JPH04205341A - Stylus pen - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To expand a function and to improve operability by switching a force to press a pen point part advancing one terminal of a pen shape cabinet at every switching of a switching means individually according to the movement of an elastic member advancing the pen shape cabinet of the pen point part. CONSTITUTION:The switching of three states of an off-operation, the on- operation of a second switch, and the on-operation of first and second switches are performed based on detection results at first and second optical sensors 8, 9. Firstly, the pen point part 2 is pressed advancing the cabinet 1 against the resiliency of a first spring 4, and when the tip part of a second pen shaft 11 passes the aperture 10a of a sensor protective case 10, and arrives at a position where the light of the first optical sensor 8 is shielded, the output of the first optical sensor 8 is activated. Furthermore, when the force is applied to the pen point part 2, the tip part of the second pen shaft 11 arrives at a position where the light of the second optical sensor 9 is shielded, and the output of the second optical sensor 9 is activated. Thereby. it is possible to switch the function only by changing pressure applied to the pen point part 2, and simultaneously, to improve multi-function capability and the operability.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a stylus pen used in conjunction with a coordinate input device.

(Prior Art) Mouse, tablet, etc. have been known as devices for manually specifying coordinates. These coordinate input devices are connected to OA equipment such as computers and word processors, and are devices for specifying icons. It is also used as an input device for handwritten characters and graphics.

FIG. 4 (aSb) is a perspective view showing the appearance of a commonly known mouse. As shown in the figure, the mouse has two
Three or three push buttons 21-23 are provided, and each push button 21-23 is assigned an individual function such as selection execution, cancellation, etc.

Also, Figure 5 shows a transparent tablet 31 and a liquid crystal display 3.
This figure shows an input/display integrated coordinate input device formed by overlapping 2 and 2. That is, in this coordinate input device, the transparent tablet 31 is placed on the display screen of the liquid crystal display 32.
It is possible to give instructions using the stylus pen 33 directly across the screen.

However, in general, a stylus pen is not provided with multiple switches like a mouse, and only has a single on/off switching function, such as by pressing the pen tip.

Recently, a stylus pen with multiple finger switches 41 and 42 provided on the outer surface of the pen body, as shown in Fig. 6, has been developed, which combines the rich functions of a mouse with the ease of use of a stylus pen. Its use is increasing as a result.

However, with this type of stylus pen, switch 4
1.42 It is necessary to move the index finger holding the pen each time you press it, and since the stylus itself is quite thin, the individual switches 41 and 42 are also very small, resulting in poor operability. There is.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) The present invention is intended to solve such problems, and allows functions to be switched by changing the amount of force applied to the pen tip, thereby expanding functions. The aim is to provide a stylus pen that can simultaneously improve operability.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the stylus pen of the present invention includes a pen-shaped housing, and a pen-shaped housing that includes a pen-shaped housing from one end of the pen-shaped housing. A pen nib that protrudes and is held movable within a predetermined distance along the pen shaft direction, and a plurality of functions that are switched on/off depending on the amount of movement of the pen nib into the housing. and a force that urges the pen tip toward one end of the pen-shaped housing each time each switch means is individually switched as the pen tip moves toward the pen-shaped housing. It is equipped with an elastic member that can be switched in stages.

(Function) In the stylus pen of the present invention, the elastic member moves the pen tip into the pen-shaped housing each time each switch means is switched individually as the pen tip moves toward the pen-shaped housing. Since the force applied to one end is changed in stages, functions can be switched by increasing or decreasing the force applied to the pen tip, thereby expanding functionality and improving operability at the same time. be able to.

(Example) Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view for explaining the structure of a stylus pen according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 1 indicates a pen-shaped housing.

One end of this housing 1 holds a pen tip 2 that comes into contact with the surface of a coordinate detection panel (not shown) such as a tablet. This pen nib part 2 is linearly moved through a pen shaft support 6 which is biased toward the pen nib by the force of two springs 4.5 (described later) within a pen shaft guide rail 3, and a first pen shaft 7. is connected to. Note that this first pen shaft 7 has a protrusion 7 for removably fixing the pen tip 2.
A is provided.

Further, the movement of the pen shaft support 6 in the direction of the pen tip is restricted by a first stopper portion 3a provided at one end of the pen shaft guide rail 3. Furthermore, this pen shaft support 6 is
In order to ensure straightness of movement along the pen axis direction within the pen axis guide rail 3, it has an outer periphery along the inner periphery of the pen axis guide rail 3. Furthermore, the thickness of this pen shaft support 6 is such that it can sufficiently withstand the force of the two springs 4.5.

On the other hand, at the end of the pen shaft guide rail 3 opposite to the pen tip direction, a sensor protection case 1O housing first and second optical sensors 8.9 such as photocoupler serving as a switch means is installed to lock an insulin lock mechanism. It is attached through. This sensor protection case 10 is provided with a distal end portion of a second pen shaft 11 that is linearly connected to the pen tip portion 2 and the first pen shaft 7 with the pen shaft support 6 in between. An opening 10a is opened to guide the optical sensor to the detection position of the second optical sensor 8.9.

Also, between this sensor protection case 10 and the pen shaft support 6, a first spring 11 is provided with the second pen shaft 11 as a pillar.
or inserted. Further, a spring support member 12 is provided between the sensor protection case 10 and the pen shaft support 6.
The pen shaft guide rail 3 is supported by a second stopper portion 31) protruding from the inner periphery thereof, while its movement in the direction of the pen tip is regulated.

