JP5865569B2 - Transmission system, transmission method, heat dissipation fan control method and electronic device mounted on electronic device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for effectively using an electromagnetic induction type digitizer, and further relates to a technique for controlling an electronic device by transmitting a signal using the digitizer.

  For small electronic devices such as notebook personal computers (notebook PCs) and tablet terminals, a temperature sensor and a heat dissipation fan are installed inside the housing to manage the temperature of the housing surface touched by the user. ing. Patent document 1 is disclosing the invention which manages the temperature of an electronic device with a thermal radiation fan. Patent Document 2 discloses an example of the structure of a heat radiating fan used for temperature management of a casing.

  In addition, such an electronic device may be equipped with a coordinate detection device called a digitizer tablet (digitizer panel) as an input device. The digitizer panel is input using a position indicator (electronic pen). The digitizer operating principle includes an electromagnetic induction type, an electric resistance type, a capacitance type, and a pressure sensitive type. In the electromagnetic induction type digitizer panel, the coil array detects the alternating magnetic flux radiated by the electronic pen and specifies the coordinates of the electronic pen. Patent Document 3 discloses an invention related to transmission of a pen pressure detection signal of an electronic pen in an electromagnetic induction type digitizer. The document describes that the inductance of the coil in the electronic pen that slightly changes due to the pen pressure transmits the pen pressure signal by utilizing the slight change in the tuning frequency.

  Patent Document 4 discloses an invention related to a pen input system in which a plurality of input functions can be obtained with one electronic pen. In this document, the frequency of the radio wave transmitted by the electronic pen is made variable, and a different function is assigned to each frequency. It describes that the tablet detects the coordinates of the position indicated by the electronic pen based on the received radio wave, discriminates the received frequency and executes the function assigned to that frequency. Non-Patent Document 1 describes the principle of an electromagnetic induction type digitizer. This document describes an electronic pen that includes a battery and a digitizer that operates with an electronic pen that does not include a battery.

Patent No. 4448101 Japanese Patent No. 4199795 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 64-532223 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-200231

Electromagnetic induction digitizer, [online], Wacom, [Search September 25, 2013], Internet, <URL: http://tablet.wacom.co.jp/what/news-img/W8002basis.pdf>

  As described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, in order to keep the temperature of the surface of the casing of the electronic device within a predetermined value, when the internal temperature rises, the heat dissipation fan is activated or the rotation speed is increased. Increases heat dissipation. Alternatively, the heat generation amount is reduced by lowering the clock frequency of the CPU or GPU in parallel with the control of the heat dissipation fan. Until now, a temperature sensor has been attached to a predetermined position such as a CPU, GPU, or motherboard to indirectly estimate the temperature of the housing surface and control the heat dissipation fan. If the temperature on the surface of the housing can be directly measured, the operation of the heat dissipation fan can be controlled with higher accuracy, but the temperature sensor is not attached to the surface of the housing.

  The reason is that, when a temperature sensor is attached to the housing, the wiring connected to the motherboard breaks when the motherboard is removed from the housing, and it is difficult to remove and attach the motherboard. In recent electronic devices, the casing is made thinner, so that the space inside the casing of the heat radiating fan and the casing is further narrowed. As a result, when the surface of the housing is pushed, there is a high possibility that the rotating portion of the heat radiating fan and the inner surface of the housing come into contact with each other.

  When the rotating part of the heat radiating fan and the inner surface of the housing come into contact with each other, abnormal noise may be generated or the heat radiating fan may be damaged. A support post can be inserted around the heat dissipating fan to prevent the housing from being bent, but a support post cannot be provided directly above the air inlet provided in the fan chamber. As a solution to this problem, a method of stopping the rotation of the heat radiating fan when it is determined that there is a risk of contact by detecting the bending of the housing can be considered. In that case, a transmission path for monitoring the distance between the heat dissipating fan and the inner surface of the housing and transmitting signals to the motherboard is required.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a transmission system using an electromagnetic induction type digitizer panel. A further object of the present invention is to provide a control system for a heat radiating fan using such a transmission system. A further object of the present invention is to provide an electronic apparatus equipped with such a control system and a signal transmission method.

  The present invention provides a transmission system employed in an electronic device. The electronic device detects an alternating magnetic flux emitted by the electronic pen and detects an electromagnetic induction digitizer panel capable of detecting coordinates indicated by the electronic pen, and an alternating magnetic flux having a frequency corresponding to a predetermined physical quantity. The digitizer panel sends a control event to the system depending on the frequency of the alternating magnetic flux emitted by the sensor module. As a result, the digitizer panel can generate a control event according to the size of a predetermined physical quantity as well as the coordinates of the electronic pen.

  Since the transmission system according to the present invention can wirelessly communicate between the sensor module and the digitizer panel, it is suitable for detecting a physical quantity of a portion where wiring is difficult inside the electronic device. The digitizer panel can be configured to operate in a transmission mode that emits alternating magnetic flux and a reception mode that receives alternating magnetic flux. At this time, the sensor module can be composed of an L-C resonance circuit whose resonance frequency changes according to the magnitude of a predetermined physical quantity. The sensor module can receive power from the alternating magnetic flux radiated by the digitizer panel, and thus can be reduced in size and thickness, and is convenient for mounting on a portable electronic device.

