JP2012141934A - Electronic book device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic book device capable of inputting data without directly touching a display, and for making it unnecessary to provide any exclusive pen for the input, and capable of leaving the input memo or the like on paper, and of simplifying the input.SOLUTION: This electronic book device includes: an electronic book terminal M equipped with a display D; and an input device A having a square frame-shaped optical waveguide W for outputting information input to the frame of the optical waveguide W to the electronic book terminal M, and for displaying the information on the display D. The optical waveguide W is formed with a plurality of cores for light emission at one of the frame-shaped sections faced to each other and with a plurality of cores for light incidence at the other section, and the top end of each core is positioned at the frame-shaped internal edge, and the top end of each of those cores for light emission and the top end of each of those cores for light incidence are faced to each other.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic book apparatus capable of inputting a memo or the like.

  In recent years, information such as texts and photographs of books has been digitized and provided, and electronic book terminals have been widely used for displaying the digitized information. In the electronic book terminal, not only the characters of the book are displayed, but also the display for displaying the characters of the book becomes a touch sensor (touch panel) so that a memo or the like can be input. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). That is, in this case, a pen tip or a fingertip is brought into contact with a display (touch panel) on which the characters of the book are displayed, and the pen or the like is moved to make the movement locus of the pen tip as a memo or the like. Are input to the display.

  Further, an optical position detection device including a plurality of light emitting elements and light receiving elements has been proposed as means for detecting the movement locus of the pen tip or the like (see, for example, Patent Document 2). This is formed in a square frame shape, and a plurality of light emitting elements are arranged in parallel on one of a pair of L-shaped parts constituting the square frame, and a plurality of light receiving elements facing the light emitting elements are arranged in parallel on the other side. It has become. Then, information such as a memo is input by moving a pen, a finger or the like within the square frame. That is, when a pen, finger, or the like is moved within the square frame, light from the light emitting element is blocked by the pen, finger, etc., and the light receiving element that senses the light shielding is detected by the light receiving element. The locus of the pen or finger (input information such as a memo) is detected. When the locus is output as a signal to the electronic book terminal, it can be input as a memo or the like on the display of the electronic book terminal.

JP 2007-147871 A Japanese Patent No. 3682109

  However, in the above-mentioned electronic book terminal, when inputting a memo or the like, a pen or the like directly contacts the display. Therefore, even if the display is subjected to a flaw-proofing treatment, scratches occur as the frequency of use increases. There is a problem that the visibility of characters and the like displayed on the display is lowered due to the scratch. Moreover, the inputted memo etc. can be stored (stored) as digital data (electronic data) in the electronic book terminal, but there is a demand for leaving the memo etc. on paper mainly by elderly people. . Some of the electronic book terminals require a dedicated pen for input.

  When the optical position detection device is used as an input means, the problems of the electronic book terminal can be solved. In other words, the optical position detection device does not require a pen or the like to be in direct contact with the display at the time of input, so that damage to the display can be prevented. Further, since the optical position detection device has a square frame shape, a paper is placed under the optical position detection device, a part of the paper is exposed from the inside of the frame, and a memo or the like is directly applied to the exposed paper portion. The memo etc. can be input while writing. Therefore, the memo etc. can also be left on paper. Furthermore, the optical position detection device does not require a dedicated pen for input.

  However, since the optical position detection device has a plurality of light emitting elements and light receiving elements arranged side by side in a frame shape, the frame body is thick (thickness of about 6 mm or more), and a pen, a finger, or the like in the frame When the input body is moved and input, due to the thickness of the frame body, the hand used for the input is unnaturally positioned and it is difficult to input. In addition, since the light emitting element is thick, the light from the light emitting element travels to a certain high position (about 4 mm) from the bottom surface of the optical position detecting device. The position is detected not at the bottom surface within the frame but at a certain level. In addition, since the pen or finger at the time of input is usually not at right angles to the bottom surface in the frame but is inclined, the detected locus is the locus of the pen tip or finger tip (trajectory at the bottom surface in the frame). Instead, it becomes a locus on the diagonal, and the memo displayed on the display deviates from the display position intended by the input person. For these reasons, in order to properly display the input memo or the like on the display, the input becomes unnatural.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and allows input without directly touching the display, eliminates the need for a dedicated pen for the input, and leaves the input memo or the like on paper. An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic book device that can be input easily.

