JPH09258878A - Pen input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pen input device whereby data is smoothly and efficiently inputted by an input pen even at the time of using an optional number of input pens within a prepared number of input pens. SOLUTION: A usage pen detecting part 13 detects presence or absence of usage in the input pens 1a-1c, a reset signal corresponding to the detection result is outputted to a usage pen control part 14 and the usage pen control part 14 executes control so as to permit a time division number to coincide with the number of the input pen based on the reset signal which is received from the usage pens detecting part 13. Then, a position coordinate arithmetic circuit 10 calculates the respective input pens 1a-1c based on a time when ultrasonic wave originated from the input pens 1a-1c is detected.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the instruction of each input pen based on the time until the ultrasonic detecting elements detect ultrasonic waves sequentially transmitted from a plurality of input pens having ultrasonic transmitting elements. Regarding a pen input device for calculating a position, in particular, even when using only an arbitrary number of input pens prepared in advance, smooth and efficient data input by the input pens can be performed. The present invention relates to a pen input device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a technique of using an electronic pen when inputting data to a word processor, an electronic blackboard or the like.

In recent years, in particular, pen input is often performed using a multi-pen so that a plurality of people can simultaneously input to a large-sized display device.

For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-11436 (hereinafter referred to as "first prior art"), position information of a plurality of pens is input to a control circuit in a time division manner, and each input pen is input. There is disclosed a multi-pen input method in an electronic blackboard configured to read the XY coordinates of the.

Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-2719118 (hereinafter referred to as "second prior art") discloses a distribution in which ultrasonic wave transmitting elements incorporated in a plurality of input pens are sequentially excited one by one. Based on the information indicating which input pen this distributor has excited and the count value of the time counter that counts the time until the ultrasonic wave propagates from the input pen to the detection element, An ultrasonic tablet configured to perform identification and calculation of position coordinates is disclosed.

That is, in these prior arts, when ultrasonic waves are simultaneously transmitted from a plurality of input pens, the ultrasonic waves interfere with each other. Therefore, by performing time division processing according to the number of input pens, a plurality of input pens can be used. It enables simultaneous input with an electronic pen.

[0007]

However, the above-mentioned 2)
In each of the two conventional techniques, ultrasonic transmission timings are assigned to all input pens prepared in advance, so when there are unused input pens, they are assigned to unused pens. Time is wasted

Specifically, in the first prior art, since the position information of a plurality of input pens is input to the control circuit in a time-divisional manner, the number of pens to be input is specified in advance, so Need to be clarified.

However, when the number of input pens actually used is smaller than the number of input pens specified in advance, that is, the number of time divisions, the time allocated to the unused pens is wasted, which is not efficient.

Also in the second prior art, since the number of ultrasonic wave transmitting elements distributed by the distributor, that is, the number of input pens, must be specified in advance, it is assigned to unused pens as in the first prior art. Time is wasted.

As described above, in the conventional multi-pen input device, since the time-division processing is performed based on the number of input pens, the allocation time is wasted when there are unused input pens, and the pen input There was a problem that real-time performance was hindered.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the above-mentioned problems are solved, and even when an arbitrary number of input pens among the input pens prepared in advance are used, smooth and efficient data input by the input pens is possible. It is an object of the present invention to provide a pen input device capable of performing.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention provides a plurality of input pens having a built-in ultrasonic wave transmitting element and a plurality of ultrasonic waves sequentially transmitted from the plurality of input pens. In a pen input device having a calculation unit that calculates the pointing position of each input pen based on the time until the ultrasonic detection element detects, a detection means for detecting the input pen to be used among the plurality of input pens (Fig. 1) and 13) and control means (14 in FIG. 1) that assigns ultrasonic wave transmission timing only to the input pen detected by the detection means and controls the input pen in a time division manner.

Further, the second invention further comprises a selection means (16 in FIG. 7) for selecting only a predetermined input pen among the input pens detected by the detection means, and the control means is
An ultrasonic wave transmission timing is assigned only to the input pen selected by the selection means, and the input pen is time-division controlled.

