JP6683952B2 - Pointing device and manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an indicating device and a manufacturing method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a touch panel capable of detecting a plurality of simultaneous touch inputs, there is known an electrostatic capacitance method for reading changes in charges of sensors arranged in a matrix (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP, 2011-138469, A

  In the conventional touch panel technology, touching the touch panel with a human finger is assumed, and reading of a conductive pattern using a floating conductive material or the like is not assumed. Therefore, the inventor studied using an indicating device having a conductive pattern such as a floating conductive material, a person placing the indicating device on a touch panel, and reading the indicating device by the touch panel.

  However, the touch panel may react with a hand having a capacitance larger than the capacitance based on the floating conductive material, a floating conductive material in the vicinity, or the like to read a pattern different from the conductive pattern (erroneous recognition). Turned out to be.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an indicating device that can reduce erroneous recognition of a conductive pattern.

  The pointing device according to the present invention is an pointing device having a surface that can be read by a capacitive touch panel, and includes one or a plurality of electrodes provided on one surface and two surfaces different from the one surface. And a planar antenna connected to the electrode, and the second surface is provided at a position that does not contact the touch panel when the first surface is in contact with the touch panel. .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an indicating device that reduces erroneous recognition of conductive patterns.

It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of the touch sensor system in embodiment. It is a figure which shows typically the partial planar structural example of the touch panel in embodiment. (A) is an equivalent circuit diagram of a capacitance type touch sensor system, and (B) is an equivalent circuit diagram for explaining a capacitance detection system by finger touch. (A) is an equivalent circuit diagram showing a case where the drive signal applied to the drive line is a low voltage, and (B) is an equivalent circuit diagram showing a case where the drive signal applied to the drive line is a high voltage. It is a top view showing an example of detection of a predetermined conductive pattern. It is a top view showing an example of detection of a predetermined conductive pattern to which a virtual grounding part is connected. FIG. 8 is a plan view of the pointing device of Example A. 3 is a perspective view of the pointing device of Example A. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the pointing device of Example B. It is a figure which shows an example of an electrode and a virtual grounding part. FIG. 13 is a plan view of the pointing device of example C. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the pointing device of example C. It is a figure which shows an example of the layout of a conductive pattern. It is a figure which shows an example of the code information by the electrode arrange | positioned on the circumference. (A) is an example of manufacturing the pointing device 20B from a rectangular base material, and (B) is an example of manufacturing the pointing device 20C from a circular base material. (A) is an example of manufacturing the pointing device 20C from a circular base material, and (B) is an example of manufacturing the pointing device 20C from a rectangular base material. It is a figure which shows an example of the whole structure of the touch sensor system in embodiment. It is a figure showing an example of functional composition of a control part. It is a figure showing an example of functional composition of a processing terminal in an embodiment. It is a figure for explaining an example in which a character is appropriately displayed according to the position and angle of the pointing device. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of recognizing a unique ID of an instruction device. It is a figure for demonstrating recognition of a pointing device, and cooperation with a touch panel. It is a figure which shows the example of a shape of the pointing device used for embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of a control unit in the embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a display control process in the embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments described below are merely examples, and are not intended to exclude various modifications and application of techniques not explicitly shown below. That is, the present invention can be implemented by variously modifying (combining the embodiments) without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Further, in the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. The drawings are schematic and do not necessarily match actual dimensions and ratios. The drawings may include portions having different dimensional relationships and ratios.

[Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a touch sensor system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Outline of touch sensor system>
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the touch sensor system 1 in the embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the touch sensor system 1 includes a touch panel 10, and an instruction device 20 is placed facing the screen of the touch panel 10. The touch sensor system 1 may include the instruction device 20 or may not be included as a separate component.

  The pointing device 20 has a conductive pattern (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “pattern”) 22 having a predetermined shape, which can be arranged so as to face the screen of the touch panel 10. For example, when the pointing device 20 is brought into contact with or brought close to the screen of the touch panel 10 of the touch sensor system 1 that enables a position input operation of a pointing body such as a finger, the touch sensor system 1 is set to a predetermined state described later. The shape-shaped conductive pattern 22 can be read.

  The conductive pattern 22 is formed based on the positions of one or more electrodes. For example, as the electrode, a transparent electrode such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) as a conductive material is used, or a solid electrode such as aluminum is used.

  From the viewpoint of security, it is preferable that the conductive pattern 22 is made of a transparent electrode as a conductive material so as not to be easily visible from the outside. Further, when a material other than the transparent electrode is used as the conductive material of the conductive pattern 22, the surface of the conductive pattern 22 may be coated with an opaque member (resin or the like) so that it cannot be seen from the outside. Good.

  In addition, the conductive pattern 22 has a shape in plan view from the surface of the touch panel 10, and various patterns are formed by scattering each electrode. The shape of the conductive pattern 22 represents code information such as unique ID information for identifying the user or the pointing device 20 and installation information indicating a position or an angle. By representing the unique ID information and the like by using the difference in the shape of the conductive pattern 22, it is possible to identify whether or not the conductive pattern 22 is based on the change in the signal read from the sensor of the touch panel 10.

