JPH0728584A - Pen input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the pen input device used for preventing the missing of pen. CONSTITUTION:A pen input computer 10 is provided with a control part equipped with the CPU, ROM and RAM, a display device 11, a digitizer, an infrared ray accepting part 13 accepting the infrared ray signal emitted from the LED in a light emitting part 28 of a pen 18, a pen housing part 16, a power switch 15, and a buzzer 14. If then pen 18 is not located close to the pen housing part 16 or the display device 11 when a user turns off the power switch 15, the amount of accepting the infrared ray emitted from the LED is little. When it is lower than the received light sensitivity level in the part 13, the display 'No pen' is performed on the display device 11 and the buzzer 14 is used to urge the user to house the pen.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pen input device for inputting with a pen.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been proposed a pen input computer for inputting by directly touching the screen or writing characters on the screen with respect to a computer for inputting using a keyboard or a mouse. Since the pen input computer uses a pen as an input means, it is attracting attention as a technology that broadens the base of computer users due to its good operability that even a person who has been unfamiliar with a keyboard can easily operate it. In particular, when using a portable computer that does not have a space for using a mouse, such as when going out or in a moving car, the pen is small and has excellent portability. It is very convenient. In addition, since the input is made by directly touching the screen, it is possible to make fine input such as drawing a picture, which was difficult with a mouse. In such a pen input computer, a pen storage unit is provided in the main body of the apparatus, and when the pen is not used, the pen storage unit is generally set in the pen storage unit. A cordless pen is usually used for the pen in terms of operability.

[0003]

However, the shape and weight of the cordless pen are almost the same as those of general writing pens. Therefore, there is a high possibility that the pen will be lost, and if the pen is lost, there is a problem that the pen input computer that uses a dedicated pen for input cannot operate at all. In particular, because the pen can be placed anywhere, this is partly because it is not necessary to set it in the pen storage section of the main body.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a pen input device which is useful for preventing the loss of the pen.

[0005]

A pen input device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a pen input device for inputting to a main body using a pen, wherein the pen input device is provided on either the pen or the main body, and a radio signal is provided. Based on the wireless signal received by the receiver, and a receiver provided on the other of the pen or the main body for receiving the wireless signal emitted from the transmitter. A positional relationship detecting means for detecting a positional relationship between the main body and the main body; and an informing means for notifying that the positional relationship detected by the positional relationship detecting means has reached a predetermined position.

A pen input device according to a second aspect of the invention is a pen input device for inputting to a main body using a pen. The main body is provided with a pen storage portion for storing a pen, and is used from the storage position in the main body. Providing a protruding member that moves to a position and protrudes,
An engaging member that engages with the protruding member and restricts movement of the protruding member between the storage position and the use position is provided, and is pressed by the pen housed in the pen housing unit,
A releasing member is provided for releasing the engagement of the engaging member.

A pen input device of a third invention is a pen input device for inputting to a main body using a pen, and a power switch for cutting off the power of the main body, and a pen provided in the main body for accommodating the pen. A pen storage unit, a pen detection unit that detects that the pen is stored in the pen storage unit, and a cutoff permission unit that allows the power supply to be cut off by the power switch based on the detection by the pen detection unit. Equipped with.

[0008]

In the pen input device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the pen is used for inputting into the main body, but a transmitter provided in either the pen or the main body emits a radio signal to cause the pen or the main body to transmit. The receiver provided on the other side receives the wireless signal emitted from the transmitter, and based on the wireless signal received by the receiver, the positional relationship detecting means determines the positional relationship between the pen and the main body. Detect and
The notifying means notifies that the positional relationship detected by the positional relationship detecting means has reached a predetermined position.

In the pen input device of the second invention, the pen is used for inputting into the main body. The pen is stored in the pen storage portion provided in the main body, and the protruding member provided in the main body is stored at the storage position. From the above to the projecting position, and by providing an engaging member that engages with this projecting member, limiting the movement of the projecting member between the storage position and the using position, and storing in the pen storing section. A disengagement member that is pressed by the pen is provided to disengage the engagement member.