That is, in the first aspect of the invention, the detection means detects the input pen to be used among the plurality of input pens having the ultrasonic wave transmission element built therein, and the control means allocates the ultrasonic wave transmission timing only to the detected input pen. Then, an ultrasonic wave is emitted from the input pen, and the calculation unit calculates the indicated position of each input pen based on the time until the plurality of ultrasonic wave detecting elements detect the transmitted ultrasonic wave.

Therefore, even when using an arbitrary number of input pens among the input pens prepared in advance, smooth and efficient data input by the input pens can be performed.

Further, in the second invention, when the detecting means detects the input pen to be used among the plurality of input pens, the selecting means selects only a predetermined input pen from the input pens to be used and controls it. The means allocates the ultrasonic wave transmission timing only to the selected input pen, transmits the ultrasonic wave from the input pen, and the calculator calculates each ultrasonic wave based on the time until the plural ultrasonic wave detecting elements detect the transmitted ultrasonic wave. Calculate the pointing position of the input pen.

Therefore, the specific input pen can be used for other purposes such as an indicator stick while smoothly and efficiently inputting data with the input pen.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a pen input device used in the first embodiment.

In the pen input device shown in the figure, the used pen detection unit 13 has three input pens 1a, 1a prepared in advance.
The input pen that is actually being used is detected from b and 1c, and the using-pen control unit 14 allocates the divided time only to the input pen that is detected as being used to perform time-division control.

For example, when it is detected that the input pens 1a and 1b are in use, the use pen control unit 14 divides the output of the timing circuit 6 into two and divides the input pens 1a and 1b into one.
The divided time is distributed to b, and the divided time is not distributed to the unused input pen 1c.

As described above, this pen input device does not always allocate the dividing time to the three input pens 1a, 1b and 1c prepared in advance, but only allocates the dividing time to the input pens that are in use. Time-sharing control is performed.

In FIG. 1, the input pens 1a to 1c are electronic pens each incorporating an ultrasonic wave transmission element, and the ultrasonic wave propagation medium 2 detects the ultrasonic wave transmitted from each input pen by the ultrasonic wave detection elements 3a to 3c. It is a uniform isotropic medium such as a glass plate that propagates up to 3d.

The ultrasonic wave detecting elements 3a to 3d are detecting elements for converting the ultrasonic waves propagating from the ultrasonic wave propagating medium 2 into electric signals, and the distributor 4 is an ultrasonic wave sensor incorporated in each of the input pens 1a to 1c. The sound wave transmission element is sequentially excited.

The distributor 4 includes input pens 1a-1a.
The pulsers 5a to 5c generate electric signals for exciting the respective c, and the timing circuit 6 determines the output timing of the electric signals generated by the pulsers 5a to 5c.

The amplifier circuit 7 includes ultrasonic wave detecting elements 3a to 3d.
Is a circuit that amplifies the electric signal output from the amplifier, and the waveform shaping circuit 8 is a circuit that shapes the waveform of the electric signal output from the amplifier circuit.

The time counting circuit 9 is a counting circuit for counting the time required for the ultrasonic waves emitted from the input pens 1a to 1c to propagate to the ultrasonic wave detecting elements 3a to 3d. It is an arithmetic circuit that calculates the position coordinates of the input pens 1a to 1c based on the count value of the circuit 9.

The CPU 11 is a processing unit for displaying the liquid crystal cells of the liquid crystal display device corresponding to the position coordinates calculated by the position coordinate calculation circuit 10 via the liquid crystal drive circuit 12.

The used-pen detection unit 13 detects the input pen currently in use among the three prepared input pens 1a, 1b, and 1c, and the detection result is used-pen control unit 14
Output to

Further, the pen-in-use detecting section 13 detects an input pen in use by using a pen holder having a pen storing section corresponding to each of the input pens 1a to 1c, and specifically, each pen storing section. A switch circuit is provided at the bottom of the switch, and when this switch circuit is ON, it is considered as an unused state, and when it is OFF, it is considered as being in use.

