JP2014142676A - Input device, information terminal apparatus and input system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device, an information terminal apparatus and an input system providing a user a satisfactory visibility, easy-to-write and easy-to control writing pressure during inputting operation.SOLUTION: A conductive part 101 formed of a conductive material which is positioned separated away from a touch panel 201 by a specific distance is detected as a pen input in a manner of proximity detection. A stylus specifies a front end point P1 (x1, y1, z1) of the conductive part 101 in three-dimensional coordinates on the touch panel 201.

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device, an information terminal device, and an input system, and more particularly to an input device, an information terminal device, and an input system that have good visibility during writing, are easy to write, and can easily control writing pressure.

  Many capacitive touch panels such as smartphones and tablet terminals are available, but it is difficult for a user with a long nail or a user with a thick finger to perform a touch operation with a finger on a small button.

  Therefore, a stylus for a capacitive touch panel in which a conductive material having the same property as that of a finger is arranged at the pen tip is made. Touch panel input is possible by bringing a conductive material into contact with the panel with a contact area equivalent to that of a finger. A conductive rubber, a conductive sponge, or the like is used for the pen tip, and the pen tip is crushed to increase the contact area (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In addition, since the magnitude of the capacitance generated between the touch panel and the finger is inversely proportional to the distance between the touch panel and the finger, the proximity detection touch panel that detects the proximity of the finger by detecting this change in capacitance. Has been developed.

JP-A-6-19615

  However, the capacitive touch panel stylus in which the conductive material of the same property as the finger is placed on the pen tip brings the conductive material into contact with the panel with the same contact area as the finger. Visibility is not good.

  In addition, since the contact area with the panel is large and the frictional resistance is large, the pen slips poorly and is difficult to write. Furthermore, although the writing pressure is controlled by the size of the contact area, the control is difficult. In addition, when a conductive pen tip is used, it is difficult for the user to know how far the pen tip is from the detection surface (display surface of the touch panel).

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional circumstances, and provides an input device, an information terminal device, and an input system that are easy to write, easy to write, and easy to control writing pressure. It is aimed.

  The input device of the present invention is formed in a pen shaft shape with a conductive material, changes the capacitance between the touch panel and designates a three-dimensional coordinate on the touch panel, and one end of the conductive part. A tip portion that is formed of a non-conductive material to be thinner than the conductive portion, and that contacts the touch panel when the conductive portion designates a three-dimensional coordinate.

  With the above configuration, it is possible to provide an easy-to-write input device with good visibility during writing. Also, with this configuration, when the conductive portion designates the three-dimensional coordinates, the tip portion contacts the touch panel, so that a stable input operation can be performed.

  In the input device of the present invention, the tip portion has elasticity, and when the tip portion is deformed by writing pressure, the distance between the conductive portion and the touch panel changes.

  With the above configuration, it is possible to provide an input device that can easily perform writing pressure control.

  Moreover, the input device of the present invention is an input device in which the tip portion is replaceable.

  With the above configuration, it is possible to provide an input device that can be replaced with a tip portion that can acquire an appropriate writing pressure.

  The information terminal device according to the present invention is configured such that the tip of an input device including a touch panel, a pen shaft-like conductive portion, and a non-conductive tip continuous from the conductive portion is in contact with the touch panel. A sensor unit that detects a change in capacitance between a conductive unit and the touch panel; a sensor information acquisition unit that acquires sensor information output from the sensor unit; and the conductive unit based on the sensor information; A height calculation unit for deriving distance information between the touch panel, a coordinate calculation unit for deriving an XY coordinate value on the touch panel of the conductive unit based on the sensor information, and the XY coordinate value as an application An input information notifying unit for notifying.

  With the above configuration, it is possible to provide an easy-to-write information terminal device with good visibility during writing.

  Moreover, the information terminal device of the present invention includes a writing pressure conversion unit that converts the distance information into a writing pressure value, and the input information notification unit notifies the application of the XY coordinate value and the writing pressure value.

  With the above configuration, the distance information between the conductive portion and the touch panel is derived, and the distance information is converted into a writing pressure value, so writing pressure control is facilitated.

  Moreover, the information terminal device of this invention is an information terminal device provided with the coordinate correction | amendment part which correct | amends the said XY coordinate value calculated by the said coordinate calculation part so that the said front-end | tip part may contact the said touch panel.

