JP6085136B2 - Input device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device, and particularly relates to operation control of an external device that operates in conjunction with the input device.

  This kind of invention is disclosed in Patent Document 1. According to the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, the rotation direction movement amount detection unit detects the rotation direction and rotation amount of the ball, and detects the movement direction and movement amount of the pen tip based on the detected rotation direction and rotation amount of the ball. To do.

 The Zs axis gyro outputs a signal indicating the rotational angular velocity around the Zs axis. The correction unit corrects the movement direction and movement amount of the pen tip detected by the rotation direction movement amount detection unit based on the rotation angular velocity around the Zs axis detected using the Zs axis gyro, and accurately displays the figure with a small device. Perform input etc.

In general, this type of information input device includes an input device such as a stylus and a display device for drawing and displaying (visualizing) information input via the input device.
JP-A-11-95915

  These devices are generally driven by a battery. Therefore, in order to extend the driving time, it is necessary for the user to sleep (suspend) the operation of these information input devices or turn off (end) the power according to the use situation.

  However, in order to sleep or turn off the information input device, the user must set each device to sleep mode or turn off the power by operating each of the input device and the display device. It was a burden for the user.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and includes a detection unit that detects a movement of the device itself, and a control unit that controls a display device according to a detection result by the detection unit. When the movement detected by the detection means satisfies the first condition while the display device is operating in the first operation mode, the operation of the display device is switched to the second operation mode, and the operation is performed in the second operation mode. When the movement of the input device detected by the detection means satisfies the second condition during operation, the display device is switched to the first operation mode.

  According to the input device of the present invention, when the state of the input device satisfies the first condition while the display device is operating in the first operation mode, the operation mode of the display device is automatically switched to the second operation mode.

  Therefore, the operation mode of the display device can be appropriately switched without performing a troublesome operation.

  According to the present invention, the burden on the user's operation can be reduced. Further, wasteful power consumption can be prevented because the operation of the display device has not been switched due to an erroneous operation or forgotten operation.

1 is an external perspective view of an information input device according to the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the outline of a structure of the information input device concerning this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation of CPU104 in an acceleration transfer task. It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation of CPU208 in a drawing task. It is an illustration figure which shows the operation state of each site | part in normal mode and sleep mode. It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation of CPU104 in a time measuring task. It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation of CPU104 in an operation control task (stylus). It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation of CPU208 in an operation control task (tablet).

[Example]
(Outline of configuration of information input device)
An embodiment of the present invention will be described in the case where the present invention is applied to an information input device as shown in FIG.

  The information input device according to the present embodiment includes a pen-type input device 10 having a distal end portion 10 a and a display device 20 having a display unit 202 having a touch panel 204.

  Hereinafter, the input device 10 is referred to as a stylus 10, and the display device 20 is referred to as a tablet 20. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of the configuration of the information input device according to the present embodiment.

  The stylus 10 includes an acceleration sensor 102 that detects the movement of the distal end portion 10a, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 104 that controls the operation of the device itself, and a communication I / F (Interface) 106 that communicates with the tablet 20. Is provided.

  The tablet 20 includes a display unit 202 that displays information input via the stylus 10, a touch panel 204 that detects contact with the stylus 10, and a communication I / F 206 for communicating with the stylus 10.

  The tablet 20 also temporarily stores input data received from the CPU 208 that controls the operation of the device itself, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 210 that stores a control program for controlling the tablet 20, and the stylus 10. RAM (Random Access Memory) 212.

  As the display unit 202, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) monitor or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) monitor is used.

  As a communication method performed by the communication I / Fs 106 and 206, for example, wireless LAN (Local Area Network), Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication, and wireless communication such as IrDA are preferable, but wired communication by USB (Universal Serial Bus) or the like. It doesn't matter.

  In the case of wired communication, for example, the stylus 10 and the tablet 20 are connected by a communication cable such as a USB cable.

  The ROM 210 is a commonly used ROM such as a mask ROM or PROM (Programmable ROM).

  As the RAM 212, for example, a commonly used RAM such as a VRAM (Video Random Access Memory), an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), or an SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM) is used.

(Information input by stylus 10 and drawing process of tablet 20)
With reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the processing operation in the normal mode of the information input device according to the present embodiment will be described.

  The normal mode in the present embodiment refers to a state in which information input by the stylus 10 and information input by the stylus 10 can be drawn and displayed on the tablet 20.

  The stylus 10 and the tablet 20 are each driven by a battery (not shown).

  When the power of the stylus 10 is turned on by the user, power is supplied to each part of the stylus 10 from the battery.

  When the power of the stylus 10 is turned on, the CPU 104 starts an acceleration transfer task (FIG. 3). The CPU 104 detects the operation of the distal end portion 10a output from the acceleration sensor 102, that is, the acceleration, and outputs it to the CPU 104 (S301).

  The CPU 104 refers to the value of the flag FLG (S303), and determines whether or not the value of the flag FLG is 0.

  The flag FLG is a variable indicating whether the stylus 10 and the tablet 20 are in the sleep mode.

  The flag FLG is set to 0 when the stylus 10 and the tablet 20 are in the sleep mode, and the flag FLG is set to 1 otherwise. Details of the sleep mode will be described later.

  If the flag FLG is 0, the CPU 104 repeats detection of acceleration (Yes in S303), and if not (No in S303), the CPU 104 outputs the detected acceleration to the tablet 20 from the communication I / F 106.

  This acceleration transfer task is repeated until the power of the stylus 10 is turned off. Further, a control program for controlling the acceleration transfer task may be stored in a memory (not shown) provided in the stylus 10 or may be stored in a firmware memory provided in the CPU 104.

  When the power of the tablet 20 is turned on by the user, the battery supplies power to each part of the tablet 20.

  When the power of the tablet 20 is turned on, the communication I / F 206 receives the acceleration output from the communication I / F 106 of the stylus 10 and sequentially outputs it to the CPU 208.

  The CPU 208 starts a drawing task (FIG. 4). The CPU 208 repeatedly detects whether or not the tip portion 10a of the stylus 10 has touched the touch panel 204 (No in S401).

  On the touch panel 206, switches that detect pressing are arranged on a matrix. This switch is turned on when a pressure is received and turned off when the pressure is released.

  That is, it is possible to detect whether or not the tip 10a of the stylus 10 has touched the touch panel 204 based on whether or not any of these switches is turned on.

  When the CPU 208 detects that the tip 10a has touched the touch panel 204, that is, when any of the switches arranged on the touch panel 204 is turned on (Yes in S401), the CPU 208 determines the position where the switch is arranged. The drawing start point is set (S403).

  Next, the CPU 208 repeatedly determines whether or not the contact position of the distal end portion 10a with the touch panel 204 has changed. Whether or not the contact position has changed can be determined by whether or not the on / off state of the switch arranged on the touch panel 204 has changed.

  If it is determined that the contact position of the tip end portion 10a of the CPU 208 with the touch panel 204 has changed, the CPU 208 generates a trajectory based on the acceleration received from the stylus 10 during the period in which the contact position is changing (S407).

  Subsequently, the CPU 208 displays, on the display unit 202, a line connecting the above-described contact positions (in other words, between the switches that are turned on when the distal end portion 10a moves on the touch panel 204) according to the generated locus (S409). Let Note that the touch panel 204 of the display unit 202 has the same size, and the locus display position of the display unit 202 corresponds to the contact detection position of the touch panel 204.

  The CPU 208 repeats the above-described processing until the contact of the distal end portion 10a with the touch panel 204 is released (Yes in S411).

  The normal mode of the information input device is executed by the stylus 10 and the tablet 20 performing the processing operation described above.

(Transition to sleep mode and return from sleep mode)
The information input device automatically switches the stylus 10 and the tablet 20 to the sleep mode when it is determined that the stylus 10 has not been used for a certain period of time in the normal mode.

  Note that the sleep mode here means that the state of the stylus 10 and the tablet 20 is lower than that in the normal mode.

  FIG. 5 shows operating states of the stylus 10 and the tablet 20 in the normal mode and the sleep mode.

  When the stylus 10 shifts to the sleep mode, the communication I / F 106 is turned off. On the other hand, when the tablet 20 shifts to the sleep mode, the display unit 202, the touch panel 204, and the ROM 210 are turned off.

  Transition to the sleep mode is controlled by a timing task, an operation control task (stylus), and an operation control task (tablet).

  The timekeeping task and the operation control task (stylus) are executed by the CPU 104 in the stylus 10 in parallel with the acceleration transfer task.

  The operation control task (tablet) is executed in the tablet 20 by the CPU 208 in parallel with the drawing task.

  First, the timing task will be described. The CPU 104 sets a flag FLG to 1 when the timing task is activated.

  This flag FLG is a flag for determining whether or not to switch the stylus 10 and the tablet 20 to the sleep mode in an operation control task described later.

  Subsequently, the CPU 104 resets the time count value CLK and starts time count.

  The time count value CLK is a value indicating an elapsed time since the start of the time count, and the CPU 104 sets the time count value CLK every time a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) elapses from the start of the time count. Increment.

