JP2012118671A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable preservation/reproduction of drawn contents by a simple device.SOLUTION: An input device 1 is a device for drawing images using a drawing pen 21, and includes a honeycomb structure 5, a capacitive sensor 7, a control part 27, and a storage part 29. The honeycomb structure 5 includes a plurality of cells 5A constituting a drawing surface 5a, and magnetic-material-containing magnetic powder 19 stored inside the cells 5A so as to approach and separate from the drawing surface 5a and arranged so as to approach and separate from the drawing surface 5a. The capacitive sensor 7 is provided on the opposite side of the drawing surface 5a of the honeycomb structure 5, and detects the change of capacitance generated according to the movement of the magnetic powder 19. The control part 27 acquires drawn contents on the basis of a detection amount from the capacitive sensor 7. The storage part 29 stores the drawn contents.

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device, and more particularly to an input device for performing drawing using a magnetic material input member.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a child's drawing device, a honeycomb structure in which a plurality of cells are connected, and a magnetophoretic display device in which black magnetic powder and white fluid are sealed in each cell are known (for example, patents). See reference 1.) In the initial state of each cell of this device, the magnetic powder has accumulated in the lower part of the cell, so that the cell appears white. When a pen having a permanent magnet is brought into contact with the surface of the honeycomb structure, the magnetic powder moves upward in the cell. The magnetic powder continues to be supported at the upper position by the white fluid, and as a result, the cell in contact with the pen appears black. In this way, drawing can be performed with a simple operation.

  In order to erase the drawn content, the magnetic powder is moved downward in the cell by passing the permanent magnet through the back side of the honeycomb structure.

  The magnetophoretic display device has an advantage that drawing can be performed easily, but there is a problem that the drawing contents cannot be stored. However, there have been many requests from users to save the drawn contents so that they can be played back in the future.

  An object of the present invention is to make it possible to save and play back the drawn content with a simple device.

  Hereinafter, a plurality of modes will be described as means for solving the problems. These aspects can be arbitrarily combined as necessary.

  An input device according to an aspect of the present invention is a device for performing drawing using a magnetic material input member, and includes an input unit, a capacitance sensor, a control unit, and a storage unit. The input unit includes a plurality of storage units constituting the drawing surface and a magnetic material-containing first material stored in the storage unit so as to be able to approach and leave the drawing surface. The capacitance sensor is provided on the side opposite to the drawing surface of the input unit, and detects a change in capacitance that occurs as the first material moves. A control part acquires drawing content based on the detection amount from an electrostatic capacitance sensor. The storage unit stores drawing contents.

  In this apparatus, when the magnetic body input member approaches or contacts a specific storage unit of the input unit, the first material in the storage unit moves so as to approach the drawing surface. The capacitance sensor detects a change in capacitance caused by the movement of the first material. The control unit acquires the drawing content based on the detection amount from the capacitance sensor, and then the storage unit stores the drawing content. As described above, the drawing content is stored in the storage unit and can be reproduced.

  The capacitance sensor may have a plurality of detection units corresponding to a plurality of cells.

  The capacitance sensor may be able to detect a change in capacitance at a plurality of coordinates. The control unit may acquire the drawing content by determining the drawing state of the cell based on the change in the capacitance at the coordinates.

  The input unit may further include a nonmagnetic and nonconductive second material that is housed in the plurality of cells and has a color different from that of the first material.

  With the input device according to the present invention, the drawn content can be stored and played back with a simple device.

The schematic exploded perspective view of the input device in a 1st embodiment. The schematic sectional drawing of the input device in 1st Embodiment. The top view of a honeycomb structure. The schematic block diagram in a cell. Schematic sectional view of the input device (initial screen state). Schematic sectional view of the input device (drawing state). The schematic diagram which shows the relationship between a honeycomb structure and the detection element of an electrostatic capacitance sensor. The schematic diagram which shows the relationship between the detection element of a cell and an electrostatic capacitance sensor (self-capacitance detection system). The schematic diagram which shows the relationship between the detection element of a cell and an electrostatic capacitance sensor (mutual capacitance detection system). The control block diagram of an input device. The flowchart which shows the operation control of an input device. The flowchart which shows image scanning control. The top view of a honeycomb structure for demonstrating the state which made the drawing pen adjoin to the specific cell. The graph which shows the change of the electrostatic capacitance detection amount for every detection element for demonstrating the state which made the drawing pen approach the specific cell. The schematic sectional drawing of the input device as a modification. The top view of electrode arrangement | positioning of the electrostatic capacitance sensor used for the input device in 2nd Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the relationship between a honeycomb structure and the electrode of an electrostatic capacitance sensor. The schematic diagram which shows the relationship between a honeycomb structure and the electrode of an electrostatic capacitance sensor. The flowchart which shows image scanning control. The top view of a honeycomb structure for demonstrating the state which made the drawing pen adjoin to the specific cell. The top view of a receiving electrode for demonstrating the state which made the drawing pen approach the specific cell. The graph which shows the change of the electrostatic capacitance detection amount for every receiving electrode for demonstrating the state which made the drawing pen approach the specific cell. The schematic plan view of the input device in 3rd Embodiment. The schematic sectional drawing of the input device in 3rd Embodiment.

