JPS5983281A - Tablet input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To resolve the undetected area of key segments, by providing dummy electrodes on the outside of outermost key segments of a tablet and making coordinate data related to dummy electrodes ineffective when this coordinate data is generated. CONSTITUTION:N-number of X electrodes X1-Xn and m-number of Y electrodes Y1-Ym are arranged in X-axis and Y-axis directions of a tablet on which a character sheet is placed. Dummy electrodes XO, Xn+1, Y0, and Ym+1 are provided on the outside of these electrodes. Eelectrode driving circuits 2 and 3 which impress scanning pulses successively are connected to electrode groups. When an input pen 4 is brought into contact with the tablet, a pen switch 4A is closed, and a control circuit 5 is operated, and a counter 7 performs the counting operation. The output of the pen 4 is compared with a prescribed threshold by a comparator 10, and the threshold level is changed if it is discriminated in a discriminating circuit 16 that the number f outputs exceeding the threshold is >=2, and the value of the counter 7 is outputted through a latch circuit 17 if the number of outputs exceeding the threshold is one. When the pen 4 is brought into contact with a dummy electrode, data is collated in an address collating circuit 20, and its coordinate information is made ineffective.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

The present invention relates to a tablet human-powered device, and in particular, extracts a predetermined number of detection signals by changing the threshold value or the level of a scanning signal corresponding to the output of an input pen (= JIyi'), and extracts a predetermined number of detection signals based on the detection signals. It relates to a tablet input device that generates coordinate information.The tablet input device is easy to operate as a manual device for inputting character/graphic data and item data, and is inexpensive, so it is widely used in newspapers and magazines. It has been widely used in recent years for editing, inventory management, etc.2). To explain the operation of this tablet human-powered device using an example of the 1°C coupling type, as shown in Fig. Xn, Yt
~Yrn are arranged, and the character sheet 50 placed on this Kuburetsu) 1 has key segments KS or a plurality of key segments KS divided into one section for each dungeon corresponding to each intersection part of the ' electrode group. An enlarged key segment LKS is formed at the intersection. The X and Y electrode groups Xi to Xn, Yt to Y'm
K fi, '6 /rX + l[tlij@mtlO
1m (see figure K7) A scanning pulse is applied, and the operator presses a desired key on the character sheet 50. When an input pen (see Figure 7)!(r, ) is brought into contact with L, 1 (8), the input pen connects to the 4th corner of the tablet and detects the scanning pulse. , from this detection timing, the key segment that was touched by the manual Ben) KS, L
Now you can get the coordinate information of KS. When the human pen is capacitively coupled with the electrode of the tablet 1 at the toko mouth, the human pen is in contact with the key segment KS 17.
, L, KS as well as scanning pulses applied to the adjacent +ti. For this reason, conventionally, only signals exceeding a predetermined threshold value 3Q of output signals from an input sensor are treated as detection signals. Specifically, the threshold value 80 is determined by the human pen as a key segment)
, +(electrodes Xj on both sides when in contact with the boundary of 8,
Detection signal level aj induced from Xj + i,
It is set to be the same as aj + 1 (aj - aJ +1, see Figure 4), and if the Bentouch is biased toward 8 on either key segment, aj, '> 8
0 ) aj + 1 or aj (SQ (aj + 1). Using this fact, the detection signal with a threshold value of 80 or more is converted into the scanning pulse V applied to the electrode closest to the manual pen as the maximum level detection signal. It was extremely difficult to set the threshold value to the above ideal value using a semi-fixed resistor, etc. due to variations in products and changes in environmental conditions, and it took time to adjust. If the threshold value fluctuates above and below the SO due to significant changes over time, it becomes impossible to detect coordinates near the boundary of the key segment. Therefore, in order to solve this drawback, the applicant of the present application First, we will discuss an invention in which the threshold value is made variable and the threshold value is changed step by step to select the output signal of a human-powered pen and extract the detection signal of the maximum level. (Japanese Patent Application No. 56-135837, Japanese Patent Application No. 56-13'5838) The output signals after amplification of the input Ben are as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, respectively. When lowering the threshold for signal selection in stages, the threshold s4.
