JPH10171580A - Input pen for electrostatic capacity type coordinate input pad - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to accurately input coordinate information to an electrostatic capacity type coordinate input pad and to improve operability. SOLUTION: In the input pen, a conductive pen tip 2 is fitted to the tip part of a pen body 1 to be grasped by a user's hand and a conductive portion to be electrically conducted to the pen tip 2 is formed on the outer peripheral part of the pen body 1. The pen tip 2 is a sphere having a 3 to 10mm diameter and consisting of conductive rubber, and when the pen tip 2 is moved along the coordinate input surface of the electrostatic capacitor type coordinate input pad, the pen tip 2 is constituted so as to be rotated by its contact resistance. A conductive portion to be electrically conducted to the conductive pen tip 2 is formed on a required position near a portion to be grasped usually by the hand, and when a user's forefinger is brought into contact with the conductive portion while grasping a non-conductor part of the pen body 1 by the hand, the hand is electrically conducted to the pen tip 2 and operation such as click, double click and drag can be attained.

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 Referring to FIGS.
The conventional technique will be described. Here, FIG. 9 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. 10 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 intersects a lower electrode Rx extending in the X-axis direction and an upper electrode Ry extending in the Y-axis direction of the coordinate input surface P shown in FIG. The lower electrode Rx and the upper electrode Rx.
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.

That is, the cursor can be moved on the screen of the display by tracing the coordinate input surface P with the finger F. However, by tapping the coordinate input surface P lightly with the finger, a click similar to a mouse button operation can be performed. Operations such as double-clicking and dragging can be performed. As described above, the capacitance-type coordinate input pad can input coordinate information without having a mechanically movable portion, and does not change its operation state due to dust and dirt, and has a durability. And has the advantage that it can be operated with a light touch with a finger.

[0008]

However, as shown in FIG. 9, when the user operates the capacitance type coordinate input pad with the finger F, the force between the finger F and the coordinate input surface is changed by the force of the finger F. The contact state changes slightly. 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 the above problems, and has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has been made in view of the above circumstances. An object of the present invention is to provide an input pen for a capacitive coordinate input pad.

[0010]

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention has the following arrangement to achieve the above object. That is, claim 1
The input pen for a capacitive coordinate input pad according to the invention described in the above, is an input pen for a capacitive coordinate input pad for inputting coordinate information to the capacitive coordinate input pad,
A pen body to be gripped by a user's hand, comprising a conductive pen tip at the tip of the pen body and a conductive portion electrically connected to the pen tip on the outer periphery of the pen body; A sphere made of conductive rubber having a diameter of 3 to 10 mm. The sphere is held irremovably by the holder at the tip of the pen body, and when the pen tip is traced on the coordinate input surface of the capacitive coordinate input pad, the contact occurs. The pen tip is configured to be rotatable by resistance.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input pen for a capacitance-type coordinate input pad, wherein the conductive pen tip is provided at a required position near an area which is usually gripped by a hand on the outer periphery of a pen body. A conductive portion is formed to be electrically conductive with the other portion, and the other portion is configured as a non-conductor.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input pen for a capacitive coordinate input pad, wherein a conductive hard ball is disposed in a holder in contact with a back surface of a pen tip.
A spherical or tapered concave conductive seat is in contact with the back surface, and the seat is connected to the conductive portion.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input pen for a capacitive coordinate input pad, wherein a conductive spring is disposed in a holder, and the back of the pen tip is pressed by the tip of the spring. The pen tip can be appropriately retracted by pressing the pen tip, and a spring is provided so as to be connected to the conductive part.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input pen for a capacitance-type coordinate input pad, wherein a conductive sliding body urged forward by a conductive spring is disposed in a holder. The back surface of the pen tip is pressed by the tip of the sliding body, and the pen tip can be appropriately retracted by pressing on the pen tip, and a spring is provided connected to the conductive part.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the input pen for a capacitive coordinate input pad, a conductive spring is disposed on the back surface of the conductive hard ball, and the hard ball is provided at the tip of the spring. Is pressed, the pen tip can be appropriately retracted by pressing on the pen tip, and a spring is provided connected to the conductive portion.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the input pen for a capacitance-type coordinate input pad contacts a back surface of a pen tip.
A conductive receiving body having a spherically or tapered concave receiving seat on the front surface is provided, and the rear surface of the receiving seat is opposed to the receiving seat of the holder. A spring is disposed in the inner hole from the rear, and the back of the receiving seat body is pressed by the tip of the spring, and the pen tip can be appropriately retracted by pressing on the pen tip, and the spring is connected to the conductive part. It is provided and configured.