The used pen control unit 14 has three input pens 1.
Instead of performing the time-division control in which the division times are always allocated to a, 1b, and 1c, the time-division control in which the division time is allocated only to the input pen in use based on the detection output by the used-pen detection unit 13. It is a control unit that performs.

Next, regarding the outline of the operation of this pen input device, a case where all the input pens 1a to 1c are in use,
The case where only the input pens 1a and 1b are in use will be described separately.

First, the used pen detector 13 detects the input pen 1a.
When it is considered that all of the 1 to 1c are in use, the use pen control unit 14 allocates the divided times to the input pens 1a, 1b and 1c, respectively, so that the timing circuit 14 uses the pulsar 5
The pulse transmission timing is sequentially output to a, 5b, and 5c.

First, if the pulser 5a sends a pulse to the input pen 1a, the ultrasonic wave transmitting element built in this input pen 1a transmits an ultrasonic wave, and this ultrasonic wave propagates through the ultrasonic wave propagation medium 2. It propagates and is detected by each of the ultrasonic detecting elements 3a to 3d.

Then, the time counting circuit 9 counts the reference clock until each of the ultrasonic wave detecting elements 3a to 3d detects the ultrasonic wave, and the position coordinate calculating circuit 10 makes the position coordinate of the input pen 1a based on this count value. To calculate.

Next, if an electric signal is output from the pulsar 5b, the position coordinates of the input pen 1b are calculated by the same procedure, and if an electric signal is output from the pulsar 5c, the position of the input pen 1c is calculated. The coordinates are calculated.

This operation is performed by the input pens 1a, 1b and 1c.
Repeatedly in this order, the pointing positions of the input pens 1a to 1c are sequentially detected.

As described above, when all of the input pens 1a to 1c are in use, the time-division control in which all the input pens are equally allocated to the division time is performed as in the first and second prior arts. Will be done.

On the other hand, when the used-pen detection unit 13 determines that only the input pens 1a and 1b are in use, the used-pen control unit 14 allocates the divided time to only the input pens 1a and 1b and inputs the divided time. No division time is assigned to the pen 1c.

Specifically, in this timing circuit 6,
Under the control of the used pen controller 14, the pulsars 5a and 5b are
, The pulse transmission timing is alternately output, and the pulse transmission timing is not output to the pulsar 5c corresponding to the input pen 1c.

As described above, when the pen input device according to the present embodiment is used, since the input pen 1c in the unused state is not subject to the time-division control, the input pen 1c in the unused state is not used. It is possible to avoid wasting time.

Next, the timing at which the pulsers 5a to 5c shown in FIG. 1 output pulses will be specifically described.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing timings at which the pulsers 5a to 5c shown in FIG. 1 output pulses. If the pulsers 5a to 5c output pulses, the input pens 1a to 1c corresponding to the pulsers 5a to 5c, respectively.
Emits ultrasonic waves, and pen input such as cursor movement and writing following the input pens 1a to 1c is executed.

FIG. 2A shows three input pens 1a-1c.
Is a time chart showing the output timing of each of the pulsars 5a to 5c when all are taken out from the pen holder.
The pulse outputs of 5b and 5c are time-divided with period T.

FIG. 2B shows two input pens 1a and 1a.
Each of the pulsars 5a to 5b in the case where b is taken out from the pen holder and the input pen 1c is attached to the pen holder
5C is a time chart showing the output timing of 5c. In this case, the outputs of the pulsars 5a and 5b are time-divided at cycle T, and the output of the pulsar 5c is not subject to time-division, as shown in FIG.

FIG. 2C shows two input pens 1a and 1a.
Each of the pulsars 5a to 5c when c is taken out from the pen holder and the input pen 1b is attached to the pen holder
5C is a time chart showing the output timing of 5c. In this case, only the outputs of the pulsars 5a and 5c are time-divided, and the output of the pulsar 5b is not subject to time-division, as shown in FIG.

FIG. 2D shows the pulsars 5a to 5 when only the input pen 1a is taken out from the pen holder and the input pens 1b and 1c are attached to the pen holder.
7 is a time chart showing the output timing of c, and in this case, the pulse is output from only the pulser 5a, and the pulser 5b and the pulser 5c are not activated in this case.

