JP2018142179A - Pen-type pointing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pen-type pointing device having a simple configuration and having a function of a mouse and a function of a touch pen.SOLUTION: A pen-type pointing device 1 comprises: an optical component 13 having transparency and being provided so as to have a protruding shape at one end of a main body 5; and a mouse part 8 including a light emitting unit that irradiates an object with light via the optical component 13, a light receiving unit that detects light reflected by the object, a movement detecting unit that detects the movement amount and movement direction of the main body on the basis of the light detected by the light receiving unit, and generates a movement signal related to the movement amount and movement direction on the basis of the detected movement amount and movement direction, and an output unit that outputs the movement signal generated by the movement detecting unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a pen-type pointing device.

  A portable information terminal such as a tablet terminal (tablet computer) or a smartphone is provided with a touch panel in a housing in which a circuit board such as a CPU or a memory is incorporated, and the user can input to the terminal by touching the screen. is there. Some screens of notebook personal computers (notebook personal computers) and desktop personal computers are provided with a touch panel. When the user touches the screen of the touch panel, it may be performed with the tip of a finger or with the tip of a touch pen (stylus pen).

  The following Patent Document 1 is an invention related to a touch pen used in a capacitive touch panel, in which a predetermined conductive pattern is formed on the rear end of the pen, and the predetermined conductive pattern is detected on the touch panel. A technique for executing an erase function for erasing data on a trajectory is disclosed.

JP 2006-167239 A

  Touch pens are generally designed and manufactured so that the terminal and pen can be carried at the same time by being housed inside the case of a portable information terminal, laptop computer, or other terminal, or attached to the outside of the case. It is.

  As described above, the terminal is provided with a touch panel, and operations on the touch panel tend to be performed widely. On the other hand, there is a demand for operating the terminal using a mouse as before. The mouse is designed and manufactured separately from the terminal, and is not stored or attached to the terminal, which is inconvenient to carry. Therefore, the user does not carry the mouse when going out, or carries the mouse even if it is bulky.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a pen-type pointing device having a simple configuration and functions of a mouse and a touch pen.

  The pen-type pointing device according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a light-transmitting optical component provided in a convex shape at one end of the main body, and a light emission for irradiating the object with light through the optical component. Detecting a movement amount and a moving direction of the main body unit based on the light detected from the light receiving unit, the light receiving unit that detects the light that is irradiated from the light emitting unit and reflected by the object, A movement detection unit that generates a movement signal related to the movement amount and the movement direction based on the detected movement amount and the movement direction; and an output unit that outputs the movement signal generated by the movement detection unit. Prepare.

  The pen-type pointing device according to the second aspect of the present invention is provided with a pen tip at one end, and is provided in a convex shape at a main body that is long in one direction and at the other end opposite to the one end of the main body. An optical component having translucency, a light emitting unit that irradiates light to the object through the optical component, a light receiving unit that receives the light irradiated from the light emitting unit and reflected by the object, A movement amount and a movement direction of the main body are detected based on the light detected by the light receiving unit, and a movement signal related to the movement amount and the movement direction is obtained based on the detected movement amount and the movement direction. A movement detection unit to generate, and an output unit to output the movement signal generated by the movement detection unit.

  According to the present invention, the pen-type pointing device has a simple configuration and can realize the functions of a mouse and a touch pen.

It is a front view which shows the pen-type pointing device which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention, and shows the state which the pen point protruded. It is a side view showing the pen type pointing device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention, and shows the state where the pen tip protruded. It is a rear view which shows the pen-type pointing device which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention, and shows the state which the pen point protruded. It is a front view showing a pen type pointing device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention, and shows a state where a pen tip was stored. It is a side view showing the pen type pointing device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention, and shows the state where a pen tip was stored. It is an initial view which shows the pen-type pointing device which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention, and shows the state in which the pen tip was accommodated. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a pen-type pointing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a pen-type pointing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is the elements on larger scale which show the pen type pointing device which concerns on the modification of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the pen-type pointing device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and shows the state which the pen point protruded. It is a front view which shows the pen-type pointing device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and shows the state in which the pen tip was accommodated. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the pen-type pointing device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the pen-type pointing device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and shows the state in which the pen tip was accommodated and it was earth | grounded on the installation surface. It is a partial expanded longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the pen-type pointing device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a bottom view which shows the pen-type pointing device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the pen-type pointing device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a rear view which shows the pen-type pointing device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the pen-type pointing device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the pen-type pointing device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention, and shows the state grounded to the installation surface. It is a front view which shows the pen-type pointing device which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the pen-type pointing device which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention, and shows the state grounded to the installation surface. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the pen-type pointing device which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a partial expanded longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the pen-type pointing device which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a bottom view which shows the pen-type pointing device which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a pen-type pointing device (hereinafter referred to as “pen-type device”) 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the following, a tablet terminal will be described as an example of the portable information terminal. However, the portable information terminal to which the present invention is applied is not limited thereto, and may be a notebook personal computer, a smartphone, or the like.