  Further, it is desirable that the pointing device 20 be placed on the sensor screen of the touch panel 10 with the surface side on which the conductive pattern 22 is formed. This makes it easier to read the shape of the conductive pattern 22 from the sensor screen of the touch panel 10. The conductive pattern 22 may be arranged on one surface of the pointing device 20 as a member having a flat or three-dimensional shape.

  Next, the configuration of a partial plane of the touch panel 10 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a partial planar configuration example of the touch panel 10. In the example shown in FIG. 2, in the capacitive touch panel 10, an AC signal called a drive signal is applied to the plurality of drive lines L11 to 14 arranged substantially parallel to the Y direction. In addition, the plurality of sense lines L21 to 24 arranged substantially parallel to the X direction intersect three-dimensionally with each drive line at a substantially right angle, and a change in the current signal waveform at each intersection (each sensor) P is detected. That is, a change in the electrostatic capacitance C is detected at each location of each intersection P.

  At this time, the current signal waveform at the corresponding intersection increases or decreases depending on whether the pointer (including a finger or the like) is placed on the sensor surface of the touch panel 10 or when the pointer is placed. To do. The touch sensor system 1 reads the increase / decrease of this waveform and uses this change amount as the change amount of the electrostatic capacitance C. The drive lines L11 to 14 and the sense lines L21 to 24 may be inverted, and the line for applying the drive signal and the line for sensing may be interchanged.

(Capacity detection by finger touch)
FIG. 3A is an equivalent circuit diagram corresponding to each intersection of the capacitive touch sensor system 1. FIG. 3B is an equivalent circuit diagram for explaining the capacitance detection method by finger touch.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3A, the capacitive touch sensor system 1 applies a drive voltage to a drive line, detects a current I in a sense line, and changes the detected current I (change in capacitance C). ) Read the touch position depending on whether or not In this case, when the user's finger touches the sensor surface of the touch panel 10, it can be regarded as being grounded via the capacitors C1 and C2 in parallel with both ends of the capacitor C, as shown in FIG. 3B. .

  As compared with a state in which nothing is placed on the sensor surface of the touch panel 10 of the touch sensor system 1, an indicator 5 such as a user's finger is placed on the sensor surface as shown in FIG. 3B. In the state, the touch sensor system 1 is grounded via the capacitors C1 and C2 in parallel at both ends of the capacitor C. Therefore, compared to the state where the indicator 5 is not placed, the current I2 flowing through the ammeter A is smaller than the current I by the amount of the current I1. The capacitance C also decreases due to the decrease in the current. Therefore, the touch sensor system 1 can determine that the finger is touched at the position of the intersection where the electrostatic capacitance C has decreased.

(Capacity detection by touching the pointing device 20)
FIG. 4 shows an equivalent circuit diagram in which the pointing device 20 is placed at one intersection (sensor) on the sensor screen of the touch panel 10 of the capacitive touch sensor system 1. FIG. 4A is an equivalent circuit diagram showing a case where the drive signal applied to the drive line is a low voltage. FIG. 4B is an equivalent circuit diagram showing a case where the drive signal applied to the drive line is a high voltage.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, when the pointing device 20 having the conductive pattern 22 is placed on the touch panel 10 of the capacitive touch sensor system 1, the touch sensor system 1 The circuit is equivalent to the state in which the stray capacitance C3 is inserted in parallel with the drive line and the sense line for driving. In this state, when the AC drive signal to the drive line is inverted from the low voltage to the high voltage and from the high voltage to the low voltage, a current flows in the parallel circuit of the capacitor C and the stray capacitance C3, and the charged capacitor is charged. The charges of C and the stray capacitance C3 flow from the pointing device 20 side to the touch sensor system 1 side, and the charges for charging the capacitance C and the stray capacitance C3 flow from the touch sensor system 1 side to the pointing device side. Therefore, the current flowing through the ammeter A via the sense line increases. As a result, it is determined that the capacitance has increased.

  That is, when touching the touch panel 10 with a finger, a current flows to the finger side and the sensed current I decreases. The capacitance C also decreases due to the decrease in the current. Utilizing this phenomenon, the touch sensor system 1 determines that the finger is touched at the position where the electrostatic capacitance C has decreased.

  On the other hand, in the case of the pointing device 20, a current flows from the pointing device 20 side, and the sensed current I increases. As a result, the touch sensor system 1 determines that the capacitance has increased.

  Thus, when the touch panel 10 is touched with a finger, the capacitance C at the intersection (sensor) changes in the decreasing direction, and when the pointing device 20 having the conductive pattern 22 touches the touch panel 10, the intersection is detected. The capacitance C at changes in the increasing direction.

(Virtual grounding part for suppressing interference called ghost)
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an example of detection of the predetermined conductive pattern 22. The predetermined conductive pattern 22 is, for example, a circular pattern having a diameter of 20 mm.

