JPH10161795A - Input pen for electrostatic capacity-type coordinate input pad - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To input cooreinate information to an electrostatic capacity-type coordinate input pad with precision and also to improve operability by constituting a pen point by conductive rubber. SOLUTION: Constitution is execute by connecting the pen point 2 consisting of conductive rubber to a conductive pen mainbody 1. The pen point 2 is electrically continued to the hand of a user with the pen mainbody 1. Therefore, the pen point 2 is kept in the same potential as that of the user gripping the pen mainbody 1 and also capacitance is generated in a contact state of the electrostatic capacity-type coordinate input pad with the pen point 2. The pen point 2 is desirably a shaft body with a diameter being 3-6mm and its tip part is formed on an almost spherical surface-shaped curved surface. The pen point is formed in this way so that a contact area being excellent for generating capacitance as against the contact pressure of the electrostatic capacity-type coordinate input pad with the electrostatic capacity-type coordinate input pad input pen is constituted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a capacitance type coordinate input pad input pen for inputting coordinate information to a capacitance type coordinate input pad connected to an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional technique will be described below with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 8 is an external view of the capacitance-type coordinate input pad, and is a diagram showing a state of operation by a user's finger. FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing the operation principle of the capacitance type coordinate input pad.

Conventionally, a so-called mouse has been generally known as a coordinate input device for inputting coordinate information to an information processing apparatus such as a desktop personal computer. This mouse performs a certain work for inputting coordinate information. Requires space. On the other hand, in a notebook personal computer characterized by portability, the coordinate input device is also required to be portable, and it is required to be operable in a very limited space.

As such a space-saving type coordinate input device, there is a capacitance type coordinate input pad as shown in FIG. The capacitance-type coordinate input pad selects, for example, icons arranged on a display by detecting the position or movement of the user's finger F on the coordinate input surface P as a change in capacitance. Used as a coordinate input device.

Here, the principle of operation of the capacitance type coordinate input pad will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, the capacitance type coordinate input pad orthogonally intersects a lower electrode Rx extending in the X-axis direction and an upper electrode Ry extending in the Y-axis direction on the coordinate input surface P shown in FIG. The lower electrode Rx and the upper electrode R
An electrostatic capacity Co is formed in an overlapping portion with y.
It should be noted that, although omitted in FIG.
Each of the lower electrode Rx and the upper electrode Ry is formed in a strip shape, and the plurality of lower electrodes Rx and the upper electrode Ry are overlapped with a slight gap therebetween so as to be orthogonal to each other.

The capacitance-type coordinate input pad having such a structure detects the capacitance Cf formed between the input pad and the finger F of the user and specifies the coordinate information. That is,
When a user who wants to input coordinate information touches the finger F on the coordinate input surface P of the capacitance type coordinate input pad, the capacitance Cf is placed between the upper electrode Ry where the finger F is located and the finger F.
Is formed, and as a result, the capacitance between the lower electrode Rx and the upper electrode Ry changes. This change in capacitance is detected by the capacitance balance measuring device M, the position of the finger F on the coordinate input surface P is specified, and coordinate information specified by the finger F is input.

As described above, the capacitance-type coordinate input pad can input coordinate information without having a mechanically movable part, and does not change its operation state due to dust or dirt. There is an advantage that it is excellent in durability and that it can be operated with a light touch with a finger.

[0008] As the conductive polymer, there is also known a polymer such as polyacetylene, which gives a polymer compound itself a molecular structure, but generally, it has elasticity, durability, and the like. 2. Description of the Related Art Conductive rubber obtained by kneading a conductive filler into rubber, which is advantageous in terms of cost, is widely used as a current-carrying contact in the field of electronics.

[0009]

However, as shown in FIG. 8, the user touches the capacitive coordinate input pad with the finger F.
, The contact state between the finger F and the coordinate input surface slightly changes depending on the force of the finger F. For this reason, the position where the capacitance of the upper electrode Ry and the finger F changes varies, and there is a problem that it is difficult to input coordinate information with high accuracy. Therefore, when it is necessary to input coordinate information with high precision, for example, when a pointer is pointed at a small icon on a display of a personal computer or the like, some skill is required. Further, when the nail of the user's finger F is long, the finger must be laid down and operated in order to obtain a contact area with the coordinate input surface P. In this case, there is a problem that operability is reduced. there were.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and has been made in consideration of the above-described problems. An object of the present invention is to provide an input pen for a capacitive coordinate input pad.