  The pen-type device 1 according to the present embodiment functions as a touch pen when the pen tip 6 protrudes from the end surface 5a of the main body 5 as shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C, and as shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C. When the pen tip 6 is accommodated in the main body 5, it functions as a mouse.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the pen-type device 1 includes a main body 5 that is a shaft-like member that is long in one direction, a pen tip 6, a digitizer unit 7 and a mouse unit 8 housed in the main unit 5, and the surface of the main unit 5. And a charging terminal 9 (see FIG. 1A) electrically connected to the battery 10, a battery 10 accommodated in the main body 5, a control circuit 11, a sensor unit 12, and the like.

  When the pen-type device 1 according to the present embodiment functions as a touch pen, it is used for input to a touch panel provided in a terminal such as a tablet terminal or a notebook computer. The pen-type device 1 that functions as a touch pen may be active or passive. In the case of the active type, the digitizer unit 7 operates. As shown in FIG. 4, the digitizer unit 7 includes a pressure detection unit 15, a digitizer control unit 16, a transducer 17, and the like.

  The pen tip 6 is made of a material that comes into contact with the outside at the tip and is electrically connected to the digitizer unit 7. The material of the nib 6 is, for example, a conductive synthetic resin. The pen tip 6 is also used as the optical component 13. The optical component 13 is a light-transmitting member through which light passes, and the light emitted from the light emitting unit 18 passes therethrough.

  Further, an optical component 14 is installed on the end surface 5a of the main body 5 as shown in FIGS. 1C and 2C. In the optical component 14, after being emitted from the light emitting unit 18, the light reflected by the object passes toward the light receiving unit 19.

  The pressure detector 15 detects the pressure when the pen tip 6 is brought into contact with the touch panel and the pen tip 6 is pushed against the elastic force of a spring member (not shown) by the pressing force. The detection result is output to the digitizer controller 16. Note that the pressure detection unit 15 is not limited to detecting the press-fitting of the pen tip 6, and the press-fitting of the pen tip 6 may be detected using other detection means.

  The transducer 17 is, for example, a voltage controlled oscillator and is electrically connected to the pen tip 6. The transducer 17 generates a sine wave signal (frequency f1, amplitude A1) based on the voltage output by the digitizer control unit 16, and transmits the generated sine wave signal through the nib 6.

  The digitizer control unit 16 changes the voltage output to the transducer 17 and detects a sine wave signal (frequency f2 (frequency f2 ()) when the press-fitting of the pen tip 6 is detected based on the pressure detection result of the pressure detection unit 15. However, f2> f1) and amplitude A1) are generated. Then, the digitizer control unit 16 transmits the generated sine wave signal through the pen tip 6. The tablet terminal receives a sine wave signal via the touch sensor.

  The battery 10 supplies power to the digitizer controller 16, and the digitizer controller 16 adjusts the voltage level and supplies voltage to the transducer 17 and the pressure detector 15. When a voltage is supplied to the transducer 17, the oscillation starts to generate a sine wave signal, and the pen device 1 can be used as an active touch pen (digitizer).

  Further, when the pen-type device 1 functions as a mouse, it inputs the position of the mouse pointer displayed on the terminal screen to the terminal. When the pen-type device 1 functions as a mouse, the mouse unit 8 operates.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the mouse unit 8 includes a light emitting unit 18, a light receiving unit 19, a movement detecting unit 20, an output unit 21, and the like. The mouse unit 8 is supplied with power from the battery 10.

  The light emission part 18 is LED, for example, and inject | emits LED light. The light receiving unit 19 receives light and detects the received light. The light emitted from the light emitting unit 18 passes through the optical component 13 and is irradiated onto a target surface such as a table where the pen-type device 1 is operated as a mouse. The light irradiated on the target surface is reflected by the target surface, passes through the optical component 14, for example, and reaches the light receiving unit 19. And in the light-receiving part 19, the light reflected by the target object is received.

  The movement detection unit 20 detects the movement amount and the movement direction of the main body 5 based on the light received by the light receiving unit 19. The movement detection unit 20 generates a movement signal related to the movement amount and the movement direction based on the detected movement amount and movement direction of the main body 5. The output unit 21 transmits the movement signal generated by the movement detection unit 20 to the tablet terminal by wireless communication, for example.

