JPS6028978Y2 - information input device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an information input device, and more particularly to an information input device equipped with a tablet to which scanning signals are sequentially applied to a plurality of electrode groups.

In general, a tablet input device inputs information related to the contact area to an information processing device by touching a detection pen to a desired coordinate position on the tablet surface on which information such as multiple characters is displayed. It is something to do.

To be more specific, a driving signal is applied to the tablet in advance so that the signal can be detected from the outside, and the input pen is capacitively coupled to the tablet that is brought into contact with the tablet surface. The drive signal at the contact area is detected through this detection pen, and coordinate information regarding the contact area is output based on this detection signal.

Conventionally, the tablet is driven by a plurality of X electrode groups and Y
This is done by sequentially applying scanning pulses to a group of electrodes, and the coordinates of the contact area are identified from the timing when the input pen in contact with the tablet detects the scanning pulses.

However, in the above conventional technology, in order to detect the two-dimensional coordinates of the X coordinate and the Y coordinate, the scanning pulse is
It is necessary to alternately apply the voltage to the electrode group and the Y electrode group at different times, and for this reason, there have been cases where the drive circuit for each electrode group is provided independently and separately.

In particular, tablets for inputting Japanese characters have a large number of electrodes, resulting in a complicated drive circuit configuration, which increases the cost of the device and requires time and effort to process the terminal. .

The present invention was developed in view of the drawbacks of the prior art, and by scanning the X electrode group and the Y electrode group at the same timing and making the X coordinate and Y coordinate distinguishable,
It is an object of the present invention to provide an information input device that can reduce the number of drive circuits by approximately half and reduce the number of steps required for terminal processing, and is therefore simple in configuration, inexpensive, and highly reliable.

The present invention shapes the area ratio of an X electrode and a Y electrode facing a float electrode plate provided for each coordinate area so that the detection level of the input pen is different, and It is provided with means for discriminating the detection signal into a signal related to the X electrode or the Y electrode according to the signal level, and further configured to sequentially apply the same scanning signal to each of the X electrode group and the Y electrode group. By doing so, it is intended to be a distant relative of the above purpose.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

FIG. 1 is an electrical block diagram showing a tablet input device according to the present invention.

In the figure, the tablet input device includes a tablet 1 as an input panel provided on the main body of the device, a control section 2 that drives the doublet 1 and identifies the position coordinates, and a control section 2 that comes into contact with the tablet 1 to detect signals. Please refrain from using the input pen 3 to do this.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the tablet 1 includes:
A rectangular base 4 made of an insulating material, and a plurality of X electrodes XI, X2 extending in the vertical direction (y direction) in FIG.゜・
..., X5, and a plurality of electrodes extending in the left-right direction (X direction) in FIG. 2 on the lower surface side of the substrate 4 orthogonally to these Y electrodes Yl, Y2. . . . Y5, rectangular float electrode plates 6, 6°, which are disposed in plural on each point of the X electrode group and Y electrode group via the insulating layer 5, Float electrode plate6. ...Insulating sheet provided on top (third
(see figure) 7.

The float electrode plates 6, 6. ... are capacitively coupled to the X electrode group or Y electrode group through the insulating layer 5 or further through the substrate 4, so that when a scanning pulse is applied to the X electrode or Y electrode, the scanning pulse It has a function of energizing and inducing a uniform potential across the entire area of the float electrode plate 6.

For this reason, the float electrode plates 6, 6 of the insulating sheet 7
．． Concave key segments representing coordinate areas provided at positions corresponding to ... (see Figure 3) 7A, 7A
, . . . , approximately the same potential will be detected at the input pen 3 no matter where the input pen 3 comes into contact with it.

The X electrode group and the Y electrode group are formed such that the width of the electrodes is narrow in the X electrode group and wide in the Y electrode group.

