JP2005043992A - Input pen - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input pen for a coordinate input device which is inexpensive and excellent in operability. <P>SOLUTION: This input pen is provided with a slide member 10 configured to slide when a coordinate input surface is pressurized by a pen tip part, a switch 12 for pen-down detection to be operated according as the slide member 10 slides, and a cylinder member 11 having a fixing part for regulating the slide direction by inserting the slide member 10, and for positioning and fixing the switch 12. The input pen regulates the slidable range in the slide direction of the slide member by engaging a recessed part formed in at least a part of the fitting surface of the slide member 10 and a projecting part formed in at least a part of the fitting surface of the cylinder member 11. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

で計算される。
【０２６７】
以上、遮光方式の座標入力装置ついて説明したが、ここで座標入力装置と大型の表示装置とを一体に構成した入出力一体型装置の具体的な使用例及び操作例について述べる。
【０２６８】
その第一使い勝手は、本実施形態の座標入力装置が、例えば、特定領域の座標値（特定領域とは、例えば、ある座標値を中心とした半径Ｒの領域、あるいは、ある座標値を重心とした多角形等の意味で、ある面積を有する特定の場所）を出力した場合に、その特定領域に割り付けられた動作を実行するように構成したものである。
【０２６９】
つまり、この特定領域に相当する部位に、表示装置によりスイッチを示すアイコンを表示させ、操作者がそのアイコンをタッチ（クリック）することによって、その特定領域内のいずれかの座標値を、本実施形態の座標入力装置が出力し、スイッチに割り付けられた動作を実行するように構成したものである。
【０２７０】
第二の使い勝手は、操作者による指示具の移動動作に伴ない、その移動に応じた検出座標値を連続的に出力して、その座標情報に基づきあたかも『鉛筆と紙』のような関係で、表示装置により指示具の移動軌跡（以後筆跡と称す）を表示させることである。表示装置と座標入力装置を一体に組み合わせた装置をこのように構成することで、周知の『インクペンを用いたホワイトボード』と同様に、文字や図形の入力がダイレクトに行えるようになる。
【０２７１】
第三の使い勝手は、操作者による指示具のタップ動作、つまり、例えば、連続的に表示スクリーンを２回タッチすることによって、現状、特に、パーソナルコンピュータのマウス動作で周知されている『ダブルクリック』を実現する使い勝手である。通常の座標入力装置は、所定周期毎に座標値を出力（例えば、１００点／秒の座標検出サンプリングレートであれば、５ｍｓｅｃ毎に座標を出力する能力を有する）することができるので、座標出力タイミングを監視することで、指示具がタップ動作の有無を判定できる。
【０２７２】
具体的に説明すれば、ある時間に座標値Ａが出力された後、次の座標サンプリングで座標値が検出されず（例えば、１００点／秒の座標検出サンプリングレートの時、５ｍｓｅｃ時間が経過しても座標値が検出されない）、次に出力される座標値Ｂが、座標値Ａが出力された時間から所定時間以内で、かつ座標値Ａと座標値Ｂが略等しい場合に、ダブルクリック動作であると判定する。
【０２７３】
以上のような動作を良好な操作性を持って実現するためには、「発明が解決しようとする課題」の項で説明した不具合を解消するためのペンダウン信号生成手段が必須であり、しかもペンダウン検出するためのペン先スイッチ９に求められる仕様は、軽荷重動作かつ小ストローク、願わくば動作荷重３０ｇ以下、ストローク０．１ｍｍ以下が好ましい形態であり、本実施形態では、これらの仕様を満足する優れた構成の指示具である座標入力ペン１を提供することができる。。
【０２７４】
さて、本実施形態のように、指示具の状態を光信号として放射するような座標入力ペン１を、遮光方式の座標入力装置に適用する場合、実際の動作では、座標取得のための座標取得用発光（図１７において、ＣＰＵ１３３の制御に基づき動作するＬＥＤ駆動回路１３４Ｌ及び１３４Ｒ、及びＬＥＤ駆動回路１３４Ｌ及び１３４Ｒによって駆動されるセンサユニット１０２Ｌ及び１０２Ｒ中の投光部３００の赤外ＬＥＤ１１１）と、座標入力ペン１によるペン信号のペン発光とは同期が取れていないため、座標取得用の発光と、ペン発光が重なる場合が生じる。
【０２７５】
図２６はそのような場合を示したものであり、上段がペン発光信号、下段が座標取得のための投光部３００の座標取得用発光信号（駆動信号）１４４、１４５（図１８参照）である。
【０２７６】
図２６において、ペン発光信号がＡの場合には、ペン発光と座標用発光期間が確実にずれているため問題はないが、同図Ｂの場合にはペン発光の一部が、また、同図Ｃの場合ではペン発光が座標用発光期間と完全に重なっている。このような重なりがあると、座標取得用発光信号に飽和が生じたり、あるいは、波形変形を引き起こし検出誤差の原因となりかねない。そこで、両者の発光が重ならないよう制御する必要がある。
【０２７７】
図２７はその一例を示すものである。図中、１６０は、センサユニット１０２Ｌ（１０２Ｒ）の出力である。１６１は、この出力信号１６０がアクティブの時には座標取得を禁止する座標取得禁止信号であり、ＣＰＵ１３３によって先頭の受光があってから一定時間アクティブ（この場合は、ＬＯＷ）となる。
【０２７８】
１６２、１６３は座標取得用発光信号である。まず、演算・制御ユニット１０１中のＣＰＵ１３３は、ある一定時間毎に座標取得をするために発光を行うが、その発光の前に座標入力ペン１の発光の有無の判定動作を行う。
【０２７９】
つまり、座標取得禁止信号１６１を監視し、これがアクティブでなければ、ＣＰＵ１３３は、座標取得用発光動作を開始するが、座標取得禁止信号１６１がアクティブの場合には、座標取得禁止信号がインアクティブになるまで待ってから（図２７（ａ）中のＡ点）座標取得を行う。
【０２８０】
一方、座標取得用発光中に仮にペン発光がなされると、座標取得禁止信号１６１がアクティブになる場合がある。そのときには、図２７（ｂ）のように、座標取得禁止信号１６１はインアクティブなので、ＣＰＵ１３３は、座標取得用発光動作を開始するが、その発光動作中に座標取得禁止信号１６１がアクティブになる。そのため、この場合には、得られたデータを無効にし、座標取得禁止信号１６１がインアクティブになるのを待って、もう一度、座標取得用発光動作をやりなおすことにする。
【０２８１】
本実施形態では、座標取得禁止信号１６１がアクティブとなる時間は、座標取得用発光期間より長く設定してあるので、座標取得用発光を開始する直前、及びその直後に座標取得禁止信号１６１を監視すれば、ペン発光と座標取得用発光の両者が同時に発光することがないように構成できる。
【０２８２】
また、先にも説明したように、本実施形態の座標入力装置は一定周期で座標を検出するように構成されているので、ペン発光が検知されない場合には、その所定周期で座標取得用発光が行われる。そして、ペン発光が検知され、その両者が重なった場合には、座標の再読込が行われ、あたかもその再読込のタイミングをトリガとして、所定周期毎に座標出力が行われるようになる。
【０２８３】
従って、座標取得用発光の際に座標取得禁止信号１６１をチェックするだけで、ペン発光と座標取得用発光の重複を回避することが可能になり、座標検出精度の低下等を防止することが可能となる。
【０２８４】
尚、上記実施形態では、座標取得用発光期間よりも長い時間、座標取得禁止信号１６１をアクティブに保持する構成としているが、演算・制御ユニット１０１の処理能力に余裕があるような場合、つまり、常に、座標取得禁止信号１６１をモニタできるような構成の場合には、座標取得禁止信号１６１は発光にかかる時間だけアクティブにすればよい。例えば、座標入力ペン１のスイッチ信号が、図３に示す信号構成であれば、スタート信号Ｓｔａｒｔからストップ信号Ｓｔｏｐの発光が終了するまでの時間、禁止するように構成することが可能となる。
【０２８５】
以上の構成に基づく座標入力装置の座標算出処理について、図２８を用いて説明する。
【０２８６】
図２８は本発明の実施形態の座標入力装置が実行する座標算出処理を示すフローチャートである。
【０２８７】
まず、座標入力装置の電源が投入されると、ステップＳ１０２で、制御・演算ユニット１０１のポート設定、タイマ設定等の座標入力装置に係る各種初期化を行う。
【０２８８】
ステップＳ１０３で、ラインＣＣＤ４１の初期読込動作の初期読込回数を設定する。
【０２８９】
尚、この初期読込動作は、座標入力装置の起動時におけるラインＣＣＤ４１の不要電荷除去を行うのための動作である。ラインＣＣＤ４１では、動作させていないときに不要な電荷を蓄積している場合があり、その電荷が蓄積されている状態で座標入力動作を実行すると、検出不能になったり、誤検出の原因となる。そこで、これを避けるために、ステップＳ１０３では、投光部３００による投光を停止している状態で、所定回数の読込動作を実行し、これにより、不要電荷の除去を行う。
【０２９０】
ステップＳ１０４で、ラインＣＣＤ４１の読込動作を実行する。ステップＳ１０５で、所定回数以上の読込を実行したか否かを判定する。所定回数以上の読込を実行していない場合（ステップＳ１０５でＮＯ）、ステップＳ１０４に戻る。一方、所定回数以上の読込を実行した場合（ステップＳ１０５でＹＥＳ）、ステップＳ１０６に進む。
【０２９１】
ステップＳ１０６で、第１リファレンスデータとして、投光部３００による投光を停止している状態でのラインＣＣＤ４１の画素データ（Ｂａｓ＿ｄａｔａ［Ｎ］）を取り込む。ステップＳ１０７で、その第１リファレンスデータをメモリ１３２に記憶する。
【０２９２】
次に、ステップＳ１０８で、第２リファレンスデータとして、投光部３００からの投光を行っている状態でのラインＣＣＤ４１の画素データ（Ｒｅｆ＿ｄａｔａ［Ｎ］）を取り込む。ステップＳ１０９で、その第２リファレンスデータをメモリ１３２に記憶する。
【０２９３】
ここまでの処理が、電源投入時の初期動作になる。この初期設定動作は、座標入力装置に構成されているリセットスイッチ等により操作者の意図によって動作するように構成しても良いことは言うまでも無く、この初期設定動作を経て、通常の座標入力ペン１による座標入力動作状態に移行することになる。
【０２９４】
まず、ステップＳ１２１で、座標入力ペン１の発光の有無を示す座標取得禁止信号１６１がアクティブであるか否かを判定する。座標取得禁止信号がアクティブである場合（ステップＳ１２１でＹＥＳ）、インアクティブになるまで判定を繰り返す。一方、座標取得禁止信号がインアクティブである場合（ステップＳ１２１でＮＯ）、ステップＳ１１０に進む。
【０２９５】
ステップＳ１１０で、座標入力サンプリング状態で、ラインＣＣＤ４１の通常読込動作を実行して、画素データ（Ｎｏｒｍ＿ｄａｔａ［Ｎ］）を取り込む。次に、ステップＳ１２２で、再度、座標取得禁止信号１６１がアクティブであるか否かを判定する。座標取得禁止信号がアクティブである場合（ステップＳ１２２でＹＥＳ）、インアクティブになるまで判定を繰り返す。一方、座標取得禁止信号がインアクティブである場合（ステップＳ１２２でＮＯ）、ステップＳ１１１に進む。
【０２９６】
ステップＳ１１１で、第２リファレンスデータ（Ｒｅｆ＿ｄａｔａ［Ｎ］）と画素データ（Ｎｏｒｍ＿ｄａｔａ［Ｎ］）の差分値を計算する。ステップＳ１１２で、その差分値と上述の閾値Ｖｔｈｒに基づいて、座標入力ペン１による入力の有無を判定する。入力がない場合（ステップＳ１１２でＮＯ）、ステップＳ１２１に戻る。一方、入力がある場合（ステップＳ１１２でＹＥＳ）、ステップＳ１１３に進む。
【０２９７】
尚、このときの繰り返し周期を１０［ｍｓｅｃ］程度に設定すれば、１００回／秒のサンプリングになる。
【０２９８】
ステップＳ１１３で、画素データの変化の比を、（２）式を用いて算出する。
【０２９９】
ステップＳ１１４で、計算された画素データの変化の比に対して、座標入力ペン１による遮光範囲に対応する画素データ分布の立ち下がりと立ち上がりの検出を行い、検出された立ち下がり及び立ち上がりと、（４）、（５）及び（６）式を用いて、遮光範囲の中心となる仮想的な中心画素番号を決定する。
【０３００】
ステップＳ１１５で、決定された中心画素番号と（８）式よりＴａｎθを計算する。ステップＳ１１６で、センサユニット１Ｌ及び１Ｒに対するＴａｎθ値から、座標入力ペン１の入力座標Ｐ（ｘ，ｙ）を、（９）及び（１０）式を用いて算出する。
【０３０１】
次に、ステップＳ１１７で、座標入力ペン１による入力がタッチダウン入力であるか否かを判定する。
【０３０２】
尚、この判定は、まず、座標入力ペン１からの発光の有無をセンサユニット１０２Ｌ（１０２Ｒ）の出力に基づいて判定する。そして、特に、座標入力ペン１からの発光がある場合に、得られるスイッチ信号を復調することによって、座標入力ペン１のペン先スイッチ９の動作状態を判定することで、タッチダウン入力であるか否かを判定する。
【０３０３】
このような判定方法に基づいて、ステップＳ１１７で、座標入力ペン１による入力がタッチダウン入力である場合（ステップＳ１１８７でＹＥＳ）、ステップＳ１１８に進み、タッチダウン入力である（つまり、ペン先スイッチ９が動作している）ことを示すダウンフラグをセットする。一方、座標入力ペン１による入力がタッチダウン入力でない場合（ステップＳ１１７でＮＯ）、ステップＳ１１９に進み、ダウンフラグをリセットする。
【０３０４】
一方、ステップＳ１１７の判定において、座標入力ペン１からの発光がない場合には、座標入力ペン１以外の指等の指示具により座標入力が行われていると判断できるので、この場合のタッチダウンの有無の判定は、次のように行う。
【０３０５】
すでに図２０及び図２１を用いて説明したように、指等の指示具が完全に光を遮光、つまり、座標入力面をタッチすることによって、完全に光がさえぎられるようになると、その部分で検出される画素の出力によって得られる画素データの変化の比の値（図２２（ｂ）参照）は１に近づく（先に説明した様に、半分程度が遮光されるとその値は０．５）。そこで、この画素データの変化の比の値を監視することによって、指等の指示具が座標入力面をタッチしているか否かを判定することが可能となる。
【０３０６】
以上のようにして、座標入力ペン１以外の指等の指示具によるタッチダウンの有無の判定は、上記のような判定方法で実現する。そして、この判定結果に基づいて、ステップＳ１１８でダウンフラグのセット、あるいはステップＳ１１９でダウンフラグのリセットを行う。
【０３０７】
尚、指等の指示具による座標入力は、以上説明してきた専用の指示具である座標入力ペン１を用いた入力に比べ、例えば、操作者の意図する軌跡を忠実に残すことはできないが、道具を用いることなく座標入力が行えるという利点は有するので、操作の目的に応じてアプリケーションを切り替えれば良い。
【０３０８】
また、本実施形態の主眼となる座標入力ペン１を用いて座標入力を行う場合にあっては、座標入力ペン１の動作状態に応じて発光されるペンダウン信号を検出して、ダウンフラグのセット（ステップＳ１１８）あるいはリセット（ステップＳ１１９）が行われる。
【０３０９】
このように構成することで、表示画面上のカーソルを移動させることができる状態と、座標入力ペン１を移動させることによって、表示画面上のカーソル移動が筆跡となって表示される状態（通常、良く知られているマウスで説明すれば、マウス左ボタンを押した状態でマウスを操作することに相当）を実現することができる。
【０３１０】
そして、ステップＳ１２０で、ダウンフラグの状態（ペン情報（ペンダウンあるいはペンアップ））と算出した座標値を外部端末へ出力する。この出力は、ＵＳＢインタフェースやＲＳ２３２Ｃインタフェース等のシリアル通信で送っても良いし、無線ＬＡＮやブルートゥース等の無線通信で送信しても良い。
【０３１１】
外部端末では、座標入力装置を制御するデバイスドライバが受信データを解釈して、カーソルの移動、マウスボタン状態の変更を行うことで、表示画面の操作を実現する。
【０３１２】
尚、ステップＳ１２０の処理が終了したら、ステップＳ１１０に戻り、以降、電源ＯＦＦまで、もしくは、操作者の意図によってリセット状態が設定されるまで、上記の処理を繰り返すことになる。
【０３１３】
以上説明したように、座標入力ペン１の先端が座標入力面とどのような位置関係にあるかを正確に判定するペン先スイッチ９を設けることで、先に説明した『尾引き』等の障害、あるいは操作性の低下等を回避することが可能となる。このような専用の指示具を用いた場合には、次のように構成することで、新たな利点を更に得ることが可能となる。
【０３１４】
図３０で説明した通り、指等の遮蔽物によって座標入力を行う場合には、ダウンフラグの設定の制約により高さｈ１あるいはｈ２の値をできるだけ小さくするのが好ましいとされた。しかしながら、専用の指示具を用いる場合には、別の手段によってダウンフラグの設定は容易に行えるので、この制約が無くなる。
【０３１５】
従って、図３０（ｂ）に示すが如く意図的に高さｈ１の値を設定し、座標入力面より離れた位置にあっても座標入力を行えるように構成することができる。使い勝手としては、座標入力面より離れた位置にあっても指示具の位置を検出できる。そのため、その座標検出値で、例えば、表示されているカーソルを移動することで、指示具の位置を表示画面上で確認できるようになり、表示画面上の所望の位置を正確に指示することができる。
【０３１６】
この離れた位置でも座標入力が行える機能は、一般に『近接入力』と称され、近接入力を実現するために、図３０（ｂ）に示すが如く意図的に高さｈ１の値を設定し、高さｈ１の値を設定することで生じる各種障害をペン先スイッチ９の状態を検知することで解消している。
【０３１７】
従って、本実施形態の座標入力ペン１のような自発光型専用指示具による座標入力、及び指等の任意の遮蔽物による座標入力のどちらをも実現できる座標入力装置にあっては、任意の遮蔽物による座標入力の際には、高さｈ１の値をできるだけ小さく、逆に、自発光型専用指示具による座標入力の際には、高さｈ１の値をできるだけ大きく設定するように構成するのが好ましい。
【０３１８】
以上説明したように、本実施形態によれば、座標入力ペン１を構成するシリンダ部材１１に小ストローク、軽動作荷重で動作するＯＮ／ＯＦＦスイッチ１２を一体で構成するとともに、シリンダ部材１１とスライド部材１０の２部品で、スライド部材１０の両方向へのスライド範囲を制限できるように構成したので、小ストローク、軽動作荷重で動作するペン先スイッチ９を調整組み立てすることなく、安価に生産することができ、操作性に優れる座標入力装置用入力ペン１を実現することができる。
【０３１９】
また、ペン先スイッチ９に異常荷重が負荷された場合には、その負荷が直接、ＯＮ／ＯＦＦスイッチ１２に伝達することを防止できるので、操作者により座標入力ペン１を誤落下させる場合が有っても、座標入力ペン１の破壊防止に大きく寄与できる。
【０３２０】
また、本実施形態の変形例１のように、第一スライド部材４８、第二スライド部材４７を一体化してスライド部材１０を構成する場合であっても、その一体化のための調整作業は不要であり、上記実施形態と同等の作用効果が得られる。
【０３２１】
また、これらのペン先スイッチ９を大量に生産する場合であっても、シリンダ部材１１により、全部品の位置決めが行われ、ペン先スイッチ９の性能のばらつきが小さく、安定した性能を容易に実現できる。
【０３２２】
また、ペン先スイッチ９を座標入力ペン１の筐体に組み込むまで、ペン先スイッチ９からスライド部材１０を分離可能とする構成なので、製造、輸送工程におけるＯＮ／ＯＦＦスイッチ１２の性能維持を保つための管理が不要であり、コスト面、信頼性という観点で優れた効果も得ることができる。
【０３２３】
尚、本発明は、前述した実施形態の機能を実現するソフトウェアのプログラム（実施形態では図に示すフローチャートに対応したプログラム）を、システムあるいは装置に直接あるいは遠隔から供給し、そのシステムあるいは装置のコンピュータが該供給されたプログラムコードを読み出して実行することによっても達成される場合を含む。
【０３２４】
従って、本発明の機能処理をコンピュータで実現するために、該コンピュータにインストールされるプログラムコード自体も本発明を実現するものである。つまり、本発明は、本発明の機能処理を実現するためのコンピュータプログラム自体も含まれる。
【０３２５】
その場合、プログラムの機能を有していれば、オブジェクトコード、インタプリタにより実行されるプログラム、ＯＳに供給するスクリプトデータ等の形態であっても良い。
【０３２６】
プログラムを供給するための記録媒体としては、例えば、フロッピー（登録商標）ディスク、ハードディスク、光ディスク、光磁気ディスク、ＭＯ、ＣＤ−ＲＯＭ、ＣＤ−Ｒ、ＣＤ−ＲＷ、磁気テープ、不揮発性のメモリカード、ＲＯＭ、ＤＶＤ（ＤＶＤ−ＲＯＭ，ＤＶＤ−Ｒ）などがある。
【０３２７】
