JPH0540571A - Method and device for three-dimensional position input - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simplify operations by moving the position of a viewpoint with a triaxial operation in the case of displaying a three-dimensional graphic. CONSTITUTION:A viewpoint moving amount setting means A100 and a viewpoint moving amount setting means B101 are used for moving the position of the viewpoint in the case of displaying the three-dimensional graphic. The coordinate of the moved viewpoint is stored in a viewpoint storing means 111. The coordinate of a reference point is numerically inputted by a user while using a keyboard 115 or inputted by resetting a point, which is indicated by a cursor at present, to a new reference point. Further, since a switch 103 is pushed after the cursor is moved to a desired position to be indicated, an ON/OFF detecting means 104 detects the ON state of the switch 103 and when it is reported to a computer 118, the computer 118 calculates the coordinate of the position indicated by the cursor and stores the coordinate in a cursor storing means 112.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a position input method and a position input device for moving a position of a cursor indicating an arbitrary position of a three-dimensional graphic displayed on a screen of a display of a computer device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a position input device used when moving a cursor displayed on a display screen,
There were mouse (trade name), trackball (trade name), joystick (trade name) and so on. Any of the position input devices can detect 2 of the X coordinate and the Y coordinate.
The amount of movement and the direction of movement in the dimensional coordinate system.

However, recently, in fields such as computer graphics and CAD, graphics having three-dimensional information are frequently used, so that the position input device can promptly indicate three-dimensional coordinates. Things have become necessary.

In the conventional three-dimensional position input method, the origin of the three-dimensional graphic coordinate system is centered, and the position of the viewpoint when drawing the three-dimensional graphic is moved in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. , Movement in the Z-axis direction, rotational movement in the plane perpendicular to the X-axis, rotational movement in the plane perpendicular to the Y-axis, and rotational movement in the plane perpendicular to the Z-axis. It was The movement under these six conditions is called 6-axis operation.

Along with this, as a typical three-dimensional position input device of the related art, as shown in FIG. 14, six dials 201 to 201 are mounted on the panel 200.
206 is arranged, and each dial is moved in the X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, Z-axis direction, rotational movement in the plane perpendicular to the X-axis, rotation in the plane perpendicular to the Y-axis. There was an input device to which the functions of movement and rotational movement in a plane perpendicular to the Z axis were assigned.

Further, as a conventional three-dimensional position input device, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 1-96720 and 1-134252 are available.
1 and JP-A-2-37414.

[0007]

However, as shown in FIG.
In the conventional example, the six dials must be operated separately in order to perform the 6-axis operation. Therefore, in order to specify the position, the order in which the six dials must be operated must be considered. However, there is a problem that extra thinking time is required and the input device is large.

Further, in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 1-96720, a sensor for detecting acceleration is built in, and the acceleration generated at the time of movement in each of the X, Y, and Z coordinates is detected, and the amount of movement and the movement direction are detected. Although it is sought, it is difficult to specify fine coordinates, and there is a problem that the input device must be lifted in order to move in the positive direction of the Z axis.

Further, in JP-A-1-134521, since a large stage and panel are required, the input device becomes large, and there is a problem that it is too large to use or carry on a desk. It was

In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-37414, a one-dimensional or two-dimensional coordinate input device is used, and a switch for switching which coordinate axis is to be provided is provided. However, a switch for designating a coordinate system is operated one by one. Since it must be done, there was a problem that the cursor could not be moved smoothly to the target position.

Further, since the display screen is a two-dimensional display and it is not possible to display all the surfaces of the three-dimensional graphic at the same time, in order to indicate an arbitrary position of the three-dimensional graphic, the position to be indicated is first displayed. In order to appear on the screen of, the three-dimensional graphic must be moved, and then the position of the cursor must be moved. However, since the above-mentioned conventional input device has only the function of moving the graphic or moving the cursor, if it is used for moving the graphic, for example, a separate position is required for moving the cursor. There was a problem that an input device had to be prepared.

