JPH09167046A - Ultrasonic stylus pen - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain position input with high precision irrelevantly to the tilt or rotation of the stylus pen by providing a reflection part which reflects an ultrasonic wave and an ultrasonic wave passage window at the tip part of the shaft body of the stylus pen. SOLUTION: A piezoelectric element 4 is driven with an ultrasonic wave driving signal from a control circuit 3 and the ultrasonic wave generated by this piezoelectric element 4 travels along the axis of the stylus pen 1 and is reflected by the conic ultrasonic wave reflection part 5 arranged at the tip part la of the stylus pen 1 and converted into an ultrasonic wave which is diverged at the periphery of the stylus pen 1 over a 360 deg. range. The ultrasonic wave which is reflected by the ultrasonic wave reflection part 5 and diverged over a 360 deg. range is sent out through plural ultrasonic wave passage windows 6 provided at the tip part 1a of the stylus pen 1. In this case, the position of the tip part 1a of the stylus pen 1 and the sending-out position of the ultrasonic wave, i.e., the arrangement positions of the ultrasonic wave passage windows 6 can be put close to each other.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic stylus pen used for position input in a computer system or the like having a handwriting input function, and in particular, it is constructed so that ultrasonic waves can be sent from the tip of the stylus pen to the surroundings. The present invention also relates to an ultrasonic stylus pen that enables highly accurate position input without depending on the tilt or rotation of the stylus pen.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an input device in a computer system or the like having a handwriting input function, 1) an infrared type 2) a pressure sensitive type 3) an electrostatic capacitance type 4) an electromagnetic type 5) Ultrasonic methods are known.

The infrared method 1) is one in which a spot position by a light pen that emits infrared rays is detected using a semiconductor position detecting element, and a plurality of infrared light emitting elements and light receiving elements are provided on an input surface. There is known a device which is provided and detects the indicated position by discriminating the position where the infrared light emitted from the infrared light emitting element is blocked by a finger, an input pen or the like from the output of the light receiving element.

In the pressure sensitive method of 2), an electrode sheet having a plurality of X-axis electrodes and a plurality of Y sheets are provided.
One using a pressure-sensitive panel in which a support provided with an axis electrode is superposed with a dot spacer interposed, and parallel 2
Stack the three plates through the three-dimensional spring,
2. Description of the Related Art There is known a device that detects a designated position by detecting a change in current at a position touched with a finger, an input pen, or the like.

In the electrostatic capacitance method of 3), a conductive film vapor-deposited on two sheets of glass is used as an X-axis and Y-axis electrode pattern, and the two sheets of glass are formed into an electrode pattern. There is known one using a capacitive coupling type panel in which the surfaces are faced to each other and bonded together.

Further, according to the electromagnetic method of 4), a plurality of sensor antenna coils are arranged on an input surface, and a resonance circuit including a coil and a capacitor is built in an input pen. A current is caused to flow through the resonance circuit of the input pen using electromagnetic induction by flowing an alternating current through the coil, and then the alternating current flowing through the plurality of sensor antenna coils is turned off. There is known a device that detects a pointing position of an input pen by detecting a magnetic field generated by a current flowing through a resonance circuit with the plurality of sensor antenna coils.

The ultrasonic method of 5) is as follows: a) An ultrasonic vibrating element for generating ultrasonic surface acoustic waves and an ultrasonic receiving element are arranged on a glass substrate to absorb elastic waves of a finger or the like. An ultrasonic surface acoustic wave method for detecting the presence of a body from the change in the received signal of the ultrasonic receiving element. B) As disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 64-10319, at least two on the surface of the screen panel. The set of ultrasonic transceivers is mounted, and the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic transceivers of each set are reflected by the stylus pen indicating the desired position on the screen panel. The position on the screen panel designated by the stylus pen is calculated from the time until the signal is received. C) Disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 64-7340. As there,
Microphones are arranged at three or more known points on the same plane, and a sounding body which can be placed at an arbitrary coordinate position on the plane is provided, and a voltage generated at two microphones among the microphones is measured. It is known that a position of a hyperbola including the sounding body is determined from a time difference, and a coordinate position of the sounding body is determined from two or more intersections of the hyperbola.