In order to achieve the above object, an electronic book device of the present invention inputs new information to be added to information displayed on the electronic book terminal provided with the display and the display by moving the input body, and inputs the input information. An electronic book device comprising an input means for outputting to the electronic book terminal, wherein the input device comprises a frame-shaped optical waveguide of the following (A), and the input body within the frame of the optical waveguide The locus is used as the new information.
(A) A plurality of cores for light emission are formed in one portion facing each other in the frame shape, and a plurality of cores for light incidence are formed in the other portion. An optical waveguide in which the distal end portion of the light emitting core is positioned at the inner edge of the frame shape, and the distal end portion of the light emitting core and the distal end portion of the light incident core are opposed to each other.

  Here, for the “display” of the electronic book terminal in the present invention, for example, a liquid crystal panel, an organic electroluminescence panel, electronic paper, or the like is used. The “display” may or may not have a touch sensor (touch panel).

  The electronic book device of the present invention includes the frame-shaped optical waveguide (A) as a detection means for the locus of the input body in the input means. Therefore, a dedicated pen is not required for input, and an elongated object such as a pen used for normal writing or a human finger can be used as an input body. Further, since the input using the optical waveguide is performed by moving the input body within the frame of the optical waveguide, it is not necessary to directly contact the input body with the display of the electronic book terminal. Therefore, the display is not damaged during input. Further, since the optical waveguide has a frame shape, the paper can be positioned within the frame, and when a writing instrument is used as the input body, an input memo or the like can be directly written on the paper. Therefore, it is possible to leave the memo on paper. Furthermore, since the optical waveguide can be formed thin, the optical waveguide does not interfere with input, and the hand used for moving the input body can be positioned at a natural position. Therefore, input can be made easily. Since the optical waveguide is thin as described above, the light emitted from the tip of the light emitting core travels a slightly higher position from the bottom surface in the frame, so an input body such as a pen or a finger. Even if the input is made obliquely, the detected trajectory is substantially the same as the trajectory of the tip of the input body such as the pen tip or fingertip (the trajectory on the bottom surface in the frame) and is displayed on the display. The display position on the display can be easily determined without the memo or the like being shifted from the display position intended by the input person.

  In particular, it has a double-sided book cover to be attached to an electronic book terminal, and an opening of the size of the display is formed in a portion of the book cover corresponding to the display, and the opening is formed along the opening. When a frame-shaped optical waveguide is provided, by opening the spread portion of the book cover, the display of the electronic book terminal and the frame-shaped optical waveguide of the input means can be juxtaposed. It becomes easier to input. Further, even when the spread portion of the book cover is closed, the display on the display can be seen from within the frame of the optical waveguide.

  Further, the book cover is provided with a spread type book cover to be attached to the electronic book terminal, and the entire spread portion on the side corresponding to the display of the book cover serves as the input means, and the frame shape of the input means Even when the hollow frame of the optical waveguide can be positioned along the outer peripheral edge of the display, similarly to the above, by opening the spread portion (input means) of the book cover, Since the frame-shaped optical waveguide of the input means can be juxtaposed, it becomes easier to input. Further, the display on the display can be seen from the frame of the optical waveguide even when the spread portion (input means) of the book cover is closed. Furthermore, since the side corresponding to the display is only the input means, the thickness of the book cover portion can be reduced.

  If the tip of the light emitting core and the tip of the light incident core are formed in the lens part, the light emitted from the lens part of the light emitting core is diffused. The light can be emitted in a properly suppressed state, and the emitted light can be guided into the core in a state of being properly converged in the lens portion of the core for light incidence. As a result, the optical transmission efficiency within the frame of the optical waveguide can be improved, and the locus of the input body within the frame can be accurately detected.

