DE102015219484A1 - Energy savings in a pointing instrument for capacitive sensor surfaces by temporal modulation - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic pointing device (101, 200) for carrying out inputs (107) on a digital input device (102) with an electrically capacitive touchpad (108), wherein the electronic pointing device is electrically capacitively coupled to an electrical measurement signal of the touchpad (108) and wherein the electrical measurement signal comprises a sequence of measurement pulses, and the electronic pointing device (101, 200) is characterized in that the electronic pointing device (101, 200) is further configured to receive the electrical measurement signal of the touchpad (108) and selectively amplify the received electrical measurement signal and return it to the touch panel of the digital input device (102) to determine a position on the touchpad (108), wherein not every measurement pulse received by the electronic pointing device (101, 200) is equally amplified.

Description

State of the art

The invention relates to a device specified in the preamble of claim 1 species, a method specified in the preamble of claim 10 species, and a system specified in the preamble of claim 11 Art.

Modern digital input devices can be controlled via a touch-sensitive electrically capacitive input surface, hereinafter called electrically capacitive touchpad or simple touchpad. Capacitive-acting systems are particularly widespread, in which e.g. a grid of conductor tracks, which is applied to the underside of the cover plate of the input surface is placed under an AC voltage.

As the user's finger or pointing device approaches a node of the grid, the finger or pointing device and traces form the two plates of a capacitor, and the cover of the touchpad forms its dielectric.

By virtue of the fact that the tracks are part of an RC element, that is to say part of a circuit with resistor and capacitor, the change in capacitance can be measured by the proximity of the finger or pointing device, thereby determining the point of contact.

Known electronic pointing devices have the advantage over the use of fingers of the user that they allow a more precise control and control of the touchpad.

For example, describes the US 8199132 B1 Such a conventional touch panel pointing device is capable of picking up the electric charges from the AC-generated projected capacitive sensor panel of the input surface and supplying it to an amplifying circuit.

In said amplification circuit, the electrical charges are inverted, amplified and directed to an element concentrically mounted around the tip of the pointing device. There they affect the charge accumulation on the input surface in a manner which is inferred from this e.g. can be interpreted as a touch by a finger or by a pointing device tip. In another design, the amplified signal is passed directly to the tip and its voltage potential is varied in a manner that also alters the charge accumulation on the input surface in a manner different from that of e.g. can be interpreted as a touch by a finger or by a pointing device tip.

A disadvantage of such pointing devices, however, is their energy inefficiency, in particular their high power consumption, since among other things voltages of about 10 V and more must be generated at the tip of the pointing device, for a given distance of the pointing device from the input surface sufficient charge accumulation effect on the input surface for to be able to achieve all the anticipated possible angular positions between the pointing device and the input surface.

task

It is therefore an object of the invention to improve an electronic pointing device for a digital input device, in particular with regard to the energy efficiency of the electronic pointing device.

solution

This is inventively achieved by an electronic pointing device according to claim 1, a method according to claim 10 and a system according to claim 11. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The term "electrical measurement signal" is to be understood here as meaning, in particular, an electrical measurement signal which may comprise a series of electrical measurement pulses, in particular a sequence of alternating-current pulses, for example.

An inventive electronic pointing device for making inputs to a digital input device with electrically capacitive touch-sensitive input surface, the touchpad, wherein the electronic pointing device is electrically capacitively coupled to an electrical measurement signal of the touchpad, and wherein the electrical measurement signal may include a series of electrical measurement pulses, may be characterized, inter alia, that the electronic pointing device is further configured to receive the electrical measurement signal of the touchpad and to selectively amplify the recorded electrical measurement signal and return it to the input surface of the digital input device, to determine a position on the touchpad.

The electronic pointing device can be configured so that not everyone from the electronic pointing device ( 101 . 200 ) recorded electrical measuring pulse is amplified equal.

The recorded by the electronic pointing device, a series of electrical measuring pulses comprehensive, electrical measurement signal of the touch panel of the digital input device can not be permanently, or not with the same frequency or sequence with which it is emitted from the touch panel of the digital input device, amplified, or the electrical measurement pulses can each be different, ie with different Amplification factors, be amplified.

This can advantageously reduce the power consumption of the electronic pointing device, in particular in comparison to the power consumption which is conventionally required in order to keep the electrical measuring signal picked up by the pointing device, or the recorded measuring pulses, of the touchpad constantly, i. at any operating time, or constantly with the same amplification factor.