  The sensor module includes a coil that radiates alternating magnetic flux, a variable resistance element whose resistance changes according to the magnitude of a physical quantity, and a capacitor having a predetermined capacitance connected in series to the variable resistance element. It can also be configured by a circuit. The predetermined physical quantity can be any of temperature, displacement or pressure related to the operation of the electronic device. If the frequency of the alternating magnetic flux emitted by the sensor module is set to a frequency band different from the frequency band of the alternating magnetic flux emitted by the electronic pen, the electronic pen signal and the signal immediately after the coordinates indicating the position of the sensor module are detected. The signal of the sensor module can be identified. When the frequency of the alternating magnetic flux emitted by the sensor module overlaps the frequency band of the alternating magnetic flux emitted by the electronic pen, the identification unit detects the electronic pen signal from the temporal change in the coordinates detected by the digitizer panel. And the sensor module signal can be identified.

  According to the present invention, a transmission system using an electromagnetic induction type digitizer panel can be provided. Furthermore, according to the present invention, a control system for a heat dissipation fan using such a transmission system could be provided. Furthermore, according to the present invention, an electronic device equipped with such a control system and a signal transmission method can be provided.

It is a figure for demonstrating the typical example of the transmission system concerning this Embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of a configuration of a sensor module 15 constituting the transmission system 100. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of a configuration of a sensor module 55 that constitutes a transmission system 200. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram for explaining an example of a configuration of a digitizer panel 13 that constitutes a transmission system 100. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of a configuration of a controller 111 of the digitizer panel 13. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure in which the controller 111a distinguishes the signal of the electronic pen 17, and the signal of sensor module 15a, 15b, 55. It is a perspective view for demonstrating an example of the electronic device 10 which can apply this invention. 4 is a functional block diagram for explaining an example of a configuration of a dual screen computer 300. FIG. It is typical sectional drawing for demonstrating a mode that the sensor module 15b which measures the temperature of the inner surface of the housing | casing 305b was attached to the tablet terminal 331. FIG. 4 is an external view of a centrifugal heat dissipation fan 23. FIG. It is typical sectional drawing for demonstrating a mode that the sensor module 15a which measures a pressure or a displacement was attached to the tablet terminal 331. FIG.

[Outline of transmission system]
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a typical example of the transmission system according to the present embodiment. Throughout this specification, the same elements in the drawings will be described with the same reference numerals. FIG. 1A is a diagram for explaining an outline of a transmission system 100 mounted on the electronic device 10. The electronic device 10 includes a sensor module 15, an electromagnetic induction type digitizer panel 13 of the type shown in Patent Document 3 or Non-Patent Document 1, and a system 11.

  The transmission system 100 is constructed between the sensor module 15 and the digitizer panel 13. The digitizer panel 13 operates in a transmission mode and a reception mode. The battery-less type electronic pen 17 not equipped with a battery includes an L-C resonance circuit in which a current flowing by an induced electromotive force of a coil interlinked with an alternating magnetic flux radiated by the digitizer panel 13 resonates. The LC resonance circuit of the electronic pen 17 receives electromagnetic energy from the digitizer panel 13 and passively radiates alternating magnetic flux from the coil.

  The digitizer panel 13 detects the magnitude and frequency of the alternating magnetic flux emitted by the electronic pen 17 and outputs coordinates, writing pressure information, an erase event, a mouse click event, and the like to the system 11. The sensor module 15 detects a predetermined physical quantity such as the temperature, pressure, or displacement of the casing related to the operation of the electronic device 10, and generates an alternating magnetic flux having a frequency corresponding to the magnitude based on the same principle as the electronic pen 17. Radiate. The sensor module 15 is disposed at a position where the alternating magnetic flux can be detected mutually with the digitizer panel 13. The digitizer panel 13 sends a control event corresponding to the magnitude of the physical quantity corresponding to the detected frequency of the alternating magnetic flux to the system 11.

  FIG. 1B is a diagram for explaining the outline of the transmission system 200 mounted on the electronic device 10. The electronic device 10 includes a sensor module 55, an electromagnetic induction type digitizer panel 53, and a system 11. The transmission system 200 is constructed between the sensor module 55 and the digitizer panel 53. The electronic pen 57 is a battery type in which a battery is mounted, and actively outputs an alternating magnetic flux having a predetermined frequency. The digitizer panel 53 operates only in the reception mode, detects the alternating magnetic flux emitted by the electronic pen 57, and outputs coordinates, writing pressure information, and the like to the system 11.

  The sensor module 55 detects physical quantities such as temperature and pressure, and radiates an alternating magnetic flux having a frequency corresponding to the magnitude on the same principle as the electronic pen 57. Although the outline of the transmission systems 100 and 200 according to the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention has a sensor module 55 that actively radiates an alternating magnetic flux, and a digitizer panel 13 that operates in a transmission mode and a reception mode. The transmission system constructed by

[Sensor module]
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of the sensor module 15 constituting the transmission system 100. 2A and 2B show a sensor module 15a as a typical example of the sensor module 15, FIG. 2B shows a sensor module 15b, and FIG. 2C shows a sensor module 15c. Is shown. Each of the sensor modules 15a, 15b, and 15c includes an L-C resonance circuit that resonates at the frequency of the alternating magnetic flux radiated by the digitizer panel 15.

  The transmission system 100 operates by either the first transmission method or the second transmission method in the relationship between the frequency of the alternating magnetic flux radiated by the sensor module 15 and the frequency of the alternating magnetic flux radiated by the electronic pen 17. In the first transmission method, the sensor modules 15a and 15b radiate an alternating magnetic flux having a frequency that overlaps the frequency band used by the electronic pen 17. In the second transmission method, the sensor module 15 c radiates an alternating magnetic flux having a dedicated frequency that does not overlap with the frequency band used by the electronic pen 17.