s3° One or two detection signals of the maximum level can be obtained in S2. When there is one detection signal of the maximum level, based on that signal, if there are two detection signals, the first detection signal is determined. The @X coordinate is determined based on one of the signals. However, in the above invention, when looking at the outermost periphery of the tablet, that is, for example, the key segment KS at As a result, one detected error signal with the maximum level is obtained at the threshold value S2, and based on this,
In the same way as when the coordinates (=1) are specified, the threshold value is automatically lowered at the level of 81 years old when the detection signal is one even if the point P5 outside the human power range is touched, and the threshold is also゛■ (=l) is output (see Figure 6)
. When this female operator was reading a document, turning a page, or taking a break, she placed her hand holding the input bevel around the edge of the tablet, and when the tip of the input ben touched the outer edge of the tablet, the outermost edge There is a risk of erroneous human effort similar to touching a key segment. Input to key segment, i.e. straight line drawn) 1. There was a risk that the coordinates would be input as if the The present invention has been made in view of such drawbacks, and is a tablet manual device that detects the maximum level and extracts the old No. 14 by increasing and decreasing the scanning pulse level or threshold level. By providing a dummy electrode (dummy electrode) on the outside r of the key segment, and when coordinate data related to this Gummy Electric 4iH is generated, it is made invalid data.
By removing the undetected areas of key segments and ensuring that the data can be reliably processed, it also eliminates erroneous data transfer on the outer periphery of the tablet and improves reliability and operability. Its purpose is to provide a human powered device. The present invention 1 includes the X, Y electrode set and this 1. Ra X, Y electric (
A dummy tablet provided on the outside of the umbrella group, a human-powered pen that comes into contact with the tablet and performs a +14 mark, and each of the tablets has a 4M
means for applying a scanning signal of Ji, U, and a threshold value for the output signal of the input pen or 7 bell degrees of the scanning No.
The method includes means for extracting a false detection signal and generating coordinate information of a human-powered pen on the basis of the detection signal, and means for invalidating the coordinate information when the coordinate information relates to the dummy electrode. This aims to achieve the above objectives. Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described based on FIGS. 7 to 16. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the tablet human power device according to the present invention. In the figure, character sheet 50
Insulating substrates 100A, (9.10
(see figure), each with 11 mm X and Y electrodes Xl ~
Xn, Y1 to Ym are arranged. Further, on the outside of these X and Y electrodes, X dummy electrodes Xo, Xn −
1-1, Y dummy electrode Yo. Electrode drive circuits 2 and 3 for applying an 11th scanning pulse are connected to one end of the electrode group Xl and Y [electrodes Ym-1-1], which are constituted by each of these electrodes. In order to specify characters, the manual pen 4 operated by the operator has a built-in pen switch 4A that is activated by contact with the tablet 1. When the pen switch 4A is closed, the control circuit 5 is activated and the oscillator is activated. 617 (The counting operation of the connected ring counter 7 is started. The count value of this ring counter 7 is controlled by the control 9111 circuit 5 to switch to the X or Y side via the gate 8. Pole drive circuit 2 or 3-
・Send J. Then, the electrode drive circuit 2 or 3 converts the sign of the number of tears sent from the ring counter 7,
Previous ``i'' X, Y 1n, poles in the spacelet 100 are connected to XO-Xn -1-1. Sequentially apply scanning pulses υ11 to YO~Ym +l (see 8th i!7!l). Each X'Iit+4txl ~X, n, YTlt(i
Contact of the above-mentioned person 4 on the intersection of Yt to Ym 1. Key 1! When a scanning pulse is applied to the electrodes related to Gnont KS, this input pen 4 and tablet 100
01 to pole capacity 1. The scanning pulse is detected by the j coupling. This (F= issue is
The output of the input pen 4 is amplified by the connected amplifier 9.