[0008]

However, each of the above-mentioned conventional input devices 1) to 4) has a complicated structure.
There is a problem that the manufacturing cost becomes high. In addition, it is difficult to apply an arbitrary size and type of input surface (display).

In addition, 5) a) has a problem that it is difficult to manufacture and the manufacturing cost is high.
As in the case of 4), there is a problem that it is difficult to apply it to an input surface (display) of arbitrary size and type.

[0010] Furthermore, in the case of item 5) b), it is impossible to distinguish between the stylus pen and the hand of the operator, and there is a problem that a malfunction is likely to be caused due to this. Therefore, as shown in c) of 5), attention is paid to a configuration using an ultrasonic stylus pen that transmits ultrasonic waves as a stylus pen.

However, in order to send ultrasonic waves from the stylus pen, it is necessary to provide the stylus pen with a structure for sending ultrasonic waves. For example, as shown in FIG. When a piezoelectric vibrating element 11 for generating ultrasonic waves is attached on the way, the stylus pen 10 is used to input the position depending on the tilt, rotation position, etc. of the stylus pen 10 with respect to the input surface defined by the X axis and the Y axis. The position pointed by the tip of the stylus pen 10 on the surface and the position of the piezoelectric vibrating element 11 are displaced,
As a result, there is a problem in that accurate position input cannot be performed with this stylus pen.

For example, as shown in FIG. 12, let us consider a case where the tip of the stylus pen 10 indicates the intersection point P of the X-axis and the Y-axis on the input surface, where the stylus pen 10 is in the A direction or B direction. If it is tilted in the direction, the position of the piezoelectric vibrating element 11 on the input surface deviates from the position P indicated by the tip of the stylus pen 10 according to this tilt.

Here, the position of the piezoelectric vibrating element 11 attached to the stylus pen 10 on the input surface is
If the position calculated by the stylus pen 10 is calculated and input, a position different from the position actually input by the user will be input, and it is impossible to input an accurate position particularly when inputting a fine graphic. There's a problem.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 13, when the stylus pen 10 is rotated by the C method with the tip of the stylus pen 10 indicating the intersection point position P of the X axis and the Y axis on the input surface. , The position of the piezoelectric vibrating element 11 on the input surface depends on the rotational position.
The position is deviated from the designated position P by the tip of the, and the problem occurs that the user cannot input the correct position as intended.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic stylus pen which enables highly accurate position input without depending on the tilt or rotation of the stylus pen.

[0016]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention incorporates ultrasonic wave transmitting means (4) in the shaft of a stylus pen (1) and the tip of the shaft of the stylus pen. A substantially conical reflection part (5) that reflects the ultrasonic wave output from the ultrasonic wave transmitting means to the part (1a).
And an ultrasonic wave passing window (6) for sending out the ultrasonic wave reflected by the reflecting portion to the outside.

Here, the reflecting portion (5) preferably has a substantially conical shape.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The ultrasonic stylus pen of the present invention generates ultrasonic waves by ultrasonic wave transmitting means built in the shaft of the stylus pen. Here, the ultrasonic wave transmitting means has, for example, a piezoelectric element as an ultrasonic wave generating element for generating an ultrasonic wave, and also has a control circuit for driving and controlling the ultrasonic wave generating element.

Further, this ultrasonic stylus pen has a built-in battery as its driving power source so that it can be used, for example, as a cordless pen.

The ultrasonic wave generated from the ultrasonic wave transmitting means travels through the shaft of the stylus pen toward the tip of the stylus pen, and spreads in the range of 360 degrees by the reflection part provided at the tip of the stylus pen. The reflected light is transmitted to the outside through an ultrasonic wave passing window provided on the peripheral surface portion of the tip portion of the stylus pen corresponding to the reflecting portion.