  Furthermore, the tip of the overcladding layer is formed in a state where the tip of the core for light emission and the tip of the core for light incidence are covered, and the tip of the overcladding layer is formed in the lens portion. In this case, on the light exit side, the exit light from the lens portion of the over clad layer can be emitted in a state in which the diffusion of light is appropriately suppressed. It is possible to make the light incident on a wide area of the lens portion and to make the light incident on the end face of the core in a focused state. As a result, the optical transmission efficiency within the frame of the optical waveguide can be improved, and the locus of the input body within the frame can be accurately detected.

1 is a perspective view schematically showing an embodiment of an electronic book device of the present invention. (A) is a top view which shows typically the input means of the said electronic book apparatus, (b) is X1-X1 sectional drawing of (a), (c) is X2- of (a). It is X2 sectional drawing. (A)-(c) is explanatory drawing which shows typically an example of the preparation methods of the said input means. (A)-(c) is explanatory drawing which shows typically the preparation methods of the input means following the process shown in the said FIG. (A)-(b) is explanatory drawing which shows typically the preparation methods of the input means following the process shown in the said FIG. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows typically the preparation methods of the input means following the process shown in the said FIG. 5, (b) is X4-X4 sectional drawing of (a). It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the preparation methods of the input means following the process shown in the said FIG.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an electronic book device of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1 (in FIG. 1, the following book cover B is shown open), the electronic book device of this embodiment includes an electronic book terminal M provided with a display D, and the electronic book terminal. A spread-type book cover B attached to M, and an input means A provided in a spread portion Ba of the book cover B and having a rectangular frame-shaped optical waveguide W for inputting information to be displayed on the display D And. The input means A is configured to output information such as a memo input into the frame of the optical waveguide W to the electronic book terminal M. In this embodiment, the rectangular optical waveguide W is fixed along the opening of the book cover B corresponding to the display D and having the size of the display D. Yes. Moreover, although the output of the information from the input means A to the electronic book terminal M may be performed by a connection cable or wirelessly, in this embodiment, a connection cable (not shown) is used. To be done. As described above, it is a major feature of the present invention that the electronic book terminal M is provided with the input means A for detecting input information by the optical waveguide W.

  The characteristic input means A will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 2 (a), the input means A includes the rectangular frame-shaped optical waveguide W having the same thickness on each side and a control means C for controlling the input means A itself. It is formed in a square frame shape with one side (the lower side in the figure) being thick and the other three sides having the same thickness. In this input means A, the rectangular frame-shaped optical waveguide W is disposed on the outer portion of the rectangular frame-shaped hollow frame, and the control means C is disposed in a strip shape on the outer edge side of the thick side. Yes. 2B, which is an enlarged cross-sectional view [X1-X1 cross-sectional view of FIG. 2A] of the portion where the optical waveguide W is arranged in the input means A, and the control means C are arranged. In this embodiment, the optical waveguide W and the control means C are made of stainless steel or the like, as shown in FIG. 2 (c), which is an enlarged sectional view (X2-X2 sectional view of FIG. 2 (a)) of the portion. Are fixed on a rectangular frame-shaped holding plate 30 and their top surfaces are covered with a protective plate 40 made of polycarbonate or the like. The holding plate 30 is for facilitating holding the flatness of the input means A, and the protection plate 40 is for protecting the input means A.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the rectangular frame-shaped optical waveguide W includes an under cladding layer 1, cores 2 a and 2 b, and an over cladding layer 3 as follows. That is, the rectangular frame-shaped under cladding layer 1 is formed on the rectangular frame-shaped holding plate 30. Then, a light emitting core 2a is formed in a state of being branched into a plurality of surfaces on one surface of a pair of L-shaped portions constituting the rectangular frame of the under cladding layer 1, and on the other surface, the light incident core The plurality of cores 2b are formed in parallel. The leading ends of the cores 2a and 2b are positioned at the inner edge of the rectangular frame shape, and are formed so that the leading end of the light emitting core 2a and the leading end of the light incident core 2b face each other. . Further, an over clad layer 3 is formed in a square frame shape on the surface of the under clad layer 1 in a state of covering the light emitting core 2a and the light incident core 2b. In this embodiment, the tip portions of the cores 2a and 2b positioned at the inner edge of the rectangular frame shape are formed as convex lens portions having a curved surface having a substantially ½ arc shape in plan view. The tip of the over clad layer 3 that covers the lens part is formed as a convex lens part 3a having a curved surface with a substantially arc-shaped side sectional shape. In FIG. 2A, the cores 2a and 2b are indicated by chain lines, and the thickness of the chain line indicates the thickness of the cores 2a and 2b. In FIGS. 2A and 2B, the number of cores 2a and 2b is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2C, the control means C is connected to the light emitting element 5 connected to the end of the light emitting core 2a and to the end of the light incident core 2b. A received light receiving element 6, an IC for controlling the input means A, a memory for storing information such as a memo input in the frame of the optical waveguide W (information on the movement locus of the tip of an input body such as a pen or a finger), A connection module that outputs information such as a memo to the electronic book terminal M is provided with a circuit board mounted on the flexible printed circuit board 7. In FIG. 2C, the IC, the memory, the connection module, etc. are collectively shown by the hatched portion indicated by reference numeral 8. Electricity to the circuit board is supplied from the electronic book terminal M through a connection cable (not shown) such as a USB cable.

