane portion, and movement information indicating a moving state of the external pointing tool;
When the single first optical path and the second optical path are blocked and the identification information and the movement information related to the single external pointing tool are received, the instructed position on the plane portion is blocked. Means for determining based on the result of specifying the position of the optical path and the second optical path;
Means for storing a history of the indicated position on the plane portion;
Multiple first optical path及beauty second optical path is blocked, the position of the plurality of external when receiving the identification information and movement information relating to the pointing device, shielding sectional been said plurality of first optical path及beauty second optical path Means for determining candidates for a plurality of positions on the designated plane portion based on the identification result of :
By selecting the candidate at the position moved in the direction indicated by the movement information related to each external pointing tool from the position included in the history of the indicated position from among the plurality of position candidates, the instructed Means for determining a plurality of positions on the plane portion;
Optical touch panel characterized by having a means for updating the history of a plurality of positions on the planar portion shown fingers.

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