Therefore, the present invention is intended to solve such a problem, and an object thereof is to provide a small and lightweight one-handed and easy-to-operate when pointing an arbitrary position of a three-dimensional graphic. Easy and without interruption
An object of the present invention is to provide a position input device having a function of moving the viewpoint position and the cursor position with one unit.

[0013]

According to the three-dimensional position input method of the present invention, a reference point is set in the coordinate system of a three-dimensional graphic, and the position of the viewpoint when the three-dimensional graphic is displayed is set as the reference point. From the current position, a combination of two movements, a movement along a sphere with the distance between the reference point and the viewpoint as the radius, and a movement along a straight line that connects the reference point and the viewpoint, By moving and redisplaying the 3D graphic from a new viewpoint, the 3D graphic on the screen is moved. When the desired position in the 3D graphic appears on the screen, move the cursor,
It is characterized by placing it at the position you want to point.

The three-dimensional position input device of the present invention is a device for realizing this method, and is a computer for generating data for re-displaying a three-dimensional graphic and a cursor according to information from the position input section. A display connected to the computer for displaying a three-dimensional graphic and a cursor; and reference point storage means provided in the computer for storing coordinates when a reference point is set in a coordinate system of the three-dimensional graphic. And a viewpoint storage unit provided in the computer for storing the coordinates of the position of the viewpoint, a cursor storage unit provided in the computer for storing the coordinates of the position of the cursor, and the reference point and the viewpoint with the reference point as the center. A viewpoint movement amount setting means A provided in the position input unit for moving the viewpoint along a spherical surface whose radius is the distance from And a viewpoint movement amount setting means B provided in the position input section for moving the viewpoint along a straight line, a cursor movement amount setting means for moving the cursor to a position to be instructed, and a cursor at a desired position. It is characterized by further comprising a switch provided in the position input section for notifying the computer that the operation has been performed, and an on / off detection means provided in the position input section for detecting an on / off state of the switch.

[0015]

According to the present invention having the above-mentioned structure, when it is desired to designate an arbitrary position of the three-dimensional graphic, the reference point is first set in the coordinate system of the three-dimensional graphic. When the position to be instructed does not appear on the screen, the position of the viewpoint when displaying the three-dimensional graphic is moved to move the three-dimensional graphic on the screen. The movement of the viewpoint is performed by a combination of two movements, that is, a movement along a spherical surface whose radius is the distance between the reference point and the viewpoint with the reference point as the center, and a movement along a straight line that connects the reference point and the viewpoint. .. While re-displaying the 3D graphic based on the new viewpoint position,
When the desired position on the three-dimensional graphic appears on the screen, stop moving the viewpoint and move the cursor displayed on the screen to the desired position. When the cursor is at the desired position, press the switch. When the switch is pressed, the computer finds and stores the coordinates.

[0016]

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

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing movement of a viewpoint, showing an embodiment of the present invention.

To move the viewpoint, a reference point must first be determined. The reference point is set by the user at an arbitrary position in the three-dimensional graphic coordinate system.

There are two modes for moving the viewpoint, and the first is as shown in FIG. 1 (a), on a spherical surface with the reference point O as the center and the distance OE between the reference point O and the viewpoint E as the radius. , The viewpoint E is moved in the directions such as the arrow 20 and the arrow 21. Another mode is to move the viewpoint E in the directions of E1 and E2 along a straight line connecting the reference point O and the viewpoint E as shown in FIG.

As described above, the movement of the viewpoint, which conventionally requires 6-axis operation, can be realized by the 3-axis operation in the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between the position of the viewpoint and the three-dimensional graphic displayed on the screen, showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is an example showing the positions of the reference point and the viewpoint. Now, set the reference point O to 3D graphic 3
Suppose that it is set inside 3. E1, E2, and E3 represent viewpoint positions. It is assumed that the three-dimensional graphic 33 obtained from the viewpoint E1 is displayed on the screen 30 as shown in FIG.