In this case, the individual measuring pulses of the touch panel of the digital input device can oscillate, for example, with a frequency of 190 to 270 kHz, and the sequence of measuring signal pulses, with pulse durations of e.g. 100 to 400 μs (microseconds), e.g. have a frequency of 60 Hz. This allows, for example, up to 41 of the measuring electrodes to be operated sequentially (41 x 0.4 = 16.4 ms), which is e.g. a spatial resolution of a 200 mm wide touchpad with strips of 4.8 mm width allowed.

By the term selective amplification, e.g. In particular, it can be understood that the electronic pointing device can be configured to skip every nth measurement pulse, i. e. H. is not amplified, or configured to amplify every nth measurement pulse differently than the other measurement pulses, where n is a natural number greater than one. By way of example, in a simple embodiment, only every nth measuring pulse can be amplified.

The term "selective amplification" can also include an amplification behavior in which individual measurement pulses are purposefully and individually amplified, or deliberately and individually omitted, i. E. targeted and individually not be strengthened.

For example, in a simple embodiment, n = 2. However, other more complex selective amplification patterns or selective amplification sequences are also conceivable in which n is not constant during operation of the electronic pointing device, ie it varies evenly or not uniformly, for example a series of activated amplification and switched-off amplification such as e.g. "... on-on-off-on-off-on-on-off-on-off ...".

In other words, the pointing device can be configured such that measuring pulses can be amplified differently in groups or not amplified in groups. In this case, a group of measuring pulses, comprising at least two measuring pulses, consist of adjacent measuring pulses or non-adjacent measuring pulses.

The electrical measurement signal recorded by the pointing device can thus be understood as a series of individual measurement pulses and as a series of groups of measurement pulses, or as a combination of individual measurement pulses and groups of measurement pulses.

An exemplary gain pattern of the shape "on-to-off-on-off-on-off" can then be applied, for example, to a measurement signal which can be divided into three groups G1, G2, G3 comprising two measurement pulses and a single measurement pulse M1 , that can be represented by the sequence G1, M1, G2, G3.

With a corresponding division of the exemplary amplification pattern into amplification groups VG1, VG2, VG3 and V1, the amplification pattern can then be represented, for example, by the sequence VG1, V1, VG2, VG3 and applied to the recorded electrical measurement signal.

In this case, the control of the amplification of the electrical measurement signal of the touchpad recorded by the pointing device can be carried out, for example, by a microprocessor integrated in the pointing device.

It should be noted that the expended for the microprocessor electrical energy amount is negligible compared with the achievable energy savings of the executable by the microprocessor cyclic control of the gain of recorded by the pointing device electrical measurement signal.

The amplification of the recorded electrical measurement signal, or of the recorded measurement pulse, of the touchpad can be characterized by an amplification factor, the amplification factor being the amplification ratio of the signal strength of the electrical measurement signal recorded by the pointing device or of the recorded measurement pulse to the signal strength of the pointing device amplified and to be returned to the input surface electrical measurement signal, or the returned measuring pulse results.

In general, a series of amplifications in the amplification of recorded measuring pulses by the electronic pointing device is conceivable, wherein the gains of received measurement pulses are performed with at least two different gain factors, for example a first gain V1 and a second gain V2, such as "... V1-V2-V1-V1-V2-V1-V2-V2, ..." ,

Intervals of gain states of the electrical measurement signal received by the pointing device, or of the positive measurement factor received by the pointing device, may alternate with intervals of gain states of the electrical measurement signal or measurement pulse received by the pointing device with a negative amplification factor, e.g. less than -1, or without reinforcement.

In other words, the selectively amplified electrical measurement signal may comprise an alternating series of gain states of smaller than 0 and gain states of positive gain or even no gain.

Preferably, the amplified electrical measurement signal may comprise an alternating series of measurement pulses having amplification states with gain factor less than -1 and amplification states with amplification factor between -1 and 1.

Thereby it becomes e.g. It is possible, even with very sensitive touch panels and a relatively high input capacitance of the electronic pointing device, to be able to ensure a pulsed or clocked optimum operating mode of the pointing device for the touch panel. A small positive gain of the measuring pulse compensates for the effect of its input capacitance so that the touchpad detects no contact, whereas a negative gain inverts the signal, e.g. can pretend a finger touch.

In addition, the amplification factors of the intervals in which amplification takes place may be equal to or different from each other, i. the amplification factors of the intervals in which a gain occurs can additionally vary.

In this case, it may be preferable that the duration of the intervals of amplification states with gain factor less than -1 is longer than the duration of the intervals of amplification states with positive amplification factor or without amplification, for example to improve the resolution of the detection of a touch signal of the touchpad.

In other words, the electrical measurement signal returned by the electronic pointing device to the touch panel of the digital input device may be both in time and in amplitude, i. in the amount of gain, be modulated.