  In the sensor module 15a shown in FIG. 2A, an L-C resonance circuit is formed by a coil L, a capacitor C1, and a variable capacitor C2 connected in parallel with the coil L, respectively. The capacitance of the variable capacitor C2 changes in accordance with a predetermined physical quantity. The inductance of the coil L and the capacitances of the capacitor C1 and the variable capacitor C2 determine the resonance frequency of the LC resonance circuit. When the coil L is linked to the alternating magnetic flux radiated from each sensor coil of the digitizer panel 13, an induced electromotive force is generated. The induced electromotive force causes a current having a resonance frequency to flow in the LC resonance circuit, and the coil L radiates an alternating magnetic flux having the resonance frequency.

  The L-C resonance circuit resonates with the frequency f1 of the alternating magnetic flux emitted by the digitizer panel 13 when the capacitance of the variable capacitor C2 is a value corresponding to a standard physical quantity. When the physical quantity changes from the reference physical quantity and the capacitance of the variable capacitor C2 changes accordingly, the resonance frequency of the LC resonance circuit shifts from f1. When the resonance frequency is shifted to f2, the coil L radiates an alternating magnetic flux having a frequency f2.

  The digitizer panel 13 detects the difference between the frequency f1 of the alternating magnetic flux radiated from the sensor coil in the transmission mode and the frequency f2 of the alternating magnetic flux detected by the sensor coil in the reception mode. For example, when the difference between the frequency f1 and the frequency f2 exceeds a predetermined value, the digitizer panel 13 generates a control event for taking an action corresponding to the magnitude of the physical quantity obtained by changing the capacitance of the variable capacitor C2. 11 is output. The physical quantity that changes the capacitance of the variable capacitor C2 can be, for example, a pressure or displacement that changes the distance between the electrodes of the variable capacitor C2 or the area where the two electrodes face each other.

  The digitizer panel 13 sets two or more change values of the capacitance of the variable capacitor C2, and outputs a control event corresponding to the frequency such as f3, f4,... Set for a larger physical quantity value. Can do. The L-C resonance circuit may employ a variable reactor in which the inductance changes in accordance with a physical quantity such as pressure or displacement instead of the variable capacitor C2.

  The sensor module 15b shown in FIG. 2B includes a coil L, a capacitor C0 connected in parallel with the coil L, a series circuit of the capacitor C1 and the variable resistance element S1, and a series of the variable capacitor C2 and the variable resistance element S2. The circuit forms an L-C resonant circuit. The variable resistance elements S1 and S2 are elements whose resistance changes abruptly when physical quantities such as temperature, displacement, or pressure reach predetermined values. The sudden resistance change includes a state in which the switch element disconnects the circuit. When the physical quantity that greatly changes the resistance of the variable resistance elements S1 and S2 is temperature, SRF (Self-Recovering Micro Fuse) or PTC in which the resistance rapidly increases when the temperature exceeds a predetermined value in the variable resistance elements S1 and S2. (Positive Temperature Coefficient) can be adopted.

  In addition, a reed switch using temperature-sensitive ferrite that loses the properties of a ferromagnetic material when the Curie temperature is exceeded can be employed. Also, when the physical quantity that causes the resistance of the variable resistance elements S1 and S2 to change greatly is displacement or pressure, it operates by detecting contact or a magnetic switch that operates with displacement or pressure, such as a membrane switch or micro switch. A non-contact type switch can be employed.

  For example, assume that the resistances of the variable resistance elements S1 and S2 are sufficiently low when the temperature detected by the variable resistance elements S1 and S2 is lower than T1. At this time, if the coil L is linked to the alternating magnetic flux radiated by the digitizer panel 13, the current of the resonance frequency f1 formed by the coil L and the capacitors C0, C1, and C2 flows in the LC resonance circuit, and the coil L has a frequency. The alternating magnetic flux of f1 is radiated. Next, when the temperature becomes equal to or higher than T1, the resistance of the variable resistance element S1 rapidly increases, and the current of the resonance frequency f2 formed by the coil L and the capacitors C0 and C2 flows through the LC resonance circuit. Emits an alternating magnetic flux of frequency f2.

  Further, when the temperature becomes equal to or higher than T2, the resistance of the variable resistance element S2 increases rapidly, and the current of the resonance frequency f3 formed by the coil L and the capacitor C0 flows in the LC resonance circuit, and the coil L has the frequency f3. Of alternating magnetic flux. The digitizer panel 13 can output a control event corresponding to the detected alternating magnetic flux frequencies f1, f2, and f3. If three or more pairs of variable resistance elements and capacitors connected in series are connected, the digitizer panel 13 can output more control events corresponding to the magnitude of the physical quantity.

  In the first transmission method, when the digitizer panel 13 detects coordinates corresponding to the positions of the sensor modules 15a and 15b, the signal of the electronic pen 17 and the sensor module are described as described with reference to FIG. Processing for distinguishing the signals 15a and 15b is required. However, in the first transmission method, since the digitizer panel 13 can use a hardware circuit for processing the signal of the electronic pen 17, the signal of the sensor modules 15a and 15b can be processed only by changing the firmware. .