Afterwards, it is not sent to the input terminal of the comparator 10. The other input terminal of this comparator 10 is
The A converter 11 connected to the D-A converter 11 as a threshold switching circuit is also connected to the control circuit 5 [7 with the threshold designation signal (digital signal) lcg, It has all the functions of generating an analog signal corresponding to a digital signal and outputting a predetermined threshold voltage to the comparator 10. To explain 11 in more detail, the 1)-A converter 11, for example, as shown in FIG. , pressure S1 to 84f: f and C are set so that the pressure S1 to 84f can be generated. The output of the comparator 10 is passed through a shaping circuit 12,
1 is sent to the gate 1-13 and the counting circuit 15 in the discriminating means 14.
i i-1 straddle Y ′rjj pole group Yn ~'Ym −
1-1) - has a function of counting the ftpuhi detection signals that are selected by the comparator 10 as the second detection signal 18 that is below a predetermined threshold level while the ten thousand electrode groups are scanned once; This counting pupil is sent to a discrimination circuit 16-\ connected to the output side of the counting circuit 15. This discrimination circuit 16 determines whether fcI? At the point, when the count value which is the output of the 81 number circuit 15 is [2-1 or more] 2 (for example, when the threshold value is 82 in the diagram @l1), the detection incomplete signal, and when rlJ (the same ( 83) to send a detection end signal to the control circuit 5.Furthermore, when the count value changes from "2" to "0" when the L7 threshold is increased by one step, the detection end signal is sent to the control circuit 5. 11. (For example, when the threshold value is changed from 82 to 83 in FIG. 12) f, I: is set so as to send the threshold value return signal j'S2'F to the control circuit 5. The circuit 5 has all the functions of switching the threshold value 1 based on the output of the discriminating means I4 and rescanning the negative electrode group. When 4A is closed, first, the minimum level threshold 811 finger), 1 step, and the tablet 10
010,000 la extreme 4if Yushirori Mori Isu

[7th, 1jtJ
1. A signal is input from the writing discrimination circuit 16 in the detection i' winter. 1. Raise the threshold one step at a time until it reaches 1. When the detection end signal is input from the discrimination circuit 6, the threshold value is fixed and a data check operation, which will be described later, is performed. Separately, when a threshold return signal is input from the discrimination circuit 16, the control circuit 5 lowers the threshold by one level and rescans the electrode group, as will be described later. coordinate detection (outputs two detection signals) and then performs a data check operation 47 to be described later. The control circuit 5 switches and connects the latch circuit 13 to the latch circuit 17 side until the data check operation is started. The inverse value is latched, but ultimately the last latched data is output. Specifically, the discrimination circuit 16 is
When the full output of the detection end signal is 17, the latch data is the coordinate data of the electrode associated with the maximum level of the detection signal (1u pole, which is also close to the contact area of the input pen 4).
About this fl. Fingertips in Ben 4, f1 #key segnon 1. There is data C for KS. Further, the discrimination circuit 16 returns the threshold value 4+
“When outputting 7%, the threshold value 5 (1) and S
(l+x), and in this case, the latch terminal A11l is detected later. The electrodes related to the detection Iba No. (see the old figure in Figure 4) are also 7', ii&,' coordinate data, 5 example II', 1', private university key segment displaying one item across multiple human power areas. ) When the input ben 4 is in contact with the center position of the turtle in the LKS (j13.9 in Fig. 1)
(Refer to 1" IO in the figure), the dora of the corresponding both cardiac poles (even if the scanning pulse applied to C is detected, the corresponding enlarged key segment:/g) becomes the data of KS. As described above, the coordinate data is latched. When completed, next is the control; circuit 5 is gate 13;
Switch connection to 81111 (7, Datanic operation all lines 1
1'). Immediately, control rjll IIJI % 5 El
lυ key υ, +'L+*1 previous +4+1rIL:'I'
: The group is scanned and ζ Lus or one round mark IJI + is applied, and the same as described in 111 (P Y is set to 7 and the threshold level is exceeded and l is detected.
