KR101755945B1

KR101755945B1 - Pressure sensitive pointing apparatus and information processing apparatus using frequency filtering

Info

Publication number: KR101755945B1
Application number: KR1020150179689A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 이강윤; 김상윤; 조성훈; 임승현; 박형구
Original assignee: 성균관대학교산학협력단
Priority date: 2015-12-16
Filing date: 2015-12-16
Publication date: 2017-07-20
Also published as: KR20170072373A

Abstract

A pressure sensitive pointing device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a receiver for generating an electric signal oscillating at a resonance frequency by a radio signal generated based on a resonance frequency varying according to a magnitude of a pressure, A method for detecting a deviation of first and second attenuation signals obtained by respectively passing an electric signal by first and second filters having transitional bands overlapping each other and detecting a deviation of the first and second attenuation signals according to a deviation level of the detected first and second attenuation signals A filtering unit for outputting a signal, and a pressure level determination unit for determining a pressure level based on the deviation level.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a pressure sensitive pointing device and an information processing device using frequency filtering,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pressure sensitive technique, and more particularly, to a pressure sensitive technique based on a resonant frequency.

A digitizer is a generic term that refers to a peripheral device that digitizes an analog level for processing by a host computer. However, a user may use a special dedicated pen or stylus to perform fine writing or writing on a tablet, Sensitive pointing device configured to be able to input a drawing to a host computer. The term "digitizer" below refers to the latter. Also in this context the term "tablet" refers to a device capable of providing a surface to which a dedicated pen can be accessed and also sensing the location of a dedicated pen. The tablet may be integrated into a touch screen or a smart device, or may be implemented as a separate device.

The digitizer continuously detects the user's intended pointing position on the tablet and the intensity with which the dedicated pen is pressed, allowing the user to enter a brush stroke on the host computer in a sense of writing or drawing on the paper with a pen have.

There are many techniques for the digitizer to detect the pointing position, but there are many techniques for detecting the change in resistance, self-electrostatic capacitance, or mutual electrostatic capacitance between a number of conductive lines arranged in the horizontal and vertical axes within the tablet, And a method of detecting positional information by detecting a weak electric signal derived from the sensor is mainly used. For example, a pressure-sensitive position detection technique is a technique in which, when a conductive line intersecting a surface under the surface when a surface is pressed with a special pen or a finger touches each other or a distance of the distance changes, the intersection of the conductive lines, Can be detected, and the pointing position can be deduced.

On the other hand, there may be various techniques for detecting the pressure, that is, the strength with which the digitizer presses the dedicated pen. However, for example, when a pressure configured to vary the resistance, capacitance, or inductance The methods of generating analog signals or digital values from sensors are mainly used.

In this case, the generated analog signal or digital value may be transferred from the dedicated pen to the tablet or host computer either wired or wirelessly.

The wired method is advantageous in that it can easily transmit the analog signal or digital signal generated by the special pen with respect to the pressure through the cable to the tablet and also can reliably receive the power from the tablet or the host computer. However, You may feel other discomfort or discomfort.

The wireless system is a system in which a dedicated pen outputs a wireless signal modulated by an analog signal or a digital value, and the tablet demodulates the wireless signal to restore an analog signal or a digital value related to the pressure. Although there is a problem in that it is necessary to add various circuits related to the problem of electric power supply, frequency generation, time division transmission, modulation or digital conversion, etc. in a narrow exclusive pen, .

Such conventional pressure sensitive pointing devices require a separate antenna to receive a radio signal of weak size to receive the radio signal and determine the pressure, There are big and small problems such as the need to synchronize time.

U.S. Published Patent Application No. US 2013/0265281 A1 (published Oct. 10, 2013) U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2009/0065268 A1 (published on May 12, 2009)

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a pressure sensitive pointing device and an information processing device using frequency filtering.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a pressure sensitive pointing device and an information processing device that do not require a separate modulation or digital conversion circuit in a dedicated pen.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a pressure sensitive pointing device and an information processing device that do not require time synchronization between a dedicated pen and a tablet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a pressure sensitive pointing device and an information processing device that do not require a dedicated antenna for receiving a wireless signal having pressure information on a tablet.

The solution to the problem of the present invention is not limited to those mentioned above, and other solutions not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

A pressure sensitive point device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a receiver for generating an electric signal oscillating at the resonance frequency by a radio signal generated based on a resonance frequency varying according to a magnitude of a pressure, And first and second filters having transitional bands overlapping each other to detect a deviation of the first and second attenuation signals respectively obtained by passing the electric signal, A filtering unit for outputting a deviation signal according to the deviation level, and a pressure level determination unit for determining the pressure level based on the deviation level.

According to one embodiment, the first and second filters are arranged such that the variation range of the resonance frequency of the radio signal is coincident with the overlap transition band where the transition bands of the first and second filters overlap each other, Can be set to be placed.

According to one embodiment, the first and second filters may be set to have symmetrical attenuation curves centering on an intermediate frequency of the variation range of the resonance frequency in the superposition transition band.

