WO2016084424A1

WO2016084424A1 - Electronic pen

Info

Publication number: WO2016084424A1
Application number: PCT/JP2015/071789
Authority: WO
Inventors: 原　英之
Original assignee: 株式会社ワコム
Priority date: 2014-11-28
Filing date: 2015-07-31
Publication date: 2016-06-02

Abstract

Provided is an electronic pen with which it is possible to obtain a dual pen-tip/eraser function, a dual-color pen function or the like, simply by performing an operation similar to an operation performed when a stationery writing instrument is being handled. The electronic pen is provided with: an emitter circuit which, when one of a first terminal and a second terminal is connected to ground via a predetermined capacitance, outputs an alternating-current signal from the other of the first terminal and the second terminal; a first signal delivery portion and a second signal delivery portion for delivering the alternating-current signal from the emitter circuit to the outside; and a first conductor portion and a second conductor portion that are disposed in positions such that a user is able to touch the conductor portions, and that are insulated from each other. The first terminal of the emitter circuit is connected to the first signal delivery portion and the first conductor portion, and the second terminal is connected to the second signal delivery portion and the second conductor portion. When the first conductor portion is touched by a human body, the alternating-current signal is delivered via the second signal delivery portion to the outside. When the second conductor portion is touched by a human body, the alternating-current signal is delivered via the first signal delivery portion to the outside.

Description

Electronic pen

The present invention relates to an electronic pen that transmits a signal for detecting a position in a position detection device.

As one of the position input devices, there is a type that detects a position instructed by an electronic pen by receiving a signal transmitted from a pen-type position indicator (hereinafter referred to as an electronic pen) by the position detection device. is there. An electronic pen used in this type of position input device includes a power supply circuit, a transmission circuit that transmits a signal, and a configuration of a transmission type electronic pen that transmits a signal from the transmission circuit to the position detection device (See, for example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-295722) and Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-164356)).

By the way, some writing tools, such as pencils that draw letters and pictures on paper, have an eraser on the bottom (tail) side opposite to the pen tip. When using such a pencil, the user draws letters and pictures with the pen tip, and if necessary, changes the writing tool such as a pencil so that the pen tip side and the butt side are turned over. Do the work of erasing the letters and pictures drawn with the eraser in the part. In addition, some color pencils can be drawn in two colors, one end side and the other end side. In this case as well, if necessary, one end side and the other end side Change the color pencil so that it is upside down, and draw in two different colors.

Also in the case of an electronic pen, like the above-mentioned writing tool, the pen tip and the part of the hip opposite to the pen tip may have an eraser function, or one end side and the other end portion. It is considered that the position detection device side recognizes the pen tip of two kinds of colors on the side.

As a method for this, input characters etc. by inputting signals from the pen tip and wirelessly transmitting a signal for selecting the eraser function from the butt side. Etc., and a method of making the frequency of the signal sent out different on one pen tip side and the other pen tip (or eraser) side and recognizing it by a position detection device (for example, patents) Reference 3 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-69350) and Patent Document 4 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-335132)).

As a method of transmitting the latter different frequency from the electronic pen, a method of incorporating two oscillators so as to generate signals of two different frequencies, or a signal from the position detection device is fed back by a resonance circuit, for example. In the case of transmitting a signal to the position detection device, there is a method of switching the inductance value of the coil or the capacitance of the capacitor constituting the resonance circuit with a side switch attached to the housing.

JP 7-295722 A JP 2007-164356 A JP-A-8-69350 JP-A-8-335132

However, in the case of an electronic pen that wirelessly transmits a signal for selecting the eraser function from the bottom side, there is a problem that it is necessary to install a special transmission circuit. Also, in the case of an electronic pen that transmits signals of different frequencies, mounting an oscillator that generates signals of different frequencies increases the scale of the circuit built in the electronic pen, as well as the problem of arrangement and space, and cost. There is a problem.

In addition, in the case of changing the frequency by switching with the side switch, the user needs to operate the switch. In consideration of the fact that electronic stationery such as electronic pens are desired to be handled in the same way as normal stationery without making the user aware of special operations, it is necessary to operate the switch. There is a problem for a person to force an operation far from a natural operation.

An electronic pen that has an eraser function on its tail (tail) on the opposite side of the pen tip, and is equipped with a gravity sensor to switch between the eraser function and instruction input at the pen tip. It can be done with the side facing down or the tail (tail) side down. However, in the case of the electronic pen using the gravity sensor, if the user operates the pen tip upward while lying down, a malfunction occurs, which is not practical.

In view of the above-described problems, the present invention has a simple configuration, and only performs the same operation as that for handling a normal stationery writing instrument. An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic pen capable of realizing a pen function and the like.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides:
In an electronic pen that transmits an AC signal for detecting a position,
A first terminal and a second terminal, and one of the first terminal and the second terminal is connected to the ground through a predetermined capacitance, thereby allowing the first terminal and the second terminal to A transmission circuit that outputs an AC signal from the other of the terminals;
A first signal transmission unit and a second signal transmission unit for transmitting the AC signal from the transmission circuit to the outside;
A first conductor portion and a second conductor portion which are provided at different positions touched by a user and insulated from each other;
The first terminal of the transmission circuit is connected to the first signal transmission unit and the first conductor unit, and the second terminal is connected to the second signal transmission unit and the second conductor. Connected to the
When the first conductor is connected to the ground via the predetermined capacitance, the AC signal from the transmission circuit is sent to the outside through the second signal sending unit, and the second signal is sent to the second signal sending unit. An electronic pen, wherein a conductor part is connected to ground via the predetermined capacitance, so that the AC signal from the transmission circuit is sent to the outside through the first signal sending part. provide.

In the electronic pen according to the present invention having the above-described configuration, when the user holds the electronic pen so as to touch the first conductor portion, the first terminal of the transmission circuit has the capacitance of the user's human body. The transmission circuit is in a state of transmitting an AC signal from the first signal transmission unit. Further, when the user holds the electronic pen so as to touch the second conductor, the second terminal of the transmission circuit is connected to the ground via the capacitance of the user's human body. The transmission circuit is in a state of transmitting an AC signal from the second signal transmission unit.

Therefore, according to the electronic pen according to the present invention, whether the user has the electronic pen so as to touch the first conductor part or the electronic pen so as to touch the second conductor part. It is possible to switch between sending an AC signal from the first signal sending unit and sending an AC signal from the second signal sending unit only by the difference in how to hold the pen. Therefore, according to the electronic pen of the present invention, the first signal sending unit is set to the pen tip side, the second signal sending unit is set to the eraser side, or the first signal sending unit and the second signal sending unit are arranged. By using different pen tips, you can perform the same two functions as the pen tip and eraser, and the two-color pen function, just as you would with a normal stationery writing instrument. An electronic pen can be provided.

In the electronic pen according to the present invention, the AC signal sent from the first signal sending unit and the AC signal sent from the second signal sending unit are both AC signals of the sending circuit. Since a common one is sufficient, the configuration becomes simple.

According to the present invention, the configuration is simple, and the same operation as when handling a normal stationery writing instrument is performed. For example, two types of functions of a pen tip and an eraser, and a function of a two-color pen It is possible to provide an electronic pen that can realize the above.

It is a figure which shows 1st Embodiment of the electronic pen by this invention with an electronic device provided with a position detection apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the pen instruction | indication detection circuit of the position detection apparatus used with 1st Embodiment of the electronic pen by this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the transmission signal from 1st Embodiment of the electronic pen by this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the structural example of 1st Embodiment of the electronic pen by this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the transmission state from 1st Embodiment of the electronic pen by this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the transmission state from 1st Embodiment of the electronic pen by this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of a one part mechanism structure of 1st Embodiment of the electronic pen by this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of an electronic circuit structure of 1st Embodiment of the electronic pen by this invention. It is a figure which shows a part of flowchart for demonstrating the example of the flow of a processing operation of the control circuit of 1st Embodiment of the electronic pen by this invention. It is a figure which shows a part of flowchart for demonstrating the example of the flow of a processing operation of the control circuit of 1st Embodiment of the electronic pen by this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of an electronic circuit structure of 2nd Embodiment of the electronic pen by this invention. It is a figure which shows a part of flowchart for demonstrating the example of the flow of a processing operation of the control circuit of 1st Embodiment of the electronic pen by this invention. It is a figure which shows a part of flowchart for demonstrating the example of the flow of a processing operation of the control circuit of 1st Embodiment of the electronic pen by this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the structural example of 1st Embodiment of the electronic pen by this invention.