In the pen input device of the third invention, the pen is used to input data to the main body. When the power of the main body is turned off by the power switch, the pen is stored in the pen storage portion provided in the main body. Then, the pen detection means detects that the pen is stored in the pen storage portion, and based on the detection of the pen detection means, the cutoff permission means permits the power supply to be cut off by the power switch.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a pen input computer according to the first embodiment. The pen input computer 10 includes a display 11 on the front of the main body 10a, a digitizer 12 provided on the front of the display 11, and a main body 10a.
A pen storage portion 16 in which a pen 18 is stored, an infrared light receiving portion 13, a buzzer 14, and a power switch 15 are provided on the right side of the. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pen input computer 10. The pen input computer 10 is mainly composed of a control unit 30 including a known CPU 31, ROM 32, RAM 33, and hard disk (HDD) 34, and the infrared light receiving unit 13 and the digitizer 1 described above.
2 is a control unit 3 via A / D converters 36 and 38, respectively.
Connected to 0.

The pen 18 is a dedicated pen attached to the pen input computer 10. FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the structure of the pen 18. The pen 18 has a coil 20 for emitting a radio signal for pen input, a tact switch 21 for turning on / off a power source and switching a signal frequency, a circuit board 22, a button battery 23, and an L for emitting an infrared signal.
Having ED24. The circuit board 22 has a high frequency circuit 22a.
Is installed. The pen tip 29 of the pen 18 is provided with a micro switch, and the pen tip 29 is the digitizer 1.
When it comes into contact with 2 and is displaced, the micro switch is turned on, and the frequency of the high frequency circuit 22a is switched. Further, the pen tip 29 is an antenna of the coil 20 and emits a signal from here. Therefore, when the pen tip 29 is close to the digitizer 12, the cursor is displayed on the display unit 11, and when the pen tip 29 comes into contact with the digitizer 12, the frequency is switched to perform processing such as character recognition and calculation.

Next, the digitizer 12 input by the pen 18 will be described. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the basic configuration of the digitizer 12. The digitizer 12 is an elongated loop antenna 12a, 12 which is stretched across two directions (X axis direction, Y axis direction) of the screen of the display 11.
b. One ends of the loop antennas 12a and 12b are grounded, and the other ends are connected to respective terminals of the antenna switching device 12c. The antenna switching device 12c includes a receiving circuit 12d.
Are connected. High frequency circuit 2 built in the pen 18
When the coil 20 of 2a is energized, a radio wave of a specific frequency is generated from the pen tip 29 which is its antenna. When the pen tip 29 is brought into contact with the digitizer 12, the frequency is switched as described above, and the loop antennas 12a and 12b detect the radio waves of the switched frequency. Receiver circuit 1
2d sequentially switches the terminals of the antenna switching device 12c to pick up a minute voltage due to reception of radio waves, and calculates the coordinates of the position where the pen tip 29 contacts from the distribution of the picked up minute voltage.

Infrared receiver 13 provided on the main body 10a
Is composed of a phototransistor and receives infrared rays emitted from the light emitting section 28 of the pen 18. Light emitting part 2
8 has a built-in LED 24, and has a spherical transparent cover 28a around it. This spherical transparent cover 28a is an LED
It plays the role of diffusing infrared rays emitted from 24. L
The ED 24 is controlled by the circuit board 22 and is lit for 0.5 seconds at the moment when the pen tip 29 comes into contact with the ED 24 and every 3 seconds thereafter. Therefore, when the pen 18 is placed at a position away from the main body 10a or hidden by something in the shadow, the amount of light received reaching the infrared light receiving portion 13 decreases and it is detected that the pen 18 does not exist within a predetermined range. It The predetermined range is set so as to include the movement range in which the pen storage unit 16 and the digitizer 12 are touch-operated.