  Therefore, the movement amount and movement direction of the main body 5 of the pen-type device 1 are detected based on the light received by the light receiving unit 19, and a movement signal related to the movement amount and movement direction is output to the tablet terminal. The pen-type device 1 can be used as a mouse.

  On the end surface 5 a of the main body 5 of the pen-type device 1, a slope portion that is inclined in an oblique direction with respect to the axial direction of the main body 5 is formed.

  When the entire slope portion of the pen-type device 1 is brought into contact with the installation surface, the pen-type device 1 is inclined in one direction with respect to the installation surface. Thereby, the operation direction (front and rear, right and left) when using the pen-type device 1 as a mouse mode can be specified. By recording the relationship between the tilt direction of the tilted portion of the pen-type device 1 and the operation direction of the mouse mode in advance, when used as a mouse, the user can use the tilt direction of the pen-type device 1 as a basis. By operating the pen-type device 1, the pointer on the screen can be accurately operated in the front, rear, left and right directions.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the control circuit 11 includes a switching detection unit 22, a switching control unit 23, an ON / OFF control unit 24, and the like.
The switching detection unit 22 detects the entry / exit of the pen tip 6 with respect to the main body 5. The switch detection unit 22 may detect the position of the pen tip 6 corresponding to the entry / exit of the pen tip 6, or may detect the position of the digitizer unit 7.

  The switching control unit 23 switches between a pen mode in which the pen type device 1 functions as a touch pen and a mouse mode in which the pen type device 1 functions as a mouse based on the detection result of the switching detection unit 22.

  The sensor unit 12 is, for example, a proximity sensor (P sensor), and detects contact by the user with the pen-type device 1. The detection result is output to the ON / OFF control unit 24. The ON / OFF control unit 24 switches the mouse unit 8 from ON to OFF based on the detection result by the sensor unit 12, the time when the mouse unit 8 is not operating in the mouse mode, and the like.

Next, an operation method of the pen type device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.
As described above, the pen-type device 1 has a pen mode and a mouse mode as operation modes.
When the user uses the pen-type device 1 as a touch pen, as shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C, the pen tip 6 is pushed down by using a slide button 25 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the main body 5, and the pen is started from the end surface 5 a. The tip 6 is protruded. Thereby, it is detected that the pen tip 6 protrudes from the main body 5, and the pen-type device 1 is switched to the pen mode. In the pen mode, the digitizer unit 7 operates.

  In the pen mode, the transducer 17 generates a sine wave signal (frequency f1, amplitude A1) based on the voltage output by the digitizer control unit 16, and transmits the generated sine wave signal through the pen tip 6. The digitizer control unit 16 changes the voltage to be output to the transducer 17 when the press-fitting of the pen tip 6 is detected based on the pressure detection result of the pressure detection unit 15, and the sine wave signal (frequency f 2 (however, f2> f1) and amplitude A1) are generated.

  When the pen type device 1 shifts to the pen mode, it can be displayed on the screen of the tablet terminal that the pen type device 1 is in the pen mode, and the user can be notified that the pen type device 1 is in the pen mode. You may do it. In this case, the tablet terminal receives a signal related to the operation mode from the pen-type device 1 and controls screen display based on the received signal.

  When the user uses the pen-type device 1 as a mouse, as shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, the pen tip 6 is pulled up using the slide button 25 and the pen tip 6 is accommodated inside the main body 5. Thereby, it is detected that the pen tip 6 is accommodated in the main body 5, and the pen-type device 1 is switched to the mouse mode. In the mouse mode, the mouse unit 8 operates.

  In the mouse mode, the light emitting unit 18 starts emitting light, and the light receiving unit 19 receives light through the optical components 13 and 14. Based on the light received by the light receiving unit 19, the movement amount and movement direction of the main body 5 are detected, and a movement signal related to the movement amount and movement direction is output to the tablet terminal.

  When the pen type device 1 shifts to the mouse mode, it can be displayed on the screen of the tablet terminal that the pen type device 1 is in the mouse mode, and the user can be notified that the pen type device 1 is in the mouse mode. You may do it. Also in this case, the tablet terminal receives a signal related to the operation mode from the pen-type device 1 and controls screen display based on the received signal.