  With the above configuration, the XY coordinate value is corrected so as to match the position at which the tip portion touches the touch panel, so that the actual writing quality can be approached.

  Moreover, the information terminal device of this invention is an information terminal device which determines the thickness or shade of a handwriting based on the said pen pressure value.

  With the above configuration, since the thickness or shading of the handwriting is determined based on the writing pressure value, various writing tastes can be realized.

  Moreover, the information terminal device of this invention WHEREIN: The said coordinate correction | amendment part correct | amends using the log | history of the said XY coordinate value.

  With the above configuration, correction is performed using the history of the XY coordinate values so that the tip portion is in contact with the touch panel, so that the actual writing quality can be approached.

  In the information terminal device of the present invention, the coordinate correction unit calculates an inclination of the input device from XY coordinate values of different portions of the conductive part, and corrects the inclination using the inclination.

  According to the above configuration, correction is performed using the inclination of the input device so that the tip portion is in contact with the touch panel, so that the actual writing quality can be approached.

  In addition, the input system of the present invention is formed in a pen shaft shape using a conductive material, changes a capacitance between the touch panel and designates a three-dimensional coordinate on the touch panel; and An input device that is formed at one end to be thinner than the conductive portion by a non-conductive material, and has a tip portion that contacts the touch panel when the conductive portion specifies three-dimensional coordinates, and the tip portion of the input device When the touch panel touches the touch panel, the three-dimensional coordinates of the conductive part are acquired based on the capacitance between the conductive part and the touch panel, and on the touch panel of the conductive part based on the three-dimensional coordinates. And an information terminal device that derives distance information between the conductive portion and the touch panel and notifies the application of the XY coordinates.

  With the above configuration, since the tip portion is thinner than the conductive portion, visibility during writing is good and writing is easy. Further, since the tip portion contacts the touch panel when the conductive portion designates the three-dimensional coordinates, a stable input operation is possible.

  In the input system of the present invention, the information terminal device converts the distance information into a pen pressure value, and notifies the application of the XY coordinate value and the pen pressure value.

  With the above configuration, the distance information between the conductive portion and the touch panel is derived, and the distance information is converted into a writing pressure value, so writing pressure control is facilitated.

  According to the input device, the information terminal device, and the input system according to the present invention, visibility during input is good, writing is easy, and writing pressure is easily controlled.

The figure which shows schematic structure of the stylus 103 which is the input device concerning embodiment of this invention Side view when inputting to touch panel 201 by stylus 103 according to the present embodiment The figure which shows the state which applied the pen pressure to the front-end | tip part 102 in the stylus 103 concerning this Embodiment. The figure which shows another structure of the stylus 103 concerning this Embodiment The figure which shows the functional block of the information terminal device 501 concerning this Embodiment. In the stylus 103 according to the present embodiment, an enlarged view of a state in which writing pressure is applied to the tip portion 102. In the stylus 103 according to the present embodiment, an enlarged view of a state in which handwritten drawing is performed by the tip portion 102.

  Hereinafter, an input device, an information terminal device, and an input system according to embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  An input system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a stylus and an information terminal device. In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which the application unit of the information terminal device performs handwriting input using the stylus as an input device. Handwritten input is an example of an application, and an application that uses the input device of the stylus is not limited to this example.

  The input system according to the embodiment of the present invention uses a capacitive touch panel as an input interface. And the stylus which is an input device of this touch panel has a non-conductive part thinner than this conductive part connected to a conductive part made of a conductive material having the same characteristics as a finger. Note that the touch panel may be referred to as a touch screen.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a stylus 103 that is an input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. A stylus 103 according to the present embodiment includes a conductive portion 101 and a tip portion 102. The conductive portion 101 is formed in a pen shaft shape from a conductive material. The conductive unit 101 changes the electrostatic capacitance between the touch panel 201 and the stylus 103 and designates three-dimensional coordinates on the touch panel. The conductive portion 101 is formed of a conductive material having characteristics equivalent to those of a finger, for example, conductive rubber, conductive resin, or metal.