Next, the viewpoint is moved to the position E2. At this time, the viewpoint is moved by moving along the sphere centered on the reference point O and having the radius between the reference point O and the viewpoint E1 as a radius. Arrow 3 from viewpoint E1 to viewpoint E2
Go through a trajectory like 5. The three-dimensional graphic 33 obtained from the viewpoint E2 is shown in FIG.

Next, when the viewpoint is moved from the viewpoint E2 to the viewpoint E3 along the straight line connecting the reference point O and the viewpoint E2, the three-dimensional graphic 33 obtained from the viewpoint E3 is obtained. It is displayed on the screen 30 as shown in FIG.

As described above, by moving the position of the viewpoint when displaying the three-dimensional graphic, the user looking at the screen feels that the three-dimensional graphic is rotated or enlarged.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a coordinate system of a cursor showing a position embodiment of the present invention.

The cursor 31 is used as a guide when pointing to a point to be pointed, and is in the shape of an arrow in FIG. 3, but the shape is not limited to the arrow, and it is not limited to the arrow shape, but the shape of a human hand or the like. But it's okay. The cursor 31 is displayed on the screen 30 of the display 116. Since the screen 30 is a flat surface,
The coordinate system of the cursor 31 is represented by a two-dimensional XY coordinate system as indicated by the arrow 32.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a procedure for pointing an arbitrary position of a three-dimensional graphic showing an embodiment of the present invention.

Now, as shown in FIG. 4A, the screen 3
At 0, a three-dimensional graphic 33 and a cursor 31 are displayed. The position to be pointed to is point P, but it is assumed that point P is hidden on the side indicated by arrow A. In this state, even if the cursor 31 is moved, the point P cannot be designated. Therefore, the viewpoint is moved in either direction of arrow 34. The three-dimensional graphic 33 is redisplayed at high speed as the viewpoint moves.

As the viewpoint moves, the three-dimensional graphic on the screen 30 also moves, and the point P appears on the screen 30 as shown in FIG. 4 (b). Stop. Next, the cursor 31 is moved to the position of the point P. When a finer position is desired, the position of the viewpoint is brought closer to the reference point side, and the three-dimensional graphic 33 is enlarged and displayed as shown in FIG. Can be instructed.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the invention of claim 2. The portion enclosed by the dotted line indicated by 117 is the position input unit, and the portion enclosed by the dotted line indicated by 118 is the computer.

The viewpoint movement amount setting means A100 and the viewpoint movement amount setting means B101 are used to move the position of the viewpoint when displaying a three-dimensional graphic. The viewpoint moving amount setting means A100 is means for moving the viewpoint on a spherical surface having a radius between the reference point and the viewpoint with the reference point as the center. The viewpoint movement amount setting means B101 is means for moving the viewpoint along a straight line connecting the reference point and the viewpoint.

The coordinates of the moved viewpoint are stored in the viewpoint storage means 11
Stored in 1. Further, the coordinate of the reference point is input by the user using the keyboard 115 by entering a numerical value or by resetting the point currently pointed by the cursor to a new reference point. When inputting a numerical value, there are two methods of inputting the absolute value of the three-dimensional graphic coordinate system or inputting the relative movement amount from the position of the currently set reference point. The input coordinates are stored in the reference point storage means 111.

The cursor movement amount setting means 102 is used to move the position of the cursor.

When the switch 103 is pressed when the cursor has been moved to the desired position, the on / off detecting means 104 detects the on state of the switch 103 and notifies the computer 118 that the computer 118 is in the position specified by the cursor. The coordinate of is obtained and stored in the cursor storage means 112.

