JP6644179B2 - Position indicator - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a position indicator (stylus) used with a position detection system.

  The position input device consisting of a position detection system and a position indicator called an electronic pen is different depending on the coupling method between the sensor of the position detection system and the electronic pen, such as an electromagnetic coupling method or an electrostatic coupling method. There are various types.

  Even with the same type of position input device, a method of transmitting and receiving a position detection signal between a sensor of the position detection system and the position indicator, and a method of transmitting and receiving a position between the position detection system and the position indicator, Differences in the method of sending and receiving additional information such as operation information of switches provided in the indicator, pen pressure information, identification information of the position indicator, internal storage data, etc., and instruction information to change the operation of the position indicator There are various configuration types. Conventionally, a position indicator corresponding to a position detection system has been provided to a user only in a method of transmitting and receiving a specific position detection signal and a method of transmitting and receiving additional information. Therefore, even for a position input device equipped with a position detection system having a similar position detection sensor, the user needs to have a dedicated position indicator, so he carries multiple position indicators, It was necessary to select an appropriate position indicator for each position input device.

  For example, as the position indicator of the electrostatic coupling system, there are a plurality of configuration types as follows. That is, in the first configuration type, the position indicator does not transmit a signal for position detection, and the AC electric field energy transmitted from the sensor of the position detection system flows to the earth (ground) through the position indicator and the human body. A position indicator of a type (passive type) that detects a change in energy (or voltage) induced in a conductor of a sensor of a position detection system at a position where the position indicator is present and detects the position (for example, a patent) Reference 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-3035) and the like).

  The second configuration type of the electrostatic coupling system is an improvement of the first configuration type described above in that the sensitivity of position detection is low. The second configuration type receives a signal from a sensor of the position detection system and receives the signal. This is a position indicator of a system (improved passive system) that performs signal processing such as signal enhancement or the like and then returns to the sensor (for example, see Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent No. 4683505)). In the case of the position indicators of the first and second configuration types, the additional information is transmitted to or received from the position detection sensor using, for example, wireless communication means.

  The third configuration type of the electrostatic coupling system is different from the above-described first and second configuration types in that the position indicator includes a transmission circuit, and a transmission signal from the transmission circuit is used as a position detection signal for position detection. This is a so-called active type position indicator supplied to the sensor (for example, see Patent Document 3 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-295722)). The position detection system uses the sensor panel of the position detection means, and performs position detection as the position indicated by the position indicator from the signal strength of each conductor that has received the transmission signal from the active type position indicator. .

  In the case of the position indicator of the third configuration type, a configuration type in which all of the additional information is transmitted to and received from the position detection system together with the position detection signal, and a part of the additional information is transmitted and received together with the position detection signal. And a configuration type in which additional information other than the above is separately transmitted to wireless communication means provided in the position detection system via wireless communication means.

  Although a detailed description is omitted, even in the electromagnetic coupling method, the position indicator receives a signal from the sensor of the position detection system by a resonance circuit, and feeds back the received signal to the sensor of the position detection system. There is a type that includes a type, a transmission circuit, and a configuration type that transmits a transmission signal from the transmission circuit to a sensor of the position detection system through a resonance circuit, and wireless communication that transmits additional information to wireless communication means included in the position detection system. There is a configuration type to be transmitted to the means, and a plurality of configuration types exist, as in the case of the electrostatic coupling method described above.

JP 2011-3035 A Patent 4683505 JP 2011-3035 A

  By the way, as described above, conventionally, even with the same electrostatic coupling type or electromagnetic induction type position input device, each time the configuration type is different, a position indicator corresponding to the configuration type must be prepared. Did not. However, the need to prepare a position indicator for each of the different types of configuration imposes a burden on the user in terms of cost, and the user needs to detect the position indicators of a plurality of configuration types. It had to be managed according to the system, which was troublesome.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a position indicator capable of coping with a plurality of configuration types.

A position indicator for use with a position detection system,
Means for generating a position detection signal;
Additional information generating means for generating additional information;
First transmission means for transmitting the position detection signal to the position detection system via electrostatic coupling,
A second transmitting unit different from the first transmitting unit;
A receiving unit that receives a signal transmitted from the position detection system via a radio different from the electrostatic coupling,
And control means,
Equipped with a,
The control unit performs selection control of the first transmission unit and the second transmission unit, and thereby performs the addition via the first transmission unit or the second transmission unit selected by the selection control. together are configured to be transmitted to the information the position detection system, based on the signal transmitted from the position detection system received by said receiving means, transmitted from said first transmitting means and said controlling the transmit position detection signal to provide a position indicator according to claim.

  In the present invention having the above-described configuration, the signal from the position detection system is received by the reception unit that receives the signal via the wireless path different from the first transmission unit that transmits the signal for position detection. The control means controls the transmission timing of the position detection signal transmitted from the first transmission means on the basis of the above signal.

  Therefore, regardless of the type of the configuration of the position indicator, the position detection system can receive the position detection signal transmitted at the timing based on the signal transmitted by the position indicator from the position indicator. it can.

  According to the position indicator according to the present invention, the transmission timing of the position detection signal is controlled based on the signal sent from the position detection system. Therefore, the signal detection signal from the position indicator can be reliably detected by the position detection system. In addition, there is an effect that reception can be performed accurately.

1 is a diagram showing a conceptual configuration example of an embodiment of a position indicator according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of a mechanical configuration of the position indicator of the example of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a timing chart for explaining a processing operation of a main part of the position indicator of the example of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a conceptual configuration and a processing operation of the position indicator in the example of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram used to explain a part of a conceptual configuration example of the position indicator in the example of FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows a part of flowchart for demonstrating the example of the flow of the processing operation | movement of embodiment of the position indicator by this invention. It is a figure which shows a part of flowchart for demonstrating the example of the flow of the processing operation | movement of embodiment of the position indicator by this invention. It is a figure for explaining an example of a position indicator of a composition type which can be constituted by an embodiment of a position indicator by the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the structure type position indicator which can be comprised by embodiment of the position indicator by this invention, and the corresponding position detection system. It is a figure for explaining another example of a position indicator of a composition type which can be constituted by an embodiment of a position indicator by this invention, and a corresponding position detection system. 11 is a timing chart used to explain the example of FIG. It is a figure for explaining another example of a position indicator of a composition type which can be constituted by an embodiment of a position indicator by this invention, and a corresponding position detection system. 13 is a timing chart used to explain the example of FIG. It is a figure for explaining another example of a position indicator of a composition type which can be constituted by an embodiment of a position indicator by this invention, and a corresponding position detection system. 15 is a timing chart used to explain the example of FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a conceptual configuration example of another embodiment of the position indicator according to the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of a configuration type position indicator which can be configured by another embodiment of the position indicator according to the present invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram used to explain still another example of a configuration type that can be configured by the embodiment of the position indicator according to the present invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram used to explain still another example of a configuration type that can be configured by the embodiment of the position indicator according to the present invention.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a position indicator according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram for schematically explaining a conceptual configuration and a processing operation of a position indicator 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing the state where it is located on sensor input surface 2a. 2A and 2B are diagrams for explaining an example of a mechanical configuration of the position indicator 1. FIG. 2A is a partial vertical cross-sectional view, and FIG. It is a figure which shows a part. In this embodiment, the position indicator 1 is formed as having a bar-shaped stylus in appearance.

[Description of mechanical configuration example of position indicator of embodiment]
The position indicator 1 according to this embodiment includes a rod-shaped housing 3. As shown in FIG. 2A, the housing 3 is formed of a hollow cylindrical insulator portion 31 made of an insulating material such as a synthetic resin. In this embodiment, at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the insulator portion 31 of the housing 3 where the operator grips the position indicator 1 is covered with a conductor portion 32 made of, for example, metal.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, a printed wiring board 40, a battery 5, and a pen pressure detecting unit 9 are provided in the housing 3. The conductor portion 32 that covers the outer peripheral surface of the housing 3 is electrically connected to the ground conductor of the printed wiring board 40, although not shown.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, a signal transmission control circuit 41 constituting an example of a control unit, a wireless communication module 42, and a side switch 43 composed of a push button switch are provided on the printed wiring board 40. In addition to an ID memory 44 that stores identification information (ID) of the position indicator 1, oscillators 45 and 46 that output oscillation signals having different frequencies f1 and f2, wiring patterns such as conductive patterns 47a to 47e, and the like. In this example, a power switch 48 and an LED (Light Emitting Diode) 49 are arranged. In FIG. 2A, the conductive patterns 47a to 47e are schematically shown as one conductive pattern for simplification of description, but a plurality of conductive patterns 47a to 47e may be provided as necessary. Of course.

  The battery 5 is a power source for supplying power to electronic circuits and electronic components formed on the printed wiring board 40. In this embodiment, the pen pressure detecting unit 9 is configured as a variable capacitor that exhibits a capacitance corresponding to the pen pressure applied to the center electrode 7 constituting the core, as described later.

  The wireless communication module 42 constitutes an example of a communication unit (first communication unit) of the present invention, and includes a transmission function unit as an example of a first transmission unit, and a reception function for receiving a signal from the position detection system. It has a receiving function unit as an example of a unit (first receiving unit), and in this embodiment, is configured as a wireless communication module of the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard of the short-range wireless communication standard. The wireless communication module 42 is connected to the signal transmission control circuit 41. The wireless communication module 42 is not limited to Bluetooth, but may be, for example, an infrared communication module or a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) wireless communication module.

  The side switch 43, the ID memory 44, and the pen pressure detecting unit 9 constitute additional information generating means. The side switch 43 supplies the ON / OFF information to the signal transmission control circuit 41 as an example of additional information. The ID memory 44 outputs the stored identification information (ID: Identification) of the position indicator 1 to the signal transmission control circuit 41 as an example of additional information in response to a read request from the signal transmission control circuit 41. I do. The variable capacitance capacitor constituted by the pen pressure detecting unit 9 exhibits a capacitance change corresponding to the pen pressure applied to the center electrode 7 constituting the core, and the signal transmission control circuit 41 , Pen pressure information as an example of additional information is generated.

  The oscillators 45 and 46 generate an AC signal for forming a position detection signal transmitted from the position indicator 1 of this embodiment, and supply the generated AC signal to the signal transmission control circuit 41. In this embodiment, the oscillator 45 generates an AC signal having a frequency f1, and the oscillator 46 generates an AC signal having a frequency f2 different from the frequency f1. The signal transmission control circuit 41 generates different position detection signals based on the oscillator 45 and the oscillator 46. That is, the signal transmission control circuit 41 constitutes a means for generating a position detection signal in combination with the oscillator 45 and the oscillator 46, and constitutes two transmitting units. Then, the signal transmission control circuit 41 uses one of the two generated position detection signals as a position detection signal transmitted from the position indicator 1. Instead of the oscillators 45 and 46, there are provided a plurality of transmitting units for generating and transmitting position detecting signals for respective position indicators of a plurality of types of active type to be described later, and a signal transmission control circuit. The selection control may be performed at 41.