This temporal modulation of the returned to the touch panel of the digital input device electrical measurement signal, and optionally an additional modulation in the amount of gain of the returned electrical measurement signal, advantageously allow between touch signals of the touch panel of the digital input device, caused by the electronic pointing device, caused by other touch signals for example, by body parts, such as the user's hands or fingers, or other objects or objects, all of which have no such modulation.

The pulse shape of the electrical measuring pulses of the electrical measuring signals can be characterized, for example, preferably by the shape of a sinusoidal oscillation. The control of the amplifier circuit can be effected, for example, by an on-off signal in the form of a rectangular signal.

In some circumstances, a digital input device having a capacitive touch-sensitive input surface, i. with keypad, or an inventive system or method for performing inputs to a digital input device with touchpad, a first touch of the touchpad by the electronic pointing device perceive such. a first touch with a finger.

However, an evaluation logic of the digital input device may be configured to allow and track multiple interpretations of the touch event in parallel until after recognizing an existing modulation of the electrical measurement signal, e.g. an existing temporal modulation of the gain induced by the pointing device, and after a reasonable waiting time, the decision on the origin of a touch event can be made.

A further additional improvement in the energy efficiency of the electronic pointing device can be achieved, inter alia, in that the electronic pointing device can be configured to receive a control signal of the digital input device.

In this case, the control signal information about the signal strength of the electronic pointing device on the Touchpad triggered electrical measurement signal to determine a position on the touchpad. In particular, said control signal may comprise the value of the signal strength of an electrical measurement signal triggered by the electronic pointing device on the touchpad to determine a position on the touchpad.

The electronic pointing device can then advantageously be configured to amplify a received electrical measurement signal of the touchpad, or a recorded measurement pulse, in addition to the described temporal modulation of the gain and in addition to the possibly additional modulation of the gain factors, also in response to the received control signal, and to return the input surface of the digital input device.

This possible additional option of amplifying the electrical measurement signal recorded by the electronic pointing device as a function of a control signal emitted by the digital input device, which can be received by the display device, advantageously makes it possible to adapt the amplification of the electrical measurement signal recorded by the electronic pointing device in an energy-efficient manner.

Depending on the need or depending on the relative orientation between pointing device and input surface so only the minimum required gain, or the minimum required gain ratio, can be provided to ensure that on the input surface of the digital input device, a sufficient measurement signal strength is achieved from the Contact point, ie a position on the input surface, e.g. the touchpad, can be determined.

This optional feedback between the digital input device and the electronic pointing device would make it possible to further improve the energy economy of the electronic pointing device and a digital input device and electronic pointing device system over known pointing devices and input devices.

This optional information and signal exchange can be done for example via sound waves.

The electronic pointing device may comprise at least one microphone and be configured to receive the control signal of the digital input device in the form of sound waves, which the digital input device emits, for example via loudspeakers, via the microphone.

Preferably, the microphone may be configured to receive the control signal of the digital input device in the form of ultrasonic waves, ie, sound waves having sound frequencies greater than about 16 kHz.

The use of sound frequencies not audible to the user for transmitting the control signal between the digital input device and the electronic pointing device has the advantage that the user is not disturbed or impaired by the communication between the digital input device and the electronic pointing device.

Preferably, to transmit the control signal between the digital input device and the electronic pointing device, sound frequencies between 16 kHz and 25 kHz can be used in order to be able to optimally take into account, for example, the efficiencies of electronic microphones in the pointing device and of loudspeakers in the digital input device.

Other wireless communication links between the digital input device and the electronic pointing device for transmitting optional control signals from the digital input device to the electronic pointing device, such as. e.g. via Bluetooth or WLAN, however, are also conceivable.

The processing and evaluation of the received control signal, for example a sound signal which depends on the signal strength of the measurement signal of the input surface of the digital input device, preferably an ultrasound signal, can e.g. be performed by a microprocessor of the electronic pointing device.

In particular, the electronic pointing device may be configured to optimize the amplification factor of the received electrical measurement signal of the touchpad or the amplification ratio of signal strength of the electrical measurement signal received from the pointing device to the signal strength of the measurement signal amplified by the pointing device and returned to the input surface in terms of energy consumption.

In this case, the electronic pointing device can ensure, for example, that the amplification factor resulting from said optimization, or the resulting amplification ratio, results in a sufficient signal strength of the amplified measurement signal to be returned to the input surface that is at least equal to or at least slightly greater than the minimum required signal strength of the Measurement signal of the input surface of the digital input device, which is needed to determine the position of a contact point on the input surface with sufficient accuracy.

By way of example, the optimization can be carried out in such a way that the signal strength of the electrical measuring signal amplified by the pointing device is minimally greater, for example only 1% to 10% greater than that Minimum signal strength required to determine a position on the touchpad.