As described above, in the pen input device used in the present embodiment, the division time is assigned only to the input pen taken out from the pen holder, and the unused input pen attached to the pen holder is excluded from the time division target. There is.

Next, a circuit configuration example of the used pen control section 14 and the timing circuit 6 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. For convenience of explanation, the input pen 1a is used when only one input pen is used.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration example of the used pen control section 14 and the timing circuit 6 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, this pen control unit 1 is used.
4 and the timing circuit 6 can be configured using four D flip-flops 31 to 34 and the like, and when the reset signals b and c indicating the use state of the input pen in use are input, Corresponding pulse is pulse 5
It is output from a, 5b and 5c.

Specifically, when the reset signal b is negate, the input pen 1b is in use, and when the reset signal c is negate, the input pen 1c is in use, and the reset signal b and If both c are negate, then the input pens 1a, 1b and 1c are all in use.

When all the input pens 1a to 1c are in use, the reset signals b and c are both negated, and the pulsers 5a and 5b are the same as in the case of FIG. 2A.
And 5c cyclically output pulses.

Further, when only the input pens 1a and 1b are in use, the reset signal b is negated and the reset signal c is asserted, so that the pulsars 5a and 5b output the same signals as in the case shown in FIG. 2B. The pulse is output cyclically.

Similarly, when only the input pens 1a and 1c are in use, the reset signal c is negated and the reset signal b is asserted, and as in the case shown in FIG. 2C, the pulsars 5a and 5c. The pulse is output cyclically from.

When only the input pen 1a is in use, the reset signals b and c are both asserted, and the pulse is constantly output from the pulsar 5a as in the case of FIG. 2D.

As shown in FIG. 4, the output of each pulse has a cycle twice that of the clock, and the waveforms at the output terminals of the D flip-flops 31 to 34 are Qa and Q at the cycle T.
It is repeated in the order of b and Qc. That is, the outputs of the two pulsers 5b and 5c are determined based on the balance between Qd and the reset signal.

Note that the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 3 is described for convenience in order to explain the used pen control unit 14. When the used pen control unit 14 is mounted, the existing counter circuit and the existing counter circuit are used. It can be easily configured by using a decoding circuit or a programmable array circuit.

Further, as shown in the above configuration, the use pen control unit 14 according to the present invention is not provided independently, but is configured by incorporating the function of the use pen control unit 14 into the timing circuit 6. It

Next, the configuration of the used pen detection unit 13 shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the structure of the used pen detection unit 13 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, this pen detection unit 1 is used.
A switch SW1 is provided below the pen holder 15 to detect an unused input pen among the input pens 1a to 1c, and the detection result 3 is output as reset signals b and c shown in FIG.

Specifically, when the input pen 1b is mounted in the pen holder 15, the switch SW1 is pressed to make the circuit conductive, and the reset signal b is asserted.
On the other hand, when the input pen 1b is taken out from the pen holder 15, the switch SW1 is released and the reset signal b is negated.

Although the case where the usage state of the input pen 1b is detected has been described here, the pen storage portion corresponding to the input pen 1c is also configured in the same manner,
The reset signals b and c can be output to the used pen control unit 14.

Next, a processing procedure until each of the input pens 1a to 1c of the pen input device shown in FIG. 1 transmits an ultrasonic wave will be described.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure until each of the input pens 1a to 1c of the pen input device shown in FIG. 1 transmits ultrasonic waves.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the power of the pen input device is turned on (step 601), first, ultrasonic waves are output from the input pen 1a (step 602).
The used pen detection unit 13 confirms whether or not the input pen 1b exists in the pen holder (step 603).

If the input pen 1b does not exist in the pen holder, the used pen detector 13 considers that the input pen 1b is in use. Therefore, the pulsar 5b is controlled under the control of the used pen controller 14. Outputs a pulse, and the ultrasonic wave is transmitted from the ultrasonic wave transmitting element of the input pen 1b (step 604).