  In this embodiment, the battery 5 is configured to be housed in the housing 3 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, and the signal transmission control circuit 41 on the printed wiring board 40. The power supply voltage of the electronic circuit unit is generated by the battery 5. In FIG. 2A, a terminal 52 is a terminal electrically connected to a power supply circuit portion on the printed wiring board 40. The positive electrode 51 of the battery 5 is in contact with and electrically connected to the terminal 52. Although not shown, the negative electrode of the battery 5 is directly connected to the ground conductor of the printed wiring board 40 or connected to the ground conductor of the printed wiring board 40 via the conductor portion 32 of the housing 3. The terminal is brought into pressure contact with the elastically displaced terminal.

  An operator 48a of the power switch 48 disposed on the printed wiring board 40 is provided so as to be operable from the outside via an opening provided in the housing 3 as shown in FIG. I have. The user can turn on / off the power switch 48 by sliding the operation member 48a. Note that a power supply circuit section that generates a power supply voltage from a voltage from the battery 5 when the power switch 48 is turned on is also formed on the printed wiring board 40. However, FIG. 1 and FIG. Omitted for simplicity.

  As shown in FIG. 2 (A), one end of the hollow cylindrical insulator portion 31 constituting the housing 3 in the center line direction is formed into a tapered portion 33 that gradually tapers. . A peripheral electrode 6 made of, for example, an annular conductive metal is attached to the outer peripheral side of the tapered portion 33. The peripheral electrode 6 and the conductor 32 on the outer peripheral surface of the housing 3 are insulated by the insulator 31 interposed therebetween.

  As schematically shown in FIG. 1, the peripheral electrode 6 is electrostatically coupled to the position detection system 2, and in this embodiment, constitutes a receiving unit for a signal from the position detection system. The peripheral electrode 6 is electrically connected to the conductor pattern 47a of the printed wiring board 40 by a lead conductor member 61 penetrating the insulator portion 31. This conductor pattern 47a is connected to the input end of the signal transmission control circuit 41 in this example.

  In this embodiment, the center electrode 7 made of a conductive rod is disposed such that one end side protrudes outside from the hollow portion of the tapered portion 33 of the housing 3. The center electrode 7 serves as a core constituting the pen tip of the pen-shaped position indicator 1.

  In this embodiment, the center electrode 7 constitutes an example of a second transmitting section for transmitting a position detection signal, and the end opposite to the side protruding outside is a printed wiring. It is configured to be electrically connected to the conductive pattern 47b formed on the substrate 40. This conductive pattern 47b is connected to the output terminal of the signal transmission control circuit 41. In this embodiment, the position indicator 1 also operates as a passive position indicator that does not send out a signal for position detection. In this case, the center electrode 7 is connected to the conductor of the position detection system 2. Will be absorbed through the electrostatic coupling portion.

  The peripheral electrode 6 is provided around the center electrode 7. The combination of the peripheral electrode 6 and the center electrode 7 is for the above-described passive type improved position indicator. In this embodiment, a shield member 8 is provided between the peripheral electrode 6 and the center electrode 7 to effectively prevent mutual electrical interference. The shield member 8 of this embodiment is provided so as to surround the center electrode 7, whereby the shield member 8 is interposed between the peripheral electrode 6 and the center electrode 7, and The coupling capacitance between them is made as small as possible.

  In addition, the center electrode 7 and the peripheral electrode 6 also constitute a communication unit (second communication unit). In the above description, the center electrode 7 constitutes a transmission unit (second transmission unit), and the peripheral electrode 6 constitutes a receiving section (second receiving section), but the center electrode 7 constitutes a receiving section (second receiving section), and the peripheral electrode 6 constitutes a transmitting section (second transmitting section). It may be configured.

  The center electrode 7 as the core is positioned at the end opposite to the side protruding to the outside by being fitted to the writing pressure detection unit 9 provided in the hollow portion of the housing 3. The indicator 1 is locked in the hollow portion of the housing 3. As will be described later, the center electrode 7 is configured to be disengaged from the writing pressure detection unit 9 by being pulled out. That is, the center electrode 7 as the core is replaceable for the position indicator 1.

  In this example, the writing pressure detection unit 9 is a variable capacitor (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-186803) that exhibits a capacitance corresponding to the pressure (writing pressure) applied to the center electrode 7 as a core. It is configured. In FIG. 2A, the electrodes at both ends of the variable capacitor constituted by the pen pressure detecting unit 9 are connected to the signal transmission control circuit 41 by the conductive pattern 47c.

  The signal transmission control circuit 41 sets the position indicator 1 of this embodiment to one of a plurality of types (modes) based on information received from outside through the wireless communication module 42 or information received through the peripheral electrode 6. In addition to controlling the transmission of the position detection signal through the central electrode 7 and controlling the transmission of the additional information through the central electrode 7 or the wireless communication module 42, Do.

[Initial setting of position indicator 1 and synchronization based on signal from position detection system]
In this embodiment, as the position detection system 2 used together with the position indicator 1, there are a plurality of configuration types such as a passive system, an improved passive system, and an active system as described above. In this embodiment, when the position detection system 2 includes a wireless communication module capable of communicating with the wireless communication module 42 of the position indicator 1, a pen indicating a configuration type in which the position detection system 2 can operate by the wireless communication module is used. The seed information is transmitted to the position indicator 1. The position indicator 1 receives the pen type information from the position detection system by the receiving function of the wireless communication module 42 (an example of the receiving function of the communication unit), and determines any configuration based on the received pen type information. It is determined whether or not the type (mode) position indicator should be used, and the initial setting is made so as to obtain the configuration of the determined type of position indicator.

  In the case of a position indicator of a configuration type of a passive type or an improved passive type that receives a transmission signal from the position detection system 2, the position indicator 1 transmits a signal from the position detection system through the peripheral electrode 6. By receiving (an example of the receiving function of the communication unit), it is possible to determine which configuration type of the position indicator should be used, and to initialize the configuration so as to obtain the configuration of the determined type of position indicator.

  In this case, there is a difference in the frequency of the signal from the position detection system and a difference in the signal content (difference in spreading code, modulation method, etc.) between the passive method and the improved method of the passive method. The device 1 discriminates these differences, and determines which configuration type of the position indicator should be used based on the discrimination result. In this case, even when the configuration type information cannot be obtained from the position detection system through the wireless communication module 42, it is possible to determine which configuration type (mode) the position indicator should be used.

  The signal transmission control circuit 41 of the position indicator 1 determines the configuration type (mode) of the position indicator 1 based on the information received from the position detection system 2 through the wireless communication module 42 or the signal received through the peripheral electrode 6. ), The position indicator 1 is set to a position synchronized with a signal received from the position detection system through the wireless communication module 42 or the peripheral electrode 6 in the initially set configuration type (mode). Processing for controlling transmission of a detection signal and additional information is also performed.

  Next, the position indicator 1 performs an initial setting based on the information received from the position detection system 2 through the wireless communication module 42, and performs synchronization based on a signal received from the position detection system 2 through the wireless communication module 42. The process of transmitting the position detection signal and the additional information to the position detection system 2 will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG.

  In this example, the position indicator 1 is in a state of being connected to the position detection system 2 via the wireless communication module 42, that is, the pairing between the position indicator 1 and the position detection system 2 is completed. Up to this point, as shown in FIG. 3A, the signal Sp for communication connection and pairing with the position detection system 2 is intermittently transmitted at a constant period To through the wireless communication module 42 to the position detection system 2. To be sent to

  When the position detection system 2 confirms the reception of the signal Sp for pairing from the position indicator 1, the position detection system 2 determines that pairing with the position indicator 1 has been enabled, and sends this example to the position indicator 1. In this case, information on the configuration type of the position indicator operating with the position detection system is transmitted.

  When the position indicator 1 confirms the reception of the configuration type information from the position detection system via the wireless communication module 42 (see FIG. 3A), it is determined that the pairing with the position detection system 2 is possible. Initial setting is performed using the received information of the configuration type. That is, in this example, the configuration type information is an example of information for initial setting in the position indicator 1.

  The initial setting includes, for example, the frequency of a signal transmitted from the position indicator 1, selection of a signal transmitted from the position indicator 1 (selection of a position detection signal and additional information), and selection of a signal transmitted from the position indicator 1. The setting includes a transmission timing (for example, a case where one data is transmitted for each external synchronization signal or a case where transmission is continuously performed at a specified interval without an external synchronization signal).

That is, in the position indicator 1, based on the configuration type information as an example of the setting information from the position detection system 2,
Determine the frequency of the transmission signal transmitted from the pen tip,
Determine the period of the continuous signal transmitted from the pen tip,
Determining whether to transmit the pen pressure information, the side switch information, and the identification information ID from the pen tip or the wireless communication module 42;
And so on, and execute the setting according to each decision to perform the initial setting.

  In the above description, the signal Sp for pairing is transmitted from the position indicator 1, and when the signal Sp is received by the position detection system 2, the position detection system 2 transmits the configuration type information to the position indicator. 1 so that the position indicator 1 performs an initial setting based on the information of the configuration type. However, the position detection system 2 may intermittently transmit the signal Sp for pairing to the position indicator 1 via the wireless communication module at a constant period To. In this case, the signal Sp for pairing includes information on the configuration type of the position indicator that operates together with the position detection system 2.

  In this case, when the position indicator 1 receives the signal Sp from the position detection system via the wireless communication module 42, the position indicator 1 performs an initial setting using the information of the configuration type included in the signal Sp. When the initial setting is completed, the position indicator 1 receives the signal Sp for pairing and transmits a response indicating that the pairing is completed to the position detection system 2.

  When the pairing is performed as described above and the initial setting in the position indicator 1 is completed, the position indicator 1 starts transmitting the position detection signal and the additional information to the position detecting system according to the initial setting. Prepare When the position detection system 2 recognizes that pairing with the position indicator 1 has become possible, the position detection system 2 stops transmitting the signal Sp through the wireless communication module. The reference signal (external synchronization signal) for the signal transmission timing from the position indicator 1 is transmitted through the wireless communication module.

  The transmission of the position detection signal and the additional information from the position indicator 1 to the position detection system 2 is performed in synchronization with the signal (external synchronization signal) from the position detection system received by the wireless communication module 42. This allows the position detection system to reliably and accurately receive the signal from the position indicator 1.

<Example of synchronization>
As described above, several examples of how to synchronize the position indicator 1 and the position detection system 2 after the pairing of the position indicator 1 and the position detection system 2 are established are described with reference to FIG. ), (C) and (D). In the examples of FIGS. 3B and 3C, the position indicator 1 sends out all the position detection signals and additional information to the position detection system 2 through the center electrode 7 (or the peripheral electrode 6). In the example of FIG. 3D, the position detection signal and the pen pressure information in the additional information are transmitted to the position detection system 2 through the center electrode 7 (or the peripheral electrode 6), and the identification information is transmitted. The ID is transmitted to the position detection system 2 through the wireless communication module 42.

<First example>
In the first example, after the pairing with the position indicator 1, the position detection system 2 transmits the external synchronization signal SYC through the wireless communication module at a predetermined cycle, for example. When the position indicator 1 receives the external synchronization signal SYC as shown in FIG. 3B, the position indicator 1 transmits a position detection signal (burst signal) through the center electrode 7 (or the peripheral electrode 6) based on the reception. And the additional information to the position detection system 2.