Next, the pen confirmation routine will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the pen confirmation routine. This routine is repeatedly executed. First, it is determined whether or not the power switch 15 has been pressed to turn off the power (step S100). If not, this routine is once terminated. When it is pressed, the light receiving amount P of the infrared light receiving unit 13 is read (step S110), and it is determined whether the light receiving amount P is larger than the predetermined value A (step S120). When it is larger than the predetermined value A, the power is turned off (step S130), and this routine is once ended. When the value is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value A, the buzzer 14 is sounded without turning off the power and the message "pen not housed" is displayed on the display 11 (step S14).
0). In this way, the sound of the buzzer 14 and the message displayed on the display 11 prompt the user to set the pen 18 in the pen storage unit 16. That is, unless the pen 18 is placed in the pen storage unit 16, the pen input computer 10
Is not turned off. This can prevent the pen 18 from being lost.

In this embodiment, infrared rays are used as a medium for recognizing the positional relationship between the pen 18 and the main body 10a, but white light, radio waves or sound waves may be used instead.
When using these media, a white lamp, a transmitter, and a speaker can be used on the transmitting side instead of the LED 24, and a cdS, a receiver, and a microphone can be used on the receiving side instead of the phototransistor. Further, the means for detecting the positions of the pen and the main body may be provided in the pen instead of being provided in the input device main body. There may be mentioned a configuration in which a speaker built in the pen emits a warning sound when the main body moves away from the pen.

[Second Embodiment] The pen input computer of the second embodiment will be described below. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the pen input computer 40 of the second embodiment. The pen input computer 40 of the present embodiment uses the radio wave emitted from the pen tip 49 instead of removing the LED 24 and the infrared light receiving portion 13 of the pen input computer 10 of the first embodiment, and the positional relationship between the pen 47 and the main body 40a. Recognize. That is, the radio wave transmitted from the pen tip 49 is received by the digitizer provided on the front surface of the main body 40a, and the positional relationship between the pen 47 and the main body 40a is determined by the level of the reception sensitivity level. However, the strength of the radio wave signal is weakened not only when the pen and the main body are in a distant positional relationship, but also when the battery built in the pen 47 is exhausted. Therefore, as shown in FIG. It was thought that the pen 47 could be mistaken for being far from the main body 40a (the position of T2) when the receiving sensitivity level P of the main body is low even when the main body 40a is near (the position of T1). Here, the FB curve of FIG. 10 shows the case of a new battery, and the LB curve shows the case of the battery being consumed up to the actual use limit.

Therefore, when the receiving sensitivity level P of the main body 40a drops below the depletion battery level L described later, the receiving sensitivity level P is measured a predetermined time before it is judged that the receiving sensitivity level P has dropped, and the receiving sensitivity level P When the difference is equal to or larger than the predetermined value, it is determined that the pen 47 has moved far away from the main body 40a. When the distance between the pen and the main body in FIG. 10 is “0”, it indicates the position on the surface of the screen and the value “T”.
When it is “0”, it indicates the position of the pen storage unit 46.
The reception sensitivity level P at point 0 of the LB curve is the consumable battery level L. In addition, the position of the pen storage portion 46 "T
The reception sensitivity level P at "0" is the value "A" on the FB curve.
f ", the value is" Al "on the LB curve. In other curves, the value is "A", and the value "A" has a one-to-one correspondence with the value at the position "0" of each curve.
The value “A” can be determined when the value of the position “0” is read by previously obtaining the relationship between the values of the position “0” and the position “T0” by an experiment.