  Further, in the state of the mouse mode, the display of the mouse mode may be canceled by touching the pen type device 1 on the screen, and the pen type device 1 may be switched to the pen mode. That is, the terminal cancels the display of the mouse mode when a touch by the pen-type device 1 is detected. Furthermore, when the contact with the touch panel of the terminal is detected, the pen-type device 1 stops the mouse mode operation and starts the pen mode operation.

  In this embodiment, since a terminal such as a tablet terminal is being activated and the operation state of the mouse mode is automatically stopped, it may be detected whether or not a mouse operation is being performed. For example, the ON / OFF control unit 24 receives light by a mouse operation in the light receiving unit 19 for a predetermined time while the sensor unit 12 detects that the user is holding the pen-type device 1 by hand. If not, the irradiation of the light from the light emitting unit 18 may be stopped to stop the mouse mode operation state.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the pen tip 6 is moved in and out of the main body 5 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the end surface 5a of the main body 5 is convex as shown in FIG. A configuration in which the pen tip 6 formed in the box does not enter or exit may be used. In this case, the pen tip 6 is provided with an optical component 13 that is in contact with the outside at the tip and is electrically connected to the digitizer unit 7 and through which light from the light emitting unit 18 passes.
The pen-type device 1 according to this modification has, for example, a button part (input part) on the outer peripheral part of the main body 5, and the pen mode and the mouse mode are switched by pressing the button part by the user.

  As mentioned above, according to this embodiment and this modification, one device has a function of a mouse and a touch pen, and since it has a pen shape, portability is good. Further, in this embodiment, the pen tip 6 is accommodated in the main body 5 while having a pen shape, and in this modification, the user moves to the mouse mode by operating the button unit, and as a mouse Can be used. The user can perform input by operating the mouse on the terminal without carrying a conventional mouse separately.

  A mouse-type case having a shape similar to that of a conventional mouse may be prepared separately so that the pen-type device 1 can be inserted into the mouse-type case. In this case, the user operates the mouse-type case, and the user can operate the mouse with the same operation feeling as before.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a pen-type pointing device (hereinafter referred to as “pen-type device”) 2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The pen-type device 2 according to the present embodiment functions as a touch pen when the pen tip 6 protrudes from the end surface 5a of the main body 5 as shown in FIG. 6, and the pen tip 6 is shown in FIG. When housed in 5, it functions as a mouse.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the pen-type device 2 includes a main body 5, a pen tip 6, a digitizer unit 7 and a mouse unit 8 housed in the main body 5, a battery 10 housed in the main body 5, and a control circuit 11. And a sensor unit 12 and the like. The sensor unit 12 includes, for example, a proximity sensor and an acceleration sensor.

  The pen tip 6 and the digitizer unit 7 are connected to a clip portion 26 provided on the outer periphery of the main body 5, and the pen tip 6 protrudes from the end surface 5 a of the main body 5 when the clip portion 26 is pushed down or pulled up. Or accommodated in the main body 5. For example, the pen tip 6 is accommodated in the main body 5 when the release button 27 is pressed. The pen tip 6 may have a configuration in which a slide button is provided and connected to the slide button so as to enter and exit from the main body 5 as in the first embodiment.

  Further, the main body 5 has a shaft portion 28 that is long in one direction and a slider portion 29 provided on one side of the shaft portion 28, and the shaft portion 28 is arranged around the axis of the slider portion 29 as shown in FIG. 9. It is configured to be rotatable.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the slider portion 29 has a substantially truncated cone shape, and a through hole 29A is formed at the center. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the pen tip 6 is inserted into the through hole 29A, and the pen tip 6 is movable along the through hole 29A. Further, the slider portion 29 is configured to be able to smoothly rotate with respect to the shaft portion 28. A spring member 30 is attached to the slider portion 29. In a state where no load is applied to the slider portion 29, for example, in a state where the pen-type device 2 is separated from the installation surface, the axis of the slider portion 29 and the axis of the shaft portion 28 are made to coincide with each other by the elastic force of the spring member 30. May be.

  Since the slider portion 29 covers the pen tip 6 and the end surface 5a has a large area, even if the main body 5 is tilted during operation, light can be prevented from entering the optical components 13 and 14 from the outside.

  In the present embodiment, the switching detection unit in the control circuit 11 detects the rotation of the shaft portion 28 of the main body 5 with respect to the slider unit 29, unlike the switching detection unit 22 of the first embodiment. The switching detection unit includes, for example, a gyro sensor. The switching detection unit detects whether or not the shaft unit 28 is rotated with respect to the slider unit 29 using the detection result of the gyro sensor.

  The switching control unit switches between a pen mode in which the pen type device 2 functions as a touch pen and a mouse mode in which the pen type device 2 functions as a mouse based on the detection result of the switching detection unit.