  The example shown in FIG. 5 shows a capacitance signal map obtained by the sensor in a state where a predetermined conductive pattern 22 alone is in contact with the touch panel 10 of the touch sensor system 1. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the interval (sensor pitch) between the grids (intersections) of the touch panel 10 is 5 mm in length and width. A detection area 45 called a known ghost is detected in the peripheral area of the detection area 44 for detecting the circular conductive pattern 22 in the center. As a means for preventing this ghost, in the embodiment, it is adopted that a virtual ground portion (or a virtual grounding circuit portion) is connected to the conductive pattern 22.

  FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a detection example of the predetermined conductive pattern 22 to which the virtual ground portion is connected. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the virtual ground portion is connected to the conductive pattern 22 and mounted, and a capacitance signal map obtained by the sensor in the state where the conductive pattern 22 is in contact with the touch panel 10 of the touch sensor system 1 is shown. Shows.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6, by connecting the virtual ground portion to the conductive pattern 22, the signal for detecting the conductive pattern 22 is stabilized, the generation of ghost is suppressed, and the size equal to the size of the conductive pattern 22 is suppressed. With the shape, the circular detection area 46 can be properly read.

  By using the virtual grounding unit, even if the pointing device is not grounded, the pointing device is virtually grounded and has a function equivalent to that of the grounding circuit, so that it is not necessary to correct the ghost on the touch sensor system 1 side. , Ghost can be improved on the pointing device 20 side.

  Further, it has been found from the experiments by the inventors that the use of the virtual grounding portion can achieve the same effect as that in the case where the conductive pattern 22 is identified in the grounded state in which the touch sensor system 1 is grounded.

  Further, by using the virtual grounding unit, the existing touch sensor system 1 can be applied, and the finger or touch pen and the pointing device 20 are used together to identify the touch position and identify the conductive pattern 22. You can

<Example of pointing device>
Next, an example of the pointing device 20 used in the embodiment will be described. Each pointing device 20 described below employs a virtual grounding section as a countermeasure against ghosts, and the shape of the virtual grounding section and the area provided are different. In addition, as described below, each pointing device 20 is provided with a countermeasure against erroneous recognition of the conductive pattern 22 based on a hand or an adjacent floating conductive material having a capacitance larger than the capacitance based on the floating conductive material. . The erroneous recognition of the conductive pattern 22 by the touch sensor system 1 is also referred to as an erroneous reaction on the touch sensor system 1 side. Below, the upper surface of the pointing device 20 when the pointing device 20 is placed on the touch panel 10 is referred to as the front surface, and the lower surface is referred to as the back surface.

(Example A)
An example of the pointing device 20A will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the pointing device 20A. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the pointing device 20A. In the pointing device 20A shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a virtual grounding portion F10 forming a planar antenna is provided in a predetermined area of a predetermined surface (second surface, front surface) of a card-shaped member (base material). For example, a plane conductor (solid conductor) having a predetermined size or more is used as the virtual ground portion F10. By emitting a radio wave from this planar antenna, it is possible to prevent the current from flowing into a neighboring sensor where the pointing device 20 does not exist on the upper side, and to reduce the occurrence of ghost.

  In the pointing device 20A, one or more electrodes E10 connected to the virtual ground portion F10 on the front surface are provided on another surface (one surface, the opposite surface (back surface)) different from the predetermined surface. The positional relationship among the one or more electrodes E10 constitutes the difference in the pattern shape of the conductive pattern 22. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the conductor extends in a foot shape from the virtual ground portion F10 on the front surface of the pointing device 20A toward the back surface, and the tip portion formed on the back surface functions as the electrode E10.

  It is assumed that the pointing device 20A is held by the user's hand and is placed with the back surface facing the touch panel 10. At this time, since the capacity of the user's hand is large, even if the touch panel is touched through the pointing device 20A, if the thickness of the pointing device 20A is not sufficient, if the virtual grounding portion F10 is not provided, the touch panel 10 will be touched by the user. An erroneous reaction occurred due to the capacity of the hand. However, with the structure in which the virtual grounding portion F10 is located between the user's hand and the touch panel 10, this plays a role of a shield, and it is possible to prevent erroneous reaction of the touch panel 10 due to the capacitance of the user's hand. become able to.

  When the pointing device 20A is placed on the plurality of touch panels 10, the proximity of the pointing device 20A to other pointing devices 20A may affect the electrodes of the pointing devices 20A, resulting in erroneous recognition or reaction. It is known from experiments by the inventors that this is the case. Therefore, the following configuration of the pointing device 20B solves this problem.

(Example B)
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the pointing device 20B. The pointing device 20B shown in FIG. 9 has an outer frame portion B10 (which may also be referred to as a forehead or a bezel), and this outer frame portion B10 is non-conductive, for example, the card described in FIGS. 7 and 8. Is provided on the peripheral portion of at least one surface (the surface on which the electrodes are provided) of the pointing device 20A (C10) and has a width W equal to or larger than the sensor pitch of the touch panel 10. For example, when the sensor pitch is 5 mm, the width W has a width (8 mm) equal to or larger than a diagonal line of the sensor pitch. The outer frame portion may be integrated with the indicating device 20B or may be a separate body. When integrated, a through hole is formed at the position of the electrode so as to penetrate the pointing device 20B, and is electrically connected to the virtual ground portion F10 there. However, when it is a separate body, the outer peripheral part of the pointing device 20B is formed. And is electrically connected to the virtual ground portion F10.