According to one embodiment, the pressure is a pressure applied to a tip of an active stylus in contact with the tablet surface, and the receiver is configured to apply a force to at least one of the plurality of wires arranged spaced apart from each other below the tablet surface, And to amplify and provide the electrical signal derived by the signal to the filtering unit.

According to one embodiment, the pressure-sensitive pointing device includes a signal fluctuation detector for receiving the electrical signal from the receiver and extracting a peak or an outline from the electrical signal, and a signal-fluctuation detector for detecting, based on the size or contour of the extracted peak, Further comprising a position determining section for identifying a lead from which the electrical signal is derived, the position at which the tip contacts the tablet surface may be determined based on the location of the identified lead.

According to one embodiment, the pressure is a pressure applied to a tip of an active stylus in contact with the tablet surface, and the receiver amplifies the electrical signal induced by the radio signal to an antenna disposed around the tablet, And the like.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of driving a pressure-responsive pointing device, the pressure-sensitive pointing device including a receiving unit, a filtering unit, and a pressure level determining unit, wherein the receiving unit comprises: Generating an electrical signal oscillating at said resonant frequency by a radio signal generated based on a resonant frequency; (b) combining said first and second signals with passbands that do not overlap with each other, The first and second attenuation signals obtained by respectively passing the electric signals are detected and the deviation signal is outputted according to the deviation level of the first and second attenuation signals detected And (c) the pressure level determining section determining the pressure level based on the deviation level.

According to one embodiment, the pressure is a pressure applied to a tip of the active stylus in contact with the tablet surface, and wherein said step (a) comprises the steps of: And amplifying the electrical signal induced by the radio signal to one conductor and providing the amplified electrical signal to the filtering unit.

According to an embodiment, when the pressure-sensitive pointing device further includes a signal fluctuation detection unit and a position determination unit, the signal fluctuation detection unit receives the electrical signal from the reception unit, Further comprising the step of extracting a peak or contour from an electrical signal and identifying the conductor from which the electrical signal is derived based on the size or contour size of the extracted peak, The position of contact with the surface may be determined based on the place where the identified lead is arranged.

According to one embodiment, the pressure is a pressure applied to the tip of the active stylus in contact with the tablet surface, and wherein the step (a) And amplifying and providing the signal to the filtering unit.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided an information processing apparatus comprising a tablet, a pressure sensitive pointing interface and a processor, wherein the tablet comprises a plurality of conductors spaced apart from each other below the surface of the tablet, The pointing interface is configured such that when a user presses the tip while touching the tip of the active stylus with the tip and the radio signal is emitted based on the resonance frequency varying from the active stylus according to the magnitude of the pressure, Wherein the pressure sensitive pointing interface is configured to determine a pressure applied to the tip on the tablet based on a resonance frequency of the tablet, To generate an electrical signal that oscillates Detecting a deviation of the first and second attenuation signals obtained by respectively passing the electric signals by the first and second filters having the first, the second, the non-overlapping pass bands and the transition bands overlapping with each other, A filtering unit for outputting a deviation signal according to a deviation level of the first and second attenuation signals, and a pressure level determination unit for determining a pressure level based on the deviation level.

According to one embodiment, the pressure is a pressure applied to the tip of the pen in contact with the tablet surface, and the receiver is arranged to place the radio signal on at least one of the plurality of conductors spaced below the tablet surface, And to provide the filtering unit with the received electrical signal.

According to one embodiment, the pressure-sensitive pointing interface includes a signal fluctuation detector for receiving the radio signal from the receiver and extracting a peak or an outline from the electrical signal, and a controller for determining, based on the extracted size or the size of the outline, Further comprising a position determining section for identifying a lead from which the electrical signal is derived, the position at which the tip contacts the tablet surface may be determined based on the location of the identified lead.

According to one embodiment, the pressure is a pressure applied to a tip of a pen in contact with the tablet surface, and the receiving unit receives the electric signal induced by the radio signal to an antenna disposed around the tablet, Lt; / RTI >

According to the pressure-sensitive pointing device and the information processing device using the frequency filtering of the present invention, since a separate modulation or digital conversion circuit is not required in the exclusive pen, the design of the exclusive pen is easy and the cost is reduced.

According to the pressure-sensitive pointing device and the information processing device using the frequency filtering of the present invention, since time synchronization is not required between the dedicated pen and the tablet, the circuitry in the exclusive pen and the tablet can be simplified.

According to the pressure-sensitive pointing device and the information processing device using the frequency filtering of the present invention, it is not necessary to use a dedicated antenna for receiving a radio signal having pressure information on the tablet, so that the tablet can be designed easily.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a pressure sensitive pointing device using frequency filtering according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a graph illustrating an almost linear relationship between a deviation of attenuation signals through a filtering unit and a resonance frequency in a pressure sensitive pointing device using frequency filtering according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a pressure sensitive pointing device using frequency filtering according to another embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of driving a pressure sensitive pointing device using frequency filtering according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a block diagram illustrating an information processing apparatus having a pressure sensitive pointing device using frequency filtering according to an embodiment of the present invention.