  The sensor module 15c shown in FIG. 2C forms a first LC resonance circuit that resonates with the frequency f1 of the alternating magnetic flux radiated by the digitizer panel 13 by the coil L and the capacitor C1, and is variable with the coil L1. The capacitor C2 forms a second resonance circuit that resonates at a different frequency f2. The coil L and the coil L1 are electromagnetically coupled, and the second resonance circuit receives energy from the first resonance circuit. In the second resonance circuit, the resonance frequency changes to f3 when the capacitance of the variable capacitor C2 changes. The digitizer panel 13 can detect a change in physical quantity based on the difference between the frequencies f2 and f3. In the second transmission method, when the digitizer panel 13 detects coordinates corresponding to the positions of the sensor modules 15a and 15b, the signal of the electronic pen 17 and the signals of the sensor modules 15a and 15b can be identified by frequency. it can.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of the sensor module 55 constituting the transmission system 200. The digitizer panel 53 operates only in the reception mode, and detects the magnetic flux emitted from the battery-type electronic pen 57 to specify the coordinates. The sensor module 55 includes a sensor 55a that converts a physical quantity such as temperature, pressure, or displacement into an electrical signal, a high-frequency circuit 55b that passes a high-frequency current corresponding to the electrical signal output from the sensor 55a to the coil L, and the sensor 55a A battery 55c for supplying power to the circuit 55b is included. The battery 55c may be a primary battery or a secondary battery that is charged by a charger (not shown). When a secondary battery is employed, a non-contact charging method using electromagnetic induction can be employed.

  Unlike the sensor modules 15a and 15b, the sensor module 55 can use the electric power of the battery 55c. Therefore, a sensor of a type that requires electric power such as a strain gauge can be adopted as the sensor 55a. If a strain gauge is used, it is possible to directly detect the distortion of the housing and stop the heat dissipation fan. When the sensor module 55 forms the transmission system 200 with the digitizer panel 53, when the high frequency circuit 55b outputs a high frequency current having a frequency corresponding to the magnitude of the physical quantity detected by the sensor 55a, the coil L is the same. Radiates frequency alternating magnetic flux. The digitizer panel 53 determines the magnitude of the physical quantity from the frequency and sends a control event to the system 11. The sensor module 55 is adapted to either the first transmission method or the second transmission method for the digitizer panel 13.

[Digitizer Panel]
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of the digitizer panel 13 constituting the transmission system 100. The digitizer panel 13 operates in a transmission mode that emits an alternating magnetic flux from the coil array 101 and a reception mode that detects an alternating magnetic flux emitted from one or more of the electronic pen 17 and the sensor modules 15 and 55. The digitizer panel 13 performs processing of the signal of the electronic pen 17 and processing of the signals of the sensor modules 15 and 55 in parallel in a series of scanning operations, and outputs the result to the system 11.

  In the coil array 101, n sensor coils (not shown) are arranged at an equal pitch so as to overlap in order in the X-axis direction, and m pieces are arranged at an equal pitch so as to overlap in order in the Y-axis direction. Sensor coils (not shown) are arranged. The selection circuit 103 selects sensor coils one by one in order based on the selection signal received from the controller 111, and forms a loop circuit that passes through the transmission circuit 107 or the reception circuit 109 through the switching circuit 105.

  The switching circuit 105 alternates the loop circuit with respect to the transmission circuit 107 and the reception circuit 109 at predetermined time intervals while the selection signal selects a predetermined sensor coil according to the switching signal received from the controller 111. Switch multiple times. In the transmission mode, the switching signal selects the transmission circuit 107, and in the reception mode, the reception circuit 109 is selected. The time that operates in the transmission mode is called a transmission period, and the time that operates in the reception mode is called a reception period.

  While selecting one sensor coil, the controller 111 generates a switching signal so as to form a plurality of transmission periods and reception periods. The transmission circuit 107 supplies a high-frequency current having a predetermined frequency to the selected sensor coil during the transmission period. The sensor coil through which the high-frequency current flows emits an alternating magnetic flux having a predetermined frequency. In the coil of the electronic pen 17 existing in the vicinity of the coil array 101, an induced electromotive force is generated by the linkage with the alternating magnetic flux, and a resonance current flows. The resonance current radiates an alternating magnetic flux from the coil of the electronic pen 17.

  The alternating magnetic flux emitted by the coil of the electronic pen 17 is received by the same sensor coil during the reception period following the transmission period. The reception circuit 109 converts the induced voltage generated in the sensor coil during the reception period into digital data and sends it to the controller 111. Since the induced voltage increases as the distance between the sensor coil and the electronic pen 17 decreases, the controller 111 detects the induced voltage of each sensor coil selected in order while the electronic pen 17 is positioned at a certain coordinate. Thus, it is possible to generate the coordinate information by specifying the sensor coil that is located closest to the electronic pen 17.

  Similarly, the sensor module 15 causes a resonance current to flow through the LC resonance circuit due to the induced electromotive force generated in the coil L during the transmission period, and the coils L and L1 radiate an alternating magnetic flux having a resonance frequency. The digitizer panel 13 detects an alternating magnetic flux in the same frequency band as the electronic pen 17 in the first transmission method described above, and detects an alternating magnetic flux in a frequency band different from that of the electronic pen 17 in the second transmission method. To do. The digitizer panel 13 also detects the alternating magnetic flux radiated by the sensor module 55 during either reception period in either the first transmission scheme or the second transmission scheme.

[Receiving circuit and heat dissipation fan]
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the controller 111 of the digitizer panel 13. FIG. 5A shows the configuration of the controller 111a compatible with the first transmission method, and FIG. 5B shows the configuration of the controller 111b compatible with the second transmission method. 5A, the controller 111a includes a coordinate detection unit 151, an identification unit 153, a coordinate output unit 155, and a control event output unit 157.

  The controllers 111a and 111b are configured by a high-frequency circuit that converts the magnitude and frequency of the high-frequency current into digital values, MPU, firmware executed by the MPU, and the like. The system 11 includes a centrifugal radiating fan 23 and a fan controller 25 that receives signals from the sensor modules 15 and 55 via the transmission system 100 and controls the radiating fan 23. In one example, the fan controller 23 controls the rotational speed of the heat dissipation fan 23 by a PWM method.

