JPH0695787A - Pen input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a pen input device by which a user can save the power consumption of a battery without being conscious of the control of power source, regarding the pen input device where power source is turned on by taking out the input pen from the storage part of a device main body. CONSTITUTION:This device is a pen input device which is composed of an input pen 2 and a device main body 3 having a storage part 11 where the input pen 2 is stored and an input screen 4 and in which data is inputted by detecting an instruction point on the input screen 4 by the tip of the input part 2. In the storage part 11, a detection means 13 detecting whether the input pen 2 is stored in the storage part 11 or not, is provided. Based on the detection with the detection means 13, the turning ON/OFF of power source 10 is controlled.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pen input device for inputting data by touching a pen, and in particular, taking out a pen from a storage section of the apparatus main body and operating a pen switching operation section to give a pen instruction. The present invention relates to a pen input device that enables input by making it effective.

Recently, a pen input device for inputting data from a tablet or a touch panel with an input pen is becoming widespread, but a portable device has a limited power supply capacity.
Moreover, in an environment where it cannot be recharged outdoors, etc., it interferes with work.Therefore, there is a need for a method of saving power consumption by turning off the power when data input is interrupted. If another person mischievously touches the screen with the tip of the input pen, such as when you leave your seat, the data of the touched point or line will be input, so a simple method to prevent this Is desired.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of a conventional pen input device. In the figure, the pen input device 1 includes an input pen 2a.
And the device body 3a, the device body 3a is a tablet 4
a, a position detection unit 5, a data processing unit 6, a display unit 7a, a data memory 8, a control unit 9, and a power supply unit 10a. Further, a groove-shaped pen storage portion 11a for storing the input pen 2a is provided below the input surface of the tablet 4a.

The input pen 2a has a magnet 20 fitted at its tip, and the tablet 4a senses the magnetism of the magnet 20 by contacting and moving (writing characters or figures) the tip of the input surface of the tablet 4a. .

Data such as characters and figures are input to the tablet 4a by touching and moving the tip of the input pen 2a on the input surface. Further, as shown by a dashed line in the figure, a mode switching area A (normally an input mode) for switching a data input mode and an erase mode described later is set at a predetermined position on the input surface.

The position detecting section 5 detects the magnetism of the tip of the input pen 2a sensed by the tablet 4a as a contact position and a movement locus when the input pen 2a is brought into contact with and moved on the tablet 4a to obtain coordinate information. It is sent to the data processing unit 6.

The data processing unit 6 includes a mode program unit 6
0, an input mode switching processing unit 61, a mode storage unit 62, a character recognition unit 63, and a character buffer 64 are provided. The mode program unit 60 includes a program for performing two processes of a data input mode (writing and pointing: hereinafter referred to as mode 1) and an erase mode (erasing: hereinafter referred to as mode 2).

The input mode switching processing section 61 recognizes the detection of the position detecting section 5 when the mode switching area A is touched by the input pen 2a and switches the mode 1 to the mode 2, and switches it to the mode 1 when touched again. That is, mode 1 and mode 2 of the mode program section 60 are switched.

The mode storage unit 62 stores mode 1 and mode 2
When is switched to, the mode is updated and stored. The character recognition unit 63 character-recognizes the character style input by the pen in mode 1, and stores the character recognition data in the character storage buffer 64.

The display section 7a is composed of, for example, a CRT and has a one-to-one correspondence with the coordinates of the tablet 4a, and the input data from the tablet 4a is displayed. In the case of character data, the data stored in the character storage buffer 64 is displayed.

The data memory 8 is displayed on the display unit by a command from the control unit 9 based on the operation of a storage instruction button of an operation unit (not shown).
Store the input data displayed in 7a. Data memory 8
The data stored in is supported by the battery 10c even when the power is off.

The control unit 9 includes a CPU and a control program, which are not shown, and the CPU controls each of the above units in accordance with the control program, and the mode 1 designated on the tablet 4a is selected.
Also, the input data from the tablet 4a is displayed or the displayed figure is erased by any one of the programs of the mode 2 and the mode.