  That is, when it is detected that the shaft portion 28 of the main body 5 is rotated around the axis of the slider portion 29 based on the detection result of the gyro sensor provided inside the main body 5, the switching control portion is the pen type. Switch device 2 to mouse mode. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the pen-type device 2 from switching to the mouse mode simply by accommodating the pen tip 6.

  As shown in FIG. 10, for example, two shaft-shaped optical components 13 and 14 are installed in the pen tip 6. The optical component 13 passes light emitted from the light emitting unit 18, and the optical component 14 The reflected light passes toward the light receiving unit 19. A non-transmissive member 31 that does not transmit light is provided between the two optical components 13 and 14.

Next, an operation method of the pen type device 2 according to the present embodiment will be described.
As described above, the pen type device 2 has a pen mode and a mouse mode as operation modes.
When the user uses the pen-type device 2 as a touch pen, as shown in FIG. 6, the pen tip 6 is pushed down from the end surface 5 a by using the clip unit 26 to project the pen tip 6. Thereby, it is detected that the pen tip 6 protrudes from the main body 5, and the pen-type device 2 is switched to the pen mode. In the pen mode, the digitizer unit 7 operates.

  When the user uses the pen-type device 2 as a mouse, the user presses the release button 27 to raise the pen tip 6 and accommodate the pen tip 6 in the main body 5 as shown in FIG.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the user brings the slider unit 29 into contact with the installation surface that is operated as a mouse. At this time, it is detected by the acceleration sensor of the sensor unit 12 that the pen-type device 2 is grounded to the installation surface. In addition, the proximity sensor detects a state in which the user holds the pen-type device 2 by hand. When the grounding with respect to the installation surface of the pen-type device 2 and the holding state by the user are detected, the gyro sensor of the switching detection unit is activated.

  Then, the user rotates the shaft portion 28 of the main body 5 around the axis of the slider portion 29 in a state where the slider portion 29 is in contact with the installation surface.

As a result, the gyro sensor detects that the shaft portion 28 has been rotated around the axis of the slider portion 29, and the pen-type device 2 is switched to the mouse mode. In the mouse mode, the mouse unit 8 operates. Whether or not the shaft portion 28 has been rotated about the axis is determined by the rotation of the gyro sensor in the horizontal plane with respect to the installation surface (specifically, reciprocating more than ± N ° in each of the X and Y directions). Is performed based on the detection within a predetermined time.
In the present embodiment, after the gyro sensor is activated, when the movement of the pen-type device 2 is not detected by the gyro sensor, the gyro sensor may be stopped again.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, one device has the functions of a mouse and a touch pen, and since it has a pen shape, portability is good. Further, in this embodiment, the pen tip 6 is accommodated in the main body 5 while having a pen shape, so that the mouse mode can be entered and used as a mouse. The user can perform input by operating the mouse on the terminal without carrying a conventional mouse separately. Further, when it is detected that the shaft portion 28 of the main body 5 is rotated around the axis of the slider portion 29, the pen mode is switched to the mouse mode, so that malfunction can be prevented.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a pen-type pointing device (hereinafter referred to as “pen-type device”) 3 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Unlike the first and second embodiments described above, the pen-type device 3 according to the present embodiment has a pen tip 32 functioning as a touch pen and a mouse functioning as a mouse on the opposite side of the main body 5. .
The pen-type device 3 according to the present embodiment functions as a pen mode when the pen tip 32 is directed downward as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, and as shown in FIG. Functions as mouse mode when the opposite mouse side is pointed down.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the pen-type device 3 includes a main body 5, a pen tip 32, a digitizer portion 7 and a mouse portion 8 housed in the main body 5, and a charging terminal 9 (see FIG. 14) provided on the surface of the main body 5. 12), a battery 10 accommodated in the main body 5, a control circuit 11, a sensor unit 12, and the like.

  A pen tip 32 is provided at one end of the pen-type device 3, and a core member 33 that is in contact with the outside at the tip and is electrically connected to the digitizer unit 7 as shown in FIG. 14. Is provided. The material of the core material 33 is, for example, conductive synthetic resin or metal.

  As in the first embodiment, the pen-type device 3 includes a pressure detector, a digitizer controller, a transducer, and the like.

  A mouse unit 8 is installed at the other end of the pen-type device 3. Similarly to the first embodiment, the mouse unit 8 includes a light emitting unit, a light receiving unit, a movement detecting unit, an output unit, and the like. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, translucent optical components 34 and 35 that transmit light are provided on the end surface 5 b of the main body 5 of the pen-type device 3.