  Also in the first example, not all of the additional information is transmitted to the position detection system 2 through the center electrode 7 (or the peripheral electrode 6), but the identification information ID or the like is output at a timing based on the external synchronization signal SYC. Alternatively, part or all of the additional information may be transmitted to the position detection system 2 through the wireless communication module 42.

  Since the position detection system 2 only needs to receive the position detection signal and the additional information transmitted from the position indicator 1 at a timing synchronized with the external synchronization signal after transmitting the external synchronization signal SYC, the position detection system 2 can accurately specify the position. The signal from the device 1 can be obtained. The additional information need not always be sent together with the position detection signal, and may be sent at predetermined intervals.

<Second example>
In the second example, similarly to the first example, the position indicator 1 transmits the position detection signal through the center electrode 7 (or the peripheral electrode 6) based on the external synchronization signal SYC from the position detection system 2. (Burst signal) and additional information are transmitted to the position detection system 2. However, the second example includes a timing signal generation circuit that generates a signal synchronized with the external synchronization signal SYC from the position detection system 2. Therefore, the position detection system 2 does not need to transmit the external synchronization signal SYC every time the position indicator 1 transmits the position detection signal and the additional information. The external synchronization signal SYC can be transmitted at time intervals.

  In the second example, the oscillator of the position detection system and the oscillator of the timing signal generation circuit of the position indicator 1 operate at substantially the same frequency, but the timing shifts with time due to the difference in frequency. For this reason, the transmission interval of the external synchronization signal SYC from the position detection system 2 is set to be equal to or less than the interval in which the timing shift is within a shift that does not affect the operation.

<Third example>
In the first and second examples described above, in the position indicator 1, the reception timing of the external synchronization signal SYC and the transmission timing of the position detection signal and the additional information are not overlapped. However, as in the second example, by providing a configuration including a timing signal generation circuit that generates a signal synchronized with the external synchronization signal SYC from the position detection system 2, the reception timing of the external synchronization signal SYC and the position detection The transmission timing of the use signal and the additional information may overlap. The third example is an example in that case.

  That is, in the third example, as shown in FIG. 3D, a timing signal generating circuit for generating a signal synchronized with the external synchronization signal SYC from the position detection system 2 is provided. The next transmission timing of the position detection signal and the additional information is set to a timing synchronized with the external synchronization signal SYC by the signal.

  According to the third example, it is possible to increase the transfer rate of the position detection signal and the additional information. Also in the third example, the position detection system 3 does not need to transmit the external synchronization signal SYC in synchronization with the position detection signal from the position indicator 1 or the transmission timing of the additional information. You may make it transmit after opening.

  In the above-described first to third examples, the position indicator 1 receives the external synchronization signal SYC from the position detection system 2 and detects the position at the timing synchronized with the received external synchronization signal SYC. Signals and additional information are now transmitted. However, the position indicator 1 transmits a synchronization signal for notifying the timing of transmitting the position detection signal and the additional information to the position detection system 2, and the position detection system 2 transmits the synchronization signal from the position indicator 1. A signal transmitted from the position indicator 1 may be received based on the signal.

  In addition, in addition to the above example, there may be a case where synchronization based on a synchronization signal using a wireless communication module is not performed between the position indicator 1 and the position detection system 2. The operation in that case will be described.

  1. The position detection system 2 has a wireless communication module and transmits setting information (for example, information of a configuration type) for initial setting in the position indicator 1, but does not perform synchronization.

  In this case, the pairing between the position indicator 1 and the position detection system 2 is established, and the information exchange for the initial setting is performed using the wireless communication module. Signal transmission from the position indicator 1 is started based on the initial setting information.

  2. The case where the position detection system 2 does not have a wireless communication module and transmits setting information from the sensor to the position indicator 1.

  In this case, the receiving unit including the center electrode 7 or the peripheral electrode 6 on the pen tip side of the position indicator 1 receives a signal from the sensor of the position detection system 2 and performs initial setting. Start communication.

  3. The case where the position detection system 2 does not have the wireless communication module and the setting information is not transmitted from the sensor.

  In this case, the position indicator 1 and the position detection system 2 cannot be paired, and the position indicator 1 is based on a default value set (stored) in the position indicator 1 in advance. Try to start sending signals.

[Description of Configuration Example of Internal Electronic Circuit of Position Indicator 1 in Embodiment]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic circuit formed on a printed circuit board 40 in the housing 3 of the position indicator 1 of this embodiment, and mainly shows a detailed internal configuration of the signal transmission control circuit 41. It is a figure showing an example.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the signal transmission control circuit 41 includes, for example, a control unit 410 including an IC (Integrated Circuit), a pen type determination unit 411, a center electrode transmission signal generation unit 412, and a wireless transmission signal generation unit 413. A switch circuit 414 for selecting a position detection signal, a feedback signal generation circuit 415, a passive position indicator, and switch circuits 416 and 417 for switching between a passive improved position indicator and an active position indicator. It is comprised including.

  The control unit 410 includes, as functional units, a setting unit 4101 for performing the above-described initial setting and a synchronization unit 4102 for transmitting a transmission signal synchronized with the external synchronization signal SYC from the position detection system 2. I have.

  The control unit 410 is connected to a variable capacitance capacitor constituted by the pen pressure detection unit 9. The pressure (pen pressure value) applied to the electrode 7 is calculated. Further, an ON / OFF state signal of the side switch 43 is supplied to the control unit 410. The control unit 410 generates side switch information, which is additional information on the side switch 43, from the ON / OFF state signal of the side switch 43. The ID memory 44 is connected to the control unit 410, and the control unit 410 reads and acquires the identification information (ID) of the position indicator 1 from the ID memory 44 as necessary. The ID memory 44 may store the identification information stored in advance in the position indicator 1, or the identification information, which is the storage content of the storage ID memory 44, may be received through the wireless communication module 42, for example. , It may be configured so that it can be rewritten by a command from the position detection system 2.

  The setting unit 4101 of the control unit 410 determines a plurality of types of additional information, in this example, pen pressure information, side switch information, and identification information in accordance with the information based on the pen type determination result from the pen type determination unit 411. , The transmission from the center electrode 7 or the wireless transmission from the wireless communication module 42 is performed.

  The control unit 410 supplies the additional information transmitted through the center electrode 7 based on the initial setting to the center electrode transmission signal generation unit 412, and transmits the additional information transmitted through the wireless communication module 42 to the wireless transmission signal generation unit 413. Supply.

  The center electrode transmission signal generation unit 412 is connected to the center electrode 7, and sends the additional information to be sent to the position detection system 2 through the center electrode 7 together with the position detection signal, as described later. The wireless transmission signal generation unit 413 is connected to the transmission unit 421 of the wireless communication module 42, and additional information to be transmitted is wirelessly transmitted to the position detection system 2 through the transmission unit 421. In this case, the control unit 410 receives the external synchronization signal SYC from the position detection system 2 through the reception unit 422 of the wireless communication module 42, and uses the synchronization unit 4102 to perform position detection based on the received external synchronization signal SYC. Control is performed such that the signal and the additional information are transmitted from the center electrode transmission signal generation unit 412 through the center electrode 7, or the additional information is transmitted from the wireless transmission signal generation unit 413 through the transmission unit 421 of the wireless communication module 42.

  The center electrode transmission signal generation unit 412 detects the position at which the AC signal of the frequency f1 from the oscillator 45 and the AC signal of the frequency f2 from the oscillator 46 are to be transmitted according to the switching selection by the control unit 410 of the switch circuit 414. And a feedback signal from the feedback signal generation circuit 415 is supplied as a position detection signal to be transmitted. The feedback signal generation circuit 415 amplifies the signal received from the position detection system 2 through the peripheral electrode 6 in this example, thereby enhancing the signal, and further inverting the phase. A configuration example and a processing example of the feedback signal generation circuit 415 will be described later in detail. The control unit 410 generates a switching selection signal for the switch circuit 414 based on the initial setting information set based on the pen type determination result from the pen type determination unit 411.

  The connection between the center electrode transmission signal generator 412 and the center electrode 7 is connected to the conductor 32 of the housing 3 through the switch circuit 416. The peripheral electrode 6 is connected to the conductor 32 of the housing 3 through the switch circuit 417. The switch circuits 416 and 417 are switched by an on / off control signal from the control unit 410. The control unit 410 generates on / off control signals for the switch circuits 416 and 417 based on the initial setting information set based on the pen type determination result from the pen type determination unit 411.

  The pen type determination unit 411 includes a pen type table memory 4111 and a determination processing unit 4112. The information from the position detection system 2 received by the reception unit 422 of the wireless communication module 42 is supplied to the determination processing unit 4112 of the pen type determination unit 411, and the signal received from the position detection system 2 through the peripheral electrode 6 is received. Supplied.

  The pen type table memory 4111 includes a plurality of configuration types of the position indicator 1 and the presence / absence of transmission of the position detection signal and the generation of the position detection signal to be transmitted in the position indicator of each configuration type. The frequency of the oscillator and pen type table information indicating whether the additional information is transmitted from the center electrode 7 or transmitted through the wireless communication module 42 are stored. The pen type table information may be stored in the pen type table memory 4111 in advance, but in this example, the pen type table memory 4111 is configured to be able to write and rewrite by a command from the position detection system 2 through the wireless communication module 42. ing.

  The determination processing unit 4112 determines the information from the position detection system 2 received by the reception unit 422 of the wireless communication module 42 or the signal received from the sensor unit of the position detection system 2 through the peripheral electrode 6 and a pen type table. By referring to the pen type table information in the memory 4111, the configuration type of the position indicator suitable for the position detection system 2 to be used together with the position indicator 1 is determined. Then, based on the determination result, the presence / absence of signal transmission from the center electrode 7, the position detection signal transmitted from the center electrode 7, information on what the additional information is, and the additional information transmitted through the wireless communication module 42 are determined. Information about what is is generated, and the generated information is supplied to the control unit 410.

  The control unit 410 generates a switching selection signal of the switch circuit 414 and an on / off control signal of the switch circuits 416 and 417 based on the initial setting set based on the information from the pen type determination unit 411, and The information is supplied to the switch circuits 414, 416, and 417, and the additional information to be supplied to the center electrode transmission signal generator 412 and the wireless transmission signal generator 413 are determined and supplied.

  FIG. 5 illustrates an example of pen type table information of the pen type determination unit 411. The example in FIG. 5 is table information on five types of position indicators of configuration type 1 to configuration type 5 (mode 1 to mode 5). After determining the configuration type (mode) of the position indicator, the pen type determining unit 411 refers to the pen type table information and generates control information to be supplied to the control unit 410. Hereinafter, a description will be given of how the configuration types (modes) are switched by the control of the control unit 410 in the position indicator 1 of this embodiment.

  The configuration type 1 (mode 1) is a passive position indicator, in which no signal is transmitted from the center electrode 7 and all additional information is transmitted through the wireless communication module 42. That is, in the signal transmission control circuit 41 of the position indicator 1, when the pen type determination unit 411 determines that the configuration type 1 (mode 1) is selected, the control unit 410 turns on the switch circuits 416 and 417 and sets the center electrode The transmission signal generation unit 412 is set to a non-operation state. The switch circuit 417 may be off. Then, the control unit 410 controls all the additional information to be transmitted to the position detection system 2 through the transmission unit 421 of the wireless communication module 42 through the wireless transmission signal generation unit 413. In some cases, the identification information need not be transmitted as additional information.