  The CPU 104 repeatedly determines whether or not the acceleration detected by the acceleration transfer task exceeds the threshold value TH1, and when determining that the acceleration exceeds the threshold value TH1, resets the time count value CLK and restarts the time count. .

  On the other hand, while it is determined that the acceleration detected by the acceleration transfer task is equal to or less than the threshold value TH1, the time count value CLK is continuously incremented every predetermined time.

  When the time count value CLK reaches the threshold value THclk, the CPU 104 updates the flag FLG to 0 and stops the time count.

  Thereafter, the CPU 104 repeatedly determines whether or not the acceleration detected by the acceleration transfer task exceeds the threshold value TH2. If the CPU 104 determines that the acceleration exceeds the threshold value TH2, the CPU updates the flag FLG to 1 and repeats the above processing. .

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the time counting task executed by the CPU 104 of the stylus 10.

  In step S601, the flag FLG is updated to 1. In step S603, the time count value CLK is reset and time count is started.

  In step S605, it is determined whether or not the acceleration detected in the acceleration transfer task exceeds a threshold value TH1. If the acceleration exceeds TH1, the process proceeds to step S603, otherwise the process proceeds to step S607.

  In step S607, it is determined whether or not the time count value CLK has reached the threshold value THclk. If the time count value CLk has reached THclk, the process proceeds to step S609; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S605.

In step S609, the flag FLG is updated to 0. In step S611, timing is stopped. In step S611, it is determined whether or not the acceleration detected in the acceleration transfer task exceeds a threshold value TH2. If the acceleration talks about TH2, the process proceeds to step S601. If not, step S613 is repeated.

  Next, the operation control task will be described. The CPU 104 repeatedly determines whether or not the flag FLG has been updated to 0.

  When determining that the flag FLG has become 0, the CPU 104 causes the communication I / F 106 to transmit a sleep signal for setting the tablet 20 to the sleep mode. The communication I / F 106 receives an instruction from the CPU 104 and transmits a sleep signal to the tablet 20.

  When the transmission of the sleep signal is completed, the CPU 104 cuts off the supply of power to the communication I / F. Thereby, the communication I / F is turned off, and the stylus 10 shifts to the sleep mode.

  When shifting to the sleep mode, the CPU 104 repeatedly determines whether or not the flag FLG has been updated to 1.

  When the CPU 104 determines that the flag FLG has been updated to 1, the CPU 104 restarts the supply of power to the communication I / F 106.

  Thereby, the communication I / F 106 is turned on. Subsequently, the CPU 104 causes the communication I / F 106 to transmit a return signal for returning the tablet 20 to the normal mode.

  The communication I / F 106 receives an instruction from the CPU 104 and transmits a return signal to the tablet 20. In this way, the stylus 10 returns from the sleep mode to the normal mode.

  By repeating the above-described processing, the stylus 10 controls the operation mode of the device itself and the tablet 20.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the operation control task (stylus) executed by the CPU 104.

  In step S701, the CPU 104 determines whether or not the flag FLG has been updated to 0. If the CPU 104 determines that the flag FLG has been updated to 0, the process proceeds to step S703, and if not, step S701 is repeated.

  In step S703, the CPU 104 causes the communication I / F 106 to output a sleep signal. In step S705, the CPU 104 cuts off the power supply to the communication I / F 106 and turns off the communication I / F 106.

  In step S707, it is determined whether or not the flag FLG has been updated to 1. If the CPU 104 determines that the flag FLG has been updated to 1, the process proceeds to step S709; otherwise, step S707 is repeated.

  In step S709, the CPU 104 resumes power supply to the communication I / F 106 and turns on the communication I / F 106. In step S711, the CPU 104 causes the communication I / F 106 to output a return signal.

  On the other hand, the operation control task (tablet) is controlled by the CPU 208 as follows.

  CPU 208 repeatedly determines whether or not communication I / F 206 has received a sleep signal.

  When the CPU 208 determines that the sleep signal has been received, the drawing data currently displayed on the display unit 202 is saved in the RAM 212.

  Subsequently, the CPU 208 interrupts power supply to the display unit 202 and the touch panel 204. As a result, the display unit 202 and the touch panel 204 are turned off. In this way, the tablet 20 shifts from the normal mode to the sleep mode.

  When the tablet 20 shifts to the sleep mode, the CPU 208 repeatedly determines whether or not the communication I / F 206 has received a return signal.

  When the CPU 208 determines that the return signal has been received, the power supply to the display unit 202 and the touch panel 204 is resumed, and the display unit 202 and the touch panel 204 are turned on.