  Accordingly, even if the other pointing device 20B approaches the certain pointing device 20B, it is possible to prevent the sensor that senses the electrode of the certain pointing device 20B from sensing the electrode of the other pointing device 20B. . Further, when a person places the pointing device 20, it is possible to prevent the pointing device 20 from being placed while holding the vicinity of the electrodes. Therefore, according to the configuration of the pointing device 20B, it is possible to prevent an erroneous recognition or an erroneous reaction from occurring due to the influence of the electrode of the pointing device 20 in the proximity due to the proximity of the other pointing device 20. It is also possible to prevent a person from holding the vicinity of the electrode.

  Here, a method of forming the electrodes described in FIGS. 7 to 9 and the plane virtual grounding portion on the card-shaped member will be described. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the electrode E12 and the virtual ground portion F12. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the electrode E12 and the virtual ground portion F12 are ITO films formed as conductive regions. The indicating device 20A (C10) is formed by winding this ITO film so that the electrode E12 is on the back surface of the card-shaped member.

  In addition, in the above-described examples A and B, the virtual ground portion is provided on the surface (front surface) opposite to the surface on which the electrodes are provided so as not to contact the touch panel 10. In order to realize this, a complicated process such as winding a film around the card-shaped member occurs. Further, since electrodes and virtual grounding portions are provided on each surface, the number of steps is further increased if a protective film is formed to protect each surface. Therefore, a pointing device 20C manufactured by a simple manufacturing process and having the same effect as the pointing device of the above-described examples A and B will be described.

(Example C)
An example of the pointing device 20C will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. 11 is a plan view of the pointing device 20C. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the pointing device 20C. In the pointing device 20C shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a step ST is provided on a predetermined surface (area) of a circular member, and an area (one surface, a first area or a contact) that contacts the touch panel 10 is provided on the surface. A region P22 and a non-contact region (second surface, second region or non-contact region) P20 are provided. That is, when the pointing device 20C is placed on the touch panel 10, the contact area contacts the touch panel 10, but the non-contact area does not contact the touch panel 10. In the pointing device 20C, one or a plurality of electrodes E20 are provided in the contact region P22, and a virtual ground portion F20 connected to the electrode E20 is provided in the non-contact region P20. Note that the step structure of the pointing device 20C may be such that the central portion is raised as shown in FIG. 12 or the outer peripheral portion is raised, and further, a step is provided according to the position of the electrode E20. It may be configured as follows.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, by forming the electrode E20 and the virtual ground portion F20 on one surface of the pointing device 20C, the electrode E20 and the virtual ground portion F20 are formed on a predetermined surface from one direction. You can This simplifies the manufacturing process and prevents the number of steps from increasing.

  For example, if the electrode and the virtual ground portion are formed of a metal sheet, the pointing device 20C can be formed by pressing the metal sheet on a predetermined surface having a contact area and a non-contact area. If the electrode and the virtual ground portion are formed of the ITO film, the pointing device 20C can be formed by attaching the ITO film to the predetermined surface having the contact area and the non-contact area. If the electrode and the virtual ground portion are made of a conductive film, the pointing device 20C can be formed by forming this film on a predetermined surface having a contact region and a non-contact region. The term “sheet” includes a metal sheet, an ITO film, and a conductive film. Since the pointing device 20C has a thickness larger than that of the card-shaped member as in Examples A and B, it is desirable to provide the pointing device on the back surface of a chess piece, a figure, or the like as the usage of the pointing device. .

<Pattern shape>
In this embodiment, there may be an electrode layout in which pattern recognition is not stable. As a reason for this, it has been found from an experiment by the inventor that when a plurality of electrodes are arranged on the same drive line / sense line, the sensitivity decreases toward the end. This is not a problem if the capacitance is large like a human body, but if the stray capacitance of the pointing device 20 is small, it is adversely affected by this layout. Therefore, the layout is adjusted so that a large number of electrodes are not aligned on the same line or on orthogonal lines.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the layout of the conductive pattern 22. FIG. 13A is a diagram showing the layout 1. The pointing device 20D illustrated in FIG. 13A has a square shape, and the electrodes are arranged such that the number of the electrodes arranged in the same line and the orthogonal line is less than or equal to a certain number. As a result, even if the pointing device 20D is placed on the touch panel 10 so that the electrodes are lined up on the drive line / sense line, the necessary sensitivity is ensured and the code recognition (pattern reading) is stable. Has been done.

  FIG. 13B is a diagram showing the layout 2 of the conductive pattern 22. The pointing device 20E has a circular shape, and the electrodes are arranged on the circumference to disperse the electrodes in each line. Therefore, only a maximum of two electrodes are arranged in the same line and the orthogonal line. It has been confirmed that this stabilizes code recognition. Further, when the electrodes are arranged on the circumference, even if the pointing device 20 is rotated, only two lines are aligned in the same line and the orthogonal line at the maximum. Therefore, even when the pointing device 20 is rotated, Appropriate recognition can be performed. Note that in the layouts shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, each electrode can be said to be arranged on the circumference.