  In the input means A, the light from the light emitting element 5 passes through the light emitting core 2a, passes through the lens portion at the tip thereof, and from the surface of the lens portion 3a of the over clad layer 3 that covers it. Emitted. As a result, the light travels in a lattice shape within the frame of the rectangular frame-shaped optical waveguide W. Divergence of the light traveling in the lattice shape is suppressed by the refractive action of the lens portion at the tip of the light emitting core 2a and the lens portion 3a of the over clad layer 3 covering the lens portion. In this state, information such as a memo can be input by moving an input body such as a pen or a finger within the frame of the optical waveguide W. That is, when the input body is moved within the frame of the optical waveguide W, the light traveling in a lattice shape is shielded by the tip of the input body (such as a pen tip or a fingertip), and the light shielding is performed by the light receiving element 6. By sensing, the locus of the tip of the input body (input information such as a memo) is detected, stored in the memory as digital data (electronic data), and output to the electronic book terminal M, and the display D Is displayed.

  As described above, in the input means A, when the frame-shaped optical waveguide W is used as a detection means for the locus of the input body, the input body such as a pen or a human finger is moved within the frame of the optical waveguide W. Therefore, the input body does not need to be in direct contact with the display D of the electronic book terminal M, and the display D is not damaged. Further, since the optical waveguide W of the input means A has a square frame shape, a paper is placed under the input means A, a part of the paper is exposed from the inside of the optical waveguide W, and the exposed paper While writing a memo etc. directly with a writing instrument, the memo etc. can be input. Therefore, the memo etc. can be left on paper.

  Further, in this embodiment, since the control means C of the input means A is provided with a memory for storing information such as a memo inputted in the frame of the optical waveguide W, the information such as the memo is stored in the electronic book terminal. It is possible to cope with the case (needs) that M does not want to be stored. The information such as a memo stored in the memory can be displayed (reproduced) on the display D of the electronic book terminal M alone (without displaying information such as characters of the book).

  Further, the optical waveguide W can be formed thin (thickness is about 1 mm), and even if the holding plate 30 and the protective plate 40 are provided on the front and back surfaces of the optical waveguide W as in this embodiment, the total thickness is increased. Can be formed to about 2 mm, and the rectangular frame-shaped portion in which the holding plate 30 and the protective plate 40 are combined with the optical waveguide W does not hinder input, and input is easy. Since the optical waveguide W is thin as described above, the light emitted from the tip of the light emitting core 2a is slightly from the bottom surface in the frame even when the thickness of the holding plate 30 is taken into consideration. Since the vehicle travels at a high position (about 0.6 mm), the detected locus is substantially the same as the locus of the tip of the input body (the locus on the bottom surface in the frame) even if the input body is tilted. The same. Therefore, since the memo displayed on the display D does not deviate from the display position intended by the input person, the display position on the display D can be easily determined.