The interface 105 includes the position input section 1
It is a circuit that takes in the signal from 17 and converts it into the signal level of the bus line 106. The CPU 107 is a central processing unit, and controls the entire three-dimensional position input device through the bus line 106. ROM108
Is a read-only memory in which a control program for the CPU 107 is stored. The RAM 109 is a memory that can read and write arbitrarily, and is mainly used as a memory for storing data. Basic data for displaying a three-dimensional graphic on the screen is stored in the RAM 109. Further, the reference point storage means 110 and the viewpoint storage means 1
11 and the cursor storage means 112 are also composed of the same RAM.

The keyboard controller 113 detects which key of the keyboard 115 is pressed, passes the bus line 106, and transmits it to the CPU 107. The display controller 114 displays the three-dimensional graphic on the display 116 according to the three-dimensional graphic data obtained from the positions of the reference point and the viewpoint, and
The cursor is displayed on the display 116 according to the coordinates stored in the cursor storage means 116.

6A and 6B are views showing a position input section showing an embodiment of the invention of claim 2, wherein FIG. 6A is an external view seen from above, and FIG. 6B is a sectional view.

In the external view shown in FIG. 6A, the components are arranged so that the right hand can easily operate them. Position input section 117
When the right hand is gripped so as to wrap it in the palm from above, the index finger is placed at the position of the rotating body A120. To use it for the left hand, the positions of the rotating body 120 and the switch 103 may be reversed right and left.

The case 60 is of a size that can be handled with one hand, and is made of resin such as plastic in order to reduce its weight. The signal cable 61 is connected to the computer 118.
It is used to transmit the detected signal.

FIG. 6B shows the dotted line L shown in FIG.
It is sectional drawing when it cut | disconnects in the position of.

The roller 123 is in contact with the rotating body A120 and rotates with the rotation of the rotating body A120. The roller 123 further transmits the rotation to the rotation detecting means 122. Details regarding rotation detection of the rotating body 120 will be described later with reference to FIG. 7.

The roller 125 is in contact with the dial 121 and rotates as the dial 121 rotates. The roller 125 further transmits the rotation to the rotation detecting means 126. For details of rotation detection of the dial 121, see FIG.
Will be described later.

The roller 129 is in contact with the rotating body B127 and rotates with the rotation of the rotating body B127. The roller 129 further transmits the rotation to the rotation detecting means B128. The rotation detecting method of the rotating body B127 is performed by the rotating body A12.
This is performed by the same means as 0 rotation detection.

When the switch 103 is pressed from above, the on / off detecting means 104 detects the on state.

When moving the position of the viewpoint, when moving in the direction shown in FIG. 2 (a), the rotating body A120 is rotated in the XY direction shown by the arrow 63, and shown in FIG. 2 (b). When moving in the direction indicated by the arrow, the dial 121 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow 62. In general, clockwise rotation indicates forward movement, and therefore, when the dial 121 is rotated clockwise, it is better to set the viewpoint so as to approach the reference point.

When the position of the cursor is moved, the entire position input section 117 is moved in the XY directions indicated by the arrow 63 while contacting the entire surface on which the position input section 117 is placed. Then, when the cursor moves to the position to be instructed, the switch 103 is pressed. When the ON state of the switch 103 is detected, the computer 118 obtains the coordinates of the position of the cursor and stores the coordinates in the cursor storage means 112.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a mechanism for detecting the rotation of the rotating body, showing an embodiment of the present invention.

There are two sets of the roller 123 and the rotation detecting means 122, one for the X coordinate and one for the Y coordinate. Therefore,
The roller 123 for X coordinates and the rotation detecting means A122 are 123a and 122a, respectively, and the roller 123 for Y coordinates is 123.
And the rotation detecting means A122 are 123b and 122b, respectively.
And The rollers 123a and 123b are arranged so as to be orthogonal to each other. The support roller 70 is in contact with and supports the rotating body A120 so that the rotating body A120 is not displaced to the opposite side of the bearing 124. Further, the support roller 70 is supported by the bearing 71, and rotates in accordance with the rotation of the rotating body A120.