  The configuration type 2 (mode 2) is a position indicator of an improved passive type. When the pen type determination unit 411 determines that the configuration type is 2 (mode 2), based on information from the pen type determination unit 411, the control unit 410 turns off the switch circuits 416 and 417 and turns off the switch circuits. 414 switches to a state in which a signal from the feedback signal generation circuit 415 is selected. Then, all the additional information is controlled to be transmitted from the control unit 410 to the position detection system 2 through the transmission unit 421 of the wireless communication module 42 through the wireless transmission signal generation unit 413. In some cases, the identification information need not be transmitted as additional information.

  Configuration type 3 (mode 3) is the first type of active position indicator. When the pen type determination unit 411 determines that the configuration type is 3 (mode 3), the control unit 410 switches the switch circuit 416 off and the switch circuit 417 on based on the information from the pen type determination unit 411. In this example, the switch circuit 414 switches to a state in which an AC signal from the oscillator 45 having the frequency f1 is selected. Then, all the additional information is controlled to be transmitted from the control unit 410 to the position detection system 2 through the transmission unit 421 of the wireless communication module 42 through the wireless transmission signal generation unit 413. In some cases, the identification information need not be transmitted as additional information.

  Configuration type 4 (mode 4) is a second type of active position indicator. When the pen type determination unit 411 determines that the configuration type is 4 (mode 4), the control unit 410 switches off the switch circuit 416 and switches on the switch circuit 417 based on information from the pen type determination unit 411. In this example, the switch circuit 414 switches to a state in which an AC signal from the oscillator 46 having the frequency f2 is selected. The pen pressure information and the side switch information of the additional information are transmitted together with the position detection signal from the center electrode 7, and the identification information ID is transmitted through the transmission section 421 of the wireless communication module 42 through the wireless transmission signal generation section 413. Control is performed to transmit to the system 2.

  Configuration type 5 (mode 5) is a second type of active position indicator. When the pen type determination unit 411 determines that the configuration type is 5 (mode 5), the control unit 410 switches off the switch circuit 416 and switches on the switch circuit 417 based on the information from the pen type determination unit 411. In this example, the switch circuit 414 switches to a state in which an AC signal from the oscillator 46 having the frequency f2 is selected. Then, all the additional information is controlled to be transmitted from the center electrode 7 together with the position detection signal.

  As described above, the signal transmission control circuit 41 changes the configuration type of the position indicator based on the information and the signal received from the sensor unit of the position detection system 2 through the reception unit 422 and the peripheral electrode 6 of the wireless communication module 42. By making a determination, the position indicator 1 is configured to have the configuration of the position indicator of the determined configuration type.

  Therefore, the position indicator 1 of this embodiment can automatically configure and use various types of position indicators corresponding to the position detection systems 2 of various types. That is, a position instruction can be input to a plurality of position detection systems 2 of various types using only the position indicator 1 of this embodiment. For this reason, it is not necessary to prepare separate position indicators for each of the plurality of position detection systems 2 of various types, which is very convenient and reduces the cost burden for the user. Become.

  The pen type information received from the position detection system 2 through the wireless communication module 42 is not limited to the configuration type information that directly identifies each of the configuration types 1 to 5. For example, The information may indirectly indicate the numbers of the respective configuration types 1 to 5 of the pen type table information, the addresses of the respective configuration types in the pen type table memory 4111, and the like.

  In FIG. 4, each processing function of the determination processing unit 4112, the center electrode transmission signal generation unit 412, and the wireless transmission signal generation unit 413 of the pen type determination unit 411 is configured by the control unit 410 as software processing function means. Is also possible. The same applies to the feedback signal generation circuit 415.

[Example of Processing Operation in Signal Transmission Control Circuit 41]
Next, an example of a processing operation executed by the signal transmission control circuit 41 after the power switch 48 is turned on will be described with reference to flowcharts of FIGS.

  The signal transmission control circuit 41 first determines whether or not information has been received by the receiving unit 422 of the wireless communication module 42 (step S1). When it is determined that the information has been received, whether or not the received information is pen type information is determined. A determination is made (step S2). If it is determined in step S2 that the received information is the pen type information, the signal transmission control circuit 41 determines the configuration type (pen type) of the position indicator based on the received pen type information, and With reference to the table memory 4111, a signal to be transmitted from the center electrode 7 and the transmission unit 421 of the wireless communication module 42 is determined and initialized (step S3). As described above, this initial setting includes setting whether or not to transmit a position detection signal from the center electrode 7.

  Subsequent to step S3, the signal transmission control circuit 41 executes signal transmission based on the initial setting according to the configuration type determined in step S3 through the center electrode 7 and the transmission unit 421 of the wireless communication module 42 (step S3). S4).

  Then, the signal transmission control circuit 41 determines whether or not the information from the position detection system 2 through the receiving unit 422 of the wireless communication module 42 cannot be received (step S5), and determines that the information has not been received. In some cases, the process returns to step S4 to continue signal transmission according to the determined configuration type.

  In step S5, when it is determined that the information from the position detection system 2 through the receiving unit 422 of the wireless communication module 42 cannot be received, the signal transmission control circuit 41 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the reception became impossible. Is determined (step S6). If it is determined in step S6 that the predetermined time has not elapsed, the signal transmission control circuit 41 returns the process to step S4, and continues signal transmission according to the determined configuration type.

  When it is determined in step S6 that the predetermined time has elapsed, the signal transmission control circuit 41 suspends signal transmission from the center electrode 7 and the transmission unit 421 of the wireless communication module 42, and puts the position indicator 1 into a sleep state. (Step S7). In this sleep state, power is supplied to the receiving unit 422 of the wireless communication module 42, the control unit 410 of the signal transmission control circuit 41, and the pen type determination unit 411 in order to reduce power consumption of the battery 5 as much as possible to save power. Supply is maintained, but useless voltage supply to other parts is stopped.

  Then, after step S7, the signal transmission control circuit 41 returns the processing to step S1, and repeats the processing from step S1 described above.

  If it is determined in step S1 that the receiving unit 422 of the wireless communication module 42 has not received information, or if it is determined in step S2 that the received information is not pen type information, the signal transmission control circuit 41 It is determined whether a signal has been received through the peripheral electrode 6 (step S11 in FIG. 7). When it is determined in step S11 that no signal has been received through the peripheral electrode 6, the signal transmission control circuit 41 turns on the switch circuit 416 and connects the center electrode 7 to the ground of the printed wiring board 40 through the conductor portion 32. The connection is made to the conductor (ground), and the state of the configuration type 1 is set (step S18). Then, after step S18, the signal transmission control circuit 41 returns the processing to step S1 in FIG. 6, and repeats the processing after step S1.

  If it is determined in step S11 that a signal has been received through the peripheral electrode 6, it is determined whether the pen type can be determined from the received signal (step S12). If it is determined in step S12 that the pen type cannot be determined, the signal transmission control circuit 41 turns on the switch circuit 416 and connects the center electrode 7 to the ground conductor (ground) of the printed wiring board 40 through the conductor portion 32. ) So as to be in the configuration type 1 state (step S18). Then, after step S18, the signal transmission control circuit 41 returns the processing to step S1 in FIG. 6, and repeats the processing after step S1.

  If it is determined in step S12 that the pen type can be determined, the signal transmission control circuit 41 determines the configuration type (pen type) of the position indicator based on the received signal and stores the pen type table 4111 in the pen type table 4111. Referring to the center electrode 7 and the signal to be transmitted from the transmitting unit 421 of the wireless communication module 42, the signal is determined and initialized (step S13). As described above, this initial setting includes setting whether or not to transmit a position detection signal from the center electrode 7.

  Subsequent to step S13, the signal transmission control circuit 41 executes signal transmission based on the initial setting according to the configuration type determined in step S13 through the center electrode 7 and the transmission unit 421 of the wireless communication module 42 (step S13). S14).

  Then, the signal transmission control circuit 41 determines whether or not the reception of the signal through the peripheral electrode 6 has been disabled (step S15). If it is determined that the reception has not been disabled, the process returns to step S14. Signal transmission according to the determined configuration type is continued.

  When it is determined in step S15 that the signal cannot be received through the peripheral electrode 6, the signal transmission control circuit 41 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the signal was not received (step S16). If it is determined in step S16 that the predetermined time has not elapsed, the signal transmission control circuit 41 returns the process to step S14, and continues signal transmission according to the determined configuration type.

  If it is determined in step S16 that the predetermined time has elapsed, the signal transmission control circuit 41 suspends signal transmission from the center electrode 7 and the transmission unit 421 of the wireless communication module 42, and puts the position indicator 1 into a sleep state. (Step S17). Then, after step S17, the signal transmission control circuit 41 returns the processing to step S1, and repeats the above-described processing from step S1.

[Position indicators of various configuration types and operation explanations of corresponding position detection systems]
<Position indicator 1A of configuration type 2 and corresponding position detection system 2A>
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a circuit example of a main part of the position indicator 1A of the configuration type 2. In particular, FIG. 8 illustrates a circuit configuration example of the feedback signal generation circuit 415 and a circuit configuration example of the power supply circuit unit 50 omitted above. It is shown.

  The power supply circuit unit 50 includes a DC / DC converter 501, generates a power supply voltage + Vcc from the voltage of the battery 5, and supplies the power supply voltage + Vcc to the signal transmission control circuit 41 and others.

  In the power supply circuit section 50, a power switch 48 is provided between the DC / DC converter 501 and the battery 5. A series circuit of the resistor 502 and the LED 49 is connected between the output terminal of the DC / DC converter 501 and the ground conductor. Further, the output terminal of DC / DC converter 501 is connected to a ground conductor through a series connection of resistors 503 and 504, and a reference voltage Vref (= Vcc / 2) is output from a connection point of resistors 503 and 504.

  The feedback signal generation circuit 415 is configured as a signal enhancement processing circuit in this example, and includes a sense amplifier 510, a signal amplification variable circuit 520, and a transformer 530.

  In this example, the sense amplifier 510 includes an operational amplifier 511 and a capacitor 512 connected between the inverting input terminal and the output terminal of the operational amplifier 511. The inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier 511 is connected to a connection terminal 513 connected to the peripheral electrode 6. The above-described reference voltage Vref is supplied to the non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier 511.

  When the position indicator 1A is on the position detection system 2A, as shown in FIG. 1, the peripheral electrode 6 of the position indicator 1A and the position detection system 2A are coupled via the capacitance C1. As will be described later, since an AC signal flows through the position detection system 2A, the AC signal is supplied to the connection terminal 513 as a current signal via the capacitance C1 and the peripheral electrode 6, and is input to the sense amplifier 510. Is done. The capacitor 512 is for detecting a current signal input via the capacitance C1.

  Then, sense amplifier 510 inverts the phase of the AC signal input as a current signal through connection terminal 513 and outputs the inverted signal to signal amplification variable circuit 520.

  The signal amplification variable circuit 520 includes an operational amplifier 521 and a variable resistor 522 connected between the inverting input terminal and the output terminal of the operational amplifier 521. By variably setting the resistance value of the variable resistor 522, the amplification factor of the signal amplification variable circuit 520 is variably set, and as a result, the signal detection sensitivity of the position indicator 1A is controlled.