  Next, the electronic book terminal M and the book cover B which are the configuration of the electronic book device other than the input unit A will be described.

  The electronic book terminal M displays digitized information such as letters and photographs of the book on the display D and displays information from the input means A (information such as a memo input by the input means A). D is displayed. As a result, the display D is displayed in a state in which information such as a memo input by the input means A is superimposed on information such as characters of the book. Further, in order to display a memo or the like input by the input means A at the position of the display D corresponding to the input position, the coordinates within the frame of the rectangular optical waveguide W of the input means A are represented by the display D. Software (program) for converting the screen coordinates into a display D and displaying a memo or the like input by the input means A is incorporated in the electronic book terminal M. Note that information such as characters of the book is usually stored in advance in an information storage medium such as a hard disk in the electronic book terminal M or an external SD memory card, and is output from the information storage medium. Further, information obtained by superimposing information such as characters of the book displayed on the display D and information such as a memo input by the input means A can be stored in the information storage medium.

  Further, as described above, for example, a liquid crystal panel, an organic EL panel, electronic paper, or the like is used as the display D of the electronic book terminal M. Moreover, the display D may be a touch panel, and may not be so.

  The book cover B is formed in a quadrangular shape, a region on one side from the center is formed in a fixing portion for fixing the electronic book terminal M, and a region on the other side is formed of the rectangular frame-shaped optical waveguide W. It is formed in the forming part of the input means A having.

  Next, an example of a method for manufacturing the input means A will be described. In addition, among this description, FIGS. 3-4 quoted in description of the manufacturing method of the optical waveguide W have shown the part corresponded to the X3-X3 cross section of Fig.2 (a).

  First, a rectangular frame-shaped substrate 10 (see FIG. 3A) for forming the optical waveguide W is prepared. Examples of the material for forming the substrate 10 include metal, resin, glass, quartz, and silicon.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3A, a rectangular frame-shaped under cladding layer 1 having the same shape is formed on the surface of the rectangular frame-shaped substrate 10. The under cladding layer 1 can be formed by photolithography using a photosensitive resin as a forming material. The thickness of the under cladding layer 1 is set within a range of 5 to 50 μm, for example.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3B, a light emitting core 2a and a light incident core 2b having the above pattern are formed on the surface of the under-cladding layer 1 having a rectangular frame shape by photolithography. As a material for forming the cores 2a and 2b, a photosensitive resin having a refractive index higher than that of the material for forming the under cladding layer 1 and the following over cladding layer 3 (see FIG. 4B) is used.

  Here, as shown in FIG.3 (c), the square frame-shaped shaping | molding die 20 which has translucency for overcladding layer formation is prepared. The mold 20 has a recess 21 having a mold surface corresponding to the surface shape of the overcladding layer 3 (see FIG. 4B). Then, the molding die 20 is placed on a molding stage (not shown) with the concave portion 21 facing up, and the concave portion 21 is filled with a photosensitive resin 3A that is a material for forming the over clad layer 3.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4A, the cores 2a and 2b patterned on the surface of the under cladding layer 1 are positioned with respect to the concave portion 21 of the mold 20, and in this state, the under cladding layer 1 is pressed against the mold 20, and the cores 2a and 2b are immersed in the photosensitive resin 3A which is a material for forming the over clad layer 3. In this state, the photosensitive resin 3A is irradiated with ultraviolet rays or the like through the mold 20 to expose the photosensitive resin 3A. As a result, the photosensitive resin 3A is cured, and a square frame-shaped over cladding layer 3 having a square frame-shaped inner peripheral edge formed on the lens portion 3a is formed.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4 (b) (shown upside down from FIG. 4 (a)), the overcladding layer 3 is formed from the mold 20 (see FIG. 4 (a)). Then, the substrate 10, the under clad layer 1 and the cores 2a and 2b are removed from the mold.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 4C, the substrate 10 (see FIG. 4B) is peeled off from the under cladding layer 1, and a rectangular frame comprising the under cladding layer 1, the cores 2a and 2b, and the over cladding layer 3 is formed. A shaped optical waveguide W is obtained.