This has the advantage that, without adversely affecting the accuracy of the position determination of contact points on the input surface of the digital input device, only the minimum required amplification of the electrical measurement signal has to be applied at any time, and so energy can be saved.

In addition, it is conceivable that an optional control signal which can be output by the digital input device also contains information about, for example, the value of the signal strength as a function of time, position on the input surface and / or distance from the pointing device tip to the input surface and / or relative inclination of the pointing device longitudinal axis to the input surface.

Moreover, for example, it is also conceivable that the electronic pointing device can be configured such that it can determine the angle of inclination between the longitudinal axis of the electronic pointing device and the touchpad, and can additionally amplify the recorded electrical measurement signal as a function of the specific angle of inclination and to the input surface of the digital input device to determine a position on the touchpad.

An optional amplification of the received electrical measurement signal depending on the inclination angle of the longitudinal axis of the electronic pointing device with respect to the touch panel of the digital input device may contribute to a further optimization of the power consumption of the electronic pointing device, wherein, for example, depending on the relative inclination between the pointing device and the input surface of the digital input device, only the required for the respective instantaneous inclination between pointing device and input surface gain of the recorded electrical measurement signal is applied.

Thus, energy can also advantageously be saved, and the energy efficiency of the electronic pointing device and a system with digital input device and electronic pointing device compared to known pointing devices and input devices can be further improved.

In this case, the electronic pointing device can furthermore be configured such that an amplification factor of the electrical measurement signal recorded by the pointing device increases for decreasing angles of inclination.

Thus, it can advantageously be achieved that, even with an increasingly flatter inclination angle, sufficient amplification of the electrical measuring signal recorded by the pointing device takes place, and it can be ensured that the amplified measurement signal to be returned to the input surface has a signal strength which is at least equal or at least slightly greater as the required signal strength of the measurement signal of the input surface of the digital input device, which is needed to determine the position of a contact point on input surface with sufficient accuracy.

The determination of the angle of inclination between the longitudinal axis of the electronic pointing device and the touchpad of the digital input device required for this optional option can be carried out, for example, preferably using an inertial position-determining sensor system implemented by at least one three-dimensional acceleration sensor.

In addition to a selective amplification according to the invention of the recorded electrical measuring signal on the electronic pointing device, it is thus also possible optionally to amplify the recorded electrical measuring signal on the pointing device in response to a control signal and / or as a function of the angle of inclination of the longitudinal axis of the electronic pointing device with respect to the touch panel of the digital input device. respectively.

The gain of the recorded electrical measurement signal according to the invention can thus be supplemented by the consideration of a control signal and / or the consideration of the inclination angle of the longitudinal axis of the electronic pointing device with respect to the touch panel of the digital input device.

The above-mentioned optional additional measures for carrying out the manner in which an electrical measuring signal recorded by the pointing device can be amplified can therefore cooperate synergistically with the amplification of the electrical measuring signal according to the invention in order to advantageously reduce the energy efficiency of the electronic pointing device or a system for carrying out and Acquisition of inputs to a digital input device with electrically capacitive touch-sensitive input surface, ie with touchpad, to optimize.

• • Aufnahme eines elektrischen Messsignals des Tastfelds (108) am elektronischen Zeigegerät (101, 200), wobei das elektrische Messsignal eine Folge von Messpulsen umfasst,
• • selektives Verstärken des am elektronischen Zeigegerät (101, 200) aufgenommenen elektrischen Messsignals des Tastfelds (108), wobei nicht jeder vom elektronische Zeigegerät (101, 200) aufgenommene Messpuls gleich verstärkt wird,
• • Rückgabe des durch das elektronische Zeigegerät (101, 200) verstärkten elektrischen Messsignals, bzw. des verstärkten elektrischen Messpulses, an das Tastfeld (108) des digitalen Eingabegerätes (102), zur Bestimmung einer Position auf dem Tastfeld (108).

An inventive method for performing inputs to a digital input device with electrically capacitive touch-sensitive input surface, ie with touchpad, by means of an electronic pointing device may include the following steps:

• • Recording an electrical measuring signal of the touchpad ( 108 ) on the electronic pointing device ( 101 . 200 ), wherein the electrical measurement signal comprises a sequence of measurement pulses,
• Selective amplification of the electronic pointing device ( 101 . 200 ) received electrical measurement signal of the touchpad ( 108 ), although not everyone from the electronic pointing device ( 101 . 200 ) received measuring pulse is amplified equal,
• • return of the electronic pointing device ( 101 . 200 ) amplified electrical measurement signal, or the amplified electrical measuring pulse, to the touchpad ( 108 ) of the digital input device ( 102 ), to determine a position on the touchpad ( 108 ).