[0011]

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention has the following arrangement to achieve the above object. That is, the input pen for a capacitance-type coordinate input pad according to the present invention is an input pen for a capacitance-type coordinate input pad for inputting coordinate information to the capacitance-type coordinate input pad. It is composed of a conductive pen body gripped by a hand and a pen tip made of conductive rubber electrically connected to the pen body.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input pen for a capacitive coordinate input pad according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein
It is made of a composite material in which conductive carbon black or metal powder or fiber is mixed with rubber.

Further, the input pen for an electrostatic capacitance type coordinate input pad according to the invention according to claim 3 is the input pen for an electrostatic capacitance type coordinate input pad according to claim 1, wherein the pen tip is: The shaft body has a diameter of 2 to 7 mm, preferably 3 to 6 mm, and has a substantially spherical end.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input pen for a capacitive coordinate input pad according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the pen tip has a pen tip. A sphere having a diameter of 3 to 10 mm, preferably 4 to 9 mm, is formed so as not to be pulled out and held at the tip of the pen body.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The tip of the input pen for a capacitive coordinate input pad according to the present invention is characterized in that it is made of a composite material in which rubber is mixed with conductive carbon black or metal powder or fiber. . Also, as the type of rubber,
NBR, SBR, BR, EPDM, urethane rubber, silicon rubber and the like are used. The hardness of rubber is JIS A
The hardness is suitably from 50 to 90, preferably from 60 to 80. The resistance value of the pen as a whole is 100 MΩ or less (0
１００100 MΩ), so that the volume resistivity of the conductive rubber used as the pen tip is 107 Ω. 〓 It is below.

[0016] In addition, the capacitance-type coordinate input pad and the input pen for the capacitance-type coordinate input pad have appropriate flexibility for improving the contact area with respect to the contact pressure, but in order to further increase the flexibility. It is conceivable to form a sponge. As one example, a water-soluble fine powder such as sodium chloride is added to the composite material, kneaded, washed after molding, and the fine powder is eluted to form a sponge. Also, in order to reduce the contact resistance between the capacitance type coordinate input pad and the input pen for the capacitance type coordinate input pad and to improve the sliding of the pen tip, Teflon coating or the like is considered on the surface of the pen tip. .

Hereinafter, an input pen for a capacitive coordinate input pad (hereinafter simply referred to as an "input pen") according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 1 is an external view of an input pen of the present invention, which is configured by connecting a pen tip 2 made of conductive rubber to a conductive pen body 1. 2 and 3 are main part diagrams showing the input state.

FIG. 4 shows a first embodiment. The pen tip 3 is preferably a shaft having a diameter of 3 to 6 mm, and the tip is formed on a curved surface 4 having a substantially spherical shape. By forming the pen tip in such a manner, a good contact area for forming the capacitance is formed with respect to the contact pressure of the capacitance type coordinate input pad and the input pen for the capacitance type coordinate input pad. .

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment, which is basically the same as the first embodiment, except that a metal pipe 6 is fitted on a soft and flexible The pen tip 5 is connected to the tip end of the pen body 1 via the metal pipe 6 in such a state that only the part necessary for contacting the electrostatic capacitance type coordinate input pad is exposed. In order to firmly fix the pen tip 5 and the metal pipe 6, the side of the metal pipe is swaged against the pen tip.

FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment, in which a nib 7 made of conductive rubber is a hollow cylindrical body having a bottomed tip portion 10 and a hard core 8 is provided in the hollow portion. It is fitted and connected to the tip of the pen body 1. A gap 9 is appropriately formed between the tip of the core body 8 and the inner surface of the tip portion 10 as necessary to facilitate deformation of the tip portion of the pen tip 7 and to provide a capacitance type coordinate input pad. The contact area with respect to the contact pressure of the input pen is improved.

FIG. 7 shows a fourth embodiment, in which a spherical nib 11 made of conductive rubber having a diameter of preferably 4 to 9 mm is held at the tip of the pen body 1 so as not to be pulled out. Consisting of If necessary, a ball-shaped metal core 12 such as a mouse ball is provided at the center of the ball. Desirably, the spherical pen tip 11 is rotatably held by the tip of the pen body 1.

