JPH02301814A - Coordinate input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automatically set a desired kind of pen point to a pen with a simple operation by switching the pen points of a pen section to each other according to the kind of pen point selected based on the far and near state between a tablet and the pen section. CONSTITUTION:A pen section 1 is provided with two kinds of pen points, one of which is a coordinate designating pen 9 having a coordinate position designating function, with the other being a ball-point pen 10 having a writing function. The kind of the pen point to be used is selected based on a detected far-and- near state between a tablet 20 and the pen section 1 after the state is detected and the pen point of the pen section 1 is switched to the one corresponding to a selected kind of pen. Therefore, a desired kind of pen point can be set automatically through such a simple operation that adjusts only the distance between the pen and tablet 20.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a coordinate input device, and, for example, to a coordinate input device for determining coordinate positions on a coordinate input board using a coordinate pointing pen.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, in this type of device, an induced current type or an ultrasonic type was used for the coordinate input section, and the coordinates were indicated by a coordinate indicating pen having a function corresponding to the function of the coordinate input section. .

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the above conventional example, since the coordinate indicating pen is not equipped with any writing means other than indicating coordinates, it is difficult to write notes or notes on paper etc. while inputting coordinates. ,
There was a drawback that it was necessary to switch from the coordinate indicating pen to another pen.

The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the conventional example, and its purpose is to provide a coordinate system with a pen function that can be used for purposes such as indicating coordinates and taking notes without changing the pen. The point is that it provides an input device.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the purpose, a coordinate input device according to the present invention includes a coordinate input section and a pen section having a plurality of types of pens including a coordinate indicating pen. A coordinate input device comprising: a detection means for detecting a distance state between the coordinate input section and the pen section; and a selection method for selecting a type of pen from the pen section based on the distance state detected by the detection means. and a switching means for switching the pen tip of the pen unit to a pen corresponding to the type of pen selected by the selection means.

[Operation] According to this configuration, the detection means detects the distance state between the coordinate input section and the pen section, and the selection means selects the type of pen from the pen section based on the distance state detected by the detection means. , when the coordinate input section and the pen section are close to each other, the coordinate indicating pen is selected as the pen tip of the pen section;
The switching means switches the pen tip of the pen unit to a pen corresponding to the type of pen selected by the selection means.

[Embodiments] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1st Embodiment> Fig. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the pen unit of the first embodiment, Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the coordinate input unit of the first embodiment, and Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the coordinate input unit of the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing the entire system of the embodiment.

First, this system will be explained using FIG. 3.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 20 indicates an electromagnetic induction type coordinate input unit, that is, a tablet, and reference numeral 1 indicates a pen unit (hereinafter referred to as a (referred to as a "pen"). The tablet 20 and the pen 1 are electrically connected by a cord 26 for transmitting various signals. Further, the coordinate positions (coordinate values) indicated by the pen 1 on the side of the tablets 1 to 20 can be obtained.

21 is a host computer (hereinafter referred to as "
(referred to as "computer"). The host computer and the tablet are electrically connected by a bus 24a for transmitting various signals. The computer 21 also includes a CRT display 227 and a main body 23 for instructing various operations. The main body 23 and the keyboard 25 are connected by a bus 24b for transmitting various signals. In the following description, detailed description of the operation of the computer 21, etc. will be omitted since it departs from the characteristics of the present invention.

Next, a pen 1 showing a pen portion will be explained using FIG. 1.

In FIG. 1, a pen 1 has a body 2 made of synthetic resin such as polypropylene, in which a hollow cylindrical pen exterior part 2a and a tapered pen tip exterior part 2b are removably connected by screwing. are doing. Two types of pens are provided inside the body 2, one of which is a coordinate indicating pen 9 that has the function of indicating a coordinate position to the tablet 20;
The other is a ballpoint pen that has the function of writing on recording paper or the like. These two types of pens 9 and 10 are plungers 4 (corresponding to the coordinate indicating pen 9) and 5 (corresponding to the ballpoint pen 10) arranged approximately in the center of the body 2.
Input and removal from the pen tip is controlled by switching. A shaft portion 29 serving as a shaft of the coordinate indicating pen 9 is connected to the plunger 4, and a detection portion 27 for detecting up-down information of the coordinate indicating pen 9 is attached to the tip of the shaft portion 29. Further, a coil 30 for generating an alternating magnetic field for inducing electromagnetic induction in the electromagnetic induction tablet 20 is wound around the tip of the coordinate input pen 9 .