On the other hand, when the input pen 1b is present in the pen holder, the used pen detector 13 regards the input pen 1b as an unused state and outputs the asserted reset signal b. No pulse is output from 5b (step 605).

Next, the used pen detection unit 13 uses the input pen 1c.
Is present in the pen holder (step 606), and if the input pen 1c is not present in the pen holder, the input pen 1b is considered to be in use and the control of the use pen control unit 14 The pulser 5c outputs a pulse below, and ultrasonic waves are transmitted from the ultrasonic wave transmitting element of the input pen 1c (step 607).

On the other hand, when the input pen 1c exists in the pen holder, the used pen detection unit 13 regards the input pen 1c as an unused state and outputs the asserted reset signal c. No pulse is output from 5c (step 608).

Then, by repeating the above processing until the power is turned off (step 609), the input pen 1a
Pen input using ~ 1c is performed.

Therefore, for example, even when the input pens 1c are returned to the pen holder after all of the input pens 1a to 1c are used, or when the number of the input pens 1a to be sequentially used is increased or decreased, the input in use is being used. Time division can be performed according to the number of pens.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the used pen detection unit 13 detects whether or not the input pens 1a to 1c are used, and a reset signal corresponding to the detection result is used as the used pen control unit. Output to 14, and the used pen control unit 1
In No. 4, since the control is performed so that the number of time divisions matches the number of input pens being used based on the reset signal received from the used pen detector 13, it is possible to use an arbitrary number of input pens. Also, smooth and efficient data input can be performed with the input pen.

The first embodiment has been described above.

In the first embodiment, when the input pen is not mounted in the pen holder, the input pen is always considered to be in use. However, for example, when the input pen is used as a pointer, When a writable object is added to the pen tip of the input pen to also serve as a physical writing pen, the input pen should not be always in use.

Therefore, in the following, a description will be given of a second embodiment in which a desired input pen among the input pens detected by the used pen detection unit 13 is regarded as an unused state.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the pen input device used in the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7, this pen input device
A used pen selection unit 16 is added between the used pen detection unit 13 and the used pen selection unit 14 of the pen input device shown in FIG.

Among the input pens that the used-pen detection unit 13 considers to be in use, the used-pen selection unit 16 determines that only the input pen selected in advance is in use, and the input pens not selected are unused. It is a kind of filter that makes a state.

For example, when all of the input pens 1a, 1b and 1c are taken out from the pen holders even though the input pens 1a and 1b have been selected as the pens to be used in advance, the used pens detection unit 13 It is assumed that the input pens 1a, 1b and 1c are all in use.

However, the used-pen selection unit 16 that has received this detection result selects one of the input pens 1a, 1b, and 1c that the used-pen detection unit 13 considers to be in use. It is assumed that only 1 and 1b are in use, and the input pen 1c is in an unused state.

Specifically, the reset signals b and c output from the used pen detection unit 13 are the input pens 1a, 1b and 1 respectively.
Although c is regarded as being in use and both are negated, the use pen selection unit 16 determines that only the input pens 1a and 1b are in use, so the reset signal b is negated,
At the same time, the reset signal c is asserted.

As described above, the use pen selection unit 16 receives the reset signal b received from the use pen detection unit 13.
The reset signals b and c are converted so that only the input pen previously selected as the used pen is in use.

As a result, the use pen control unit 14 does not set the input pen 1c as a time-division allocation target even if the input pen 1c is taken out from the pen holder. It can be performed.

By the way, in this embodiment, when the input pen to be used is selected in advance, the application program is executed to start the window for selecting the pen to be used. explain.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a window for selecting a pen to be used.

As shown in FIG. 8, this window 80
Is a window for selecting whether or not to use the input pen 1b and the input pen 1c, and an input frame 80a for selecting the input pen 1b and an input frame 80b for selecting the input pen 1c are provided. Has been. Here,
Only the input pen 1b is selected.

Therefore, the input pen 1c not selected in this window 80 is regarded as an unused state even if taken out from the pen holder,
No output instruction is given to the pulsar 5c corresponding to the input pen 1c.

For this reason, the input pen 1c can be used as a pointer and an actual writing pen, and the input pen 1c is not subject to time division.