Here, the reflecting portion can be composed of, for example, a reflector having a substantially conical shape. The reflecting portion is not limited to the substantially conical shape, but may be a polygonal pyramid shape such as a quadrangular pyramid shape or a hexagonal pyramid shape. In short, any shape may be used as long as it can convert the ultrasonic waves generated from the ultrasonic wave transmitting means into ultrasonic waves that spread and propagate near the surface such as the input surface.

Further, the ultrasonic wave passage window can be constituted by a plurality of circular or other holes formed in the peripheral surface of the tip of the stylus pen over a range of 360 degrees.

Here, the ultrasonic wave passage window may be constituted by an opening or may be covered with a member for transmitting ultrasonic waves.

Embodiments of an ultrasonic stylus pen according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic structure of an embodiment of an ultrasonic stylus pen according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, the stylus pen 1 has a piezoelectric element 4 for generating ultrasonic waves therein. The piezoelectric element 4 is driven by an ultrasonic wave drive signal from a control circuit 3 that operates by power supply from a battery 2 that is a secondary battery that constitutes the power source of the stylus pen 1, and generates an ultrasonic wave.

The ultrasonic wave 7 generated from the piezoelectric element 4 is reflected by the ultrasonic wave reflecting portion 5 provided at the tip portion 1a of the stylus pen 1, and the tip portion 1 of the stylus pen 1 is reflected.
It is sent to the outside through the ultrasonic wave passage window 6 provided in a.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the tip portion 1a of the stylus pen 1 shown in FIG. The ultrasonic wave reflection portion 5 provided at the tip of the stylus pen 1 has a substantially conical shape with its apex facing the ultrasonic wave output surface of the piezoelectric element 4, and the ultrasonic wave passage window 6 has the ultrasonic wave reflection portion 5. 5 are formed as a plurality of ultrasonic wave passage windows 6 corresponding to the arrangement positions.

Therefore, the piezoelectric element 4 is driven by the ultrasonic drive signal from the control circuit 3, and the ultrasonic wave 7 generated from the piezoelectric element 4 advances in the axial direction of the stylus pen 1 and the ultrasonic wave 7 is generated. The ultrasonic wave is reflected by the conical ultrasonic wave reflecting portion 5 provided at the tip 1a of the stylus pen 1 and converted into ultrasonic waves that spread around the stylus pen 1 in the range of 360 degrees.

The ultrasonic waves reflected by the ultrasonic wave reflecting portion 5 and spreading in the range of 360 degrees are sent to the outside through a plurality of ultrasonic wave passing windows 6 provided at the tip portion 1a of the stylus pen 1. It will be.

According to the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the position of the tip portion 1a of the stylus pen 1 and the position of sending the ultrasonic waves sent from the stylus pen 1, that is, the position where the ultrasonic wave passing window 6 is arranged. Can be brought close to each other, whereby the position pointed by the tip portion 1a of the stylus pen 1 and the ultrasonic wave sending position from the stylus pen 1 can be made substantially coincident with each other regardless of the direction of the stylus pen 1 or its inclination. .

When the stylus pen 1 shown in FIG. 1 is used, the position of the piezoelectric element 4 that actually generates ultrasonic waves and the position of the ultrasonic wave sent from the stylus pen 1, that is, the ultrasonic wave passing window 6 Between the installation position and
As shown in FIG. 3, since the distance is L, the tip position of the stylus pen 1 is detected based on the ultrasonic wave transmission timing from the stylus pen 1 as described later. It is necessary to correct the distance L.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of an information processing apparatus configured by using the stylus pen 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

In FIG. 3, this information processing apparatus displays an image corresponding to a designated position on the display screen of the display unit 50 using the stylus pen 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 on the display screen of the display unit 50. The one shown above.

In this embodiment, the stylus pen 1
The pointed position on the display screen of the display unit 50 is detected based on the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the display unit 50, and the image corresponding to the pointed position is displayed on the display screen of the display unit 50.