  The AC signal amplified by the variable signal amplification factor circuit 520 is supplied to the primary winding 530a of the transformer 530. The ratio of the number of turns n1 of the primary winding 530a of the transformer 530 to the number of turns n2 of the secondary winding 530b is, for example, n1: n2 = 1: 10, and The number of lines is set large (n1 <n2). Therefore, on the secondary winding 530b side of the transformer 530, the amplitude of the output signal of the signal amplification factor variable circuit 520 is multiplied according to the winding number ratio, and an AC signal (voltage signal) having a large amplitude is obtained. Can be

  One end of the secondary winding 530b of the transformer 530 is connected to a connection terminal 523 connected to a core 71 made of a rod-shaped conductor of the center electrode 7 shielded by the shield member 8, and the secondary winding 530b of the transformer 530 is connected. Is connected to the ground conductor of the printed wiring board 40. Therefore, the output signal converted into a large amplitude AC signal voltage by the feedback signal generation circuit 415 is supplied to the center electrode 7 through the connection terminal 523.

  When the position indicator 1A is on the position detection system 2A, since the center electrode 7 of the position indicator 1A and the position detection system 2A are coupled via the capacitance, the center electrode 7 of the position indicator 1A is An AC signal is fed back from the position indicator 1A to the position detection system 2A via the position indicator 1A.

  Next, a position detection system 2A of this example will be described with reference to FIG. The position detection system 2A of this example has a configuration of a mutual capacitance type position detection system in which a sensor electrode is composed of an input electrode and an output electrode, and detects a change in coupling capacitance of a touch point touched by the position indicator 1A. is there.

As shown in FIG. 9, the position detection system 2A of this example includes a sensor unit 20A, a transmission unit 21, a reception unit 22, a wireless communication unit 25, and a control unit 220A. Sensor unit 20A, linear plurality of stretching in the transverse direction of the sensor input surface (X-axis direction), the transmission conductors _23Y 1 of m in this _example, 23Y 2, · · ·, _23Y m (m is 1 or more ) And a plurality of, in this example, n receiving conductors 24X ₁ , 24X ₂ ,... Extending in the vertical direction (Y-axis direction) of the sensor input surface and orthogonal to the transmitting conductors 23Y _{1 to} 23Y _m. , 24X _n (n is an integer of 1 or more). A plurality of transmission conductors _23Y 1 _{~23Y m} are arranged at equal intervals in the Y-axis direction and is connected to the transmitter 21. Further, a plurality of reception conductors _24X 1 _{~24X n} are arranged at equal intervals in the X-axis direction and is connected to the receiver 22.

In the following description of this specification, the transmission conductors _23Y 1 _{~23Y m} and the reception conductor _24X 1 _{~24X n,} when not necessary to distinguish which one is referred to the respective transmitting conductors 23Y and the reception conductors 24X I will.

  The plurality of transmission conductors 23Y and the plurality of reception conductors 24X are arranged at predetermined intervals and have a mutually orthogonal arrangement relationship to form a plurality of intersections (cross points). Then, at each cross point, it can be considered that the transmission conductor 23Y and the reception conductor 24X are coupled via a predetermined capacitance.

The transmission unit 21 supplies a predetermined AC signal to the transmission conductor 23Y based on the control of the control unit 220. In this case, transmission unit 21, the same AC signal a plurality of transmission conductors _{23Y 1,} 23Y 2, · · ·, to 23Y _m, may be supplied while switching one by one sequentially, different plurality a plurality of transmission conductors _{23Y 1,} 23Y 2 and AC signal, ..., may be simultaneously supplied to 23Y _m. Further, the plurality of transmission conductors 23Y ₁ , 23Y ₂ ,..., 23Y _m may be divided into a plurality of groups, and a different AC signal may be used for each group.

Receiver 22, under the control of the control unit 220, the reception conductors _{24X 1,} 24X 2, · · ·, each of 24X _n, alternating current signal supplied to the transmission conductor 23Y is via the predetermined capacitance And detects the signal component transmitted. Assuming that the coupling capacitance between the transmission conductor 23Y and the reception conductor 24X is equal at all cross points, when the position indicator 1 is not on the sensor unit 20, all the reception conductors of the sensor unit 20 _{24X 1,} 24X 2, ···, the received signal of a predetermined level is detected at the receiver 22 from the 24X _n.

  On the other hand, when the position indicator 1A comes into contact with the sensor unit 20A, the transmission conductor 23Y and the reception conductor 24X, which form a cross point at the contact position, and the position indicator 1A are coupled through the capacitance. That is, the capacitance is changed by the position indicator 1A, and the reception signal level obtained from the reception conductor 24X at the cross point where the position indicator 1A exists is compared with the reception signal level at the other cross points. Will change.

Receiver 22, a plurality of reception conductors _{24X 1,} 24X 2, · · ·, among 24X _n, by detecting the reception conductor 24X which a change in the level of the received signal, the position indicated by the position indicator 1A Is detected. The control unit of the position detection system 2 (not shown) detects the transmission conductor 23Y that supplies the AC signal from the transmission unit 21 and the reception conductor 24X whose reception signal level has changed in the reception unit 22. Thus, the cross point where the position indicator 1A is in contact is detected.

  Even when a finger approaches or touches the sensor unit 20 instead of the position indicator 1A, the position detection system 2 detects a cross point where the finger approaches or contacts based on the same principle. In that case, a part of the AC signal supplied to the transmission conductor 23Y flows to the ground through the finger and through the human body of the user. Therefore, the reception signal level of the reception conductor 24X forming the cross point where the finger is present changes. The receiving unit 22 detects the change in the received signal level, thereby detecting the receiving conductor 24X forming the cross point where the finger exists.

  In the case of the position indicator of the configuration type 1, the position detection system 2A can detect the indicated position in the sensor unit 20A in the same manner as the principle of the finger position detection. However, in the case of the position indicator of the configuration type 1, since the contact area with the position detection system 2A is not large as in the case of a finger, the coupling capacity is small and the position detection system 2A has low detection sensitivity. For this reason, the position detection system corresponding to the position indicator of the configuration type 1 uses a spread code as an AC signal to be transmitted to the position indicator, and obtains a correlation between the transmission signal and the reception signal to thereby indicate the position indicated by the position indicator. To compensate for the decrease in detection sensitivity.

  On the other hand, in the case of the position indicator 1A and the position detection system 2A of the configuration type 2, the affinity between the position indicator 1A and the position detection system 2A is high without using a spreading code or the like, and The versatility is high, and a predetermined waveform correlation between the input signal and the output signal is ensured, and the position on the sensor unit 20A can be detected with high sensitivity.

  That is, when the position indicator 1A approaches or comes into contact with the sensor unit 20A of the position detection system 2A, the AC signal supplied to the transmission conductor 23Y passes through the capacitance C1 as shown in FIG. Also, the current signal is input to the feedback signal generation circuit 415 through the connection electrode 513 via the peripheral electrode 6.

  The AC signal (current signal) input to the feedback signal generation circuit 415 is inverted in phase by the sense amplifier 510, then amplified in the signal amplification variable circuit 520, and boosted (multiplied) by the transformer 530 to enhance the signal. Then, the voltage signal is supplied to the center electrode 7 through the connection terminal 523. That is, the AC signal input from the sensor unit 20A to the feedback signal generation circuit 415 via the peripheral electrode 6 is reversed in phase and becomes a large-amplitude signal in the feedback signal generation circuit 415, It is returned to the sensor unit 20A.

  In this case, the AC signal fed back from the center electrode 7 of the position indicator 1A to the sensor unit 20A of the position detection system 2A is an enhanced signal having a phase opposite to that of the AC signal supplied to the transmission conductor 23Y. The position indicator 1A functions to further increase the change of the AC signal in the reception signal of the reception conductor 24X. For this reason, the position detection system 2A can detect the contact position of the position indicator 1A with high sensitivity. The detection operation is further stabilized by connecting the ground conductor of the position indicator 1A to the human body. That is, in this embodiment, the housing 3 of the position indicator 1A is covered with the conductor 32 connected to the ground conductor of the printed wiring board 40. Therefore, the AC signal supplied to the transmission conductor 23Y in the position detection system 2A flows to the ground through the human body of the user through the position indicator 1A, so that the signal detection operation can be further stabilized.

The voltage at the transmission conductor 23Y of the sensor unit 20A of the position detection system 2A is V, the voltage of the center electrode 7 of the position indicator 1A of this embodiment is e, and the voltage between the peripheral electrode 6 and the center electrode 7 is If the capacitance is C2 (see FIG. 1),
e ≦ C1 / C2 · V
There is a relationship. Therefore, it is advantageous that the capacitance C2 between the peripheral electrode 6 and the center electrode 7 is as small as possible to increase the potential e of the center electrode 7.

  For this reason, in the position indicator 1 of this embodiment, the shield member 8 is interposed between the peripheral electrode 6 and the center electrode 7 so as to minimize the coupling between them. Therefore, in the position indicator 1 of this embodiment, by interposing the shield member 8, the capacitance C2 between the peripheral electrode 6 and the center electrode 7 is reduced, and the voltage e can be increased. Sensitivity can be improved well.

  The position indicator 1A of the above-described embodiment has a configuration in which an AC signal from the position detection system 2A is received by the peripheral electrode 6, and an output AC signal whose signal has been enhanced from the center electrode 7 is fed back to the position detection system 2A. . However, the electrode for receiving the AC signal from the position detection system 2A may be the center electrode 7, and the electrode for returning the signal-enhanced AC signal to the position detection system 2 may be the peripheral electrode 6.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in the position indicator 1A of the configuration type 2, the pen pressure information, the side switch information, and the identification information are wirelessly transmitted from the wireless communication module 42 to the wireless communication unit 25 of the position detection system 2A. Things. The pen pressure information, the side switch information, and the identification information received by the wireless communication unit 25 are supplied to the control circuit 220A, and are transmitted together with the detected position information to, for example, a host computer. Similarly, the additional information from the position indicator of the configuration type 1 is transmitted from the wireless communication module 42 to the position detection system.

<Position indicator 1B of configuration type 3 and corresponding position detection system 2B>
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a circuit example of a main part of a position indicator 1B of configuration type 3 and a corresponding position detection system 2B. The position indicator 1B of the configuration type 3 sends an AC signal having a frequency f1 as a position detection signal, and additionally transmits pen pressure information, side switch information, and identification information as additional information from the wireless communication module 42 to the position detection system. The data is transmitted to the 2B wireless communication unit 25B.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the position detection system 2B includes a sensor unit 20B, a pen instruction detection circuit 26B connected to the sensor unit 20B, and a wireless communication unit 25B. After the pairing with the position indicator 1B is completed from the wireless communication unit 25B of the position detection system 2B, the external synchronization signal SYC is transmitted to the position indicator 1B as described above.

The sensor section 20B is formed by stacking a first conductor group 211, an insulating layer (not shown), and a second conductor group 212 in this order from the lower layer side. The first conductor group 211 includes a plurality of first conductors 211Y ₁ , 211Y ₂ ,..., 211Y _m (m is an integer of 1 or more) extending in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction) and is separated from each other by a predetermined distance and arranged in parallel. Are arranged in the Y-axis direction.