1. First Embodiment (1) Mechanical Configuration of Input Device A mechanical configuration of an input device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The input device 1 is a device for performing drawing using an input member having a permanent magnet, and can store drawing contents.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the input device 1 mainly includes a transparent sheet 3, a honeycomb structure 5, a capacitance sensor 7, and a control board 9. The transparent sheet 3, the honeycomb structure 5, and the capacitance sensor 7 are planar members that are stacked in this order from above. In this embodiment, the member is rectangular in plan view. Further, the capacitance sensor 7 is connected to the control board 9 by an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) 11.

  As shown in FIG. 2, spacers 13 are provided between the four sides of the capacitance sensor 7 and the transparent sheet 3. The spacer 13 is a member for reducing the load acting on the honeycomb structure 5.

  The transparent sheet 3 only needs to be transparent, and is, for example, vinyl chloride or polyethylene terephthalate.

  The honeycomb structure 5 is a magnetophoretic input device and is a member formed by connecting a plurality of cells 5A as shown in FIG. The honeycomb structure 5 is made of a substantially transparent member. The cell 5A has a planar hexagonal shape and has a honeycomb structure as a whole. As shown in FIG. 4, the honeycomb structure 5 has a drawing surface 5a on the upper side of the drawing and an opposite side surface 5b on the lower side of the drawing.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a fluid 17 and magnetic powder 19 are enclosed in each cell 5A. The fluid 17 is, for example, a white nonmagnetic / nonconductive material, and is made of, for example, an insulating resin or ceramic. The magnetic powder 19 is, for example, iron powder and is coated in black as necessary. In addition, in FIG. 4, each material is drawn typically and the dimension and ratio of particle | grains differ from an actual thing.

  In FIG. 4, the magnetic powder 19 is located on the lower side (that is, in the vicinity of the opposite side surface 5b) in the cell 5A. In this case, the cell 5A appears white. On the other hand, when the magnetic powder 19 is positioned on the upper side (that is, in the vicinity of the drawing surface 5a), the cell 5A appears black as shown in the drawing portion 23 of FIG.

  FIG. 5 shows a state in which the magnetic powder 19 is arranged in the lower part in all the cells 5A. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the drawing pen 21 made of a permanent magnet is brought close to the drawing surface 5a of one cell 5A, whereby the magnetic powder 19 moves to the upper part of the cell 5A and stays there. .

  When the electrostatic capacitance sensor 7 is made transparent, for example, a sensor is configured using ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) on a film made of PET. Further, when the capacitance sensor 7 is made non-transparent, it is constituted by a rigid substrate such as a glass epoxy substrate or a flexible substrate such as an FPC.

  FIG. 7 shows the relationship between the cell 5 </ b> A of the honeycomb structure 5 and the detection element 7 </ b> A of the capacitance sensor 7. The detection element 7A of the capacitance sensor 7 corresponds to the cell 5A on a one-to-one basis, and has the same hexagonal shape as the cell 5A. The capacitance sensor 7 is a self-capacitance detection method of the projected capacitance method, and its structure is shown in FIG. FIG. 7 shows an example, and it is only necessary that the detection element of the capacitance sensor has a one-to-one correspondence with the cell 5A, and the detection element may have another shape instead of the hexagonal shape. The principle of capacitance detection of the capacitance sensor 7 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 8A, in the erased state where the magnetic powder 19 is below the cell 5A, the distance (d1) between the magnetic powder 19 and the detection element 7A is short. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8B, in the drawing state in which the magnetic powder 19 is above the cell 5A, the distance (d2) between the magnetic powder 19 and the detection element 7B is long. Accordingly, in the state of FIG. 8A, the capacitance detected by the detection element 7A is large, and in the state of FIG. 8B, the capacitance detected by the detection element 7A is small.