  Next, as shown in a plan view in FIG. 5A, a flexible printed circuit board 7 is prepared, and a light emitting element 5, a light receiving element 6, an IC for controlling the input means A (see FIG. 1), and the light guide A circuit board is manufactured by mounting a memory for storing information input in a frame of the waveguide W (see FIG. 1), a connection module for outputting the information to the electronic book terminal M (see FIG. 1), and the like. In FIG. 5A, the IC, memory, connection module and the like are collectively indicated by reference numeral 8.

  Here, as shown in a plan view in FIG. 5B, the rectangular frame-shaped holding plate 30 is prepared. The holding plate 30 has a square frame-like side 31 formed thick. Examples of the material for forming the holding plate 30 include metal, resin, glass, quartz, and silicon. Among these, stainless steel is preferable because it is excellent in maintaining flatness. The thickness of the holding plate 30 is set to about 0.5 mm, for example.

  6A is a plan view, and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view [X4-X4 cross-sectional view of FIG. 6A], and emits light from the light-emitting element 5 of the circuit board. The light receiving element 6 is connected to the light incident core 2b. In this state, the optical waveguide W is adhered to the surface of the holding plate 30 and the circuit board is fixed. At this time, the optical waveguide W is stuck on the surface of the holding plate 30 except for the band-like portion 31a (see FIG. 5B) on the outer edge side of the thick side 31 and the circuit board. Is fixed to the belt-like portion 31a.

  Thereafter, as shown in a sectional view in FIG. 7, the top surface of the over clad layer 3 excluding the lens portion 3 a and the fixed portion of the circuit board are covered with a protective plate 40. Examples of the material for forming the protection plate 40 include resin, metal, glass, quartz, and silicon. The thickness of the protection plate 40 is set to about 0.5 mm, for example.

  In this way, the input means A can be produced. In this input means A, as described above, the portion of the optical waveguide W is formed to be as thin as about 2 mm even if the holding plate 30 and the protective plate 40 on the front and back surfaces thereof are combined. Can do. Even if the holding plate 30 and the protective plate 40 on the front and back surfaces of the portions to which the circuit board is fixed are combined, the total thickness can be reduced to about 2 mm.

  In the embodiment described above, the book cover B is attached to the electronic book terminal M, and the input means A is provided in the spread portion Ba of the book cover B. However, the entire spread portion Ba of the book cover B is the input means. A may be formed. In this case as well, the hollow frame of the frame-shaped optical waveguide W of the input means A is positioned along the outer peripheral edge of the display D as in the above embodiment. Further, the electronic book device may be configured by the electronic book terminal M and the input means A without using the book cover B.

  In the above-described embodiment, in the rectangular frame-shaped optical waveguide W of the input means A, in order to improve the light transmission efficiency within the frame, the tip of the light emitting core 2a and the light incident core 2b are used. The tip portion of the over clad layer 3 covering the lens portion is also formed on the lens portion 3a. If the light transmission efficiency in the frame is sufficient, the lens portion is It may be formed only on one of 2a, 2b or the over clad layer 3, or not both. When the lens part is not formed, a separate lens body may be prepared and installed in the frame of the optical waveguide W.

  And in the said embodiment, in order to hold | maintain the planarity of the said optical waveguide W, the holding plate 30 is provided in the back surface of the optical waveguide W, and also in order to protect the optical waveguide W, on the surface of the optical waveguide W Although the protection plate 40 is provided, only one or both of them may be provided as long as the above-described flatness maintenance and protection are sufficient.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the holding plate 30 and the protective plate 40 are also provided on the front and back surfaces of the control means C of the input means A. However, information output from the input means A to the electronic book terminal M is wirelessly performed. When the protection plate 40 is made of stainless steel, noise is generated with respect to radio waves, and proper information output may not be possible. Therefore, the protection plate 40 is made of resin such as polycarbonate. It is preferable.

  Next, examples will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to the examples.