  The tip portion 102 is formed in a pen tip shape from a non-conductive material. The tip portion 102 is continuous from one end of the conductive portion 101 and contacts the touch panel when the conductive portion 101 designates a three-dimensional coordinate. Moreover, since the front-end | tip part 102 is thinner than the electroconductive part 101, the user can visually recognize the contact point of the touch panel 201 easily. The tip portion 102 is formed in a thin nib shape with a non-conductive material such as rubber or resin.

  Here, the tip portion 102 is replaceable, and the user can input by handwriting on the touch panel 201 with a writing pressure that is easy to write by replacing the tip portion 102. That is, the stylus 103 can change the writing pressure as appropriate by changing the material of the tip portion 102. For example, when the tip portion 102 is formed of a hard resin, the stylus 103 can provide the user with a writing feel like a pencil or a ballpoint pen, and the tip portion 102 is formed of an elastic resin or rubber. Can provide the user with a writing taste like a brush.

  FIG. 2 is a side view when input is made to the touch panel 201 by the stylus 103 according to the present embodiment. The information terminal device detects the conductive part 101 formed of a conductive material that is a certain distance away from the touch panel 201 as a pen input. When a finger is brought into contact with the touch panel 201, normal touch detection type touch panel input is performed.

  That is, in the case of FIG. 2, the stylus 103 can designate the tip point P1 (x1, y1, z1) of the conductive portion 101 as a three-dimensional coordinate on the touch panel 201. Note that the three-dimensional coordinates are x and y coordinates on the surface of the touch panel 201 and z coordinates in the vertical direction of the touch panel 201.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which writing pressure is applied to the tip portion 102 having elasticity in the stylus 103 according to the present embodiment. By bending the tip portion 102, the distance z2 between the touch panel 201 and the conductive portion 101 that is a conductive material becomes closer than before the tip portion 102 is bent. When the conductive unit 101 approaches the touch panel 201, the touch panel 201 detects that the distance has been shortened. That is, this distance is used as writing pressure information.

  For example, the shorter the distance z2 between the touch panel 201 and the conductive portion 101 that is a conductive material, the thicker the handwriting. In addition, you may make a handwriting thin, so that the distance z2 between the touch panel 201 and the electroconductive part 101 which is an electroconductive material is short. Further, the shorter the distance z2 between the touch panel 201 and the conductive portion 101 that is a conductive material, the darker the handwriting can be made. Note that the shading of the handwriting may be reduced as the distance z2 between the touch panel 201 and the conductive portion 101 that is a conductive material is shorter.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another structure of the stylus 103 according to the present embodiment. In the stylus 103 of the present embodiment, since the non-conductive tip portion 102 is applied with an outward biasing force to the conductive portion 101 by the spring 401, the tip portion 102 applies pressure to the conductive portion 101 continuous thereto. Accordingly, the detection height z of the conductive portion 101 can be changed according to the writing pressure. As in FIG. 3, the detected height z of the conductive portion 101 is used as writing pressure information. For example, the handwriting can be made thicker as the detection height z of the conductive portion 101 is shorter. In addition, you may make a handwriting thin, so that the detection height z of the electroconductive part 101 is short. In addition, the shading of the handwriting can be increased as the detection height z of the conductive portion 101 is shorter. Note that the shading of the handwriting may be reduced as the detection height z of the conductive portion 101 is shorter.

  As described above, according to the stylus 103 of the present embodiment, the tip end portion 102 is thinner than the conductive portion 101, so that the visibility during writing is good, the pen tip slips well, and writing is easy. In addition, since the tip portion 102 contacts the touch panel 201 when the conductive portion 101 designates three-dimensional coordinates, a stable input operation is possible.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating functional blocks of the information terminal device 501 according to the present embodiment. The information terminal device 501 of the present embodiment includes a sensor unit 509 that is a capacitive touch sensor, a sensor information acquisition unit 508 that acquires output information from the touch sensor, and a conductive unit 101 of the stylus 103 from the touch panel 201. Height calculation unit 507 for deriving distance information z based on sensor information, writing pressure conversion unit 505 for converting height information into writing pressure values, and XY coordinates on touch panel 201 of conductive unit 101 of touch panel 201 A coordinate calculation unit 506 that derives a value based on sensor information, a coordinate correction unit 504 that corrects the calculated XY coordinate value to match the position of the pen tip, and notifies the application of XY coordinate information and writing pressure information. An input information notification unit 503 and an application processing unit 502 that performs processing such as handwriting drawing according to writing pressure are provided.