  FIG. 9 shows a capacitance sensor of the mutual capacitance detection method of the projected capacitance method. The detection element 7B of this capacitance sensor has a one-to-one correspondence with the cell 5A 'and has the same hexagonal shape as the cell 5A'. Each detection element 7B has a transmission sensor 7C and a reception sensor 7D. The transmission sensor 7C and the reception sensor 7D are arranged at a predetermined interval. Note that FIG. 9 is an example, and it is only necessary that the detection element of the capacitance sensor has a one-to-one correspondence with the cell 5A, and the detection element may have another shape instead of a hexagonal shape.

  The principle of capacitance detection of the capacitance sensor 7 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 9A, in the erased state in which the magnetic powder 19 is below the cell 5A ′, the distance between the magnetic powder 19 and the detection element 7B is short, that is, the influence of the magnetic powder 19 as a conductor is affected. As a result, the coupling capacity between the transmission sensor 7C and the reception sensor 7D decreases. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9B, in the drawing state in which the magnetic powder 19 is above the cell 5A ′, the distance between the magnetic powder 19 and the detection element 7B is long, and the magnetic powder 19 that is a conductor is formed. As a result, the coupling capacitance between the transmission sensor 7C and the reception sensor 7D increases.

(2) Control Configuration of Input Device The control configuration of the input device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The control board 9 includes a control unit 27 and a storage unit 29. The control unit 27 includes a computer that includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like and executes a program. The control unit 27 receives an input signal from the operation unit 31 and a detection signal composed of a change in capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 7. The control unit 27 converts the detection signal into image data and stores it in the storage unit 29.

  The storage unit 29 is a memory that stores image data transmitted from the control unit 27. The storage unit 29 is a hard disk or a flash memory, and is preferably a memory that is removable from the input device 1.

  The operation unit 31 is a device for inputting an operation signal to the input device 1 when operated by an operator. The operation unit 31 includes a power button 31a, a preparation start button 31b, an image save button 31c, an erase completion notification button 31d, and other buttons. When the preparation start button 31b is pressed, the image detection initial value is stored. When the image saving button 31c is operated, an image scanning operation is executed. The erasure completion notification button 31d is a button operated after erasure, and when it is operated, a series of image input operations is completed.

  The communication unit 59 is a device for communicating with an external device. The control unit 27 can transmit the image data stored in the storage unit 29 to an external device via the communication unit 59.

(3) Drawing / Recording Control Operation The drawing / recording control operation will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, the main operating subject is the control unit 27.

  In step S1, the control unit 27 waits for the preparation start button 31b or the deletion completion notification button 31d to be pressed.

  In step S <b> 2, the control unit 27 stores the initial value of each detection element 7 </ b> A of the capacitance sensor 7 based on the detection signal from the capacitance sensor 7.

  In step S3, the control unit 27 waits for the image save button 31c to be pressed. The image save button 31c is pressed because the operator wants to save the image drawn on the surface of the honeycomb assembly 5 after drawing on the input device 1 using the drawing pen 21 and finishing drawing. Is the case.

  In step S4, the control unit 27 performs an image scanning operation. The image scanning operation will be described later.

  In step S5, the control unit 27 converts the capacitance change from all the detection elements 7A obtained by the image scanning operation into image data.

  In step S <b> 6, the control unit 27 stores the image data in the storage unit 29.

  In step S7, the control unit 27 waits for the deletion completion notification button 31d to be pressed, and then the process returns to step S1. Normally, the erasure notification button 31d is pressed after the operator erases the image on the input device 1 using erasure means (not shown). As an erasing means (not shown), for example, there is one that moves the magnetic powder 19 to the lower portion of the cell 5A using a permanent magnet on the lower surface or upper surface of the input device 1. Note that the configuration may be such that the erasure completion notification button is automatically operated after the erasure operation. For example, a structure in which an erase completion notification button is pushed when the erase lever is moved to the end can be considered.

(4) Image Scan Control Operation The image scan control operation will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, the main operating subject is the control unit 27.

  In step S11, the control unit 27 performs No. The capacitance of n (n is a natural number) cell 5A is detected. The first detected cell 5A is No. 0.

  In step S12, the control unit 27 determines whether or not the detected capacitance value is sufficiently smaller than the initial value. If Yes, the process moves to step S13, and if No, the process moves to step S16.

  How the capacitance changes in each cell 5A will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 13, the tip of the drawing pen 21 points to the cell 41. In this case, as shown in FIG. 14, the capacitance detection amount of each cell decreases at the drawn timing A. However, the decrease in the capacitance detection amount of the detection element 41 corresponding to the cell 41 is large, whereas the decrease in the capacitance detection amount of the detection elements 42 to 46 corresponding to the cells 42 to 46 around the cell 41 is reduced. Is small.

  In step S13, the controller 27 It is determined that the n cell 5A is “with drawing”.