  The coordinate detection unit 151 calculates the coordinates by a two-point interpolation method in the peripheral region of the coil array 101 from the magnitude of the induced voltage induced in the search coil by the alternating magnetic flux radiated from the electronic pen 17 and the sensor modules 15 and 55. Then, in the central region inside it, the coordinates are calculated by the three-point interpolation method and the digital value is sent to the identification unit 153. In the three-point interpolation method, an electronic pen is calculated by calculating the center of gravity of the three coordinates weighted by the signal strength from the set of three signal strengths and coordinates of the sensor coil with the strongest signal strength and the sensor coil on both sides of the sensor coil. Specify the coordinates of. In the two-point interpolation, when the sensor coil with the signal strength following the sensor coil with the strongest signal strength exists only inside, the center of gravity of the coordinate is calculated from the combination of the two signal strengths and the coordinates, and the electronic pen Specify coordinates.

  In the region where two points are complemented, the signal intensity becomes weaker as the electronic pen 17 moves outward, and the S / N ratio decreases, so the difference between the coordinates of the electronic pen 17 and the detected coordinates increases. Since the user can know the position of the electronic pen 17 detected by the digitizer panel 13 with the cursor displayed on the digitizer panel, it is possible to input to the intended coordinates, but a graphic that causes trouble due to an instruction error. -Generally, peripheral areas are not used for special work such as design.

  A plurality of coordinates 102a and 102b corresponding to the positions of the sensor modules 15 and 55 are assigned to the coil array 101, and the identification unit 153 recognizes them. Since the positions of the sensor modules 15 and 55 are determined according to the position at which the temperature and pressure of the housing are measured, the coordinates 102a and 102b are positions corresponding thereto. Here, if the sensor module 15b for measuring the temperature of the casing can be attached to the position of the casing corresponding to the coordinates 102a of the peripheral area, even if the first transmission method is adopted, the graphic It is possible to avoid affecting the work like design.

  The coordinate detection unit 151 converts the detected frequency of the alternating magnetic flux into a digital value and sends it to the identification unit 153. The identification unit 153 identifies whether the coordinates detected by the coordinate detection unit 151 are based on the signals of the electronic pen 17 and the sensor modules 15 and 55. The identification procedure will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The identification unit 153 sends coordinates and frequency to the coordinate output unit 155 when it is determined as a signal from the electronic pen 17, and sends it to the control event output unit 157 when it is determined as a signal from the sensor modules 15 and 55.

  The coordinate output unit 155 can calculate writing pressure information for the electronic pen 17 from the deviation between the frequency of the alternating magnetic flux transmitted in the transmission mode and the frequency of the alternating magnetic flux received in the reception mode. The coordinate output unit 155 generates an erase event of the electronic pen 17 or a mouse click event from the magnitude of the frequency, and sends it to the system 11 together with the coordinates. The coordinates output by the coordinate output unit 155 and the pen pressure information are received by the application of the system 11 and the device driver of the display.

  The control event output unit 157 outputs a control event corresponding to the physical quantity detected by the sensor modules 15 and 55 from the frequency value received from the identification unit 153. As an example, the control event corresponding to the output of the sensor module 15b that detects the temperature of the housing is an operation event that operates the heat dissipation fan 23 or increases the rotation speed when the temperature detected by the sensor module 15b is equal to or higher than T1. The reset event cancels the operation event when the temperature is lower than T2 (T2 <T1).

  As another example, the control event corresponding to the output of the sensor module 15a that detects the displacement of the housing is a stop event in which the heat dissipation fan 23 stops when the displacement detected by the sensor module 15a is P1 or more. It can be a reset event that cancels the stop event when the displacement is less than P2 (P2 <P1). The system 11 receives a control event from the control event output unit 157 and controls the operation of the heat dissipation fan 23 through the fan controller 25.

  In the above example, the fan controller 25 that has received the temperature operation event operates the heat dissipation fan 23 or increases the rotational speed, and the fan controller 25 that has received the reset event is in a state before receiving the operation event. Return to. The fan controller 25 that has received the displacement operation event stops the heat dissipating fan 23, and the fan controller 25 that has received the reset event restores the state before receiving the operation event.

  In FIG. 5B, the controller 111b applied to the second transmission method includes a frequency discriminating unit 161, a coordinate output unit 165, and a control event output unit 167. The controller 111b is different from the controller 111a in that a frequency discriminating circuit 161 having a frequency filter is provided to discriminate between the signal of the electronic pen 17 and the signals of the sensor modules 15c and 55. The frequency discriminating circuit 161 sends a high-frequency current to the coordinate output unit 165 when the frequency of the received alternating magnetic flux is in the frequency band used by the electronic pen 17, and in the case of the sensor modules 15c and 55, the control event output unit. To 167. The coordinate output unit 165 extracts coordinates and other information from the high-frequency current and sends them to the system 11. The control event output unit 167 generates a control event from the high frequency current and sends it to the system 11.

[Identification method of sensor module]
In the first transmission method, the signal of the electronic pen 17 and the signals of the sensor modules 15a, 15b, and 55 cannot be distinguished by frequency, so another method must be employed. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure in which the controller 111a identifies the signal of the electronic pen 17 and the signals of the sensor modules 15a, 15b, and 55 in the first transmission method. Here, a sensor module 15b that detects the temperature of the housing is arranged at a position corresponding to the coordinates 102a, and a sensor that detects the pressure applied to the heat radiating fan 23 or the displacement of the housing at a position corresponding to the coordinates 102b. A case where the module 15a is arranged will be described as an example.

