JPH02240715A - Detecting device for contact position - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain a quick shift of a contact position detector by forming projecting or recessed parts on the surface of a contact panel at the positions approximate to the intersecting points between the X and Y directional optical paths where these optical paths are not intercepted. CONSTITUTION:The projecting or recessed parts A are formed at the positions approximate to the intersecting points (a) between an optical path reaching a light receiving phototransistor 3 from an LED 1 and an optical path reaching a light receiving phototransistor 7 from an LED 5 on a contact panel 9 where these optical paths are not intercepted. Thus all parts A are set a position corresponding to the points (a). As a result, a finger of an operator can touch both the part A and point (a) at one time. Thus the quick finger shifts are attained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Field of Industrial Application> The present invention relates to a contact position detection device using an optical sensor, and is broadly related to operation panels of general equipment.

<Conventional technology> In recent years, there have been examples of using contact position detection devices using optical sensors in remote control devices and the like in order to improve the operability of devices, and this trend is expected to become even stronger in the future. .

The conventional optical sensor type contact position detection device mentioned above will be explained below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a conventional device. The detection device for detecting such a contact position is composed of near-infrared light emitting diodes 1.2, 5.6 and a phototransistor 3°4.7.8 for light reception arranged around the contact panel surface 9 that the operator touches with his or her finger. be done.

The principle of operation is, for example, when the finger touches the position shown in Figure 4,
In the direction, light reaching the light-receiving phototransistor 3 from the light-emitting diode 1 is blocked, and in the X direction, light reaching the light-receiving phototransistor 7 from the light-emitting diode 5 is blocked.

On the other hand, the light reaching the light receiving phototransistor 4 from the light emitting diode 2 in the X direction and the light emitting diode 6 in the X direction
Since the light reaching the light-receiving phototransistor 8 is not blocked, the light-receiving phototransistors 3 and 7 are in an OFF state, and 4 and 8 are in an ON state.

Therefore, the contact position of the finger can be detected and encoded based on the states of these light-receiving phototransistors.

<Problem to be solved by the invention> However, the contact position detection device shown in FIG.
The position cannot be detected unless the position where the finger touches the finger is in a position that simultaneously blocks light in the X and Y directions.

For example, if a finger touches a position away from the optical path, the position can only be detected when the finger is moved on the surface of the contact panel 9 and placed at the intersection of the optical paths.

Therefore, when used as an operating device by making the opening/closing of a switch correspond to whether or not a finger is placed at the intersection of the optical paths, the operability is determined by how quickly the device can be moved to the intersection of the optical paths. This is an important issue.

Conventionally, it has been customary to display the switch function on the surface of the panel 9 at the intersection of the optical paths to visually appeal to the operator. However, there are many cases where it is desirable for the operator's line of sight not to necessarily be directed toward the contact panel 9 during operation. It is thought that this will occur on a daily basis as computers become more and more popular. In response to this situation, a method has been proposed in which an operation menu is displayed on the display, the user touches the surface of the remote control unit with a finger, and moves the cursor on the display to select the desired menu. (Special application 1986
-113907).

In this case, the remote control section is constituted by the contact position detection device. Since the switch is operated while watching the display, the conventional method of displaying switch functions on the surface of the touch panel 9 of the touch position detection device at hand is no longer effective.

Therefore, a new method that can quickly move the finger to the intersection of the optical paths is an issue.

In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a contact position detection device that can quickly move a finger to an intersection position of optical paths.

<Means for Solving the Problems> In order to solve the above problems, the contact position detection device of the present invention is configured as follows.

A light emitting element is arranged around the surface of the contact panel in the X and Y directions, and a light receiving element is arranged at a position facing the light emitting element, and when a finger or the like touches the surface of the contact panel, the light emitting element reaches the light receiving element in each of the X and Y directions. In a device that detects a contact position by blocking a specific optical path, a convex or concave shape is provided on the surface of the contact panel at a position that is close to each intersection of the optical paths in the X and Y directions and does not block the optical path. It is something.

Further, a concave shape is provided on the surface of the contact panel at each intersection of the optical paths in the X and Y directions.

<Function> With the above configuration, when the operator moves his finger on the surface of the contact panel, he can tactilely sense the convex or concave shape and use it as a positional target, making it possible to move quickly.

<Example> An embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment.

In FIG. 1, the convex portion or the concave portion A is close to the intersection a of the optical path from the light emitting diode 1 of the contact panel 9 to the light receiving phototransistor 3 and the optical path from the light emitting diode 5 to the light receiving phototransistor 7. and in a position that does not block the optical path. Other convex or concave portions are similarly provided at positions corresponding to the intersections of the respective optical paths.

With the arrangement as described above, when the operator's finger touches the convex or concave portion A, it becomes possible to place the finger at the intersection point a of the optical path at the same time.

Next, the positional deviation of the convex or concave portion from the optical path will be explained in more detail.

FIG. 3 shows the contact area B between the convex or concave portion A and the operator's finger on the YX plane of the contact panel 9, and the optical path C from the light emitting diode 5 to the light receiving phototransistor 7.
1 shows the distribution range of near-infrared light emitted from one light emitting diode 5. The distribution range of near-infrared light is determined by the directional characteristics of the light emitting diode 5, and for example, one having a spread like D is used. Since these emitted near-infrared lights spread linearly from the light emitting diode 5, the light receiving phototransistor 7 detects them along the optical path C in the figure.
Only the light that passes through. Since the light emitting diode 5 can be regarded as a point light source, the width t of the optical path C is narrower than the width T of the light receiving portion of the light receiving phototransistor 7, and there is less variation.

Therefore, by placing the convex or concave portion A in a position that is within the contact range B of the finger when the finger is placed in the optical path and is away from the optical path C, an arrangement of 0 or more allows the operator to By touching the convex or concave portion A with a finger, it is possible to simultaneously block the optical path.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment.

In FIG. 2, the concave portion A' is arranged at the intersection point a of the optical paths in a number of zero or more, so that by touching the concave shape with the operator's finger, it is possible to simultaneously place the finger at the intersection a of the optical paths.

Of course, at this time, it goes without saying that the concave portion A' should not block the optical path.

<Effects of the Invention> By using the contact position detection device of the present invention, when an operator moves his or her finger on the surface of the contact panel, it is possible to tactilely perceive a convex or concave shape and use it as a position target. This allows for quick movement. As the number of computers increases in the future, and many situations will arise where users will be operating the computer while keeping their eyes on the display, it is thought that operation devices that move a cursor on the display by moving the position of a finger using a contact position detection device will attract attention. . In an operating device for such a method, the present invention is extremely effective in terms of operability.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view and a schematic diagram of main parts of a contact position detection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view and a schematic diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a conventional contact position detecting device. 1.2... X-direction light emitting diode, 3, 4... Old... X-direction light receiving phototransistor, 5, 6...
... Y-direction light emitting diode, 7.8 ... X-direction phototransistor, 9 ... Contact panel surface, A ... Convex or concave shape part, A'・・・
...Concave shape part. Name of agent: Patent attorney Shigetaka Awano

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A light-emitting element and a light-receiving element are arranged in the X and Y directions around the surface of the contact panel, and when a finger or the like touches the surface of the contact panel, light is received from the light-emitting element in each of the X and Y directions. In a device that detects a contact position by blocking a specific optical path that reaches an element, the X, Y
A contact position detection device in which a convex or concave portion is provided on the surface of a contact panel at a position close to each intersection of an optical path in a direction and not blocking the optical path. (2) A contact position distinguishing device in which a concave portion is provided on the surface of the contact panel at each intersection of the optical path in the X and Y directions.