Next, the pen confirmation routine of the second embodiment will be described. 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing the pen confirmation routine. This routine is repeatedly executed. It is determined whether or not the pen 47 has touched the screen of the display 42 (step S210), and when not touched, a message "pen touch" is displayed on the screen of the display 42 (step S220) to prompt the user to touch. This routine is once ended. When the screen is touched by the pen 47, the reception sensitivity level P is read (step S230). Similarly to the first embodiment, when the pen tip 49 is pushed, the micro switch built in the pen 47 is turned on and the frequency of the signal is switched by the operation of the high frequency circuit. The digitizer receives sensitivity from the electric wave at the moment when the frequency is switched. Read level P. It is judged whether or not the read reception sensitivity level P is not lower than the consumable battery level L (step S240), and when it is lower than the consumable battery level L, a message "battery consumed" is displayed on the screen of the display unit. (Step S
250) Power is turned off (step S260), and this routine is once ended. When the reception sensitivity level P is higher than the consumable battery level L, the value of the reception sensitivity level P is set to the variable K1.
(Step S270). Here, the consumable battery level L is the main body 4 when the battery of the pen 47 is consumed up to the actual use limit and the pen 47 is touching the screen.
The reception sensitivity level P is 0a, which is a predetermined value.

Next, the reception sensitivity level P is read again (step S280), and it is again judged whether or not the read reception sensitivity level P is equal to or less than the exhausted battery level L (step S290). When the battery level is equal to or higher than L, it is determined whether the power switch 45 is turned off (step S300). When the power switch 45 is not turned off, step S270
Then, the same process is repeated to update the value of the variable K1, and when it is turned off, it is judged whether the receiving sensitivity level P is equal to or lower than the pen storage level A (step S310), and the pen storage level A is determined. When it exceeds, the power is turned off (step S320) and this routine is once ended. As described above, since the reception sensitivity level P (the reception sensitivity level P at the position “0” in FIG. 10) when the pen 47 is touched on the screen and the pen storage portion level A have a one-to-one correspondence, The pen storage level A is determined when the pen is touched on the screen in step S230. When the pen storage level A or lower is reached, a message "pen not stored" is displayed on the screen of the display 42 and the buzzer 44 is sounded because the pen is not placed in the pen storage portion 46 (step S330). Return to S270.

When the reception sensitivity level P is equal to or lower than the exhausted battery level L in step S290, the value of the reception sensitivity level P is substituted into the variable K2 (step S350).
The value of (K1-K2) / Δt is calculated from the variables K1 and K2, and the calculated value is substituted for the variable X (step S36).
0). Here, Δt is a time interval for reading the reception sensitivity level P, and represents a rate of decrease per unit time from the reception sensitivity level P immediately before the reception sensitivity level P becomes equal to or less than the depleted battery level L. . When this variable X is large, it means that the receiving sensitivity level P is drastically lowered, which means that the distance between the pen 47 and the main body 40a is increased. Further, when the value of the variable X is close to “0”, it indicates that the battery is exhausted as if the reception sensitivity level P is a low value even if it hardly changes.

Counter J assigned to the RAM area
Measures the time of no operation, but resets the value to "0" in this step (step S370), and determines whether the power switch 45 is turned off (step S380). When the power switch 45 is off, it is determined whether or not the variable X is larger than the predetermined value B (step S390). When the variable X is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value B, the reception sensitivity level P does not change so much and the battery is exhausted. Then, the message "battery exhausted" is displayed (step S400), the power is turned off, and this routine is once ended (step S410). When the variable X is larger than the predetermined value B, it is determined that the receiving sensitivity level P has drastically decreased, a message "pen not housed" is displayed on the screen of the display 42, and the buzzer 44 is sounded to indicate that the pen 47 is not housed. Notify (Step S42
0). When the power switch 45 is not turned off in step S380, the reception sensitivity level P is read again (step S430), and it is determined whether the read reception sensitivity level P is higher than the consumable battery level L (step S440). When the reception sensitivity level P is higher than the consumable battery level L, the process returns to step S270 and the same processing is repeated. When the reception sensitivity level P is less than or equal to the exhausted battery level L, the value of the counter J is incremented (step S450), and while the value of the counter J is smaller than the predetermined value C, the process returns to step S380 and the same processing is repeated (step S460). ). When the predetermined value C is reached, this routine is once ended. That is, if the battery is not turned off and the reception sensitivity level P is smaller than the exhausted battery level L for a certain period of time (a period of repeating Step S380 to Step S460 only C times), the routine ends. To prevent it from becoming. This is effective for automatic power-off in which the power is turned off after a certain time if no operation is performed.