  On the end surface 5 b of the main body 5 of the pen-type device 3, a slope portion inclined in an oblique direction with respect to the axial direction of the main body 5 is formed.

  When the entire slope portion of the pen-type device 3 is brought into contact with the installation surface, the pen-type device 3 is inclined in one direction with respect to the installation surface as shown in FIG. Thereby, the operation direction (front / rear / left / right) when the pen-type device 3 is used as the mouse mode can be specified. By recording the relationship between the tilt direction of the tilted portion of the pen-type device 3 and the operation direction of the mouse mode in advance, when used as a mouse, the user can use the tilt direction of the pen-type device 3 based on the tilt direction. By operating the pen-type device 3, the pointer on the screen can be accurately operated in the front, rear, left and right directions.

  The switching detection unit of the control circuit 11 detects the orientation of the main body 5. The switching detection unit is, for example, a gyro sensor.

  The switching control unit switches between a pen mode in which the pen type device 3 functions as a touch pen and a mouse mode in which the pen type device 3 functions as a mouse based on the detection result of the switching detection unit. Instead of switching by detection of the gyro sensor, as shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 14, a button unit (input unit) 36 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the main body 5, and the pen mode is set by pressing the button unit 36 by the user. The mouse mode may be switched.

Next, an operation method of the pen type device 3 according to the present embodiment will be described.
As described above, the pen-type device 3 has a pen mode and a mouse mode as operation modes.
When the user uses the pen-type device 3 as a touch pen, the user points the pen tip 32 downward as shown in FIGS. Thereby, it is detected that the pen tip 32 is directed downward, and the pen-type device 3 is switched to the pen mode. In the pen mode, the digitizer unit 7 operates.

  When the user uses the pen-type device 3 as a mouse, the user points the pen tip 32 upward and the end on the mouse unit 8 side downward as shown in FIG. Accordingly, it is detected that the mouse side is directed downward, and the pen-type device 3 is switched to the mouse mode. In the mouse mode, the mouse unit 8 operates.

  In this embodiment, since a terminal such as a tablet terminal is being activated and the operation state of the mouse mode is automatically stopped, it may be detected whether or not a mouse operation is being performed. For example, when the proximity sensor detects that the user is holding the pen-type device 1 by hand, the light receiving unit does not receive light by operating the mouse for a predetermined time. The operation of the mouse mode may be stopped by stopping the light irradiation from the light emitting unit.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, one device has the functions of a mouse and a touch pen, and since it has a pen shape, portability is good. Further, in this embodiment, the pen tip 32 is directed upward while having a pen shape, so that the mouse mode can be entered and used as a mouse. The user can perform input by operating the mouse on the terminal without carrying a conventional mouse separately.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a pen-type pointing device (hereinafter referred to as “pen-type device”) 4 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The pen-type device 4 according to the present embodiment functions as a pen mode when the pen tip 32 is directed downward as shown in FIG. 16, and is opposite to the pen tip 32 as shown in FIG. When the mouse side is facing down, it functions as a mouse mode.

  The pen-type device 4 includes a main body 5, a pen tip 32, a digitizer unit 7 and a mouse unit 8 accommodated in the main body 5, a battery 10 accommodated in the main body 5, a control circuit 11, a sensor unit 12, and the like. Have. The sensor unit 12 includes an acceleration sensor, a proximity sensor, and the like.

  A pen tip 32 is provided at one end of the pen-type device 4, and a core member 33 is in contact with the outside at the tip and is electrically connected to the digitizer unit 7, as shown in FIG. 18. Is provided. The material of the core material 33 is, for example, conductive synthetic resin or metal.

  As in the first embodiment, the pen-type device 4 includes a digitizer unit 7 having a pressure detection unit, a digitizer control unit, a transducer, and the like.

  A mouse unit 8 is installed at the other end of the pen-type device 4. Similarly to the first embodiment, the mouse unit 8 includes a light emitting unit, a light receiving unit, a movement detecting unit, an output unit, and the like. As shown in FIG. 18, translucent optical components 34 and 35 that transmit light are provided on the end surface 5 b of the main body 5 of the pen-type device 4.

  The switching detection unit of the control circuit 11 detects the orientation of the main body 5. The switching detection unit is, for example, a gyro sensor.

  The switching control unit switches between a pen mode in which the pen type device 4 functions as a touch pen and a mouse mode in which the pen type device 4 functions as a mouse based on the detection result of the switching detection unit. Instead of switching by detection of the gyro sensor, a button unit (input unit) may be provided on the outer peripheral portion of the main body 5, and the pen mode and the mouse mode may be switched by pressing the button unit by the user.