The positions of the plungers 4 and 5 are regulated by a cylindrical smoother 11 inscribed in the inner peripheral surface of the pen exterior part 2a on the pen tip side so that the plungers 4 and 5 do not shift in the direction of the pen tip, and also in the direction opposite to the pen tip. The position of the plunger is regulated by a cylindrical plunger holder 12 inscribed in the inner circumferential surface of the pen exterior portion 2a to prevent it from slipping.

Further, a removable plate-shaped cap 13 is fitted into the rear part of the pen exterior part 2a, that is, the rear part of the body 2.

The body 2 is inserted from the rear part provided approximately in the center of the cap 13.
A cord 26 for exchanging various signals with the tablet 20 is inserted into the inside of the body 2, and a cord 26 is inserted inside the body 2.
Connected to C unit. The code 26 includes a signal line 6 for transmitting pen up-down information from the above-mentioned detection unit 27 and a signal line 15 for transmitting distance information between the pen 1 and the tablet 20 sent from the tablet 20, which will be described later.
and a power line 16 for obtaining starting power from the tablet 20. As an IC unit, 3 indicates a CPU that controls the entire operation of the pen 1. 3a is a control program for the CPU 3 to perform various controls, an error processing program, and a flowchart shown in FIG. 4B.
3b indicates the ROM that stores the program etc. of 1.
indicates a RAM used as a work area for various programs and a temporary save area during error processing.

Here, the wiring of each signal line inside the body 2 will be briefly explained.

First, numeral 7 indicates a power line that supplies a drive current to the plunger 4, and 8 indicates a power supply line that supplies a drive current to the plunger 5. Reference numeral 31 indicates a power supply line that supplies an electromotive force to the coil 30 to generate an alternating magnetic field. This power line 31 may obtain power directly from the power line 16 or may obtain power from the power lines 7 and 8.

Next, regarding tablets 1 to 20 indicating the coordinate input section,
This will be explained using figures.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 32 indicates a coordinate input board from which the coordinate position is specified by the pen 1, and electrodes are arranged on the input surface of this board so that the X-axis and Y-axis are orthogonal to each other. 33 indicates an X-thin electrode in the X-axis direction, and 34 indicates a Y-thin electrode in the Y-axis direction. 35 indicates an X-axis scanning circuit that scans the X thin electrode 33 of the coordinate input board 32, and 3G indicates the Y axis scanning circuit of the coordinate input board 32.
A Y-axis scanning circuit that scans the thin electrode 34 is shown.

Reference numeral 37 indicates a decoder that digitizes each voltage of the X thin electrode 33 and Y thin electrode 34 scanned by the X-axis scanning circuit 35 and Y-axis scanning circuit 36, and 38 indicates a decoder that converts into numerical values the voltages of the X thin electrode 33 and the Y thin electrode 34 scanned by the X-axis scanning circuit 35 and Y-axis scanning circuit 36, The figure shows a CPU that performs data processing. This CPU 38 also controls the entire tablet 20. 38a is a ROM that stores a control program for operating the CPU 38, an error processing program, a program for processing according to flowchart 1 shown in FIG. 4A, and 38b is a ROM 38.
A RAM used as a work area for various programs in a and a temporary save area during error processing is shown.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be explained.

FIG. 4A is a flowchart illustrating the operation of tablets 1-20.

First, when the pen 1 approaches the tablet 20, an alternating magnetic field generated from the coil 30 installed at the tip of the coordinate indicating pen 9 causes the X-axis electrode 33 and the Y thin electrode 34 to
A voltage is induced in each. And the X-axis scanning circuit 3
5 and the Y-axis scanning circuit 36 sequentially scan the X thin electrode 33 and the Y thin electrode 34, respectively, the X thin electrode 33 and the Y thin electrode 34 where the coil 30 on the coordinate input board 32 is located.
An induced voltage due to electromagnetic induction occurs at As a result, the voltage of each electrode of the X thin electrode 33 and the voltage of each electrode of the Y thin electrode 34 are input to the decoder 37 and converted into numerical values, and the results are calculated by the CPU 38 to calculate coordinate values. In this way, tablet 2
0 and Pen 1 are close to each other, as described above (,
It can be detected by changes in the voltages of the thin electrode 33 and the Y thin electrode 34.

Based on the above-mentioned principle of electromagnetic induction, the tablet 20 first detects whether the pen 1 is approaching by changing the voltages of the X thin electrode 33 and the Y thin electrode 34 (step SL). As a result, if the pen 1 is not approaching, distance information indicating that the pen 1 is not approaching the pen 1 via the signal line 15 is obtained, that is, the ballpoint pen 1 is attached to the tip of the pen 1.
An instruction signal to set 0 is output (step S3
).

Also, when pen 1 is approaching, signal line 1
5, perspective information indicating that the pen 1 is approaching, that is, an instruction signal to set the coordinate indicating pen 9 on the tip of the pen 1 is output (step S4). After this, pen 1
remains approaching (step S5), the coordinate values are calculated as described above (step S6), and at this time,
Based on the signal input from the pen 1 via the signal line 6, it is determined whether the coordinate indicating pen 9 is up or down (step S7). As a result, if the pen down of the coordinate indicating pen 9 is detected, the coordinate values are output to the computer 21 (step S8), and if the pen up of the coordinate indicating pen 9 is detected, the process returns to step S5, where the pen 1 Perspective conditions are detected.

In step S5, while the approach state of the pen 1 is maintained, the processes from step 85 to step S8 are repeated, but when the pen 1 is separated from the tablet 20, the voltages of the If a change cannot be detected (then the pen 1 is instructed to switch the pen tip from the coordinate indicating pen 9 to the ballpoint pen 10 (step S3).
).

In this way, the tablet 20 can constantly detect the distance state of the pen 1 and quickly instruct the type of pen to be set in the pen 1 according to the distance state.

FIG. 4B is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the pen 1.

First, when the power is turned on to pen 1, the 20
An instruction signal for determining the distance information between the tablet 20 and the pen 1 sent via the signal line 15 from A determination is made as to whether the signal is an instruction signal for instructing the setting of the signal (step 510). If the result is an instruction signal instructing the setting of the coordinate indicating pen 9, it is determined whether the coordinate indicating pen 9 is currently set at the pen tip. As a result, only when the coordinate indicating pen 9 side is not set in the pen tip, the pen tip of the pen 1 is switched from the ballpoint pen 10 to the ballpoint pen 9 by the plungers 4 and 5 (step 5).
12). When the coordinate indicating pen 9 is set at the pen tip in this manner, the detection unit 27 detects the up and down movement of the coordinate indicating pen 9 on the coordinate input board 32 (step 513). If the detected information is pen down,
Pen-down information is transmitted to the tablet 32 via the signal line 6 (step 514). If the pen is up, pen-up information is transmitted to the tablet 32 via the signal line 6 (step 515). Note that while the coordinate indicating pen 9 is in the pen-down state, the processes of step S13 and step S14 described above are repeated, and while the pen-up state is in the pen-down state, the process returns to step SIO described above in order to obtain perspective information between the pen 1 and the tablet 20 again. returns.

In addition, if the determination result of step 10 described above is the ballpoint pen 1
In the case of an instruction signal instructing a setting of 0, it is determined whether the ballpoint pen 10 is currently set at the pen tip (step 816). As a result, only when the ballpoint pen 10 side is not set in the pen tip, the pen tip of the pen 1 is switched from the coordinate indicating pen 9 to the ballpoint pen 10 by the plungers 4 and 5 (
step 517). Then, the process returns to step SIO again, and from then on, pen adjustment is performed according to the perspective information between the pen 1 and the tablet 20.

In this way, when the user takes notes or notes on paper while inputting coordinates, there is no need to switch to another pen;
The pen tip can be automatically switched to the ballpoint pen 10 simply by increasing the distance between the tablet 20 and the tablet 20.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, a desired type of pen can be automatically prepared at the pen tip by simply adjusting the distance between the pen and the tablet.

Further, in the first embodiment, a ballpoint pen was used as an example of a writing means other than for inputting coordinates, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a pencil or a felt-tip pen may be used. The writing means other than for inputting coordinates is not limited to one type of pen, but may have a plurality of writing means as long as it does not depart from the spirit of the present invention.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, although the up-down information of the coordinate indicating pen 9 is incorporated into the program of the pen 1, the present invention is not limited to this, and the up-down information is simply transmitted to the tablet 20. It may also be configured to output an interrupt signal.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the pen 1 and the tablet 2
0 and 0 respectively, and the pen tip is switched by exchanging various signals, but the present invention is not limited to this, and any invention may be used as long as it does not depart from the spirit of the present invention. , all controls may be performed on the tablet 20 side.