As described above, according to the pen input computer 40 of this embodiment, the receiving sensitivity level P of the main body 40a is
Is caused by the distance between the pen 47 and the main body 40a or whether the battery of the pen 47 is exhausted. Only when the distance between the pen 47 and the main body 40a is long, It is possible to prevent the power of the pen from being turned off, which can be useful for preventing the pen 47 from being lost.

In this embodiment, the user is prompted to touch the screen in step S220. However, every time the screen is touched by a normal pen input operation, the process returns to step S230 to read the reception sensitivity level. By doing so, it is not necessary to display the message “pen touch” and forcibly promote the touch. Further, between step S370 and step S380 of FIG.
FIG. 9 shows a configuration in which 0 and step S480 are added. By thus providing the step of comparing the reception sensitivity level P with the predetermined value B to judge the consumption of the battery, it is possible to detect whether or not the battery has been consumed without turning off the power switch 45. Therefore, the power switch 45 is turned off. The message "battery exhausted" can be displayed continuously during the process. Further, the time interval Δt of the reception sensitivity level P read in step S230, step S280 and step S430 is a constant time interval regardless of the processing route on the way, and is set to about 1 to 3 seconds. .

[Third Embodiment] The pen input computer of the third embodiment will be described below. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the pen input computer 60. The pen input computer 60 is configured by providing a means for confirming that the pen 68 is placed in the pen storage unit 66. FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along the line KK of FIG. A pen detection switch 70 is provided inside the pen storage portion 66.
The pen detection switch 70 includes a switch body 70a and an operator 7.
0b and a spring 70c are provided and the pen 6 is stored.
8 is pushed by the rear portion 68a of the spring 8 and the operator 70b is moved to the spring 7
It is a normally-on type push switch in which the switch body 70a is turned off by moving against 0c. This pen detection switch 70 is connected in series to the power supply circuit of the pen input computer 60 together with the power supply switch 75. This power supply circuit turns the power supply switch 75 once once the pen detection switch 70 is turned off and the power supply is turned off. It is a self-holding type power supply circuit that does not recover unless turned on and off.

FIG. 12 shows a state in which the pen 68 is temporarily placed in the pen storage section 66 while the pen input computer 60 is being operated. At this time, the pen 68 moves the spring 70.
Since it is supported by the elastic force of c, it does not come into contact with the operating element 70b and does not press the operating element 70b.
a does not turn off. Therefore, the user can temporarily place the pen 68 in the pen storage portion 66 without turning off the power of the main body 60a. In addition, the pen tip 68
If a is left protruding from the pen storage portion 66, the pen 68 can be easily taken out when the operation is performed again.

FIG. 13 shows a state in which the pen 68 has been completely stored in the pen storage portion 66 after the operation is completed. Pen 68
The pen 68 can be stored in the pen storage portion 66 up to the tip thereof by pushing in against the spring 70c. When the pen 68 is completely housed, the operator 70b moves to turn off the switch body 70a and turn off the power. Once housed, the pen 68 is pressed by the elastic force of the spring 70c inside the pen housing portion 66 and the pen tip 68a is pressed against the wall of the pen housing portion 66, so that the pen input computer 60 is moved during movement. 68
It can prevent rattling. When the pen 68 is taken out again, the operator 70b returns to the original position with the return of the spring 70c.