  In step S16, the control unit 27 performs No. The n cells 5A are determined to be “no drawing”.

  When step S13 or step S16 ends, the process proceeds to step S14. In step S14, the control unit 27 increments the number n of the cell 5A.

  In step S15, the control unit 27 determines whether or not the number n exceeds the maximum cell number. If yes, the process returns to step S11. If no, the process ends.

(5) Image Playback Method The operator can display the image data on a screen or print it on a printer by removing the storage unit 29 from the image input apparatus 1 and connecting it to another computer. The control unit 27 can also transmit image data to another computer via the communication unit 59.

(6) Modification The modification of 1st Embodiment is demonstrated using FIG. In this case, a reinforcing sheet member 65 is provided between the honeycomb structure 5 and the capacitance sensor 7. The reinforcing sheet member 65 is made of a reinforcing resin board or glass. Thereby, the intensity | strength of input device 1 'is improving.

2. Second Embodiment (1) Mechanical Configuration of Input Device In the second embodiment, the basic configuration of the input device 1 is the same as that of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, different points will be mainly described.

  As shown in FIGS. 16, 17, and 18, the electrostatic capacitance sensor 7 ′ employs a projected capacitance mutual capacitance detection method. Therefore, the capacitance sensor 7 ′ is composed of a plurality of transmission sensors 33 extending in the Y direction and a plurality of reception sensors 35 extending in the X direction. The transmission sensor 33 and the reception sensor 35 are alternately arranged and can detect a change in electrostatic capacitance in coordinates. As shown in FIG. 18, the position of the reception sensor 35 and the position of the cell 5A do not coincide with each other, but the positional relationship between the two is known in advance. Specifically, a plurality of reception sensors 35 overlap one cell 5A, but when the cell 5A is drawn, drawing is performed based on the plurality of reception sensors 35 that detect a change in capacity. The cell 5A is detected.

(2) Image Scan Control Operation The image scan control operation will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, the main operating subject is the control unit 27.

  In step S21, the control unit 27 detects the capacitance of all coordinates.

  In step S22, the control unit 27 determines whether or not the capacitance value detected at a specific coordinate is sufficiently smaller than the initial value. If Yes, the process moves to step S23, and if No, the process moves to step S27.

  In step S23, the control unit 27 determines that the coordinates are “with drawing”.

  In step S24, the control unit 27 specifies a drawing cell from the drawing coordinates.

  In step S27, the control unit 27 determines that the cell 5A is “no drawing”.

  A method of specifying a drawing cell from the change in electrostatic capacitance at each coordinate and the drawing coordinates will be described with reference to FIGS. 20, 21, and 22. In FIG. 20, the tip of the drawing pen 21 points to the cell 51. In this case, as shown in FIG. 21, the reception sensor having the largest area overlapping the cell 51 is the reception sensor a, and the surrounding reception sensors are the reception sensors b to e. The reception sensor b having the largest area overlapping the cell 51 next to the cell a is the reception sensor b. In this case, as shown in FIG. 22, the capacitance detection amount of each cell decreases at the drawn timing A. However, the decrease in the capacitance detection amount in the reception sensor a is the largest, the decrease in the capacitance detection amount in the reception sensor b is the next largest, and the decrease in the capacitance detection amount in the reception sensors c to g is small. As described above, the control unit 27 can know that the cell 51 is drawn.

  In this embodiment, when the capacitance values detected by the reception sensors c to g are sufficiently smaller than the initial value, it is determined that the cells 57, 52, 53, 54, and 55 are drawn, respectively. The

  When step S24 or step S27 ends, the process proceeds to step S25. In step S25, the target coordinates are updated.

  In step S26, the control unit 27 determines whether there is a next coordinate. If yes, the process returns to step S22. If no, the process ends.

3. Third Embodiment As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the input device 1 ″ includes a drawing erasing magnet 63 attached to a housing 61. As shown in the figure, the drawing erasing magnet 63 extends below the capacitance sensor 7 in correspondence with the width direction of the honeycomb structure 5 and the capacitance sensor 7, and further in the longitudinal direction of both members. It can be moved by a slide mechanism (not shown). When the drawing / erasing magnet 63 passes under the honeycomb structure 5, the magnetic powder 19 in the cell 5A moves downward. Thereby, the capacitance returns to the initial value.

  Note that the drawing erasing magnet 63 is disposed at a position away from the area of the capacitance sensor 7 at both ends of the moving range. Thereby, in the honeycomb structure 5, the magnetic powder 19 in the cell 5A is not easily affected by the drawing erasing magnet. In particular, the drawing / erasing magnet 63 is preferably 10 mm or more away from the edge of the capacitance sensor 7.