その他、プログラムの供給方法としては、クライアントコンピュータのブラウザを用いてインターネットのホームページに接続し、該ホームページから本発明のコンピュータプログラムそのもの、もしくは圧縮され自動インストール機能を含むファイルをハードディスク等の記録媒体にダウンロードすることによっても供給できる。また、本発明のプログラムを構成するプログラムコードを複数のファイルに分割し、それぞれのファイルを異なるホームページからダウンロードすることによっても実現可能である。つまり、本発明の機能処理をコンピュータで実現するためのプログラムファイルを複数のユーザに対してダウンロードさせるＷＷＷサーバも、本発明に含まれるものである。
【０３２８】
また、本発明のプログラムを暗号化してＣＤ−ＲＯＭ等の記憶媒体に格納してユーザに配布し、所定の条件をクリアしたユーザに対し、インターネットを介してホームページから暗号化を解く鍵情報をダウンロードさせ、その鍵情報を使用することにより暗号化されたプログラムを実行してコンピュータにインストールさせて実現することも可能である。
【０３２９】
また、コンピュータが、読み出したプログラムを実行することによって、前述した実施形態の機能が実現される他、そのプログラムの指示に基づき、コンピュータ上で稼動しているＯＳなどが、実際の処理の一部または全部を行ない、その処理によっても前述した実施形態の機能が実現され得る。
【０３３０】
さらに、記録媒体から読み出されたプログラムが、コンピュータに挿入された機能拡張ボードやコンピュータに接続された機能拡張ユニットに備わるメモリに書き込まれた後、そのプログラムの指示に基づき、その機能拡張ボードや機能拡張ユニットに備わるＣＰＵなどが実際の処理の一部または全部を行ない、その処理によっても前述した実施形態の機能が実現される。
【０３３１】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、本発明によれば、安価で、かつ操作性に優れた座標入力装置用の入力ペンを提供できる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施形態の座標入力ペンの概略構成図である。
【図２】本発明の実施形態のスライド部材の開口部の構成を示す図である。
【図３】本発明の実施形態のスイッチ信号の一例を示す図である。
【図４】本発明の実施形態のスイッチ信号の送信の過程を示す図である。
【図５Ａ】本発明の実施形態のペン先スイッチをペン先方向からみた外観図である。
【図５Ｂ】本発明の実施形態の図５Ａのペン先スイッチのＡ−Ａ断面図である。
【図５Ｃ】本発明の実施形態の図５Ａのペン先スイッチのＢ−Ｂ断面図である。
【図６Ａ】本発明の実施形態のスライド部材及びガイド部材の詳細構成を示す図である。
【図６Ｂ】本発明の実施形態のスライド部材及びガイド部材の詳細構成を示す図である。
【図６Ｃ】本発明の実施形態のスライド部材及びガイド部材の詳細構成を示す図である。
【図６Ｄ】本発明の実施形態のスライド部材及びガイド部材の詳細構成を示す図である。
【図７】本発明の実施形態のペン先スイッチの構成例を示す図である。
【図８】本発明の実施形態のＯＮ／ＯＦＦスイッチの変形例１を示す図である。
【図９】本発明の実施形態の変形例１でのＯＮ／ＯＦＦスイッチの組立図である。
【図１０】本発明の実施形態のＯＮ／ＯＦＦスイッチの変形例２を示す図である。
【図１１】本発明の実施形態のＯＮ／ＯＦＦスイッチの変形例３を示す図である。
【図１２Ａ】本発明の実施形態のＯＮ／ＯＦＦスイッチの変形例４を示す図である。
【図１２Ｂ】本発明の実施形態のＯＮ／ＯＦＦスイッチの変形例４を示す図である。
【図１２Ｃ】本発明の実施形態のＯＮ／ＯＦＦスイッチの変形例４を示す図である。
【図１３】本発明の実施形態の遮光方式の座標入力装置の概略構成を示す図である。
【図１４】本発明の実施形態のセンサユニットの投光部の構成例を示す図である。
【図１５】本発明の実施形態のセンサユニットの検出部の構成例を示す図である。
【図１６】本発明の実施形態のセンサユニットの構成例を示す図である。
【図１７】本発明の実施形態の制御・演算ユニットの詳細構成を示すブロック図である。
【図１８】本発明の実施形態の制御信号のタイミングチャートである。
【図１９】本発明の実施形態のセンサユニットによって得られる光量分布の一例を示す図である。
【図２０】本発明の実施形態の入力例を説明するための図である。
【図２１】本発明の実施形態のセンサユニットによって得られる光量分布の光量変化を説明するための図である。
【図２２】本発明の実施形態のセンサユニットによって得られる光量分布における光量変化量と光量変化比を説明するための図である。
【図２３】本発明の実施形態の光量分布における複数の立ち上がり及び立ち下がりを検出する場合を説明するための図である。
【図２４】本発明の実施形態の画素番号に対するθ値の関係を示す図である。
【図２５】本発明の実施形態の座標入力領域上に定義する座標とセンサユニット１０２Ｌ及び１０２Ｌとの位置関係を示す図である。
【図２６】本発明の実施形態の座標入力ペンの発光により発生する障害を説明するための図である。
【図２７】本発明の実施形態の座標入力ペンの発光により発生する障害を回避するためのタイミングチャートである。
【図２８】本発明の実施形態の座標入力装置が実行する座標算出処理を示すフローチャートである。
【図２９】従来の座標入力動作の一例を説明するための図である。
【図３０】光束と座標入力面の位置関係を説明するための図である。
【図３１】文字入力の際に発生する不具合を説明するための図である。
【符号の説明】
１ 座標入力ペン
２ ペン先
３ 筐体
４ 発光部
５ ペンサイドスイッチ
６ ペン制御回路
７ ＤＣコンバータ
８ 電池
９ ペン先スイッチ
１０ スライド部材
１１ シリンダ部材
１２ ＯＮ／ＯＦＦスイッチ[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an input pen for a coordinate input device having a coordinate input surface.
[0002]
[Prior art]
There are coordinate input devices that are used to control a connected computer or to write characters, graphics, etc. by inputting coordinates on a coordinate input surface by pointing with a pointing tool or a finger.
[0003]
Conventionally, as this type of coordinate input device, various types of touch panels have been proposed or commercialized, and it is easy to operate terminals such as personal computers on the screen without using special equipment. Since it can be used, it is widely used.
[0004]
There are various coordinate input methods such as those using a resistive film and those using ultrasonic waves. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method using light. In Patent Document 1, a retroreflective sheet is provided outside the coordinate input area, and an illumination unit that illuminates light disposed at a corner end of the coordinate input area and a light receiving unit that receives the light are used in the coordinate input area. Discloses a configuration in which an angle between a light shielding unit and a light shielding unit that shields light such as a finger is detected, and an instruction position of the shielding material is determined based on the detection result.
[0005]
Further, as disclosed in Patent Documents 2 and 3 and the like, a coordinate input device is disclosed in which a retroreflective member is configured around a coordinate input region to detect the coordinates of a portion where retroreflected light is shielded.
[0006]
In these apparatuses, for example, in Patent Document 2, the angle of the light-shielding part relative to the light-receiving part is detected by detecting the peak of the light-shielding part by the shielding object received by the light-receiving part by waveform processing calculation such as differentiation, and the detection The coordinates of the shielding object are calculated from the result. Patent Document 3 discloses a configuration in which one end and the other end of a light shielding part are detected by comparison with a specific level pattern, and the center of those coordinates is detected.
[0007]
In Patent Document 1, each pixel of a RAM imager that is a light receiving unit is read and compared by a comparator to detect a light-shielding portion. When there is a light-shielding portion having a certain width or more, pixels at both ends thereof are detected. A method for detecting the center and calculating the coordinates of the shielding object based on the detection result is shown.
[0008]
Here, in order to operate as a touch panel, it is necessary to determine whether or not an pointing tool such as a finger has touched the coordinate input surface. The resistance film method described above detects a change in electrical resistance value by touching a coordinate input surface.
[0009]
On the other hand, the ultrasonic method detects a touch position by observing a phenomenon in which ultrasonic vibration propagating in the input surface is attenuated by touching the coordinate input surface. It is easy to determine whether or not the user touches the coordinate input surface.
[0010]
However, in the methods of calculating coordinates by detecting the light shielding position (hereinafter referred to as the light shielding method) as in Patent Documents 1 to 3, light is applied to a position having a height h1 in the vertical direction of the coordinate input surface. By providing a detection light beam and shielding the light beam with a shielding object, the shielding position is detected. Therefore, even if the coordinate input surface is not touched, the coordinate value is detected and output.
[0011]
As an invention made in view of this point, for example, as shown in Patent Document 4 and Patent Document 5, when a plurality of threshold values for the light shielding amount are provided and a coordinate input operation is performed closer to the coordinate input surface A configuration for outputting coordinate values is disclosed.
[0012]
On the other hand, various types of coordinate input devices capable of calculating position coordinates with high accuracy using a coordinate input pen as a dedicated pointing tool have been proposed or commercialized and put into practical use. .
[0013]
Specifically, as shown in Patent Document 6 and Patent Document 7, using the electromagnetic coupling between the loop coil built in the dedicated tablet and the coil built in the coordinate input pen, the position coordinates of the coordinate input pen are used. There is a method to detect. Further, a method using electrostatic coupling as shown in Patent Document 8, and further, as shown in Patent Document 9 and Patent Document 10, there are a plurality of ultrasonic waves radiated from the coordinate input pen into the air. There is known a method for detecting the position coordinates of a coordinate input pen by measuring the arrival time to reach a sensor.
[0014]
In these special-purpose indicators of Patent Documents 6 to 10, the switch means incorporated in the dedicated indicator is operated by pressing the tip of the indicator against the coordinate input surface. Then, when the switch means is operated, a signal indicating that the tip of the pointing tool has been pressed is generated, and by detecting the signal, it is determined whether or not the pointing tool has touched the coordinate input surface. It is configured as follows.
[0015]
[Patent Document 1]
U.S. Pat. No. 4,507,557
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2000-105671 A
[Patent Document 3]
JP 2001-142642 A
[Patent Document 4]
JP 2001-147776 A
[Patent Document 5]
JP 2001-84106 A
[Patent Document 6]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-96825
[Patent Document 7]
JP-A-4-96212
[Patent Document 8]
JP-A-2-254520
[Patent Document 9]
US Pat. No. 6,111,565
[Patent Document 10]
JP 2002-132436 A
[0016]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Now, consider how the accuracy of “determination of whether or not the coordinate input surface has been touched” affects the operability of the operator who operates the coordinate input device.
[0017]
Here, particularly, consider a coordinate input device (touch panel) of a light shielding method.
[0018]
FIG. 29B is a layout view only from the front direction of the coordinate input device. For example, by designating a specific area (SW1 to SW3) provided in the lower left corner of the coordinate input surface 104, for example, a specific area is displayed. This is an example in which a plurality of switch areas that can be configured to start applications are installed.
[0019]
That is, when the operator designates a predetermined specific area with a finger or the like, the coordinate input device outputs a coordinate value, and the output coordinate value is a coordinate value in the specific area. It is determined whether or not. And it is comprised so that the operation | movement allocated to the specific area | region may be performed with this determination result, and it acts as if it operate | moves as a switch means.
[0020]
Fig.29 (a) shows the AA sectional drawing in FIG.29 (b). The coordinate input surface 104 made of a planar member also serves as the display surface of the display device. The light beam illuminated by the light projecting unit in the sensor unit 102 is emitted substantially parallel to the surface of the display device, is retroreflected by the retroreflecting unit 103, and is detected by the detecting unit in the sensor unit 102. As shown in FIG. 29A, the luminous flux is set in a range of heights h1 to h2 from the display surface (substantially equivalent to the installation range of the retroreflective unit 103), but h1≈h2 and the height is set. Setting h1 to “0” is difficult for the following reason.
[0021]
In general, in a large display device, particularly in a conference system in which a large number of participants hold a conference using the display device, the display size is about 60 inches to 100 inches diagonal or larger. Is required. Furthermore, since the surface of the display device is a coordinate input surface, it is required that the display surface does not bend even when pressed by a finger or the like.
[0022]
Therefore, the display surface is manufactured with a material having rigidity, but considering that the display area is large and transparency is necessary, for example, if the display surface uses glass, the plate thickness Is required to be rather thick and must be a heavy device.
[0023]
Furthermore, in a rear projector type display device used as a current large display device, the display surface is usually composed of a transparent resin plate having optical characteristics such as a Fresnel lens and a lenticular lens. The increase in the plate thickness not only increases the weight but also deteriorates the light transmittance and the like, and decreases the function as a display device.
[0024]
Therefore, as a countermeasure usually taken, there is a method of increasing the apparent rigidity by providing a curvature on the display surface even if it is slight. Now, if the central portion of the display surface is configured to be convex, h1 at the central portion of the display area can be set to “0” as much as possible. Since it is convex, the luminous flux is blocked by the display surface, so at least h1 corresponding to the bulge height is set naturally (see FIG. 30A. Specifically, the bulge of the display surface 104 is set). If, for example, 5 mm higher than the peripheral part, the h1 at the peripheral part is at least 5 mm). Conversely, if the central portion of the display surface is concave, it can be set to almost “0” at the periphery of the display area, but not at the central portion of the display area.
[0025]
Although described above from the viewpoint of rigidity, even if sufficient rigidity is obtained, it is difficult to set h1 to “0”. More specifically, assuming that the display size is 70 inches diagonal and the aspect ratio is 3: 4, the size of the display area is about 1060 mm × 1420 mm and the area is about 1.times. 5m ² It corresponds to.
[0026]
Considering the flatness of the material of the display surface, the flatness of the mounting surface, or the influence of thermal expansion, the flatness of the display surface is maintained at almost “0” in a state where the display surface is incorporated in the apparatus. This is impossible, and even if the value is about ± 1 mm, there is a great industrial difficulty. In addition, if h1≈h2 is set in that situation, the light flux is blocked by the distortion of the coordinate input surface at the time of coordinate input, and there is a large error in the detection of the indicated position that should be detected originally. The possibility of a fatal failure that makes the coordinate detection itself impossible becomes high.
[0027]
From the above viewpoint, it can be said that setting h1≈h2 and h1≈0 is practically impossible in the sense of manufacturing a large amount of the device at low cost.
[0028]
Now, as shown in FIG. 29B, a plurality of switch areas are set in the coordinate input surface 104 as shown in the figure. At this time, consider a case where the operator operates a switch 2 (SW2) in the drawing to execute a desired application. The operator's hand / finger does not perform the switch operation (acting to touch the SW2 area in FIG. 29B) in consideration of the movement only in the direction perpendicular to the display surface. It is normal not to be aware of the movement trajectory of the hand / finger other than saying that “it is just in the SW2 area”. For example, the movement operation is performed along the trajectory indicated by the thick arrow in FIG.
[0029]
A description will be given of the operation performed by the coordinate input device in accordance with this movement operation. First, the operator tries to execute the control assigned to the SW2 area and touches the SW2 area to display the coordinate input effective area (display). Suppose that the light beam set substantially parallel to the surface 104 is started to be blocked and the finger / hand is moved to the position (1). Here, when the light beam starts to be shielded, the coordinates of the light shielding position begin to be output. However, since the operator has not yet touched the coordinate input surface 104, the operator has not intended to operate the switch.
[0030]
Then, it is recognized that the switch operation is performed by pressing the SW2 region at the position (2) (the position in contact with the coordinate input surface 104). The operator achieves the purpose of performing the switch operation and moves the finger / hand to the position of (3). Even at the position of (3), the coordinate input device sets the coordinate value. Continue to output. Then, when the light beam is no longer blocked after the position (4), the coordinate output is stopped.
[0031]
The problem here is that the operator only recognizes that “the SW2 area has been pressed” in the state of (2), whereas the coordinate input device of (4) This is the point where the coordinate value is output to the state.
[0032]
That is, when the coordinate value output last by the series of movement operations of the operator is in the SW3 area, the operator has surely pressed the SW2 area, but the execution assigned to the SW3 area. The instruction will be executed. This not only gives the operator an unintended operation, but depending on the contents of the execution command, there is a serious risk of causing an unrepairable state.
[0033]
As a countermeasure, for example, a sufficiently large space (gap) between the SW1 area and the SW2 area is taken, or the output coordinate value is continuously monitored, and for example, the coordinate value output during the period Means such as setting the center as a definite value are also conceivable.
[0034]
However, the former countermeasure has a new problem such as an increase in the interval between the switch areas, poor operability, or the inability to arrange a large number of switches due to the size restriction of the coordinate input effective area. The latter countermeasure is, for example, “I've pointed to the wrong area, so I can achieve the original purpose by moving my finger in the state of (2) and releasing my finger at the correct position”. Therefore, the center position is not necessarily the correct position intended by the operator, that is, the possibility of malfunctioning cannot be excluded.
[0035]
Next, the tap operation of the finger, the pointing tool, etc. by the operator, for example, the “double-click” operation that is well known at present, especially the mouse operation of a personal computer, by continuously touching the display screen twice with the finger. Let us consider the case where the above is realized by this type of coordinate input device.
[0036]
A normal coordinate input device can output coordinate values at predetermined intervals (for example, a coordinate detection sampling rate of 100 points / second has the ability to output coordinates every 5 msec). Therefore, it should be possible to determine whether the operator has performed a tap operation by monitoring the coordinate output timing and the output coordinate value.
[0037]
That is, after the coordinate value A is output at a certain time, the coordinate value is not detected in the next coordinate sampling (for example, at a coordinate detection sampling rate of 100 points / second, the coordinate value is When the coordinate value B to be output next is within a predetermined time from the time when the coordinate value A is output and the coordinate value A and the coordinate value B are substantially equal, the double click operation is performed. Judge that it is.
[0038]
At this time, in FIG. 29A, when the operator performs an operation of (1) → (2) → (3) → (2) → (3) → (4) in an attempt to execute a double click operation. In order, the operator first designates a desired position in steps (1) → (2). Next, in step (2) → (3), the finger is released from the coordinate input surface 104. Next, in the step (3) → (2), a position substantially equal to the desired position previously designated is designated. Then, the double click operation is terminated in the steps (2) → (3) → (4).
[0039]
However, even though the operator recognizes that the double-clicking operation has been completed by touching the coordinate input surface 104 with a finger twice, the coordinate input device performs steps (1) → (2) → (3 ) → (2) → (3) → (4) Since coordinate output is continuously performed, the coordinate input device cannot determine the double-click operation intended by the operator.
[0040]
In other words, the operator can only recognize “whether or not the input surface is touched”, but a series of operations “touch the input surface (first time)”, “release”, “ In the “touch” (second time on the input surface) ”operation, the intention of the operator cannot be accurately determined unless the coordinate values continuously output are stopped during the“ release ”operation. In such a situation, in order to realize double-click operation reliably, it is necessary to perform “release” operation with “sufficient stroke”, and to what extent the operator has enough “sufficient stroke” Since it cannot be recognized immediately, it is necessary to perform an over action, and it cannot be said that the device is excellent in operability.
[0041]
As described above, for example, an icon (which may be an icon displayed in a specific area set in advance, or an area in which the icon is displayed is detected and the information and the coordinate input device are displayed on the display screen. When the user wants to execute a desired application or the like by touching the output coordinate values of these and touching the switch means, the coordinate input device is The adverse effect that occurs when the touch operation (determination of whether or not the input surface has been pressed) cannot be accurately detected has been described, but another specific failure will be described.
[0042]
Assume that the operator moves the pointing tool as shown in FIG. 31A in order to input the character “A”. At this time, the operator moves the pointing tool by touching the solid line portion in FIG. 31A on the input surface, and moves the pointing tool without touching the input surface on the broken line portion in FIG. Become.
[0043]
That is, it is assumed that the operator recognizes that he / she “touches the input surface” and leaves the handwriting, and the handwriting of the solid line part in FIG. 31A is recorded on the screen. As described above, the coordinate input device erroneously detects that the coordinate input operation is being performed by the pointing tool or the like, even though the coordinate input surface is not touched. Thus, the displayed character information is as shown in FIG.
[0044]
In other words, an extra locus is displayed immediately before / after touching the coordinate input surface even though the character “a” is input, and a display different from the locus intended by the operator can be obtained. . This phenomenon is hereinafter referred to as “tailing”, but due to the occurrence of this tailing, the information intended by the operator is not displayed, “difficult to see”, “cannot write small letters”, “draw fine graphic information. Such as “No”.
[0045]
On the other hand, if the touch information is erroneously detected even though the coordinate input surface is touched, the displayed character information is as shown in FIG. In spite of the input of the character “”, the trajectory information that should be originally displayed is lost immediately before / after touching the coordinate input surface, which is different from the trajectory intended by the operator.
[0046]
In order to avoid these phenomena, when the tip of the pointing device touches the coordinate input surface and is pressed, the switch means for detecting the fact has an operation stroke that is close to “zero”, and hopefully As a result of the examination, it was found that the desired load is 0.1 mm or less and the operating load at that time is as close to “zero” as possible, preferably about 30 g or less.
[0047]
In the prior art, switch means having an operation stroke of 0.2 mm, an operation ON load of 100 g, an operation OFF load of 50 g, and an operation life of 1 million times is commercially available. When the switch means is operated by pressing the tip of the pointing tool against the coordinate input surface (hereinafter, this switch means is referred to as a pen-down detection switch or a pen tip switch), for example, the operation stroke 0. It is possible to construct a pen-down detection switch with 2 mm and an operating load of 60 g.
[0048]
In other words, the tip of the indicator is pre-pressurized in the direction in which the switch means operates using a spring member or the like. For example, if the pressurization is set to 40 g, the switch means will operate if 60 g is further applied. . Since the mechanical gap (play) between the switch means and the slide member for transmitting the writing pressure is “zero” by this pressure, the stroke is equivalent to the stroke of 0.2 mm of the switch means.
[0049]
However, if the pressure is set to 60 g in order to further reduce the operation load, the operation OFF load of this switch means is 50 g. Therefore, the switch means is always in the ON state and does not function as the switch means.
In other words, it is difficult to configure a pen-down detection switch that operates with a lighter load, and it does not cause any negative effects such as “tailing”, but it has a light-operating load and a small-stroke pen-down detection switch. There arises a problem that the tool cannot be realized.
[0050]
As described above, in order to realize a coordinate input pen with good operability, a nib switch with a light operation load and a small stroke is essential. Further, since the pen tip switch is operated by pressing the pen tip of the coordinate input pen against the coordinate input surface, the slide member that transmits the force to the switch means by pressing the pen tip against the coordinate input surface is provided. The amount of movement must also be small.
[0051]
In other words, when the pointing device that is a coordinate input pen is manufactured by assembling the switch means and the slide member together, the play between the switch means and the slide member must be minimized as much as possible. Only the stroke for the switch to operate becomes larger and the operability is lowered).
[0052]
Furthermore, even if the pointing device is equipped with a switch means that has a small stroke and light operation load with good operability, for example, assuming that the operator accidentally drops the pointing device from the desk during operation, The impact is directly applied to the switch means via the slide member. Therefore, even in such a case, in order to prevent the switch means from being destroyed, a mechanism for reducing the impact load is an essential configuration.
[0053]
If it demonstrates using a concrete number, suppose that the slide member moves 0.1 mm by giving a 20-g load, and is operating the switch means. At this time, if an abnormal load of 1000 g is further applied, the slide member slides according to the relationship between the pressure of the switch means and the amount of deformation. For example, the switch is moved when the slide member further moves 0.2 mm from the switch operating state. The breakdown voltage exceeds 800 g, and the switch means is destroyed.
[0054]
Therefore, for example, it is necessary to separately provide stopper means so that the slide member does not slide further when the slide member further moves 0.1 mm from the switch operation state.
[0055]
That is, even when an abnormal load of 1000 g is applied, the slide member can be further moved by 0.1 mm from the switch operation state by the stopper means. At this time, the load directly applied to the switch means is about 400 g (assuming that the pressure resistance of the switch reaches 800 g when the variable light weight is 0.2 mm, the load when the variable light weight is 0.1 mm is assumed. For the remaining 600 g, for example, an abnormal load can be released to the casing of the pointing device via the stopper means, and the switch means can be prevented from being destroyed.
[0056]
Thus, the slide amount of the slide member needs to be limited in one slide direction in order to reduce the play between the switch means and the slide member, and in the opposite slide direction, to prevent the switch from being broken. Need to be restricted. Furthermore, by reducing this play, it becomes impossible to absorb the tolerances of the machine parts, so that the state that the pen point switch remains operating even though the operator does not press the pen point does not occur. Sufficient management is required for mass production of devices. Therefore, in order to realize a pointing device with good operability, it is necessary to set the slidable range of the slide member with respect to the switch means with very high accuracy and in both directions, and mechanical accuracy of the parts is required. In addition, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost becomes high, such as assembly by adjusting the positional relationship between components.
[0057]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide an input pen for a coordinate input apparatus that is inexpensive and excellent in operability.
[0058]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an input pen according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
An input pen for a coordinate input device having a coordinate input surface,
A sliding member that slides when the pen tip presses the coordinate input surface;
Switch means for pen-down detection that operates by sliding the slide member;
A cylinder member having a positioning portion for restricting the sliding direction and positioning the switch means by inserting the slide member;
By engaging a concave portion on at least a part of the fitting surface of the slide member with a convex portion on at least a part of the fitting surface of the cylinder member, the sliding movable range in the sliding direction of the slide member is increased. Regulatory means to regulate and
Is provided.
[0059]
Preferably, after the slide member is inserted into the cylinder member, the slide member is rotated by a predetermined angle around the slide axis so that the convex portion of the slide member and the concave portion of the cylinder member are engaged. The slidable range in the sliding direction of the slide member is restricted.
[0060]
In order to achieve the above object, an input pen according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
An input pen for a coordinate input device having a coordinate input surface,
A sliding member that slides when the pen tip presses the coordinate input surface;
Switch means for pen-down detection that operates by sliding the slide member;
A cylinder member having a positioning portion for restricting the sliding direction and positioning the switch means by inserting the slide member;
By engaging a convex portion on at least a part of the fitting surface of the slide member and a concave portion on at least a part of the fitting surface of the cylinder member, the sliding movable range in the sliding direction of the slide member is increased. Regulatory means to regulate and
Is provided.
[0061]
Preferably, after the slide member is inserted into the cylinder member, the slide member is rotated about a slide axis by a predetermined angle so that the concave portion of the slide member and the convex portion of the cylinder member are engaged, The slidable range in the sliding direction of the slide member is restricted.
[0062]
Preferably, each of the slide member and the cylinder member is provided with an anti-rotation means, and the slide member is inserted into the cylinder member and rotated by a predetermined angle, and then the slide is inserted into the casing of the input pen. By mounting the member and the cylinder member, there is further provided holding means for maintaining the relative angle around the axis of the both substantially constant.
Preferably, the cylinder member further includes a fixing portion that fixes the switch means positioned by the positioning portion of the cylinder member.
[0063]
Preferably, the slide member has a cylindrical surface that fits at least with a guide hole of the cylinder member, a first slide member having a press-fit surface that is smaller than the shape of the guide hole, and at least the cylinder member. It consists of a second slide member having a cylindrical surface to be fitted to the fitting surface, a press-fit surface of the first slide member and a press-fit portion capable of being press-fitted,
After the first slide member is inserted from one of the guide holes of the cylinder member, the second slide member is inserted from the other of the cylinder members, and the first slide member is inserted into the cylinder member by a predetermined load. The first slide member and the second slide member are press-fitted and fixed by the press-fitting portion to the position of the protrusion provided in the guide hole, thereby integrally configuring the slide member.
[0064]
Preferably, the switch means has a structure in which a conductive sheet member provided with a conductive member on at least one surface thereof, an annular spacer member, and a substrate member provided with an electrode pattern are sequentially laminated.
A plurality of pin means provided on an abutting surface where the cylinder member and the conductive sheet member abut, and guide holes provided respectively at corresponding positions of the conductive sheet member, the spacer member, and the substrate member. The cylinder member, the conductive sheet member, the spacer member, and the substrate member are integrally formed by positioning.
[0065]
Preferably, the switch means has a structure in which a laminated conductive sheet member provided with a conductive member on at least one surface thereof and a substrate member provided with an electrode pattern are sequentially laminated.
The plurality of pin means provided on the contact surface where the cylinder member and the laminated conductive sheet member abut, the guide holes respectively provided at the corresponding positions of the laminated conductive sheet member and the substrate member The cylinder member, the laminated conductive sheet member, and the substrate member are integrally formed.
[0066]
Preferably, the inscribed circle diameter of the attachment portion of the pen tip portion of the slide member is smaller than the diameter of the attachment portion of the pen tip portion, and the pen tip portion is press-fitted into the slide member, thereby A tip part is detachably attached to the slide member.
[0067]
Preferably, the diameter of the attachment portion of the pen tip portion of the slide member is smaller than a circumscribed circle diameter of the attachment portion of the pen tip portion, and the pen tip portion is press-fitted into the slide member, whereby the pen tip The part is detachably attached to the slide member.
[0068]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0069]
First, a schematic configuration of an input pen for a coordinate input device (hereinafter abbreviated as a coordinate input pen) according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
[0070]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a coordinate input pen according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0071]
The coordinate input pen 1 includes a battery 8, a DC converter 7 for boosting the battery voltage, a pen tip switch 9 (pen down detection switch) built in the coordinate input pen 1, and a pen side switch 5 provided on the pen side. A pen control circuit 6 that detects an operation state and generates a signal for transmitting the detection result to an external device or the like, and a light emitting unit 4 for emitting the generated signal as an optical signal.
[0072]
The pen tip switch 9 includes a slide member 10, a cylinder member 11, and an ON / OFF switch 12. In order to operate the pen tip switch 9 with a small stroke and a light operating load for improving operability, the operator presses the pen tip 2 against the coordinate input surface 104 (hereinafter, the operator inputs the coordinates. By operating the pointing tool such as the pen 1, the ON / OFF switch 12 is operated via the pen tip 2 and the slide member 10.
[0073]
When the ON / OFF switch 12 is in the ON state, the pen control circuit 6 is configured to generate a pen-down signal described later.
[0074]
In the present embodiment, the nib 2 is worn and deformed over time by the operation of the operator, so that the nib 2 is fixed by being press-fitted into the slide member 10, and the operator appropriately selects the nib 2. It can be exchanged.
[0075]
That is, the nib 2 (see FIG. 5B) has a substantially bullet-shaped shape with a cylindrical portion and one end surface of which has a curvature, and is fixed to the slide member 10 by press-fitting the cylindrical portion into the opening of the slide member 10. Is done.
[0076]
In the present embodiment, the opening of the slide member 10 has a plurality of protrusions as shown in FIG. 2 when viewed from the pen tip direction. By setting the diameter smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical portion of the nib 2, the nib 2 can be pressed into the slide member 10 and fixed.
[0077]
Further, by forming the opening of the slide member 10 in such a shape, the range in which the pen tip 2 and the slide member 10 interfere can be reduced, and the operator can easily attach and detach the pen tip 2 to and from the slide member 10. It is configured. On the contrary, the same effect can be obtained even if the inner surface of the opening of the slide member 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape and the protrusion is provided on the cylindrical portion of the pen tip 2.
Returning to the description of FIG.
[0078]
For example, when the pen side switch 5 is in an operation state (ON state), the switch signal is emitted from the light emitting unit 4. The coordinate input device main body that receives this switch signal is configured so that, for example, a specific application can be activated or a menu can be displayed on the display screen in the same way as a normal mouse right button.
[0079]
Note that there may be a plurality of the penside switches 5 depending on the application, or the penside switches 5 may be omitted.
[0080]
Further, in the present embodiment, the operation state of the pen tip switch 9 and the pen side switch 5 is detected, the detection result is emitted as an optical signal by the light emitting unit 4, and the signal is detected by the sensor unit of the coordinate input device. However, the transmission medium need not be light, and may be radio waves or ultrasonic waves, for example.
[0081]
Alternatively, the coordinate input pen 1 and the coordinate input device may be connected by a signal cable, and the signal from the coordinate input pen 1 may be transmitted to the coordinate input device body via the signal cable. In this case, since the coordinate input pen 1 is connected to the coordinate input device main body by a signal cable, the operation range of the coordinate input pen 1 is limited, and there is a concern that workability and operability may be reduced. However, since the power can be supplied to the coordinate input pen 1 from the coordinate input device main body side via the signal cable, the coordinate input pen 1 does not require the battery 8 and can be reduced in weight. ), I.e., applications that care about battery life.
[0082]
Now, the switch signal radiated as an optical signal from the light emitting unit 4 is modulated at a predetermined frequency f so as not to be affected by disturbances. Here, an example of the switch signal will be described with reference to FIG.
[0083]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a switch signal according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0084]
As shown in FIG. 3, the switch signal is generated when the start signal (start bit) Start indicating the start of the signal, the pen down switch signal S0 generated when the pen tip switch 1 operates, and the pen side switch 5 operates. The pen side switch signal S1 is composed of the inverted signals / S0 and / S1 of the S0 and S1 signals, and the stop signal (stop bit) Stop indicating the end of the signal to determine the validity of the data, and each is modulated at the frequency f. Has been.
[0085]
As shown in FIG. 4, the modulated light 106 from the light emitting unit 4 is demodulated by the sensor unit 102L (102R), and is converted into a control unit in the coordinate input device as a bit string (calculation / operation of the coordinate input device in FIG. For example, the CPU 133 (FIG. 17) in the arithmetic / control unit 101 determines the validity of the switch signal.
[0086]
When the CPU 133 in the arithmetic / control unit 101 detects the start signal Start at the start of the switch signal, it performs sampling at a constant period and determines 1 or 0 of each bit position. In this determination, for example, it is determined whether or not the logical value of the pen-down switch signal S0 and its inverted signal / S0 is present, and whether or not the stop signal Stop can be detected. Is configured to discard the data and perform detection again.
[0087]
Next, a detailed configuration of the pen tip switch 9 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5C.
[0088]
5A to 5C are diagrams showing a detailed configuration of the pen tip switch according to the embodiment of the present invention. In particular, FIG. 5A is an overview view of the pen tip switch viewed from the pen tip direction, and FIG. 5B is an A- A sectional view and FIG. 5C have shown BB sectional drawing of FIG. 5A.
[0089]
5B and 5C, the cylinder member 11 has a guide hole that fits with the slide shaft diameter of the slide member 10 so that the slide member 10 can repeatedly move in the axial direction of the slide member 10. In this embodiment, the cylinder member 11 holds and fixes the ON / OFF switch 12 including the conductive sheet member 43, the spacer member 42, and the substrate member 41 by a method described later.
[0090]
Here, the detailed structure of the cylinder member 11 and the slide member 10 is demonstrated using FIG.
[0091]
6A to 6C are diagrams showing detailed configurations of the slide member and the guide member according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0092]
Protrusions 31a and 31b are provided at axially symmetrical positions in the vicinity of the pressing surface 35 of the ON / OFF switch 12 of the slide member 10, and as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. And the recessed part 38 of the slide member 10 is formed of the one end surface 33 of the projection part 31a (31b).
[0093]
In the present embodiment, for the reason described later, the recess 38 is not formed over the entire circumference of the slide shaft, but is only partially configured. Therefore, in FIG. 5B, the concave portion 38 of the slide member 10 is not shown, and for example, the concave portion 38 of the slide member 10 is shown in FIG.
[0094]
On the other hand, a protrusion is provided in the guide hole of the cylinder member 11 that fits with the slide shaft of the slide member 10. Describing the shape of this protrusion, FIG. 6C shows the shape of the guide hole viewed from the slide axis direction, and the upper view of FIG. 6B shows a CC cross-sectional view thereof.
[0095]
6C and 6B, the convex part 21a (21b) of the cylinder member 11 is provided in the guide hole by the surface 23a (23b) and the end surface 22 at the axially symmetric position.
[0096]
Here, when the slide member 10 is inserted into the cylinder member 11, the protrusions 31 a and 31 b of the slide member 10 are set to guide holes of the cylinder member 11 by appropriately setting the relative angles of the two around the fitting shaft. The slide member 10 is moved until the one end surface 32 of the slide member 10 in FIG. 6B and the one end surface 22 of the convex portion 21a (21b) of the cylinder member 11 coincide with each other without interfering with the convex portions 21a and 21b. It has a structure that can be inserted.
[0097]
As shown in FIG. 6B, if the one end surface 32 of the slide member 10 and the end surface 22 of the convex portion 21a (21b) of the cylinder member 11 are substantially coincident with each other, the slide member 10 can rotate around the slide axis. is there. The slide member 10 and the cylinder member 11 are located at a position where the side surface of the protrusion 31a (31b) of the slide member 10 and the surface 25 generated by the step between the protrusion end surface 23a (23b) and the surface 24a (24b) of the cylinder member 11 coincide. Positioning around the slide axis is performed.
[0098]
At this time, although the slide member 10 is still rotatable with respect to the cylinder member 11, the pen tip switch 9 that has completed the assembly of the ON / OFF switch 12 described later is attached to the casing 3 of the coordinate input pen 1. By incorporating it, its rotation is restricted.
[0099]
That is, when the pen tip switch 9 is assembled to the housing 3 in a state where the slide member 10 is inserted into the cylinder member 11 to a predetermined position and then rotated around the slide shaft by a predetermined angle (see FIG. 6D), the housing 3 A protrusion (not shown) provided on the cylinder member 11 is engaged with the recess 43a of the cylinder member 11, and an octagonal opening provided on the housing 3 is engaged with the prism portion 37 of the slide member 10. As a result, the relative angle around the axis of the slide member 10 and the cylinder member 11 is held substantially constant, and the slide member 10 cannot be detached from the cylinder member 11.
[0100]
In this embodiment, since the state of the switch is transmitted by the light emitting unit 4 such as an LED, the housing 3 is composed of a light transmitting member that can transmit the radiated light.
[0101]
Next, a configuration example of the pen tip switch 9 of the present embodiment and an assembling method thereof will be described with reference to FIG.
[0102]
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the pen tip switch according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0103]
FIG. 7A is a front exploded perspective view of the nib switch 9 when the nib 2 is the front. 43 is a conductive sheet member provided with a conductive member on at least one surface thereof, and has a protrusion 44 for obtaining electrical connection with the electrode 45 on the substrate member 41. An annular spacer member 42 is held between the conductive sheet member 43 and the other electrode 46 of the substrate member 41 with a gap corresponding to the sheet thickness of the spacer member 42.
[0104]
FIG. 7B is a rear exploded perspective view of the pen tip switch 9. Four positioning pins 13 a to 13 d are provided on the contact surface of the cylinder member 11 with the conductive sheet member 43, and each of the conductive sheet member 43, the spacer member 42, and the substrate member 41 is positioned. Guide holes are provided at corresponding positions of the pins 13a to 13d, respectively, and are configured such that the axes of the respective parts coincide with each other during assembly.
[0105]
FIG. 7C is an assembly completion diagram in which the pen tip switch 9 is assembled from the state of FIG. 7B through the guide holes of the respective parts through the positioning pins 13a to 13d.
[0106]
In this embodiment, the cylinder member 11 is made of resin, and the parts of the positioning pins 13a to 13d are integrally formed by melting and caulking the heads of the positioning pins 13a to 13d (FIG. 7C). Shows a state in which the positioning pin 13d is caulked with heat).
[0107]
Finally, in order to electrically connect the conductive sheet member 43 and the electrode 45 of the substrate member 41, the projection 44 of the conductive sheet member 43 and the electrode 45 are bonded with a conductive adhesive. Alternatively, the electrically conductive sheet member 43 and the electrode 45 can be electrically connected by previously printing a heat-melting adhesive on the conductive layer on the protrusion 44 of the conductive sheet member 43 and applying heat. To complete the assembly of the nib switch 9.
[0108]
Now, when the operator operates the coordinate input pen 1, the slide member 10 slides by pressing the pen tip 2 against the coordinate input surface 104, and the head 35 (FIG. 6A) of the slide member 10 is conductive. When the sheet member 43 is deformed and the conductive sheet member 43 comes into contact with the electrode 46 of the substrate member 41, the ON / OFF switch 12 is turned on. As a result, the pen control circuit 6 generates a pen down signal S0. When the writing pressure is removed by the operation of the operator, the distorted conductive sheet member 43 returns to the original state, and the generation of the pen-down signal S0 is interrupted.
[0109]
In the present embodiment, the conductive sheet member 43 uses a 75 μm thick PET film, and a silver-based or carbon-based conductive paint is printed on one surface thereof. The spacer member 42 is an annular PET film having a thickness of 50 μm, and the gap between the conductive sheet member 43 and the electrode 46 is maintained at approximately 50 μm. The thickness of the member 42 is equal to 50 μm.
[0110]
On the other hand, the operating load for operating the ON / OFF switch 12 includes the material and sheet thickness of the conductive sheet member 43, the inner diameter of the annular member of the spacer member 42, the sheet material and sheet thickness, and the head of the slide member 10. This mainly depends on the shape of the portion 35. In the present embodiment, the conductive sheet member 43 is a PET film having a thickness of 75 μm, and an operating load of about 25 g to 30 g is realized by setting the inner diameter of the spacer member 42 to about 4 mm.
[0111]
Further, the head 35 of the slide member 10 deforms the conductive sheet member 43, and the conductive sheet member 43 comes into contact with the electrode 46 of the substrate member 41, so that the ON / OFF switch 12 as the switch means is configured. Yes. Therefore, in order to stably manufacture the operating load of the ON / OFF switch 12, it is preferable that the central axis of the spacer member 42 and the central axis of the head portion 35 of the slide member 10 coincide with each other. If this coincidence condition breaks down, the operating load becomes heavier, so management is important when producing in large quantities.
[0112]
Therefore, in this embodiment, the cylinder member 11 is configured such that the positioning pins 13a to 13d are arranged on the cylinder member 11 so that the respective parts can be easily positioned, so that the operation load caused by the axis deviation can be reduced. Variation is suppressed.
[0113]
As described above, the ON / OFF switch 12 is a switch means that operates with a small stroke and a light operating load. However, in order to actually improve the operability of the coordinate input pen 1, the pen tip switch 9 ( The nib switch 9 must be composed of a slide member 10, a cylinder member 11, and an ON / OFF switch 12) with a small stroke and a light operating load.
[0114]
That is, when the nib switch 9 is assembled, if there is a gap between the head 35 of the slide member 10 and the conductive sheet member 43 within the moving range of the slide member 10, the stroke of the nib switch 9 is The value obtained by adding this gap amount to the operation stroke of the ON / OFF switch 12 described in (1) is the maximum operation stroke value.
[0115]
If this gap exists, it is difficult to configure the coordinate input pen 1 with good operability even if the operation stroke of the ON / OFF switch 12 is small. As a general method for eliminating this gap, the slide member 10 is generally urged in the direction of the ON / OFF switch 12 by an urging means such as a spring, but the coordinate input pen 1 of the present embodiment is used. This is difficult to apply for the following reasons.
[0116]
First, since the ON / OFF switch 12 having an operating load of about 25 g is used, the force generated by the biasing means is at least less than that, and the influence of the static friction coefficient when the slide member 10 starts sliding ( If the load of 5 g or more is not applied, the slide is not started), or the total weight of the slide member 10 and the pen nib 2 that slides together (for example, it is assumed that the total is about 2 g). Must.
[0117]
That is, if the ON / OFF switch 12 is in the OFF state and the pen tip 2 of the coordinate input pen 1 is facing downward in the vertical direction, the above-described urging means is configured so that the total weight of the slide member 10 Overcoming the influence of the static friction coefficient, the slide member 10 must be urged to the ON / OFF switch 12, and at least the pressing force by the urging means requires 7 g or more.
[0118]
On the other hand, assuming a situation when the ON / OFF switch 12 is switched from ON to OFF, and assuming that the pen tip 2 of the coordinate input pen 1 is facing upward in the vertical direction, the biasing force is 18 g or less. Otherwise, the ON / OFF switch 12 cannot be turned off.
[0119]
Therefore, it is assumed that the pressing force is set to 10 g. In this situation, when the operator tries to execute an input operation using the coordinate input pen 1, a large acceleration is applied to the coordinate input pen 1 depending on the operation. If the operator reciprocates the coordinate input pen 1 in the air and adds an acceleration of about 10 times the gravitational acceleration, the apparent weight of the slide member 10 is about 20 g, and the ON / There may be a case where the OFF switch 12 is operated.
[0120]
That is, even if no writing operation is performed, a pen-down signal is detected, resulting in a malfunction. In consideration of this adverse effect, the urging force of the urging means becomes a very small value and does not conform to the conditions considering the total weight of the slide member 10 and the effect of the static friction coefficient. That is, the elimination of the gap between the head portion 35 of the slide member 10 and the conductive sheet portion 43 by the urging means is not a practical solution means.
[0121]
Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6B, the conductive sheet member 43 of the ON / OFF switch 12 is brought into contact with the end surface 26 of the cylinder member 11, so that the cylinder member 11 and the ON / OFF switch 12 slide in the axial direction. And a convex portion 21a (21b) constituted by the end surface 22 and the end surface 23a (23b) is provided in the vicinity of the end surface 26 of the cylinder member 11.
[0122]
Furthermore, the amount of movement of the slide member 10 is regulated by engaging the concave portion 38a (38b) formed by the end surface 32 and the end surface 33 of the slide member 10 with the convex portion 21a (21b) of the cylinder member 11, and the movement thereof. The amount is Δ1. When the slide member 10 is in a position where the end surface 33 and the end surface 23 of the cylinder member 11 coincide with each other, the head portion 35 of the slide member 10 is substantially at the position of the end surface 26 of the cylinder member 11, and the ON / OFF switch. 12 is in an OFF state.
[0123]
On the other hand, when the slide member 10 is in a position where the end surface 32 of the slide member 10 and the end surface 22 of the cylinder member 11 coincide with each other, the head portion 35 of the slide member 10 protrudes from the end surface 26 of the cylinder member 11 by the protrusion amount Δ2. The electrically conductive sheet member 43 is deformed to make electrical connection with the electrode 46 applied on the substrate member 41 with a sufficient pressure contact force, and microscopic deformation of the substrate member 41 is generated by the pressure contact force. Is in a state. That is, the ON / OFF switch 12 is turned on before the slide member 10 moves to a position where the end surface 32 thereof and the end surface 22 of the cylinder member 11 coincide.
[0124]
Now, when the slide member 10 is at a position where the end surface 32 of the slide member 10 and the end surface 22 of the cylinder member 11 coincide with each other, micro-deformation of the substrate member 41 has occurred, but how much the operator applies the pen pressure to the pen tip 2. Even if it makes it load, the slide member 2 cannot move any more. Therefore, even when an abnormal load is applied, the substrate member 41 cannot be significantly deformed, and the ON / OFF switch 12 can be prevented from being broken.
[0125]
In other words, if there is no end face 22 provided in the guide hole of the cylinder member 11, concentrated stress is generated on the substrate member 41 by the head portion 35 of the slide member 10, and the conductive sheet member 43 or the substrate member 41 is moved. It will lead to destruction. However, since the load can be dispersed and absorbed by the entire contact surface 26 of the cylinder member 11 by the end surface 22 provided in the guide hole, the reliability can be greatly improved.
[0126]
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5C, it is useful when, for example, the operator drops the coordinate input pen 1 by bonding the fitting surfaces of the cylinder member 11 and the housing 3. Even so, the impact load received by the pen tip 2 can be configured to escape to the housing 3 of the coordinate input pen 1 via the projection end face 22 of the cylinder member 11.
[0127]
The coupling between the cylinder member 11 and the housing 3 is not limited to the bonding means. For example, the outer shape of the substrate member 41 is made smaller than the outer shape of the cylinder member 11, and the cylinder is formed by the housing 3 and the housing 13. If the outer shape of the board member 41 is set smaller than the inner diameter of the housing 13 by assembling the flange portion of the member 11 so that the abnormal load is absorbed by the housing 13, the influence on the board member 41 is completely eliminated. It becomes possible.
[0128]
As described above, in this type of coordinate input pen, in order to realize a small stroke with good operability, not only the operation stroke of the ON / OFF switch 12 but also the slide member 10 is turned on / off with a small stroke. The OFF switch 12 must be operated, and the gap between the ON / OFF switch 12 and the slide member 10 must be minimized.
[0129]
When this state is described with reference to FIG. 5B, the position at which the slide member 10 can move in the direction of the pen tip (move to the left in the drawing) must be set with high accuracy. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of preventing destruction of the ON / OFF switch 12, the position at which the slide member 10 can move toward the rear of the pen (move to the right in FIG. 5B) must also be set with high accuracy.
[0130]
The pen tip switch 9 of the present embodiment is a position restriction that sets the movement range of the slide member 10 for performing the switch operation at a position in the vicinity of the contact surface 26 of the cylinder member 11 that integrally forms the ON / OFF switch 12. The setting is realized by only two parts of the slide member 10 and the cylinder member 11 by having the means and rotating the slide member 10.
[0131]
Furthermore, since the positioning of the ON / OFF switch 12 in the slide axis direction is realized by the cylinder member 11, the mechanical tolerance of the cylinder member 11 and the slide member 10 related to the protrusion amount Δ2 with respect to the operation stroke of the ON / OFF switch 12. And the management thereof are also facilitated.
That is, since the movement amount Δ1 and the protrusion amount Δ2 can be managed by the two parts of the cylinder member 11 and the slide member 10, the maximum gap (the main gap between the head 35 of the slide member 10 and the switch member 12 that can be formed when the ON / OFF switch 12 is OFF In the case of the embodiment, it corresponds to the space between the head 35 of the slide member 10 and the conductive sheet member 43), that is, mechanical "play" can be set to the minimum, for example, variation due to component tolerance that occurs in mass production. Even if this occurs, it can be configured so that the state in which the pen tip switch remains operated even though the operator does not press the pen tip does not occur.
As a result, the coordinate input pen 1 with excellent operability is configured, and a mechanism for preventing the ON / OFF switch 12 of the slide member 10 from being destroyed is realized at low cost, and the highly reliable coordinate input pen 1 is provided. It becomes possible to supply.
[0132]
Furthermore, the advantage obtained by adopting the configuration of the present embodiment in which the slide position of the slide member 10 is regulated by rotating the slide member 10 will be described.
[0133]
As described above, the ON / OFF switch 12 realizes an ON / OFF operation based on the deformation of the conductive sheet member 43 made of PET film. The movement of the slide member 10 that occurs when the ON / OFF switch 12 changes from the ON state to the OFF state occurs due to the restoring force of the conductive sheet member 43.
[0134]
For example, if the sheet is continuously deformed at a high temperature, the restoring force of the conductive sheet member 43 is extremely reduced, and once the nib switch 9 is turned on, it may not return to the OFF state. Occurs.
[0135]
Therefore, for example, when transporting a finished product of the pen tip switch 9 as shown in FIG. 7D, it is necessary to pay attention to the transport environment. In some cases, the pen tip switch 9 is packed one by one. Management costs may increase significantly.
[0136]
However, in the present embodiment, the state of FIG. 7D is in a state in which the slide member 10 is rotated and can be separated from the cylinder member 11, so that the separated parts can be packed together in large quantities, that is, Even if each of them is bundled without management, a situation in which the conductive sheet member 43 is deformed does not occur. Therefore, temperature control during transportation can be eased, that is, an excellent effect that parts can be procured at low cost can be obtained.
[0137]
Next, Modification 1 of the ON / OFF switch 12 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0138]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a first modification of the ON / OFF switch according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0139]
Components that are the same as those in FIG. 7 are given the same reference numerals, and details thereof are omitted.
[0140]
8B, reference numeral 48 denotes a first slide member, which has a cylindrical surface to be inserted into the guide hole of the cylinder member 11, and is provided with a press-fitting guide hole inside the cylindrical surface. On the other hand, in FIG. 8A, reference numeral 47 denotes a second slide member, which is a cylindrical surface to be inserted into the guide hole of the cylinder member 11 and a cylinder for press-fitting into the press-fitting guide hole of the first slide member 48. Has a surface.
[0141]
The assembly drawing of the ON / OFF switch 12 in this modification 1 is demonstrated using FIG.
[0142]
FIG. 9 is an assembly diagram of the ON / OFF switch in Modification 1 of the embodiment of the present invention.
[0143]
FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 8A assembled, and FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 8B assembled.
[0144]
FIG. 9C is a cross-sectional view of the first slide member 48 inserted into the guide hole of the cylinder member 11. If the first slide member 48 continues to be inserted, the first slide member will eventually be obtained. 48 press-fit guide holes and the press-fit cylindrical surface of the second slide member interfere with each other, and the integration of the first slide member 48 and the second slide member 47 starts.
[0145]
At that time, since the ON / OFF switch 12 of the present embodiment realizes a light load operation, when the press-fitting starts, the conductive sheet member 42 is first deformed as shown in FIG. Yes. Then, at the time of press-fitting, the substrate member 41 is micro-deformed, and the press-fitting operation is completed at a position where the end surface 61 of the first slide member 48 and the projection end surface 62 of the cylinder member 11 coincide.
[0146]
That is, the load pressure for press-fitting does not act on the projecting portion end surface 62 of the cylinder member 11, so that even if trying to press-fit further deeper, it becomes difficult. When the press-fitting load is removed, the slide member 10 in which the first slide member 48 and the second slide member 47 are integrated with each other by the restoring force of the conductive sheet member 43 is in the state shown in FIG. In other words, just by press-fitting the first slide member 48 to the second slide member 47 with a predetermined press-fit load, the positional relationship between the two is set as appropriate, and as with the configuration of FIG. Thus, the nib switch 9 can be configured without destroying the ON / OFF switch 12 even under an abnormal load.
[0147]
In addition, in the state of FIG. 9 (b) where both are joined, the portion where the both are press-fitted and joined may be fixed with an adhesive (as shown in FIG. 9 (b), the dispenser of the dispenser from the pen tip). Needless to say, the structure allows insertion.
[0148]
Next, a second modification of the ON / OFF switch 12 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0149]
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second modification of the ON / OFF switch according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0150]
In the configuration of FIG. 10, a fifth positioning pin 13e is provided in addition to the positioning pins 13a to 13d of the cylinder member 11 of FIG. Similarly, through holes are provided in the corresponding positions of the protrusions 44 of the conductive sheet member 43 and the substrate member 41, and after passing through an annular rubber member 49 having a thickness t through the positioning pin 13e. The conductive sheet member 43, the spacer member 42, and the substrate member 41 are arranged in the same manner as in the configuration of FIG. 7, and the tip portions of the positioning pins 13a to 13e are thermally deformed to complete the assembly.
[0151]
At this time, the rubber member 49 having the thickness t is sandwiched with the substrate member 41 via the cylinder member 11 and the conductive sheet member 43, and the rubber member 49 is crushed and deformed. As a result, the conductive sheet member 43 and the electrode 45 of the substrate member 41 are in pressure contact with each other, so that electrical connection can be ensured. Therefore, the ON / OFF switch 12 can be assembled from one direction, and the assembly workability is greatly improved.
[0152]
As a modification of the configuration of FIG. 10, an annular conductive rubber member (for example, anisotropic conductive rubber) having a thickness t is disposed between the conductive sheet member 43 and the substrate member 41, as described above. The conductive rubber may be deformed by being fixed integrally by heat caulking, and the electrical connection between the conductive sheet member 43 and the electrode pattern of the substrate member 41 may be secured.
[0153]
Next, Modification 3 of the ON / OFF switch 12 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0154]
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a third modification of the ON / OFF switch according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0155]
FIG. 11A shows a laminated conductive sheet member 51 in which a conductive coating is printed on at least one surface of a PET film, similar to the conductive sheet member 43. The laminated conductive sheet member 51 includes a first annular part 52, a second annular part 53, and a contact part 54.
[0156]
The laminated conductive sheet member 51 is bent in the direction of the arrow at the broken line portion in FIG. 11A to constitute the ON / OFF switch 12 schematically shown in FIG. In the figure, a thick line applied to one surface of the laminated conductive sheet member 51 indicates an electrode surface.
[0157]
Then, when folded and placed on the substrate member 41 as shown in the figure, the electrode surface of the laminated conductive sheet member 51 is connected to one electrode 45 on the substrate member 41, and the head 35 of the slide member 10 By being pressed, an electrical connection between the electrode 45 and the electrode 46 is obtained.
[0158]
Here, also in this modified example 3, as shown in FIG. 11A, the laminated conductive sheet member 51 is provided with fitting holes for penetrating the protrusions 13 a to 13 d of the cylinder member 11. Yes.
[0159]
Accordingly, since the inner diameters of the first annular portion 52 and the second annular portion 53 are configured to coincide with each other during assembly, the ON / OFF operation load is stable even in the case of mass production. The switch 12 can be configured.
[0160]
Further, in the third modification, the cylinder member 11, the laminated conductive sheet member 51, and the substrate member 41 are integrated by heat caulking using the protrusions 13 a to 13 d of the cylinder member 11. Since all the connections are made, not only the number of parts is reduced, but the number of assembling steps can be reduced, and the production cost can be most advantageous.
[0161]
However, the spacer part (110a and 110b part) that determines the operation stroke becomes two layers, and the conductive sheet member 43 and the spacer member 42 have the same structure as shown in FIG. Since the thicknesses cannot be set as appropriate, there are restrictions on the operation load setting, such as a larger operation stroke.
[0162]
That is, if the ON / OFF switch 12 having a lighter operating load is to be realized, in the third modification, the laminated conductive sheet member 51 having a thinner thickness is selected, and the inner diameter of the annular portion is made larger. There is a need to. In this case, however, the outer shape of the annular portion becomes large, and a disadvantage that the shape of the ON / OFF switch 12 becomes large occurs. Further, since the durability of the switch due to repeated pressing with the slide member 10 is reduced by selecting a thin sheet thickness, it is only necessary to determine which configuration is adopted in view of these points.
[0163]
Next, Modification 4 of the ON / OFF switch 12 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0164]
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a fourth modification of the ON / OFF switch according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0165]
In Modification 4 shown in FIG. 12A, axially symmetrical protrusions 71 a and 71 b are formed in the vicinity of the head 35 of the slide member 10 that presses the ON / OFF switch 12.
[0166]
On the other hand, the structure of the cylinder member 11 will be described with reference to FIG. 12B. FIG. 12B (a) is an outline view seen from the pen tip direction, and only the guide hole shape is enlarged and shown in FIG. 12B (d). It is. FIG. 12B (c) is a schematic view as seen from the contact surface between the cylinder member 11 and the ON / OFF switch 12. FIG. 12B (b) is a sectional view taken along line AA, and FIG. FIG. 12B (e) shows an enlarged view of FIG.
[0167]
Here, as shown in FIG. 12B (d), grooves 72a and 72b are provided in the guide hole of the cylinder member 11, and the protrusions 71a and 71b of the slide member 10 do not interfere with each other by the grooves 72a and 72b. The slide member 10 can be inserted into the cylinder member 11.
[0168]
Then, the insertion of the slide member is stopped at the position of the surface 74 formed by the grooves 72a and 72b of the cylinder member 11 at the end surfaces of the protrusions 71a and 71b of the slide member 10.
[0169]
On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 12B (d) and 12 (e), the guide holes of the cylinder member 11 are provided with grooves 73a and 73b at positions where the phases are different from those of the grooves 72a and 72b. As shown in FIG. 12B (b), a surface 75 is formed in the guide hole. 12B (d) shows the shape of the grooves 73a and 73b, and the broken line part of FIG. 12 (e) shows the grooves 72a and 72b.
[0170]
Accordingly, the slide member 10 is inserted into the cylinder member 11 in the direction of the arrow (1) in FIG. 12A, and after both are positioned, the structure can be rotated in the direction of the arrow (2). In this rotated state, if the slide member 10 is operated in the direction in which it is pulled out from the cylinder member 11, it interferes with the end surface of the projection 71a (71b) of the slide member 10 and the surface 75 provided in the guide hole. The projection 71a (71b) stops at a position where the end face and the face 75 coincide.
[0171]
Further, when an abnormal load is applied, the sliding of the slide member 10 is stopped at a position where the protrusions 71a (71b) and the surface 74 provided in the guide hole of the cylinder member 11 coincide with each other, and the ON / OFF Damage to the OFF switch 12 is prevented.
[0172]
FIG. 12C is an enlarged view of the shape of the head portion 35 of the slide member 10 and the protrusions 71a and 71b. Here, the hatched portions of the protrusions 71a and 71b are ranges (the back side surfaces of the protrusions 71a and 71b in FIG. 12C) that interfere with the surface 75 provided in the guide hole when the slide member 10 is pulled out. The remaining portion becomes a portion that interferes with the surface 74 when an abnormal load is applied (the surfaces of the protrusions 71a and 71b in FIG. 12C).
[0173]
In the modified example 4, the grooves 72a (72b) and the grooves 73a (73b) having different phases are provided. This is a structure implemented in order to simplify the mold structure when the cylinder member 11 is molded. The method of forming the recess composed of the surface 74 and the surface 75 in the guide hole is not limited to this.
[0174]
In addition, as described above, the concave portion referred to here is composed of a surface whose phase is shifted around the slide axis (in other words, there is not always a concave surface having at least the same phase). Shall be included.
[0175]
Further, since the assembly method of the ON / OFF switch 12 is the same as in the above-described various modifications, it is not described here, but it is needless to say that the effects described in the previous modification can be obtained in Modification 4.
[0176]
Moreover, in this embodiment, although each component of the nib switch 9 is integrally comprised by the heat crimping using the positioning pins 13a-13d of the cylinder member 11, or the positioning pins 13a-13e, it is limited to this. However, a method using fastening with screws, a retaining ring, or the like may be used.
[0177]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the coordinate input pen 1 includes the pen tip switch 9 that operates with a small stroke and a light load, and even if an abnormal load is applied, the pen tip switch Since the function of preventing the 9 from being destroyed is provided, a coordinate input pen having excellent operability and high reliability can be provided at low cost.
[0178]
Now, a case where the coordinate input pen 1 is applied to a coordinate input device as an indicator will be described. As described above, in the case of a resistive touch panel or a coordinate input device that detects the position coordinates of an indicator by the propagation of ultrasonic waves to the input surface and attenuates the coordinates, the coordinates are calculated unless the input surface is touched. Is not done.
[0179]
Therefore, “coordinate calculation is possible” is equivalent to the pointing tool being in the pen-down state, and equivalent to accurately detecting the pen-down.
[0180]
However, coordinate detection and pen-down are not equivalent in a coordinate input device that employs electromagnetic and electrostatic coupling to detect the position coordinates of the pointing tool, and further, a coordinate input device that employs a light shielding method to be described later.
[0181]
On the other hand, by using the fact that they are not equivalent, proximity input (proximity) is realized, and the coordinates where the pointing tool is located are detected in the state where the pointing tool is near the input surface, and the echo back is detected. Typically, the cursor is configured to move. Then, a pen-down signal is generated by the operation of the pen tip switch, and the cursor movement locus is drawn as a handwriting on the display surface, for example.
[0182]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the operation and effect will be described assuming that the coordinate input pen 1 described above is applied to a coordinate input device using a light shielding method.
[0183]
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a light shielding type coordinate input apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0184]
In FIG. 13, 102L and 102R are sensor units each having a light projecting unit 300 and a detecting unit 400 (see FIG. 16). In the case of this embodiment, as shown in the figure, parallel to the X axis of the coordinate input effective area 104, In addition, they are installed at a position symmetric with respect to the Y axis and separated by a predetermined distance. The sensor units 102 </ b> L and 102 </ b> R are connected to a control / arithmetic unit 101 that performs control / arithmetic operations, receive control signals from the control / arithmetic unit 101, and transmit detected signals to the control / arithmetic unit 101.
[0185]
Reference numeral 103 denotes a retroreflecting unit having a retroreflecting surface that reflects incident light in the direction of arrival, and the light projected from the left and right sensor units 102L and 102R in a range of approximately 90 ° to the sensor units 102L and 102R. Retroreflects towards. The retroreflective portion 103 has a three-dimensional structure when viewed microscopically. At present, the retroreflective portion 103 is a recursion that causes a recursive phenomenon by regularly arranging bead-type retroreflective tape or corner cubes by machining or the like. Reflective tape is known.
[0186]
The light retroreflected by the retroreflecting unit 103 is detected one-dimensionally by the sensor units 102 </ b> L and 102 </ b> R, and the light amount distribution is transmitted to the control / arithmetic unit 101.
[0187]
The coordinate input effective area 104 is configured as a display screen of a display device such as a PDP, a rear projector, or an LCD panel, and can be used as an interactive input device.
[0188]
In such a configuration, when an input instruction with a pointing tool such as a finger is given to the coordinate input effective area 104, the light projected from the light projecting unit 300 of the sensor units 102L and 102R is blocked, and the retroreflecting unit 103. Therefore, the amount of reflected light cannot be obtained only at the input instruction position. As a result, it is possible to determine from which direction the light could not be detected.
[0189]
Therefore, the control / arithmetic unit 101 detects the light shielding range of the portion instructed to be input by the pointing tool from the light amount change detected by the sensor units 102L and 102R, and specifies information (detection points) within the light shielding range. Thus, the direction of the light shielding position (the angle of the pointing tool) with respect to each of the sensor units 102L and 102R is calculated.
[0190]
Then, from the calculated angle and distance information between the sensor units 102L and 102R, etc., the pointing position of the pointing tool on the coordinate input effective area 104 is calculated, and an external terminal such as a personal computer connected to the display device is Coordinate values are output via an interface such as USB.
[0191]
In this way, the operation of the external terminal such as drawing a line on the screen or operating an icon displayed on the display device can be performed by the pointing tool.
[0192]
<Detailed explanation of sensor unit>
First, the configuration of the light projecting unit 300 in the sensor units 102L and 102R will be described with reference to FIG.
[0193]
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a light projecting unit of the sensor unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0194]
FIG. 14A shows a case where the light projecting unit 300 is viewed from above (perpendicular to the input surface of the coordinate input effective area 104). Reference numeral 111 denotes an infrared LED that emits infrared light. The light emitted from the infrared LED 111 is projected in a range of approximately 90 ° by the light projecting lens 110.
[0195]
FIG. 14B shows a case where the light projecting unit 300 is viewed from the side (horizontal with respect to the input surface of the coordinate input effective area 104). In this direction, the light from the infrared LED 111 is projected as a light beam restricted in the vertical direction, and the light is mainly projected to the retroreflecting unit 103.
[0196]
Next, the configuration of the detection unit 400 of the sensor units 102L and 102R will be described with reference to FIG.
[0197]
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the detection unit of the sensor unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0198]
FIG. 15 illustrates a case where the detection units 400 of the sensor units 102 </ b> L and 102 </ b> R are viewed from a direction perpendicular to the input surface of the coordinate input effective area 104. The broken line portion in the drawing indicates the arrangement of the light projecting unit 300 shown in FIG.
[0199]
The detection unit 400 includes a one-dimensional line CCD 121 composed of a plurality of light receiving elements (pixels), condensing lenses 122 and 123 as a condensing optical system, a diaphragm 124 that restricts the incident direction of incident light, and extra light such as visible light. The infrared filter 125 is configured to prevent light from entering.
[0200]
The light from the light projecting unit 300 is reflected by the retroreflecting unit 103, passes through the infrared filter 125 and the diaphragm 124, and the light in the range of approximately 90 ° on the input surface is reflected by the line CCD 121 through the condensing lenses 122 and 123. An image is formed on the pixel depending on the incident angle on the detection surface. Thereby, the light quantity distribution for each angle of the incident angle is obtained. That is, the pixel number of each pixel constituting the line CCD 121 represents angle information.
[0201]
Next, the configuration of the sensor units 102L and 102R having the light projecting unit 300 in FIG. 14 and the detection unit 400 in FIG. 15 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0202]
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the sensor unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0203]
In FIG. 16, the case where the sensor unit 102L (102R) is configured by overlapping the light projecting unit 300 of FIG. 14B and the detection unit 400 of FIG. 15 when the coordinate input effective area 104 is viewed from the horizontal direction. Show. Here, the distance L between the optical axes of the light projecting unit 300 and the detection unit 400 is set to a sufficiently small value compared to the distance from the light projecting unit 300 to the retroreflective unit 103, and has the distance L. Further, the detection unit 400 can detect sufficient retroreflected light.
[0204]
<Description of control / arithmetic unit>
Between the control / arithmetic unit 101 and the sensor units 102L and 102R, the CCD control signal for the line CCD 121 in the detection unit 400, the CCD clock signal and output signal, and the drive signal for the infrared LED 111 of the light projection unit 300 are mainly used. Are being exchanged.
[0205]
Here, a detailed configuration of the control / arithmetic unit 101 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0206]
FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the control / arithmetic unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0207]
The CCD control signal is output from an arithmetic control circuit (CPU) 133 constituted by a one-chip microcomputer or the like, and shutter timing of the line CCD 121, data output control, and the like are performed. The arithmetic control circuit 133 operates in accordance with the clock signal from the main clock generation circuit 136. The clock signal for the CCD is transmitted from the clock generation circuit (CLK) 137 to the sensor units 102L and 102R, and arithmetic control is performed in order to perform various controls in synchronization with the line CCD 121 in each sensor unit. The signal is also input to the circuit 133.
[0208]
The LED drive signal for driving the infrared LED 111 of the light projecting unit 300 is transmitted from the arithmetic control circuit 133 to the infrared LED 111 of the light projecting unit 300 of the corresponding sensor units 102L and 102R via the LED drive circuits 134L and 134R. Have been supplied.
[0209]
Detection signals from the line CCD 121 of the detection unit 400 of each of the sensor units 102L and 102R are input to the corresponding A / D converters 131L and 131R of the control / arithmetic unit 101, and converted into digital values by the control from the arithmetic control circuit 133. Converted. The converted digital value is stored in the memory 132 and used for calculating the angle of the pointing tool. Then, a coordinate value is calculated from the calculated angle, and is output to an external terminal via a serial interface 138 (for example, USB, RS232C interface, etc.).
[0210]
<Explanation of light intensity distribution detection>
FIG. 18 is a timing chart of control signals according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0211]
In FIG. 18, reference numerals 141 to 143 denote CCD control signals, and the shutter release time of the line CCD 121 is determined by the interval of the SH signal 141. The ICGL signal 142 and the ICGR signal 143 are gate signals to the sensor units of the sensor units 102L and 102R, and are signals for transferring the charge of the photoelectric conversion unit of the internal line CCD 121 to the reading unit.
[0212]
Reference numerals 144 and 145 denote drive signals for the light projecting units 300 of the sensor units 102L and 102R. Here, in the first cycle of the SH signal 141, the LEDL signal 144 is supplied to the light projecting unit 300 via the LED drive circuit 134L in order to turn on the light projecting unit 300 of the sensor unit 102L (light projecting period 146L). . Further, the LEDR signal 145 is supplied to the light projecting unit 300 via the LED drive circuit 134R in order to turn on the light projecting unit 300 of the sensor unit 102R (light projecting period 146R) in the next cycle of the SH signal 141.
[0213]
Then, after the driving of the light projecting units 300 of both the sensor units 102L and 102R is completed, the detection signals of the detection units (line CCD 121) of both the sensor units 102L and 102R are read.
[0214]
Here, detection signals read from both the sensor units 102L and 102R are output from the respective sensor units as shown in FIG. 19A when there is no input to the coordinate input effective area 104 by the pointing tool. Light intensity distribution can be obtained. Of course, such a light quantity distribution is not necessarily obtained in any system, and the light quantity distribution depends on the retroreflective characteristics of the retroreflecting unit 103, the characteristics of the light projecting unit 300, and the change over time (such as dirt on the reflecting surface). Will change.
[0215]
In FIG. 19A, level A is the maximum light amount and level B is the minimum light amount.
[0216]
That is, in a state where there is no reflected light from the retroreflecting unit 103, the light amount level obtained by the sensor units 102L and 102R is near level B, and the light amount level transitions to level A as the reflected light amount increases. In this way, the detection signals output from the sensor units 102L and 102R are sequentially A / D converted by the corresponding A / D converters 131L and 131R, and taken into the arithmetic control circuit 133 as digital data.
[0217]
On the other hand, when there is an input to the coordinate input effective area 104 by the pointing tool, a light amount distribution as shown in FIG. 19B is obtained as an output from the sensor units 102L and 102R.
[0218]
In part C of this light quantity distribution, the reflected light from the retroreflecting unit 103 is blocked by the pointing tool, so it can be seen that the amount of reflected light is reduced only in that part (light shielding range).
[0219]
In this embodiment, the sensor unit 102L is based on the change in the light amount distribution in FIG. 19A when there is no input by the pointing tool and the change in the light amount distribution in FIG. 19B when there is an input by the pointing tool. And the angle of the pointing tool with respect to 102R.
[0220]
Specifically, the light amount distribution of FIG. 19A is stored in the memory 132 in advance as an initial state. Then, whether or not there is a change in the light amount distribution as shown in FIG. 19B in the sample period of the detection signal of each of the sensor units 102L and 102R is stored in the memory 132 and the light amount distribution during the sample period. It is detected by the difference from the light quantity distribution in the initial state. Then, when there is a change in the light amount distribution, an operation for determining the input angle with the changed portion as the input point of the pointing tool is performed.
[0221]
<Description of angle calculation>
In calculating the angle of the pointing tool with respect to the sensor units 102L and 102R, first, it is necessary to detect a light shielding range by the pointing tool.
[0222]
As described above, the light quantity distribution detected by the sensor units 102L and 102R is not constant due to factors such as changes over time. Therefore, the light quantity distribution (initial data) in the initial state is, for example, the memory 132 every time the system is started. It is desirable to memorize.
[0223]
In other words, if initial data is set at the time of shipment from a factory or the like and the initial data is not updated sequentially, for example, if dust adheres to the retroreflective surface at a predetermined position, the retroreflective efficiency at that part decreases. As a result, the coordinate input operation is performed at that position (direction seen from the sensor unit 102 or 102R), that is, a serious result of erroneous detection is caused.
[0224]
Therefore, by storing the initial data in the memory 132 at the time of starting up the system, even if the retroreflective surface becomes dirty due to dust over time and the retroreflective efficiency falls, the state is reset as the initial state. Therefore, there is no malfunction.
[0225]
Hereinafter, although the angle calculation of the pointing tool by one of the sensor units 102L and 102R (for example, the sensor unit 102L) will be described, it goes without saying that the same angle calculation is performed by the other (the sensor unit 102R).
[0226]
When the power is turned on, there is no input (there is no light shielding range), and first, the light amount distribution that is the output of the detection unit 400 is A when the light projection from the light projection unit 300 in the sensor unit 102L is stopped. / D-converted, and this value is stored in the memory 132 as Bas_data [N].
[0227]
This value is data including variations in the bias of the detection unit (line CCD 121), and is data near level B in FIG. Here, N is a pixel number of a pixel constituting the line CCD 121, and a pixel number corresponding to an effective input range (effective range) is used.
[0228]
Next, in a state where light is emitted from the light projecting unit 300, the light amount distribution that is the output of the detecting unit 400 is A / D converted, and this value is stored in the memory 132 as Ref_data [N].
[0229]
This value is, for example, data indicated by a solid line in FIG.
[0230]
Then, using Bas_data [N] and Ref_data [N] stored as initial data in the memory 132, first, the presence / absence of input by the pointing tool and the presence / absence of the light shielding range are determined.
[0231]
Here, the pixel data of the Nth pixel within the sample period of the output of the sensor unit 102L (line CCD 121) is Norm_data [N].
[0232]
First, in order to specify the light shielding range, the presence or absence of the light shielding range is determined based on the absolute amount of change in the pixel data. This is to prevent erroneous determination due to noise or the like and to detect a certain amount of reliable change.
[0233]
Specifically, the absolute amount of change in the pixel data is calculated for each pixel of the line CCD 121 and compared with a predetermined threshold value Vtha.
[0234]
Norm_data_a [N] = Norm_data [N]-Ref_data [N] (1)
Here, Norm_data_a [N] is an absolute change amount in each pixel of the line CCD 121.
[0235]
Since this process only calculates the absolute change amount Norm_data_a [N] of each pixel of the line CCD 121 and compares it with the threshold value Vtha, the processing time is not so much required, and the presence / absence of input is determined at high speed. Is possible. In particular, when the number of pixels exceeding the threshold value Vtha for the first time is detected exceeding a predetermined number, it is determined that there is an input from the pointing tool.
[0236]
Next, a method for determining the input point by calculating the change ratio of the pixel data in order to detect the input by the pointing tool with higher accuracy will be described with reference to FIG.
[0237]
In FIG. 20, reference numeral 1210 denotes a retroreflecting surface of the retroreflecting unit 103. Here, assuming that the reflectance of the α region is reduced due to dirt or the like, the pixel data distribution (light quantity distribution) of Ref_data [N] at this time corresponds to the α region as shown in FIG. The amount of reflected light at the part to be reduced decreases. In this state, as shown in FIG. 20, when the indicator 1200 is inserted and substantially covers the upper half of the retroreflective surface 1210, the amount of reflected light is substantially halved, which is indicated by the thick line in FIG. The distribution Norm_data [N] will be observed.
[0238]
When the expression (1) is applied to this state, the pixel data distribution is as shown in FIG. Here, the vertical axis represents the differential voltage from the initial state.
[0239]
If the threshold value Vtha is applied to this pixel data, the original input range may be deviated. Of course, if the value of the threshold value Vtha is lowered, detection is possible to some extent, but the possibility of being affected by noise or the like increases, resulting in a problem that the coordinate calculation performance is degraded.
[0240]
Therefore, the amount of light blocked by the pointing tool is the first half of both the α region and the β region (in FIG. 21B, the α region is equivalent to the V1 level, and the β region is equivalent to the level V2). Let's calculate the ratio of data changes.
[0241]
Norm_data_r [N] = Norm_data_a [N] / (Bas_data [N] −Ref_data [N]) (2)
If this calculation result is shown, since the change of the pixel data is represented by a ratio as shown in FIG. 22B, even if the reflectance of the retroreflecting unit 103 is different, it can be handled equally, and high precision Detection becomes possible.
[0242]
By applying the threshold value Vthr to this pixel data, the pixel numbers corresponding to the rising and falling portions of the pixel data distribution corresponding to the light shielding range are obtained, and for example, the center of both is input by the pointing tool. By setting the corresponding pixel, it is possible to determine a more accurate input position of the pointing tool.
[0243]
Note that FIG. 22B is schematically drawn for explanation, and does not actually rise like this, but shows a different data level for each pixel.
[0244]
Hereinafter, the details of the detection result when Expression (2) is applied to the pixel data will be described with reference to FIG.
[0245]
FIG. 23 is a diagram showing details of the detection result of the embodiment of the present invention.
[0246]
In FIG. 23, when the rising portion of the pixel data distribution crossing the threshold value Vthr is the Nrth pixel and the falling portion is the Nfth pixel with respect to the threshold value Vthr for detecting the light shielding range by the pointing tool, The center pixel Np of the pixel of
Np = Nr + (Nf−Nr) / 2 (3)
It is possible to calculate. However, in this calculation, the pixel interval of the line CCD 121 becomes the minimum resolution.
[0247]
Therefore, in order to detect more finely, a virtual pixel number crossing the threshold value Vthr is calculated using the data level of each pixel and the data level of the immediately preceding adjacent pixel.
[0248]
Here, the data level of the Nrth pixel is Lr, and the data level of the Nr-1th pixel is Lr-1. If the data level of the Nf-th pixel is Lf and the data level of the Nf-1th pixel is Lf-1, the respective virtual pixel numbers Nrv and Nfv are
Nrv = Nr-1 + (Vthr-Lr-1) / (Lr-Lr-1) (4)
Nfv = Nf-1 + (Vthr-Lf-1) / (Lf-Lf-1) (5)
Can be calculated. And the virtual center pixel Npv of these virtual pixel numbers Nrv and Nfv is
Npv = Nrv + (Nfv-Nrv) / 2 (6)
Determined by
[0249]
Thus, detection with higher resolution can be performed by calculating a virtual virtual pixel number that crosses the threshold Vthr from the pixel number of the pixel of the data level exceeding the threshold Vthr and the adjacent pixel number and the data level. Can be realized.
[0250]
<Conversion from pixel number to angle information>
Next, in order to calculate the actual coordinate value of the pointing tool from the center pixel number indicating the center point of the light shielding range, it is necessary to convert this center pixel number into angle information (θ).
[0251]
Here, the relationship between the pixel number and θ will be described with reference to FIG.
[0252]
FIG. 24 is a diagram showing the relationship of the θ value with respect to the pixel number according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0253]
Based on FIG. 24, when defining an approximate expression for obtaining θ from the pixel number,
θ = f (N) (7)
Thus, it is possible to convert the pixel number to θ using the approximate expression (conversion expression).
[0254]
In this embodiment, the lens unit of the detection unit 400 in the sensor unit 102L (120R) described above is configured so that it can be approximated using a first-order approximation formula. It may be possible to obtain angle information with higher accuracy by using the following approximate expression.
[0255]
Here, what lens group is adopted is closely related to the manufacturing cost. In particular, when correcting optical distortions that are generally generated by lowering the manufacturing cost of a lens group using higher-order approximations, a certain amount of computing power (calculation speed) is required. In consideration of the coordinate calculation accuracy required for the target product, both may be set as appropriate.
[0256]
On the other hand, when the coordinate value is calculated from the angle information by the method described later, the calculation of the trigonometric function is performed by calculating the tangent value (Tangent) at the angle rather than calculating the angle itself from the obtained pixel number. This is convenient because it can be omitted.
[0257]
Therefore, the relationship of Tanθ with respect to the pixel number is obtained, an approximate expression is derived, and the conversion from the pixel number to the Tanθ value is performed using the approximate expression. For example, when a fifth-order polynomial is used as an approximate expression, six coefficients are required, and this coefficient data may be stored in the memory 132 at the time of shipment.
[0258]
Here, if the coefficient of the fifth order polynomial is L5, L4, L3, L2, L1, L0, Tanθ is
Tanθ = (L5 * Npr + L4) * Npr + L3) * Npr + L2) * Npr + L1) * Npr + L0 (8)
Can be shown.
[0259]
If this is performed for the pixel number detected by the line CCD 121 of the detection unit 400 of each of the sensor units 102L and 102R, the corresponding angle data (Tan θ) can be determined from each.
[0260]
<Description of coordinate calculation method>
Next, a coordinate calculation method for calculating the position coordinates of the pointing tool from the angle data (tan θ) converted from the pixel number will be described.
[0261]
Here, the positional relationship between the coordinates defined on the coordinate input effective area 104 and the sensor units 102L and 102L will be described with reference to FIG.
[0262]
FIG. 25 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the coordinates defined on the coordinate input area and the sensor units 102L and 102L according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0263]
In FIG. 25, the X-axis is defined in the horizontal direction and the Y-axis is defined in the vertical direction of the coordinate input effective area 104, and the center of the coordinate input effective area 104 is defined as the origin position O (0, 0). The sensor units 102L and 102R are mounted symmetrically about the Y axis on the left and right sides of the coordinate input range of the coordinate input effective area 104, and the distance between them is Ds.
[0264]
The light receiving surfaces of the sensor units 102L and 102R are arranged such that the normal direction forms an angle of 45 degrees with the X axis, and the normal direction is defined as 0 degrees.
[0265]
At this time, the sign of the angle is the clockwise direction in the case of the sensor unit 102L arranged on the left side, and the counterclockwise direction in the case of the sensor unit 102R arranged on the right side. Is defined as the “+” direction.
[0266]
Further, P0 is the position of the intersection of the sensor units 102L and 102R in the normal direction, and the distance from the origin in the Y-axis direction is defined as P0y. At this time, if the angles obtained by the sensor units 102L and 102R are θL and θR, the coordinates P (x, y) of the point P to be detected are

Calculated by
[0267]
The shading type coordinate input device has been described above. Here, specific use examples and operation examples of the input / output integrated device in which the coordinate input device and the large display device are integrated will be described.
[0268]
The first usability is that the coordinate input device of the present embodiment is, for example, a coordinate value of a specific region (for example, a specific region is a region of radius R centered on a certain coordinate value, or a certain coordinate value is a center of gravity. When a specific place having a certain area is output in the meaning of a polygon or the like, an operation assigned to the specific area is executed.
[0269]
In other words, an icon indicating a switch is displayed on a portion corresponding to the specific area, and the operator touches (clicks) the icon to switch any coordinate value in the specific area. The coordinate input device according to the embodiment is configured to output and execute an operation assigned to the switch.
[0270]
The second ease of use is that the detected coordinate value corresponding to the movement is output continuously as the pointing device is moved by the operator, and based on the coordinate information, it is as if "pencil and paper". The movement of the pointing tool (hereinafter referred to as handwriting) is displayed on the display device. By configuring the device in which the display device and the coordinate input device are integrally combined in this way, it is possible to directly input characters and figures as in the well-known “white board using ink pen”.
[0271]
The third usability is the tapping operation of the pointing tool by the operator, that is, “double click” which is well known in the present situation, in particular, the mouse operation of the personal computer, for example, by continuously touching the display screen twice. It is easy to use. A normal coordinate input device can output coordinate values at predetermined intervals (for example, it has the ability to output coordinates every 5 msec at a coordinate detection sampling rate of 100 points / second). By monitoring the timing, it is possible to determine whether or not the pointing tool is tapping.
[0272]
More specifically, after the coordinate value A is output at a certain time, the coordinate value is not detected in the next coordinate sampling (for example, at the coordinate detection sampling rate of 100 points / second, 5 msec time elapses). If the coordinate value B to be output next is within a predetermined time from the time when the coordinate value A is output and the coordinate value A and the coordinate value B are substantially equal, the double click operation is performed. It is determined that
[0273]
In order to realize the above operations with good operability, a pen-down signal generating means for solving the problems described in the section “Problems to be solved by the invention” is essential, The specifications required for the pen tip switch 9 for detection are preferably a light load operation and a small stroke, preferably an operation load of 30 g or less, and a stroke of 0.1 mm or less. In this embodiment, these specifications are satisfied. It is possible to provide the coordinate input pen 1 which is an indicating tool having an excellent configuration. .
[0274]
When the coordinate input pen 1 that emits the state of the pointing device as an optical signal is applied to a light shielding type coordinate input device as in the present embodiment, in actual operation, coordinate acquisition for coordinate acquisition is performed. Light emission (in FIG. 17, the LED drive circuits 134L and 134R that operate based on the control of the CPU 133, and the infrared LED 111 of the light projecting unit 300 in the sensor units 102L and 102R driven by the LED drive circuits 134L and 134R); Since the pen light emission of the pen signal by the coordinate input pen 1 is not synchronized, the light emission for coordinate acquisition and the pen light emission may overlap.
[0275]
FIG. 26 shows such a case, where the upper row is the pen light emission signal, and the lower row is the coordinate acquisition light emission signals (drive signals) 144 and 145 (see FIG. 18) of the light projecting unit 300 for coordinate acquisition. is there.
[0276]
In FIG. 26, when the pen light emission signal is A, there is no problem because the pen light emission and the coordinate light emission period are surely shifted, but in the case of FIG. In the case of FIG. C, the pen light emission completely overlaps the coordinate light emission period. If there is such an overlap, saturation may occur in the light emission signal for coordinate acquisition, or it may cause a waveform deformation and cause a detection error. Therefore, it is necessary to control so that the light emission of both does not overlap.
[0277]
FIG. 27 shows an example. In the figure, 160 is an output of the sensor unit 102L (102R). Reference numeral 161 denotes a coordinate acquisition prohibition signal that prohibits coordinate acquisition when the output signal 160 is active, and is active for a certain time (in this case, LOW) after the CPU 133 receives the first light reception.
[0278]
Reference numerals 162 and 163 denote light emission signals for coordinate acquisition. First, the CPU 133 in the calculation / control unit 101 emits light to acquire coordinates at certain time intervals, and performs an operation of determining whether or not the coordinate input pen 1 emits light before the light emission.
[0279]
That is, the coordinate acquisition prohibition signal 161 is monitored, and if it is not active, the CPU 133 starts the light emission operation for coordinate acquisition. However, when the coordinate acquisition prohibition signal 161 is active, the coordinate acquisition prohibition signal becomes inactive. Coordinates are acquired after waiting until (point A in FIG. 27A).
[0280]
On the other hand, if pen light is emitted during light emission for coordinate acquisition, the coordinate acquisition prohibition signal 161 may become active. At that time, as shown in FIG. 27B, since the coordinate acquisition prohibition signal 161 is inactive, the CPU 133 starts the light emission operation for coordinate acquisition, but the coordinate acquisition prohibition signal 161 becomes active during the light emission operation. Therefore, in this case, the obtained data is invalidated, and after waiting for the coordinate acquisition prohibition signal 161 to become inactive, the coordinate acquisition light emission operation is performed again.
[0281]
In the present embodiment, the time during which the coordinate acquisition prohibition signal 161 is active is set to be longer than the coordinate acquisition light emission period, so the coordinate acquisition prohibition signal 161 is monitored immediately before and after the start of coordinate acquisition light emission. By doing so, it is possible to configure so that both the pen light emission and the coordinate obtaining light emission do not emit light simultaneously.
[0282]
In addition, as described above, the coordinate input device according to the present embodiment is configured to detect coordinates at a constant period. Therefore, when pen light emission is not detected, light emission for coordinate acquisition is performed at a predetermined period. Is done. When pen light emission is detected and both of them are overlapped, the coordinates are read again, and the coordinates are output every predetermined cycle with the timing of the rereading as a trigger.
[0283]
Accordingly, it is possible to avoid duplication of pen light emission and light emission for coordinate acquisition only by checking the coordinate acquisition prohibition signal 161 at the time of light emission for coordinate acquisition, and it is possible to prevent a decrease in coordinate detection accuracy and the like. It becomes.
[0284]
In the above embodiment, the coordinate acquisition prohibition signal 161 is actively held for a longer time than the coordinate acquisition light emission period. However, when the processing capacity of the arithmetic / control unit 101 has a margin, that is, In the case where the coordinate acquisition prohibition signal 161 can always be monitored, the coordinate acquisition prohibition signal 161 may be activated only for the time required for light emission. For example, if the switch signal of the coordinate input pen 1 has the signal configuration shown in FIG. 3, it is possible to prohibit the time from the start signal Start to the end of the emission of the stop signal Stop.
[0285]
The coordinate calculation process of the coordinate input device based on the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG.
[0286]
FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing coordinate calculation processing executed by the coordinate input device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0287]
First, when the power of the coordinate input device is turned on, in step S102, various initializations related to the coordinate input device such as port setting and timer setting of the control / arithmetic unit 101 are performed.
[0288]
In step S103, the initial reading count of the initial reading operation of the line CCD 41 is set.
[0289]
This initial reading operation is an operation for removing unnecessary charges from the line CCD 41 when the coordinate input device is activated. In the line CCD 41, unnecessary charges may be accumulated when the line CCD 41 is not operated. If the coordinate input operation is executed in a state where the charges are accumulated, detection becomes impossible or erroneous detection is caused. . Therefore, in order to avoid this, in step S103, a predetermined number of reading operations are executed in a state in which the light projection by the light projecting unit 300 is stopped, thereby removing unnecessary charges.
[0290]
In step S104, the line CCD 41 is read. In step S105, it is determined whether or not reading has been performed a predetermined number of times or more. If reading has not been performed a predetermined number of times or more (NO in step S105), the process returns to step S104. On the other hand, when the reading is executed a predetermined number of times or more (YES in step S105), the process proceeds to step S106.
[0291]
In step S106, the pixel data (Bas_data [N]) of the line CCD 41 in a state where the light projection by the light projecting unit 300 is stopped is fetched as the first reference data. In step S107, the first reference data is stored in the memory 132.
[0292]
Next, in step S108, the pixel data (Ref_data [N]) of the line CCD 41 in a state where light is emitted from the light projecting unit 300 is fetched as second reference data. In step S109, the second reference data is stored in the memory 132.
[0293]
The processing so far is the initial operation when the power is turned on. Needless to say, this initial setting operation may be configured to operate according to the operator's intention using a reset switch or the like configured in the coordinate input device. The state shifts to a coordinate input operation state by the pen 1.
[0294]
First, in step S121, it is determined whether or not the coordinate acquisition prohibition signal 161 indicating whether or not the coordinate input pen 1 emits light is active. If the coordinate acquisition prohibition signal is active (YES in step S121), the determination is repeated until inactive. On the other hand, if the coordinate acquisition prohibition signal is inactive (NO in step S121), the process proceeds to step S110.
[0295]
In step S110, the normal reading operation of the line CCD 41 is executed in the coordinate input sampling state, and pixel data (Norm_data [N]) is captured. Next, in step S122, it is determined again whether the coordinate acquisition prohibition signal 161 is active. If the coordinate acquisition prohibition signal is active (YES in step S122), the determination is repeated until inactive. On the other hand, if the coordinate acquisition prohibition signal is inactive (NO in step S122), the process proceeds to step S111.
[0296]
In step S111, a difference value between the second reference data (Ref_data [N]) and the pixel data (Norm_data [N]) is calculated. In step S112, the presence / absence of input by the coordinate input pen 1 is determined based on the difference value and the threshold value Vthr. If there is no input (NO in step S112), the process returns to step S121. On the other hand, if there is an input (YES in step S112), the process proceeds to step S113.
[0297]
If the repetition period at this time is set to about 10 [msec], the sampling rate is 100 times / second.
[0298]
In step S113, the ratio of change in pixel data is calculated using equation (2).
[0299]
In step S114, the falling and rising of the pixel data distribution corresponding to the light shielding range by the coordinate input pen 1 are detected with respect to the calculated ratio of change of the pixel data, and the detected falling and rising are ( 4), (5), and (6) are used to determine a virtual center pixel number that is the center of the light shielding range.
[0300]
In step S115, Tan θ is calculated from the determined center pixel number and equation (8). In step S116, the input coordinates P (x, y) of the coordinate input pen 1 are calculated from the Tan θ values for the sensor units 1L and 1R using the equations (9) and (10).
[0301]
Next, in step S117, it is determined whether or not the input by the coordinate input pen 1 is a touch-down input.
[0302]
In this determination, first, the presence / absence of light emission from the coordinate input pen 1 is determined based on the output of the sensor unit 102L (102R). In particular, when there is light emission from the coordinate input pen 1, by determining the operation state of the pen tip switch 9 of the coordinate input pen 1 by demodulating the obtained switch signal, is it a touchdown input? Determine whether or not.
[0303]
Based on such a determination method, when the input by the coordinate input pen 1 is a touch-down input in step S117 (YES in step S1187), the process proceeds to step S118 and is a touch-down input (that is, the pen tip switch 9). Set the down flag to indicate that On the other hand, if the input by the coordinate input pen 1 is not a touchdown input (NO in step S117), the process proceeds to step S119, and the down flag is reset.
[0304]
On the other hand, if there is no light emission from the coordinate input pen 1 in the determination of step S117, it can be determined that the coordinate input is being performed by an indicator such as a finger other than the coordinate input pen 1, so in this case the touchdown The determination of the presence or absence of is performed as follows.
[0305]
As already described with reference to FIGS. 20 and 21, when an indicator such as a finger completely blocks light, that is, when the light is completely blocked by touching the coordinate input surface, The ratio value (see FIG. 22B) of the change in pixel data obtained by the output of the detected pixel approaches 1 (as described above, when about half of the light is shielded, the value is 0.5. ). Therefore, it is possible to determine whether or not an indicator such as a finger is touching the coordinate input surface by monitoring the value of the change ratio of the pixel data.
[0306]
As described above, the determination of the presence or absence of touchdown by an indicator such as a finger other than the coordinate input pen 1 is realized by the determination method as described above. Based on the determination result, the down flag is set in step S118 or the down flag is reset in step S119.
[0307]
Note that the coordinate input by the pointing tool such as a finger cannot leave the locus intended by the operator faithfully, for example, compared to the input using the coordinate input pen 1 which is the dedicated pointing tool described above. Since there is an advantage that coordinate input can be performed without using a tool, the application may be switched according to the purpose of the operation.
[0308]
In the case where coordinate input is performed using the coordinate input pen 1 which is the main focus of the present embodiment, a pen-down signal that is emitted according to the operation state of the coordinate input pen 1 is detected, and a down flag is set. (Step S118) or reset (Step S119) is performed.
[0309]
With this configuration, a state where the cursor on the display screen can be moved and a state where the cursor movement on the display screen is displayed as a handwriting by moving the coordinate input pen 1 (usually, In the case of a well-known mouse, it is possible to realize the operation of the mouse with the left mouse button pressed.
[0310]
In step S120, the state of the down flag (pen information (pen down or pen up)) and the calculated coordinate value are output to the external terminal. This output may be transmitted by serial communication such as a USB interface or RS232C interface, or may be transmitted by wireless communication such as a wireless LAN or Bluetooth.
[0311]
In the external terminal, the device driver that controls the coordinate input device interprets the received data, moves the cursor, and changes the mouse button state, thereby realizing the operation of the display screen.
[0312]
When the process of step S120 is completed, the process returns to step S110, and thereafter, the above process is repeated until the power is turned off or until the reset state is set by the operator's intention.
[0313]
As described above, by providing the pen tip switch 9 for accurately determining the positional relationship of the tip of the coordinate input pen 1 with the coordinate input surface, the above-described obstacle such as “tailing” is provided. Alternatively, it is possible to avoid a decrease in operability. When such a dedicated indicator is used, a new advantage can be further obtained by configuring as follows.
[0314]
As described with reference to FIG. 30, when coordinates are input using a finger or other shielding object, it is preferable to reduce the height h1 or h2 as much as possible due to restrictions on the setting of the down flag. However, when a dedicated pointing tool is used, this restriction is eliminated because the down flag can be easily set by another means.
[0315]
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 30B, it is possible to intentionally set the value of the height h1 so that coordinate input can be performed even at a position away from the coordinate input surface. As a convenience, the position of the pointing tool can be detected even at a position away from the coordinate input surface. Therefore, for example, by moving the displayed cursor with the coordinate detection value, the position of the pointing tool can be confirmed on the display screen, and the desired position on the display screen can be accurately indicated. it can.
[0316]
The function that allows coordinate input even at this distant position is generally referred to as “proximity input”. In order to realize proximity input, a value of height h1 is intentionally set as shown in FIG. Various troubles caused by setting the value of the height h1 are eliminated by detecting the state of the pen tip switch 9.
[0317]
Therefore, in the coordinate input device that can realize both the coordinate input by the self-luminous dedicated indicator such as the coordinate input pen 1 of the present embodiment and the coordinate input by an arbitrary shielding object such as a finger, When inputting coordinates using a shielding object, the value of height h1 is set as small as possible. Conversely, when inputting coordinates using a self-luminous dedicated indicator, the value of height h1 is set as large as possible. Is preferred.
[0318]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the cylinder member 11 constituting the coordinate input pen 1 is integrally configured with the ON / OFF switch 12 that operates with a small stroke and a light operating load, and the cylinder member 11 and the slide. Since the two parts of the member 10 are configured so that the sliding range of the slide member 10 in both directions can be limited, the pen tip switch 9 that operates with a small stroke and a light operating load can be produced at low cost without adjusting and assembling. Therefore, it is possible to realize the input pen 1 for the coordinate input device that is excellent in operability.
[0319]
In addition, when an abnormal load is applied to the pen tip switch 9, it is possible to prevent the load from being directly transmitted to the ON / OFF switch 12, so that the operator may accidentally drop the coordinate input pen 1. However, it can greatly contribute to preventing the coordinate input pen 1 from being destroyed.
[0320]
Further, even when the slide member 10 is configured by integrating the first slide member 48 and the second slide member 47 as in the first modification of the present embodiment, adjustment work for the integration is unnecessary. Thus, the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained.
[0321]
In addition, even when these nib switches 9 are produced in large quantities, the cylinder member 11 positions all the parts, and the performance of the nib switch 9 is small, and stable performance is easily realized. it can.
[0322]
Further, since the slide member 10 can be separated from the pen tip switch 9 until the pen tip switch 9 is incorporated in the casing of the coordinate input pen 1, the performance of the ON / OFF switch 12 is maintained in the manufacturing and transportation processes. Management is not required, and an excellent effect can be obtained from the viewpoint of cost and reliability.
[0323]
In the present invention, a software program (in the embodiment, a program corresponding to the flowchart shown in the figure) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment is directly or remotely supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer of the system or apparatus Is also achieved by reading and executing the supplied program code.
[0324]
Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. In other words, the present invention includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.
[0325]
In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, or the like.
[0326]
As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R) and the like.
[0327]
As another program supply method, a client computer browser is used to connect to an Internet homepage, and the computer program of the present invention itself or a compressed file including an automatic installation function is downloaded from the homepage to a recording medium such as a hard disk. Can also be supplied. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the present invention.
[0328]
In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.
[0329]
In addition to the functions of the above-described embodiments being realized by the computer executing the read program, the OS running on the computer based on the instruction of the program is a part of the actual processing. Alternatively, the functions of the above-described embodiment can be realized by performing all of them and performing the processing.
[0330]
Furthermore, after the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or The CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0331]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an input pen for a coordinate input device that is inexpensive and excellent in operability.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a coordinate input pen according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of an opening of a slide member according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a switch signal according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a process of transmitting a switch signal according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5A is an external view of the pen tip switch according to the embodiment of the present invention as seen from the pen tip direction.
5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the nib switch of FIG. 5A according to the embodiment of the present invention.
5C is a cross-sectional view of the nib switch of FIG. 5A according to the embodiment of the present invention taken along the line BB.
FIG. 6A is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of a slide member and a guide member according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6B is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the slide member and the guide member according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6C is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the slide member and the guide member according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6D is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the slide member and the guide member according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a pen tip switch according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a first modification of the ON / OFF switch according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is an assembly diagram of an ON / OFF switch in Modification 1 of the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second modification of the ON / OFF switch according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a third modification of the ON / OFF switch according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12A is a diagram showing a fourth modification of the ON / OFF switch according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12B is a diagram showing a fourth modification of the ON / OFF switch according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12C is a diagram showing a fourth modification example of the ON / OFF switch according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a light-shielding coordinate input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a light projecting unit of the sensor unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a detection unit of the sensor unit according to the embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a sensor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a control / arithmetic unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 18 is a timing chart of control signals according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a light amount distribution obtained by the sensor unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining an input example according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining a light amount change in a light amount distribution obtained by the sensor unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining a light amount change amount and a light amount change ratio in a light amount distribution obtained by the sensor unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining a case where a plurality of rising edges and falling edges are detected in the light amount distribution according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a relationship of θ value with respect to pixel number according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a positional relationship between coordinates defined on a coordinate input area and sensor units 102L and 102L according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 26 is a diagram for explaining a failure caused by light emission of the coordinate input pen according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 27 is a timing chart for avoiding a failure caused by light emission of the coordinate input pen according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing coordinate calculation processing executed by the coordinate input device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 29 is a diagram for explaining an example of a conventional coordinate input operation.
FIG. 30 is a diagram for explaining a positional relationship between a light beam and a coordinate input surface.
FIG. 31 is a diagram for explaining a problem that occurs when a character is input.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Coordinate input pen
2 nibs
3 Case
4 Light emitting part
5 Penside switch
6 Pen control circuit
7 DC converter
8 batteries
9 Nib switch
10 Slide member
11 Cylinder member
12 ON / OFF switch

Claims (11)

An input pen for a coordinate input device having a coordinate input surface,
A sliding member that slides when the pen tip presses the coordinate input surface;
Switch means for pen-down detection that operates by sliding the slide member;
A cylinder member having a positioning portion for restricting the sliding direction and positioning the switch means by inserting the slide member;
By engaging a concave portion on at least a part of the fitting surface of the slide member and a convex portion on at least a part of the fitting surface of the cylinder member, the sliding movable range in the sliding direction of the slide member is increased. An input pen comprising a regulating means for regulating. After the slide member is inserted into the cylinder member, the slide member is rotated about a slide axis by a predetermined angle, whereby the convex portion of the slide member and the concave portion of the cylinder member are engaged, and the slide of the slide member is engaged. The input pen according to claim 1, wherein a slidable range of directions is restricted. An input pen for a coordinate input device having a coordinate input surface,
A sliding member that slides when the pen tip presses the coordinate input surface;
Switch means for pen-down detection that operates by sliding the slide member;
A cylinder member having a positioning portion for restricting the sliding direction and positioning the switch means by inserting the slide member;
By engaging a convex portion on at least a part of the fitting surface of the slide member with a concave portion on at least a part of the fitting surface of the cylinder member, the sliding movable range in the sliding direction of the slide member is increased. An input pen comprising a regulating means for regulating. After the slide member is inserted into the cylinder member, the slide member is rotated by a predetermined angle around the slide axis, whereby the concave portion of the slide member and the convex portion of the cylinder member are engaged, and the slide direction of the slide member The input pen according to claim 3, wherein the slidable range is restricted. Each of the slide member and the cylinder member is provided with a detent means, and the slide member and the cylinder member are inserted into the casing of the input pen after the slide member is inserted into the cylinder member and rotated by a predetermined angle. The input pen according to claim 1, further comprising a holding unit that holds a relative angle about both axes substantially constant by mounting the button. The input pen according to claim 1, wherein the cylinder member further includes a fixing portion that fixes the switch means positioned by the positioning portion of the cylinder member. The slide member has a cylindrical surface that fits at least with the guide hole of the cylinder member, a first slide member that has a press-fit surface that is smaller than the shape of the guide hole, and at least fits with the fit surface of the cylinder member. A cylindrical surface to be joined, and a second slide member having a press-fit portion capable of being press-fitted with a press-fit surface of the first slide member,
After the first slide member is inserted from one of the guide holes of the cylinder member, the second slide member is inserted from the other of the cylinder members, and the first slide member is inserted into the cylinder member by a predetermined load. The slide member is integrally configured by press-fitting and fixing the first slide member and the second slide member to the position of the projecting portion provided in the guide hole. The input pen according to claim 1 or 3. The switch means has a structure in which a conductive sheet member provided with a conductive member on at least one surface thereof, an annular spacer member, and a substrate member provided with an electrode pattern are sequentially laminated,
A plurality of pin means provided on an abutting surface where the cylinder member and the conductive sheet member abut, and guide holes provided respectively at corresponding positions of the conductive sheet member, the spacer member, and the substrate member. 4. The input pen according to claim 1, wherein the input pen is positioned and the cylinder member, the conductive sheet member, the spacer member, and the substrate member are integrally formed. The switch means has a structure in which a laminated conductive sheet member provided with a conductive member on at least one side thereof and a substrate member provided with an electrode pattern are sequentially laminated.
The plurality of pin means provided on the contact surface where the cylinder member and the laminated conductive sheet member abut, the guide holes respectively provided at the corresponding positions of the laminated conductive sheet member and the substrate member 4. The input pen according to claim 1, wherein the cylinder member, the laminated conductive sheet member, and the substrate member are integrally formed. The inscribed circle diameter of the attachment portion of the pen tip portion of the slide member is smaller than the diameter of the attachment portion of the pen tip portion, and the pen tip portion is slid into the slide member by press-fitting the pen tip portion into the slide member. The input pen according to claim 1, wherein the input pen is detachably attached to the member. The diameter of the attachment portion of the pen tip portion of the slide member is smaller than the circumscribed circle diameter of the attachment portion of the pen tip portion, and by pressing the pen tip portion into the slide member, the pen tip portion is moved to the slide member. The input pen according to claim 1, wherein the input pen is detachably attached to the input pen.

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