Optionally, the amplitude of the recorded electrical measurement signal, the recorded measurement pulse, can be inverted.

An exemplary system for making and detecting inputs to a digital input device having an electrically capacitive touch-sensitive input surface, the touchpad, may be described as follows, for example.

It may include a digital input device with an electrically capacitive touch-sensitive input surface, the touchpad, and an electronic pointing device for making inputs to said digital input device, wherein the electronic pointing device is electrically capacitively coupled to an electrical measurement signal of the touchpad, and the electronic pointing device therefor is configured to receive an electrical measurement signal of the touchpad, wherein the electrical measurement signal may include a sequence of measurement pulses.

The digital input device may be configured to emit electrical measurement signals or electrical measurement pulses triggered by the electronic pointing device on the touchpad to determine a position on the touchpad.

The electronic pointing device may further be configured to selectively amplify and return to the input surface of the digital input device the received electrical measurement signal, eg, the received electrical measurement pulses, whereby not all of the electronic pointing device (FIG. 101 . 200 ) received measuring pulse is amplified equal.

For example, the electronic pointing device may be configured so that not every nth measurement pulse is equally amplified, where n is a natural number greater than one.

For example, the electronic pointing device may also be configured to amplify and return only every nth received signal to the touchpad. Likewise, other more complex gain patterns are conceivable as previously described.

The following figures are an example:

1 : Exemplary system for digital inputs

2 : Exemplary electronic pointing device

3a : First example of selective amplification of electrical measuring pulses

3b : Second example of selective amplification of electrical measuring pulses

3c : Third example of selective amplification of electrical measuring pulses

The 1 shows an exemplary system 100 to carry out and record entries 107 by means of an exemplary electronic pointing device 101 on a digital input device 102 with electrically capacitive touch-sensitive input surface 108 ,

The electronic pointing device 101 can also have an electrically conductive lead, the top 104 from the also electrically conductive executable end part 105 can escape.

The electronic pointing device 101 can electrically capacitive to an electrical measurement signal of the touchpad 108 be coupled and an electrical measurement signal of the touchpad 108 of the digital input device 102 take up.

The electronic pointing device 101 may be configured to the electrical measurement signal of the touchpad 108 and to selectively invert and / or selectively amplify the received electrical measurement signal and to the input surface 108 of the digital input device 102 to return a position on the touch panel 108 , where not every measurement signal needs to be returned.

The digital input device 102 Additionally, it may also be configured to provide a control signal to the electronic pointing device 101 to send, the control signal information about the signal strength of the electronic pointing device on the touchpad 108 triggered electrical measurement signal to determine a position on the touchpad 108 may include.

For this purpose, the digital input device 102 For example, at least one speaker 109 have which control signals to the electronic pointing device 101 transmitted by sound, eg by ultrasound.

To receive from the digital input device 102 emitted control signals, the electronic pointing device 101 for example, at least one microphone 103 exhibit.

For example, the microphone 103 for receiving the control signals below a handle part 106 in an end part 105 of the electronic pointing device 101 be housed.

It is also conceivable, for example, the microphone for receiving the control signals at the top 104 opposite end of the electronic pointing device 101 To accommodate advantageously to be able to prevent the microphone is covered by the writing hand of the user.

The electronic pointing device 101 can be a recorded electrical measurement signal of the touchpad 108 for determining the position of a contact point on the input surface 108 also amplify depending on the received control signal and to the input surface 108 of the digital input device 102 return.

It is also conceivable that the electronic pointing device 101 In addition, as described above, a recorded electrical measurement signal of the touchpad 108 for determining the position of a contact point on the input surface 108 also depending on the angle of inclination 113 the longitudinal axis 110 of the electronic pointing device with respect to the touch panel of the digital input device and to the input surface 108 of the digital input device 102 can resend.

The electronic pointing device 101 It can be configured to change the angle of inclination 113 between the longitudinal axis 110 of the electronic pointing device 101 and the touchpad 108 , or between the longitudinal axis 110 and a straight line 111 in the plane or parallel to the plane of the touchpad 108 , can determine.

The angle of inclination 113 can be set so that at an angle of inclination of 90 °, the longitudinal axis 110 of the electronic pointing device 101 perpendicular to the touch-sensitive input surface 108 of the digital input device is oriented.

The 2 illustrates an exemplary schematic embodiment of an electronic pointing device according to the invention 200 which, for example, identical or analogous to that in the 1 shown pointing device 101 can be.