For the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, specific structural and functional descriptions are set forth for the purpose of describing an embodiment of the invention only, and it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention may be practiced in various forms, The present invention should not be construed as limited to the embodiments described in Figs.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals are used for the same constituent elements in the drawings and redundant explanations for the same constituent elements are omitted.

1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a pressure sensitive pointing device using frequency filtering according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The pressure sensitive pointing device 10 includes a receiving unit 11, a filtering unit 12 and a pressure level determining unit 13. The signal fluctuation detecting unit 14 and the positioning unit 15 .

The pressure sensitive pointing device 10 comprises a position where the operation is performed when the user operates the active stylus 17 on the tablet 16 in the form of a flat plate and a pressure at which the user presses the active stylus 17 Detecting the pointing input, and transmitting the detected pointing input to the host device.

At this time, the tablet 16 may be integrated into a touch panel or a touch display panel, or may be implemented as a digitizer panel without a touch function.

On the other hand, the tablet 16 may include a plurality of leads 161, 162 arranged spaced apart from each other below the surface of the tablet 16 to identify the intended pointing position of the user. The plurality of conductors 161 and 162 may be disposed along the horizontal and vertical axes, respectively, for example, below the surface of the tablet 16. Depending on the embodiment, the pointing position intended by the user can be identified by a change in resistance, magnetostatic capacitance, or mutual electrostatic capacitance between neighboring or crossing conductors 161, 162. The change in resistance or capacitance between the leads 161 and 162 can be detected by a change in voltage or current resulting therefrom.

On the other hand, the active stylus 17 may have a tip 171 which, according to an embodiment, may be located on the surface of the tablet 16 when the tip 171 approaches the surface of the tablet 16 And can be implemented as a material that can change the resistance, the self-electrostatic capacitance, or the mutual electrostatic capacitance between the neighboring or intersecting conductors 161 and 162 arranged below.

Furthermore, the active stylus 17 may include a resonant circuit 172 to generate a radio signal RF based on a predetermined resonant frequency, and the antenna 173 may emit a radio signal RF can do. Depending on the embodiment, the function of the antenna 173 may be implemented as a separate antenna, or it may be implemented integrally with the tip 171.

When the active stylus 17 according to this embodiment approaches the surface of the tablet 16, the conductors 161 and 162 below the surface of the tablet 16 function as a sort of receiving antenna and oscillate at a resonant frequency An electrical signal VIN can be induced in the conductors 161 and 162. By detecting the weak electric signal VIN induced to the conductors 161 and 162 in this manner, the pointing position intended by the user can be identified.

In these embodiments, without pressure, i.e., when the tip 171 of the active stylus 17 is not in contact with the surface of the tablet 16, the active stylus 17 is in communication with a radio that resonates at a predetermined static resonance frequency And can emit a signal RF. Since the position can be detected even if the resonance frequency varies somewhat, the determination of the position may depend on the size rather than the frequency.

The embodiments described above have in common that the user can determine the position to approach or contact based on the magnitude of the electrical signal VIN detected at the leads 161 and 162. In other words, the above-described embodiments identify conductors that cause electrical phenomena different from the rest of the conductors of the plurality of conductors, according to the peak or contour of the electrical signal VIN detected in the conductors, From which the user approaches or contacts, for example, from the points at which such conductors intersect.

The pressure sensitive pointing device 10 may utilize a configuration that varies the resonant frequency of the radio signal RF to identify the user's intended pointing pressure.

For example, the tip 171 of the active stylus 17 has a predetermined resonant circuit 172 when the tip 171 contacts the surface of the tablet 16 and exerts pressure on the surface of the tablet 16 May be implemented to vary the inductance or capacitance of at least one of the resonating elements that comprise it. The resonant circuit 172 can generate the radio signal RF based on the resonant frequency that varies according to the pressure applied to the tip 171 and the antenna 173 can generate such a resonant frequency that the resonant frequency And can emit a radio signal (RF).

Thereby, when the active stylus 17 contacts the surface of the tablet 16 and pressure is applied to the tip 171, a radio signal RF with a variable resonance frequency is generated, An electrical signal VIN oscillating at a different resonant frequency can be derived. By detecting the frequency change of the weak electrical signal VIN induced to the conductors 161 and 162 in this manner, the user's intended pointing pressure can be identified.

Depending on the embodiment, the active stylus 17 may have an independent energy source, such as a battery, or may acquire energy through an energy harvest circuit.

An electrical signal VIN of the same frequency is induced in the leads 161 and 162 of the tablet 16 by the radio signal RF emitted by the active stylus 17. A receiving unit 11 is connected to each end of the lead wires 161 and 162 so as to detect an electrical signal VIN.

The receiving unit 11 amplifies the electric signal VIN induced by the radio signal RF to at least one of the plurality of electric conductors 161 and 162 arranged at a distance from each other below the surface of the tablet 16 Can be provided to the filtering section 12.