That is, this information processing apparatus includes two ultrasonic wave receiving elements 31a and 31b for receiving the ultrasonic wave generated from the stylus pen 1 and the two ultrasonic wave receiving elements 3
Ultrasonic receiver 30 for processing the reception output of 1a and 31b
And a calculation processing unit 40 that calculates a pointed position by the stylus pen 1 based on the processing result of the ultrasonic wave receiving unit 30 and performs display control of an image corresponding to the pointed position on the display unit 50. It

The external appearance of this information processing apparatus is configured, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, and two ultrasonic wave receiving elements 31a, 3a are arranged in a predetermined positional relationship with the display screen of the display section 50.
1b is provided, and the ultrasonic wave receiving section 30 and the arithmetic processing section 40 are built in the information processing apparatus main body 100.

In the vicinity of the display screen of the display unit 50,
As shown in FIG. 4, a pen holder 34 for accommodating the stylus pen 1 when the stylus pen 1 is not used is provided. Here, the stylus pen 1 is configured as a cordless stylus pen, and a battery 2 which is a secondary battery built in the stylus pen 1 is used as a driving power source of the stylus pen 1 as shown in FIG. Therefore, the pen holder 34 also has a function as an adapter for charging the secondary battery.

First, the principle of detecting the pointed position by the stylus pen 1 on the display screen of the display section 50 based on the reception outputs of the two ultrasonic wave receiving elements 31a and 31b shown in FIG. 3 will be described.

FIG. 5 shows two ultrasonic wave receiving elements 31 arranged in a predetermined positional relationship with the display screen of the display section 50.
3A and 3B show the relationship between the position indicated by the stylus pen 1 and 31b.

Now, these two ultrasonic receiving elements 31a, 3
Considering a two-dimensional coordinate system XY fixed to 1b, the horizontal length of the display screen of the display unit 50 is W.

Here, the ultrasonic receiving element 31a is
It is assumed that the ultrasonic receiving element 31b is arranged at the origin of the dimensional coordinate system XY, and the ultrasonic receiving element 31b is arranged at a point (0, W) on the Y axis of the two-dimensional coordinate system XY.

Further, assuming that the position pointed by the stylus pen 1 is a point (x, y) on the two-dimensional coordinate system XY, the distance from the ultrasonic receiving element 31a to the point (x, y). Is a and the distance from the ultrasonic receiving element 31b to the point (x, y) is b, a ² = x ² + y ² (1) b ² = (W−x) ² + y ² (2) The relationship is established. Solving x and y from these equations (1) to (2), x = (a ² −b ² + W ² ) / 2W (3) y = ± SQRT [a ² − {(a ² −b ² + W ² ) / 2W} ² ] ... (4) However, SQRT (A) shows the square root of A.

Is as follows. Since W is a known value here,
The distance a from the ultrasonic receiving element 31a to the point (x, y),
If the distance b from the ultrasonic receiving element 31b to the point (x, y) is known, the stylus pen 1 on the two-dimensional coordinate system XY fixed to the two ultrasonic receiving elements 31a and 31b.
The pointed position (x, y) can be obtained.

In this embodiment, the ultrasonic receiving element 3
The distance a from the stylus pen 1 to the position (x, y) designated by the stylus pen 1 and the distance b from the ultrasonic receiving element 31b to the position (x, y) designated by the stylus pen 1 are output from the tip of the stylus pen 1. Detect using ultrasound.

Specifically, the distances a and b are detected by the time T until the ultrasonic wave output from the tip of the stylus pen 1 is detected by the ultrasonic wave receiving elements 31a and 31b.
This is performed by detecting a and Tb.

By the way, as described above, in this embodiment, the ultrasonic wave generated from the piezoelectric element 4 incorporated in the stylus pen 1 is reflected by the reflecting portion 5 provided at the tip 1a of the stylus pen 1. Since the ultrasonic wave is transmitted to the outside through the ultrasonic wave passing window 6, the time Ta,
Tb is the time until the ultrasonic wave generated from the piezoelectric element 6 is detected by the ultrasonic wave receiving elements 31a and 31b.

That is, the times Ta and Tb include the time taken for the ultrasonic waves generated from the piezoelectric element 4 to reach the ultrasonic wave passage window 8. Here, the distance from the piezoelectric element 4 to the ultrasonic wave passing window 8 is L as shown in FIG.
Therefore, assuming that the spatial transmission velocity of the ultrasonic wave is C, the distance a and the distance b can be obtained by a = C × Ta−L (5) b = C × Tb−L (6).