This can be an electrically conductive mine 203 of the electronic pointing device 200 to an entrance 208 an amplifier circuit 201 be connected, and a second input of the amplifier circuit 201 to be grounded.

The exit 207 the amplifier circuit 201 can to the also electrically conductive, exemplary conical running, end part 202 be connected to so electric charges on the electrically conductive tip 203 of the electronic pointing device 200 So the tip 203 the mine, to be able to transfer. In another exemplary embodiment, not shown, the output of the amplifier circuit is the tip 203 himself.

Said electrical charges can be further electrically capacitively forwarded to the electrically capacitive touch-sensitive input surface, or can be registered by an electrically capacitive touch-sensitive input surface (not shown) of a digital input device (not shown).

Between the electrically conductive components of the pointing device 200 , ie in particular between mine 203 and end part 202 , can be a non-conductive insulation layer 204 be arranged.

By means of this exemplary electrically capacitive coupling, one of the pointing device can therefore be used 200 received electrical measurement signal, for example, emitted from the input surface of a digital input device, are selectively amplified and returned to the input surface of the digital input device.

Optionally, said of the pointing device 200 recorded electrical measurement signal also in dependence of one of the pointing device 200 received control signal are amplified and / or amplified depending on the inclination angle of the longitudinal axis of the electronic pointing device with respect to the touch panel of the digital input device, and returned to the input surface of a digital input device.

Advantageously, a more accurate and energy-efficient determination of the position of a contact point on the input surface of a digital input device can thus be made possible.

To receive the digital input device (not shown), for example by sound, preferably by ultrasound, emitted control signals, the electronic pointing device 200 for example, at least one microphone 205 have, for example, in end 202 of the electronic pointing device 200 can be accommodated. Other arrangements of the microphone 205 For example, in an end part 202 opposite part of the electronic pointing device are also conceivable and even preferred.

The 3a shows an exemplary gain pattern or gain gain sequence of selective gain, respectively 300 at the electrical measuring pulses 301 (shown as narrow vertical bars) of an electrical measurement signal for determining a position on the touchpad of a digital input device (not shown) selectively amplified by an electronic pointing device (not shown).

The X-axis 303 represents the time axis, while the Y axis 304 as an axis of amplification of the electrical measuring pulses 301 can be understood. The Y-axis 304 is only applicable to the gain factors represented by vertical bars 302 the electrical measuring pulses 301 ie the y-axis does not refer to the length or height of the vertical narrow bars 301 , which is an example of electrical measuring pulses recorded by an electronic pointing device 301 can stand.

The illustrated exemplary gain pattern shows selective gain 300 of electrical measuring pulses 301 a touchpad of a digital input device by an electronic pointing device, in which, for example, only every second electrical measuring pulse is amplified, so every n-th measuring pulse is amplified with n = 2 and so amplified to the input surface, the touchpad (not shown), the digital input device (not shown) to determine a position on the touchpad.

In other words, an exemplary selective amplification sequence of electrical measuring pulses is shown here in which the amplifier circuit of an electronic pointing device is alternately switched on and off, ie a selective amplification sequence of the type "on-off-on-off-on-off". . "Is realized. In this case, the amplifier circuit can be activated relatively shortly before an electrical measuring pulse to be amplified in order to advantageously save energy. In other words, the amplifier circuit of the electronic pointing device is for the major part of the duration 305 switched off or shut down between two electrical measuring pulses to be amplified.

The 3b shows by way of example a further possible amplification pattern or an exemplary amplification sequence of a selective amplification 400 at the electrical measuring pulses 401 (shown as narrow vertical bars) of an electrical measurement signal for determining a position on the touchpad of a digital input device (not shown) selectively amplified by an electronic pointing device (not shown).

Analogous to 3a can be the x-axis 403 are considered as a time axis while the Y axis 404 as an axis of amplification of the electrical measuring pulses 301 can be understood. The Y-axis 404 is again only valid for the gain factors represented by vertical bars 402 . 405 . 406 the electrical measuring pulses 401 ie the y-axis does not refer to the length or height of the vertical narrow bars 401 , which is an example of electrical measuring pulses recorded by an electronic pointing device 401 can stand.

The illustrated exemplary gain pattern shows selective gain 400 of electrical measuring pulses 401 a touchpad of a digital input device by an electronic pointing device, in which, for example, electrical measuring pulses 401 be amplified alternately with different gain factors, for example with a first gain factor V1, 405 , and a second gain V2, 406 , where the first gain factor 405 eg higher than the second amplification factor 406 can be.

In other words, an exemplary selective amplification sequence of electrical measuring pulses is shown here, in which the amplifier circuit of an electronic pointing device alternately with different amplification factors V1, 405 , V2, 406 , works, ie a selective amplification sequence of the type "... V1-V2-V1-V2-V1-V2 ..." or the type "... high-low-high-low-high-low ... "Is realized.