The receiving unit 11 may amplify the electrical signal VIN induced by the radio signal RF to the antenna 163 disposed around the tablet 16 and provide the amplified electrical signal VIN to the filtering unit 12 .

Accordingly, the receiving unit 11 can generate the electric signal VIN oscillating at the resonance frequency by the radio signal RF generated based on the resonance frequency varying in accordance with the magnitude of the pressure. Specifically, the receiving unit 11 may include a predetermined band pass filter, a variable gain amplifier, a low noise amplifier, and the like, as is the case with a conventional wireless receiving circuit .

The filtering unit 12 may include first and second bandpass filters 121 and 122 and a deviation level detector 123 having passbands that do not overlap each other and transition bands that overlap with each other.

The first and second bandpass filters 121 and 122 are set such that the range of variation of the resonance frequency of the radio signal RF is within the transition bands of the first and second bandpass filters 121 and 122 .

The transition band is a band attenuated with a predetermined attenuation characteristic curve between a pass band and a stop band.

The deviation level detector 123 detects a deviation of the first and second attenuation signals VATT1 and VATT2 that have passed the electric signal VIN through each of the first and second bandpass filters 121 and 122 And outputs the deviation signal VDIF according to the deviation level of the detected first and second attenuation signals VATT1 and VATT2.

For example, assuming that the resonance frequency when the pressure is the strongest is 480 kHz and the resonance frequency when the pressure is the weakest or when there is no pressure is 500 kHz, the passband of the first bandpass filter 121 is 440 kHz to 480 kHz and the passband of the second bandpass filter 122 may be 500 kHz to 540 kHz.

Preferably, the overlap transition band where the transition bands overlap each other between passbands of the first and second bandpass filters 121 and 122 may substantially coincide with the variation range of the resonance frequency.

According to an embodiment, the first and second bandpass filters 121 and 122 may have symmetrical attenuation curves centering on the intermediate frequency of the range of variation of the resonance frequency in the overlap transition band.

Preferably, the stop band of the first and second band-pass filters 121 and 122 should not overlap with the fluctuation range of the resonance frequency.

For example, the transition band of the first bandpass filter 121 is in a band lower than 440 kHz and higher than 480 kHz, and the first attenuation signal VATT1 through the first bandpass filter 121 is at 480 kHz And has an attenuated amplitude with a predetermined attenuation rate in a higher transition band.

The first attenuation signal VATT1 may have a magnitude that is not substantially attenuated when the electric signal VIN of 480 kHz when the pressure is strongest passes through the first band pass filter 121. [ However, if the attenuation slope of the transition band of the first band-pass filter 121 is gentle and the electric signal VIN of 500 kHz when the pressure is the weakest is passed through the first band-pass filter 121, The signal VATT1 may still be of some magnitude, although it will be greatly attenuated.

The transition band of the second bandpass filter 122 is in a band below 500 kHz and in a band larger than 540 kHz and the second attenuation signal VATT2 through the second bandpass filter 122 is in a transition band of less than 500 kHz And is attenuated with a predetermined attenuation rate.

The second attenuation signal VATT2 may have a substantially non-attenuated magnitude when the electric signal VIN of 500 kHz when the pressure is weakest passes through the second band-pass filter 122. However, the attenuation slope of the transition band of the second band-pass filter 122 is also gentle and substantially the same as the attenuation slope of the transition band of the first band-pass filter 122. [ Therefore, when the 480 kHz electric signal VIN at the time when the pressure is the strongest passes through the second band-pass filter 122, the second attenuation signal VATT2 has a certain size .

In this case, the superposition transition band in which the transition bands are overlapped with each other between the passbands of the first and second band-pass filters 121 and 122 is 480 kHz to 500 kHz, and substantially 480 kHz- 500 kHz.

In addition, the first and second band-pass filters 121 and 122 may have symmetrical attenuation characteristic curves around 490 kHz, which is an intermediate frequency of the fluctuation range of the resonance frequency in the overlap transition band.

Accordingly, the deviation (VATT1 - VATT2) between the first and second attenuation signals (VATT1 and VATT2) appearing after the electric signal (VIN) passes through the first and second bandpass filters (121 and 122) ) Is the largest when the resonance frequency is 480 kHz, is almost zero when the resonance frequency is 490 kHz, and is the smallest when the resonance frequency is 500 kHz.

Referring to FIG. 2, to explain the relationship between the deviation (VATT1 - VATT2) between the first and second attenuation signals VATT1 and VATT2 and the resonant frequency, FIG. 2 illustrates a frequency filtering FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating a linear relationship between a resonance frequency and a deviation of attenuation signals transmitted through a filtering unit in a pressure-sensitive pointing device using a pressure-sensitive pointing device.

In FIG. 2, it can be seen that the deviation of the attenuation signals varies in proportion to a generally constant negative slope with respect to the increase / decrease of the resonance frequency. Depending on the embodiment, it may be set such that the deviation of the attenuation signals varies with a positive slope with respect to the increase or decrease in the resonance frequency.