A second spring 5 is inserted between the spring support member 12 of the lever 12 and the sensor protection case 10 so as to surround the outer periphery of the first spring 4.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 2, the second spring 5 has an elastic modulus of 3 f
The one that is about 4 times larger and has a large diameter is used.

In addition, 1'3 is a board mounted with a control circuit etc. that processes the detection signal of each optical sensor 8.9, 14 is a board holder for fixing this board 13 to the housing 1, and 15 is each board inside the housing 1. Holder spring for pressing parts toward the pen tip E7, 16
is the cable for connecting this stylus pen to the host combination coater.

Next, the operation of the stylus bezel C' constructed as described above will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3.

In this stylus pen, the first and second optical sensors 8
．． Based on the detection result at step 9, switching between three states is performed: operation off, first switch on, and first and second C) switches on.

First, when turning on the first switch, the tip part '2 is directed into the housing 1 within a range where the repulsive force of the first spring 4 is 1-7/-M and the repulsive force does not suddenly change. 1 press 1~
I'll add it.

As the second pen nib 2 moves, the pen shaft support 6 moves toward the sensor along the pen shaft guide rail 3 while resisting the feeding force of the first spring 4, and the tip of the second pen shaft 1 moves. When the sensor protective case 100 reaches the open position, the output of the first optical sensor 8 turns on, as shown in FIG. When the tip of the second pen shaft 11 moves out of the position that blocks the light from the first optical sensor 8, the output of the first optical sensor 8 is turned off, and an operation such as selection execution is executed, for example.

In addition, the tip of the second pen shaft]1 is the first optical sensor 8.
If you continue to apply force to the pen tip 2 after reaching the position where the light is blocked, the pen shaft support 6 will come into contact with the spring support member 2, and the force from the second spring 5 will be renewed. As a result, the operator feels a stronger repulsive force than before. After obtaining this feeling, the operator further increases the force applied to the pen tip 2, and moves the second pen shaft 1 further toward the sensor against the biasing force of the second spring 5. Go. Note that this movement reaches its limit when the tip of the second pen shaft [-1] comes into contact with the pen shaft stopper inside the sensor protection case 10. This results in
The tip of the second pen shaft 1 passes through the position of the first optical sensor 8 in the sensor protection case 10 (7) and reaches a position where it blocks the light from the second optical sensor 9, as shown in FIG. As shown in b), the output of the second optical sensor 8 is turned on.After this, the force applied to the pen tip is loosened, and the output of the second optical sensor 8 is turned off, and then the output of the first optical sensor 8 is turned off. For example, a function such as cancellation is executed at the timing when the output of the optical sensor 8 is turned off.

Thus, according to the stylus pen of this embodiment, functions can be switched by changing the pressure applied to the pen tip 2, thereby making it possible to achieve multifunctionality and improved operability at the same time.

In the embodiments described above, a spring is used as the elastic member, but the present invention is not limited to this; any other elastic member may be used, such as a plate spring or a rubber elastic body.

Further, in this embodiment, two elastic members having different elastic coefficients may be used, or, for example, two springs having different elastic coefficients may be combined into one at an intermediate position.

Further, the switch means is not limited to an optical sensor, and may be any type of switch, such as a terminal contact type switch.

Furthermore, the number of functions provided on the stylus pen is not necessarily limited to two, and by dividing the elastic modulus of the elastic member into more stages, three or more functions may be provided.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the stylus pen of the present invention,
Functions can be switched by adjusting the force applied to the pen tip, thereby expanding functionality and improving operability at the same time.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view for explaining the configuration of a stylus pen according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 (a, b) is a graph showing the elastic modulus of the two springs in FIG. 1, and FIG.
The figure is a waveform diagram to explain the switching operation of the stylus pen in Figure 1, Figure 4 is a perspective view to explain the conventional mouse, and Figure 5 is a coordinate input device using the conventional stylus pen. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a conventional stylus pen with a finger switch. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Housing, 2... Pen tip, 5... First spring, 6... Second spring, 8... First optical sensor, 9... Second light sensor. →χSilk 1-1-Touch cord No. 2 Mouth (a) No. 31 Procedural amendment (test of strength) Patent application No. 335649 (307) Co., Ltd. Tohoku Toshiba Computer Engineering Co., Ltd. 4, Agent Address: 101 Tokyo March 1, 1991, 2-1 Tamachi, Kami H1, Chiyoda-ku
2nd (all delivery dates) 6. Subject of amendment (1) Power of attorney (2) Figure 2 of the drawings, 7, contents of amendment as shown in attached sheet. ” ni (a) →Trust No. 2

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A pen-shaped housing; a pen tip held within the pen-shaped housing so as to protrude from one end of the pen-shaped housing and to be movable within a predetermined distance along the pen axis direction; Depending on the amount of movement of this pen tip toward the inside of the housing,
a plurality of switch means for switching on/off execution of functions; and each time each of the switch means is individually switched as the pen tip moves toward the pen-shaped housing, the pen tip is turned on and off. A stylus pen characterized by comprising an elastic member that changes in stages the force applied toward one end of a pen-shaped housing.