[First Embodiment]
1 to 8 are diagrams for explaining a configuration example of the electronic pen 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The electronic pen 1 of this embodiment is a case where it is used with an electronic device provided with a capacitance type position detection device.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a tablet information terminal as an example of an electronic apparatus 200 using the electronic pen 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the tablet information terminal is provided with a display screen 200D of a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), for example, and in this example, a capacitive position detection is performed on the top (front side) of the display screen 200D. A device 201 is provided.

[Configuration Example of Position Detection Device 201]
As shown in FIG. 2, the position detection device 201 of this embodiment includes a sensor 202 constituting the position detection device 201 and a pen instruction detection circuit 203 connected to the sensor 202.

The sensor 202 includes a sensor surface (instruction input surface) having a size corresponding to the size of the display screen 200D of the tablet information terminal 200, and has a first conductor group 211 and a second conductor having light transmittance. The conductor group 212 is formed.

The first conductor group 211, for example, separates a plurality of

first conductors

211Y ₁ , 211Y ₂ ,..., 211Y _m (m is an integer of 1 or more) from each other at a predetermined interval. Are arranged in parallel in the Y-axis direction. The second conductor group 212 extends in a direction intersecting with the extending direction of the

first conductors

211Y ₁ , 211Y ₂ ,..., 211Y _m , in this example, the orthogonal vertical direction (Y-axis direction). The plurality of

second conductors

212X ₁ , 212X ₂ ,..., 212X _n (n is an integer equal to or greater than 1) are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance and arranged in parallel in the X-axis direction.

In the following description, the first conductor 211Y ₁ ~ 211Y _m and second conductors 212X ₁ ~ 212X _n, when there is no need to distinguish the individual conductors, the conductors, the first conductor 211Y and the second It will be referred to as a conductor 212X.

The pen instruction detection circuit 203 includes a selection circuit 221 serving as an input / output interface with the sensor 202, an amplification circuit 222, a bandpass filter 223, a detection circuit 224, a sample hold circuit 225, and AD (Analog to Digital). A conversion circuit 226 and a control circuit 220 are included.

The selection circuit 221 selects one conductor from each of the first conductor group 211 and the second conductor group 212 based on the control signal from the control circuit 220. The conductor selected by the selection circuit 221 is connected to the amplification circuit 222, and the signal from the electronic pen 1 is detected by the selected conductor and amplified by the amplification circuit 222. The output of the amplifier circuit 222 is supplied to the band pass filter 223, and only the frequency component of the signal transmitted from the electronic pen 1 is extracted.

The output signal of the band pass filter 223 is detected by the detection circuit 224. The output signal of the detection circuit 224 is supplied to the sample hold circuit 225, sampled and held at a predetermined timing by the sampling signal from the control circuit 220, and then converted into a digital value by the AD conversion circuit 226. Digital data from the AD conversion circuit 226 is read and processed by the control circuit 220.

The control circuit 220 operates to send control signals to the sample hold circuit 225, the AD conversion circuit 226, and the selection circuit 221, respectively, according to a program stored in the internal ROM. Further, the control circuit 220 calculates the position coordinates on the sensor 202 indicated by the electronic pen 1 from the digital data from the AD conversion circuit 226, and uses the position coordinates data as other data in the tablet information terminal 200. Output to the processor.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart for explaining a signal of a predetermined pattern from the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment, which is received by the sensor 202 of the position detection device 201. As shown in FIG. 4 to be described later, the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment includes a control circuit 101 and a transmission circuit 102, and the transmission circuit 102 receives a signal of a predetermined pattern by a control signal from the control circuit 101. Repeat output. The electronic pen 1 according to the first embodiment includes two signal transmission units, a first signal transmission unit and a second signal transmission unit, as will be described later. A signal having a predetermined pattern is sent out.

FIG. 3A shows an example of a control signal from the control circuit 101 of the electronic pen 1, and the electronic pen 1 makes a call as shown in FIG. A transmission signal (AC signal having a predetermined frequency) from the circuit 102 is continuously transmitted as a burst signal (continuous transmission period in FIG. 3C).

The length of the continuous transmission period is a time length in which the pen indication detection circuit 203 of the position detection device 201 can detect the indication position on the sensor 202 by the electronic pen 1, and for example, the first conductor 211Y and The time length is such that all the second conductors 212X can be scanned once or more, preferably more than once.

During this continuous transmission period, the control circuit 101 of the electronic pen 1 detects the writing pressure applied to the first signal sending unit and the second signal sending unit by the writing pressure detection mechanism unit as will be described later. Then, from the detection result, the writing pressure is obtained as a multi-bit value (binary code), for example.

Then, as shown in FIG. 3A, the control circuit 101 of the electronic pen 1 sets the transmission data period with the start signal sandwiched when the continuous transmission period ends. During the transmission data period, the control circuit 101 controls the control signal (see FIG. 3A) to a high level or a low level at a predetermined cycle (Td), thereby transmitting the transmission signal from the transmission circuit 102 to the ASK. Modulate. Instead of ASK modulation, a transmission signal from the transmission circuit 102 may be modulated into an OOK (On Off Keying) signal.

At this time, the first time of the predetermined period (Td) after the continuous transmission period is always set to the high level, and this is used as the start signal as shown in FIG. This start signal is a timing signal for enabling the subsequent position detection device 201 to accurately determine the subsequent data transmission timing. Instead of this start signal, a burst signal in a continuous transmission period can be used as a timing signal.

In this example, the electronic pen 1 sends the pen pressure data and the transmission signal as transmission data (digital data) of a predetermined number of bits following the start signal in the transmission data period. Identification information indicating whether the signal is the first signal transmission unit or the second signal transmission unit. In this case, when the transmission data (binary code) is “0”, the control signal is set to a low level and the transmission signal is not transmitted, and when the transmission data (binary code) is “1”, the control signal is high. Control to send outgoing signal as level. The electronic pen 1 repeatedly transmits a signal having a pattern including the continuous transmission period and the transmission data period as described above at a period based on the control from the control circuit 101.

In the pen instruction detection circuit 203 of the position detection device 201, the control circuit 220 first supplies a selection signal for sequentially selecting the second conductors 212X ₁ to 212X _n to the selection circuit 221 and the second conductor 212X _{1, for example.} during each selection of ~ 212X _n, it reads the data outputted from the AD converter 226 as a signal level. If all the signal levels of the second conductors 212X ₁ to 212X _n have not reached the predetermined value, the control circuit 220 determines that the electronic pen 1 is not on the sensor 202, and the second conductor 212X ₁ repeat the control for sequentially selecting the ~ 212X _n.

When a signal having a level equal to or higher than a predetermined value is detected from any of the second conductors 212X ₁ to 212X _n , the control circuit 220 determines the number of the second conductor 212X in which the highest signal level is detected and the number of the second conductor 212X. A plurality of peripheral second conductors 212X are stored. Then, the control circuit 220 controls the selection circuit 221 to sequentially select the first conductors 211Y ₁ to 211Y _m and read the signal level from the AD conversion circuit 226. At this time, the control circuit 220 stores the numbers of the first conductor 211Y in which the highest signal level is detected and the plurality of first conductors 211Y around it.

Then, the control circuit 220 stores the number of the second conductor 212X and the number of the first conductor 211Y in which the largest signal level is detected and the plurality of second pluralities around it, which are stored as described above. The position on the sensor 202 indicated by the electronic pen 1 is detected from the conductor 212X and the first conductor 211Y.