[Formation material of under cladding layer]
Component A: 75 parts by weight of an epoxy resin containing an alicyclic skeleton (manufactured by Daicel Chemical Industries, EHPE3150).
Component B: 25 parts by weight of an epoxy group-containing acrylic polymer (manufactured by NOF Corporation, Marproof G-0150M).
Component C: 4 parts by weight of a photoacid generator (manufactured by Sun Apro, CPI-200K).
These components A to C were dissolved in cyclohexanone (solvent) together with 5 parts by weight of an ultraviolet absorber (manufactured by Ciba Japan Co., Ltd., TINUVIN479) to prepare an undercladding layer forming material.

[Core forming material]
Component D: 85 parts by weight of an epoxy resin containing a BisA skeleton (manufactured by Japan Epoxy Resin Co., Ltd., 157S70).
Component E: 5 parts by weight of an epoxy resin containing a BisA skeleton (Japan Epoxy Resin, Epicoat 828).
Component F: 10 parts by weight of an epoxy group-containing styrene polymer (manufactured by NOF Corporation, Marproof G-0250SP).
A core forming material was prepared by dissolving these components D to F and 4 parts by weight of the component C in ethyl lactate.

[Formation material of over clad layer]
Component G: 100 parts by weight of an epoxy resin having an alicyclic skeleton (manufactured by Adeka, EP4080E).
By mixing this component G and 2 parts by weight of the above component C, a material for forming the over clad layer was prepared.

[Production of optical waveguide]
The undercladding layer forming material was applied to the surface of a rectangular frame-shaped stainless steel substrate (thickness: 50 μm), and then a heat treatment at 160 ° C. for 2 minutes was performed to form a photosensitive resin layer. Subsequently, the photosensitive resin layer was irradiated with ultraviolet rays to be exposed to an integrated light amount of 1000 mJ / cm ² to form a 10 μm-thick rectangular frame-like underclad layer (refractive index 1.510 at a wavelength of 830 nm).

Next, the core forming material was applied to the surface of the rectangular frame-like under cladding layer, and then heat treatment was performed at 170 ° C. for 3 minutes to form a photosensitive resin layer. Next, ultraviolet rays were irradiated through a photomask (gap 100 μm), and exposure with an integrated light amount of 3000 mJ / cm ² was performed. Subsequently, a heat treatment at 120 ° C. for 10 minutes was performed. Thereafter, development is performed using a developer (γ-butyrolactone) to dissolve and remove the unexposed portion, followed by drying at 120 ° C. for 5 minutes, and a core having a width of 30 μm and a height of 50 μm (refractive index at a wavelength of 830 nm). 1.570) was patterned.

  Here, a square frame-shaped mold having translucency for forming an over clad layer was prepared. In this mold, a recess having a mold surface corresponding to the surface shape of the overcladding layer is formed. Then, with the concave portion facing up, the mold was placed on the molding stage, and the concave portion was filled with the material for forming the over clad layer.

Next, the core patterned on the surface of the under cladding layer is positioned with respect to the concave portion of the molding die, and in this state, the under cladding layer is pressed against the molding die, The core was soaked. In this state, ultraviolet rays are irradiated through the mold to the material for forming the over clad layer to perform exposure with an accumulated light amount of 8000 mJ / cm ² , and a rectangular frame-shaped inner peripheral edge is a convex lens. A quadrangular frame-like over clad layer formed on the portion was formed. The convex lens portion had a lens curved surface (curvature radius of 1.4 mm) having a substantially circular arc shape in a side sectional shape.

  Next, the over clad layer was removed from the mold together with the substrate, the under clad layer, and the core.

  And the said board | substrate was peeled from the under clad layer, and the square frame-shaped optical waveguide (total thickness 1mm) which consists of an under clad layer, a core, and an over clad layer was obtained.

[Production of input means]
Next, a flexible printed circuit board is prepared, and a light emitting element (manufactured by Optwell, SM85-2N001), a light receiving element (manufactured by Hamamatsu Photonics, S-10226), a CMOS driving IC, a crystal resonator, and an optical waveguide A circuit board was fabricated by mounting a memory for storing input information to the computer, a connection module for connecting to an electronic book terminal, and the like. And the said light emitting element of this circuit board was connected to the core for light emission, and the said light receiving element was connected to the core for light incidence. The total thickness of the control means provided with this circuit board was 1 mm.