(See Figure 2). As a result, each float electrode plate 6
X electrode xLX2t... and Y electrode Yl, Y2 facing
．． The area ratio of . . . is set so that the capacitance of the Y electrodes Yl, . When a signal is applied, the potential induced in the float electrode plate 6 is low when the scanning signal is applied to the X electrode group, and high when the scanning signal is applied to the Y electrode group.

Therefore, the level of the detection signal detected by the input pen 3 in contact with the tablet 1 is also different between the X electrode group and the Y electrode group (A (X), B (Y) in Fig. 4).
)reference).

Further, when a scanning signal is applied to the X electrode and Y electrode related to the same key segment 7A at the same timing, the float electrode plate 6 and the X electrode and Y electrode are capacitively coupled in parallel, so that the The coupling capacitances become the sum, and therefore, the detection signal at this time becomes approximately the sum level when applied to each X electrode or Y electrode individually (C in Fig. 4).
(See (X+Y)).

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the control section 2 is controlled by a drive section 10 that drives the tablet 1 and an identification section 11 that identifies position coordinates based on the detection signal of the input pen 3.

The driving unit 10 includes a pulse generator 12, a counter 13 connected to the pulse generator 12 and counting clock pulses sent from the pulse generator 12, and a decoder/driver 14 connected to the counter 13.
It is composed of.

The output side of this decoder/driver 14 is commonly connected in parallel to the X electrode group and the Y electrode group, respectively.

This decoder/driver 14 includes the counter 13
It has a function of sequentially applying scanning pulses S1 to S5 to the X electrode group and the Y electrode group at the same timing based on the count value signal sent from the electrode group.

The identification unit 11 also includes an amplifier 15 for amplifying the signal detected by the detection pen 3, voltage comparators 16, 17, and 18 connected in parallel to the output side of the amplifier 15, and these voltage comparators. AND circuits 19, 20, and 21 connected to each of 16, 17, and 18, and this AND circuit 1
The latch circuit 24 is connected to the output side of 9.21 via an OR circuit 22, and the latch circuit 25 is connected to the output side of the AND circuit 20.21 via an OR circuit 23. .

The latch circuits 24 and 25 also include the counter 1.
3 output signals are input.

Each of the voltage comparators 16, 17, and 18 has a function of outputting a bi-level signal rIJ when the signal input to the ten terminals becomes larger than the reference signal input to the one terminal. .

Each of the voltage comparators 16°17.18 receives a voltage V1 obtained by dividing a predetermined voltage V by resistors B1 to R4.
~■3 is inputted to one terminal as a reference voltage, while the output signal of the amplifier 15 is inputted to the tenth terminal.

Here, the reference voltages v1 to v3 are set so that the detection signal amplified by the amplifier 15 can be differentiated into three levels depending on the level.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the detection signal detected by the input pen 3 (the signal after being amplified by the amplifier 15) is
The x and y coordinates of the relevant part of the input pen 3 are different, and the scanning pulse is applied to the X electrode XI,... or the Y electrode Yl,
Detection signals A (X) or B (Y) and X when applied temporally before and after...

Three differences in the detection signal C (X + Y) when the y coordinates are at the same position and applied to the X electrodes XI, . . . and the Y electrodes Yl, . . . at the same timing. It becomes a different level.

The reference voltages V1 to V3 are set to values that allow reliable discrimination, taking into account fluctuations due to the state of contact of the input pen 3 with the tablet 1.

The voltage comparators 16, 17, and 18 configured in this way are
The output signals of the amplifier 15 are vl, v2, respectively. v
3, the bi-level signal rIJ is output to AND circuit 1.
Output to 9, 20, 21.

The output signal of the voltage comparator 18 is inverted and inputted to the AND circuits 19 and 20 via the inversion circuit 26, and the output signal of the voltage comparator 17 is inverted and inputted to the AND circuit 19. The signal is inverted and inputted via the circuit 27.

Furthermore, a sampling pulse SP having a pulse width smaller than that of the scanning pulses is input to each ANDI 9, 20.21 in synchronization with the scanning pulses s1 to S5 which are the outputs of the decoder/driver 14. (See SP in Figure 5).