  At block 201, the digitizer panel 13 begins operation. When the digitizer panel 13 is used only by the electronic pen 17, the digitizer panel 13 can be operated in conjunction with the electronic pen 17 being pulled out from the main body of the electronic device 10. In order to control the operation of the heat dissipation fan 23 using the system 100, the digitizer panel 13 is operated together with the operation of the electronic device 10.

  In block 203, the alternating magnetic flux emitted from the coil array 101 is detected in conjunction with the transmission circuit 107, and the electronic pen 17 or the sensor modules 15a and 15b passively emit the alternating magnetic flux. The sensor module 55 radiates an alternating magnetic flux regardless of the alternating magnetic flux radiated by the coil array 101. The digitizer panel 13 detects an alternating magnetic flux when in the reception mode. In block 205, the coordinate detection unit 151 calculates coordinates by three-point correction or two-point correction. In block 206, the identification unit 153 determines whether or not the calculated coordinates match the coordinates 102b assigned to the sensor module 15a. If they match, the process moves to block 221 where the control event output unit 157 performs processing according to the pressure. This procedure is substantially the same as the procedure in blocks 207 to 217, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In block 207, the identification unit 153 determines whether the calculated coordinates match the coordinates 102a assigned to the sensor module 15b. If the detected coordinates do not match the coordinates 102a, the identification unit 153 passes the detected coordinates to the coordinate output unit 155, and proceeds to block 217. In block 217, the system 11 processes the coordinates and other information received from the coordinate output unit 155 as signals of the electronic pen 17.

  Even if the detected coordinate coincides with the coordinate 102a, at this point, the identification unit 153 cannot determine whether the detected coordinate signal is from the electronic pen 17 or the sensor module 15b. However, when the coordinate 102a is detected, in order to prioritize the operation of the heat dissipation fan 23, the identification unit 153 sends the detected high frequency current frequency to the control event output unit 157 in block 209 and the heat dissipation capability of the heat dissipation fan 23. To determine the need for an increase. The control event output unit 157 determines whether the temperature corresponding to the frequency of the high frequency current is equal to or higher than T1.

  If the temperature is less than T1, the digitizer panel 13 returns to block 203 to continue detecting alternating magnetic flux. When the temperature is equal to or higher than T1, the control event output unit 157 outputs an operation event for operating the heat radiating fan 23 or increasing the rotational speed in block 211. However, when the electronic pen 17 indicates the coordinate 102a, the digitizer panel 15 needs to send the coordinate 102a to the system 11 as the coordinate indicated by the electronic pen 17. Here, the electronic pen 17 moves to various positions of the coil array 101 in a short time in normal use. On the other hand, the position of the sensor module 15b with respect to the coil array 101 does not change. Using this characteristic, the identification unit 153 identifies which of the electronic pen 17 and the sensor module 15b the input to the coordinate 102a is performed.

  If the signal indicating the detected coordinate 102a disappears in a short time in block 213, the identification unit 153 determines that the coordinate 102a calculated in block 205 is the signal of the electronic pen 17, and controls in block 215. Instructs the event output unit 157 to output a reset event. As a result, the operation event is canceled. In block 217, the identification unit 153 sends the coordinates 102 a to the coordinate output unit 155 and returns to block 203.

  Even if the first transmission method is adopted, the controller 111a can distinguish between the signal of the electronic pen 17 operating in the same frequency band and the signal of the sensor modules 15a, 15b, and 55 by the above procedure. In the second transmission method, the frequency discriminating unit 161 is provided in the controller 111b so that the signal of the electronic pen 17 and the signal of the sensor module 15b can be distinguished. The coordinates of the pen 17 and the control event can be generated simultaneously.

[Electronics]
FIG. 7 is a perspective view for explaining an example of the electronic apparatus 10 to which the present invention is applicable. FIG. 7A shows a detachable dual screen computer 300. In the dual screen computer 300, a tablet terminal 331 having a touch screen 333 is coupled to a tablet terminal 335 having a touch screen 337 by using an attachment / detachment mechanism 339. The attachment / detachment mechanism 339 can easily couple or separate both in accordance with the state of use.

  The tablet terminal 331 and the tablet terminal 335 are connected to each other through a wired or wireless interface when combined. The tablet terminal 331 and the tablet terminal 335 each function as a single tablet terminal when separated, and function so as to cooperate to form an integrated computer system when combined. Various types and types of tablet terminals 331 can be attached to the attachment / detachment mechanism 339. In the coupled state, the touch screen 333 and the touch screen 337 can be closed so that they face each other for convenient storage and carrying. Each of the touch screens 333 and 337 includes a digitizer panel and can be operated with a finger or an electronic pen. The tablet terminal 331 and the tablet terminal 335 are each equipped with a heat dissipation fan 23 (FIG. 8).

  FIG. 7B illustrates a notebook PC 400 including a detachable tablet terminal. In the notebook PC 400, a tablet terminal 431 on which a touch screen 433 is mounted is coupled to a base-side casing 435 on which a keyboard 437, a touch pad 439, and the like are mounted so that the tablet PC 431 can be attached and detached with an attaching / detaching mechanism 439. The configuration of the tablet terminal 431 is substantially the same as the configuration of the tablet terminal 331 shown in FIG. 8, and a heat radiating fan is mounted inside.

  FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of the dual screen computer 300. Although the configurations of the tablet terminals 335 and 331 may be different from each other, they will be described as the same configuration here. The tablet terminals 335 and 331 include SOC (System on a chip) type embedded systems (Embedded Systems) 350a and 350b, system memories 351a and 351b, LCDs 353a and 353b, touch panels 355a and 355b, and WAPN (Wireless Personal). Area Network) modules 371a and 371b, WWAN (Wireless Wide Area Network) modules 373a and 373b, WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) modules 375a and 375b, and SSDs 377a and 377b are connected.