Control circuit 220, upon completion of the detection of the signal level by selecting the end of the first conductor 211Y _m by the selection circuit 221 waits for the end of the continuous transmission period from the electronic pen 1, starting after the continuous transmission period end When the signal is detected, the transmission data such as the pen pressure data is read, and the read data such as the pen pressure, the identification information, and the remaining battery level are sent to the ASK signal and the OOK (On Off Keying) signal as described above. To be sent out. Then, the control circuit 220 repeats the above operation.

[Configuration Example of Electronic Pen 1 of First Embodiment]
FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing an outline of a configuration example of the electronic pen 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The case 2 (housing) of the electronic pen 1 is broken along the axial direction. It corresponds to the one showing the inside. The electronic pen 1 of this embodiment is provided with a first signal transmission unit and a second signal transmission unit at both one end and the other end in the axial direction (longitudinal direction) of the pen-shaped case 2. For example, like a two-color pencil, it is configured to allow pen input of different colors, thicknesses, types, and the like. In the electronic pen 1 according to the first embodiment described below, the first signal sending unit and the second signal sending unit are composed of a first core body 31 and a second core body 32 having conductivity. Is done.

Although not shown in FIG. 4, a power supply circuit for supplying a power supply voltage to the internal circuit is provided in the case 2 of the electronic pen 1. As a power source of the power supply circuit, a charging element using a capacitor such as a primary battery, a rechargeable secondary battery, or an electric double layer capacitor is provided. In this example, a rechargeable secondary battery is provided.

The case 2 of the electronic pen 1 according to the first embodiment has an elongated cylindrical shape in the axial direction as a whole. The case 2 is configured by connecting three portions of a non-conductor portion 20, a first conductor portion 21, and a second conductor portion 22 in the axial direction. The first conductor portion 21 and the second conductor portion 22 constitute an example of a grip portion.

The non-conductor portion 20 is a cylindrical portion constituting the central portion of the case 2 in the axial direction, and is made of, for example, an insulating material resin.

The first conductor portion 21 and the second conductor portion 22 have the same size and shape in this embodiment, and are configured to be bilaterally symmetric with the non-conductor portion 20 as the center of symmetry. The 1st conductor part 21 and the 2nd conductor part 22 are comprised, for example with conductors, such as aluminum, and the side couple | bonded with the nonconductor part 20 of an axial direction has the same diameter as the said nonconductor part 20. The side opposite to the side coupled to the non-conductor portion 20 in the axial direction is formed in a tapered shape. Then, the first core 31 constituting an example of the first signal transmission unit is inserted through the opening 21a at the tip of the tapered portion of the first conductor portion 21. The second core body 32 that constitutes an example of the second signal transmission unit is inserted through the opening 22a at the tip of the tapered portion of the second conductor portion 22.

The first core body 31 and the second core body 32 are made of a conductive material, for example, a conductive metal rod or a resin mixed with conductive metal powder. The opening 21a and the opening 22a are provided with

nib guard members

23 and 24 made of an insulating material. The

nib guard members

23 and 24 are electrically connected to the conductive first core 31 and the conductive material. It is configured to be interposed between the first conductor portion 21 and between the conductive second core 32 and the conductive second conductor portion 22.

As shown in FIG. 4, a control circuit 101, a transmission circuit 102, a first writing pressure detection mechanism unit 41, and a second writing pressure detection mechanism unit 42 are provided in the hollow portion of the case 2. The first writing pressure detection mechanism unit 41 and the second writing pressure detection mechanism unit 42 are examples of pressure detection units.

The first writing pressure detection mechanism unit 41 detects the writing pressure applied to the first core body 31, and the second writing pressure detection mechanism unit 42 applies the writing pressure applied to the second core body 32. It is comprised as a thing for detecting. As will be described later, each of the first writing pressure detection mechanism unit 41 and the second writing pressure detection mechanism unit 42 is coupled to each of the first core body 31 and the second core body 32 in this example. The pen pressure is detected. In this embodiment, as will be described later, the first writing pressure detection mechanism unit 41 and the second writing pressure detection mechanism unit 42 are configured of variable capacitors that exhibit a capacitance that changes according to the writing pressure. It is said that.

In this example, the control circuit 101 is constituted by a microprocessor, for example, an IC (Integrated Circuit) circuit. The control circuit 101 detects the pen pressure based on the electrostatic capacitance of the variable capacitors that constitute the pen

pressure detection mechanisms

41 and 42 and controls the transmission operation of the transmission circuit 102.

In this example, the transmission circuit 102 includes an oscillator 1021 that generates an AC signal, and a transformer 1022 at the output stage of the oscillator 1021. One end of the secondary winding of the transformer 1022 is used as the first terminal 102a of the transmission circuit 102, and the other end of the secondary winding of the transformer 1022 is used as the second terminal 102b of the transmission circuit 102. An AC signal from the circuit 102 is obtained between the

first terminals

102a and 102b.

The first terminal 102 a of the transmission circuit 102 is electrically connected to the first core body 31 and electrically connected to the second conductor portion 22. In addition, the second terminal 102 b of the transmission circuit 102 is electrically connected to the second core body 32 and electrically connected to the first conductor portion 21.

When only the connection relationship between the transmission circuit 102, the first core body 31 and the second core body 32, and the first conductor portion 21 and the second conductor portion 22 is extracted, FIG. As shown in FIG. 5A and 6A, between the both ends 102a and 102b of the secondary winding of the transformer 1022 of the transmission circuit 102, the primary winding of the transformer 1022 corresponding to the AC signal from the oscillator 1021 is provided. A voltage Vp-p is generated in which the voltage across the wire is multiplied by the turns ratio of the transformer 1022 (number of turns of the secondary winding / number of turns of the primary winding).

Therefore, when nothing is connected to one end and the other end of the secondary winding of the transformer 1022 to be the first terminal 102a and the second terminal 102b of the transmission circuit 102, that is, the first terminal of the transmission circuit 102. When nothing is connected to 102a and the second terminal 102b, the midpoint voltage Vp-p across the secondary winding of the transformer 1022 is indefinite, and the first terminal 102a and the second terminal 102b Only the potential difference is defined.

For this reason, when the electronic pen 1 is laid on a non-conductive material such as a wooden desk, for example, the first core body 31 and the second core body 32, and the first conductor portion 21. The second conductor portion 22 is electrically in a so-called floating state, and is equivalent to a state where nothing is connected to the first terminal 102a and the second terminal 102b. From the transmission circuit 102, no AC signal is generated, or even if it is generated, the level is low and power consumption is small.

From the state as described above, the user picks up the electronic pen 1 with his hand and holds the case 2 with his hand so that the first core 31 or the second core 32 faces the position detection device 201 side. When grasped, the electronic pen 1 transmits an AC signal to the position detection device 201 from one of the first core body 31 or the second core body 32 directed to the position detection device 201, and It will be ready to input.

For example, when performing pen input with the first core 31 facing the position detection device 201, the user holds the first conductor portion 21 so as to be sandwiched between, for example, the thumb, forefinger, and middle finger. Thus, the tip of the first core 31 is directed toward the position detection device 201. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 5A, the user is in contact with the first conductor portion 21 with the finger FG. Since the human body can be represented by an equivalent circuit including a series connection of a resistance Rh (about 1.5 kΩ) and a capacitance Ch (about 100 pF), when the finger FG is in contact with the first conductor portion 21. As shown in FIG. 5B, the transmitting circuit 102 is connected to the first core body 31 and the second core body 32, and the first conductor section 21 and the second conductor section 22 are connected. Thus, the second terminal 102b of the transmission circuit 102 is grounded (grounded) via the human body.

