TWI630513B - Capacitive stylus providing signals for tilt and orientation detection - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses a capacitive pen capable of providing tilt and azimuth detection signals. The capacitive pen is used on a tablet or touch panel. The capacitive pen includes a refill, a multi-function mask, and a microcontroller. The refill can send a first high-voltage signal, and the microcontroller determines that the multi-function mask sends a second high-voltage signal or ground. After the tablet or touch panel receives the first and second high-voltage signals, the tilt angle and the azimuth angle of the capacitive pen can be judged based on it. The capacitive pen of the invention has a simple structure, and the calculation of the inclination angle and the azimuth angle is accurate.

Description

Capacitive pen capable of providing tilt and azimuth detection signals

The invention relates to a handwriting input system, in particular to a capacitive pen capable of providing a tilt angle and an azimuth detection signal.

A digitizer system usually includes a tablet and a stylus. The user places the pen tip of the input pen on or near the sensing surface of the tablet and moves, and the tablet system tracks the relative position of the input pen on the sensing surface and interprets it as an instruction or forms a stroke.

In order to increase the visual change of the stroke of the input pen, a tablet system capable of calculating the tilt angle and azimuth of the input pen has been developed. During the operation, the tilt angle and azimuth angle of the input pen are calculated, and the gray scale and thickness of the stroke are changed. Here the tilt angle refers to the angle between the touch pen and the normal vector of the sensing surface of the tablet, and the azimuth refers to the orientation of the input pen.

In order for the tablet system to calculate the tilt and azimuth of the input pen, usually the input pen must provide multiple signals. The tablet system then calculates the tilt and azimuth of the input pen based on the detected multiple signals.

However, the design difficulty is that the signal sent by the input pen will be interfered by other signals or noise, or the directivity is not good, resulting in unstable signal received by the tablet. The tablet system must rely on complex software procedures to Correctly judge the tilt angle and azimuth of the input pen.

The invention relates to a capacitive pen capable of providing tilt and azimuth detection signals.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a capacitive pen capable of providing tilt and azimuth detection signals is used on a flat panel or a touch panel, and includes a control circuit board, a pendant core, and a multifunctional shield. The control circuit board includes a microcontroller and a switch unit. The switch unit includes a first terminal and a second terminal. The microcontroller determines whether the switch unit is connected to the first terminal or the second terminal. The refill is electrically connected to the control circuit board, and the microcontroller causes the refill to output a first high-voltage signal. The multi-function mask is electrically connected to the switch unit. When the switch unit is connected to the first terminal, a second high-voltage signal is sent by the multi-function mask. When the switch unit is connected to the second terminal, the multifunctional shield is electrically connected to a ground source of the control circuit board.

In one embodiment, the microcontroller executes a program to determine whether the switch unit is connected to the first terminal or the second terminal, and the program includes determining that when the second high-voltage signal does not have a signal or waveform, the The switch unit is connected to the second terminal.

In one embodiment, the program includes determining that the switch unit is connected to the first terminal when the second high-voltage signal has a signal or a waveform.

In one embodiment, the switch includes a transistor, a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor, or an analog switch.

In one embodiment, the multifunctional mask includes a hollow cylindrical structure.

In one embodiment, the control circuit further includes a first driver and a second driver. The first driver is electrically connected to the refill and the microcontroller and generates the first high-voltage signal. The second driver is electrically connected. The microcontroller and the switch unit generate the second high-voltage signal.

In one embodiment, the switch unit is integrated into the second driver.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the structure of the capacitive pen is simplified, and many components can be omitted. At the same time, the tablet or touch panel can obtain the first high-voltage signal and the second high-voltage signal of good quality, thereby calculating the tilt angle and azimuth of the capacitive pen.

Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail, and illustrated with the drawings. In addition to these detailed descriptions, the present invention can be widely practiced in other embodiments, and easy replacements, modifications, and equivalent changes of any of the embodiments are included in the scope of this case, and the scope of the following patents is quasi. In the description of the specification, in order to provide the reader with a more complete understanding of the present invention, many specific details are provided; however, the present invention may be implemented without omitting some or all of these specific details. In addition, well-known program steps or elements have not been described in details to avoid unnecessary limitations of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram, and FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a capacitive pen 1 capable of providing a tilt angle and an azimuth detection signal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the capacitive pen 1 can be used on a tablet 2 or a touch panel 2. The flat plate 2 may include a capacitive sensing array composed of a plurality of linear electrodes. When the refill 10 of the capacitive pen 1 contacts or approaches the tablet 2, the refill 10 of the capacitive pen 1 can output a first high-voltage signal TX1, and the tablet 2 can calculate the coordinates of the capacitive pen 1 by using the first high-voltage signal TX1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, one end of the refill 10 may be covered by a tip cap 12, and the other end of the refill 10 is inserted into the refill holder 13. The capacitive pen 1 may include a pressure-sensitive element (not shown), which is located behind the refill base 13. When the capacitive pen 1 is operated, the refill 10 can press the pressure-sensitive element through the rear end of the refill base 13. This can detect the pressure exerted on the tablet 2 by the refill 10. In addition, the refill 10 is electrically connected to a control circuit board (not shown). A microcontroller (not shown) is provided on the control circuit board, and the microcontroller causes the refill 10 to output a first high-voltage signal TX1.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in addition to the first high-voltage signal TX1 from the refill 10 that can be used to detect the coordinates of the capacitive pen 1, the capacitive pen 1 also includes a signal transmission spring 16 which is electrically connected to the control circuit board to transmit the first Two high-voltage signals TX2. However, in order to avoid that the second high-voltage signal TX2 directly output by the signal transmission spring 16 is disturbed by noise or lacks directivity. The capacitive pen 1 further includes a first insulating film 17, a shielding layer 18, and a second insulating film 19. The shielding layer 18 is made of metal, and can be composed of an upper shielding layer 18a and a lower shielding layer 18b, and is electrically connected to a ground signal of the control circuit board. The signal transmission spring 16 has a bent portion 161, the first insulating film 17 has a first notch 171, the lower shielding layer 18b of the shielding layer 18 has a second notch 181, and the second insulating film 19 has a third notch 191. The bent portion 161 of the signal transmission spring 16 passes through the first notch 171 of the first insulating film 17, the second notch 181 of the lower shielding layer 18 b, and the third notch 191 of the second insulating film 19, and communicates with the signal transmitter 20. contact. Accordingly, the second high-voltage signal TX2 of the signal transmission spring 16 is transmitted through the signal transmitter 20.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, with the above structure, the shielding layer 18 can isolate most of the noise, and the first insulating film 17 and the second insulating film 19 are used to ensure that the signal transmission spring 16 and the signal transmitter 20 are not shielded from the shielding. The layer 18 is electrically contacted and the second high-voltage signal TX2 is grounded. The touch panel receives the first high-voltage signal TX1 sent from the refill 10 and the second high-voltage signal TX2 sent from the signal transmitter 20. By comparing the changes of the two signals, the tilt angle and azimuth of the capacitive pen 1 can be determined.

However, the structure of the capacitive pen 1 of FIG. 2 is more complicated. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a capacitive pen 3 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment can greatly simplify the structure of the capacitive pen 3 and enable the tablet 2 or the touch panel 2 to accurately determine the tilt angle of the capacitive pen 3 And the azimuth is explained in detail below.

As shown in FIG. 3, according to this embodiment, the capacitive pen 3 includes a pen core 10 to transmit a first high-voltage signal TX1 of a control circuit. In addition, the capacitive pen 3 also includes a multifunctional mask 31, which can be used as a shielding layer for noise or signals, and can also be used as a signal transmitter for the second high-voltage signal TX2.