  As described above, by devising the layout of the conductive pattern 22, it is possible to stabilize the recognition of the pattern shape.

<Example of code information>
Next, the code information represented by the conductive pattern 22 will be described. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of code information by electrodes arranged on the circumference.

  The electrodes E31 to 33 are for recognizing the position (x, y) and the direction (angle: θ) of the pointing device 20. The position and orientation of the pointing device 20 with respect to the touch panel 10 can be determined based on the position and orientation of the triangle formed by the electrodes E31 to 33. By fixing this triangular shape, the touch sensor system 1 can recognize the electrodes E31 to 33.

  Further, the electrodes E41 to 46 are for indicating the ID. The pattern of the electrodes E41 to E46 can be used to represent the ID of the pointing device 20, the user's ID, and the like. The electrode E51 is a bit for parity check.

<Manufacturing process of the indicating device 20>
Next, a change in manufacturing process due to a difference in shape of the pointing device 20 will be described. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a manufacturing process of the pointing device 20B described with reference to FIG. 9 and the like. 15A is an example of manufacturing the pointing device 20B from a rectangular base material, and FIG. 15B is an example of manufacturing the pointing device 20B from a circular base material.

The manufacturing process of the pointing device 20B will be briefly described below.
(1) A base material (for example, transparent PET material) is prepared.
(2) A film having an electrode and a virtual ground portion is attached so as to wrap the base material, or a (transparent) conductive film having an electrode and a virtual ground portion is formed so as to wrap the base material.
(3) Fit the outer frame on the base material of (2).
(4) A protective film, a hard cord, or a protective member is formed on the base material of (3).

  Through the above manufacturing process, the pointing device 20B described with reference to FIG. 9 can be manufactured, and erroneous recognition of the touch sensor system 1 due to contact of the pointing device by the user's hand or proximity of the pointing devices can be prevented. . The pointing device 20A can be manufactured by omitting the step (3).

  FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a manufacturing process of the pointing device 20C described with reference to FIGS. 16A is an example of manufacturing the pointing device 20C from a circular base material, and FIG. 16B is an example of manufacturing the pointing device 20C from a rectangular base material. In the example shown in FIG. 16, a metal sheet is pressed from the direction of the arrow, a film is attached, or a conductive film is formed on a base material having a step on a predetermined surface. Electrodes and virtual ground portions are formed on the metal sheet, film and conductive film.

  Accordingly, in the manufacturing process shown in FIG. 16, both the electrode and the virtual grounding portion can be formed from one direction, and therefore, as in the manufacturing process shown in FIG. 15, the electrode or the virtual grounding portion is wrapped so as to wrap the indicating device 20. There is no need to form or protect both sides. Therefore, the pointing device can be manufactured by a simple manufacturing process.

<Overall configuration example of touch sensor system>
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the touch sensor system 1 in the embodiment. In the example illustrated in FIG. 17, the touch sensor system 1 includes a display device 2 including a touch panel 10, a control board 4 including a control unit 6, and a processing terminal 8. The touch panel 10 is connected to the control board 4 by a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) or the like. The control unit 6 is connected to the processing terminal 8 using the connection cable connected via the control board 4. The processing terminal 8 is connected to the display device 2.

  The display device 2 has a display screen for image display, and the touch panel 10 is provided on the display screen. The display device 2 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, an organic EL display, a field emission display, or any other device that can be displayed on the display screen.

  The touch panel 10 is provided parallel to each other along the touch panel surface, has a plurality of drive lines to which drive signals are respectively applied, and is parallel to the touch panel surface so as to intersect the plurality of drive lines. And a plurality of sense lines provided. The "intersection" indicates a grade intersection, and includes vertical intersections and intersections at other angles.

  The touch panel 10 outputs an output signal according to a change in electrostatic capacitance caused by a pointing body (finger or touch pen) that is in contact with or close to the touch panel 10 or the pointing device 20. The plurality of output signals from the plurality of sense lines are signals that are output through the intersections of the drive lines and the sense lines on the touch panel surface and the vicinity thereof by driving the drive lines.

  If the finger or the pointing device 20 is in contact with or close to the touch panel surface, the signal from the sense line changes. That is, the signal obtained by this sense line indicates the position coordinates (x, y) of the two-dimensional instruction detection area indicating the presence or absence of contact or proximity to the instruction detection area (touch panel area), and the finger or the pointing device 20. Is a signal indicating three-dimensional coordinate information indicating the electrostatic capacitance information (w). The smaller the W value of the electrostatic capacitance information (w), the smaller the signal level indicating the electrostatic capacitance value.

  The control unit 6 is, for example, a processor, drives each drive line, and processes a signal from each sense line to detect a contact position (detection region of the conductive pattern) of the pointing device 20 or the like on the touch panel surface. To do.