That is, when the finger FG is in contact with the first conductor portion 21, in the transmission circuit 102, one side of the transformer 1022 (terminal 102b side) has a substantially fixed potential when viewed from the outside. When viewed from the outside, the first core body 31 behaves as if it is oscillating at a voltage Vp-p, and pen input is possible on the first core body 31 side.

Similarly, for example, when performing pen input with the second core 32 facing the position detection device 201, the user places the second conductor portion 22 on, for example, the thumb, index finger, and the like. The tip of the second core body 32 is directed toward the position detection device 201 by grasping it with the middle finger. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 6A, the user is in contact with the second conductor portion 22 with the finger FG, as shown in FIG. The terminal 102a is grounded via the human body.

That is, when the finger FG is in contact with the second conductor portion 22, in the transmission circuit 102, one side of the transformer 1022 (terminal 102a side) has a substantially fixed potential when viewed from the outside. When viewed from the outside, the second core body 32 behaves as if oscillating at a voltage Vp-p, and pen input is possible on the second core body 32 side.

As described above, according to the electronic pen 1 of the above-described embodiment, the user holds the electronic pen 1 so that the first core body 31 faces the position detection device 201 side, or the second core body. Pen input is possible at both ends of the electronic pen 1 simply by gripping the electronic pen 1 so that 32 is directed toward the position detection device 201 and changing the way of gripping the electronic pen 1. Therefore, the electronic pen 1 capable of pen input at both ends can be realized by using the same manner as a writing instrument such as a two-color pencil.

In this case, since the AC signal transmitted from the first core body 31 and the second core body 32 to the position detection device 201 is a signal from the same transmission circuit 102, in the position detection device 201 as it is, It cannot be recognized which of the first core body 31 and the second core body 32 is the pen tip.

In this embodiment, as described above, the first writing pressure detection mechanism 41 is provided for the first core body 31, and the second writing pressure detection mechanism for the second core body 32. A portion 42 is provided. When the first core body 31 is used as a pen tip, the control circuit 101 detects a writing pressure of a predetermined value or more by the first writing pressure detection mechanism 41, and the second core body 32 is a pen tip. When used as a tip, the core body of either the first core body 31 or the second core body 32 is based on the fact that the second pen pressure detection mechanism 42 detects a writing pressure of a predetermined value or more. To determine if is used as a nib. Then, based on the determination result, the control circuit 101 includes identification data indicating which core from which the AC signal transmitted from the first core 31 or the second core 32 is transmitted. Thus, the transmission circuit 102 is controlled. That is, in this embodiment, as described above, the control circuit 101 performs ASK modulation on the transmission signal (AC signal) from the transmission circuit 102 and controls the identification data to be included in the transmission signal.

[Mechanical Configuration Example of Writing Pressure Detection Mechanisms 41 and 42]
FIG. 7 shows an outline of a mechanical configuration on the opening 21a side of the first conductor portion 21 into which the first core body 31 of the case 2 is inserted in the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view for explaining a configuration centering on a writing pressure detection mechanism section 41. The mechanical configuration on the opening 22a side of the second conductor portion 22 into which the second core body 32 of the case 2 is inserted, including the configuration of the writing pressure detection mechanism portion 42, is the same as that in FIG. Therefore, illustration and explanation thereof are omitted in this specification.

As shown in FIG. 7, in this embodiment, on the opening 21a side of the first conductor portion 21, a front cap 25 made of a conductor material tapered so as to be tapered is provided on the second conductor portion. 21 is provided. A pen tip guard member 23 made of an insulating material is fitted and provided at the end of the front cap 25 on the pen tip side. The first core body 31 is inserted into the through hole 23a of the nib guard member 23 from the opening 21a in a state where it can freely move in the axial direction.

In the hollow portion of the case 2, a substrate holder 5, a battery (not shown), a first core holder 6 and a second core holder (not shown) are stored. Since the second core body holder is for the second core body 32, the second core body holder has a configuration similar to that of the first core body holder 6, although illustration is omitted.

The substrate holder 5 is made of an insulating resin, and includes a printed circuit board mounting table 5b at the center in the longitudinal direction that is the axial center direction of the electronic pen 1. The substrate holder 5 has a holding portion (hereinafter referred to as a pressure-sensitive component holding portion) 5a of a writing pressure detection mechanism portion 41 as an example of pressure detecting means on the opening 21a side with the printed board mounting table portion 5b interposed therebetween. And a holding portion (not shown) of the writing pressure detection mechanism 42 as an example of the pressure detection means. The position of the substrate holder 5 is regulated so as not to move in the axial direction within the case 2.

A printed circuit board 8 is mounted on the printed circuit board mounting table 5 b of the substrate holder 5. On the printed circuit board 8, a transmission circuit 102, a control circuit 101, and peripheral circuit components thereof are provided. In this embodiment, the ground conductor of the printed circuit board 8 is not connected to the first conductor portion 21 and the second conductor portion 22 of the case 2. The first conductor portion 21 and the second conductor portion 22 may be connected to the ground conductor of the printed board 8. In that case, the user can grasp the first conductor portion 21 or the second conductor portion 22 with his / her hand so that the transmitting circuit 102 can stably transmit the signal. The transmission signal when it is set to a fixed potential is more dominant than the others, and when viewed from the outside, the electronic pen 1 appears to emit a signal only from one core.

The core body holder 6 is made of a conductive material, and includes, for example, a housing fitting portion 61 for housing and fitting the conductive elastic member 9 made of conductive rubber, and a rod-like portion 62 fitted to the writing pressure detection mechanism portion 41. It has an integrally formed shape. The first core body 31 is fitted and held in the core body holder 6 via the conductive elastic member 9, but is configured to be pulled out from the core body holder 6 by pulling with a predetermined force. Yes. The rod-like portion 62 of the core holder 6 is fitted to a holding member 73 (to be described later) of the writing pressure detection mechanism portion 41 in the pressure-sensitive component holding portion 5 a of the substrate holder 5.

A coil spring 13 made of a conductive material such as a conductive metal is attached to the rod-shaped portion 62 of the core body holder 6, and the core body holder 6 is always attached to the substrate holder 5 by the coil spring 13. 1 is configured to be biased toward the core body 31 side.

In this embodiment, the electrical connection member is constituted by the conductor terminal member 14 provided so as to straddle the pressure-sensitive component holding portion 5a and the coil spring 13 made of a conductive material with respect to the substrate holder 5. In addition, the electrical connection for supplying a signal from the transmission circuit 102 of the printed circuit board 8 is realized by the electrical connection member. As shown in FIG. 7, the conductor terminal member 14 is connected to the contact plate portion 141 with which one end of the coil spring 13 is in contact, and the signal supply end of the transmitter circuit 102 of the contact plate portion 141 and the printed circuit board mounting base portion 5b. It consists of the extending | stretching part 142 for connecting the connected copper foil part across the part of the pressure-sensitive component holding part 5a of the board | substrate holder 5. FIG. A signal from the transmission circuit 102 is supplied to the first core body 31 inserted and fitted into the conductive elastic member 9 through the conductor terminal member 14, the coil spring 13, the core body holder 6, and the conductive elastic member 9. Is done.

The writing pressure detection mechanism 41 in this example is configured as a variable capacitor whose electrostatic capacity changes according to the writing pressure applied to the first core body 31. The writing pressure detection mechanism 41 in this embodiment is configured using a known variable capacitor described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-186803.

As shown in FIG. 7, the pressure-sensitive component constituting the writing pressure detection mechanism unit 41 of this example includes a plurality of dielectrics 71, terminal members 72, holding members 73, conductive members 74, and elastic members 75. It consists of individual parts. As shown in FIG. 7, the pressure-sensitive component holding portion 5 a of the substrate holder 5 is configured by a cylindrical body 52 having a hollow portion 51, and the pressure-sensitive component constituting the writing pressure detection mechanism portion 41 is the hollow portion 51. Inside, they are stored side by side in the axial direction. A wall portion 53 is formed between the pressure-sensitive component holding portion 5a of the substrate holder 5 and the printed board mounting table portion 5b.

In the variable capacitor configured as the writing pressure detection mechanism unit 41 in this example, a dielectric 71 is sandwiched between a terminal member 72 constituting one electrode and a conductive member 74 constituting the other electrode. Configured. The terminal member 72 and the conductive member 74 are connected to the copper foil pattern of the printed board 8 across the wall portion 53.

Further, the holding member 73 that holds the conductive member 74 is configured to be movable in the axial direction in the cylindrical body 52. And the holding member 73 is always urged | biased by the core body side with the elastic member 75 comprised with the coil spring which consists of an electroconductive material. The conductive member 74 and the elastic member 75 are electrically connected, and one end 75a of the coil spring constituting the elastic member 75 is connected to the copper foil pattern of the printed circuit board 8 as the other electrode of the variable capacitor.

As shown in FIG. 7, the holding member 73 is provided with a recessed hole 73 a on the first core body 31 side in the axial direction, and the rod-shaped portion 62 of the core body holder 6 is formed in the holding member 73. The member 73 is press-fitted into the recessed hole 73a and engaged with the first core body 31 so as not to fall off.

When pressure is applied to the distal end portion of the first core body 31, the first core body 31 and the core body holder 6 are displaced toward the printed circuit board 8 in the axial direction according to the pressure, and this displacement As a result, the holding member 73 in the pressure-sensitive component holding portion 5 a is displaced toward the dielectric 71 against the elastic biasing force of the elastic member 75. As a result, the conductive member 74 fitted to the holding member 73 is displaced toward the dielectric 71, the distance between the conductive member 74 and the dielectric 71, and further, between the conductive member 74 and the dielectric 71. The contact area changes according to the pressure applied to the first core body 31. As a result, the capacitance of the variable capacitor constituting the writing pressure detection mechanism 41 changes according to the pressure applied to the first core body 31, and the change in the capacitance is detected by the control circuit 101. The pen pressure is detected.

[Example of internal circuit configuration of electronic pen 1]
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of the internal circuit of the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment with a focus on the control processing function of the control circuit 101, and is substantially a configuration example of the internal circuit of FIG. 4 described above. There is no change. As shown in FIG. 8, a rechargeable battery 91 is provided in the case 2 of the electronic pen 1, and the voltage from the rechargeable battery 91 is supplied to the control circuit 101 and the transmission circuit 102 via the power supply circuit 92. Is supplied as a power supply voltage.

However, in this embodiment, the transmission circuit 102 is controlled to be activated so as to transmit a transmission signal (AC signal) from the first terminal 101a and the second terminal 102b under the control of the control circuit 101, Control is performed (sleep control) so as to enter a sleep state in which the oscillation of the oscillator 1021 is stopped and transmission of the transmission signal is stopped. The control circuit 101 performs start-up control and sleep control of the transmission circuit 102 based on the capacitance of the variable capacitor configured by the first writing pressure detection mechanism unit 41 and the second writing pressure detection mechanism unit 42. This is performed according to the writing pressure value applied to the first core body 31 and the second core body 32 to be calculated.

That is, the control circuit 101 includes a first writing pressure value calculation unit 111 and a second writing pressure value calculation unit 112 as processing functions by software. The first pen pressure value calculation unit 111 is grounded (ground formed on the printed circuit board 8) via the variable capacitor C1 configured by the first pen pressure detection mechanism unit 41, and the second pen pressure value calculation is performed. The unit 112 is grounded (ground formed on the printed circuit board 8) via the variable capacitor C2 configured by the second writing pressure detection mechanism unit 42. A resistor R1 is connected in parallel to the variable capacitor C1, and a resistor R2 is connected in parallel to the variable capacitor C2.

Each of the first writing pressure value calculation unit 111 and the second writing pressure value calculation unit 112 first sets the terminals P1 and P2 to a high level at a predetermined timing to charge the variable capacitors C1 and C2 to be fully charged. To do. Thereafter, each of the first pen pressure value calculating unit 111 and the second pen pressure value calculating unit 112 sets the terminals P1 and P2 to high impedance so that the variable capacitors C1 and C2 are discharged through the resistors R1 and R2. To. Then, the potentials of the terminals P1 and P2, that is, the voltage across the variable capacitors C1 and C2 gradually decrease, but the time until the voltage across the variable capacitors C1 and C2 reaches a predetermined reference voltage is The time depends on the capacitances of the variable capacitors C1 and C2.

Each of the first writing pressure value calculation unit 111 and the second writing pressure value calculation unit 112 measures the time until the voltage between both ends of the variable capacitance capacitors C1 and C2 reaches a predetermined reference voltage. The capacitances of the capacitors C1 and C2 are obtained. Then, each of the first writing pressure value calculation unit 111 and the second writing pressure value calculation unit 112 is applied to the first core 31 from the obtained capacitances (changes) of the variable capacitors C1 and C2. The first writing pressure value that is the writing pressure value and the second writing pressure value that is the writing pressure value applied to the second core 32 are calculated.

The control circuit 101 determines the first core body 31 from the first and second writing pressure values calculated by the first writing pressure value calculation unit 111 and the second writing pressure value calculation unit 112, respectively. Then, it is determined whether or not a pressure larger than a predetermined value (> 0) is applied to the second core body 32. In this embodiment, when the control circuit 101 determines that a pressure larger than a predetermined value is applied to one of the first core body 31 and the second core body 32, the control circuit 101 starts the transmission circuit 102. . When the state in which the writing pressure is not applied to both the first core body 31 and the second core body 32 continues for a predetermined time or longer, the control circuit 101 controls to return the transmission circuit 102 to the sleep state. To do.

The control circuit 101 stores the first identification information in the storage unit 110 in association with the first core body 31, and the second identification information in association with the second core body 32. I remember it. And the control circuit 101 discriminate | determines which of the 1st core body 31 and the 2nd core body 32 the pressure larger than a predetermined value is applied, and according to the determination result First identification information or second identification information is read from the storage unit 110. Then, the control circuit 101 performs ASK modulation on the transmission signal from the transmission circuit 102 to transmit the first identification information or the second identification information in the transmission signal as described above. . Similarly, the control circuit 101 performs ASK modulation of the transmission signal from the transmission circuit 102 to transmit the calculated first writing pressure value or the second writing pressure value in the transmission signal. Like that.

[Operation of Electronic Pen 1 of First Embodiment]
Since the electronic pen 1 according to the first embodiment is configured as described above, when the user holds the electronic pen 1 by grasping the first conductor portion 21, it is shown in FIG. As described above, the transmission signal from the transmission circuit 102 can be transmitted through the first core body 31. Further, when the user holds the electronic pen 1 by grasping the second conductor portion 22, the transmission signal from the transmission circuit 102 is transmitted through the second core body 32 as shown in FIG. It becomes possible to send it out. However, if the transmission circuit 102 is in the sleep state at this time, the transmission signal is not transmitted from the electronic pen 1 only by the user holding the electronic pen 1.

In this embodiment, the control circuit 101 of the electronic pen 1 uses the first pen pressure value calculation unit 111 and the second pen pressure value calculation unit 112 to calculate the first pen pressure value calculation unit 112 even when the transmission circuit 102 is in the sleep state. The first writing pressure value and the second writing pressure value applied to the core body 31 are monitored, and a predetermined writing pressure value Pth or more is applied to either the first core body 31 or the second core body 32. It is determined whether it has been done. Here, the predetermined writing pressure value Pth is, for example, a writing pressure value applied when the user brings the electronic pen 1 into contact with the sensor 202 of the position detection device 201.

Then, the control circuit 101 performs the first writing pressure value or the second writing pressure applied to the first core 31 calculated by the first writing pressure value calculation unit 111 or the second writing pressure value calculation unit 112. When it is detected that any of the values is equal to or higher than the predetermined writing pressure value Pth, the transmission circuit 102 is controlled to shift from the sleep state to the normal transmission operation state. Further, the control circuit 101 starts control to repeat the continuous transmission period and the data transmission period shown in FIG. 3 in a predetermined cycle, and in the data transmission period, the first core 31 and the The identification information corresponding to the core body of the second core body 32 that is equal to or higher than the predetermined pen pressure value Pth and the information on the pen pressure value applied to the core body are sent as an ASK signal. To control.

Thereafter, when both the first writing pressure value calculation unit 111 and the second writing pressure value calculation unit 112 have been in a state in which the writing pressure value Pth or more is not calculated longer than a predetermined time, the control circuit 101 The transmission circuit 102 is returned to the sleep state.

In addition, when the user grips the first conductor portion 21 or the second conductor portion 22 and the transmission circuit 102 is activated, the electronic pen 1 immediately takes the first core 31 or the second conductor The transmission signal is sent out from the core body 32. Then, the control circuit 101 starts control such that the continuous transmission period and the data transmission period shown in FIG. 3 are repeated at a predetermined cycle. The control circuit 101 applies the brush applied to the first core body 31 and the second core body 32 by the first writing pressure value calculation unit 111 and the second writing pressure value calculation unit 112 in the continuous transmission period. The pressure value is calculated.

In this case, when the writing pressure is not applied to both the first core body 31 and the second core body 32, the writing pressure value transmitted during the data transmission period is zero, and the identification information is Information (for example, dummy data) indicating that neither the first core body 31 nor the second core body 32 is provided. Alternatively, the identification information may not be included in the transmission data.

Then, after that, the user brings the first core body 31 or the second core body 32 of the electronic pen 1 into contact with the position detection device 201, and the brush is applied to the first core body 31 or the second core body 32. When the pressure is applied, the first writing pressure value calculation unit 111 or the second writing pressure value calculation unit 112 makes the first writing pressure value or the second writing pressure value Pth greater than or equal to a predetermined writing pressure value Pth greater than zero. The pen pressure value is calculated.

The control circuit 101 is configured to apply the first core 31 or the second core pressure to which one of the first writing pressure value and the second writing pressure value is equal to or larger than a predetermined value greater than zero. The core body 32 is discriminated, and according to the discrimination result, the first identification information or the second identification information is read from the storage unit 110 and used as the identification information transmitted during the data transmission period.

As described above, in the electronic pen 1 of the above-described embodiment, the user simply turns over the case 2 of the electronic pen 1 so that the pen can be used as the pen tip of the electronic pen 1 in the same manner as the two-color pencil. The first core body 31 and the second core body 32 are switched. Then, the user applies the writing pressure by bringing the first core body 31 or the second core body 32 of the electronic pen 1 into contact with the input surface of the sensor 202 of the position detection device 201. The control circuit 101 of the electronic pen 1 recognizes which of the first core body 31 and the second core body 32 is used as a pen tip, and determines the core body used. The corresponding identification information is transmitted to the position detection device 201.

When the position detection device 201 receives the transmission signal from the electronic pen 1 and includes the first identification information, the position detection device 201 recognizes that the transmission signal has been sent through the first core 31, and When the second identification information is included, it is recognized that a transmission signal has been sent through the second core body 32. Thereby, in the electronic device 200, for example, black is assigned to the first core 31 and red is assigned to the second core 32, so that the electronic pen 1 can perform black pen input, Red pan input can be accepted.

The assignment of the first core 31 and the second core 32 in the electronic device 200 is not limited to the input color, but the input line and the thickness of the character, the type of the input line (solid line, dotted line, It may be a one-dot chain line, two-dot chain line, or the like. Further, in the electronic device 200, the user can set the assignment to the first core body 31 and the second core body 32.

An example of the flow of processing operation of the control circuit 101 for realizing the above operation will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. In the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment, the control circuit 101 determines whether the user is holding the first conductor portion 21 or the second conductor portion 22 as described above. do not do. Instead, the control circuit 101 monitors the writing pressure applied to the first core body 31 or the second core body 32 so that the user selects the first core body 31 as the pen tip. Or whether the second core 32 is selected as the pen tip.

In this embodiment, from the configuration of the electronic pen 1 described above, when the user selects the first core body 31 as the pen tip, the user grasps the first conductor portion 21 and applies pressure to the first core body 31. When the second core body 32 is selected as the pen tip, the second core body 32 is grasped by grasping the second conductor portion 22. It is inferred that it will be used in a state where the writing pressure is applied to the.

First, the control circuit 101 starts monitoring the first writing pressure value and the second writing pressure value calculated by the first writing pressure value calculation unit 111 and the second writing pressure value calculation unit 112 (step S101). . In step S101, the transmission circuit 102 is in a sleep state.

Then, the control circuit 101 determines whether or not the first writing pressure value is greater than the predetermined writing pressure value Pth (step S102), and when determining that the first writing pressure value is not larger, the second writing pressure value is determined to be the predetermined writing pressure value. It is determined whether or not it is greater than the pressure value Pth (step S103). When it is determined in step S103 that the second writing pressure value is not greater than the predetermined writing pressure value Pth, the control circuit 101 returns the process to step S102.

When it is determined in step S102 that the first writing pressure value is greater than the predetermined writing pressure value Pth, the control circuit 101 causes the first pen 31 to contact the position detection device 201 and use the electronic pen 1. Recognizing that the pen input operation is started, the sleep state of the transmission circuit 102 is canceled, and the normal transmission operation state is set (the oscillator 1021 is set to the oscillation state) (step S104). The control circuit 101 generates a first transmission signal to be transmitted from the first core body 31 based on the recognition that the first core body 31 has contacted the position detection device 201. 102 is controlled (step S105). Here, the first transmission signal includes the pen pressure data including the first pen pressure value applied to the first core 31 in the data transmission period after the continuous transmission period illustrated in FIG. The first identification information corresponding to the first core 31 is transmitted as an ASK signal.

After step S105, the control circuit 101 uses the first writing pressure value calculated by the first writing pressure value calculation unit 111 (and the second writing pressure value calculated by the second writing pressure value calculation unit 112). ) Is less than or equal to a predetermined value Pth (step S106). If it is determined that the value is not less than or equal to the predetermined value Pth, the process returns to step S105. When it is determined in step S106 that the first writing pressure value has become equal to or smaller than the predetermined value Pth, the control circuit 101 continues the time during which the first writing pressure value is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value Pth for the predetermined time Tth or longer. It is discriminate | determined whether it is (step S107).

Here, the predetermined time Tth is a time when the user pauses or stops using the electronic pen 1 and does not use the electronic pen 1 for a while, for example, 30 seconds.

When it is determined in step S107 that the time during which the first writing pressure value is equal to or less than the predetermined value Pth does not continue for the predetermined time Tth or longer, the control circuit 101 calculates the second writing pressure value calculation unit 112. It is determined whether or not the second writing pressure value thus made has become greater than a predetermined value Pth (step S108). In the determination process in step S108, the user performs the second conductor portion from the state in which the user holds the electronic pen 1 and holds the first conductor portion 21 and directs the first core 31 toward the position detection device 201. This is a process for determining whether or not the second core 32 is held in a state in which the second core 32 is directed to the position detection device 201 while the second core 32 is brought into contact with the position detection device 201.

If it is determined in step S108 that the second writing pressure value is not greater than the predetermined value Pth, the control circuit 101 returns the process to step S106, and the first writing pressure value is equal to or less than the predetermined value Pth. If the first writing pressure value returns to a state larger than the predetermined value Pth, the process returns from step S106 to step S105. Therefore, in a state where the user holds the first conductor portion 21 of the electronic pen 1 and uses the first core 31 in contact with the position detection device 201 as a pen tip, the first core 31 is temporarily used. Even if the core body 31 is separated from the position detection device 201, the electronic pen is brought into contact with the position detection device 201 again within a predetermined time Tth. 1 continues the state of sending the first transmission signal through the first core 31.

In step S107, since step S108 is involved in the calculation of the passage of the predetermined time Tth, both the first writing pressure value and the second writing pressure value are not greater than the predetermined value Pth. Will be calculated.

When it is determined in step S107 that the time during which the first writing pressure value (and the second writing pressure value) is equal to or less than the predetermined value Pth has continued for the predetermined time Tth or longer, the control circuit 101 causes the transmission circuit 102 to The sleep state is set (step S109), and then the process returns to step S102, and the processes after step S102 are repeated.

When it is determined in step S103 that the second writing pressure value has become larger than the predetermined value Pth, the control circuit 101 causes the second core body 32 to come into contact with the position detection device 201 and the pen by the electronic pen 1 is used. Recognizing that the input operation has started, the sleep state of the transmission circuit 102 is canceled, and the normal transmission operation state is set (the oscillator 1021 is set to the oscillation state) (step S111 in FIG. 10). Then, the control circuit 101 generates a second transmission signal to be transmitted from the second core 32 based on the recognition that the second core 32 has contacted the position detection device 201. 102 is controlled (step S112). Here, the second transmission signal includes the pen pressure data composed of the second pen pressure value applied to the second core 32 in the data transmission period after the continuous transmission period shown in FIG. The second identification information corresponding to the second core body 32 is transmitted as an ASK signal.

If it is determined in step S108 that the second writing pressure value has become larger than the predetermined value Pth, the control circuit 101 at this time has the transmission circuit 102 already in the normal transmission operation state. From step S112, the transmission circuit 102 is controlled to generate a second transmission signal to be transmitted from the second core 32.

After step S112, the control circuit 101 determines whether or not the second writing pressure value calculated by the second writing pressure value calculation unit 112 has become equal to or less than the predetermined value Pth (step S113), and the predetermined value Pth. If it is determined that it is not below, the process returns to step S112. When it is determined in step S113 that the second writing pressure value has become equal to or smaller than the predetermined value Pth, the control circuit 101 causes the second writing pressure value (and the first writing pressure value) to become smaller than the predetermined value Pth. It is determined whether or not a certain time has continued for a predetermined time Tth (step S114).

When it is determined in step S114 that the time during which the second writing pressure value (and the first writing pressure value) is equal to or less than the predetermined value Pth does not continue for the predetermined time Tth or longer, the control circuit 101 It is determined whether or not the second writing pressure value calculated by the two writing pressure value calculation unit 112 is greater than a predetermined value Pth (step S115). In the determination processing in step S115, the first conductor portion is determined from the state in which the user holds the electronic pen 1 with the second conductor portion 22 and directs the second core 32 toward the position detection device 201. This is a process for determining whether or not the first core 31 is held in a state in which the first core 31 is brought into contact with the position detection device 201 while the first core 31 is held in the state of facing the position detection device 201.

If it is determined in step S115 that the first writing pressure value is not greater than the predetermined value Pth, the control circuit 101 returns the process to step S113, and the second writing pressure value is equal to or less than the predetermined value Pth. If the second writing pressure value returns to a state larger than the predetermined value Pth, the process returns from step S113 to step S112. Accordingly, in a state where the user is using the second conductor 32 of the electronic pen 1 while making contact with the position detection device 201 using the second core 32 as a pen tip, the second core 32 is temporarily used. Even if the second core body 32 is separated from the position detection device 201, the electronic pen can be brought into contact with the position detection device 201 again within a predetermined time Tth. 1 continues the state of sending the second transmission signal through the second core 32.

Further, when it is determined in step S115 that the first writing pressure value has become larger than the predetermined value Pth, the control circuit 101 at this time has the transmission circuit 102 already in the normal transmission operation state, so that the step S115 is performed. From step S105, the transmission circuit 102 is controlled so that the first transmission signal is transmitted from the first core 31.

[Effect of the first embodiment]
In the electronic pen 1 of the above-described embodiment, when the user changes the case 2 of the electronic pen 1 so that the case 2 is turned over, the core body to which the transmission signal from the transmission circuit 102 is sent is the first core body 31. The second core body 32 is switched. Therefore, according to the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment described above, the first core body 31 and the second core body 32 as the pen tip of the electronic pen 1 can be obtained by the same holding operation as a writing instrument such as a two-color pencil. And can be switched.

In the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment described above, the control circuit 101 includes the first pen pressure value calculated by the first pen pressure value calculation unit 111 and the second pen pressure value calculation unit 112 and the first pen pressure value. By monitoring the pen pressure value of 2, it is detected whether or not the electronic pen 1 has been used by the user, and the transmitter circuit 102 that has been in the sleep state is put into a normal transmission operation state. Power can be saved by saving power.

Then, the control circuit 101 of the electronic pen 1 monitors the first writing pressure value and the second writing pressure value calculated by the first writing pressure value calculation unit 111 and the second writing pressure value calculation unit 112. The first core body 31 or the second core body 32 is recognized by recognizing which one of the first core body 31 and the second core body 32 is used as the pen tip of the electronic pen 1. The first identification information or the second identification information corresponding to 32 can be transmitted to the position detection device 201. For this reason, in the position detection apparatus 201, which of the first core body 31 and the second core body 32 of the electronic pen 1 is the pen depends on which of the first identification information and the second identification information is received. It can be reliably distinguished whether it is used as a destination.

[Modification of First Embodiment]
In the first embodiment described above, the writing pressure information is included in the data transmission period. However, in the present invention, it is not essential to include the writing pressure information in the transmission signal from the electronic pen. The same applies to the embodiments described later. In the first embodiment, the main point is that the control circuit 101 uses the first signal transmission unit of the electronic pen 1 to indicate whether the transmission signal is emitted from the first signal transmission unit. Based on the first writing pressure value and the second writing pressure value calculated by the writing pressure value calculation unit 111 and the second writing pressure value calculation unit 112, either the first identification information or the second identification information is included in the transmission signal. It suffices if it is possible to control whether or not it is included.

In the above description of the first embodiment, the storage unit 110 that stores the first identification information and the second identification information is built in the control circuit 101. However, the storage unit 110 Of course, it may be external to the circuit 101. The same applies to later-described embodiments.

[Second Embodiment]
In the electronic pen 1 according to the first embodiment described above, the release of the sleep state of the transmission circuit 102 and the transition to the sleep state are performed by the first signal sending unit and the second signal sending unit (in the first embodiment, the first signal sending unit). The writing pressure applied to the first core body 31 and the second core body 32) is monitored. For this reason, in order to change the transmission circuit 102 from the sleep state to the normal transmission operation state, the user performs an operation to apply pressure to the first core body 31 or the second core body 32 of the electronic pen 1. It is necessary to do. For this reason, an operation different from that when starting a writing operation with a writing instrument such as a pencil is required.

Therefore, in the electronic pen of the second embodiment, it is possible to send a transmission signal from the transmission circuit from the first signal transmission unit or the second signal transmission unit by simply grasping the electronic pen by the user. Considering the advantages of this, the user can handle the electronic pen with the same operation as a pencil or other writing instrument by moving the transmission circuit from the sleep state to the normal transmission operation state just by grasping the electronic pen by the user. It can be so.

In the electronic pen 1A of the second embodiment, the first conductor portion 21 and the second conductor portion 22 are electrically connected to the control circuit 101, and the function processing content of the control circuit 101 is the first. This is different from the embodiment. Other configurations are the same as those of the electronic pen 1 according to the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of the internal circuit of the electronic pen 1A according to the second embodiment, focusing on the control processing function of the control circuit 101. As shown in FIG. 11, in the electronic pen 1A, the control circuit 101A includes a storage unit 110 that stores first and second identification information, a first writing pressure value calculation unit 111 that functions as a software processing function, A second writing pressure value calculation unit 112 and a first contact detection unit 121 and a second contact detection unit 122 as software processing functions are further provided. The first conductor detector 21 of the case 2 is electrically connected to the first contact detector 121, and the second conductor 22 of the case 2 is electrically connected to the second contact detector 122. Connected to. Other configurations in FIG. 11 are the same as those in the first embodiment shown in FIG.