  The sensor unit 509 constitutes an X, Y matrix type touch panel in which strip electrodes are arranged in the X direction and the Y direction of the touch panel 201, respectively. That is, the sensor unit 509 includes a plurality of X-direction sensor electrodes arranged in parallel with the Y direction in order to detect the proximity position in the X direction, and the Y direction in order to detect the proximity position in the Y direction. It is composed of a plurality of Y-direction sensor electrodes arranged side by side and parallel to the X direction. The sensor electrode pattern is not limited to this configuration.

  Here, a mechanism for obtaining a sensor output value when the stylus 103 comes close to the touch panel 201 will be briefly described. In this embodiment, the proximity of the conductive portion 101 is detected using a method of detecting the capacitance between the conductive portion 101 of the stylus 103 and the sensor electrode disposed on the touch panel 201.

  Specifically, an AC voltage for signal detection is sequentially applied to the X direction sensor electrode and the Y direction sensor electrode arranged on the touch panel 201. When the conductive part 101 comes close to the touch panel 201, a minute capacitance is generated between the X direction sensor electrode and the Y direction sensor electrode of the touch panel 201 and the conductive part 101. Due to the AC voltage applied to the sensor electrode, a weak current flows from the sensor electrode to the conductive portion 101 through this minute capacitance. At this time, when the output voltage of the sensor electrode is observed, since the current flows in the surrounding sensor electrodes close to the conductive portion 101 as described above, the observed output voltage decreases. The magnitude of this decrease in output voltage is taken as the output value of each sensor electrode. The sensor detection is not limited to this method.

  The magnitude of the capacitance generated between the touch panel 201 and the conductive part 101 is inversely proportional to the distance between the touch panel 201 and the conductive part 101. Therefore, the output voltage of the sensor electrode at the position where the conductive portion 101 is closest is greatly reduced. That is, the maximum sensor output value is obtained.

  The sensor unit 509 obtains each sensor output value from the output signals output from the X direction sensor electrode and the Y direction sensor electrode of the touch panel 201 when the conductive unit 101 is close to the touch panel 201. Then, the XY coordinate and Z coordinate of the conductive portion 101 are acquired from these sensor output values.

  FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the stylus 103 according to the present embodiment in a state where writing pressure is applied to the tip 102 such as a soft pen tip. The sensor information acquisition unit 508 acquires the tip point P1 (x1, y1, z1) of the conductive unit 101 of the stylus 103 as sensor information. When this sensor information is directly notified to the application processing unit 502, the XY coordinate information (x1 , Y1), handwritten drawing is performed at a point P2 (x1, y1, 0) on the touch panel 201 corresponding to.

  Since the point P4 (x4, y4, 0) is actually in contact with the touch panel 201, the tip 102 of the stylus 103 is coordinated so that handwritten drawing is performed at this point P4 (x4, y4, 0). The correction unit 504 corrects the XY coordinate information.

  The coordinate correction unit 504 draws using the past history point P3 (x2, y2, 0) of the actual detection point P2 (x1, y1, 0) and the z coordinates z2 and z3 corresponding to P2 and P3. The position is corrected to the pen point contact P4. Thereby, handwritten drawing that follows the pen tip when handwritten input can be performed.

  FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the stylus 103 according to the present embodiment in a state where handwritten drawing is performed by the tip 102 such as a hard pen tip. Also in the present embodiment, the sensor information acquisition unit 508 acquires the tip point P1 (x1, y1, z1) of the conductive unit 101 of the stylus 103 as sensor information. Deviation occurs.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the inclination of the stylus 103 from the sensor information of the tip point P1 (x1, y1, z1) of the conductive portion 101 of the stylus 103 and the other point P2 (x2, y2, z2) of the conductive portion 101. And a point P3 (x3, y3, 0) where the tip 102 is in contact with the touch panel 201 is obtained from the inclination.

  Further, when the pen pressure is applied to the tip 102 such as a soft pen tip, the pen point contact P3 is obtained by using the z coordinates z1 and z2 of the point P1 and the point P2 together with the inclination of the stylus 103. Thereby, handwritten drawing that follows the pen tip when handwritten input can be performed.