[0017]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an input pen for a capacitive coordinate input pad according to an embodiment of the present invention;
(Hereinafter simply referred to as “input pen”) will be described. First, FIG. 1 is an external view of an input pen according to the present invention. The pen includes a pen body 1 gripped by a user's hand and a conductive pen tip 2 at a tip end of the pen body 1. A contact member 4 formed of a conductive portion that is electrically connected to the conductive pen tip 2 is provided at a required position on the outer peripheral portion of the main body 1 in the vicinity of a portion that is normally gripped by a hand. A grip 5 such as a resin molded product formed of an electric conductor is connected to and configured.
2 and 3 are main part diagrams showing the input state.

FIG. 4 shows a pen body 1 according to the first embodiment. The pen tip 2 is a sphere made of a conductive rubber having a diameter of 3 to 10 mm, preferably 4 to 9 mm, and has a flexibility to form a contact area with a contact surface by pressing and a resilience to return. have. Also, a hard core 6 is provided at the center of the sphere as needed to obtain appropriate flexibility against pressing. The pen 3 is held so as not to be able to be pulled out by the holding portion 10 at the tip of the inner hole of the holder 3 provided at the tip of the pen body 1. A conductive hard ball 9 (for example, a steel ball) is provided in contact with the back surface of the pen tip 2, and a conductive receiving seat portion 8 having a spherical or tapered concave surface on the back surface. And the receiving seat portion 8 is provided so as to be connected to the contact member 4. The receiving seat 8 is
It is formed on the tip end surface of a shaft portion 7 integrally or separately extended in front of the contact member 4.

As described above, when the pen tip 2 is traced on the coordinate input surface of the capacitance type coordinate input pad, the pen tip can be substantially rotated by the contact resistance. 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. .

By the way, as the conductive polymer, there is also known a polymer such as polyacetylene in which a polymer compound itself has conductivity in a molecular structure, but it is advantageous in terms of elasticity, durability, cost and the like. A conductive rubber obtained by kneading a conductive filler into rubber is used as a pen tip. Specifically, it is composed of a composite material in which rubber or conductive carbon black or metal powder or fiber is blended.
The types of rubber include NBR, SBR, BR, EP
DM, urethane rubber, silicone rubber, etc. are used.
Further, the hardness of the rubber is suitably JIS A hardness of 40 to 90, preferably 50 to 80. The resistance value of the pen as a whole is 100 MΩ or less (0 to 100 MΩ). Therefore, the volume resistivity of the conductive rubber used as the pen tip is 107 Ω. 〓 It is below.

FIG. 5 shows a pen body 15 according to a second embodiment.
In the following, only differences from the first embodiment will be described. The pen body 15 is provided with a conductive rod 21 having a straight rod portion 22 and a winding portion formed behind the linear rod portion 22 in the inner hole 18 a of the holder 18. The back of the pen tip 16 is pressed by the tip, and the pen tip is pressed by the pen tip 16 so that the pen tip is
Can be retracted appropriately in the gap that abuts the spring 1
The rear end of the contact member 8 is in contact with the step portion 24 of the conductive contact member 23 so that the pen tip 16 and the outer peripheral portion of the contact member 23 are electrically connected. In this embodiment, even if a round surface is formed at the tip of the rod shaft portion 22, the pen tip 1
The rotation of the pen tip 16 can hardly be expected because the tip of the rod shaft portion easily bites into the back surface of the pen tip by the pressing according to 6.