The power supply unit 10a has an external power supply 10b and a battery 10c depending on whether the external power supply 10b can be used or not.
Is designed to be used properly. In particular, a portable device often uses the battery 10c. Therefore, when the external power supply 10b cannot be used outdoors, etc., the battery 10c
Needs to be charged.

With this structure and function, the input pen 2a is taken out from the pen storage section 11a, and the power switch is turned on.
When the input pen 2a is brought into contact with and moved to a certain point on the tablet 4a after turning ON 12, the magnetism is sensed, the position detection unit 5 detects the contact position and the movement trajectory, and the coordinate information is notified to the data processing unit 6. To be done. The data processing unit 6 confirms the mode storage unit 6 by the input mode switching processing unit 61, and according to the current input mode, for example, in the case of mode 1, lighting processing is performed and contact display is performed on the display unit 7a. If the input pen 2a is continuously moved, it becomes a handwriting, and character input or line drawing is established.

At this time, every time the input pen 2a is touched on the tablet 4a, the storage mode of the mode storage section 6 is confirmed and processed. The display data of the display portion 7a is sequentially stored in the data memory 8 by operating the storage instruction button.

When erasing the displayed input data, when the mode switching area A is touched with the tip of the input pen 2a, the input mode switching processing section 61 switches to the mode 2 program of the mode program section 60 and the mode is changed. Two
Is stored in the mode storage unit 62 and the display unit 7a
Erase the contacts from the screen. If the input pen 2a is continuously moved, the handwriting is erased and the drawing line is erased.

In this way, the data input and the data deletion are performed, and when the data input and the data deletion by the input pen 2a are completed or interrupted, the power switch 12 is turned off.
To

In addition, with an input pen having no magnet at the tip,
There is also a pen input device for inputting by applying contact pressure to the tablet surface.

[0019]

According to the above conventional method, the battery is used when the external power supply cannot be used, but the power capacity is limited and the battery cannot be used for a long time. In addition, the battery is exhausted even when the pen is not input while the power is on, so a rechargeable environment may not always be obtained. Therefore, when data is not input, turn off the power as much as possible. Is managing.

However, in practice, it is troublesome to turn off the power supply each time the data is temporarily interrupted in the middle of data input, and it is easy to forget so that power is wasted. For this reason, the capacity of the battery may be deteriorated quickly and the pen input may not operate normally, which may hinder the work.

Further, if the operator leaves his seat during data input and another person comes and touches the surface of the tablet with the tip of the input pen by a mischief, the designated point is input as data. Erroneous data and legitimate input data are mixed, and it takes time and effort to separate and remove the erroneous data from the legitimate data. There is a problem.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a pen input device capable of saving battery power consumption and preventing erroneous data input without the operator having to be aware of power management. There is.

[0023]

1 to 3 are principle diagrams of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a principle diagram corresponding to claim 1, FIG. 2 is a principle diagram corresponding to claim 2, and FIG. It is a principle diagram corresponding to claim 3. 1) Means corresponding to claim 1 In FIG. 1, 2 is an input pen, 3 is a device body, 10 is a power source, 4 is a device body 3, and an input screen for detecting a pointing point by the input pen 2, 11 Is provided in the device body 3,
A storage unit for storing the input pen 2 and a detection unit 13 provided in the storage unit 11 detect whether or not the input pen 2 is stored in the storage unit 11.

Therefore, based on the detection by the detecting means 13, turning on and off of the power source 10 is controlled. 2) Means corresponding to claim 2 In FIG. 2, 2 is an input pen, 3 is a device main body, 4 is an input screen, 21 is provided on the input pen 2, and an instruction on the input screen 4 by the input pen 2 is valid and effective. It is a switching operation means for switching to invalid.