As described above, in the pen input computer 60 of this embodiment, the pen 68 is connected to the pen storage section 6 of the main body 60a.
Since the power can be turned off only when the pen 68 is completely stored, it can be useful for preventing the pen 68 from being lost as in the first and second embodiments. Moreover, since it is not necessary to provide a communication circuit between the pen 68 and the main body 68a, the configuration can be extremely simple.

The power of the main body may be turned on when the pen is taken out from the pen storage portion. At this time, the power of the main body is always turned on when the pen is not in the pen storage portion. Therefore, it becomes easier for the user to know that the pen is not stored in the pen storage portion, which is more useful for preventing the pen from being lost. Further, in the present embodiment, a mechanical switch that is turned off by housing the pen in the pen housing portion is used, but not limited to the mechanical switch, a non-contact type infrared switch or proximity switch may be used. .

[Fourth Embodiment] A pen input computer according to the fourth embodiment will be described. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the pen input computer 80. The pen input computer 80 of the present embodiment is provided with a hinge 84 on the upper portion of the main body 80a, and the hinge 82 causes the cover 82 to cover the main body 80a.
It has a structure that allows the top surface to be opened and closed. When the cover 82 is closed, the claw 82a provided inside the cover 82 engages with the groove 80b formed in the main body 80a, and the indicator 8 made of glass is used.
Protect the screen of 3. A stop rod 86 for restricting the movement of the power switch 85 and the cover 82 is provided on the front surface of the main body 80a, and a pen storage portion 90 for storing a pen 88 is provided on the right side surface thereof. The pen storage portion 90 is provided with a stopper (not shown) to prevent the stored pen 88 from coming off. Also, the stop rod 86
When the cover 82 is closed, it comes into contact with the inner side of the cover 82 and retracts.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view showing a fixing mechanism for fixing the stop rod 86. 16 is a cross-sectional view as seen from the direction of arrow A in FIG. The stop rod 86 is of a substantially columnar shape having a rounded tip portion 86a, and has a key groove 8 on its side surface.
6b is formed, and a flange portion 86c is provided on the bottom surface. The stop rod 86 is biased by the coil spring 91 and is housed in the groove 95. The stop rod 86 is prevented from coming off by locking the flange portion 86c with the wall surface 95c of the groove 95. A lever 94, which is swingable about a shaft 92, is urged by a spring 96 between the pen storage portion 90 and the stop rod 86 in the direction of arrow e. Wall surface 90 of pen storage unit 90
The tip portion 94a of the lever 94 is projecting freely into the opening 9a.
0c is formed.

In the fixing mechanism of the stopper rod 86 having such a structure, when the pen 88 is not stored in the pen storing portion 90, the stopper rod 86 is pressed by the elastic force of the coil spring 91 until the collar portion 86c contacts the wall surface 95c. It is pushed up from the storage position. In the pushed up position, the key groove 86b is located on the same plane as the lever 94. Lever 9
4 is urged by a spring 96 to rotate in the direction of arrow e and enters the key groove 86b to fix the stop rod 86. Therefore, in this state, even if the cover 82 is tried to be closed, the stop rod 86 does not retract, so the cover 82 cannot be completely closed. In this way, the cover 82 cannot be closed when the pen 88 is taken out regardless of whether the cover 82 is open or closed.
On the other hand, when the pen 88 is stored in the pen storage portion 90, the tip portion 94 a is pushed by the side surface of the pen 88 and the lever 94 is pushed.
Rotates about the shaft 92 in the direction of arrow f against the spring 96 to release the engagement of the stop rod 86 with the key groove 86b. The stopper rod 86, which has been disengaged from the key groove 86b, can be pushed to the retracted position in the main body 86a by pushing down the tip portion 86a. Therefore, in this state, the cover 82 can be completely closed.

As described above, according to the pen input computer 80 of this embodiment, the cover 82 cannot be completely closed without the pen 88 being housed. Therefore, when the body 80a is housed or transported. Must be pen 8
8 must be stored in the pen storage portion 90, which can help prevent the pen 88 from being lost. In addition, since all are mechanically configured, the pen is prevented from being lost regardless of whether the power of the main body 80a is on or off.