The superposition transition band between the passbands of the first and second bandpass filters 121 and 122 is 480 kHz to 500 kHz, which is the same as the fluctuation range of the resonance frequency.

Further, the attenuation characteristic curves in the overlap transition bands of the first and second band pass filters 121 and 122 are symmetrical with respect to the center frequency of the variation range of the resonance frequency.

Accordingly, when the resonance frequency is 480 kHz, which is the lower limit, the magnitude of the electric signal VIN is 1 V, the electric signal VIN is passed through the first and second band pass filters 121 and 122, The magnitudes of the first and second attenuation signals VATT1 and VATT2 are 0.707 V and 0.013 V respectively and the deviation VATT1 to VATT2 between the first and second attenuation signals VATT1 and VATT2 is 0.694 V. [

The deviation (VATT1 - VATT2) between the first and second attenuation signals VATT1 and VATT2 decreases substantially linearly as the resonance frequency approaches 490 kHz, which is the intermediate frequency.

The magnitudes of the first and second attenuation signals VATT1 and VATT2 are 0.097 V and 0.079 V, respectively, when the resonance frequency is an intermediate frequency of 490 kHz, and the deviation between the first and second attenuation signals VATT1 and VATT2 (VATT1 - VATT2) is 0.018 V, and the resonance frequency becomes larger than the intermediate frequency, and the deviation (VATT1 - VATT2) eventually changes to a negative value.

As the resonance frequency becomes larger than the intermediate frequency, the deviation (VATT1 - VATT2) between the first and second attenuation signals VATT1 and VATT2 still decreases substantially linearly.

The magnitudes of the first and second attenuation signals VATT1 and VATT2 are 0.021 V and 0.636 V respectively and the difference between the first and second attenuation signals VATT1 and VATT2 (VATT1 - VATT2) is -0.615V.

Accordingly, the variation of the deviation of the attenuation signals of the filtering unit 12 corresponding to the variation range of the resonance frequency of 20 kHz is about 1309 mV.

If the resolution of the required pressure is 256, each time the deviation of the attenuation signals changes by 5.11 mV, the pressure sensitive pointing device 10 can distinguish the steps of the pressure.

A relational expression between the deviation level of the first and second attenuation signals VATT1 and VATT2 and the pressure level can be intuitively obtained when the graph is almost linear as shown in FIG. 2, Even if they do not appear, they can be obtained by regression analysis or spline interpolation.

According to an embodiment, the relationship between the deviation level and the pressure level of the first and second attenuation signals (VATT1, VATT2) may be determined in a form of a look-up table constructed from measured data, .

Returning to Fig. 1, the pressure level determination section 13 can determine the pressure level based on the level of the deviation signal DIFF of the first and second attenuation signals VATT1 and VATT2.

According to an embodiment, for example, the first and second bandpass filters 121 and 122 of the filtering unit 12 are implemented as analog filters and the filtering unit 12 receives the first and second attenuation signals The level of the deviation signal VDIF of the VATT1 and VATT2 can also be outputted as an analog signal.

In this case, the pressure level determining unit 13 can determine the pressure level according to the digital value obtained by digitally converting the analog deviation signal VDIF based on the deviation level of the first and second attenuation signals VATT1 and VATT2 .

According to an embodiment, for example, the first and second bandpass filters 121 and 122 of the filtering unit 12 are implemented as digital filters and the filtering unit 12 is configured to receive the first and second attenuation signals The level of the deviation signal VDIF of the VATT1 and VATT2 can also be output as a digital value.

In this case, the pressure level determination section 13 can determine the pressure level in accordance with the digital deviation signal VDIF based on the deviation level of the first and second attenuation signals VATT1 and VATT2.

According to the embodiment, the pressure level determining unit 13 can determine the pressure level based on the relational expression of the deviation level-pressure level relationship previously examined as shown in Fig. For example, a relationship can be obtained by regression analysis or spline interpolation.

According to the embodiment, the pressure level determination section 13 can determine the pressure level by referring to the look-up table stored with the deviation level values and the pressure level values according to the deviation level-pressure level relationship previously examined as shown in FIG.

The signal variation detector 14 receives the electrical signal VIN from the receiver 11 and extracts the peak or contour of the electrical signal VIN.

In one embodiment, when the resistance between the two leads 161 and 162 is reduced due to the contact of the leads 161 and 162, or when the self-electrostatic capacitance or the mutual electrostatic capacitance is rapidly changed, the waveform of the electrical signal VIN Will be much larger or smaller than other times and this change can be detected in the form of a peak value or contour of the electrical signal VIN.

In another embodiment, if the tip 171 of the active stylus 17 is close to the leads 161, 162 while emitting a radio signal RF resonating at a resonant frequency, The active stylus 17 can extract the peak or contour of the electric signal VIN in the resonance frequency band even if the electric signal VIN by the specific wires 161,162 is derived and the variation of the resistance or the capacitance is not measured, 162). &Lt; / RTI >

The positioning unit 15 can identify the leads 161 and 162 from which the radio signal RF is derived based on the size of the extracted peak or the size of the outline. The location at which the tip contacts the tablet surface can be determined based on where the identified leads 161, 162 intersect. For example, when there are a plurality of intersection points, the center of gravity of the intersection points can be determined as the contact position of the tip.