Next, a processing procedure until each of the input pens 1a to 1c of the pen input device shown in FIG. 7 transmits an ultrasonic wave will be described.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure until each of the input pens 1a to 1c of the pen input device shown in FIG. 7 transmits ultrasonic waves.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the power of this pen input device is turned on (step 901), ultrasonic waves are first output from the input pen 1a (step 902).
The used pen detection unit 13 confirms whether or not the input pen 1b exists in the pen holder (step 903).

If the input pen 1b does not exist in the pen holder, it is further confirmed whether or not the input pen 1b is selected (step 904). If the input pen 1b is selected, , The input pen 1b is considered to be in use, and the pulser 5b outputs a pulse under the control of the in-use pen control unit 14. Therefore, the ultrasonic wave is transmitted from the ultrasonic wave transmitting element of the input pen 1b (step 9).
05).

On the other hand, when the input pen 1b is present in the pen holder or when the input pen 1b is not selected as the used pen, the input pen 1b is regarded as an unused state and a reset signal asserted. Since b is output, no pulse is output from the pulser 5b (step 906).

Next, the used pen detection unit 13 determines the input pen 1
It is confirmed whether or not c is present in the pen holder (step 907). If the input pen 1c is not present in the pen holder, it is further confirmed whether or not the input pen 1c is selected (step 908). .

As a result, when the input pen 1c is selected, it is considered that the input pen 1c is being used, and the pulser 5c outputs a pulse under the control of the used pen controller 14. Therefore, the ultrasonic wave is transmitted from the ultrasonic wave transmitting element of the input pen 1c (step 909).

On the other hand, when the input pen 1c is present in the pen holder or when the input pen 1c is not selected as the pen to be used, the input pen 1c is regarded as an unused state and a reset signal asserted. Since c is output, no pulse is output from the pulser 5c (step 910).

Then, the above processing is repeated until the power is turned off (step 911), and the input pen 1a
Pen input using ~ 1c is performed.

Therefore, the input pens 1a to 1c are regarded as the input pens in use only when they are taken out from the pen holder and selected as the pens to be used, and when the number of the input pens in use is determined. It will be divided.

As described above, in the second embodiment, all the input pens that the used pen detection unit 13 considers to be in use are not treated as used pens, but only the input pens registered in advance as used pens. Since the input pen is used as a pen to be used, the input pen can be used as a pointing stick or the like.

In the present embodiment, the used pen selection window 80 is used when selecting the input pen. However, by applying this used pen selection window, a specified input pen such as an eraser can be specified. It is also possible to add a role, select a color, select a line thickness, and the like.

For example, when the eraser function is added, an eraser pen selection window 100 showing which input pen the eraser function is added is created as shown in FIG. The eraser function is added to the input pen selected above.

As a result, smooth pen input suitable for the purpose can be performed without providing a hardware switch on the input pen itself or switching the function of the input pen by software.

The second embodiment has been described above.

In the first and second embodiments, the input pens 1a to 1c are connected to the distributor 4 by wire. However, the input pens 1a to 1c should be wireless pens. You can also

Therefore, a third embodiment in which the input pens 1a to 1c are wireless pens will be described.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of the pen input device used in the third embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 11, since the input pens 18a to 18c are wireless pens in this pen input device, a pulsar is not shown unlike the pen input device shown in FIGS. 1 and 7.

That is, the input pens 18a to 18c
Does not receive the pulse of the ultrasonic wave transmission timing from each pulser via the wire, but the individual input pens 18a to 1a.
8c recognizes the allocated time by itself and emits ultrasonic waves by itself.

However, the input pen 18a for transmitting ultrasonic waves
.. 18c and the main body side that receives ultrasonic waves need to recognize the time-division time assigned to each input pen.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the input pen 1
8a to 18c and the main body side separately have the same timing circuit in terms of hardware, and if the power is turned on while the input pens 18a to 18c are attached to the pen holder 17, both timing circuits start operation in synchronization with each other. I decided to.