  Here, a square frame-shaped stainless steel holding plate (thickness 0.5 mm) was prepared. The hollow frame of the holding plate was a quadrilateral of 94.7 mm long × 125.7 mm wide. Further, one side of the square frame shape was formed as thick as 25 mm in width, and the other three sides were formed as 7 mm in width. Then, among the surfaces of the holding plate, the rectangular frame-shaped optical waveguide was attached to the outer portion of the hollow frame, and the circuit board was fixed to the outer edge of the thick side. Thereafter, the top surface excluding the lens portion of the over clad layer and the fixed portion of the circuit board were covered with a protective plate made of polycarbonate (thickness 0.5 mm) to obtain an input means. In this input means, the optical waveguide portion and the circuit board portion had a total thickness of 2 mm, including the holding plate and the protective plate on the front and back surfaces thereof.

[Production of electronic book device]
An electronic book terminal was prepared, and the input means was connected with a connection cable for information transmission and a connection cable for energization. In the electronic book terminal, software that converts the coordinates in the rectangular optical waveguide frame of the input means into the coordinates of the screen of the display of the electronic book terminal, and displays the memo or the like input by the input means on the display ( Program). The input means was placed on a flat table with the stainless steel holding plate facing down.

[Example 1]
[Operation confirmation of electronic book device]
The character information of the book was displayed on the display of the electronic book terminal. In this state, the input person moved his / her finger within the rectangular optical waveguide frame of the input means. As a result, the movement trajectory was displayed in a state of being superimposed on the character information of the book displayed on the display. Further, the movement trajectory of the finger can be stored in the memory of the input means, and only the movement trajectory can be reproduced on the display later.

[Example 2]
A paper was prepared, the paper was placed under the input device, and a part of the paper was exposed from the inside of the optical waveguide frame. In this state, the writing pen was moved within the frame of the optical waveguide. As a result, the movement trajectory was displayed in a state where it was superimposed on information such as materials displayed on the display. Moreover, since the writing pen was used, the movement locus could be written on the paper. Furthermore, the movement trajectory of the finger can be stored in the memory of the input means, and only the movement trajectory can be reproduced on the display later.

  The electronic book device of the present invention can be used to leave a memo or the like when reading a book with an electronic book terminal.

A Input means D Display M Electronic book terminal W Optical waveguide

Claims (5)

An electronic book device comprising: an electronic book terminal provided with a display; and input means for inputting new information to be added to the information displayed on the display by moving an input body and outputting the input information to the electronic book terminal The input device includes a frame-shaped optical waveguide of (A) below, and the trajectory of the input body in the frame of the optical waveguide is used as the new information. .
(A) A plurality of cores for light emission are formed in one portion facing each other in the frame shape, and a plurality of cores for light incidence are formed in the other portion. An optical waveguide in which the distal end portion of the light emitting core is positioned at the inner edge of the frame shape, and the distal end portion of the light emitting core and the distal end portion of the light incident core are opposed to each other.   The book cover is provided with a spread-type book cover to be attached to the electronic book terminal, and an opening having a size corresponding to the display is formed in a portion of the book cover corresponding to the display, and the frame shape is formed along the opening. The electronic book apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical waveguide is provided.   A spread-type book cover to be mounted on an electronic book terminal is provided, and the entire spread portion on the side corresponding to the display of the book cover is the input means, and a frame-shaped optical waveguide of the input means The electronic book device according to claim 1, wherein the hollow frame can be positioned along an outer peripheral edge of the display.   The electronic book apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a leading end portion of the light emitting core and a leading end portion of the light incident core are formed in the lens portion.   The tip of the over clad layer is formed in a state where the tip of the core for light emission and the tip of the core for light incidence are covered, and the tip of the over clad layer is formed in the lens portion. The electronic book apparatus as described in any one of 1-4.

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