JP4948188B2 - Coordinate input device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a coordinate input device having a touch operation surface for input to various information processing devices such as computers and electronic game devices, and a stylus pen and writing instrument including the coordinate input device.

  As one of coordinate input devices for various information processing devices such as computers and electronic game machines, there is a touch panel type coordinate input device (also referred to as “plane input panel”, “plane input pad”, or “plane input mouse”). In such a coordinate input device, the user can perform an input operation on the computer by pressing down on the touch operation surface with a stylus or a writing instrument (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP-A-9-50731

  For example, when the touch operation surface of a touch panel type coordinate input device is touch-operated via a stylus pen, when scrolling the screen on which the word processor software displayed on the computer display or the Internet home page is displayed Is inconvenient because the stylus pen must be brought on the scroll bar of the screen and the stylus pen must be moved in a desired direction.

  There is also a need for a coordinate input device that further facilitates the input operation of multifunctional application software.

  Therefore, in view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a coordinate input device that facilitates a touch input operation on a touch panel type coordinate input device, and a stylus pen and writing instrument including the coordinate input device.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the first aspect of the present invention, the coordinate input device includes a support structure in which a touch operation surface is provided on an outer peripheral surface, and a position for detecting a touch operation position on the touch operation surface. Detection means, and coordinate data generation means for generating coordinate data based on the touch operation position detected by the position detection means.

  Moreover, in the 2nd aspect of this invention, a stylus pen or a writing instrument has the coordinate input device by the above-mentioned 1st aspect.

  According to the first aspect and the second aspect of the present invention, the input operation of the multifunctional application software is further facilitated. In addition, since the coordinate input device according to the first aspect of the present invention can be easily attached to an existing stylus pen or writing instrument, it is possible to input coordinates to various information processing devices such as computers and electronic game devices. The method can be easily extended.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a coordinate input device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the coordinate input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, components having the same reference numerals in different drawings mean components having the same functions.

  The coordinate input device 1 includes a support structure 11 provided with a touch operation surface 10 on an outer peripheral surface, position detection units 12-1 and 12-2 for detecting a touch operation position on the touch operation surface 10, and a position detection unit. And coordinate data generating means 13 for generating coordinate data based on the touch operation position detected by Twelve. The coordinate input device 1 further includes wireless communication means 14 that outputs the coordinate data generated by the coordinate data generation means 13 to an external device by wireless communication.

  That is, the coordinate input device 1 is a touch panel type coordinate input device so-called flat input panel that extends over the outer periphery (that is, the side surface) of the support structure 11. In the embodiment of the present invention, an analog resistive film method is used as one of the methods of pressing or touching the flat input panel. As an alternative example, other pressing detection methods such as a capacitance method, an electromagnetic induction method, an ultrasonic method, or a light detection method may be used.

  The support structure 11 of the coordinate input device 1 has a hollow portion 15 into which a rod-like object is inserted. In the embodiment of the present invention, the support structure 11 has a cylindrical shape. As an alternative example, the support structure 11 may have a cylindrical shape with a polygonal bottom surface. For example, the bottom surface may have a hexagonal shape or an octagonal shape. Further, the support structure 11 may be realized in a semi-cylindrical shape.

  Further, the support structure 11 has the touch operation surface 10 on at least a partial region on the outer peripheral surface of the support structure 11. As an alternative example, the touch operation surface 10 may be provided over the entire region on the outer peripheral surface of the support structure 11. Further, when the support structure 11 has a semi-cylindrical shape, the touch operation surface 10 may be provided only on a flat surface portion instead of a curved surface portion.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the analog resistance film method is used as one of the methods for pressing or touching the flat input panel, and therefore, the touch operation surface 10 is made of a flexible film such as a PET film. Note that the touch operation surface 10 may be a transparent material, a translucent material, or a non-transparent material.