FIG. 6 shows a pen body 30 according to a third embodiment.
In the following, differences from the second embodiment will be described. The pen body 30 includes a conductive sliding body 3 urged forward by a conductive spring 35 in a holder 31.
4 is disposed, and the tip of the pen body 1 is
The back surface of the pen 6 is pressed, and the pen tip can be appropriately retracted by pressing the pen tip. Also, the rear end of the spring 35 contacts the step portion 24 of the conductive contact member 23 and the pen tip 16
And the outer periphery of the contact member 23 are electrically connected. In this embodiment, it is possible to form a curved surface or the like with a sufficient area on the tip end surface of the sliding body 34, and to receive the sliding surface so that the back surface of the pen tip is not deformed by pressing the pen tip 16. Therefore, rotation of the pen tip 16 can be expected.

FIG. 7 shows a pen body 40 according to a fourth embodiment.
In the following, only differences from the first embodiment will be described. In the pen body 40, a conductive rod 44 having a straight rod portion 45 and a winding portion formed behind the linear rod portion 45 is disposed in the inner hole 41b of the holder 41. The back surface of the conductive hard ball 9 is pressed by the tip, and the pen tip is pressed by the pen tip 16 so that the pen tip is
Can be appropriately retracted in a gap abutting the receiving seat portion 43, and the rear end of the spring 44 abuts the step portion 24 of the conductive contact member 23 so that the pen tip 16 and the outer peripheral portion of the contact member 23 are electrically connected. It is configured to be conductive. Pen tip 16
As the contact resistance between the pen tip and the holder is reduced by the pressing according to the above, rotation of the pen tip 16 can be expected.

FIG. 8 shows a pen body 50 according to a fifth embodiment.
In the following, only differences from the first embodiment will be described. The pen body 50 contacts the back of the pen tip 16,
A conductive receiving seat 54 having a spherical or tapered concave receiving seat 54a on the front surface is provided, and the rear surface of the receiving seat 54 is formed on the receiving seat 53 of the holder 51.
A spring 55 is provided in the inner hole 51 b from the rear of the holder 51, and the back surface of the receiving seat 54 is pressed by the tip of the rod shaft portion 56 ahead of the spring 55, and The pen tip can be appropriately retracted by the pressing, and the rear end of the spring 55 contacts the step portion 24 of the conductive contact member 23, so that the pen tip 16 and the outer peripheral portion of the contact member 23 are electrically connected. It is configured as follows. Further, the contact resistance between the pen tip and the holder is reduced by the pressure applied to the pen tip 16, and the back surface of the pen tip 16 is placed on the receiving seat 54 of the receiving seat body.
Since the abutment a is abutted without deformation, rotation of the pen tip 16 can be expected.

A writing instrument such as a ball-point pen may be connected to the rear end of the input pen. In addition, the input pen is formed into a so-called refill form that can be mounted on a so-called dual-type writing instrument having a plurality of writing type refills mounted in the barrel,
It is also possible to make the tip of the writing body and the input pen alternately protrude and retract from the tip end of the barrel.

[0026]

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 conductive portion of the pen body. Therefore, the pen tip is maintained at the same potential as the user's hand gripping the pen body, and the capacitance is formed in the state of contact between the capacitive coordinate input pad and the pen tip.

When inputting coordinate information to the capacitance-type coordinate input pad using the input pen configured as described above, as shown in FIG. 1, the user operates the input pen in front of the grip 5 of the pen body 1 of the input pen. The fingertip of the input pen is pressed against the coordinate input surface P of the capacitance-type coordinate input pad by, for example, touching the tip of the index finger with the outer peripheral surface of the contact member 4 while holding the portion. 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.
Further, since the pen tip is rotatable as described above, it is possible to trace the coordinate input plane P smoothly.

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 controls the capacitance formed between the coordinate input surface P and the pen tip 2 (via the hand of the user holding the pen body 1). Stable detection is performed, and coordinates specified by the input pen are determined. In addition, operations such as click, double-click, and drag instead of mouse button operation,
It becomes possible by performing an operation of separating the index finger from the outer peripheral surface of the contact member 4 or bringing the index finger into contact therewith.