Data comparator 18 via bow, 'bald-1-13
Sent to. When the detection signal is input, the f-taper comparator 18 compares the divisor 11I of the ring counter 7 at that timing with the latch data of the latch circuit 17, and when they all match, it outputs a match signal. "Output": is set to "output". Data goonic is 1'4
This is carried out when the separate circuit 16 outputs the detection end signal 'soil-threshold return signal', but when the discrimination circuit 6 outputs the detection end signal, the data comparator Ill performs the data latch. ′a, which is the same as the detection signal
Only the detection signal of one incoming level related to the pole is input as a comparison timing signal, and therefore, the count value of the ring counter 7 at the comparison timing V and the launch circuit 17
The latch data of the corresponding data comparator 18 match.
outputs a match signal. 10,000, the discrimination circuit 16 returns the threshold value, and the U signal is output and the hanging level detection signal 18 is manually operated. At this time, when the previous detection signal is exhausted, there is a mismatch between the count value of the carantuff and the latch data of the latch circuit 17 at that timing, and the coincidence signal is not output. However, when the later detection signal is detected by human input, the data comparator 181
d, outputs a coincidence signal. The coincidence signal output from the comparator 18 is passed through the gate 19 to J, )A'l
'AS 'J' 13 Signal and j ~ provided externally, f
71 to be sent to r-C, PTJ, etc.・And the CPU concerned (rule Qi, J) A'll'AS
T13 At the timing when the signal is received, □1 (latch data output I of the latch circuit 17) ATA is taken in as correct 711 old slip data that is not affected by noise etc. A gate 19 is connected to the output ft1ll of the comparator 18. This gate 1.9i, when the data latched in the latch circuit J7 relates to the X or Y dummy's output, prevents the comparator 18 from outputting the RF signal and outputs the coordinate information. It is controlled by address verification means 20. This address verification means 2
0 is a coincidence detection circuit 22.23 which inputs the old value of the previous -1 counter 7 via a gate 21, and an X, Y gummy address memory 24.23 connected to each of these coincidence detection circuits 22.23. It consists of 25. The gate 21 i
t, XX is controlled to be switched to the Y side in synchronization with the control circuit 8. In addition, the X dummy address memory 24
stores all the X dummy addresses of X-=O, n+1, and outputs the addresses to the coincidence detection circuit 22. −
Y = 0, +
The n+l address is stored and the address is sent to the coincidence detection circuit 2.
It is output to 3. The function of the address verification means 200 configured in this manner is as follows: the count value of Example 7 is stored in the X dummy address memory 24 71. Ta X dummy'! [Only when the data corresponding to the pole XO or Xn+11C match, the gate close signal 19 and the gate close signal are sent out through the OIL circuit 26 along with the control signal 17. The gate 19 is closed by this control signal, and when a coincidence signal is input from the comparator 18, it outputs the ATA8T13 signal and f(
It's starting to look ugly. Therefore, for example, when the human-powered bevel 4 is brought into contact with the points P6 to P90 in FIG.
The output after amplification is as shown in FIGS. 11 to 14. As a result, coordinate data related to key segment KS (X=1°Y=i) is output when a bent touch is made inward from P7 as a boundary, but when a bent touch is made to the outside, M
1. Applied to the dummy electrode XO. The amplified output signal of the human powered Ben 4 related to the scanning pulse generated by the sensor is extracted as the maximum level detection signal, the latch circuit 1711Cil numerical value (0) is latched, and the data core valet 18 is output by the data check operation. ]) ATAS'
ll'J3 Signal power output This signal is the gate 19
Therefore, the latch data of the latch circuit 17 becomes invalid and cannot be incorporated into CI'lJ or the like. The same holds true for YPe 4S%. Note that this data invalidation processing may be performed on the CPU side. 30f, Ki1IIrllI Bentatsuchi is tablet 1
This is an error detection circuit for warning the operator that the input is outside the KS input range (outermost key segment of 00). As shown in FIG. 15, this error detection circuit 30 includes a monostable multivibrator 27 that inverts and inputs the PSW signal that is the output of the pen switch 4A described in III, and the output of this monostable multivibrator 27 to the S terminal. , J)"vA8TJ3(M No.'fc
Inversion 1/TER1ttA child' input pulse reset flip-flop (hereinafter abbreviated as "1t-sF/l"j) 28, this It, -8F/F28 Q terminal output and the Ben switch 48. 〇Input PSW outputN
A N J) circuit 29. As shown in Fig. 16, the front first pen switch 4A is designed to output a PSW signal 7: The monostable multi-by-break 27 outputs the self pulse by the Bent touch operation, and H, -8)"/JI' 28, which is previously set for the reset state j', is set. If the input Ben 4 is correctly within the input range of the character sheet. If the gate 19 is hit, there will be a delay in the bend down time.