By the way, in the pen input device according to the present invention, in order to perform the time-division processing according to the number of input pens in use, it is determined whether or not each input pen is in use on the input pen side and the main body side. Need to detect.

Therefore, the input pens 18a to 18 to be used
When c is not taken out from the pen holder 17 at the same time, the used pen detection unit 13 considers only the input pen taken out first as being in use.

However, in reality, it is difficult to take out a plurality of input pens from the pen holder 17 at the same time. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a delay circuit is added to the used pen detector 13 to output the reset signal. It is configured to delay.

FIG. 12 shows the used pen detector 1 shown in FIG.
3 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of a delay circuit added to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 12, this delay circuit includes:
Three delay elements 1 in addition to four D flip-flops
20a and 120b and a delay 2 element 120c are provided.

Therefore, for example, when the input pen 1b is taken out from the pen holder 17 and then the input pen 1c is taken out from the pen holder 17 before the delay time elapses, the output reset signals b and c are both asserted and the input pen 1c is asserted. Both 1b and 1c are considered to be in use.

On the other hand, when the input pen 1b is taken out from the pen holder 17 and then the input pen 1c is taken out from the pen holder 17 after the delay time elapses, only the output reset signal b is asserted and the output reset signal c becomes No output.

In this case, the signal is input to the flip-flop corresponding to the output reset signal c after the delay time which is twice the delay time after the input reset signal b is input. The output reset signal must be output from the flip-flop. That is, for the delay 2 element 120c, it is necessary to set the delay time in consideration of this point.

Note that, in practice, this delay element 120
It is appropriate that the delay time of a and 120b is 1 second and the delay time of the delay 2 element 120c is 1.5 seconds.

As described above, in the third embodiment, the input pens 18a to 18c are wireless pens, and when the power is turned on while the input pens 18a to 18c are attached to the pen holder 17, the input is performed. Since the pen 18 to 18c and the main body side are configured to match the time division timing, the input pens 18a to 18c can be freely operated.

The third embodiment has been described above.

By the way, in the third embodiment, since only three input pens can be used, it is possible to provide the pen holder 17 having a pen storage portion corresponding to each input pen. When the number of input pen increases, it is difficult to provide the pen holder with a pen storage part corresponding to all input pens.

[0126] In addition, there is an operation mode in which an input pen is lent to each user in advance, and the lent input pen is brought when the user participates in a meeting or the like. In such a case, the number of target input pens Fluctuates, the number of target input pens may exceed the number of pen holders of the pen holder-17.

Therefore, a fourth embodiment applicable to such a case will be described.

First, the pen input device used in the fourth embodiment can be constructed in the same manner as that shown in FIG.
However, it is assumed that the pen holder 17 has only one pen storage unit.

That is, the pen holder 17 is used to determine the time-division timing for transmitting ultrasonic waves, not to detect whether or not the pen holder 17 is in use depending on the mounting state of the pen holder.

The first input pen is the pen holder 1
After mounting on 7, the multi-pen selection window 130 shown in FIG. 13 is activated, the number of input pens to be used is selected, and then “OK” in the figure is input. It should be noted that FIG. 15 shows the case where the number of input pens is five, so that when “OK” in the figure is instructed and input, the signal timing shown in FIG.

When this "OK" is designated and input, instead of the multi-pen selection window 130 shown in FIG.
The window 140 for selecting a pen to be used is activated, a message that the five pens to be used are selected is displayed, and the mounting of the second input pen is prompted.

When the second input pen is attached to the pen holder 17 and "OK" is designated and input, it is recognized that the input pen is the second input pen.
The signal timing shown in FIG.

Similarly, the above procedure is repeated to repeat the third and fourth lines.
When the settings of the first and fifth input pens are sequentially repeated, the signal timing becomes as shown in FIG. 15C, and the time division processing of five divisions corresponding to the five input pens to be used can be performed.

As described above, in the fourth embodiment,
Since the pen holder 17 having a single pen storage unit, the multi-pen selection window 130, and the used pen selection window 140 are used to determine the time division timing for transmitting ultrasonic waves, an arbitrary number of It can also be applied when using an input pen.