The second conductor group 212, first conductor 211Y _1, 211Y _2, ..., a direction crossing the extending direction of 211Y _m, extending in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) orthogonal in this example A plurality of second conductors 212X ₁ , 212X ₂ ,..., 212X _n (n is an integer of 1 or more) are arranged in parallel in the X-axis direction at predetermined intervals.

In the following description, the first conductors 211Y ₁ , 211Y ₂ ,..., 211Y _m are referred to as first conductors 211Y when there is no need to distinguish the conductors. Similarly, the second conductors 212X ₁ , 212X ₂ ,..., 212X _n are referred to as second conductors 212X when there is no need to distinguish the respective conductors.

  The pen indication detection circuit 26B includes a selection circuit 221, which is an input / output interface with the sensor unit 20B, an amplification circuit 222, a bandpass filter 223, a detection circuit 224, a sample and hold circuit 225, and an AD (Analog to Digital). ) It comprises a conversion circuit 226 and a control circuit 220B.

  The selection circuit 221 selects one conductor from each of the first conductor group 211Y and the second conductor group 212X based on a control signal from the control circuit 220B. The conductor selected by the selection circuit 221 is connected to the amplification circuit 222, and a signal from the position indicator 1B is detected by the selected conductor and amplified by the amplification circuit 222. The output of the amplifier circuit 222 is supplied to the band-pass filter 223B, and only the component of the frequency f1 of the signal transmitted from the position indicator 1B is extracted.

  The output signal of the bandpass filter 223B is detected by the detection circuit 224. The output signal of the detection circuit 224 is supplied to a sample and hold circuit 225, sampled and held at a predetermined timing by a sampling signal from the control circuit 220B, and then converted into a digital value by an AD conversion circuit 226. The digital data from the AD conversion circuit 226 is read and processed by the control circuit 220B.

  The control circuit 220B operates to send a control signal to each of the sample and hold circuit 225, the AD conversion circuit 226, and the selection circuit 221 according to a program stored in the internal ROM. Further, the control circuit 220B calculates the position coordinates on the sensor unit 20B indicated by the position indicator 1B from the digital data from the AD conversion circuit 226.

  FIG. 11 is a timing chart for explaining signals transmitted from the position indicator 1B of the configuration type 3 to the corresponding position detection system 2B. As described above, a signal based on, for example, an AC signal having a frequency f1 is continuously transmitted from the position indicator 1B of the configuration type 3 through the center electrode 7 as a position detection signal.

  However, in the position indicator 1B of this configuration type 3 of this example, the position indicator 1 of this embodiment can transmit an AC signal of frequency f1 and an AC signal of frequency f2 as position detection signals. By utilizing the advantage of the configuration, when noise having the same frequency as the position detection signal exists, the frequency of the position detection signal can be switched.

  That is, in the position indicator 1B of the configuration type 3 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11A, the position detection signal includes a continuous transmission period having a predetermined period length Ta and a pause period having a predetermined period length Tb. Is defined as one cycle, and the one cycle is repeated.

  Then, in the control circuit 220B of the position detection system 2B, as shown in FIG. 11B, the idle period having the predetermined period length Tb is set as the window period for detecting the presence or absence of noise, and the position detection is performed in the window period. It is determined whether or not noise having the same frequency as the use signal exists. Then, when it is detected in the window section that noise having the same frequency as the position detection signal is present, the control circuit 220B of the position detection system 2B notifies the position indicator 1B of the fact via the wireless communication unit 25B. .

  The receiving unit 422 of the wireless communication module 42 of the position indicator 1B receives this notification from the position detection system 2B and transfers it to the control unit 410 of the signal transmission control circuit 41. The control unit 410 of the signal transmission control circuit 41 controls the switching of the switch circuit 414 in accordance with the notification, and switches from the oscillator 45 having the frequency f1 to the oscillator 46 having the frequency f2. When the position detection signal from the position indicator 1B when receiving the notification from the position detection system 2B is based on the signal from the oscillator 46 at the frequency f2, the position detection system 2B In response to the notification from the control unit 410, the control unit 410 switches and controls the switch circuit 414 to switch from the oscillator 46 having the frequency f2 to the oscillator 45 having the frequency f1.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 11A, when the position detection signal from the position indicator 1B is a signal of the frequency f1, as shown in FIG. 11C, the noise NR of the same frequency f1 is reduced. If the noise NR exists, the control circuit 220B of the position detection system 2B detects the noise NR in the window section shown in FIG. 11B, and notifies the position indicator 1B to that effect via the wireless communication unit 25B. send.

  In the position indicator 1B, the control unit 410 receives the notification from the position detection system 2B through the reception unit 422 of the wireless communication module 42, and changes the frequency of the position detection signal as shown in FIG. The switching control of the switch circuit 414 is performed so as to switch from the frequency f1 to the frequency f2. Therefore, even if noise having the same frequency as the frequency of the position detection signal exists in the vicinity of the position detection system 2B, it is possible to prevent the influence of the noise by switching the frequency of the position detection signal. it can.

  In the position detection system 2B, the band-pass filter 223B has a pass frequency band with the frequency f1 as the center frequency so that both the frequency f1 and the position detection signal at the frequency f2 can be handled. , A state in which a pass frequency band having the frequency f2 as a center frequency is provided, and which pass frequency band is used can be switched under the control of the control circuit 220B.

<Position indicator 1C of configuration type 4 and corresponding position detection system 2C>
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a circuit example of a main part of the position indicator 1C of the configuration type 4 and the corresponding position detection system 2C. The position indicator 1C of the configuration type 4 sends an AC signal having a frequency f2 as a position detection signal, and the pen pressure information and the side switch information, which are examples of additional information important as the position indicator, include a position detection signal. At the same time, the light is transmitted to the position detection system 2C through the center electrode 7. Then, the position indicator 1C sends the identification information of the additional information from the wireless communication module 42 to the wireless communication unit 25C of the position detection system 2C.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the position detection system 2C includes a sensor unit 20C, a pen instruction detection circuit 26C connected to the sensor unit 20C, and a wireless communication unit 25C. After the pairing with the position indicator 1C is completed, the external synchronization signal SYC is transmitted from the wireless communication unit 25C of the position detection system 2C to the position indicator 1C as described above.

  In this example, the sensor unit 20C has the same configuration as the sensor unit 20B of the position detection system 2B. The pen instruction detection circuit 26C has the same configuration as the pen instruction detection circuit 26B except for the bandpass filter 223C and the control circuit 220C.

  In this example, the band pass filter 223C of the position indicator 1C of the configuration type 4 has a pass frequency band having the frequency f2 as a center frequency. Further, the control circuit 220C has a function of detecting pen pressure information and side switch information sent together with the position detection signal.

  In the position indicator 1C of the configuration type 4 in this example, the center electrode transmission signal generation unit 412 receives a control from the control unit 410 and repeats a signal of a pattern having a continuous transmission period and a transmission data period as one cycle. Output. FIG. 13A shows an example of a control signal supplied from the control unit 410 of the position indicator 1C to the center electrode transmission signal generation unit 412. The center electrode transmission signal generation unit 412 continuously transmits the oscillation signal of the frequency f2 as a burst signal as shown in FIG. 13B during a certain period in which the control signal of FIG. (Continuous transmission period in FIG. 13C).

  The length of the continuous transmission period is a time length in which the pen pointing detection circuit 26C of the position detection system 2C can detect the position indicated by the position indicator 1C on the sensor unit 20C. The time length is such that all of the 211Y and the second conductor 212X can be scanned one or more times, preferably a plurality of times or more.

  During the continuous transmission period, the control unit 410 of the position indicator 1C calculates the writing pressure applied to the center electrode 7 based on the capacitance of the variable capacitor of the writing pressure detection unit 9, and calculates the calculated writing pressure. Information on the pen pressure value is obtained as a multi-bit value (binary code). In addition, the control unit 410 generates on / off information of the side switch 43 as side switch information as 1-bit or multiple-bit information.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 13A, the control unit 410 controls the control signal to a high level or a low level at a predetermined cycle (Td) in the transmission data period after the end of the continuous transmission period, ASK (Amplitude Shift Keying) modulation is performed on the AC signal having the frequency f2. Instead of ASK modulation, an OOK (On Off Keying) signal may be used.

  At this time, the first period of the predetermined period (Td) after the continuous transmission period is always set to the high level, which is used as the start signal in FIG. The start signal is a timing signal for enabling the pen instruction detection circuit 26C of the position detection system 2C to accurately determine the subsequent data transmission timing. Note that a burst signal in a continuous transmission period can be used as a timing signal instead of the start signal.

  Under the control of the control unit 410, the center electrode transmission signal generation unit 412 of the position indicator 1C, following the start signal, transmits a plurality of bits of pen pressure information and one or more bits of side information in the transmission data period. The switch information is transmitted sequentially. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, when the transmission data (binary code) is “0”, the control signal (FIG. 13A) is set to the low level and the AC signal is not transmitted. When the transmission data (binary code) is "1", the control signal is set to the high level to control the transmission of the AC signal so that the ASK modulation is performed.

  In the pen indication detection circuit 26C of the position detection system 2C, the control circuit 220C detects the indication position of the position indicator 1C from the received signal in the continuous transmission period in the same manner as in the above-described position detection system 2B. Then, the control circuit 220C waits for the end of the continuous transmission period, detects the start signal after the end of the continuous transmission period, detects the writing pressure information and the side switch information data in the transmission data period, and restores them. Perform the operation. Then, the control circuit 220C outputs the detection information of the position indicated by the position indicator 1C, the pen pressure information, and the side switch information together with the identification information received through the wireless communication unit 25C to a host computer or the like.

  The position indicator 1C of the configuration type 4 may be configured to switch the frequency of the position detection signal in the same manner as the position indicator 1B of the configuration type 3 so as to reduce the influence of noise. . In that case, the bandpass filter 223C and the control circuit 220C of the position detection system 2C are also configured to have the same functions as the bandpass filter 223B and the control circuit 220B of the position detection system 2B corresponding to the configuration type 3.

<Position indicator 1D of configuration type 5 and corresponding position detection system 2D>
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a circuit example of a main part of the position indicator 1D of the configuration type 5 and the corresponding position detection system 2D. The position indicator 1D of the configuration type 5 sends an AC signal of the frequency f2 as a position detection signal, and all the additional information, in this example, the pen pressure information, the side switch information, and the identification information ID1 are used as the position detection signal. At the same time, the light is transmitted to the position detection system 2D through the center electrode 7.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the position detection system 2D includes a sensor unit 20D, a pen instruction detection circuit 26D connected to the sensor unit 20D, and a wireless communication unit 25D. After the pairing with the position indicator 1D is completed from the wireless communication unit 25D of the position detection system 2D, the external synchronization signal SYC is transmitted to the position indicator 1D as described above.

  In this example, the sensor unit 20D has the same configuration as the sensor unit 20B of the position detection system 2B. The pen instruction detection circuit 26D has the same configuration as the pen instruction detection circuit 26C, including the bandpass filter 223D, except for the control circuit 220D. That is, in this example, the bandpass filter 223D has a pass frequency band having the frequency f2 as the center frequency. The control circuit 220D has a function of detecting pen pressure information, side switch information, and identification information ID1 sent together with the position detection signal.