The process of detecting the times Ta and Tb until the ultrasonic wave output from the tip of the stylus pen 1 is detected by the ultrasonic wave receiving elements 31a and 31b is the receiving process in the ultrasonic wave receiving unit 30 shown in FIG. Part 32.

By the way, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a pen holder 35 for accommodating the stylus pen 1 when the stylus pen 1 is not used is provided. This pen holder 35 will be described in detail later. As described above, the output timing of the ultrasonic waves output from the piezoelectric element 4 under the control of the control circuit 3 of the stylus pen 1 and the reception processing unit 32.
A synchronizing circuit 35 is provided for synchronizing with the receiving process in.

The synchronizing circuit 35 counts the basic clocks output from the basic clock generating circuit 324 provided in the reception processing section 32, and transmits the ultrasonic wave of the stylus pen 1 every time the counted value becomes a constant value. It is configured to output a synchronization signal for controlling the output timing of the ultrasonic wave output from the means.

Further, the control circuit 3 of the stylus pen 1 is provided with a basic clock generating circuit (oscillator) which will be described later for generating a basic clock having the same frequency as that of the basic clock generating circuit 324. The stylus pen 1 is used as a pen holder 35 in the generation circuit.
When the stylus pen 1 is stored in the pen holder 35, the synchronization signal output from the synchronization circuit 35 is input to establish synchronization with the basic clock generation circuit 324 provided in the reception processing unit 32. After taking out from
Similar to the synchronizing circuit 35, the basic clock output from the basic clock generating circuit that operates in synchronization with the basic clock generating circuit 324 provided in the reception processing unit 32 is counted, and the count value becomes a constant value. The output timing of the ultrasonic wave output from the ultrasonic wave transmitting means of the stylus pen 1 is controlled every time.

That is, when the stylus pen 1 is housed in the pen holder 35, the output timing of the ultrasonic wave output from the ultrasonic wave transmitting means of the stylus pen 1 and the reception processing section 3 will be described.
2 and the output timing of the ultrasonic wave output from the ultrasonic wave transmitting means of the stylus pen 1 coincides with the timing of the synchronization signal applied from the synchronization circuit 35 to the reception processing unit 32. .

The synchronization signals applied from the synchronization circuit 35 to the reception processing unit 32 are the counters 321 and 3 of the reception processing unit 32.
Counters 321, 32
2 is cleared in synchronization with this synchronization signal.

The basic clock output from the basic clock generation circuit 324 is input to the count input terminals of the counters 321 and 322, and the counters 321 and 32 are also input.
Reception clocks output from the ultrasonic receiving elements 31a and 31b when the ultrasonic waves output from the tip of the stylus pen 1 are received are input to the control input terminal 2 for controlling the counting stop.

That is, the counters 321 and 322 are simultaneously reset at the timing when ultrasonic waves are output from the tip of the stylus pen 1, and the ultrasonic wave receiving elements 31 are respectively reset.
The basic clock output from the basic clock generation circuit 324 is counted until the reception clock is input from the a and 31b. As a result, the count values of the counters 321 and 322 are determined by the ultrasonic wave output from the tip of the stylus pen 1. Times Ta and Tb until detection by ultrasonic receiving elements 31a and 31b
It corresponds to.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing the detection operation of the times Ta and Tb by the counters 321 and 322.

That is, the control circuit 3 of the stylus pen 1
6 is a diagram for generating the basic clock shown in FIG. 6A and outputting ultrasonic waves from the tip of the stylus pen 1 in synchronization with the rising edge of the synchronization signal shown in FIG. 6A. 6 (c) is generated, and an ultrasonic wave drive signal shown in FIG. 6 (d) for driving the ultrasonic wave transmitting means of the stylus pen 1 is generated in synchronization with this transmission clock. The piezoelectric element 4 of the stylus pen 1 is driven by this ultrasonic wave drive signal, and ultrasonic waves are output from the tip of the stylus pen 1 only while the transmission clock is generated.