Therefore, the input operation is performed by the switching operation means 21 so that the input can be effectively switched and input by the input pen 2. 3) Means corresponding to claim 3 In FIG. 3, 2 is an input pen, 3 is a device body, 4 is an input screen, 7 is a display screen, 10 is a power source, 16 is provided in the device body 3, and A time counting unit that is reset each time an instruction is given on the input screen 4 and counts a predetermined time after the instruction is completed. Reference numeral 19 stores the data displayed on the display screen 7 and is battery-supported when the power supply 10 is cut off. It is a storage means.

Therefore, when the time counting means 16 counts a predetermined time, the data displayed on the display screen 7 is stored in the storage means 19.
It is configured to disconnect the power supply 10 after it is stored in.

[0027]

[Action]

1) Action corresponding to claim 1 When the input pen 2 is stored in the storage unit 11, the detection means 13 detects that the input pen 2 is stored, the power source 10 is disconnected, and When the input pen 2 is taken out, the detection means 13 detects that the input pen 2 is taken out, and the power supply 10 is controlled based on the detection so that the input pen 2 is stored when the input pen 2 is stored. When the input pen 2 is taken out and the input pen 2 is used, it is necessary to store the input pen 2 in the storage unit 11 when the input is completed or interrupted. Is cut off and the power supply 10 is turned on and off by operating the power switch as in the conventional example. Therefore, regardless of whether the input pen 2 is stored or taken out, power may be wastefully consumed with the power supply 10 kept on. Power consumption. That. In particular, when a battery is used as the power source 10, the life of the battery is extended, and it is possible to prevent the work from being hindered due to the decrease in the power of the battery. 2) Action corresponding to claim 2 Since the instruction on the input screen 4 can be switched between valid and invalid by operating the switching operation means 21, when inputting with the input pen 2, the switching operation means 21 is operated. The instructions on the input screen 4 are switched so as to be valid and input.

Therefore, when the operator leaves the seat or the like, the input pen is switched to the invalid state so that erroneous data may be input even if another person mischievously touches the input screen 4 with the input pen. It can be prevented. 3) Action corresponding to claim 3 When the instruction on the input screen 4 of the input pen 2 is completed or interrupted, the time counting means 16 starts time counting, and when a predetermined time is counted, it is displayed on the display screen 7. After storing the input data in the storage means 19, the power supply 10 is cut off.

Therefore, when the input with the input pen 2 is completed or interrupted, the display data of the display screen 7 is stored in the storage means 19 after a predetermined time even if the power source 10 is left turned on.
Since the power supply 10 is cut off after it is stored in the memory and is guaranteed, it is possible to prevent the waste of consuming power by leaving the power supply 10 turned on for a long time without losing the data during input. it can. In particular, when a battery is used as the power source 10, the life of the battery is extended, and it is possible to prevent the work from being hindered due to the decrease in the power of the battery.

[0030]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to the pen input device described in the conventional example will be described below with reference to FIGS. The same reference numerals denote the same objects throughout the drawings.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the embodiment, and FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of the embodiment. 4, the tablet 4b, the display unit 7a, the power supply unit 10a,
Pen storage unit 11b, micro switch (hereinafter referred to as MSw) 13a, timer 16a, data buffer 19a and knock
21a is the input screen 4, the display screen 7, and the power supply 1 of FIGS.
0, storage unit 11, detection unit 13, time counting unit 16, storage unit 1
9 and the switching operation unit 21 respectively.

In the block diagram of FIG. 4, a pen input device
1a consists of an input pen 2b and a device body 3b.
In addition to the functions of the device main body 3a described in the conventional example, MSw1
3a, power-on unit 14, power-off unit 15, timer 16a, timer control unit 17, resume control unit 18, and data buffer
19a, and a control unit 9a is provided instead of the control unit 9 of the conventional example.

As shown in the side cross-sectional view of FIG. 5, the MSw 13a releases the operation of the actuator a when the input pen 2b is stored in the pen storage portion 11b of the tablet 4b, and the input pen 2b is released.
The actuator a is configured to operate by taking out.