[Fifth Embodiment] The pen input computer of the fifth embodiment will be described below. FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the pen input computer 110. The pen input computer 110 of this embodiment is provided with a tilt grip 112 instead of the stopper rod 86 of the fourth embodiment, and the pen storage part 117 is provided on the upper surface of the main body 110a.
It's provided beside 2. As shown in FIG. 18, the tilt grip 112 is used for the user to put his / her finger on the main body 110a when operating the main body 110a, and the tilt grip 112 rotates 90 degrees about the shaft 112a and the main body 110a side. Can be set to the storage position. Pen storage unit 1 for storing the pen 118
A stopper (not shown) for the stored pen 118 is provided inside 17. Further, a fixing mechanism similar to that of the fourth embodiment is provided between the tilt grip 112 and the pen storage portion 117.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view showing a fixing mechanism for fixing the tilt grip 112. 20 is a cross-sectional view seen from the direction of arrow B in FIG. Tilt grip 11
The second shaft 112a is formed with a key groove 112b in the axial direction. The key groove 112b is provided so as to be flush with the lever 115 when the tilt grip 112 is pulled out to the use position. Also, the tilt grip 112
The lever 115 is provided between the pen storage part 117 and the pen storage part 117.
The tilt grip 112 is fixed when the lever 115 enters the key groove 112b by the elastic force of the spring 119. An opening 117b is provided on the wall surface 117a of the pen storage portion 117, and when the lever 115 enters the key groove 112b, the other end 115b of the lever 115 projects from the opening 117b. A locking portion 117c is formed on the wall surface 117a, and when the other end 115b abuts on the locking portion 117c, the lever 115 is locked.

In such a mechanism for fixing the tilt grip 112, when the tilt grip 112 is pulled out and set to the use position when the pen 118 is not stored in the pen storage section 117, the lever 115 causes the elastic force of the spring 119 to move the key. The shaft 112a is fixed by entering the groove 112b. In this state, the tilt grip 112 is attached to the main body 1
It cannot be returned to the storage position on the 10a side. This means that when the tilt grip 112 is pulled out to the use position and set, and then the pen 118 is pulled out from the pen storage portion 117, or the pen 118 is pulled out from the pen storage portion 117 first and the tilt grip 112 is moved to the use position. You can obtain the same result by pulling it out and setting it. When the pen 118 has been pulled out from the pen storage portion 117 first, the lever 115 is pulled out before the tilt grip 112 is pulled out.
Is in light contact with the surface of the shaft 112a due to the elastic force of the spring 119, so that in this state the tilt grip 11
2 can be pulled out. Pen 118 is the pen storage unit 1
The other end 11 of the lever 115 protruding from the opening 117b formed in the wall surface 117a when housed in
5b is pressed by the pen 118, so the keyway 112
The lever 115 is released from b, and the tilt grip 112 can be rotated.

As described above, according to the pen input computer 110 of this embodiment, the tilt grip 112 cannot be returned to the storage position on the main body 110a side when the pen 118 is not stored. The pen 118 must be housed in the pen housing section 117 on the main body 110a side when carrying or carrying, which helps prevent the pen from being lost. Further, since all of them are mechanical devices as in the case of the fourth embodiment, it is possible to prevent the pen from being lost regardless of whether the power is on or off.