When the position input section 117 moves, the rotating body A
Since 120 is in contact with the surface on which the position input section 117 is placed, friction occurs and the 120 rotates in accordance with the movement. The X direction component of the rotation is transmitted to the roller 123a, and the roller 12
The rotation of 3a is detected by the rotation detecting means A122a, the Y direction component of the rotation is transmitted to the roller 123b, and the rotation of the roller 123b is detected by the rotation detecting means A122b. A specific example of the rotation detecting means A122 will be described later with reference to FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a specific example of the rotation detecting means of the rotating body, showing an embodiment of the present invention.

Inside the rotation detecting means A122, the light emitting section 8 is provided.
1 and 85, the slit 80, and the light receiving portions 82 and 86. A small light emitting diode or the like is used for the light emitting units 81 and 82. A phototransistor or the like is used for the light receiving section. The light emitted from the light emitting parts 81 and 85 is indicated by the arrow T.
Like 1 and T2, they pass through the window portion of the slit 80 and reach the light receiving portions 82 and 86, respectively. Slit 8
Since 0 rotates in the direction of arrow 89 in accordance with the rotation of the roller 123, light passes intermittently. The intermittent light that has passed through the slit 80 is converted into analog signals 500 and 502 by the light receiving portions 82 and 86, waveform-shaped by the Schmitt trigger circuits 83 and 87, and converted into phase difference signals 501 and 503. A specific example of the phase difference signal is shown in FIG.

The phase difference signals 501 and 502 are transmitted to the computer 118, and the computer 118 side determines the rotation amount and the rotation direction from the phase difference signal. The rotation amount represents the moving amount, and the rotation direction represents the moving direction.
The amount of rotation can be obtained by counting the rising portion 90 in FIG. 9, for example. The method of obtaining the rotation direction is as follows.

As can be seen from FIG. 8, the light emitting portion 81 and the light receiving portion 82 form one set, and the light emitting portion 85 and the light receiving portion 86 form another set. As shown in FIG. 9, the phase difference signals 501 and 502 are arranged so as to be output with a shift of 1/4 wavelength (S1, S2). By arranging in this way, clockwise rotation and counterclockwise rotation can be detected separately. In FIG. 9, it is assumed that a range indicated by an arrow R1 is a waveform when a clockwise rotation is detected, and a range indicated by an arrow R2 is a waveform when a counterclockwise rotation is detected. .. For clockwise rotation,
The rising portion 91 of the phase difference signal 503 is output after being shifted by S1 after the rising portion 90 of the phase difference signal 501, but in the case of counterclockwise rotation, after the rising portion 93 of the phase difference signal 503, the phase difference The rising portion 92 of the signal 501 is output with a shift of S2. Due to this difference, clockwise rotation and counterclockwise rotation can be detected separately.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a mechanism for detecting rotation of a dial according to an embodiment of the present invention. Dial 12
1 is arranged so as to surround the rotating body A 120. This is because the rotating body A
This is to allow easy movement between 120 and dial 121.

The roller 125 contacts the dial 121 and rotates as the dial 121 rotates. Further, the roller 125 is directly connected to the rotation detecting means C126 and transmits the rotation of the dial 121. The rotation detecting means C126 generates the phase difference signals 501 and 502 shown in FIG. 9 from the rotation of the dial 121 transmitted through the roller 125, and transmits the detected signal to the computer 118. The rotation direction of the dial 121 is detected by the same means as in the embodiment shown in FIG.

11A and 11B are views showing a position input section showing an embodiment of the invention of claim 4, FIG. 11A is an external view seen from above, and FIG. 11B is a sectional view.

In the external view of FIG. 11A, the case 6
For 0, the material is resin such as plastic in order to reduce the size and weight. The signal cable 61 is for transmitting the detected signal to the computer device 118.

The dial 121 is provided so as to surround the rotating body A120. This is to enable easy movement between the rotating body A120 and the dial 121 by simply moving the fingertip slightly.

The switch 103 is provided so as to surround the rotating body B127. This is to enable easy movement between the rotating body B127 and the switch 103 by simply moving a fingertip.