The power-on unit 14 supplies the power of the power supply unit 10a to each unit of the apparatus based on the operation signal of the MSw 13a. The power supply disconnecting unit 15 disconnects the power supply from the power supply unit 10a based on the operation release signal of the MSw 13a or the power supply disconnection command from the control unit 9a when the timer 16a described later counts the set time T.

When the external power source 10b can be used, the device is supplied with the power from the external power source 10b, and the battery is in between.
10c is charged. Therefore, when the external power source 10b cannot be used, electric power is supplied by the battery 10c.

The timer 16a has a predetermined time T (for example, 10 seconds).
Minute) is set, and is reset by the control of the timer control unit 17 every time the input (including deletion) by the input pen 2b is started, and the input instruction of the input pen 2b is ended (including interruption). Every time, namely, input pen 2b to tablet 4b
The counting of time is started every time it is separated from. When the predetermined time T is counted, the timer control unit 17 outputs the time-out signal a
To the control unit 9a.

The resume control unit 18 saves the display data input so far in the data buffer 19a according to the instruction of the control unit 9a which has received the time-out signal, and when the power is turned on, the instruction of the control unit 9a is issued. Thus, the data saved and stored in the data buffer 19a is restored and displayed. The data stored in the data buffer 19a is supported by the battery 10c even when the power is off.

The control unit 9a controls the above-mentioned units in addition to the function of the control unit 9 described in the conventional example, and controls the turning on / off of the power source and the saving / restoring of the display data at the time of interruption of input.
Further, as shown in FIG. 5 (a), the input pen 2b is normally housed inside by retracting the magnet 20a at the tip thereof, and is taken out from the pen storage portion 11b, and the knock 21a at the rear end is arranged along the axis. When pushed, as shown in FIG. 4, a part of the magnet 20a projects at the tip.

When the knock 21a pushed is released, the knock 21a returns to its original position, and when the knock 21a is pushed again, the magnet 20a is retracted to its original position. This technique is known in the same construction as the technique for putting in and out the pencil lead of a knock pen of a writing instrument or the tip of a ballpoint pen, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Therefore, when the magnet 20a is retracted inward, the magnetism at the tip portion becomes so weak that data input becomes invalid, and when it protrudes to the outside, it becomes effective magnetism for input. In addition, the length of the input pen 2b is increased by the protrusion of the magnet 20a,
The total length thereof is longer than the length of the pen storage portion 11b. Therefore, the input pen 2b cannot be accommodated in the pen storage portion 11b unless the magnet 20a is retracted inside.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the pen storage unit 11
In b, a step is provided on the bottom surface, and the input pen 2b is stored substantially horizontally. The input pen 2b stores the magnet 20a inside and stores it in the pen storage portion 11b.

When taking out the stored input pen 2b,
As shown in FIG. 5 (b), when the front end of the input pen 2b is pushed downward, the rear end of the input pen 2b floats out of the pen storage portion 11b, so that it can be easily taken out.

Having such a structure and function, the operation will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, when the operator takes out the input pen 2b from the pen storage unit 11b, the MSw 13a operates and power is supplied from the power supply unit 10a to each unit, and the power is turned on. The control unit 9a instructs the resume control unit 18 to confirm whether or not the data buffer 19 has saved data that is being input, and if there is any, it is displayed on the display unit 7a.

Next, the knock 21a of the input pen 2b is pushed to cause the internal magnet 20a to project to the tip. This allows the input pen
Input by 2b is valid. Therefore, similar to the method described in the conventional example, the tablet
When the magnetic field is sensed by inputting with the input pen 2b on the 4b, the position detecting section 5 detects the contact position and the movement locus, the coordinate information is notified to the data processing section 6, and the writing processing (or the erasing processing) is performed, and the display section is displayed. A character or line drawing is displayed (or erased) on 7a.