  A conductive coating 12-2 is provided on the inner side of the touch operation surface 10, and a conductive coating 12-2 that is opposed to the conductive coating 12-2 at a predetermined interval is provided. Electrodes 12-1 are provided on the two conductive films 12-2 facing each other. That is, the electrode 12-1 and the conductive film 12-2 constitute position detecting means in the analog resistance film system. The conductive film 12-2 is made of a metal oxide such as ITO (indium tin oxide), zinc oxide (ZnO) or tin oxide (SnO), carbon, or a courageous conductive material such as PEDOT.

  As the base member 16 that supports the touch operation surface 10, the conductive film 12-2, the electrode 12-1, and the like, a film, glass, or the like is used.

  When the user presses down the touch operation surface 10 (that is, touch operation) and a short circuit occurs between the two conductive films 12-2 facing each other, a change occurs in the voltage formed by the electrode 12-1. The change in voltage is read to detect the touch operation position on the touch operation surface 10. Based on the detected touch operation position, the coordinate data generation means 13 generates coordinate data. The coordinate data generation unit 13 generates the coordinate data as relative coordinate data based on the operation amount and the operation direction of the touch operation position detected by the position detection units 12-1 and 12-2. The coordinate data generation means 13 may be configured by an arithmetic processing device such as an IC.

  In this embodiment, since a pair of electrodes 12-1 is provided on the conductive film 12-2, one-dimensional relative coordinate data is generated. For example, if the touch operation surface 10 is touched in the axial direction of the cylindrical shape of the support structure 11, relative coordinate data indicating that the moving direction is one direction is formed. For example, the relative coordinate data can be allocated to scrolling a screen on which a word processor software displayed on a computer display or an Internet home page is displayed.

  As an alternative example, the coordinate data generating means is provided by dividing the conductive film 12-2 and providing two pairs of electrodes facing each other, as is usually done in a general analog resistive film type flat input panel. 13 may generate two-dimensional (for example, X and Y directions orthogonal to each other) relative coordinate data.

  The wireless communication unit 14 outputs the coordinate data generated by the coordinate data generation unit 13 to an external device by wireless communication. The external device in this case is various information processing apparatuses such as a computer and an electronic game device. Examples of wireless communication include Bluetooth, infrared communication, optical communication, Bluetooth (registered trademark), UWB, and the like in addition to general wireless communication.

  As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, the support structure 11 of the coordinate input device 1 has the hollow portion 15 into which the rod-like object is inserted. Examples of the rod-like object that is inserted and fitted into the hollow portion 15 include a writing tool such as a stylus pen, a ballpoint pen, a mechanical pencil, a fountain pen, or a pencil. FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a stylus pen to which a coordinate input device according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached later. In the illustrated example, the stylus pen 2 is inserted into the hollow portion of the coordinate input device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Thus, since the hollow part is provided in the coordinate input device 1, the coordinate input device 1 can be easily mounted on an existing stylus pen or writing instrument. In order to make it easy to attach the coordinate input device 1 to stylus pens or writing instruments of various thicknesses, the support structure of the coordinate input device 1 is provided with a cut in part or an elastic member. You may comprise.

  The stylus pen 2 equipped with the coordinate input device 1 shown in FIG. 3 is used while supporting the vicinity of the touch operation surface 10 with a finger. Therefore, even when the stylus pen 2 is used for a touch operation of an external flat touch panel (hereinafter referred to as “external flat touch panel”) different from the coordinate input device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the coordinate is naturally set. Since the finger is in contact with the touch operation surface 10 of the input device 1, the coordinate input device 1 may generate coordinate data that is not intended by the user. Therefore, in order to avoid this, for example, the touch operation surface 10 is not provided over the entire outer peripheral surface of the support structure of the coordinate input means 1, but only on a partial region on the outer peripheral surface of the support structure. Try to provide it. In this case, when the user does not want to generate coordinate data by the coordinate input device 1, the user supports the stylus pen by supporting the portion of the outer peripheral surface of the support structure where the touch operation surface 10 is not provided with a finger. Use it. As an alternative example, the coordinate input device 1 may further include a stop instruction unit that instructs the coordinate data generation unit 13 to stop generating coordinate data. For example, the clip portion 20 of the stylus pen may be used as a switch for instructing the stop of the generation of coordinate data by the coordinate data generation means 13, that is, the coordinate data can be obtained by turning the clip portion 20 left and right with respect to the rotation axis. May be switched between generating and not generating.