In the sectional view of FIG. 11B, the roller 1
25 is in contact with the dial 121, and the dial 12
Rotates with the rotation of 1. The roller 125 is further directly connected to the rotation detecting means C126. Dial 12
The details regarding the rotation detection of No. 1 are the same as those of the embodiment shown in FIG.

The roller 123 is in contact with the rotating body A120 and rotates with the rotation of the rotating body A120. The roller 123 is further directly connected to the rotation detecting means A122. The details regarding the rotation detection of the rotating body A120 are the same as those of the embodiment shown in FIG.

The roller 129 is in contact with the rotating body B127 and rotates as the rotating body B127 rotates. The roller 129 is further directly connected to the rotation detecting means B128. The rotation detecting method of the rotating body B127 is based on the rotating body A1.
This is the same means as the rotation detection method of 20.

When the switch 103 is pushed in the direction of arrow 137, the on / off detecting means 104 detects the on state.

When moving the position of the viewpoint, when moving in the direction shown in FIG. 2A, the rotator A120 is rotated in the XY directions shown by the arrow 135, and shown in FIG. When moving in the direction
Rotate in the direction indicated by 6. In general, clockwise rotation indicates forward movement, and therefore, when the dial 121 is rotated clockwise, it is better to set the viewpoint so as to approach the reference point.

When the position of the cursor is moved, the entire position input section 117 is moved in the XY directions indicated by the arrow 135 while contacting the entire surface on which the position input section 117 is placed. Then, when the cursor moves to the position to be instructed, the switch 103 is pushed in the direction of arrow 137. When the ON state of the switch 103 is detected, the computer 118 obtains the coordinates of the position of the cursor and stores the coordinates in the cursor storage means 112.

12A and 12B are views showing a position input section showing an embodiment of the invention of claim 5, FIG. 12A is an external view seen from above, and FIG. 12B is a sectional view.

In the external view of FIG. 12A, the case 6
For 0, the material is resin such as plastic in order to reduce the size and weight. The signal cable 61 is the computer 1
The detected signal is transmitted to 18.

The switch 103 is provided so as to surround the rotating body A120. This is to enable easy movement between the rotating body A120 and the switch 103 by simply moving a fingertip.

The ring 141 is provided so as to surround the cylinder 140 protruding from the rotating body A120. this is,
Rotate the A120 and the ring 14 by moving your fingertips a little.
This is because it is possible to easily move between 1 and 1.
The movement of the ring 141 in the direction of the arrow 148 is determined by the guide 143.
Is transmitted to the ring movement detection means 144. As a specific example of the ring movement detecting means 144, there is a method of incorporating a slide type variable resistor and detecting the movement of the ring 141 from a change in resistivity.

The contact sensor 142 is provided at the tip of the cylinder 140. In this way, since the rotating body A 120, the ring 141, and the contact sensor 142 are close to each other, they can be easily moved by simply moving the fingertip. Contact sensor 142
Is provided at the tip of the cylinder 140. Here, details of the contact sensor 142 will be described with reference to FIG. The contact sensor 142 is composed of a large number of contacts 152 insulated from each other. Since the size of each of the contact points 152 is considerably smaller than the size of the finger 151, touching the finger 151 touches a plurality of contact points 152 at one time. Therefore, when deciding the direction in which the cursor is to be moved, the middle direction of the contacts 152 located at both ends of the plurality of contacts 152 touched by the finger 151 is adopted. In addition, the moving amount of the cursor is determined by the finger 151 touch sensor 142.
Proportional to the length of time you are touching. Contact sensor 14
The coordinate system of 2 corresponds to the direction shown by the arrow 153,
For example, when the finger 151 shown in FIG. 13 is touched, the cursor moves downward in the screen.