The ultrasonic waves output from the tip of the stylus pen 1 are received by the ultrasonic receiving elements 31a and 31b.
From the ultrasonic wave receiving elements 31a and 31b, a reception clock as shown in (e) of FIG. 6 is output in response to the reception of this ultrasonic wave.

Therefore, in the counters 321, 322, the time T from the rising timing of the synchronizing signal shown in FIG. 6B to the rising timing of the reception clock shown in FIG. 6E, that is, the times Ta and Tb are shown. It can be obtained by counting the basic clock shown in 6 (a).

Times Ta, T until the ultrasonic waves output from the tip of the stylus pen 1 counted by the counters 321 and 322 are detected by the ultrasonic receiving elements 31a and 31b.
b is held by the reception time holding circuits 325 and 326, respectively, and is passed through the communication unit 33 shown in FIG.
Conveyed to.

The arithmetic processing section 40 receives the times Ta and Tb transmitted via the communication section 33, and receives the times Ta and Tb.
The designated position designated on the screen of the display unit 50 by the stylus pen 1 is calculated based on Tb.

In this calculation, first, the above equations (5)-
Based on (6), the distances a and b from the stylus pen 1 to the ultrasonic wave receiving elements 31a and 31b are calculated.

Then, based on the calculated distances a and b and the above-mentioned equations (3) to (4), the ultrasonic receiving element 31
The position (x, y) designated by the stylus pen 1 on the two-dimensional coordinate system XY fixed to a and 31b is calculated.

Then, display control on the display unit 50 is performed based on the calculated position (x, y) designated by the stylus pen 1.

Next, specific detailed configurations of the stylus pen 1, the ultrasonic wave receiving section 30, and the arithmetic processing section 40 shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

FIG. 7 shows the appearance of the stylus pen 1 used in this embodiment. The stylus pen 1 shown in FIG. 7 includes a first button 14a and a second button 14
b. Here, the first button 14a is composed of a simple push button, and the second button 14b is composed of a push button with a latch mechanism having an ON state holding mechanism.

As will be described later, the first button 14a is operated when the designated position is input from the stylus pen 1, and the second button 14b is operated by the stylus pen 1.
It is operated when switching the display mode corresponding to the position input by.

FIG. 8 shows the internal circuit configuration of the stylus pen 1. In FIG. 8, the stylus pen 1 includes a transmission timing control unit 11 that controls the transmission timing of ultrasonic waves from the stylus pen 1 and an operational amplifier 16, and amplifies the ultrasonic drive clock output from the transmission timing control unit 11. The amplifier unit 15 and the ultrasonic wave transmitter 18 are provided, and the ultrasonic wave transmitter 18 is provided with a transmitter unit 17 for outputting ultrasonic waves in response to an ultrasonic wave transmitter drive signal output from the amplifier unit 15. Here, the transmission timing control section 11 and the amplifier section 15 correspond to the control circuit 3 shown in FIG.

By the way, in this embodiment, since the multi-pen function capable of using a plurality of stylus pens at the same time and the multi-mode function capable of switching a plurality of display modes are enabled, the transmission timing control section 11 is configured as shown in FIG. The ultrasonic wave transmission timing control from the stylus pen 1 according to the output of the button 14 including the first button 14a and the second button 14b shown in FIG. 2 and the basic clock from the oscillator (basic clock generation unit) 13 that generates the basic clock. It has a sequencer 12 for controlling the state transition of the. The ultrasonic wave transmission timing control by the sequencer 12 will be described later.

FIG. 9 shows a specific configuration of the ultrasonic wave receiving section 30 and the arithmetic processing section 40 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 9, the ultrasonic wave reception unit 30 is composed of a reception processing unit 32 and a communication unit 33.

Here, the ultrasonic wave receiving section 30 inputs and processes the ultrasonic wave reception output from the reception sensor section 31 composed of the ultrasonic wave receiving elements 31a and 31b shown in FIG.