J) ATASTH signal is output from J). This J) AT
A8 T +3 Qi is output as a low signal.No1. It is designed so that the l1il mi mouth (-8F/
Ii'28 minute reset. After that, when the input ben 4 is ben up, the S W ig becomes high,
During this time, Ju, which is the output of the N A I'J I) circuit 29,
l(・1t(J IL signal remains high. Separate from this, after Bentag, above J)A'l'AS'l
If there is no '13 signal output, the B and -S I ("/F 28 will not be reset) set at the time of the pen touch, so the two inputs of the circuit 29 will both go high and follow the NAN]) when the pen is up. and the NAI', lJ) circuit 2
9's g 1Llto i(, signal is low and t(. Based on this low level El(, R, OR signal, the lamp,
Bets can be placed using either a screen display or a buzzer. As described above, when the output of the -10,000 coordinate data among the x and y coordinates is completed, the control 1 circuit 5 outputs the gate 8.
21 to the opposite side from the previous time, and do exactly the same f/i as described above to send out the other M target data in line 7':
C. Incidentally, since the scanning of the electrodes is extremely fast compared to the operation speed of the operator + WVC, even if the scanning of the same electrode group is repeated, it will not interfere with the manual operation of the operator. According to this embodiment, since the key segment on the outermost periphery of the tablet has a clear boundary between the key segment and the non-input area, a highly reliable input device can be obtained without fear of erroneous human input. In addition, there are no non-detectable areas within the key segment and expanded key segment, regardless of the contact position of the human pen.
Since coordinates can always be entered reliably, operability can be improved, and at the same time, changing the tablet (1) allows for free layout of the character sheet, improving operator comfort and ease of use. The device fluid can be adjusted to suit the conditions.Furthermore, since there is no need for adjustment and maintenance for setting the threshold value as in the past, manufacturing of the device 6° becomes easier. Even when all information is input using a formula information sheet, there is no need to adjust individual threshold values, which simplifies the configuration and maintenance, and allows the device to be used for multiple purposes. In addition, in the embodiment described above, the threshold value of the comparator is configured to be raised in stages, but the present invention is not limited to this in any way; Furthermore, the λ division method (patent application No. 56-135) may also be used.
838) may be used to converge near Fit. The threshold value of the comparator is fixed〉d, and 1〕
- A converter etc. generates an analog voltage that changes step by step, and this analog voltage is used as a voltage source for the output stage of the electrode drive circuit, and a scanning pulse is applied to each pole. The detection signal at the maximum level may be extracted by changing the peak value f.The dummy electrode may also be provided only at the point fJ'. As for the sheet, a step gold film may be applied between the key segments I (S). As described above, according to the present invention, although the non-detectable area within the key segment 1I-1" has been eliminated, A clear boundary can be created between the outermost key segment of the tablet and the non-input area, improving reliability and operability (i-
I can do ＋＊＋ things.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 1L is a plan view of the conventional tablet, Figures 2 to 6 are explanatory diagrams showing the human pen output waveform after amplification and the threshold value for selecting detection No. 48, and Figure 7 is the invention of the present invention. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a scanning node, FIG. 9 is a partial plan view showing the tablet of FIG. 7, and FIG. 1O G-j: Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view taken along line X-X, Figs. 11 to 14 are diagrams showing the human pen output after amplification, and Fig. 15 t shows the configuration of error detection 1-1 path. Block (1, Fig. 16 is the evening/imming yard shown in action 2 in Fig. 15.
-X dummy electrode, Y1-Ym-Y electrode, Yo,
Ym +1- Y dummy electrode, 1,100...Tablet, 2.3...Electrode drive circuit, 4...Manual Ben,
5... Control circuit, 10... Comparator, 11...
・I)-A converter, 14...discrimination means, 17...
・Natsuchi circuit, 18...Data controller, 20
...Address verification means. Figure 1 of agent patent attorney Gao Kai

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1), X, Y electrode group and these means for applying a scanning signal;
means for extracting a predetermined number of detection signals from the output signals of the input pen by changing the level of No. 3, and generating coordinate information of the contact of the input pen based on the detection signals; A tablet human-powered device (
Place.