In this case, the control is to use the plunger 4.5 on the pen 1 side.
This includes switching control and acquisition of up/down information of the coordinate indicating pen 9, etc.

<Second example> Next, a second example will be described.

In the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, an ultrasonic tablet is used, and there is no cord between the pen and the tablet. Note that a description of the system of the second embodiment is omitted because it is similar to the first embodiment described above.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing the structure of the pen section of the second embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing the structure of the coordinate input section of the second embodiment.

First, the pen 41 indicating the pen section will be explained using FIG. 5.

In FIG. 5, a pen 41 of the second embodiment has a body 42 configured by a detachable connection between a pen exterior part 42a and a pen tip exterior part 42b, similar to the pen 1 described above.
Inside the pen, there are two types of pens, ie, a coordinate indicating pen 49 and a ballpoint pen 50, which are respectively driven by plungers 44 and 45 that take them in and out of their pen tips. The plungers 44 , 45 are each controlled by plunger drivers 54 , 55 built into an IC unit inscribed in the rear of the body 42 . Signal lines 47 and 48 are provided as transmission paths for signals output from the plunger drivers 54 and 55 to the corresponding coordinate indicating pens 49 and 50, respectively. Reference numeral 43 indicates a CPU that controls the entire operation of Ben 41. 43a is the CPU
421] indicates a ROM in which a control program for operating the ROM 4, an error processing program, a program of the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, etc. are stored.
3a shows a RAM used as a work area for various programs and a temporary save area during error processing.

Inside the body 42, in order to prevent the plungers 44 and 45 from slipping, a pen exterior portion 42a is provided as in the first embodiment.
A spacer 51 and a plunger retainer 52 are provided inside the inner circumferential surface of the plunger. In addition, since a communication line with the tablet, that is, a cord is not attached, the rear end of the pen exterior part 42a is plugged with a removable cap 53, and the rear end is used as a power source for the pen 41. A replaceable battery 61 is attached.

In the second embodiment, the pen 41 includes light receiving elements 58 and 59 for receiving infrared light from tablets 1 to 70, which will be described later, on the inner circumferential surface of the pen tip exterior portion 42b. 49 is a pen tip for inputting coordinates, 50 is a ballpoint pen,
56a and 56b indicate signal lines for informing whether the light receiving elements 58 and 59 have received light, and 46 indicates the signal line 56a.
, 56b to the CPU 43.

A vibrator 60 that applies ultrasonic vibration to a tablet 70, which will be described later, is attached almost to the tip of the coordinate indicating pen 49. This vibrator 60 is supplied with power from the power line 57 and generates vibrations.

Next, the tablet 70 showing the coordinate input section will be explained using FIG. 6.

The tablet 70 of the second embodiment is an integrated input/output type tablet having the functions of inputting coordinates using the pen 42 described above and displaying information processed based on the input coordinates. As shown in FIG. 6, the top surface of the tablet 70 includes a liquid crystal display panel 71, a diffusion glass 72 that diffuses light, and a light reflection plate 73.
It is composed of three layers. Backlights 75 a, 75 do not illuminate the liquid crystal display on the liquid crystal display board 71 from behind.
b, 75 c and infrared light 76 a, 76
b and 76c are provided on the reflecting plate 73, so that the reflecting plate 73 functions to diffuse light above the liquid crystal display panel 73. Reference numeral 74 indicates an exterior portion of the tablet 70. The infrared lights 76a, 76b,
The infrared rays from 76C are transmitted to the light receiving element 5 of the pen 41 mentioned above.
Detected by 8.59. Furthermore, detailed description of each unit such as the CPU of the tablet 70 will be omitted.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be explained.

Incidentally, since the ultrasonic tablet is a known technology, a description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the pen 42.