When the input pen 2b is separated from the tablet 4b by a distance where the magnetism is not sensed, the timer 16a is activated to start counting time. Therefore, when the temporary input pen 2b is released from the tablet 4b during input, or when the input is done halfway and the input Ben 2b is released from the tablet 4b and the seat is removed from the table, the timer 16a counts the time. To start. When the input is started again, the timer 16a stops counting and resets.

Display unit 7a in which data for one screen has been input
The display data of 1 is sequentially stored in the data memory 8 by operating a storage instruction button (not shown). After the input is completed, the last display data is the data memory 8
Then, the knock 21a of the input pen 2b is pushed to house the magnet 20a at the tip, and the magnet 20a is stored in the pen storage portion 11b in a state where the total length is shortened.

Then, the MSw 13a detects the storing, the time counting of the timer 16a is stopped and reset, and the controller 9a
A command is issued from the power supply disconnecting unit 15 to turn off the power supply of the power supply unit 10a.

If the timer 16a counts up to the set time T with the input suspended, the timer control section 17 sends a time-out signal a to the control section 9a, and the control section 9a instructs the resume control section 18 to operate. After saving the display data of the display unit 7a input so far in the data buffer 19a, the power supply disconnecting unit 15 is instructed to
Turns off the power supply of the power supply unit 10a.

When restarting the interrupted input, input pen
The knock 21a of 2b is pushed to house the magnet 20a therein, and the magnet 20a is once housed in the pen housing portion 11b.
In this way, the power is turned on when the input pen 2b is taken out from the pen storage portion 11b, and turned off when stored.
Therefore, it is not necessary for the operator to operate the power switch, and in particular, the fact that the input pen 2b is in the pen storage section 11b means that no pen input is performed, so power is wasted by forgetting to turn off the power switch. There is nothing to do. Therefore, the operator can efficiently perform pen input without being aware of power management.

Further, if the input of the input pen 2b is switched to valid or invalid to be used so that it is invalidated when the operator leaves the seat, there is a risk that other person may mischief and wrong data may be inputted. Disappears.

Further, if the pen input is suspended until the timer 16a counts the predetermined time T, the input data so far is saved and stored in the data buffer 19a for guaranteeing, and the power is turned off. Waste of consumption is eliminated.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent wasteful consumption of electric power due to the operator forgetting to turn off the power, and especially when the power supply unit 10a uses the battery 10c, the life of the battery 10c is extended and the battery 10c is extended. It is possible to prevent the loss of data and the hindrance of business due to the power reduction of

In the above example, the case where the input screen is the tablet 4b has been described, but the same can be applied to the case where the input is made from the touch panel provided on the screen of the display section 7a, and the magnet 20a of the input pen 2b is also used. In the above description, the device for inputting data by sensing the magnetism has been described. However, the same can be applied to the device for inputting data by sensing the contact pressure at the tip of the input pen. However, in this case, it is not possible to invalidate the input even if the tip of the input pen is retracted, and if you input it as it is, an input error will occur, so the operator visually confirms that the tip of the input pen is retracted. Judgment is made by inputting with the tip protruding.

In the above example, the knock 21a of the input pen 2b is also used.
Press to push the magnet 20b outside the tip or store it inside to change the length and enable / disable the input.
Although the case of switching to the invalid state has been described, the magnet 20b may be projected or housed by rotating the head of the input pen 2b, or an electromagnet and a battery may be used instead of the magnet 20b, and a switching switch may be provided to provide the electromagnet. It is also possible to use a method of exciting / deactivating and switching the input to valid / invalid.
When an electromagnet is used, it is necessary to use the knocking or rotating method in combination for the purpose of changing the length of the input pen 2b.

Further, in the above example, the MSw1 is stored in the pen storage portion 11b.
Although the case where 3a is provided has been described, other methods may be used, for example, the same effect can be obtained with an optical sensor or a hook switch. Further, although the case where the rechargeable battery 10c from the power supply unit 10a is used has been described, it goes without saying that a built-in battery may be used.

