Coordinate inputting/detecting apparatus and method designed to avoid a trailing phenomenon

• US 7,113,174 B1
• Filed: 08/31/2000
• Issued: 09/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Inventors: Saka, Yasuhiko, Takekawa, Kenichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Hjerpe, Richard
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shapiro, Leonid
• Application Number:
  US09/653,336
• Time in Patent Office: 2,217 Days
• Field of Search: 345173-184, 345156-158, 345/132, 345/901, 345/902, 178 18- 20, 178/20.01, 340555-557, 250/221, 250/230, 250/231, 333/156, 310/313.B, 310/313.R
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0421 by interrupting or reflecting a light beam, e.g. optical touch-screen
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0423 using sweeping light beams, e.g. using rotating or vibrating mirror
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/901 Electronic book with display
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/902 Menu display

Abstract

A coordinate inputting/detecting apparatus in which a designating device for designating a position in a flat or substantially flat two-dimensional coordinate inputting/detecting area of the coordinate inputting/detecting apparatus is judged as located in a predetermined range of the coordinate inputting/detecting area when an optical detection signal of an optical unit, that optically detects the designating device inserted into the predetermined range of the coordinate inputting/detecting area, exceeds a first predetermined threshold value. Whether or not the designating device has been inserted into the predetermined range of the coordinate inputting/detecting area is judged and coordinates of the position in the coordinate inputting/detecting area, designated by the designating device inserted in the predetermined range of the coordinate inputting/detecting area, are recognized in accordance with the optical detection signal of the optical unit. A second threshold value is used in recognizing the coordinates of the position in the coordinate inputting/detecting area, designated by the designating device inserted in the predetermined range of the coordinate inputting/detecting area. The second threshold value is set to be higher than the first threshold value used in judging if the designating device has been inserted into the predetermined range of the coordinate inputting/detecting area.

Claims

1. A coordinate input-detecting apparatus including a touch panel to be touched by a pointer, said coordinate input-detecting apparatus comprising:

a substantially flat two-dimensional coordinate input-detecting area configured to receive insertion of the pointer, said substantially flat two-dimensional coordinate input-detecting area being formed in front of the touch panel and having a prescribed depth;

an optical unit configured to convert a light intensity distribution signal to digital data; and

a controller configured to detect the pointer inserted into the coordinate input-detecting area when the digital data detected by the optical unit exceeds a first threshold value;

wherein said controller calculates a distance between the optical unit and the pointer from the digital data, and sets a second threshold value higher than that of the first threshold in accordance with the distance calculated, and wherein said controller calculates coordinates from the digital data when the digital data exceeds the second threshold value.

2. The coordinate input detecting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the digital data exceeds the second threshold value when the pointer almost contacts the touch panel.

3. The coordinate input detecting apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second threshold unit is determined in accordance with a distance between a point designated by the pointer and the optical unit.

4. The coordinate input detecting apparatus of claim 2, wherein said second threshold unit is determined in accordance with a distance between a point designated by the pointer and the optical unit.

5. The coordinate input detecting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical unit includes at least first and second optical devices each having a light source and a light acceptance unit, wherein said second threshold value is set and used in comparing with detection signals generated by the first and second optical units.

6. The coordinate input detecting apparatus of claim 2, wherein the optical unit includes at least first and second optical devices each having a light source and a light acceptance unit, wherein said second threshold value is set and used in comparing with detection signals generated by the first and second optical units.

7. The coordinate input detecting apparatus of claim 3, wherein the optical unit includes at least first and second optical devices each having a light source and a light acceptance unit, wherein said second threshold value is set and used in comparing with detection signals generated by the first and second optical units.

8. The coordinate input detecting apparatus of claim 4, wherein the optical unit includes at least first and second optical devices each having a light source and a light acceptance unit, wherein said second threshold value is set and used in comparing with detection signals generated by the first and second optical units.

9. The coordinate input detecting apparatus of claim 5, wherein said optical units include reflection mirrors each disposed on prescribed sides of the coordinate input-detecting area, said reflection mirrors having surfaces whose every portions return a light beam to the light source, said optical units being disposed at corners on the coordinate input detecting area, respectively.

10. The coordinate input detecting apparatus of claim 6, wherein said optical units include reflection mirrors each disposed on prescribed sides of the coordinate input-detecting area, said reflection mirrors having surfaces whose every portions return a light beam to the light source, said optical units being disposed at corners on the coordinate input detecting area, respectively.

11. The coordinate input detecting apparatus of claim 7, wherein said optical units include reflection mirrors each disposed on prescribed sides of the coordinate input-detecting area, said reflection mirrors having surfaces whose every portions return a light beam to the light source, said optical units being disposed at corners on the coordinate input detecting area, respectively.

12. The coordinate input detecting apparatus of claim 8, wherein said optical units include reflection mirrors each disposed on prescribed sides of the coordinate input-detecting area, said reflection mirrors having surfaces whose every portions return a light beam to the light source, said optical units being disposed at corners on the coordinate input detecting area, respectively.

13. The coordinate input detecting apparatus of claim 9, wherein said optical units further includes a probe light generating device configured to generate and swing and irradiate probe lights toward the reflection mirrors.

14. The coordinate input detecting apparatus of claim 10, wherein said optical units further includes a probe light generating device configured to generate and swing and irradiate probe lights toward the reflection mirrors.

15. The coordinate input detecting apparatus of claim 11, wherein said optical units further includes a probe light generating device configured to generate and swing and irradiate probe lights toward the reflection mirrors.

16. The coordinate input detecting apparatus of claim 12, wherein said optical units further includes a probe light generating device configured to generate and swing and irradiate probe lights toward the reflection mirrors.

17. The coordinate input detecting apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second threshold is decreased as a distance between the pointer and the optical unit is increased.