Further, it is possible to lend a dedicated input pen to each person, and it is possible to downsize the pen holder 17.

Heretofore, the fourth embodiment has been described.

In the first to third embodiments, the case of using three input pens has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and PAL (Programmable Logic) is used.
By using a sequencer circuit such as Array, a timing circuit for performing n division corresponding to the number of used pens (n) can be configured.

In each of the embodiments, whether or not the input pen is used is confirmed by using the pen holder provided with a switch at the bottom of the pen storage portion, but the present invention is not limited to this. The input pen may be provided with a manual switch indicating whether or not it is used, and it can be considered as unused when the manual switch is not pressed. Further, a temperature sensor may be provided in the input pen so that the input pen that does not detect the body temperature can be regarded as unused.

[0139]

As described above in detail, the first aspect of the present invention detects the input pen to be used among a plurality of input pens having a built-in ultrasonic wave transmission element, and the ultrasonic wave transmission timing is detected only in the detected input pen. Since the input pen is used to transmit ultrasonic waves, the following effects can be obtained.

1) Even when using an arbitrary number of input pens among the prepared input pens, it is possible to perform smooth and efficient data input with the input pens.

2) The user of the input pen can perform real-time operation without being aware of the number of input pens to be used.

Further, in the second invention, when the input pen to be used among the plurality of input pens is detected, only a predetermined input pen is selected from the input pens to be used, and only the selected input pen is selected. Since it is configured to assign ultrasonic wave transmission timing to time-division control, it is possible to use a specific input pen for other purposes such as an indicator stick while smoothly and efficiently inputting data. Becomes

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a pen input device used in the first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a timing at which the pulser shown in FIG. 1 outputs a pulse.

3 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration example of a used pen control unit and a timing circuit shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a time chart of signals in Qa, Qb, Qc, and Qd shown in FIG.

5 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of a used pen detection unit shown in FIG.

6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure until each input pen of the pen input device shown in FIG. 1 transmits an ultrasonic wave.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a pen input device used in the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a window for selecting a pen to be used.

9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure until each input pen of the pen input device shown in FIG. 7 transmits an ultrasonic wave.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an eraser pen selection window.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a pen input device used in the third embodiment.

12 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of a delay circuit added to the used pen detection unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a multi-pen selection window used in the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a window for selecting a pen to be used, which is used in the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a time chart when time division is performed using the windows shown in FIGS. 13 and 14;

[Explanation of symbols]

1a, 1b, 1c ... Input pen, 2 ... Ultrasonic propagation medium,
3a, 3b, 3c, 3d ... Ultrasonic wave detecting element, 4 ... Distributor, 5a, 5b, 5c ... Pulser, 6 ... Timing circuit, 7 ... Amplifying circuit, 8 ... Waveform shaping circuit, 9 ... Time counting circuit, 10 ... Position coordinate calculation circuit, 11 ... CPU,
12 ... Liquid crystal drive circuit, 13 ... Pen detection unit used, 14 ...
Used pen control unit, 15, 17 ... Pen holder, 16 ...
Used pen selection section, 18a, 18b, 18c ... Input pen,
31, 32, 33, 34 ... D flip-flops, 80 ...
Used pen selection window, 100 ... Eraser pen selection window, 120a, 120b ... Delay element,
120c ... delay 2 element, 130 ... multi-pen selection window, 140 ... input pen selection window

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of input pens having an ultrasonic wave transmitting element built-in, and a plurality of input pens of each input pen based on a time until a plurality of ultrasonic wave detecting elements detect ultrasonic waves sequentially transmitted from the plurality of input pens. In a pen input device having a calculation unit for calculating a pointing position, a detection means for detecting an input pen to be used among the plurality of input pens, and an ultrasonic wave transmission timing is assigned only to the input pen detected by the detection means. And a control means for time-divisionally controlling the input pen. 2. A selection means for selecting only a predetermined input pen among the input pens detected by the detection means, wherein the control means sets the ultrasonic wave transmission timing only to the input pen selected by the selection means. The pen input device according to claim 1, wherein the input pen is assigned and time-divisionally controlled.