  Subsequently, the CPU 208 reads out the drawing data temporarily saved in the RAM 212 and causes the display unit 202 to display the read drawing data.

In this way, the tablet 20 returns from the sleep mode to the normal mode.
By repeating the above-described processing, the tablet 20 controls the operation mode.

  When the stylus 10 and the tablet 20 operate as described above, the stylus 10 itself and the tablet 20 are appropriately switched to the sleep mode without performing a complicated operation according to the usage state of the stylus. As a result, the operation burden on the user can be reduced and power consumption can be reduced.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the operation control mode (tablet) executed by the CPU 208.

  In step S801, the CPU 208 determines whether or not the communication I / F 206 has received a sleep signal. If the CPU 208 determines that a sleep signal has been received, the process proceeds to step S803, and if not, step S801 is repeated.

  In step S <b> 803, the CPU 208 temporarily saves drawing data in the RAM 212. In step S805, CPU 208 cuts off power supply to display unit 202 and touch panel 204, and turns off display unit 202 and touch panel 204.

  In step S807, the CPU 208 determines whether or not the communication I / F 206 has received a return signal. If the CPU 208 determines that a return signal has been received, the process proceeds to step S809; otherwise, step S807 is repeated.

  In step S809, the CPU 208 restarts power supply to the display unit 202 and the touch panel 204, and turns on the display unit 202 and the touch panel 204.

In step S811, the CPU 208 reads the drawing data temporarily saved in the RAM 212, and in step S813, the CPU 208 displays the read drawing data.
(Summary)
In the above embodiment, the processing operation when the stylus 10 and the tablet 20 shift from the normal mode to the sleep mode has been described.

  However, instead of shifting from the normal mode to the sleep mode, the power of the stylus 10 and the tablet 20 may be turned off.

  Further, when software such as an application is activated on the tablet 20, data related to the application may be saved in the RAM 212.

  Also, the information input device of FIG. 2 can be configured by hardware or a combination of hardware and software.

  When configuring an information input device using software, a block diagram of a part realized by software represents a functional block diagram of the part.

  A function realized by software is described as a program, and the function is realized by the program being executed by a program execution device (for example, a personal computer).

  Specifically, for example, by causing the CPU 104 and the CPU 208 to execute a program stored in a program storage flash memory not shown in the block diagram of FIG. 2, the above-described functions can be realized.

  As mentioned above, although one Example of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these Examples, A deformation | transformation and change are possible within the range of the summary.

102 Acceleration sensor 104 CPU
106 Communication I / F
202 Display unit 204 Touch panel 206 Communication I / F
208 CPU
210 ROM
212 RAM

Claims (4)

An input device that has a writing unit and causes a display device to display information input by the writing operation of the writing unit,
Movement detecting means for detecting movement of the writing unit;
First transmission means for transmitting information indicating the movement detected by the movement detection means to the display device;
Second transmission means for transmitting a control signal for controlling the display device to the display device;
A discriminating unit that repeatedly discriminates whether or not the information indicating the motion satisfies a condition; and when the information indicating the motion satisfies the first condition by the discriminating unit, the display device is set in the first operation mode. An input device comprising: a first control means for transmitting a first control signal to be operated by the display device to the display device and stopping the first transmission means.   A second control signal for operating the display device in a second operation mode in which power consumption is higher than that in the first operation mode when the information indicating the movement satisfies the second condition by the determination unit; The input device according to claim 1, further comprising: second control means for transmitting to the display device and returning the first transmission means from the stop. The first condition is a case where the display device is operating in the second operation mode and the movement of the writing unit detected by the movement detection unit is equal to or less than a first threshold value.
The second condition is a case where the display device is operating in the first operation mode and the movement of the writing unit detected by the movement detecting unit is equal to or greater than a second threshold. Input equipment. A writing input system including an input device including a writing unit for writing information and a display device for displaying information input by the input device,
Comprising communication means for performing communication between the input device and the display device;
The input device is
Movement detecting means for detecting movement of the writing unit;
First transmission means for transmitting information indicating the movement detected by the movement detection means to the display device;
A second transmission unit configured to transmit a control signal for controlling the display device to the display device; a determination unit configured to repeatedly determine whether or not the information indicating the movement satisfies a condition; and information indicating the movement by the determination unit Including a first control means for transmitting a first control signal for operating the display device in a first operation mode to the display device and stopping the first transmission means when it is determined that one condition is satisfied;
The writing device according to claim 1, wherein the display device switches its operation mode to the first operation mode in response to receiving the first control signal.