In this case too, the amplifier circuit can be activated only relatively shortly before an electrical measuring pulse to be amplified in order to advantageously save energy. In other words, the amplifier circuit of the electronic pointing device for the greater part of the duration 407 be switched off or shut down between two electrical measuring pulses to be amplified.

The 3c shows by way of example a further possible amplification pattern or an exemplary amplification sequence of a selective amplification 500 , at the electrical measuring pulses 501 (shown as narrow vertical bars) of an electrical measurement signal for determining a position on the touchpad of a digital input device (not shown) selectively amplified by an electronic pointing device (not shown).

Analogous to 3a and 3b can be the x-axis 503 being considered as a timeline, while the Y axis 504 as an axis of amplification of the electrical measuring pulses 501 can be understood. The Y-axis 504 is again only valid for the gain factors represented by vertical bars 502 . 506 . 507 the electrical measuring pulses 501 ie the y-axis does not refer to the length or height of the vertical narrow bars 501 , which is an example of electrical measuring pulses recorded by an electronic pointing device 501 can stand.

The exemplary reference axis 505 can stand for a basic gain factor, for example. In the present case, the axis 505 Eg be a zero point axis, ie a gain equal to 0 represent.

Thus, an exemplary selective amplification is shown 500 of electrical measuring pulses 501 a touchpad of a digital input device by an electronic pointing device, in which, for example, electrical measuring pulses 501 be amplified alternately with different gain factors, wherein the gain factors also have alternating signs, that is, the amplitude of the electrical measuring pulses is alternately inverted.

For example, electrical measuring pulses can be alternated with a first amplification factor V1, 506 , and a second gain V2, 507 , to be amplified, with the first gain factor 506 eg higher than the second amplification factor 507 can be, and the gain factors can have opposite signs, for example, as shown, gain V1, 506 a positive sign and gain V2, 507 may have a negative sign.

It should again be emphasized that, as already mentioned, other more complex selective amplification patterns or selective amplification sequences are conceivable in which the definition of which electrical measurement pulses are amplified and with which amplification factors and with which amplification factor sign is amplified during operation of the electronic pointing device , is not constant, but is uniformly or not uniformly varied, and the measuring pulses can be targeted groupwise or selectively strengthened individually.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

100

System for carrying out and recording inputs on a digital input device with an electrically capacitive touch-sensitive input surface

101

Electronic pointing device

102

Digital input device

103

microphone

104

Top of the electronic pointing device, refill tip

105

End part of the electronic pointing device

106

Handle part of the electronic pointing device

107

Input on input surface

108

Electrically capacitive touchpad

109

speaker

110

Longitudinal axis of the electronic pointing device

111

Especially in the plane of the touchpad

112

Vertical / normal vector of the touchpad

113

Inclination angle between the longitudinal axis of the electronic pointing device and the touch-sensitive input surface / touchpad

200

Electronic pointing device

201

Amplifier circuit, amplifier

202

End part of the electronic pointing device

203

Top of the electronic pointing device, refill tip

204

insulation layer

205

microphone

206

Handle part of the electronic pointing device

207

Output of the amplifier

208

(First) input of the amplifier

209

(Second) input of the amplifier

210

mine

300

Exemplary amplification pattern or exemplary amplification sequence of a selective amplification of electrical measurement pulses

301

Electric measuring pulse

302

Amplification factor of the amplifier circuit of an electronic pointing device

303

X-axis, time axis

304

Y-axis, reinforcement axis

305

Duration between two electrical measuring pulses to be amplified

400

Exemplary amplification pattern or exemplary amplification sequence of a selective amplification of electrical measurement pulses

401

Electric measuring pulse

402

Amplification factor of the amplifier circuit of an electronic pointing device

403

X-axis, time axis

404

Y-axis, reinforcement axis

405

First gain V1

406

Second gain V2

407

Duration between two electrical measuring pulses to be amplified

500

Exemplary amplification pattern or exemplary amplification sequence of a selective amplification of electrical measurement pulses

501

Electric measuring pulse

502

Amplification factor of the amplifier circuit of an electronic pointing device

503

X-axis, time axis

504

Y-axis, reinforcement axis

505

Reference axis, e.g. Zero-point axis for basic gain factor, e.g. Reference axis for gain equal to 0

506

First gain V1

507

Second gain V2

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

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Cited patent literature

• US 8199132 B1 [0006]

Claims (11)