In the sectional view of FIG. 12B, the roller 1
23 is in contact with the rotating body A120, and the rotating body A12
It rotates with the rotation of 0. The roller 123 is further directly connected to the rotation detecting means A122. Rotating body A12
The details regarding the detection of 0 rotation are performed in the same manner as in the embodiment shown in FIG. Further, since the rotating body A120 cannot be rotated 360 degrees because the cylinder 140 is protruding, for example, a magnification is set on the computer 118 side so that an actual angle change of 1 degree becomes an angle change of 10 degrees. Is set. Further, there is a hole in the bottom portion of the rotating body A120 indicated by the arrow 150, and the ring movement detecting means 1
It is used to pass the detection signal lines of 44 and the contact position detecting means 145.

When the switch 103 is pushed in the direction of arrow 149, the on / off detecting means 104 detects the on state.

When moving the position of the viewpoint, when moving in the direction shown in FIG. 2 (a), the rotating body A120 is rotated in the XY direction shown by the arrow 146, and shown in FIG. 2 (b). Ring 141 when moving in the direction
Move in the direction indicated by. For example, when it is desired to move the viewpoint closer to the reference point, the ring 141 may be moved toward the rotating body A120.

When moving the position of the cursor, the entire position input section 117 is moved in the XY directions indicated by the arrow 146 while contacting the entire surface on which the position input section 117 is placed. Then, when the cursor moves to the position to be instructed, the switch 103 is pushed in the direction of arrow 149. When the ON state of the switch 103 is detected, the computer 118 obtains the coordinates of the position of the cursor and stores the coordinates in the cursor storage means 112.

[0076]

As described above, according to the present invention, 3
Conventionally, 6-axis operation was required to move the viewpoint position when displaying a three-dimensional graphic.
Since only the axis operation is required, the mechanism of the three-dimensional position input device can be simplified.

Also, it is small and lightweight and can be easily operated with one hand.
Since the operation of moving the three-dimensional graphic is simple, it is possible to move both the viewpoint and the position of the cursor without interrupting the thinking.

Further, since the part for moving the viewpoint and the part for moving the cursor are close to each other, it is only necessary to move the fingertip or the wrist to move between them. Input can be done smoothly.

Further, in the invention of claim 3, since it can be handled with a feeling similar to that of a mouse generally used as a two-dimensional position input device, it is very easy to learn the operating method. There is also the effect that there is.

Further, according to the invention of claim 4, since it is not necessary to move the entire position input section, there is an effect that it can be used even when there is not enough working space.

Further, according to the invention of claim 5, since it is not necessary to move the entire position input section, it can be used even when there is not enough working space, and there is one rotating body around which a ring, a contact sensor, Since the switches are provided close to each other, it is an optimal configuration for realizing a small-sized position input unit, and is one of the cases of a portable computer called A4 spread size called a notebook type or a book type. The effect that it can be incorporated and used as a part is also obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating two types of viewpoint moving methods according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a relationship between a position of a viewpoint and a graphic on a screen, showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a coordinate system of a cursor, showing an embodiment of the invention of claim 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a procedure of designating an arbitrary position of a three-dimensional graphic according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the invention of claim 2;

6A and 6B are an external view and a cross-sectional view of a position input unit, showing an embodiment of the invention of claim 3;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a mechanism for detecting rotation of a rotating body, showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a specific example of rotation detecting means for a rotating body, showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a phase difference signal waveform according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a mechanism for detecting rotation of a dial, showing an embodiment of the present invention.