When power is supplied to the pen 41, the tablet 1 first
Detection of infrared light output from 70 is performed (step 520). If the pen 41 has approached the predetermined position, infrared light is detected in step S20, and thereafter a process for setting the coordinate indicating pen 49 at the pen tip is started. Therefore, first, the type of pen at the pen tip is determined, and if the coordinate indicating pen 49 is not set, that is, if the ballpoint pen 50 is set, the pen tip is switched to the coordinate indicating pen 49 (step 522 ). Then, the vibration of the vibrator 6o is started (step 823). As a result, the tablet 70 becomes ready to receive writing using ultrasonic vibrations using the coordinate indicating pen 49. In the tablet 70, the vibrator 6o
When the tip of the coordinate indicating pen 49 that is vibrating is brought into contact with the liquid crystal display board 71, a plurality of vibration detection elements (not shown) attached to the liquid crystal display board 71 function to detect the vibration. do. In this way, coordinates are input to the tablet 70 side.

Further, coordinate input using the tablet 70 is performed while infrared light from the pen 41 side is being detected, and when the infrared light is out of the infrared detection range, the vibration of the vibrator 60 is stopped (step 525). When the pen 1 is positioned outside the range of infrared light in this way, the coordinate indicating pen 49 is switched to the ballpoint pen 50 in order to set the other pen, that is, the ballpoint pen 50, at the pen tip. (Step 527), the process moves to step S20.

Further, if it is determined in step S20 that the infrared light field is outside the detection range, a process for setting the ballpoint pen 5o at the pen tip is started. Then, the type of pen at the pen tip is determined, and if the ballpoint pen 50 is not set, that is, if the coordinate indicating pen 49 is set, the pen tip is switched to the ballpoint pen 50 (step 527).
). The process then returns to step S20.

In this way, in the second embodiment, not only the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained, but also the pen 41 itself has a power source and the distance state between the tablet 70 and the pen 41 can be determined by infrared detection. A simple configuration can be achieved in which the signal line and power line connecting the tablet 70 and the pen 41 are omitted.

In addition, in the second embodiment described above, a ballpoint pen was used as an example of a writing means other than for inputting coordinates, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a pencil or a Zine pen may be used. The writing means other than for use is not limited to one type of pen, but may have a plurality of writing means as long as it does not depart from the spirit of the present invention.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, a desired type of pen can be automatically prepared at the pen tip by simply adjusting the distance between the pen part and the coordinate input part. can.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the pen unit of the first embodiment, Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the coordinate input unit of the first embodiment, and Fig. 3 shows the entire system of the first embodiment. FIG. 4A is a flowchart explaining the operation of the tablet 20, FIG. 4B is a flowchart explaining the operation of the pen 1, FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing the configuration of the pen part of the second embodiment, FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing the configuration of the coordinate input section of the second embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the pen 42. In the figure, 1, 41... pen, 2, 42... body, 2
a, 42a... Pen exterior part, 2b, 42b... Pen tip exterior part, 3, 38.43... CPU, 3a, 38a
, 43a-ROM, 3b, 38b. 43b...RAM, 4,5,44.45...Plunge busy 6,7,8,15,46゜56 a, 56 b...Signal line, 9,49...Coordinate indicating pen, 10 .50...Ballpoint pen, 11.51
... Spacer, 12.52 ... Plunger holder, 1
3゜53...Cap, 16, 31, 47, 48゜5
7...Power line, 17.1g, 54.55...Plunger driver, 20.70...Tablet, 21...
・Computer, 22...CRT display, 23
... Main body, 24a, 24b... Lotus, 25... Keyboard, 26... Cord, 27... Detection unit, 29
...Axis part, 30...Coil, 32...Coordinate input board, 33...X thin electrode, 34...Y thin electrode, 35...
・X-axis scanning circuit, 36...Y-axis scanning circuit, 37...
Decoder, 58.59... Light receiving element, 60... Vibrator, 61... Power supply, 71... Liquid crystal display board, 72...
・Diffusion glass, 73...Reflector, 74...Exterior part,
75a to 75c... Batch
Rai 1~. 76a to 76c... Infrared lights.

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A coordinate input device comprising a coordinate input section and a pen section having a plurality of types of pens including a coordinate indicating pen, a detection means for detecting a near and far state between the coordinate input section and the pen section; a selection means for selecting a type of pen from the pen unit based on the perspective state detected by the detection unit; and a switching unit for switching the pen tip of the pen unit to a pen corresponding to the type of pen selected by the selection unit. A coordinate input device, characterized in that the detection means selects the coordinate indicating pen as a pen tip of the pen section at least when the coordinate input section and the pen section are in a close state. (2) The coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein the coordinate input device is of an electromagnetic induction type. (3) The coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein the coordinate input device is of an ultrasonic type.