4A and 4B are block diagrams showing a control structure of the capacitive pen 3 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the control circuit of the capacitive pen 3 includes a microcontroller 15, a first driver 32, a second driver 33, and a switch unit 34. The first driver 32 is electrically connected to the refill 10 and the microcontroller 15. The first driver 32 can receive an instruction from the microcontroller 15 to generate a first high-voltage signal TX1 and is issued by the refill 10. The second driver 33 is electrically connected to the microcontroller 15 and can be electrically connected to the multi-function cover 31 through the switch unit 34. The switch unit 34 is electrically connected to the microcontroller 15, and the microcontroller 15 executes a program to determine whether the switch unit 34 is connected to the first terminal 341 or the second terminal 342. When the switch unit 34 is connected to the first terminal 341, the second high-voltage signal TX2 generated by the second driver 33 is transmitted by the multi-function mask 31. At this time, the multi-function mask 31 serves as a signal transmitter of the second high-voltage signal TX2. When the switch unit 34 is connected to the second terminal 342, the multi-function shield 31 is electrically connected to the ground source of the control circuit board. At this time, the multi-function shield 31 serves as a shielding layer for noise or signals.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, in the embodiment of the present invention, the switching unit 34 may be a transistor, a metal-oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET), or an analog switch. )Wait.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, in another embodiment of the present invention, the switch unit 34 is incorporated into the second driver 33. At this time, the multi-function shield 31 is electrically connected to the second driver 33.

As shown in FIG. 3, in order to make the signal shielding effect better and / or make the second high-voltage signal have directivity, the multi-function mask 31 may have a hollow cylindrical structure. In this embodiment, the multi-function mask 31 is composed of an upper mask 31a and a lower mask 31b.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a program executed by the microcontroller 15 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. This procedure is described in conjunction with the example of the first high-voltage signal TX1 and the second high-voltage signal TX2 in FIG. 6, but this example is only for illustration, not limitation. As shown in FIG. 6, the first high-voltage signal TX1 may be an intermittent discontinuous signal or a waveform diagram.

As shown in FIG. 5, step 51, the program starts. In a preset case, the switch unit 34 may be connected to the first terminal 341. In step 52, it is determined whether the second high-voltage signal TX2 has a waveform or signal. If there is a waveform or signal, the switch unit 34 is connected to the first terminal 341 and the step 52 is repeated. If there is no waveform or signal, the switch unit 34 is connected to The second end point 342 is used for shielding the multi-function mask 31. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the second high-voltage signal TX2 has no signal or waveform at the E01 position, the switch unit 34 is connected to the second terminal 342 at this time, so that the multi-function mask 31 is used as a shielding signal, and the tablet 2 is read at the same time. Take the first high-voltage signal TX1 sent from the refill 10, so as to obtain better signal quality. After step 53 is completed, return to step 52.

Referring to FIG. 3 to FIG. 5, the capacitive pen 3 according to the embodiment of the present invention has a simplified structure and can omit many components. At the same time, the tablet 2 or the touch panel 2 can still obtain the first high-voltage signal TX1 and the second high-voltage signal TX2 with good quality, thereby calculating the tilt angle and azimuth of the capacitive pen 3.

For each / all embodiments disclosed in this specification, those skilled in the art can make various modifications, changes, combinations, exchanges, omissions, substitutions, equivalent changes accordingly, as long as they are not mutually exclusive, they all belong to the concept of the invention , Belongs to the scope of the present invention. Structures or methods that may correspond to or be related to the features of the embodiments described in this case, and / or any application, abandonment, or approved application by the inventor or assignee are incorporated herein as part of the description of this case. The incorporated part includes part or all of its corresponding, related, and modified, (1) operable and / or constructable (2) modified into operable and / or constructable according to those skilled in the art (3) Implement / manufacture / use or incorporate any part of the description of this case, the related applications of this case, and the common sense and judgment of those skilled in the art.

Unless otherwise specified, some conditionals or auxiliary words, such as "can", "could", "might", or "may", usually attempt to express that the embodiment in this case has, but It may also be interpreted as a feature, element, or step that may not be needed. In other embodiments, these features, elements, or steps may not be required.

The contents of the aforementioned documents are incorporated herein as part of the description of this case. The embodiments provided by the present invention are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The features or other features mentioned in the present invention include method steps and techniques, and can be combined or changed in any way with the features or structures described in related applications, in part or in whole, which can be regarded as unequal, separate, Irreplaceable embodiment. The corresponding or related features and methods disclosed in the present invention include those that can be derived from the text, non-mutually exclusive, and modifications made by those skilled in the art, some or all of which can be (1) operable and / Or constructable (2) modified to be operable and / or constructable according to the knowledge of those skilled in the art (3) implemented / manufactured / used or combined with any part of the description of this case, including (I) the present invention or related Any one or more parts of a structure and method, and / or (II) any alteration and / or combination of the content of any one or more inventive concepts and parts thereof, including any one or more of the features Or any changes and / or combinations of the content of the embodiments.

1‧‧‧Capacitive Pen

2‧‧‧ tablet / touch panel

3‧‧‧ Capacitive Pen

10‧‧‧ Refill

12‧‧‧ Refill Cap

13‧‧‧Refill

15‧‧‧Microcontroller

16‧‧‧Signal transmission spring

161‧‧‧Bend

17‧‧‧The first insulating film

171‧‧‧first gap

18‧‧‧ masking layer

18a‧‧‧ Upper masking layer

18b‧‧‧ lower masking layer

181‧‧‧second gap

19‧‧‧Second insulating film

191‧‧‧ Third gap

31‧‧‧Multifunctional Mask

31a‧‧‧up mask

31b‧‧‧ lower mask

32‧‧‧First Drive

33‧‧‧Second Drive

34‧‧‧ Switch unit

51-53‧‧‧Method steps

TX1‧‧‧First high voltage signal

TX2‧‧‧Second high voltage signal

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a capacitive pen that can provide tilt and azimuth detection signals according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a capacitive pen capable of providing a tilt angle and an azimuth detection signal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a capacitive pen capable of providing a tilt angle and an azimuth detection signal according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are block diagrams illustrating a control structure of a capacitive pen capable of providing a tilt angle and an azimuth detection signal according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a program executed by a microcontroller of a capacitive pen according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a first high-voltage signal and a second high-voltage signal from a capacitive pen according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (8)

A capacitive pen capable of providing tilt and azimuth detection signals, used on a flat panel or a touch panel, comprising: a control circuit board including a microcontroller and a switch unit, the switch unit including a first end point And the second endpoint, the microcontroller determines whether the switch unit is connected to the first endpoint or the second endpoint; a core is electrically connected to the control circuit board, and the microcontroller causes the refill to output a A first high-voltage signal; and a multi-function shield electrically connected to the switch unit. When the switch unit is connected to the first terminal, a second high-voltage signal generated by the control circuit board is sent by the multi-function shield; The switch unit is connected to the second terminal, and the multi-function shield is electrically connected to a ground source of the control circuit board to ground the second high-voltage signal. For example, the capacitive pen of the first patent application scope, wherein the microcontroller executes a program to determine whether the switch unit is connected to the first terminal or the second terminal according to the second high-voltage signal, and the program includes a judgment when When the second high-voltage signal has no waveform, the switch unit is connected to the second terminal. For example, the capacitive pen of the second scope of the patent application, wherein the program includes determining that when the second high-voltage signal has a waveform, the switch unit is connected to the first terminal. For example, the capacitive pen of the second scope of the patent application, wherein when the second high-voltage signal does not have a waveform, the tablet or touch panel reads the first high-voltage signal. For example, the capacitive pen of the first patent application range, wherein the switch includes a transistor, a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor, or an analog switch. For example, the capacitive pen of the scope of patent application, wherein the multifunctional mask includes a hollow cylindrical structure. For example, the capacitive pen of the first scope of the patent application, wherein the control circuit further includes a first driver and a second driver, the first driver is electrically connected to the pen core and the microcontroller and generates the first high voltage signal, The second driver is electrically connected to the microcontroller and the switch unit and generates the second high-voltage signal. For example, the capacitive pen of the seventh scope of the patent application, wherein the switch unit is integrated into the second driver.