[0029]

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. Further, since the pen tip is rotatable, it is possible to trace the coordinate input surface P smoothly without damaging it. Also, a grip (non-conductor) of the pen body of the input pen is gripped, and for example, the tip of a forefinger is brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the contact member (conductor), and the pen tip of the input pen is moved to the capacitive coordinate input pad. Is pressed against the coordinate input plane P. At this time, by moving the index finger away from or touching the outer peripheral surface of the contact member, operations such as click, double-click, and drag instead of mouse button operations can be easily performed.

[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 vertical sectional view of an input pen for a capacitive coordinate input pad according to the first embodiment of the pen tip.

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

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 pen tip.

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 pen tip.

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view of an input pen for a capacitive coordinate input pad according to a fifth embodiment of the pen tip.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a use state of a capacitance type coordinate input pad.

FIG. 10 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 Holder 4 Contact member 5 Grip 6 Core body 7 Shaft part 8 Receiving seat part 9 Hard ball 10 Holding part 15 Pen body 16 Pen tip 17 Core body 18 Holder 18a Inner hole 19 Holding part 20 Receiver Seat part 21 Spring 22 Rod shaft part 23 Contact member 24 Step part 30 Pen body 31 Holder 31a Inner hole 32 Holding part 33 Receiving seat part 34 Sliding body 35 Spring 40 Pen body 41 Holder 41a Inner hole 41b Inner hole 42 Holding part 43 Receiving seat portion 44 Spring 45 Bar shaft portion 50 Pen body 51 Holder 51a Inner hole 51b Inner hole 52 Holding portion 53 Receiving seat portion 54 Receiving seat body 54a Receiving seat portion 55 Spring 56 Rod shaft portion

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────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 (7)

[Claims] A pen body gripped by a user's hand, a conductive pen tip at a tip of the pen body, and a conductive portion electrically connected to the pen tip on an outer periphery of the pen body. In an input pen for an electrostatic capacitance type coordinate input pad capable of inputting coordinate information to an electrostatic capacitance type coordinate input pad, a pen tip is a sphere made of conductive rubber having a diameter of 3 to 10 mm, and a pen body. Held by the tip holder so that it cannot be pulled out,
An input pen for a capacitive coordinate input pad, wherein the pen tip is configured to be rotatable by contact resistance when the pen tip is traced on a coordinate input surface of the capacitive coordinate input pad. . 2. A conductive part which is electrically connected to the conductive pen tip is formed at a required position on the outer periphery of the pen body near a part which is normally gripped by a hand, and the other part is made of a non-conductive material. The input pen for a capacitance-type coordinate input pad according to claim 1, wherein: 3. A holder in which a conductive hard ball is disposed in contact with the back surface of the pen tip, and a conductive receiving seat portion having a spherical or tapered concave surface is provided on the back surface thereof. The input pen for a capacitive coordinate input pad according to claim 1, wherein the input pen is provided so as to be in contact with the receiving portion and connected to the conductive portion. 4. A conductive spring is provided in the holder, and the back of the pen tip is pressed by the tip of the spring, and the pen tip can be appropriately retracted by the pressure applied to the pen tip. The input pen for a capacitance-type coordinate input pad according to claim 1, wherein the input pen is connected to the conductive part. 5. A conductive sliding body urged forward by a conductive spring is disposed in the holder, and the tip of the sliding body presses the back surface of the pen tip to press the pen tip. 3. The input pen for an electrostatic capacitance type coordinate input pad according to claim 1, wherein the pen tip is made to be able to retreat as appropriate, and a spring is connected to the conductive part. 6. A conductive spring is disposed on the back surface of the conductive hard ball, and the back surface of the hard ball is pressed by the tip of the spring. 4. The input pen according to claim 3, wherein a spring is connected to the conductive part. 7. A conductive receiving seat body having a spherically or tapered concave receiving seat portion on the front surface, which is in contact with the back surface of the pen tip, is provided. A spring is provided in the inner hole from the rear of the holder, facing the receiving seat portion of the holder, and the back of the receiving seat body is pressed by the tip of the spring. 2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spring is connected to said conductive portion.
3. The input pen for a capacitance-type coordinate input pad according to items 2 and 3.