The reception processing section 32 comprises an amplifier section 60 and a reception timing control section 70. The amplifier section 60 is provided with an operational amplifier 61. The reception timing control section 70 has a counter, a register 71, a sequencer 72, and an oscillator 73. , SCC (serial communication control unit) initialization unit 74 is provided.

Here, the counter and register 71 are shown in FIG.
The oscillator 73 corresponds to the counters 321 and 322 and the reception time holding circuits 325 and 326 shown in FIG. 3, and the oscillator 73 generates the basic clock. The basic clock generation circuit 3 shown in FIG.
Corresponding to 24.

The sequencer 72 also includes an oscillator 73.
The transition state of the reception timing control of the reception timing control unit 70 is controlled based on the basic clock output from the. The sequencer 72 is reset by the synchronization signal (reset signal) from the synchronization circuit 35 of the pen holder 34 shown in FIG.
Control the transition state of the reception timing control.

Further, the communication section 33 is provided with an SCC (serial communication control section) 331 and a 232C driver 332 for driving the RS232C interface.

Further, in FIG. 9, the arithmetic processing section 40 is
Stylus pen 1 with a predetermined application installed
Of a personal computer that has a window processing unit (Win for Pen) for controlling the display corresponding to the designated position of the mouse, a mouse driver, etc., and is connected to the communication unit 33 of the ultrasonic receiving unit 30 via the RS232C interface. .

FIG. 10 shows two stylus pens, namely stylus pen Pen # 0 and stylus pen Pen #.
FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing ultrasonic wave transmission timing control by the transmission timing control unit 11 shown in FIG. 8 when the multi-pen function of simultaneously using two stylus pens 1 is selected.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 10, the stylus pen Pen # 0 and the stylus pen Pen # 1 alternately transmit ultrasonic waves with the ultrasonic wave transmission timing of four times as one unit.

That is, as shown in FIG. 10, the stylus pen Pen # 0 sets the ultrasonic wave transmission timing to four times.
Ultrasonic waves are sent as a block. Here, the ultrasonic transmission period at each ultrasonic transmission timing is Tsend, and the ultrasonic transmission interval is Twwait. Then, at the first ultrasonic wave transmission timing of the four ultrasonic wave transmission timings, the cursor displayed on the display unit 50 shown in FIG. 3 is controlled to follow and move corresponding to the position of the stylus pen Pen # 0. Therefore, ultrasonic waves are constantly transmitted. Also, at the second ultrasonic wave transmission timing,
Ultrasonic waves are transmitted only when the first button 14a is pressed with this stylus pen Pen # 0. Also, at the third ultrasonic wave transmission timing, this stylus pen Pe
Ultrasonic waves are transmitted only when the second button 14b is pressed at n # 0. Further, at the fourth ultrasonic wave transmission timing, ultrasonic waves are transmitted only when the first button 14a is pressed by the stylus pen Pen # 0, similarly to the second ultrasonic wave transmission timing.

The stylus pen Pen # 1 also transmits ultrasonic waves with the ultrasonic wave transmission timing of four times as one block, similarly to the stylus pen Pen # 0. That is,
In order to perform follow-up movement control of the cursor displayed on the display unit 50 shown in FIG. 3 corresponding to the position of the stylus pen Pen # 1 at the first ultrasonic transmission timing of the four ultrasonic transmission timings. Always send ultrasonic waves. Also, at the second ultrasonic wave transmission timing,
Ultrasonic waves are transmitted only when the first button 14a is pressed with the stylus pen Pen # 1. Also, at the third ultrasonic wave transmission timing, this stylus pen Pe
Ultrasonic waves are transmitted only when the second button 14b is pressed in n # 1. Also, at the fourth ultrasonic wave transmission timing, ultrasonic waves are transmitted only when the first button 14a is pressed by the stylus pen Pen # 1 as in the second ultrasonic wave transmission timing.

Here, the first button 14 is pressed at both the second ultrasonic transmission timing and the fourth ultrasonic transmission timing from the stylus pens Pen # 0 and Pen # 1.
The reason why the ultrasonic wave indicating that a has been pressed is generated is that in this embodiment, drawing is performed while pressing the first button 14a when drawing with the stylus pen. This is to increase the detection density (sampling cycle) of the designated position related to drawing.