  In the position indicator 1D of the configuration type 5 of this example, similarly to the position indicator 1C of the configuration type 4, the center electrode transmission signal generation unit 412 receives the control from the control unit 410, and As shown in (1), a signal having a pattern in which a continuous transmission period and a transmission data period are one cycle is repeatedly output.

  FIG. 15A shows an example of a control signal supplied from the control unit 410 of the position indicator 1D to the center electrode transmission signal generation unit 412. The central electrode transmission signal generation unit 412 of the position indicator 1D of this example receives the control by the control signal of FIG. 15A, and during the continuous transmission period, as shown in FIG. The oscillation signal is continuously transmitted as a burst signal. In the transmission data period, as shown in FIGS. 15B and 15C, the pen pressure information, the side switch information, and the identification information ID1 are used as ASK signals. The signal is transmitted to the position detection system 2D through the center electrode 7.

  The control circuit 220D of the position detection system 2D detects the position on the sensor unit 20D indicated by the position indicator 1D based on the burst signal in the continuous transmission period, and writes the pen pressure information and the side switch in the transmission data period. The information and the identification information ID1 are detected and restored.

  In this example, in order to further secure the transmission and reception of signals between the position indicator 1D and the position detection system 2D, the position indicator 1D transmits the identification information ID2 from the wireless communication module 42 to the position detection system 2D. To the wireless communication unit 25D. In this case, the identification information ID1 and the identification information ID2 are the same information (ID1 = ID2). The control circuit 220D compares the identification information ID2 obtained through the wireless communication unit 25D with the identification information ID1 received and detected through the center electrode 7, and only when the two match, the signal obtained from the position indicator 1D. Is processed as valid.

  When the signal obtained from the position indicator 1D is validated, the control circuit 220D transmits the detection information of the position indicated by the position indicator 1D, the pen pressure information, the side switch information and the identification information ID1, to a host computer or the like. Output to

[Other embodiments]
<Another example of the electrostatic coupling method>
It is needless to say that the plurality of configuration types of the position indicator described above are examples, and are not limited to the configuration type connected here. For example, in the position indicator of the active type described above, a signal is transmitted only from the center electrode 7, but the tilt angle and the rotation angle of the position indicator on the position detection system can be detected. In order to achieve this, the peripheral electrode 6 is divided into a plurality of pieces, and a signal is transmitted from each of the plurality of divided pieces so that the peripheral pieces can be identified. May be of one configuration type.

<Example of electromagnetic coupling method>
In the above-described embodiment, the case of the position indicator and the position detection system of the electrostatic coupling system has been described, but the present invention is also applicable to the case of the position indicator and the position detection system of the electromagnetic coupling system. .

  FIG. 16 shows a configuration example of the position indicator 100 of the electromagnetic coupling system according to the present invention, and corresponds to the conceptual configuration diagram of FIG. 1 showing the position indicator 1 of the above-described embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the position indicator 100 of this embodiment includes a signal transmission control circuit 141, a wireless communication module 142, and a side switch 143 in a cylindrical housing 103 made of an insulating material such as a resin. , An ID memory 144, an oscillator 145, and a pen pressure detecting unit 109. Further, a battery 105 is provided in the housing 103 as a power supply source of a power supply voltage to the signal transmission control circuit 141, the wireless communication module 142, the side switch 143, the ID memory 144, the oscillator 145, and the like. The signal transmission control circuit 141 includes a pen type determination unit 1411.

  A core 107 that penetrates the ferrite core 110 is connected to the pen pressure detecting unit 109. The pen pressure detecting unit 109 detects the pen pressure applied to the core 107 by the pen pressure detecting unit 109. Is detected as the capacitance of the variable capacitance capacitor composed of A coil 111 is wound around the ferrite core 110, and both ends of the coil 111 are connected to a signal transmission control circuit 141. A capacitor 112 that forms a resonance circuit with the coil 111 is connected between both ends of the coil 111.

  The signal transmission control circuit 141 is connected to the wireless communication module 142, the side switch 143, the ID memory 144, and the oscillator 145 in the same manner as the position indicator 1 of the above-described embodiment. The variable capacitor constituted by 109 is also connected to the signal transmission control circuit 141.

  In the position indicator 100, the signal transmission control circuit 141 selectively controls a signal to be transmitted through a resonance circuit including the coil 111 and the capacitor 112, and adds pen pressure information, side switch information, identification information, and the like. It selectively controls whether the information is transmitted from the wireless communication module 142 or as a signal from the resonance circuit.

  That is, in the case of the position indicator 100 of this embodiment, the resonance circuit constitutes the second transmission unit, and the transmission function unit of the wireless communication module 142 constitutes the first transmission unit. The receiving function unit of the wireless communication module 142 constitutes a receiving unit that receives pen type information from the position detection system. The pen type information received from the position detection system by the reception function unit of the wireless communication module 142 is supplied to the pen type determination unit 1411 of the signal transmission control circuit 141. Although not shown, the pen type determination unit 1411 can be configured by a pen type determination processing unit and a pen type table memory also in this embodiment.

  The signal transmission control circuit 141 of the position indicator 100 of this embodiment receives the pen type information from the position detection system, determines the pen type by the pen type determination unit 1411 and determines the pen type. ), (B), and (C), the position indicators 100A, 100B, and 100C of the three configuration types 6, 7, and 8 can be configured.

  If the pen type information received from the position detection system through the reception function unit of the wireless communication module 142 of the position indicator 100 is the configuration type 6, the signal transmission control circuit 141 causes the signal transmission control circuit 141 to operate as shown in FIG. A simple position indicator 100A is configured. That is, in the configuration type 6, a variable capacitor formed by the pen pressure detection unit 109 is connected in parallel with a parallel resonance circuit formed by the coil 111 and the capacitor 112. A series circuit is connected.

  The sensor unit of the position detection system 200A which is used together with the position indicator 100A of the configuration type 6 and sends the configuration type 6 as the pen type information to the position indicator 100A is not shown, but a plurality of loop coils are provided. They are arranged in the X direction and the Y direction orthogonal to each other, and a transmission signal (AC signal) having a frequency fa is transmitted from the loop coil to the position indicator 100A.

  In the position indicator 100A, an AC signal from the position detection system 200A is received by a resonance circuit by electromagnetic coupling, and then the AC signal is fed back from the resonance circuit to the position detection system 200A. The position detection system 200A detects the position indicated by the position indicator 100A from the position of the loop coil that has transmitted the AC signal and the position of the loop coil that has received the feedback signal from the position indicator 100A. .

  In this case, the feedback signal from the position indicator 100A changes when the resonance frequency of the resonance circuit changes according to the value of the capacitance of the variable capacitor formed by the writing pressure detection unit 109. The system 200A detects pen pressure information based on a change in the frequency (or a change in the phase).

  In addition, since the capacitor 113 is connected or disconnected to the resonance circuit by turning on / off the side switch 143, the resonance frequency of the resonance circuit changes according to turning on / off of the side switch 143. The position detection system 200A detects side switch information according to the on / off state of the side switch 143 based on a change in frequency (or a change in phase) of the feedback signal from the position indicator 100A.

  In the position indicator 100A of the configuration type 6, the identification information is transmitted to the wireless communication unit of the position detection system 200A through the transmission function unit of the wireless communication module 142.

  When the pen type information received from the position detection system through the reception function unit of the wireless communication module 142 of the position indicator 100 is the configuration type 7, the signal transmission control circuit 141 causes the signal transmission control circuit 141 to operate as shown in FIG. A simple position indicator 100B is configured. That is, in the configuration type 7, the parallel resonance circuit includes the coil 111 and the capacitor 112. Then, the pen pressure information, the side switch information, and the identification information are all transmitted to the wireless communication unit of the position detection system 200B through the transmission function unit of the wireless communication module 142.

  The sensor unit of the position detection system 200B that is used together with the position indicator 100B of the configuration type 7 and sends the configuration type 7 as pen type information to the position indicator 100B has the same configuration as the sensor unit of the position detection system 200A, and has a loop structure. The coil transmits a transmission signal (AC signal) having the frequency fa to the position indicator 100B.

  In the position indicator 100B, similarly to the position indicator 100A, an AC signal from the position detection system 200B is received by the resonance circuit by electromagnetic coupling, and then the AC signal is fed back from the resonance circuit to the position detection system 200B. The position detection system 200B detects the position indicated by the position indicator 100B in the same manner as the position detection system 200A.

  The configuration type 7 position detection system 200B does not have a function of monitoring changes in the frequency and phase of the feedback signal and detecting additional information. Then, the position detection system 200B decodes the additional information received through the wireless communication unit to acquire the pen pressure information, the side switch information, and the identification information.

  When the pen type information received from the position detection system via the reception function unit of the wireless communication module 142 of the position indicator 100 is the configuration type 8, the signal transmission control circuit 141 causes the signal transmission control circuit 141 to operate as shown in FIG. A simple position indicator 100C is configured. That is, in the position indicator 100C of the configuration type 8, the parallel resonance circuit including the coil 111 and the capacitor 112 is coupled to the oscillator 145 to form the oscillation circuit 145S. Then, an oscillation signal from the oscillation circuit 145S is transmitted to the position detection system 200C through a parallel resonance circuit including the coil 111 and the capacitor 112.

  Then, the pen pressure information, the side switch information, and the identification information are all transmitted to the wireless communication unit of the position detection system 200C through the transmission function unit of the wireless communication module 142.

  The sensor unit of the position detection system 200C which is used together with the position indicator 100C of the configuration type 8 and sends the configuration type 8 as pen type information to the position indicator 100C is not shown, but a plurality of loop coils are provided. They are arranged in an X direction and a Y direction orthogonal to each other.

  Then, the position detection system 200C receives the AC signal transmitted from the position indicator 100C by a loop coil by electromagnetic coupling. Then, the position detection system 200C detects the position indicated by the position indicator 100C from the positions of the loop coils in the X and Y directions that have received the AC signal.

  The above configuration types 6 to 8 are also examples, and there are other various types of configuration types for the position indicator and the position detection system of the electromagnetic coupling system, and the position indicator of the present invention is not limited to these various types. It is needless to say that the configuration can be adapted to the configuration type. For example, in the examples of the above-described configurations 6 to 8, the identification information is not transmitted through the resonance circuit, but by controlling the resonance operation of the resonance circuit or the ON / OFF of the oscillation operation of the oscillation circuit 145S, A configuration type in which identification information is transmitted from the core body 107 side as an ASK modulation signal or an OOK signal can also be used.

<Example of hybrid position indicator of both electrostatic coupling type and electromagnetic coupling type>
FIG. 18 is a view showing a main part of a position indicator 1E of a configuration type having both functions of an active electrostatic pen of an electrostatic coupling system and an electronic pen of an electromagnetic coupling system. FIG. 18B is a view for explaining the components on the side of the center electrode 7. FIG. 18B is a view when the position indicator 1E is viewed in the axial direction from the tip side of the center electrode 7. is there. FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an electronic circuit unit of the position indicator 1E of this example.

  In this position indicator 1E, the peripheral electrodes made of a conductor provided around the opening into which the center electrode 7 of the housing 3 is inserted are divided into six divided peripheral electrodes 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E. , 6F. As shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, these peripheral division electrodes 6A to 6F are provided so as to be electrically insulated and separated from each other.