  The coordinate input device according to the above-described embodiment is attached to the stylus pen or the writing instrument retrofitted, but as a modified example, the stylus pen or the writing instrument in which the function of the coordinate input device of the present invention is integrated from the beginning. May be realized. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a stylus pen in which the functions of the coordinate input device according to the embodiment of the present invention are integrated. In the illustrated example, the stylus pen will be described, but the same can be realized even when a writing instrument is used.

  In this embodiment, since the function of the coordinate input device 1 of the present invention is integrated from the beginning to constitute the stylus pen 3, for example, the wireless communication means 14 is configured to be embedded in the vicinity of the clip of the stylus pen 3. Can do. In the stylus pen 3 shown in FIG. 4, the area of the touch operation surface 10 is larger than that in the case shown in FIG.

  Further, a pressure for detecting the presence or absence of a pressure on the stylus 21 of the stylus pen 3 (in this specification, a portion in contact with the touch operation surface of the external flat touch panel is referred to as “stylus” and is denoted by reference numeral 21 in FIG. 4). When the detection means 17 and the pressure detection means 17 detect the press, a stop instruction means (not shown) for instructing the stop of the generation of coordinate data by the coordinate data generation means (not shown) of the coordinate input device 1. ). Thereby, when the stylus pen 3 is used for a touch operation of an external external flat touch panel different from the coordinate input device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the press detection means 17 detects the press of the stylus 21. Generation of coordinate data by coordinate data generation means (not shown) of the coordinate input device 1 is stopped, and it can be avoided that the coordinate input device 1 generates coordinate data not intended by the user.

  The present invention can be applied to a coordinate input device for various information processing devices such as computers and electronic game machines. According to the present invention, input operation of multifunctional application software is further facilitated.

  If the coordinate data generated by the coordinate input device according to the present invention is assigned to the scroll of the screen on which the word processor software displayed on the computer display or the Internet home page is displayed, the touch operation surface of the external plane input panel is used as the stylus pen. When the touch operation is performed via the stylus, it is not necessary to bring the stylus pen onto the scroll bar of the screen and move the stylus pen in a desired direction.

  In addition, since the coordinate input device according to the present invention can be easily attached to an existing stylus pen or writing instrument, the coordinate input method for various information processing devices such as computers and electronic game devices can be easily expanded. Can do.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a coordinate input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a coordinate input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which illustrates the stylus pen with which the coordinate input device by the Example of this invention was mounted | worn by retrofit. It is a figure which illustrates the stylus pen with which the function of the coordinate input device by the Example of this invention was integrated.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Coordinate input device 3 Stylus pen 10 Touch operation surface 11 Support structure 12-1 Electrode 12-2 Conductive film 13 Coordinate data generation means 14 Wireless communication means 17 Press detection means

Claims (4)

A cylindrical support structure provided with a touch operation surface on the outer peripheral surface;
Position detecting means for detecting a touch operation position on the touch operation surface;
Coordinate data generation means for generating coordinate data based on the touch operation position detected by the position detection means , wherein the coordinate data is based on an operation amount and an operation direction of the touch operation position detected by the position detection means. Coordinate data generation means for generating relative coordinate data ;
Equipped with a,
The support structure, the coordinate input device according to claim Rukoto to have a hollow portion that sticks are inserted. The coordinate input device according to claim 1, further comprising a wireless communication unit that outputs the coordinate data generated by the coordinate data generation unit to an external device by wireless communication.   The coordinate input device according to claim 1, further comprising stop instruction means for instructing stop of generation of coordinate data by the coordinate data generation means.   The coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein the support structure has the touch operation surface on a partial region on an outer peripheral surface of the support structure.

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