  The processing terminal 8 is, for example, a personal computer, controls the control unit 6 via a connection cable, and also detects position coordinates (x, y) and capacitance information (w) of the pointing device 20 detected by the control unit 6. ), The display of the image displayed on the display screen of the display device 2 can be controlled.

  The processing terminal 8 connected to the touch sensor system 1 may be provided on the server side like a cloud service, and the touch sensor system 1 itself may have the function of the processing terminal 8 to control the display. It is possible.

<< Structure of control unit 6 >>
FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the control unit 6 shown in FIG. In the example illustrated in FIG. 18, the control unit 6 includes a drive unit 102, an amplification unit 104, a signal acquisition unit 106, a conversion unit 108, a processing unit 110, a setting unit 112, and a generation unit 114. The drive unit 102 sequentially applies the drive lines to drive the drive lines.

  The amplifying unit 104 amplifies the plurality of output signals output from the plurality of sense lines and outputs the amplified output signals.

  The signal acquisition unit 106 acquires each output signal amplified by the amplification unit 104 and outputs an analog signal by time division.

  The conversion unit 108 converts the analog signal output by the signal acquisition unit 106 into a digital signal, and outputs the converted digital signal.

  The processing unit 110 obtains the distribution of the amount of change in capacitance on the surface (detection surface) of the touch panel 10 based on the digital signal converted by the conversion unit 108, and outputs this distribution.

  The setting unit 112 uses the threshold value Th of the capacitance used when detecting position information (x, y) indicating the contact position of a finger or the like on the surface of the touch panel 10 or position information (x, y) of the detection region of the conductive pattern. Etc. are set in advance.

  The generation unit 114 obtains position information indicating a contact position of a finger or the like or position information of the conductive pattern 22 of the pointing device 20 on the basis of each threshold with respect to the distribution of the change in the capacitance obtained by the processing unit 110. To generate.

  The generation unit 114 obtains a touch position or a touch region (shape of the conductive pattern 22) in the distribution of the change amount of the capacitance on the surface of the touch panel 10, and the change amount of the capacitance at the touch position or the touch region is If it is larger than the threshold value Th, this touch position or touch position region can be set as the touch position or touch region of the indicator that is in contact with or close to the surface of the touch panel 10.

  On the touch panel surface, if the detection area in which the change in capacitance is detected is larger than a predetermined area or if the detection area is different from the predetermined shape, if it is recognized that the pointing device 20 is not the finger or the touch pen, the conductivity The shape of the sex pattern can be used for code matching. In this way, the finger or touch pen and the pointing device 20 can be distinguished not only by the size of the detection region but also by a predetermined shape (difference in shape).

  It is also possible to vertically and horizontally switch a plurality of drive lines and a plurality of sense lines, and the upper electrode may be the drive line and the lower electrode may be the sense line, or the upper electrode may be the sense line and the lower electrode may be the drive line. Good.

<< Configuration of processing terminal 8 >>
Next, the functional configuration of the processing terminal 8 will be described. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the processing terminal 8 in the embodiment. The processing terminal 8 shown in FIG. 19 includes a pattern acquisition unit 202, a code recognition unit 204, a display control unit 206, and an operation control unit 208. Each unit of the processing terminal 8 may be implemented by a processor or a RAM as a work memory.

  The pattern acquisition unit 202 acquires the conductive pattern 22 output by the control unit 6 of the control board 4, and outputs the acquired conductive pattern 22.

  The code recognition unit 204 recognizes code information based on the conductive pattern 22 output by the pattern acquisition unit 202. The code recognition unit 204 holds in advance a correspondence table of various patterns and code information corresponding to the patterns. The code recognition unit 204 compares the acquired conductive pattern with the pattern in the correspondence table, and recognizes the code information corresponding to the matched pattern as a result of the comparison.

  The code recognition unit 204 also recognizes the position and orientation (angle) of the pointing device 20 by the conductive pattern 22. The code recognition unit 204 outputs the recognized information to the display control unit 206. The code information may include the unique ID, the position, and the angle of the pointing device 20.

  The display control unit 206 performs display control on the display screen of the display device 2 based on the code information recognized by the code recognition unit 204. For example, the display control unit 206 holds the code information and the display information in association with each other, and controls the display information corresponding to the acquired code information to be displayed at a position related to the contact position of the pointing device 20.

  More specifically, the display control unit 206 controls the character corresponding to the code information to be displayed in the pointing device 20 based on the position and orientation of the pointing device 20. At this time, a transparent electrode such as ITO is used for the conductive pattern 22, and a transparent device may be used for the pointing device 20.

  Further, the display control unit 206 controls to display an operation menu, operation buttons, and the like on the display screen based on the position of the instruction device 20. Further, since the touch from the pointing device 20 can be detected, the display control unit 206 may perform control so as to display operation buttons or the like in the area of the pointing device.

  The operation control unit 208 performs operation control on the touch panel 10 based on a touch of a user's finger or the like. For example, when the operation menu or operation button associated with the instruction device 20 is operated, the operation control unit 208 performs control corresponding to the operation. For example, in a game or the like, the operation control unit 208 controls the progress of the game based on the operation button.