Electronic pointing device ( 101 . 200 ) for the input ( 107 ) on a digital input device ( 102 ) with electrically capacitive touchpad ( 108 ), wherein the electronic pointing device is electrically capacitively coupled to an electrical measurement signal of the touchpad, wherein the electrical measurement signal comprises a sequence of measurement pulses, and characterized in that the electronic pointing device ( 101 . 200 ) is further configured to receive the electrical measurement signal from the touchpad ( 108 ) and selectively amplify the recorded electrical measurement signal and to the touchpad ( 108 ) of the digital input device ( 102 ) to determine a position on the touchpad ( 108 ), although not everyone from the electronic pointing device ( 101 . 200 ) received measuring pulse is amplified equal. Electronic pointing device ( 101 . 200 ) according to claim 1, configured such that only every nth measuring pulse is amplified or every nth measuring pulse is not amplified, where n is a natural number greater than 1. Electronic pointing device ( 101 . 200 ) according to claim 1, configured such that measuring pulses are amplified differently in groups or not amplified in groups. Electronic pointing device ( 101 . 200 ) according to one of the preceding claims configured such that the amplification factor with which a measuring pulse recorded by the electronic pointing device is amplified can be varied from measuring pulse to measuring pulse. Electronic pointing device ( 101 . 200 ) according to one of the preceding claims, in such a way that the amplified electrical measurement signal comprises an alternating sequence of measurement pulses with amplification states with gain factor less than -1 and amplification states with amplification factor between -1 and 1. Electronic pointing device ( 101 . 200 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, in that the electronic pointing device is further configured to receive a control signal from the digital input device, the control signal including information about the signal strength of a signal generated by the electronic pointing device ( 101 . 200 ) on the touchpad ( 108 ) triggered electrical measurement signal to determine a position on the touchpad ( 108 ), and the electronic pointing device ( 101 . 200 ) is further configured to amplify the recorded electrical measurement signal of the touchpad in response to the received control signal. Electronic pointing device ( 101 . 200 ) according to claim 6, comprising at least one microphone ( 103 . 205 ) and further configured to control the control signal of the digital input device ( 102 ) in the form of sound waves, preferably in the form of ultrasonic waves, via the microphone ( 103 . 205 ) to recieve. Electronic pointing device ( 101 . 200 ) according to one of the preceding claims, further configured to adjust the angle of inclination between the longitudinal axis ( 110 ) of the electronic pointing device ( 101 . 200 ) and the touchpad ( 108 ) and the electronic pointing device ( 101 . 200 ) is additionally configured to record the recorded electrical measurement signal as a function of the determined angle of inclination ( 113 ) and to the input interface ( 108 ) of the digital input device ( 102 ) to determine a position on the touchpad ( 108 ). Electronic pointing device ( 101 . 200 ) according to claim 8, comprising an inertial positioning sensor system for determining the angle of inclination between the longitudinal axis of the electronic pointing device and the touchpad. Method for making entries on a digital input device ( 102 ) with electrically capacitive touchpad ( 108 ) by means of an electronic pointing device ( 101 . 200 ), comprising: recording an electrical measurement signal of the touchpad ( 108 ) on the electronic pointing device ( 101 . 200 ), wherein the electrical measurement signal comprises a sequence of measurement pulses, selectively amplifying the on the electronic pointing device ( 101 . 200 ) received electrical measurement signal of the touchpad ( 108 ), although not everyone from the electronic pointing device ( 101 . 200 ) is amplified the same time, return of the by the electronic pointing device ( 101 . 200 ) amplified electrical measurement signal to the touchpad ( 108 ) of the digital input device ( 102 ), to determine a position on the touchpad ( 108 ). System ( 100 ) for making and recording inputs on a digital input device ( 102 ) with electrically capacitive touchpad ( 108 ), comprising: a digital input device ( 102 ) with electrically capacitive touchpad ( 108 ), an electronic pointing device ( 101 . 200 ) for the input ( 107 ) on said digital input device ( 102 ), whereby the electronic pointing device ( 101 . 200 ) electrically capacitively to an electrical measurement signal of the touchpad ( 108 ), as well as the electronic pointing device ( 101 . 200 ) is configured to generate an electrical measurement signal of the touchpad ( 108 ), and wherein the electrical measurement signal comprises a sequence of measurement pulses, and the digital input device ( 102 ) is configured by the electronic pointing device ( 101 . 200 ) on the touchpad ( 108 ) triggered electrical measuring signals for determining a position on the touchpad ( 108 ) and the electronic pointing device ( 101 . 200 ) is further configured to selectively amplify the received electrical measurement signal and send it to the input surface (10). 108 ) of the digital input device ( 102 ), not all of the electronic pointing device ( 101 . 200 ) received measuring pulse is amplified equal.

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