3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a pressure sensitive pointing device using frequency filtering according to another embodiment of the present invention.

3, the pressure sensitive pointing device 30 includes a receiving unit 31, a filtering unit 32, and a pressure level determining unit 33, and according to the embodiment, the signal fluctuation detecting unit 34 and the positioning (35). &Lt; / RTI >

The receiving unit 31, the pressure level determining unit 33, the signal fluctuation detecting unit 34, and the positioning unit 35, which are components of the pressure sensitive pointing device 30 illustrated in FIG. 3, The pressure level determining unit 13, the signal fluctuation detecting unit 14, and the positioning unit 15, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

The filtering unit 32 may include a low-pass filter 321, a high-pass filter 322, and a deviation level detector 323 having passbands that do not overlap each other and transition bands that overlap with each other.

The low pass filter 321 has a low pass band lower than the lower limit of the fluctuation range of the resonance frequency of the radio signal RF and the high pass filter 322 is higher than the upper limit of the fluctuation range of the resonance frequency of the radio signal RF Passband and the range of variation of the resonance frequency of the radio signal RF may be set to be superimposed on the transition band of the low-pass filter 321 and the transition band of the high-pass filter 322. [

The transition band is a band that attenuates with a predetermined attenuation characteristic curve between the pass band and the stop band.

The deviation level detector 323 detects a deviation of the first and second attenuation signals VATT1 and VATT2 that pass the electric signal VIN through the low pass filter 321 and the high pass filter 322, And outputs the deviation signal VDIF according to the deviation level of the detected first and second attenuation signals VATT1 and VATT2.

For example, assuming that the resonance frequency when the pressure is the strongest is 480 kHz and the resonance frequency when the pressure is the weakest or when there is no pressure is 500 kHz, the passband of the low-pass filter 321 is 440 kHz or less And the passband of the high-pass filter 322 may be 500 kHz or more.

Preferably, the overlap transition band in which the transition bands overlap each other between the passbands of the low-pass filter 321 and the high-pass filter 322 may substantially coincide with the variation range of the resonance frequency.

According to the embodiment, the low-pass filter 321 and the high-pass filter 322 may have mutually symmetrical attenuation curves around the intermediate frequency of the fluctuation range of the resonance frequency in the overlap transition band.

Preferably, the stop band of the low-pass filter 321 and the high-pass filter 322 should not overlap the fluctuation range of the resonance frequency.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of driving a pressure sensitive pointing device using frequency filtering according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the pressure sensitive point device includes a receiving unit, a filtering unit, and a pressure level determining unit, and may further include a signal fluctuation detecting unit and a position determining unit.

The step S41 of the method of driving the pressure sensitive pointing device is a step in which the receiving unit generates an electric signal by the received radio signal.

Specifically, in step S41, the receiving unit may receive the radio signal generated based on the resonance frequency varying in accordance with the magnitude of the pressure, and may generate an electric signal that oscillates at the resonance frequency by the received radio signal.

Here, the pressure is the pressure applied to the tip of the active stylus in contact with the tablet surface.

According to the embodiment, in step S41, the receiving unit amplifies the electric signal induced by the radio signal to at least one of the plurality of electric conductors arranged at a distance from each other below the surface of the tablet, and provides the electric signal to the filtering unit Step < / RTI >

According to an embodiment, step S41 may comprise the step of amplifying the electrical signal induced by the radio signal by the receiver to the antenna disposed around the tablet and providing it to the filtering unit.

In step S42, the filtering section divides the deviation of the first and second attenuation signals obtained by passing the electric signals respectively by the first and second filters having passbands that do not overlap each other and transition bands overlapping each other And outputs a deviation signal according to the deviation level of the detected first and second attenuation signals.

Here, the transition band is a band attenuated with a predetermined attenuation characteristic curve between the pass band and the stop band.

According to an embodiment, the first and second filters may be set such that the range of variation of the resonant frequency of the radio signal lies within the overlapping transition bands of the first and second filters.

Preferably, the overlap transition band in which the transition bands overlap each other between the passbands of the first and second filters may substantially coincide with the variation range of the resonance frequency.

According to an embodiment, the passbands of the first and second filters may have mutually symmetrical attenuation curves around an intermediate frequency of the range of variation of the resonant frequency in the overlap transition band.

Preferably, the stop band of the first and second filters should not overlap with the fluctuation range of the resonance frequency.

According to an embodiment, the first and second filters may be implemented with analog or digital bandpass filters.

According to an embodiment, the first filter may be an analog or digital low pass filter and the second filter may be implemented with an analog or digital high pass filter.

In step S43, the pressure level determination section may determine the pressure level based on the deviation level of the first and second attenuation signals.

According to the embodiment, the filtering unit is implemented with analog filters, and the pressure level determining unit can determine the pressure level according to the converted digital value from the analog signal corresponding to the deviation level.

According to the embodiment, the filtering unit is implemented with digital filters, and the pressure level determining unit can determine the pressure level according to the digital value corresponding to the deviation level.

According to the embodiment, in step S44, the signal variation detection unit receives the electric signal from the receiving unit and extracts a peak or an outline from the electric signal.

In step S45, the position determining section can identify the lead from which the electrical signal is derived based on the size of the extracted peak or the size of the outline. The position at which the tip approaches the tablet surface may then be determined based on the geographical relationship in which the identified leads are arranged.

5 is a block diagram illustrating an information processing apparatus having a pressure sensitive pointing device using frequency filtering according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5, the information processing apparatus 5 may include a pressure sensitive pointing interface 50, a tablet 56 and a processor 57. [

Here, the tablet 56 may include a plurality of leads 561, 562 that are spaced apart from each other below the surface of the tablet 56.

When a user applies pressure to the tip 171 while bringing the active stylus 17 with the tip 171 into contact with the surface of the tablet 56 and then applies pressure to the tip 171 from the active stylus 17 based on the resonance frequency varying with the magnitude of the pressure And the radio signal RF is emitted.

The pressure sensitive pointing interface 50 may determine and apply to the processor 57 the pressure applied to the tip 171 on the tablet 56 based on the radio signal RF.

Specifically, the pressure sensitive pointing interface 50 includes a receiving unit 51, a filtering unit 52, and a pressure level determining unit 53, and according to the embodiment, the signal fluctuation detecting unit 54 and the position determining unit 55 ).

The receiving unit 51 can generate an electric signal that vibrates at a resonant frequency by a wireless signal generated based on a resonant frequency that varies depending on the magnitude of the pressure applied to the tip of the pen in contact with the surface of the tablet.

According to an embodiment, the receiver 51 amplifies an electrical signal induced by a radio signal on at least one of the plurality of conductors 561, 562 arranged below the surface of the tablet 56 and spaced apart from each other, (52).

According to the embodiment, the receiving unit 51 may amplify the electric signal induced by the wireless signal to the antenna 563 disposed around the tablet, and provide the amplified electric signal to the filtering unit 52.

The filtering unit 52 obtains first and second attenuation signals by passing an electric signal through the first and second filters 521 and 522 having passbands that do not overlap with each other and transition bands superimposed on each other, And the deviation level detector 523 outputs a deviation signal according to the deviation level of the first and second attenuation signals.

The pressure level determination unit 53 can determine the pressure level based on the deviation level of the first and second attenuation signals.

The signal variation detector 54 receives an electric signal from the receiver 51 and extracts a peak or an outline from the electric signal.

The position determining unit 55 can identify the lead from which the electrical signal is derived based on the size of the extracted peak or the size of the outline. The position at which the tip approaches the tablet surface may then be determined based on the geographical relationship in which the identified leads are arranged.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. It will be understood that variations and specific embodiments which may occur to those skilled in the art are included within the scope of the present invention.

10, 30 Pressure sensitive pointing device
11, 31 Receiver
12, 32 filtering section
121, 122 First and second band-pass filters
321, 322 low-pass and high-pass filters
123, 323 Deviation Level Detector
13, 33 Pressure level determining section
14, 34 Signal variation detector
15, 35 Positioning unit
16, Tablet
161, 162 conductor
163 Antennas
17 Active Stylus
171 tips
172 resonant circuit
173 Antenna
5 Information processing device
50 Pressure sensitive pointing interface
51 Receiver
52 Filtering section
521, 522 First and second filters
523 Deviation level detector
53 Pressure level determining section
54 signal fluctuation detecting section
55 Positioning unit
56 Tablets
561, 562 leads
563 antenna
57 Processor

Claims

A receiver for generating an electric signal oscillating at the resonance frequency by a radio signal generated based on a resonance frequency varying according to a magnitude of a pressure;
Detecting a deviation of the first and second attenuation signals obtained by respectively passing the electric signals by first and second filters having passbands not overlapping with each other and transition bands overlapping each other, A filtering unit for outputting a deviation signal according to a deviation level of the first and second attenuation signals; And
And a pressure level determination unit that determines a pressure level based on the deviation level, the pressure sensitive pointing device comprising:
Wherein the first and second filters are set such that the variation range of the resonance frequency of the radio signal coincides with or overlies the overlap transition band where the transition bands of the first and second filters overlap with each other, The pressure sensitive pointing device comprising:

delete

The pressure sensitive pointing device of claim 1, wherein the first and second filters are set to have symmetrical attenuation curves centering on an intermediate frequency of the variation range of the resonance frequency in the overlap transition band.

The method of claim 1, wherein the pressure is a pressure applied to a tip of an active stylus in contact with the tablet surface,
Wherein the receiver is operative to amplify the electrical signal induced by the radio signal on at least one of the plurality of conductors spaced below the surface of the tablet and to provide the electrical signal to the filtering unit. Sensitive pointing device.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising: a signal variation detector for receiving the electrical signal from the receiver and extracting a peak or contour from the electrical signal; And
Further comprising a position determination unit for identifying a lead from which the electrical signal is derived based on the size of the extracted peak or the size of the outline,
Wherein the position at which the tip contacts the tablet surface is determined based on the location of the identified lead.

The method of claim 1, wherein the pressure is a pressure applied to a tip of an active stylus in contact with the tablet surface,
Wherein the receiver is operative to amplify the electrical signal induced by the radio signal to an antenna disposed around the tablet and provide the amplified electrical signal to the filtering unit.

A method of driving a pressure sensitive pointing device,
The pressure sensitive pointing device includes a receiving unit, a filtering unit, and a pressure level determining unit,
(a) generating, by the receiving section, an electric signal oscillating at the resonance frequency by a radio signal generated based on a resonance frequency varying according to a magnitude of a pressure;
(b) when the filtering unit includes first and second filters having passbands that do not overlap each other and transition bands overlapping with each other, the first and second attenuation signals Detecting a deviation and outputting a deviation signal according to a deviation level of the detected first and second attenuation signals; And
(c) the pressure level determining unit determining a pressure level based on the deviation level, the method comprising:
Wherein the first and second filters are set such that the variation range of the resonance frequency of the radio signal coincides with or overlies the overlap transition band where the transition bands of the first and second filters overlap with each other, Of the pressure sensitive pointing device.

delete

The pressure sensitive pointing device according to claim 7, wherein the first and second filters are set so as to have mutually symmetrical attenuation curves with respect to an intermediate frequency of the variation range of the resonance frequency in the overlap transition band Way.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the pressure is a pressure applied to a tip of the active stylus in contact with the tablet surface,
Wherein the step (a) includes amplifying the electrical signal induced by the radio signal in at least one of the plurality of conductors arranged with the receiving unit being spaced apart from each other below the surface of the tablet, and providing the amplified electrical signal to the filtering unit Wherein the pressure-sensitive pointing device comprises:

The pressure sensitive pointing device according to claim 10, further comprising a signal fluctuation detecting unit and a position determining unit,
The signal variation detection unit receiving the electrical signal from the receiver and extracting a peak or contour from the electrical signal; And
Further comprising the step of identifying the lead from which the electrical signal is derived based on the size or contour size of the extracted peak,
Wherein the position at which the tip contacts the tablet surface is determined based on the location of the identified lead.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the pressure is a pressure applied to a tip of the active stylus in contact with the tablet surface,
Wherein the step (a) comprises amplifying the electric signal induced by the radio signal to the antenna disposed around the tablet, and providing the amplified electric signal to the filtering unit. Way.

An information processing apparatus comprising a tablet, a pressure sensitive pointing interface and a processor,
Wherein the tablet comprises a plurality of conductors spaced below the surface of the tablet,
The pressure sensitive pointing interface may be configured such that when a user applies a pressure to the tip while contacting an active stylus having a tip with the surface of the tablet and the radio signal is emitted based on the resonance frequency varying from the active stylus to the magnitude of the pressure, Determine a pressure applied to the tip on the tablet based on the wireless signal and provide it to the processor,
Wherein the pressure sensitive pointing interface comprises:
A receiver for generating an electric signal oscillating at the resonance frequency by a radio signal generated based on a resonance frequency varying according to a magnitude of a pressure;
Detecting a deviation of the first and second attenuation signals obtained by respectively passing the electric signals by first and second filters having passbands not overlapping with each other and transition bands overlapping each other, A filtering unit for outputting a deviation signal according to a deviation level of the first and second attenuation signals; And
And a pressure level determination unit that determines a pressure level based on the deviation level,
Wherein the first and second filters are set such that the variation range of the resonance frequency of the radio signal coincides with or overlies the overlap transition band where the transition bands of the first and second filters overlap with each other, .

delete

14. The information processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the first and second filters are set so as to have mutually symmetrical attenuation curves around the intermediate frequency of the fluctuation range of the resonance frequency in the superposition transition band.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the pressure is a pressure applied to a tip of the pen in contact with the tablet surface,
Wherein the receiver is operative to receive the electrical signal induced by the radio signal in at least one of the plurality of conductors spaced below the surface of the tablet and to provide the electrical signal to the filtering unit Processing device.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the pressure sensitive pointing interface
A signal variation detector for receiving the radio signal from the receiver and extracting a peak or contour from the electrical signal; And
Further comprising a position determination unit for identifying a lead from which the electrical signal is derived based on the size of the extracted peak or the size of the outline,
Wherein the position at which the tip contacts the tablet surface is determined based on the place where the identified lead is arranged.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the pressure is a pressure applied to a tip of the pen in contact with the tablet surface,
Wherein the receiver is operative to receive the electrical signal induced by the radio signal and provide the filtered signal to the antenna disposed around the tablet.