  Further, the display control unit 206 controls the display object displayed on the display screen based on the operation control by the operation control unit 208. For example, the display control unit 206 displays the game execution screen on the display screen, and controls the game execution screen based on the depression of the operation button displayed via the touch panel 10.

<Specific example of game>
Next, a game using the touch sensor system 1 described above will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, it is assumed that a soccer field is displayed on the display screen and a character is displayed in the area of the pointing device 20. The pointing device 20 is a transparent member or a transparent member, and the conductive pattern is also formed of a transparent electrode such as ITO. Here, the terms “transparent” and “transparent” also include the degree of transparency (semi-transparent state) in which the previous one can be visually recognized through the member.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining an example in which a character is appropriately displayed depending on the position and angle of the pointing device 20. In the example illustrated in FIG. 20, based on the position and the angle of the pointing device 20 and the unique ID recognized by the code recognizing unit 204, the display control unit 206 causes the touch panel 10 to have a position near the area where the pointing device 20 is arranged. The character corresponding to the unique ID can be displayed in a direction fixed relative to the pointing device 20. For example, even if the orientation of the pointing device 20 is changed, the displayed character is displayed in the pointing device 20 following the change in the orientation.

  Further, the display control unit 206, even when a plurality of pointing devices 20 are placed on the touch panel 10, displays a predetermined character corresponding to the ID or the like of the pointing device in each pointing device 20. You can

  FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining an example of recognizing the unique ID of the pointing device 20. First, the code recognition unit 204 acquires code information based on the recognized shape of the conductive pattern 22. The code information is, for example, the unique ID of the pointing device 20. Accordingly, the code recognition unit 204 can acquire the unique ID for each instruction device 20.

  In the example shown in FIG. 21, the unique ID (101 to 103) corresponding to each instruction device 20 is displayed in the area of the touch panel 10 in which the instruction device 20 is arranged. Actually, the display control unit 206 can perform control so that the character corresponding to this unique ID is displayed on the display screen at the placement position of the pointing device 20 (see, for example, FIG. 20).

  FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining the recognition of the pointing device 20 and the interlocking with the touch panel 20. The touch sensor system 1 in the embodiment is capable of touch input with a finger or the like as well as code input by the pointing device 20. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 22, the display control unit 206 may display the operation menu M10 or the operation button B10 in the area related to the position of the pointing device 20 based on the position and the angle of the pointing device 20. In the example shown in FIG. 22, the operation of the displayed operation menu M10 or operation button B10 is detected using the touch panel 10, and the display control unit 206 performs display control according to the detected contents.

  As a result, in the embodiment, compared to the non-transparent pointing device 20, a display object such as a character can be displayed in the area of the pointing device 20, and the display content is not disturbed by the pointing device 20, so that the display screen is not displayed. It can be used entirely.

  In particular, it is advantageous that the display control unit 206 can display at least a display object under the conductive pattern 22 of the pointing device 20 placed on the touch panel 10. Accordingly, the user can visually recognize the display object displayed on the display screen through the transparent conductive pattern 22.

  It is also possible to change the display of the character corresponding to the unique ID of the pointing device 20 according to the progress of the game. For example, by associating the game status information with the unique ID, the display control unit 206 can change the display of the character according to the status information.

  Further, even if the pointing device 20 is not transparent and the user cannot visually recognize the display object displayed under the pointing device 20, the position of the pointing device 20 is detected, and therefore the display control unit 206 causes the pointing device 20 to detect. It is also possible to display the display object displayed below in association with the position of the pointing device 20. In addition, the display control unit 206 can also perform display control so that the moving object bypasses the area of the pointing device 20 when the displayed moving object is predicted to follow the path under the pointing device 20.

  As another example, the touch sensor system 1 according to the embodiment can be applied to a puzzle display or the like. For example, the display control unit 206 displays the puzzle pieces in the area below the pointing device 20 placed on the touch panel 10, aligns the positions and orientations of the pointing devices 20, and places them side by side on the touch panel 10. It is possible to have one pattern.

  At this time, even with the same pointing device 20, the user can enjoy a puzzle with a different completed design by changing the design associated with the unique ID.

<Example of shape of pointing device>
Next, an example of the shape of the pointing device 20 will be described. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of the shape of the pointing device 20 used in the embodiment. FIG. 23A is a diagram showing an example of a card-shaped instruction device 20. In the example shown in FIG. 23A, the pattern of the transparent electrode E is provided on the positive surface (outer surface) of the pointing device 20 in the Z direction. Further, the pattern of the transparent electrode E may be provided on the negative surface (inner surface) in the Z direction of the pointing device 20.

  FIG. 23B is a diagram showing an example of the rectangular parallelepiped pointing device 20. In the example shown in FIG. 23B, the pattern of the transparent electrode E is provided on the positive surface (outer surface) of the pointing device 20 in the Z direction. When the outer surface is placed so as to face the touch panel 10, a half mirror or a half prism is used inside the rectangular parallelepiped, and the display object displayed below the pointing device 20 is inside or above the pointing device 10. A display object (for example, a character) may stand out (image).