The ultrasonic wave drive signal (ultrasonic wave drive clock) generated at each ultrasonic wave transmission timing is, for example, F
The ultrasonic drive clock is a signal of Hz and is applied to the sending unit 17 via the amplifier unit 15 shown in FIG.
7 transmits this FHz ultrasonic wave.

In the above description, the case where the multi-pen function is selected has been described. When there is only one stylus pen, and when the multi-pen function is not selected, the stylus pen Pen # 0 shown in FIG. Only the sound wave transmission timing control is repeated.

When the multi-pen function is selected and the number of stylus pens to be used at the same time is three or more, each stylus pen sequentially transmits ultrasonic waves with four ultrasonic wave transmission timings as one unit. become.

In the above description, when the control circuit 3 of the stylus pen 1 controls the output timing of the ultrasonic wave output from the piezoelectric element 4 and the reception processing in the reception processing unit 32, the reception processing is synchronized. The ultrasonic stylus pen of the present invention is delivered from the stylus pen at three or more known points on the same plane, as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 64-7340. It can be used in the same way for the configuration that detects the ultrasonic wave, determines the position of the hyperbola including the stylus pen from the reception time difference, and determines the coordinate position of the stylus pen from two or more intersections of the hyperbola. Is.

[0088]

As described above, according to the present invention, the ultrasonic wave transmitting means is built in the shaft of the stylus pen, and the ultrasonic wave transmitting means outputs the ultrasonic wave to the tip of the shaft of the stylus pen. For example, since a reflection portion of a substantially conical shape for reflecting ultrasonic waves and an ultrasonic wave passage window for transmitting the ultrasonic waves reflected by the reflection portion to the outside are provided, the position of the tip of the stylus pen and the stylus pen It is possible to bring the position of transmitting the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the device, that is, the position where the ultrasonic wave passing window is arranged, close to each other, and thereby, position input can be performed with high accuracy regardless of the tilt and rotation of the stylus pen. Has the effect.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of an ultrasonic stylus pen according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part showing an enlarged tip portion of the ultrasonic stylus pen shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing system configured using the stylus pen shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG.

5 is a diagram showing a relationship between two ultrasonic wave receiving elements arranged in a predetermined positional relationship with the display screen of the display unit shown in FIG. 3 and a position pointed by a stylus pen.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing an operation of detecting ultrasonic wave reception time by the counter shown in FIG.

7 is an external view showing the external appearance of a stylus pen used in the information processing apparatus of the embodiment shown in FIG.

8 is a block diagram showing an internal circuit configuration of a stylus pen used in the information processing apparatus of the embodiment shown in FIG.

9 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of an ultrasonic wave reception unit and an arithmetic processing unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing ultrasonic wave transmission timing control by the transmission timing control unit shown in FIG. 8 when the multi-pen function that uses two stylus pens at the same time is selected.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional ultrasonic stylus pen.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the problems of the conventional ultrasonic stylus pen shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining another problem of the conventional ultrasonic stylus pen shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Stylus pen, 1a ... Tip part, 2 ... Battery, 3 ... Control circuit, 4 ... Piezoelectric element, 5 ... Ultrasonic wave reflection part, 6 ... Ultrasonic wave passage window, 7 ... Ultrasonic wave, 30 ... Ultrasonic wave reception part, 31a, 3
1b, 31c ... Ultrasonic wave receiving element, 32 ... Reception processing unit, 3
3 ... Communication unit, 40 ... Arithmetic processing unit, 41 ... Communication unit, 50 ...
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Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A stylus pen shaft has a built-in ultrasonic wave transmitting means, and a tip portion of the stylus pen shaft body reflects a ultrasonic wave output from the ultrasonic wave transmitting means and a reflecting portion. An ultrasonic stylus pen having an ultrasonic wave passing window for transmitting the ultrasonic wave reflected by the outside. 2. The reflection part has a substantially conical shape.
Ultrasonic stylus pen as described.