[Sixth Embodiment] The pen input computer of the third embodiment will be described below. FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the pen input computer 130. The pen input computer 130 of this embodiment also has a fixing mechanism similar to that of the fourth and fifth embodiments, and has a structure in which the handle 133 can be pulled out only when the pen 138 is stored in the pen storage portion 137. . FIG. 22 shows the handle 133
FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view showing a fixing mechanism for fixing the device, and FIG.
It is sectional drawing seen from the arrow C direction of 1. Handle 133
Rotates about the rotary shaft 141 between the use position pulled out in the direction of the arrow h and the storage position on the main body 130a side. The handle 133 is constantly biased toward the storage position by a coil spring (not shown). Rotation axis 1 of handle 133
A key groove 141a is formed in the shaft 41 in the axial direction. Here, the mechanical structures of the key groove 141a, the lever 143, and the pen storage portion 137 are the same as those in the fourth embodiment and the fifth embodiment.
Same as the embodiment. Therefore, when the pen 138 is stored in the pen storage portion 137, the lever 143 does not enter the key groove 141a, so that the handle 133 can be pulled out, but when the pen 138 is not stored in the pen storage portion 137, the lever 143 does not move. The handle 133 cannot be pulled out because it is inside.

As described above, according to the pen input computer 130 of this embodiment, when the main body 130a is conveyed, the pen 138 must be stored in the pen storage portion 137, which helps prevent the pen from being lost.

[0041]

The positional relationship between the pen and the main body is detected, and the user is notified when the pen reaches the predetermined position, which can be useful for preventing the pen from being lost.

If the pen is not stored in the pen storage portion of the main body, the engagement of the protruding member that is projected or stored in either the use position or the storage position cannot be released. This can help prevent the loss of the pen due to moving.

Until the pen is housed in the pen housing, the power switch does not allow the power to be cut off, which helps prevent the pen from being lost.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a pen input computer 10 according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a pen input computer 10.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a pen 18.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a basic configuration of a digitizer 12.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a pen confirmation routine of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a pen input computer 40 of a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a pen confirmation routine of a second embodiment.

8 is a flowchart showing a pen confirmation routine following FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a modified example of the pen confirmation routine.

FIG. 10 is a reception sensitivity level P with respect to the distance between the pen and the main body.
It is a graph which shows.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a pen input computer 60 of a third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where a pen 68 is placed in a pen storage section 66.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the pen 68 is completely stored in the pen storage portion 66.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a pen input computer 80 according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a fixing mechanism that fixes a stop rod 86.

16 is a cross-sectional view as seen from the direction of arrow A in FIG.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a pen input computer 110 according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where the pen input computer 110 is held in the hand.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view showing a fixing mechanism for fixing the tilt grip 112.

20 is a sectional view as seen from the direction of arrow B in FIG.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a pen input computer 130 of the sixth embodiment.

22 is a sectional view showing a fixing mechanism for fixing the handle 133. FIG.

23 is a cross-sectional view as seen from the direction of arrow C in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 ... Pen input computer 10a ... Main body 11 ... Display 12 ... Digitizer 13 ... Infrared receiver 14 ... Buzzer 15 ... Power switch 16 ... Pen storage 18 ... Pen 28 ... Light emitting unit

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A pen input device for inputting to a main body using a pen, comprising: a transmitter that is provided on either the pen or the main body and emits a radio signal; and the other of the pen and the main body. A receiver that is provided and receives the wireless signal emitted from the transmitter, and a positional relationship detection unit that detects the positional relationship between the pen and the main body based on the wireless signal received by the receiver And a notification unit that notifies that the positional relationship detected by the positional relationship detection unit has reached a predetermined position. 2. A pen input device for inputting to a main body using a pen, wherein the main body is provided with a pen storage portion, and the main body is provided with a pen storage portion, and a protrusion that moves from a storage position to a use position and protrudes. A member is provided, and an engaging member that engages with the protruding member and restricts movement of the protruding member between the storage position and the use position is pressed by the pen stored in the pen storage portion. A pen input device provided with a release member for releasing the engagement of the engagement member. 3. A pen input device for inputting data to a main body using a pen, a power switch for cutting off the power supply of the main body, a pen storage section provided in the main body for storing the pen, A pen input device comprising: pen detection means for detecting that the pen is stored in the pen storage portion; and cutoff permission means for permitting the power supply to be cut off by the power switch based on the detection by the pen detection means.