[0056]

As described above, according to the present invention, in claim 1, the input pen and the apparatus main body having the storage section for storing the input pen and the input screen are provided, and the input by the tip of the input pen is performed. A pen input device in which a point on the screen is detected and data is input, and a storage unit is provided with detection means for detecting whether or not an input pen is stored in the storage section. Based on the control of turning the power on and off, the power is turned on when the input pen is taken out from the storage part, and turned off when stored.
Therefore, the operator does not need to operate the power switch, and it is possible to prevent unnecessary power consumption due to forgetting to turn off the power switch, and the operator can perform pen input efficiently without being aware of power management. it can. In particular, when a battery is used as a power source, waste of power consumption is prevented, the life of the battery is extended, and it is possible to prevent the disappearance of data and the obstruction of input work due to the decrease in battery power.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pen input device comprising an input pen and an apparatus main body having an input screen, wherein a pointing point on the input screen by the tip of the input pen is detected to input data. By providing the pen with a switching operation means for switching the instruction on the input screen by the input pen between valid and invalid, if the input pen is switched to invalid when the operator leaves his / her seat, another person can mischief. It is possible to prevent incorrect data from being input when the input screen is touched with the input pen.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the input pen and the main body of the apparatus having the input screen and the display screen are provided, and the pointing point on the input screen by the tip of the input pen is detected and data is input and displayed on the display screen. A pen input device, which is reset each time an instruction is given on the input screen by the input pen, stores a data displayed on the display screen and a time counting means for counting a predetermined time after completion of the instruction, and a power supply. When the time counting means counts a predetermined time, the data displayed on the display screen is stored in the storage means, and then the power is automatically turned off. It is possible to guarantee the data that has been input up to that point, and prevent wasteful power consumption by leaving the power source ON for a long time without inputting data. In particular, when a battery is used as a power source, waste of power consumption is prevented, the life of the battery is extended, and it is possible to prevent the disappearance of data and the obstruction of input work due to the decrease in battery power. There is an effect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle diagram corresponding to claim 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a principle diagram corresponding to claim 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a principle diagram corresponding to claim 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an example.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a conventional pen input device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1,1a is a pen input device, 2,2a, 2b are input pens, 3,3a,
3b is the device body, 4 is an input screen, 4a and 4b are tablets, 7 is a display screen, 7a is a display unit, 10 is a power supply, 10a is a power supply unit, 10b is an external power supply,
10c is a battery, 11 is a storage unit, 11a and 11b are pen storage units, 13 is a detection unit, 13a is MSw, 16 is a time counting unit, 16a is a timer, 19 is a storage unit, 19a is a data buffer, and 21 is a switching operation. Means, 21
a is a knock,

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An input pen (2), a storage section (11) for storing the input pen (2), and an input screen.
A pen input device comprising: a device body (3) having (4), wherein a point on the input screen (4) is detected by the tip of the input pen (2) and data is input. The storage unit (11) is provided with a detection means (13) for detecting whether or not the input pen (2) is stored, and based on the detection by the detection means (13), turning on the power source (10) and Pen input device characterized in that cutting is controlled. 2. An input pen (2) and an apparatus main body (3) having an input screen (4), wherein a point on the input screen (4) detected by the tip of the input pen (2) is detected. A pen input device for inputting data by means of a switching operation means (21) for switching the input pen (2) to enable or disable an instruction on the input screen (4) by the input pen (2). A pen input device characterized by being provided. 3. An input pen (2) and an apparatus main body (3) having an input screen (4) and a display screen (7), wherein the tip of the input pen (2) is above the input screen (4). Is a pen input device in which data is input and the data is input on the display screen (7), each time an instruction is given by the input pen (2) on the input screen (4). A time counting means (16) for resetting and counting a predetermined time after the completion of the instruction, and storing the data displayed on the display screen (7),
Battery-supported storage means when disconnecting (0) (19)
When the time counting means (16) counts the predetermined time, the data displayed on the display screen (7) is stored in the storage means (19) and then the power supply (10) is turned off. A pen input device characterized by: