JPH07146748A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform the shift operation of a pen input location on an input pat. CONSTITUTION:This input device is provided with an input pat 1 having an elastic surface showing an uneven shape when pressure is applied by a pen, many sensor elements C1 to Cn locating on the lower surface of the input pat 1 and changing electric amount corresponding to the projected-recessed state generated on the surface of the input pat 1 and a control microcomputer 5 switching to the shift mode that the input location on a display moves when the change of electric amount to be outputted from the sensor elements C1 to Cn at the location pressurized by the pen or fingers and a prescribed number or more of the sensor elements C1 to Cn changing electric amount are simultaneously detected. In the input pat 1, a menu for selecting the operation contents is made to be displayed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an input mode for determining an input position based on position information of an indicator on an input pad, and an input mode based on a moving direction and a moving distance of the indicator on the input pad. The present invention relates to an input device having a shift mode for moving a position.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, it has become common to input characters and graphics into a personal computer (personal computer), word processor (word processor) or the like by using an indicator such as a pen. When the user inputs by handwriting on a personal computer or word processor with a pen, it is possible to input characters and graphics with the user's own sensitivity, without being obsessed with existing designs. Further, unlike the operation of a keyboard or the like when creating a document or the like, there is no need to search for a key for inputting a desired character, and it is possible to directly input like writing on a paper.

[0003]

However, for example, when writing a character or a picture on the display screen by the input pad, when actually inputting by handwriting, input with a pen, and the input when performing this pen input. When shifting a position, for example, a cursor key or a cursor menu is operated to instruct a shift direction or the like. In other words, it is necessary to have an input mode for instructing the absolute position of the input pad for pen input and a mode for instructing the shift direction of the characters and pictures displayed on the display screen. Was complicated.

Due to such a problem, a method of designating the entire display screen by an absolute position is often used. In this case, the size of the entire display screen can be pointed and a pen is used. An input pad having an accuracy that can handle handwriting or a pointing sensing function is required on the screen itself.
Therefore, if such an input device is configured, it becomes physically large and expensive.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and it is an input pad having an elastic surface showing an uneven shape when pressed with a pen, and the input pad. Provided with a large number of sensor elements that are located on the lower surface of the input pad and that change the amount of electricity in accordance with the unevenness of the surface of the input pad, the amount of electricity output from the sensor element at the position pressed by a pen or a finger The input device is configured by including a control unit that detects a change and, when a predetermined number or more of sensor elements having a change in the amount of electricity are simultaneously detected, switches to a shift mode in which the input position on the display moves. Further, a menu for selecting the operation content is displayed on the input pad.

[0006]

In the input pad, both characters and graphics can be input and the input position can be shifted.

[0007]

Embodiments of the input device of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a partial circuit block of the input device of this embodiment. In this figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an input pad for the user to input a character or graphic, and the character can be input by drawing the character while pressing the tip portion of the pen P on the surface thereof. Further, when the surface of the input pad 1 has a larger contact area than the tip portion of the pen P, for example, when the user's finger or the like is pressed and moved, the position where the character can be input moves along with the movement. It is designed to switch to shift mode. Further, inside the input pad 1, a large number of sensor elements for detecting a pressing position, a moving direction and a pressing area, which will be described later, are arranged.

Reference numeral 4 denotes an interface unit, which supplies the character and graphic information or the movement information input to the input pad 1 to the system control microcomputer 5. The system control microcomputer 5
Input data register 5a indicating the writing position, video R
An AM (VRAM) 5b, a start position data register 5c indicating a drawing start point, a CPU core 5d, a mode register 5e for switching between an input mode and a shift mode, and a program ROM 5f in which the execution operation of each mode is stored. There is.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing a part of the input pad 1. The input pad 1 has a surface layer 2 on which a pen or the like is pressed, as shown by a chain line,
The base layer 3 is formed thereunder. Further, the input pad 1 has an elastic force that exhibits an uneven shape when a pen or the like is pressed or when the pressing position moves. Further, as indicated by a broken line, a sensor element that changes the electrostatic capacitance corresponding to the uneven shape is arranged. This sensor element has a pair of electrodes 2a, 2a, ... And 3a, 3a, which are provided so as to face the surface layer 2 and the base layer 3.
It is comprised by the electrostatic capacitance which has ...

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an array of electrodes constituting the sensor element arranged on the surface layer 2, and FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an array of electrodes constituting the sensor element arranged on the base layer 3. FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the surface layer 2 has a large number of electrodes 2a, 2a, ... Arranged at substantially equal intervals on the same surface, and is electrically connected to each other by a grid-shaped conductive wire 2b. ing.

As shown in FIG. 4, the base layer 3 has a large number of electrodes 3a, 3a, ... Arranged on the same surface so as to face the electrode 2a. 3b ₁ , 3b ₂ , 3b ₃
Are conductive wires 3c ₁ and 3 arranged in parallel in the X-axis direction.
c _2, 3c ₃ shows a conductive line are arranged in parallel in the Y-axis direction and connects the electrodes 3a are insulated from each other.
The electrode 3a of the base layer 3 is connected to various detection circuits that detect the position where the pen P or the like is pressed, as will be described later.

Next, referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the input pad 1
An example in which the pen P is pressed against will be described.

5 (a) and 5 (b) show the input pad 1 from the side, and the pressing position disposed below the input pad 1,
It is a figure which shows an example of the circuit block which detects a press range and a moving direction. In this figure, the same parts as those in FIGS. 3 and 4 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. The figure (a) shows the state in which the pen P is pressing on the surface of the surface layer 2, and the figure (b).
Shows a state in which the pen P has been moved in the arrow direction from the state shown in FIG.

In this figure, SR is the flip-flops F ₁ , F ₂ , F ₃ , F ₄ provided in the interface section _4.
Shows a shift register composed of ... In the shift register SR, a predetermined voltage is applied only to one place of the conductive lines 3b and 3c of the base layer 3 by a switch unit SW described later.

Usually, the electrodes 2a, 2a, ... Of the surface layer 2 are formed.
, And the electrodes 3a, 3a of the base layer 3 are electrodes 2a ₁ and 3
It has the spacing as shown in a ₁ . And
When the pen P is pressed to a position as shown in FIG. 3A, the electrode 2a below the pressed position also moves to the base layer 3
As a result, the gap between the electrodes 2a ₇ and 3a ₇ becomes narrower than in the normal state. Thus, the electrodes 2a due to the distance of the electrodes 2a ₇ and 3a ₇ shrinks, 3
By detecting a change in the capacitance value between a (normal → large), it becomes possible to determine which position on the surface layer 2 the pen P is pressed.

Then, when the pen P is further moved in the direction of the arrow from the state shown in FIG. 3A while being in contact with the surface layer 2, as shown in FIG. The front side of the surface layer 2 in the traveling direction of the pen P is raised. Therefore, the electrode 2a of the surface layer 2 becomes to be positioned above the normal position, it spreads the spacing between the electrodes 2a _6, 3a _6, electrodes 2a _7, 3a ₇ opposite to the capacitance value in the case of the Becomes smaller.

As described above, the electrode 2 formed by the protrusion of the surface layer 2 is formed.
The electrodes 2a ₆ , 3 due to the increased distance between a ₆ , 3a ₆
Since the capacitance value between a ₆ changes, if this change in capacitance is detected at a predetermined timing, the pen P or the like will move from which position on the surface layer 2 to which position. It is possible to determine whether or not.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the pressing position of the input pad 1 can be detected from the concave shape of the input pad 1 generated when the pen P is pressed. When the pen P is pressed in the input pad 1 and moved in an arbitrary direction, the direction in which the pen P moves on the surface of the input pad 1 can be detected by the convex shape generated on the front side in the traveling direction. become able to.

In this case, since the input pad 1 is pressed by the tip portion of the pen P which is formed relatively thin, it is detected that, for example, there is only one sensor element whose capacitance changes. The information is updated as the input mode.

6 (a) and 6 (b) show the input pad 1 from the side, as in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b), and a circuit for detecting the pressing range and the moving direction arranged below the input pad 1. It is a figure which shows an example of a block. In the figure (a), the contact area is larger than that of the pen P, for example, a state in which the user's finger Fg is pressed against the surface of the input pad 1, and the figure (b) shows the state shown in the figure (a). Shows the state in which the finger Fg is moved in the arrow direction.

As described above, the electrode 2 of the surface layer 2 is usually used.
, and the electrodes 3a, 3a, ... Of the base layer 3 are spaced as shown by electrodes 2a ₁ and 3a ₁ . Then, when the finger Fg is pressed to the position shown in FIG. 3A, the electrode 2a below the pressed position is also pressed toward the base layer 3. In this case, since the contact area is wider than before, a plurality of electrodes 2a ₆
And the distance between 3a _{6 to} 2a ₉ and 3a ₉ becomes shorter than in the normal state. Thus, the plurality of electrodes 2a ₆ and 3a ₆ ~
Electrodes 2a, 3 due to the reduced distance between 2a ₉ and 3a ₉
By detecting a change in the capacitance value between a (normal → large), it is possible to determine that the finger Fg is pressed against the input pad 1.

Then, when the finger Fg is further moved in the direction of the arrow from the state shown in FIG. 9A while being in contact with the input pad 1, as shown in FIG. The front side in the traveling direction of the finger Fg on the surface layer 2 is raised. Accordingly, the electrodes 2a ₅ of the surface layer 2 becomes to be positioned above the normal position, spread the spacing between the electrodes 2a ₅ and 3a _5, electrodes 2a ₆ and 3a ₆ to 2A region ₉
On the contrary to 3a ₉ and 3, the capacitance value becomes smaller.

As described above, the electrode 2 formed by the protrusion of the surface layer 2 is formed.
Since the electrostatic capacitance value between the electrodes 2a ₅ and 3a ₅ caused by the widening of the space between a ₅ and 3a ₅ changes, if this change in electrostatic capacitance is detected at a predetermined timing, It is possible to determine in which direction the finger Fg is moving on the surface layer 2.

In this case, by pressing the input pad 1 with the tip portion of the finger Fg having a larger contact area than the pen P,
A large number of sensor elements whose capacitance changes are detected as compared with the case of pen input, and the input position is shifted in the direction in which the finger Fg has moved in a shift mode for shifting the input position of characters and graphics.

FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b) are diagrams showing an outline in the case of inputting, for example, the hiragana character'a 'as described in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b). In this figure, 1b is
It is an input frame showing a position where input is possible with the pen P.
As shown in FIG. 3A, when the character "A" is drawn while pressing the tip portion of the pen P against the surface of the input pad 1, as described above, the character and graphic input mode is set. Then, as shown in FIG. 9B, the character "A" is displayed in the input frame 1b.

When a new character is input after inputting a character with the pen P in this way, as shown in FIG. 8A, the input pad 1 is pressed and moved with the finger Fg. Then, the mode is switched to the input position shift mode as described with reference to FIG. Then, for example, in FIG.
When the finger Fg is moved in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), the input frame 1b also shifts as the finger Fg moves.

Next, a case will be described in which the pressing position of the pen P and the finger Fg and the moving direction of the pressing position are detected. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a detection circuit for detecting the pressing position and the moving position. In the figure, C ₁ , C ₂ , C _3, ..., C
_n is a sensor element (capacitor), and the capacitance of the electrodes 2a ₁ , 2a ₂ ... Arranged on the surface layer 2 and the electrodes 3a ₁ , 3a ₂ ... Arranged on the base layer 3 Indicates
The capacitor C ₁ shows the electrostatic capacitances of the electrodes 2a ₁ and 3a ₁ , the capacitor C ₂ shows the electrostatic capacitances of the electrodes 2a ₂ and 3a ₂ , and the capacitor C ₃ shows the electrostatic capacitances of the electrodes 2a ₃ and 3a ₃ .

Reference numeral 5 denotes a control microcomputer, which has changeover switches S ₁ , S ₂ , S _3, ..., S of the switch section SW.
A control terminal T _c for outputting a control signal for switching _n , and a terminal T for inputting and outputting the charging / discharging voltage of the capacitors C _{1 to} C _n.
in1, T _out, the data output terminal T _D, provided with a terminal T _ck and the input terminal T _in2 outputs a shift clock signal, the internal counter circuit timer counts the charging and discharging time, and the count value of the counter circuit is predetermined A sensor counter for counting the above sensor elements is provided. The shift register SR is composed of flip-flops F ₁ , F ₂ , F _3, ..., F _n connected in cascade, and a shift clock pulse output from the output terminal T _ck of the control microcomputer 5 is applied to the clock terminal Ck. Every time, the Q output level is sequentially changed to the “H” level, and the switches SF ₁ , SF ₂ , SF _3, ..., SF _n are controlled to be turned on in this order.

The process for detecting the capacitances of the capacitors C _{1 to} C _n will be described below with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG.

First, the registers of the control microcomputer 5 are initialized (S001) and the counter circuit is initialized (S00).
2) Do. Then, for example, so that the voltage applied to the first capacitor C _1, adding a clock pulse from the output terminal T _ck to the clock terminal CK of the flip-flop F ₁ ~F _n (S003). Further, under the control of the control microcomputer 5, each of the capacitors C _{1 to} C _n is switched to the switch S ₁
~ S _n is connected to the contact a side, and when it is connected, the timer starts counting (S004). First, the switch S depending on the output “H” level of the first stage of the shift register SR.
F ₁ is turned on, electric charge is stored in the capacitor C _1, and a positive voltage is generated at the contact point a (S005). When power storage starts, the voltage at the output terminal rises, but it is determined whether this charging voltage has reached a predetermined level (S006), and if it is below the predetermined level, power storage is continued (S005). → S006).

When the capacitor C ₁ is charged with a predetermined voltage, the changeover switch S ₁ is inverted by the control signal output from the control terminal T _c , and the capacitor C ₁ is changed over so as to be connected to the contact b side. To At this time, the electric charge stored in the capacitor C ₁ in steps S005 → S006 is
It is discharged through the input terminal T _in1 (S007), and this discharge voltage gradually decreases. Then, the voltage of the input terminal T _in1 at this time is detected (S008), and when it is determined that the voltage is below a threshold value (threshold level) described later (S009), the timer count is stopped. (S010).

Upon completion of discharging the capacitor, the control microcomputer 5 outputs the count value of the counter circuit to a memory or the like and stores it (S011), and determines whether or not the count value is a predetermined value or more (S012). Then, when the counter value is equal to or larger than the predetermined value, the sensor counter is counted up (S013), and it is determined whether or not detection of all the sensor elements is completed (S014). Here, when detection of all the sensor elements is not completed, the process returns to the counter circuit (S002). Then, a shift clock pulse is generated (S003) as in the previous case, and the switch SW is controlled to invert the changeover switch so that the capacitor is in the charging mode. The "H" level output from the second stage of the shift register SR turns on the switch SF ₂ and starts charging the capacitor C ₂ . Thereafter, the charging / discharging time of the capacitor C ₂ is detected by the same flow.

In this way, when the capacitances of the capacitors C _{1 to} C _n are detected by the shift register SR by repeating steps S002 to S014, the output Q of the flip-flop F _n is input to the control microcomputer 5. It is input to the terminal T _in2 and the capacitance of the capacitor on the next line is detected. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the capacities of all capacitors are detected via the respective conductive lines.

When the capacitance detection of all the capacitors is completed, it is determined whether or not the value of the sensor counter is equal to or more than a predetermined value (S015). When the value of the sensor counter is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, that is, when the input pad 1 is pressed by a finger Fg or the like, which is a pointer having a wide contact area, the mode register 5e is set to the shift mode ( S016). Then, the value of the start position register 5c is updated so that the input frame 1b in the pen input mode shifts in the direction in which the finger Fg moves on the input pad 1 and the drawing start point by the pen input moves. S017).

When the value of the sensor counter is less than a predetermined value, that is, when the input pad 1 is pressed by the pen P having a contact area smaller than the finger Fg, the mode register 5e is set to the pen input mode. Yes (S018).
Then, the position drawn by the pen P is input to the drawing position register 5a (S019), and the position data indicated by the drawing position register 5a is added to the data of the start position register 5b updated by the shift mode. The drawing start position is determined (S020), and the coordinate data is written in the VRAM 5b (S021). Although the mode determination in the above embodiment is determined by the value of the sensor counter, the count value for determining the charge / discharge time of each sensor is stored in a map memory, and the pressed area is determined from this memory. Mode determination may be performed.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are diagrams schematically showing the relationship between the discharge time and the capacitance of the capacitors C _{1 to} C _n described in the flow chart shown in FIG. In these figures, the stored charge amount (voltage level) of the capacitor is shown in the vertical axis direction, and VS shows the threshold level. The charging / discharging time of the voltage level shown in the vertical axis direction is shown in the horizontal axis direction. 5A is a diagram showing a discharge state in which the capacitance is small, that is, the electrodes 2a and 3a shown in FIG. 5B. FIG. 5B shows a discharge state in which the electrostatic capacitance is large, that is, the electrodes 2b and 3b shown in FIG.

Starting to charge the capacitors C _{1 to} C _n ,
Assuming that the time during which the stored voltage is discharged and is equal to or lower than the threshold level VS is t, the charging / discharging time ta of the capacitor having a small capacitance is as shown in FIG.
It becomes shorter than the charging / discharging time tb of the capacitor having a large electrostatic capacity shown in FIG. Therefore, a smaller count value is detected from the counter circuit as the charge / discharge time is shorter, and a larger count value is detected as the charge / discharge time is longer.

That is, the count value larger than the normal (flat) portion is detected from the capacitor located in the concave portion of the input pad 1, and the count value smaller than the flat portion is detected from the capacitor located in the convex portion. become. In this way, it becomes possible to detect the pressing position and the moving direction of the pen at the same time based on the unevenness information of the input pad 1 obtained from the capacitance of the capacitor.

In the above-described embodiment, the capacitors C ₁ to C ₃
Together sequentially charging a C _n, the charge and discharge time when switching the switch portion SW charging and discharging the capacitor C ₁ -C _n, has been to detect the change in capacitance of the capacitor, for example, the capacitors C ₁ ~ C _n may be charged in advance, the switches may be switched so that the capacitors C _{1 to} C _n are sequentially discharged by the sequential pulse output from the shift register SR, and the discharging time may be calculated by the counter. .

In the above embodiment, the unevenness information of the surface layer 2 is detected by detecting a plurality of minute capacitors by changing the capacitance. For example, the electrodes (2a ₁ , 3a ₁ ) (2a
The unevenness of the surface layer 2 may be detected by detecting the resistance change between ₂ , 3a ₂ ) (2a ₃ , 3a ₃ ). Furthermore, as a sensor element, it is possible to place a small magnet and an element having a Hall effect in opposition to each other, and detect the resistance of the Hall effect element caused by a change in the magnetic field when the opposing distance changes due to unevenness. Is.

It is to be noted that a menu display for performing various controls such as the next page, the previous page, and the beginning of a sentence is displayed on a part of the display unit, and the menu item is touched with a finger having a wide pressing area as in the shift mode. When this is done, it is possible to determine that the menu item has been selected and perform control to execute that menu item.

[0042]

As described above, the input device of the present invention detects a change in the amount of electricity output from the sensor element at a position pressed by a pen or a finger, and a sensor element that changes the amount of electricity is detected. When more than a predetermined number are detected at the same time, it has a control unit that switches to a shift mode in which the input position on the display moves, so after entering with the pen, the user can trace the input pad with his finger etc. It is possible to shift the drawing position. Therefore,
It is not necessary to operate the operation keys such as the keyboard after pen input, and to write characters with the pen after shifting the drawing position with your hand (fingers) and then writing with the pen. Will be able to.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a partial circuit block of an input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a part of an input pad.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an electrode array constituting a sensor element arranged on a surface layer of an input pad.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an electrode array constituting a sensor element arranged on a base layer of an input pad.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a case where a pen is pressed against an input pad.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a finger is pressed against the input pad.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of inputting “A” to the input device of the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of shifting the input position of the input device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a detection circuit for detecting a pen pressed on an input pad, a pressing position of a finger, and a moving direction.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process for detecting a discharge capacity of a capacitor which is a sensor element of the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing the relationship between the discharge time and the capacitance of the capacitor that is the sensor element of the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Input Pad 2 Surface Layer 3 Base Layer 2a, 3a Electrodes 2b, 3b, 3c Conductive Wire 4 Interface 5 System Control Microcomputer 5a Input Data Register 5b Video RAM 5c Start Position Data Register 5d CPU Core 5e Shift Mode Register 5f Program ROM C Sensor element (capacitor) P Pen Fg Finger F flip-flop SR shift register

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An input pad having an elastic surface that exhibits an uneven shape when pressed with a pen, and an electric quantity that changes according to the uneven state of the surface of the input pad located on the lower surface of the input pad. When a large number of sensor elements are provided and a change in the amount of electricity output from the sensor element at the position pressed by a pen or a finger is detected, and more than a predetermined number of sensor elements that change the amount of electricity are detected simultaneously An input device, comprising: a control unit for switching to a shift mode in which an input position on a display moves. 2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein a menu for selecting operation contents is displayed on the input pad.