4). Features The above embodiment can be expressed as follows.

  (A) An input device 1 according to an aspect of the present invention is a device for performing drawing using a drawing pen 21 (magnetic material input member), and includes a honeycomb structure 5 (input portion), a capacitance, and the like. A sensor 7, a control unit 27, and a storage unit 29 are provided. The honeycomb structure 5 includes a plurality of cells 5A (storage portions) constituting a drawing surface and magnetic powder 19 (first material) stored in the cells 5A so that the drawing surface 5a can approach and separate. Have. The capacitance sensor 7 is provided on the side opposite to the drawing surface 5 a of the honeycomb structure 5 and detects a change in capacitance that occurs as the magnetic powder 19 moves. The control unit 27 acquires the drawing content based on the detection amount from the capacitance sensor 7. The storage unit 29 stores drawing contents.

  In this apparatus, when the drawing pen 21 approaches or contacts a specific cell 5A of the honeycomb structure 5, the magnetic powder 19 in the cell 5A moves so as to approach the drawing surface 5a. The capacitance sensor 7 detects a change in capacitance caused by the movement of the magnetic powder 19. The control unit 27 acquires the drawing content based on the detection amount from the capacitance sensor 7, and then the storage unit 29 stores the drawing content. As described above, the drawing content is stored in the storage unit 29 and can be reproduced.

  (B) In the first embodiment, the capacitance sensor 7 has a plurality of detection elements 7A or 7B corresponding to the plurality of cells 5A.

  (C) In the second embodiment, the capacitance sensor 7 ′ can detect a change in capacitance at a plurality of coordinates. The control unit 27 acquires the drawing contents by determining the drawing state of the cell based on the change in the electrostatic capacitance in the coordinates.

5. Other Embodiments Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, a plurality of embodiments and modifications described in this specification can be arbitrarily combined as necessary.

  (A) Although magnetic powder is used as the material that moves in the cell in the above embodiment, a magnetic fluid may be used.

  (B) In the above embodiment, iron powder is used as the material that moves in the cell, but other magnetic materials such as ferrite may be used.

  (C) Although the honeycomb structure is employed as the magnetophoretic drawing apparatus in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, a plurality of microcapsules may be disposed under the transparent sheet, and magnetic powder and white fluid may be disposed in the microcapsules.

  (D) In the embodiment described above, the honeycomb structure also serves as a display screen, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the liquid crystal screen panel may be provided on the drawing surface side of the honeycomb structure, and the drawing content may be displayed on the liquid crystal screen panel simultaneously with the drawing. In this case, the honeycomb structure realizes only the detection function.

  (E) In the above-described embodiment, the magnetic powder is black and the fluid is white. However, both may be other colors, and there may be a plurality of drawing colors.

  The present invention can be widely applied to input devices because drawing is performed using a magnetic material input member.

1 Input device 3 Transparent sheet 5 Honeycomb structure (input part)
5A cell (storage part)
5a Drawing surface 5b Opposite side surface 7 Capacitance sensor 7A Detection element 7B Detection element 7C Transmission sensor 7D Reception sensor 9 Control board 11 FPC
13 Spacer 17 Fluid (second material)
19 Magnetic powder (first material)
21 Drawing Pen 23 Drawing Part 27 Control Unit 29 Storage Unit 31 Operation Unit 31a Power Button 31b Preparation Start Button 31c Image Save Button 31d Deletion Completion Notification Button 33 Transmission Sensor 35 Reception Sensor 57 Reinforcement Sheet Member 59 Communication Unit 61 Housing 63 Erase Drawing Magnet

Japanese Patent No. 3126119

Claims (4)

An apparatus for performing drawing using a magnetic body input member,
An input unit having a plurality of storage units constituting a drawing surface, and a magnetic material-containing first material stored in the storage unit so as to be able to approach and separate from the drawing surface;
A capacitance sensor provided on a side opposite to the drawing surface of the input unit for detecting a change in capacitance caused by movement of the first material;
A control unit that acquires drawing content based on a detection amount from the capacitance sensor;
A storage unit for storing the drawing content;
An input device with.   The input device according to claim 1, wherein the capacitance sensor includes a plurality of detection units corresponding to the plurality of cells. The capacitance sensor can detect a change in capacitance at a plurality of coordinates,
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit acquires the drawing content by determining a drawing state of the cell based on a change in capacitance at the coordinates.   4. The input unit according to claim 1, further comprising: a nonmagnetic and nonconductive second material having a color different from that of the first material housed in the plurality of cells. 5. Input device.

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