  Further, by providing a half mirror or a half prism in the inside of this rectangular parallelepiped, it is possible to display a display object that looks stereoscopic from each direction of 360 degrees. At that time, the display control unit 106 causes the display objects corresponding to the respective display objects to be displayed in the regions below the respective surfaces inside the rectangular parallelepiped pointing device 20. For example, the front surface, right side surface, back surface, left side surface, and the like of the character are controlled to be displayed at the positions corresponding to the half mirror and the half prism of each surface.

  The pointing device 20 may be a cylinder, a cone, a polygonal prism, a polygonal pyramid, a stuffed animal, a doll, or the like.

<Operation>
Next, the operation of the touch sensor system 1 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the control unit 6 in the embodiment. In step S102 shown in FIG. 24, the control unit 6 detects a change in capacitance at each intersection (each sensor) of the touch panel 10.

  In step S104, the control unit 6 performs the reading process of the conductive pattern 22 of the pointing device 20 based on the change in the capacitance in the predetermined detection area.

  In step S106, the control unit 6 performs a process of determining a touch with a finger or the like based on the change in capacitance in a predetermined detection area. The conductive pattern 22 and the finger touch can be distinguished by the difference in the size or shape of the detection area.

  FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing an example of the display control process in the embodiment. In step S202 shown in FIG. 25, the pattern acquisition unit 202 of the processing terminal 8 acquires the conductive pattern 22.

  In step S204, the code recognition unit 204 identifies the position and angle of the pointing device 20, the unique ID, etc., based on the position and shape of the conductive pattern.

  In step S206, the display control unit 206 determines an image (display object) corresponding to the specified unique ID.

  In step S208, the display control unit 206 controls the determined image to be displayed in a related area such as below the pointing device 20 based on the specified position and angle.

  Thereby, the display on the display screen can be controlled based on the conductive pattern 22 read by the pointing device 20. Further, as described above, the display control unit 206 can also display an operation menu or the like and control the display based on the operation content.

  The processing steps included in the processing flows described with reference to FIGS. 24 to 25 can be arbitrarily changed in order or executed in parallel as long as the processing contents do not conflict with each other. Other steps may be added in between. Further, a step described as one step for convenience can be divided into a plurality of steps and executed, while a step described as a plurality of steps for convenience can be grasped as one step.

  Although the embodiments of the technology disclosed in the present application have been described above, the technology disclosed in the present application is not limited to the above examples.

  For example, although the mutual capacitance type touch panel has been described in the above embodiment, the pointing device described above can also be applied to a self capacitance type touch panel.

  In the present invention, “part”, “means”, “apparatus”, and “system” do not simply mean physical means, but “part”, “means”, “apparatus”, and “system”. It also includes the case where the function of “” is realized by software. Further, even if the function of one “unit” or “means”, “device”, or “system” is realized by two or more physical means or devices, two or more “units” or “means”, The functions of “apparatus” and “system” may be realized by one physical means or apparatus.

1 Touch Sensor System 2 Display Device 4 Control Board 6 Control Unit 8 Processing Terminal 10 Touch Panel 20 Instruction Device 22 Conductive Pattern 114 Generation Unit 202 Pattern Acquisition Unit 204 Code Recognition Unit 206 Display Control Unit 208 Operation Control Unit

Claims (6)

A pointing device having a readable surface of a capacitive touch panel,
One or more electrodes provided on one surface,
A planar antenna provided on two surfaces different from the one surface and connected to the electrodes,
Have
The second surface is provided at a position that does not contact the touch panel in a state where the one surface is in contact with the touch panel ,
A sheet having the electrodes and the planar antenna is brought into contact with the pointing device from one direction and bent to provide the electrodes on the one surface, and the planar antenna on the two surfaces. Is provided,
A pointing device, wherein a protective layer is formed on the electrodes and the planar antenna . The second surface is provided on the opposite side of the first surface,
The pointing device according to claim 1, wherein the electrode and the planar antenna are connected to each other by a peripheral portion of the one surface and the second surface or a through hole that penetrates the one surface and the second surface.   The pointing device according to claim 2, further comprising an outer frame portion provided at least at a peripheral portion of the one surface and having a width equal to or larger than a diagonal line of a sensor interval of the touch panel. A step is provided on the one surface and the second surface, and the electrode is provided on a predetermined step in contact with the touch panel,
The pointing device according to claim 1, wherein the planar antenna is provided in another stage that is not in contact with the touch panel.   The pointing device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of electrodes are arranged on a circumference having a predetermined radius. What is claimed is: 1. A method of manufacturing an indicating device having one or more readable surfaces of a capacitive touch panel,
A sheet having an electrode and a planar antenna is applied to one surface having a step and bent ,
The step is used to form the sheet on the one surface so that the electrode is provided on the surface that contacts the touch panel and the planar antenna is provided on the surface that does not contact the touch panel ,
Forming a protective layer on the electrodes and the planar antenna ;
Production method.