Therefore, when only the output of the voltage comparator 16 is at bi-level 11yo (that is, when the level of the detection signal is between Vl and V2), the AND circuit 19 outputs the sampling pulse SP
Bi-level 11 is output at the timing when is input.

Furthermore, the AND circuit 20 performs sampling when the output of the voltage comparator 17 is bi-level rIJ and the output of the voltage comparator 18 is low-level rOJ (that is, when the level of the detection signal is between V2 and v3). Bi-level rIJ is output at the timing when pulse SP is input.

Furthermore, when the output of the voltage comparator 18 is at the bi level (that is, when the level of the detection signal is higher than V3), the AND circuit 21 outputs the bi level rIJ at the timing when the sampling pulse SP is input.

The bi outputs of the AND circuits 19 and 21 are sent to the latch circuit 24 via the OR circuit 22 as the latch strobe signal R(X).

Therefore, the latch circuit receives the latch strobe signal R.
The counter 1 at the timing when (X) is input
The count value of 3 is output as X coordinate data to a processing device (not shown).

On the other hand, the bi outputs of the AND circuits 20 and 21 are sent to the latch circuit 25 via the OR circuit 23 as the latch strobe signal R(Y).

Thereby, the latch circuit 25 outputs the count value of the counter 13 at the timing when the latch strobe signal R(Y) is input to the processing device as y-coordinate data.

Next, the overall operation of the above embodiment will be explained based on FIG. 5.

Here, the X electrodes X1.
The area ratio of ...... and Y electrode Yl, ...... is,
Peak values of detection signals (output of amplifier 15) A (X) and B (Y) detected by input pen 3 ■6 and VB
The ratio is set to be 1:2, and the reference voltage is V1=2/3VBXV2=2/3VB,
Tablet 1 is set to the value of V3=2/3Vo.
It is assumed that coordinates can be reliably detected regardless of fluctuations in the detection signal related to the state of contact of the input pen 3 with the input pen 3.

First, when the entire device is operated, a clock pulse signal of a constant period is sent from the pulse generator 12 to the counter 13.

This counter 13 counts the input pulses and immediately sends the counted value signal to the decoder/driver 14 and latch circuits 24 and 25.

The decoder/driver 14 sequentially applies scanning pulses S to the X electrode group and the Y electrode group in the tablet 1 at the same timing based on the count signal sent from the counter 13.
1 to S5 are applied.

X electrode X1. ...or Y electrode Y19. ...
When a scanning pulse of − period (see 1 in FIG. 5) is applied to ..., X9'! The float electrode plate 6 relating to coordinate regions having different coordinates has an X electrode X1, . . . , or a Y electrode Yl, . . . facing the float electrode plate 6.
Potentials with different levels depending on the area of ... are induced twice.

On the other hand, X. The float electrode plate 6 having the same y coordinates has X electrodes X1. ...and Y electrode Yl, ...
・Since scanning pulses are applied at the same timing, each X.

When a scanning pulse is applied to the Y electrode alone, a potential approximately equal to the sum of potentials is induced.

The potential induced in the float electrode plate 6 is then the same across the float electrode plate 6, thus creating a uniform potential within 7A.

In this state, when the operator brings the input pen 3 into contact with the key segment 7A on the tablet 1 at the coordinate position desired for input, for example, coordinates (3, 4), the input pen 3 and the tablet 1 are capacitively coupled. , scanning pulse S applied to the X electrode X3 and the Y electrode Y4 related to the contact area
3 and S4 are immediately sequentially detected by the input pen 3 via the float electrode plate 6.

The signal detected by the input pen 3 is sent to the identification unit 11
The detection signals A(X) and B are amplified by the amplifier 15 in the
(Y) is input to voltage comparators 16-18.

Here, the peak value vA of the detection signal A (X) is Vl<V,
<V2, when the detection signal A(X) is input, only the voltage comparator 16 becomes a by-output, and the other voltage comparators 17 and 18 are in a low state.