  According to the stylus 103, the information terminal device 501, and the input system according to the present embodiment, the tip portion 102 is thinner than the conductive portion 101, so that the visibility during writing is good, the tip of the pen is slippery, and writing is easy. In addition, since the tip portion 102 contacts the touch panel 201 when the conductive portion 101 designates three-dimensional coordinates, a stable input operation is possible. Furthermore, since the distance information z between the conductive part 101 and the touch panel 201 is derived and the distance information z is converted into a writing pressure value, writing pressure control is facilitated.

  In the present embodiment, the stylus 103 has been described as an input device for handwriting input, but the present invention can be applied to all applications in which the stylus 103 is used as an input device for changing parameters.

  The touch panel 201 has been described as including the capacitive sensor unit 509 as an input interface, but the sensor method is not limited thereto.

  The present invention relates to an input device, an information terminal device, and an input system, and can be used as an input device, an information terminal device, and an input system that have good visibility during input, are easy to write, and can easily control writing pressure.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Conductive part 102 Tip part 103 Stylus 201 Touch panel 401 Spring 501 Information terminal device 502 Application processing part 503 Input information notification part 504 Coordinate correction part 505 Writing pressure conversion part 506 Coordinate calculation part 507 Height calculation part 508 Sensor information acquisition part 509 Sensor Part

Claims (11)

A conductive portion that is formed into a pen shaft shape by a conductive material, and changes the capacitance between the touch panel and designates three-dimensional coordinates on the touch panel;
An input device comprising: a distal end portion that is formed at one end of the conductive portion to be thinner than the conductive portion by a non-conductive material and contacts the touch panel when the conductive portion designates a three-dimensional coordinate. The input device according to claim 1,
The tip has elasticity;
An input device in which the distance between the conductive portion and the touch panel changes when the tip is deformed by writing pressure. The input device according to claim 1,
An input device in which the tip is replaceable. A touch panel;
Electrostatic capacitance between the conductive portion and the touch panel in a state where the tip portion of the input device configured by a pen shaft-like conductive portion and a non-conductive tip portion continuous from the conductive portion is in contact with the touch panel. A sensor unit for detecting a change in capacity;
A sensor information acquisition unit for acquiring sensor information output from the sensor unit;
A height calculation unit for deriving distance information between the conductive unit and the touch panel based on the sensor information;
A coordinate calculation unit for deriving an XY coordinate value on the touch panel of the conductive unit based on the sensor information;
An input information notification unit that notifies the application of the XY coordinate value. The information terminal device according to claim 4,
A writing pressure conversion unit that converts the distance information into a writing pressure value,
The input information notification unit is an information terminal device that notifies the application of the XY coordinate value and the writing pressure value. An information terminal device according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein
An information terminal device comprising: a coordinate correction unit that corrects the XY coordinate value calculated by the coordinate calculation unit so as to match a position where the tip portion contacts the touch panel. An information terminal device according to claim 5,
An information terminal device that determines the thickness or shade of a handwriting based on the writing pressure value. An information terminal device according to claim 6,
The coordinate correction unit is an information terminal device that performs correction using a history of the XY coordinate values. An information terminal device according to claim 6,
The coordinate correction unit is an information terminal device that calculates an inclination of the input device from XY coordinate values of different portions of the conductive part and corrects the inclination using the inclination. A conductive part that is formed in a pen shaft shape by a conductive material, changes a capacitance between the touch panel and designates a three-dimensional coordinate on the touch panel, and the conductive part is formed by a nonconductive material at one end of the conductive part. An input device having a tip portion that is formed thinner than a portion and contacts the touch panel when the conductive portion specifies three-dimensional coordinates;
When the tip of the input device comes into contact with the touch panel, based on the capacitance between the conductive part and the touch panel, obtain the three-dimensional coordinates of the conductive part, based on the three-dimensional coordinates, And an information terminal device that derives XY coordinates on the touch panel of the conductive part and distance information between the conductive part and the touch panel and notifies the application of the XY coordinates. The input system according to claim 10, wherein
The information terminal device
Converting the distance information into a pen pressure value;
An input system that notifies the application of the XY coordinate value and the writing pressure value.

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