  The main body 5 may include a shaft portion 28 and a slider portion 29 provided on one side of the shaft portion 28, and the shaft portion 28 may be configured to be rotatable around the axis of the slider portion 29.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the slider part 29 has a substantially truncated cone shape, and optical parts 34 and 35 are provided at the center. Further, the end portion on the shaft portion 28 side of the slider portion 29 has, for example, a spherical surface (not shown), and is configured to be able to smoothly rotate with respect to the main body 5.

  Since the slider portion 29 covers the pen tip 32 and has a large installation area, even if the main body 5 is tilted during operation, it is possible to prevent light from entering the optical components 34 and 35 from the outside.

  The switching detection unit in the control circuit 11 detects the rotation of the shaft portion 28 of the main body 5 with respect to the slider portion 29. The switching detection unit includes, for example, a gyro sensor. The switching detection unit detects whether or not the shaft unit 28 is rotated with respect to the slider unit 29 using the detection result of the gyro sensor.

  The switching control unit switches between a pen mode in which the pen type device 4 functions as a touch pen and a mouse mode in which the pen type device 4 functions as a mouse based on the detection result of the switching detection unit.

  That is, when it is detected that the shaft portion 28 of the main body 5 is rotated around the axis of the slider portion 29 based on the detection result of the gyro sensor provided inside the main body 5, the switching control portion is the pen type. Switch device 4 to mouse mode. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the pen type device 4 from switching to the mouse mode only by changing the direction of the pen type device 4.

  As shown in FIG. 19, for example, shaft-shaped optical components 34 and 35 are installed in the slider portion 29, and the optical component 34 passes the light emitted from the light emitting portion 18, and the optical component 35 reflects the light. The transmitted light passes toward the light receiving unit 19. A non-transmissive member 31 that does not transmit light is provided between the two optical components 34 and 35.

Next, an operation method of the pen type device 4 according to the present embodiment will be described.
As described above, the pen type device 4 has a pen mode and a mouse mode as operation modes.
When the user uses the pen-type device 4 as a touch pen, the user points the pen tip 32 downward as shown in FIG. Thereby, it is detected that the pen tip 32 is directed downward, and the pen-type device 4 is switched to the pen mode. In the pen mode, the digitizer unit 7 operates.

  When the user uses the pen-type device 4 as a mouse, the user points the pen tip 32 upward and the end on the mouse unit 8 side downward as shown in FIG. Thereby, it is detected that the mouse side is directed downward.

  Then, the user brings the slider unit 29 into contact with the installation surface that is operated as a mouse. At this time, it is detected by the acceleration sensor that the pen-type device 4 is grounded on the installation surface. In addition, the proximity sensor detects a state in which the user holds the pen-type device 4 by hand. When the grounding with respect to the installation surface of the pen-type device 4 and the holding state by the user are detected, the gyro sensor of the switching detection unit is activated.

  Then, the user rotates the shaft portion 28 of the main body 5 around the axis of the slider portion 29 in a state where the slider portion 29 is in contact with the installation surface.

  Thereby, it is detected by the gyro sensor that the shaft portion 28 is rotated around the axis of the slider portion 29, and the pen-type device 4 is switched to the mouse mode. In the mouse mode, the mouse unit 8 operates. Whether or not the shaft portion 28 has been rotated about the axis is determined by the rotation of the gyro sensor in the horizontal plane with respect to the installation surface (specifically, reciprocating more than ± N ° in each of the X and Y directions). Is performed based on the detection within a predetermined time.

  In the present embodiment, after the gyro sensor is activated, when the movement of the pen-type device 4 is not detected by the gyro sensor, the gyro sensor may be stopped again.

  When the pen type device 4 shifts to the mouse mode, it can be displayed on the screen of the tablet terminal that the pen type device 4 is in the mouse mode, and the user can be notified that the pen type device 1 is in the mouse mode. You may do it. Also in this case, the tablet terminal receives a signal related to the operation mode from the pen-type device 4 and controls screen display based on the received signal.

  Further, the mouse mode display may be canceled by touching the pen type device 4 on the screen in the mouse mode state, and the pen type device 4 may be switched to the pen mode. That is, the terminal cancels the display of the mouse mode when a touch by the pen-type device 4 is detected. Furthermore, when the contact with the touch panel of the terminal is detected, the pen-type device 4 stops the mouse mode operation and starts the pen mode operation.

  In this embodiment, since a terminal such as a tablet terminal is being activated and the operation state of the mouse mode is automatically stopped, it may be detected whether or not a mouse operation is being performed. For example, when an output by a mouse operation is not performed for a predetermined time while a state in which the user is holding the pen-type device 4 by hand is detected by the proximity sensor, the operating state of the mouse mode may be stopped. .

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, one device has the functions of a mouse and a touch pen, and since it has a pen shape, portability is good. Further, in this embodiment, the pen mode is shifted to the mouse mode by turning the pen tip 32 upward and rotating the shaft portion 28 of the main body 5 around the axis of the slider portion 29 in this embodiment. And can be used as a mouse. The user can perform input by operating the mouse on the terminal without carrying a conventional mouse separately. Further, when it is detected that the shaft portion 28 of the main body 5 is rotated around the axis of the slider portion 29, the pen mode is switched to the mouse mode, so that malfunction can be prevented.

1: Pen type device 2: Pen type device 3: Pen type device 4: Pen type device 5: Main body 5a: End face 5b: End face 6: Pen tip 7: Digitizer part 8: Mouse part 9: Charging terminal 10: Battery 11: Control circuit 12: Sensor unit 13: Optical component 14: Optical component 15: Pressure detection unit 16: Digitizer control unit 17: Transducer 18: Light emitting unit 19: Light receiving unit 20: Movement detection unit 21: Output unit 22: Switch detection Unit 23: Switching control unit 24: ON / OFF control unit 25: Slide type button 26: Clip unit 27: Release button 28: Shaft unit 29: Slider unit 29A: Through hole 30: Spring member 31: Non-permeable member 32 : Pen tip 33: Core material 34: Optical component 35: Optical component 36: Button part

Claims (9)

A body portion that is long in one direction;
An optical component having translucency provided in a convex shape at one end of the main body, and
A light emitting part for irradiating the object with light through the optical component;
A light receiving unit for detecting light emitted from the light emitting unit and reflected by the object;
A movement amount and a movement direction of the main body are detected based on the light detected by the light receiving unit, and a movement signal related to the movement amount and the movement direction is obtained based on the detected movement amount and the movement direction. A movement detection unit to be generated;
An output unit for outputting the movement signal generated by the movement detection unit;
A pen-type pointing device. The optical component is provided at the one end of the main body so as to be able to enter and exit with respect to the one end of the main body.
A switching detection unit that detects entry and exit of the optical component with respect to the main body unit;
Based on the detection result of the switching detection unit, a switching control unit that switches between a pen mode that functions as a touch pen and a mouse mode that functions as a mouse,
The pen-type pointing device according to claim 1, further comprising:   3. The pen-type pointing device according to claim 1, wherein a slope portion inclined in an oblique direction with respect to an axial direction of the main body portion is formed at the one end of the main body portion. A pen point is provided at one end, and the main body is long in one direction.
An optical component having translucency provided in a convex shape at the other end opposite to the one end of the main body,
A light emitting part for irradiating the object with light through the optical component;
A light receiving unit that receives light emitted from the light emitting unit and reflected by the object;
A movement amount and a movement direction of the main body are detected based on the light detected by the light receiving unit, and a movement signal related to the movement amount and the movement direction is obtained based on the detected movement amount and the movement direction. A movement detection unit to be generated;
An output unit for outputting the movement signal generated by the movement detection unit;
A pen-type pointing device. A switching detector for detecting the orientation of the main body,
Based on the detection result of the switching detection unit, a switching control unit that switches between a pen mode that functions as a touch pen and a mouse mode that functions as a mouse,
The pen-type pointing device according to claim 4, further comprising:   6. The pen-type pointing device according to claim 4, wherein a slope portion inclined in an oblique direction with respect to an axial direction of the main body portion is formed at the other end of the main body portion. The main body portion has a shaft portion that is long in one direction, and a frustoconical slider portion provided on one side of the shaft portion,
The shaft portion is rotatable around the axis of the slider portion,
A switching detection unit that detects rotation of the shaft unit relative to the slider unit;
Based on the detection result of the switching detection unit, a switching control unit that switches between a pen mode that functions as a touch pen and a mouse mode that functions as a mouse,
The pen-type pointing device according to claim 1 or 4, further comprising: An input unit provided in the main body,
A switching control unit that switches between a pen mode that functions as a touch pen and a mouse mode that functions as a mouse based on an operation on the input unit;
The pen-type pointing device according to claim 1 or 4, further comprising: 5. The pen-type pointing device according to claim 1, further comprising an ON / OFF control unit that stops irradiation of light from the light emitting unit when light is not received by the light receiving unit for a predetermined time.

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