Therefore, the AND circuit 19 converts the by output of the voltage comparator 16 into the latch strobe signal R at the timing when the sampling pulse SP synchronized with the scanning pulse S3 is input.
It is sent to the latch circuit 24 as (X).

At this time, it is sent to the latch circuit 24.

At this time, the latch circuit 24 receives the count value signal (representing x=3) which is the output of the counter 13 as described above, and therefore the latch circuit 24 receives the latch strobe signal R(X ) and outputs the count value at that timing to a processing device (not shown) as a position signal representing the X coordinate.

On the other hand, detection signal B (Y) (7) Peak value Va, V2
<Va<Va> When the detection signal B (Y) is input, the voltage comparators 16 and 17 become bi-outputs.

However, at this time, the AND circuit 19 includes the inverting circuit 2.
Since the low signal is input through 7, the AND circuit 20
At the timing when the sampling pulse SP synchronized with the scanning pulse S4 is input, the bi output of the voltage comparator 17 is sent to the latch circuit 25 as a latch strobe signal R(Y).

Then, this latch circuit 25 operates in the same manner as described above.
A position signal (y=4) representing the coordinates is output to the processing device (see I in FIG. 5).

Separately, if the operator selects a key segment 7A in a coordinate area 9 with the same X and y coordinates, for example, coordinates (2, 2),
When the input pen 3 is brought into contact with the
A scanning pulse S2 applied at the same timing as the input pen 3 is detected by the input pen 3 via the float electrode plate 6.

The signal detected by the input pen 3 is amplified by the amplifier 15 and inputted to the voltage comparators 16 to 18 as a detection signal c (x+y) (see FIG. 4).

Here, the peak value ■ of the detection signal c (x+y).

is Va<V. Therefore, when the detection signal C (X+Y) is input, all the voltage comparators 16 to 18 become bi-outputs.

However, the AND circuits 19 and 20 include the inverting circuit 26.
Since the low signal is input through the AND circuit 21, only the sampling pulse S synchronized with the scanning pulse S2
At the timing when P is input, the bias output of the voltage comparator 18 is sent to the latch circuits 24 and 25 as latch strobe signals R(X) and R(Y).

These latch circuits 24, 25 therefore receive position signals representing the X and y coordinates (x = 2
*y = 2) is output to the processing device (■ in Figure 5).
reference).

In the above embodiment, the case where the number of X and Y electrodes is the same has been explained, but the present invention is not limited to this in any way, and even if the number of X and Y electrodes is different, only the larger number is used. By providing a driver circuit and connecting it in common to the smaller number, the latter driver circuit can be omitted.

As described above, according to the present invention, coordinate information can be input simply by applying a -dimensional scanning signal to a two-dimensionally arranged electrode group, and therefore the configuration is simple, inexpensive, and ,
A highly reliable information input device can be provided.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention;
The figure is an enlarged partial plan view showing the main parts of the tablet part in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line ■-■ in Figure 2,
This figure is an explanatory diagram of the operation related to the tablet portion of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the operation of FIG. 1. 1...tablet, 3...input pen,
4...Base, x1-X5...X electrode,
Y1-Y5...Y electrode, 6.6...Float! Pole plates, 16, 17, 18... Voltage comparators forming the main part of the detection signal discrimination means.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] A tablet in which a plurality of X electrode groups and Y electrode groups are arranged orthogonally across an insulating substrate, and a floating electrode plate is provided at each intersection point with an insulating layer interposed therebetween, was manufactured by Kapen with the above-mentioned method. In an information input device that inputs data, by detecting scanning signals applied sequentially to each electrode group, the area ratio of the X electrode and Y electrode facing the float electrode plate can be determined so that the detection level with the input pen is different. and means for discriminating the detection signal of the input pen into a signal related to the X electrode or the Y electrode depending on the level, further comprising:
An information input device characterized in that the information input device is configured to sequentially apply the same scanning signal to each of the X electrode group and the Y electrode group.