11A and 11B are an external view and a cross-sectional view of a position input unit showing an embodiment of the invention of claim 4;

12A and 12B are an external view and a cross-sectional view of a position input unit showing an embodiment of the invention of claim 5;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a structure of a contact sensor showing an embodiment of the invention of claim 5;

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a conventional position input device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100 viewpoint movement amount setting means A 101 viewpoint movement amount setting means B 102 cursor movement amount setting means 103 switch 104 on / off detection means 105 interface 106 bus line 107 CPU 108 ROM 109 RAM 110 reference point storage means 111 viewpoint storage means 112 cursor storage means 113 keyboard controller 114 display controller 115 keyboard 116 display 117 position input unit 118 computer device

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A position input method for indicating an arbitrary position in a three-dimensional graphic displayed on a screen of a display, comprising: (a) setting a reference point in a coordinate system of the three-dimensional graphic; b) The position of the viewpoint when displaying the three-dimensional graphic is moved along a spherical surface with the reference point as the center and the distance between the reference point and the viewpoint as the radius, and (c) a straight line connecting the reference point and the viewpoint. (D) Move from the current position by (d) a combination of two movements, and (e) redisplay the 3D graphic from a new viewpoint to display the 3D graphic on the screen. (F) A three-dimensional position input method, characterized in that (f) when a desired position in the three-dimensional graphic appears on the screen, the cursor is moved and the cursor is placed at the desired position. 2. A position input device for pointing an arbitrary position in a three-dimensional graphic displayed on a screen of a display, and (a) a computer for generating data for re-displaying the three-dimensional graphic and a cursor. And (b) a display connected to the computer for displaying a three-dimensional graphic and a cursor, and (c) a coordinate stored when a reference point is set in a coordinate system of the three-dimensional graphic. Reference point storage means, (d) viewpoint storage means for storing the coordinates of the position of the viewpoint, and (e) cursor storage means provided for the computer to store the coordinates of the position of the cursor. , (F) a position input section that can be operated with one hand, and (g) a sphere centered on the reference point and having a radius between the reference point and the viewpoint. A viewpoint moving amount setting means A provided in the position input unit for moving the viewpoint along with (h) a viewpoint movement provided in the position input unit for moving the viewpoint along a straight line connecting the reference point and the viewpoint. Quantity setting means B
And (i) cursor movement amount setting means provided in the position input section for moving the cursor to a desired position, and (j) the position input for notifying the computer that the cursor is placed at a desired position. A three-dimensional position input device comprising: a switch provided in the position section; and (k) an on / off detection means provided in the position input section for detecting the on / off state of the switch. 3. A rotating body A, which is provided above the position input unit, for rotating the viewpoint moving amount setting means A, and a rotation detecting means A for detecting rotation of the rotating body A. The viewpoint movement amount setting means B is constituted by a dial provided so as to surround the rotating body A and a dial rotation detecting means for detecting rotation of the dial, and the cursor movement amount setting means is A rotating body B that is provided below the position input unit, contacts the surface on which the position input unit is placed, and rotates with the movement of the position input unit.
3. The three-dimensional position input device according to claim 2, further comprising: a rotation detecting means B for detecting rotation of the rotating body B, wherein the switch is provided beside the rotating body A. 4. A rotating body A, which is provided above the position input section, for rotating the viewpoint moving amount setting means A, and a rotation detecting means A for detecting rotation of the rotating body A. The viewpoint movement amount setting means B is constituted by a dial provided so as to surround the rotating body A and a dial rotation detecting means for detecting rotation of the dial, and the cursor movement amount setting means is The rotating body B is provided beside the rotating body A and is rotated by moving with a finger. The rotation detecting means B detects the rotation of the rotating body B. The switch surrounds the rotating body B. The three-dimensional position input device according to claim 2, wherein the three-dimensional position input device is provided as described above. 5. A rotating body A, which is provided above the position input section, for rotating the viewpoint moving amount setting means A, and a rotation detecting means A for detecting rotation of the rotating body A. The viewpoint movement amount setting means B is composed of a ring provided on an outer peripheral portion of a cylinder protruding from the rotating body A, and ring movement detection means for detecting movement of the ring, and the cursor movement amount The setting means includes a contact sensor provided at the tip of a cylinder protruding from the rotating body A, and a contact position detecting means for detecting a position where a finger touches the contact sensor, and the switch is the rotating body A. The three-dimensional position input device according to claim 2, wherein the three-dimensional position input device is provided so as to surround the.