  Further, the digitizer panel 13 and the fan controller 25 described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5A are connected to the tablet terminals 335 and 331. Each fan controller 25 is connected to a heat dissipating fan 23 that dissipates heat from the casing. Each of the embedded systems 350a and 350b includes a CPU core, a GPU, a memory controller, an I / O controller, and a firmware ROM. As an example, the embedded systems 350a and 350b are connected to each other by WPAN modules 371a and 371b when they are combined to form an integrated computer system.

[Touch screen configuration and sensor module installation]
FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining a state where the sensor module 15b for measuring the temperature of the inner surface of the housing 305b is attached to the tablet terminal 331. The touch screen 333 has a structure in which a touch panel 355b, an LCD 353b, a digitizer panel 13, and a shield panel are stacked from the top. When the approach, press or switch operation is detected, the digitizer panel 13 generates coordinates and control signals.

  A motherboard 301b on which many devices shown in FIG. 8 are mounted is disposed between the touch screen 333 and the bottom surface 303b of the housing 305b. A sensor module 15b (FIG. 2) for detecting the surface temperature is attached to the bottom surface 303b of the housing 305b. The sensor module 15b without a battery can be mounted in a narrow space because the sensor module 15b can be formed thin by mounting elements on a printed circuit board. Further, since the sensor module 15b and the mother board 301b are not connected by an electric wire, even if the mother board 301b is removed from the housing 305b, the electric wire is not disconnected, and the removal or attachment of the circuit board 301b does not become an obstacle.

  The variable resistance elements S1 and S2 change their resistance by directly detecting the temperature of the bottom surface 303b where the temperature of the device mounted on the mother board 301b is increased due to heat generation. It is possible to manage the temperature of the housing 305b with higher accuracy than a conventional case where a temperature sensor is attached to a main point of the motherboard 301b to indirectly detect the surface temperature. The shield panel that forms the bottom of the touch screen 333 partially cuts off the position corresponding to the sensor module 15b as necessary to secure a path for the magnetic flux to pass between the digitizer panel 13 and the shield panel. be able to.

  FIG. 10 is an external view of the centrifugal heat radiating fan 23. 10A is a plan view, FIG. 10B is a bottom view, and FIG. 10C is a side view. The fan chamber 411 includes an upper plate 411a, a lower plate 411b, and a side wall 411c. An opening is formed in the side wall 411c, and a heat sink 413 is attached thereto as necessary. The heat radiating fan 23 is attached so that the position of the heat sink 413 is aligned with the louver formed on the side surface of the casing 305b of the tablet terminal.

  An opening serving as an air inlet is formed in the upper plate 411a, and the top of the rotating shaft 401 coupled to the motor and a part of the plurality of blades 403 attached to the periphery thereof are exposed from the opening. The lower plate 411b is also formed with an opening serving as an air inlet, and a base 405 to which a motor is attached is formed. A part of the blade 403 is exposed from an air inlet formed around the base 405. The heat radiating fan 23 sucks high-temperature air inside the housing 305 b from the upper and lower intake ports and exhausts the air outside the housing through the heat sink 413.

  FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the sensor module 15a for measuring pressure or displacement is attached to the tablet terminal 331. 11A, a heat radiating fan 23 is added to FIG. 10, a sensor module 15a for detecting displacement is attached to the bottom surface 304b of the touch screen 333, and a pressure is detected on the bottom surface 303b of the housing 305b. The state where the sensor module 15a to be attached is pasted is shown. FIG. 11B is a schematic cross-sectional view in which a mounting portion of the sensor module 15a is enlarged.

  The sensor module 15a affixed to the bottom surface 304b of the touch screen 333 has elastic material dielectrics 505a and 505b sandwiched between the upper plate 411a and the upper plate 411a of the fan chamber 411 as one electrode. The variable capacitor C2 is formed. As the tablet terminal 331 becomes thinner, the touch screen 333 is bent when the touch screen 333 is pressed in the direction of arrow A, and the possibility that the bottom surface 304b and the rotating shaft 401 or the blade 403 come into contact with each other increases. If the touch screen 333 is bent at this time, the distance between the sensor module 15a and the upper plate 411a is reduced, and the capacitance of the variable capacitor C2 is increased. Therefore, the digitizer panel 15 performs a control event before the bottom surface 304b contacts. The rotation of the blade 403 can be stopped by outputting.

  In addition, when the sensor module 15a attached to the bottom surface 303b is pressed down in the direction of arrow B, the bottom surface 303b comes into contact with the base 405 or the bottom plate 411b, and the possibility that they contact the blade 403 increases. . At this time, if pressure is applied to the sensor module 15a sandwiched between the bottom surface 303b and the base 405, the distance between the electrodes is reduced and the capacitance of the variable capacitor C2 is increased, so that the digitizer panel 15 is controlled before contact. An event can be output to stop the rotation of the blade 403.

  The transmission method according to the present invention can be applied to other purposes in the electronic apparatus in which the digitizer panel 13 is mounted in addition to the control of the heat dissipation fan 23. For example, the transmission method of the present invention can be used for transmission of a switch signal provided in a housing. The transmission system of the present invention can be used not only to send a signal from the sensor module, but also to control the display of the indicator attached to the housing by sending a signal from the digitizer panel. Although the example in which the transmission system 100 is mounted on the tablet terminal 331 has been described, the transmission system 200 using the digitizer panel 53 can be mounted instead of the digitizer panel 13. Similarly, the tablet terminals 335 and 431 (FIG. 7) can be used for device control by mounting the transmission system 100 or the transmission system 200.