The pen body 1 constituting the input pen according to the first to fourth embodiments is conductive.
Metal may be used as a material, but in this case, contact with the coordinate input surface P may damage the coordinate input surface P such as a scratch. In order to avoid this, the pen tip attachment part is configured using a member with low hardness such as plastic, and only the part gripped by the user's hand is configured using metal, so that the pen tip and the user What is necessary is just to comprise so that the metal part hold | gripped by a hand may be electrically connected inside the pen main body 1. FIG.

Further, a writing instrument such as a ball-point pen may be connected to the rear end of the input pen of the first to fourth embodiments. Further, the input pen is formed in a so-called refill form which can be mounted on a so-called double-type writing instrument having a plurality of writing tools refills mounted in a barrel, and the writing tool and the tip of the input pen are selectively provided from the tip end of the barrel. Can alternately appear.

[0024]

According to the input pen for the capacitance type coordinate input pad according to the present invention, the pen tip is electrically connected to the user's hand via the pen body. Therefore, the pen tip is maintained at the same potential as the user's hand holding the pen body,
Capacitance is formed in the state of contact between the capacitance-type coordinate input pad and the pen tip.

When inputting coordinate information to the capacitance type coordinate input pad using the input pen of the embodiment configured as described above, as shown in FIG. 1, the user operates the pen body 1 of the input pen. The user grasps and presses the pen tip 2 of the input pen in place of the finger against the coordinate input surface P of the capacitive coordinate input pad. At this time, the tip of the pen tip 2 is appropriately deformed and contacts the coordinate input surface P while maintaining a predetermined area. Even if the input pen is slightly tilted, the contact area is kept substantially constant.

As a result, an electrostatic capacitance depending on the contact area is formed between the coordinate input surface P and the hand of the user holding the input pen (pen body 1). Also, the capacitance formed between the coordinate input surface P and the hand of the user holding the input pen is not significantly affected by the force or inclination of pressing the input pen. As described above, the capacitance-type coordinate input pad stably reduces the capacitance formed between the coordinate input surface P and the pen tip 2 (the hand of the user holding the pen body 1). Upon detection, the coordinates specified by the input pen are determined.

[0027]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. That is, according to the present invention, since the pen tip and the hand holding the input pen are configured to be electrically connected, the electrostatic capacitance formed between the capacitance-type coordinate input pad and the hand of the user is formed. Capacity
It can be determined by the shape of the pen tip, and extremely accurate coordinate information can be input.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of an input pen for a capacitive coordinate input pad according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a use state of an input pen for an electrostatic capacitance type coordinate input pad according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a use state of the input pen for a capacitive coordinate input pad according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of an input pen for a capacitive coordinate input pad according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of an input pen for a capacitive coordinate input pad according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of an input pen for a capacitive coordinate input pad according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of an input pen for a capacitive coordinate input pad according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a use state of a capacitance type coordinate input pad.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation principle of the capacitance-type coordinate input pad.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pen main body 2 Pen tip 3 Pen tip 4 Curved surface 5 Pen tip 6 Metal pipe 7 Pen tip 8 Core body 9 Gap 10 Tip part 11 Pen tip 12 Core body

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Seiichi Kobayashi 2-5-12 Irie, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Mitsubishi Pencil Co., Ltd. Yokohama Office

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An electrostatic capacitance type coordinate input pad comprising a conductive pen body gripped by a user's hand and a conductive pen tip electrically connected to the pen body. An input pen for a capacitive coordinate input pad, wherein the pen tip is made of conductive rubber. 2. The capacitance type coordinate input pad according to claim 1, wherein the pen tip is made of a composite material in which rubber is mixed with conductive carbon black or metal powder or fiber. Input pen. 3. The pen tip is a shaft having a diameter of 2 to 7 mm.
2. The input pen for a capacitance-type coordinate input pad according to claim 1, wherein the tip is formed in a substantially spherical shape. 4. The electrostatic capacitance according to claim 1, wherein the pen tip is a sphere having a diameter of 3 to 10 mm, and is formed so as not to be pulled out and held at the tip of the pen body. Input pen for type coordinate input pad.