  The center electrode 7 is fitted to the pen pressure detecting unit 9 through a through hole provided in the ferrite core 110, and can receive a signal from a signal transmission control circuit formed on the substrate 40. It is configured. A coil 111 is wound around the ferrite core 110, and a capacitor 112 is connected in parallel to the coil 111 via a switch circuit 114, as shown in FIG.

  In the case of the configuration type of the active electrostatic pen of the electrostatic coupling type, the switch circuit 114 is turned off by the control signal from the control unit 410, and the parallel resonance circuit including the coil 111 and the capacitor 112 is not configured. . In the case of the configuration type of the electrostatic coupling type active electrostatic pen, a signal from the signal transmission control circuit is transmitted through the center electrode 7, and at that time, the peripheral divided electrodes 6A to 6F are used as shield electrodes. .

  In the case of the configuration type of the electronic pen of the electromagnetic coupling type, the switch circuit 114 is turned on by a control signal from the control unit 410, and a parallel resonance circuit including the coil 111 and the capacitor 112 is configured. The parallel resonance circuit receives a signal from the position detection system 2 by the electromagnetic coupling method and feeds back the signal from the position detection system 2 to the position detection system 2 as in the example of FIG. At this time, since the peripheral divided electrodes 6A to 6F are divided, it is possible to prevent the magnetic flux for electromagnetic coupling between the parallel resonance circuit and the position detection system 2 from being shielded.

[Other Embodiments or Modifications]
In the pen pressure detecting units 9 and 109 in the above-described embodiment, the dielectric is sandwiched between the first electrode and the second electrode, and one of the first electrode and the second electrode is pivoted according to the pen pressure. Although a variable capacitance capacitor whose capacitance is variable according to the pen pressure by being movable in the center direction is used, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the pen pressure detecting unit 9 can be configured using a semiconductor element that changes the capacitance according to the pen pressure as disclosed in JP-A-2013-161307. Further, the writing pressure detection unit may be configured by using a structure or an element that makes the inductance value or the resistance value variable according to the writing pressure instead of the capacitance.

  Further, as described above, the additional information is not limited to the pen pressure information, the side switch information, the identification information, and the like. For example, various other information such as remaining battery information can be used as the additional information. .

  In the description of the above-described embodiment, the drive power of the position indicator is a battery. However, a capacitor for storing a power supply voltage may be provided in the position indicator, and the capacitor may be used as the drive power. In this case, the configuration in which the power supply voltage is stored in the capacitor may be a configuration of a charging circuit that receives and charges power energy from the outside by electromagnetic induction or electric field coupling, or may further include a charging terminal provided in the position indicator, and The charging device may supply a charging current through the charging terminal. Then, external power energy (electromagnetic energy or electric field energy) may be supplied from the position detection device to the position indicator, or may be supplied from a dedicated power supply device.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the position indicator has two transmitting units, the central electrode and the wireless communication module. However, three or more transmitting units may be provided.

  In the description of the position indicator of the above embodiment, the position indicator automatically becomes a configuration type corresponding to the position detection system by moving the position indicator close to the sensor unit of the position detection system. I did it. However, instead of communicating with an external device such as a personal computer that can communicate with the wireless communication module of the position indicator instead of the position detection system, and by selecting the configuration type with an external device such as a personal computer, the position indicator is The configuration may be such that it can be set to the selected desired configuration type.

  Further, the position indicator may be provided with a switch for switching the configuration type, and the position indicator may be set to the desired configuration type by a switching operation using the switch for switching the configuration. Good. That is, for example, in the example of FIG. 16, a push button switch 146 operable by a user is provided on the housing 103, and a push operation signal of the push button switch 146 is supplied to the signal transmission control circuit 141. In this case, the signal transmission control circuit 141 controls to change the configuration type each time the user presses the push button switch 146, for example. In the example shown in FIG. 1, a push button switch may be similarly provided.

1, 1A to 1E, 100A to 100C ... position indicator, 2, 2A to 2D, 200A to 200C ... position detection system, 3 ... housing, 31 ... insulator part, 32 ... conductor part, 5 ... battery, 6 ... peripheral electrode 6 ... central electrode, 8 ... shield member, 9 ... writing pressure detection unit, 40 ... printed wiring board, 41 ... signal transmission control circuit, 42 ... wireless communication module, 43 ... side switch, 44 ... ID memory, 45 , 46 oscillator, 48 power switch 410 control unit 411 pen type determination unit

Claims (23)

A position indicator for use with a position detection system,
Means for generating a position detection signal;
Additional information generating means for generating additional information;
First transmission means for transmitting the position detection signal to the position detection system via electrostatic coupling,
A second transmitting unit different from the first transmitting unit;
A receiving unit that receives a signal transmitted from the position detection system via a radio different from the electrostatic coupling,
And control means,
Equipped with a,
The control unit performs selection control of the first transmission unit and the second transmission unit, and thereby performs the addition via the first transmission unit or the second transmission unit selected by the selection control. together are configured to be transmitted to the information the position detection system, based on the signal transmitted from the position detection system received by said receiving means, transmitted from said first transmitting means and said position indicator and controls the transmit position detection signals. The control unit is configured to control a transmission timing of at least the position detection signal transmitted from the first transmission unit based on a signal transmitted from the position detection system received by the reception unit. ing
The position indicator according to claim 1, wherein: The position indicator has a pen shape, and a center electrode is provided so as to protrude from one end in the axial direction of the housing of the position indicator, and is applied to the center electrode. It has pressure detection means for detecting pressure,
The first transmitting means is configured to transmit the position detection signal via the center electrode ,
In response to the selection of the second transmission unit by the selection control of the control unit , information on the pressure detected by the pressure detection unit is transmitted to the position detection system via the second transmission unit. position indicator according to claim 1, characterized in that it is configured to. The position indicator has a pen shape, a center electrode is provided so as to protrude from one axial end of a housing of the position indicator, and the position indicator is identified. Storage means for storing identification information,
The first transmitting means is configured to transmit the position detection signal via the center electrode,
The identification information stored in the storage unit is transmitted to the position detection system via the second transmission unit in response to the selection of the second transmission unit by the selection control of the control unit. position indicator according to claim 1, characterized in that it is configured. The position indicator has a pen shape, a center electrode is provided so as to protrude from one axial end of a housing of the position indicator, and a switch for receiving a user operation. Means,
The first transmitting means is configured to transmit the position detection signal via the center electrode,
In response to the selection of the second transmission unit by the selection control of the control unit , information of the operation received by the switch unit is transmitted to the position detection system via the second transmission unit. position indicator according to claim 1, characterized in that it is configured. Before SL control means, based on the signal transmitted from the position detection system received by the receiving means, the position indicator according to claim 1, characterized in that to control the transmission timing of the additional information. In response to the selection of the second transmission unit by the selection control of the control unit, the additional information is configured to be transmitted to the position detection system via the second transmission unit, control means, the position according to transmission timing before Symbol additional information to claim 1, characterized in that it is configured to control based on a signal transmitted from the position detection system received by said receiving means Indicator. Based on the signal transmitted from the position detection system received by said receiving means, according to claim 1 in which the transmission frequency of the position detection signal transmitted from said first transmission means, characterized in that it is controlled The position indicator according to 1. Based on the signal transmitted from the position detection system received by said receiving means, that the transmission cycle of the position detection signal transmitted from said first transmission means is configured to be controlled The position indicator according to claim 1, wherein: A position indicator having a pen shape for use with a position detection system,
Means for generating a position detection signal;
Additional information generating means for generating additional information;
First transmission means for transmitting the position detection signal to the position detection system via electrostatic coupling,
A second transmitting unit different from the first transmitting unit;
A receiving unit that receives a signal transmitted from the position detection system via a radio different from the electrostatic coupling,
And control means,
Equipped with a,
A center electrode is provided so as to protrude from one axial end of the casing of the position indicator, and a peripheral electrode is provided near the center electrode,
Transmission of the position detection signal via the center electrode or the peripheral electrode is configured to be controlled by the control unit,
The control unit performs selection control of the first transmission unit and the second transmission unit, and thereby performs the addition via the first transmission unit or the second transmission unit selected by the selection control. A position indicator configured to transmit information to the position detection system . The transmission timing of at least the position detection signal transmitted from the first transmission unit is controlled based on the signal transmitted from the position detection system received by the reception unit.
The position indicator according to claim 10, wherein: It has a pressure detecting means for detecting the pressure applied to the center electrode,
In response to the selection of the second transmission unit by the selection control of the control unit , information on the pressure detected by the pressure detection unit is transmitted to the position detection system via the second transmission unit. position indicator according to claim 10, characterized in that it is configured to. It has storage means for storing identification information for identifying the position indicator,
The identification information stored in the storage unit is transmitted to the position detection system via the second transmission unit in response to the selection of the second transmission unit by the selection control of the control unit. position indicator according to claim 10, characterized in that it is configured. There is a switch means for receiving the operation of the user,
In response to the selection of the second transmission unit by the selection control of the control unit , information of the operation received by the switch unit is transmitted to the position detection system via the second transmission unit. position indicator according to claim 10, characterized in that it is configured. Before SL control means, based on the signal transmitted from the position detection system received by said receiving means, to claim 10, characterized in that it is configured to control the transmission timing of the additional information Position indicator as described. Based on the signal transmitted from the position detection system received by said receiving means, that the transmission frequency of the position detection signal transmitted from said first transmission means is configured to be controlled The position indicator according to claim 10 , characterized in that: Based on the signal transmitted from the position detection system received by said receiving means, that the transmission cycle of the position detection signal transmitted from said first transmission means is configured to be controlled The position indicator according to claim 10 , characterized in that: A position indicator having a pen shape for use with a position detection system,
Means for generating a position detection signal;
Additional information generating means for generating additional information;
Transmitting means for transmitting the position detection signal to the position detection system via electrostatic coupling,
A wireless communication unit that transmits and receives signals to and from the position detection system via short-range wireless communication different from the electrostatic coupling,
And control means,
Equipped with a,
The control unit transmits the additional information to the position detection system via the transmission unit or the wireless communication unit selected by the selection control by performing selection control of the transmission unit and the wireless communication unit. And after establishing a communication connection with the position detection system via the wireless communication means, based on a signal transmitted from the position detection system via the wireless communication means. A position indicator configured to control transmission of the position detection signal transmitted from the transmission unit. Before SL control means, wherein based on said signal transmitted from the position detection system received by the wireless communication means, characterized in that it is configured to control the transmission timing of at least the position detection signal Item 19. The position indicator according to Item 18 . The control unit controls a transmission timing of the additional information based on a signal transmitted from the position detection system received by the wireless communication unit, and controls the selection of the wireless communication unit by the selection control of the control unit. position indicator according to claim 18, characterized in that it is configured to transmit the position detection system the additional information via the wireless communication means in response. The transmission frequency of the position detection signal transmitted from the transmission unit is controlled based on a signal transmitted from the position detection system received by the wireless communication unit. The position indicator according to claim 18 . The transmission cycle of the position detection signal transmitted from the transmission unit is controlled based on a signal transmitted from the position detection system received by the wireless communication unit. The position indicator according to claim 18 . The position indicator according to claim 18 , wherein the wireless communication unit communicates with the position detection system based on the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard.

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