  Although the present invention has been described with the specific embodiments shown in the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings, and is known so far as long as the effects of the present invention are achieved. It goes without saying that any configuration can be adopted.

10 Electronic device 11, 51 Electronic device system 13, 53 Digitizer panel 23 Radiation fan 15, 15a, 15b, 15c, 55 Sensor module 17, 57 Electronic pen 100, 200 Transmission system 111, 111a, 111b Digitizer panel Controller 300 Detachable dual screen computer (electronic equipment)
331, 335, 431 Tablet terminal 333, 337, 433 Touch screen 400 Notebook PC (electronic device) having a detachable tablet terminal

Claims (20)

A transmission system mounted on an electronic device,
A sensor module capable of emitting an alternating magnetic flux having a frequency corresponding to a predetermined physical quantity;
An electromagnetic induction type capable of detecting an alternating magnetic flux emitted by the electronic pen, detecting coordinates indicated by the electronic pen, and generating a control event according to the frequency of the alternating magnetic flux emitted by the sensor module A transmission system having a digitizer panel.   The transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the digitizer panel operates in a transmission mode in which an alternating magnetic flux is radiated and in a reception mode in which an alternating magnetic flux radiated by the electronic pen or the sensor module is received.   The transmission system according to claim 2, wherein the sensor module includes an L-C resonance circuit in which a resonance frequency changes according to the magnitude of the predetermined physical quantity.   The sensor module includes a coil that radiates a magnetic field, a variable resistance element whose resistance changes in accordance with the magnitude of the predetermined physical quantity, and a capacitor having a predetermined capacitance connected in series to the variable resistance element. The transmission system according to claim 2, comprising an L-C resonance circuit.   The transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined physical quantity is any one of a temperature, a displacement, and a pressure related to an operation of the electronic device.   The transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor module emits an alternating magnetic flux having a frequency band different from a frequency band of the alternating magnetic flux emitted by the electronic pen. The sensor module emits an alternating magnetic flux in a frequency band that overlaps the frequency band of the alternating magnetic flux emitted by the electronic pen;
The transmission system according to claim 1, further comprising: an identification unit that identifies the signal of the electronic pen and the signal of the sensor module from a temporal change in coordinates detected by the digitizer panel. A control system for a heat dissipating fan housed inside a housing of an electronic device,
A sensor module capable of radiating an alternating magnetic flux having a frequency corresponding to a predetermined physical quantity associated with the heat dissipation fan;
An electromagnetic induction digitizer panel that can be input with an electronic pen and can generate a control event according to the frequency of the alternating magnetic flux emitted by the sensor module;
And a controller that controls the heat dissipation fan in response to the control event.   The control system according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined physical quantity is temperature, and the sensor module is attached to an inner surface of the casing in order to measure the temperature of the surface of the casing.   The control system according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined physical quantity is pressure or displacement, and the sensor module is disposed at a position for detecting a distance between the heat radiating fan and the inner surface of the housing.   The electronic device carrying the control system in any one of Claims 8-10. A signal transmission method in an electronic device equipped with an electromagnetic induction digitizer panel that can be input with an electronic pen,
A sensor module detecting a magnitude of a predetermined physical quantity generated inside the electronic device;
The sensor module radiating an alternating magnetic flux having a frequency corresponding to the magnitude of the physical quantity;
The digitizer panel detecting the alternating magnetic flux;
Generating a control event according to the detected frequency of the alternating magnetic flux.   The transmission method according to claim 12, wherein the frequency band of the alternating magnetic flux emitted from the electronic pen and the frequency band of the alternating magnetic flux emitted from the sensor module overlap. Placing the sensor module at predetermined coordinates of the digitizer panel, and generating the control event;
14. The transmission method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of generating the control event according to a frequency corresponding to the physical quantity equal to or greater than a predetermined value when the coordinates detected by the digitizer panel are the predetermined coordinates. Generating the control event comprises:
The method according to claim 14, further comprising: generating a reset event that cancels the control event when the predetermined coordinates change within a predetermined time, and processing the predetermined coordinates as the coordinates of the electronic pen. Transmission method. An electronic device equipped with an electromagnetic induction digitizer panel for inputting with an electronic pen and housing a heat dissipation fan inside a housing controls the operation of the heat dissipation fan,
A sensor module detecting a magnitude of a predetermined physical quantity generated inside the electronic device;
The sensor module emitting alternating magnetic flux of a frequency corresponding to the magnitude of the physical quantity;
The digitizer panel detecting the frequency of the alternating magnetic flux;
Controlling the operation of the heat dissipation fan according to the detected frequency of the alternating magnetic flux.   The method according to claim 16, wherein the heat dissipation capacity of the heat dissipating fan is increased when the physical quantity is a temperature of an inner surface of the housing and a frequency corresponding to a temperature at which the controlling step exceeds a predetermined value is detected.   The method according to claim 16, wherein the physical quantity is an interval between the radiating fan and the inner surface of the housing, and the radiating fan is stopped when the controlling step detects a frequency corresponding to an interval less than a predetermined value. .   The method according to claim 16, wherein the heat dissipation fan is stopped when the physical quantity is a pressure generated by displacement of the housing and the controlling step detects a frequency corresponding to a pressure equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Determining whether the alternating magnetic flux detected by the digitizer panel is one of the alternating magnetic flux emitted by the electronic pen and the alternating magnetic flux emitted by the sensor module;
Processing the input by the electronic pen when it is determined that the magnetic flux radiated by the electronic pen; and
The method according to claim 16, further comprising a step of controlling an operation of the heat radiating fan when it is determined that the alternating magnetic flux radiated from the sensor module.

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