In the second embodiment, the first contact detection unit 121 or the second contact detection unit 122 of the control circuit 101A is used for the user to start using the electronic pen 1A. The state of touching by hand to grasp the conductor portion 22 is detected, for example, by detecting a change in self-capacitance of the first conductor portion 21 or the second conductor portion 22 of the case. Here, the self-capacitance of the first conductor portion 21 or the second conductor portion 22 of the case 2 is the electrostatic capacitance between the first conductor portion 21 or the second conductor portion 22 and the ground (ground). Capacitance, including stray capacitance.

When a human body such as a hand or a finger touches the first conductor portion 21 or the second conductor portion 22, the human body is connected between the first conductor portion 21 or the second conductor portion 22 and the ground. Thus, the capacitance of the human body is added to the stray capacitance when the human body is not in contact, thereby increasing the self-capacitance. The first contact detection unit 121 and the second contact detection unit 122 of the control circuit 101A detect changes in the self-capacitance of the first conductor unit 21 and the second conductor unit 22, thereby the first conductor unit 21, It is detected that a human hand or finger has touched the second conductor portion 22. Although not shown in FIG. 11, in order to detect changes in the self-capacitance of the first conductor portion 21 and the second conductor portion 22, the first contact detector 121 and the second contact of the control circuit 101A. An additional circuit may be externally attached to the detection unit 122.

The method for detecting that the hand or finger of the human body touches the first conductor part 21 or the second conductor part 22 in the first contact detector 121 or the second contact detector 122 described above is as described above. Of course, the present invention is not limited to the method of detecting the change in the self-capacitance of the first conductor portion 21 and the second conductor portion 22, and various methods can be used.

For example, the first conductor portion 21 and the second conductor portion 22 are connected to specific terminals of the IC constituting the control circuit 101A, and one integral capacitance is externally attached. Is possible. Moreover, the detection method of the electrostatic touch which detects the state which the hand and finger | toe of a human body are touching the 1st conductor part 21 and the 2nd conductor part 22 is a self-induction method (self-capacitance), a mutual induction method (mutual) capacitance).

In the second embodiment, the control circuit 101A determines whether the hand or finger of the human body has touched the first contact detection unit 121, the first conductor unit 21 in the second contact detection unit 122, or the second conductor unit 22. Based on the detected output, the transition control from the sleep state to the normal transmission operation state of the transmission circuit 102 of the electronic pen 1 and the transition control from the normal transmission operation state to the sleep state are performed.

An example of the flow of processing operation of the control circuit 101A in the case of the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

First, the control circuit A101 starts monitoring the contact detection outputs of the first contact detector 121 and the second contact detector 122 (step S201). In step S201, the transmission circuit 102 is in a sleep state.

Then, the control circuit 101A determines from the detection output of the first contact detection unit 121 whether or not the contact of the human body with the first conductor unit 21 has been detected (step S202), and determines that it has not been detected. Sometimes, it is determined from the detection output of the second contact detection unit 122 whether or not the contact of the human body with the second conductor portion 22 has been detected (step S203). If it is determined in step S203 that the second contact detection unit 122 has not detected contact of the human body with the second conductor 22, the control circuit 101A returns the process to step S202.

When it is determined in step S202 that the contact of the human body with the first conductor portion 21 has been detected, the control circuit 101A cancels the sleep state of the transmission circuit 102 and puts the oscillator 1021 into the normal transmission operation state. The oscillation state is set (step S204). Then, the control circuit 101A estimates that the first core body 31 is used as the pen tip based on the detection of the contact of the human body with the first conductor portion 21, and the first core body The transmission circuit 102 is controlled so as to generate a first transmission signal to be transmitted from 31 (step S205). The first transmission signal includes writing pressure data including a first writing pressure value applied to the first core 31 in a data transmission period after the continuous transmission period illustrated in FIG. As described above, the first identification information corresponding to the core 31 is transmitted as an ASK signal.

After step S205, the control circuit 101A determines from the detection output of the first contact detection unit 121 whether or not the contact of the human body with the first conductor portion 21 has been detected (step S206). If it is determined that the contact of the human body with the first conductor portion 21 is not undetected, the process returns to step S205. When it is determined in step S206 that the human body contact with the first conductor portion 21 has not been detected, the control circuit 101A has detected that the human body contact with the first conductor portion 21 has not been detected. It is determined whether or not the time has continued for a predetermined time Tth (step S207).

When it is determined in step S207 that the time during which human contact with the first conductor 21 has not been detected has not continued for a predetermined time Tth or longer, the control circuit 101A determines that the second contact detection unit 122 It is determined from the detection output whether or not the contact of the human body with the second conductor portion 22 has been detected (step S208). In the determination processing in step S208, the user performs the second conductor portion from the state in which the user holds the electronic pen 1 and holds the first conductor portion 21 and directs the first core 31 toward the position detection device 201. This is a determination process as to whether or not the second core 32 has been changed to the state in which the second core 32 is directed toward the position detection device 201 by grasping 22.

When it is determined in step S208 that the contact of the human body with the second conductor 22 has not been detected, the control circuit 101A returns the process to step S206, and the contact of the human body with the first conductor 21 is detected. It is determined whether or not non-detection has occurred, and when the state returns to the state in which contact of the human body with the first conductor portion 21 is detected, the process returns from step S206 to step S205. Therefore, in a state where the user is holding and using the first conductor portion 21 of the electronic pen 1, even if the user does not hold the first conductor portion 21 temporarily, the user again within a predetermined time Tth. When the first pen portion 21 is held, the electronic pen 1 A continues to send the first transmission signal through the first core 31.

Here, in step S207, the control circuit 101A detects the contact of the human body with both the first conductor portion 21 and the second conductor portion 22 because step S208 is involved in the calculation of the passage of the predetermined time Tth. The duration of the state that has not been done will be calculated.

When it is determined in step S207 that the duration of the state in which contact of the human body to both the first conductor portion 21 and the second conductor portion 22 is not detected has continued for a predetermined time Tth or longer, the control circuit 101A The transmission circuit 102 is set to the sleep state (step S209), and then the process returns to step S202, and the processes after step S202 are repeated.

When it is determined in step S203 that the contact of the human body with the second conductor 22 has been detected, the control circuit 101A cancels the sleep state of the transmission circuit 102 and sets the oscillator 1021 to the normal transmission operation state. The oscillation state is set (step S211 in FIG. 13). Then, the control circuit 101A estimates that the second core body 32 is used as the pen tip based on the detection of the contact of the human body with the second conductor portion 22, and the second core body The transmission circuit 102 is controlled so as to generate a second transmission signal to be transmitted from 32 (step S212). Here, the second transmission signal includes the pen pressure data composed of the second pen pressure value applied to the second core 32 in the data transmission period after the continuous transmission period shown in FIG. As described above, the second identification information corresponding to the second core 32 is transmitted as an ASK signal.

When it is determined in step S208 that the contact of the human body with the second conductor portion 22 has been detected, the control circuit 101A at this time has the transmission circuit 102 already in the normal transmission operation state. From step S212, the transmitting circuit 102 is controlled to generate a second transmission signal to be transmitted from the second core 32.

After step S212, the control circuit 101A determines from the detection output of the second contact detection unit 122 whether or not the contact of the human body with the second conductor 22 has been detected (step S213). If it is determined that the contact of the human body with the second conductor 22 is not undetected, the process returns to step S212. Further, when it is determined in step S213 that the contact of the human body with the second conductor portion 22 has not been detected, the control circuit 101A has not detected the contact of the human body with the second conductor portion 22. It is determined whether or not the time has continued for a predetermined time Tth (step S214).

When it is determined in step S214 that the time during which human contact with the second conductor 22 has not been detected has not continued for a predetermined time Tth or longer, the control circuit 101A determines that the first contact detector 121 has It is determined from the detection output whether or not the contact of the human body with the first conductor portion 21 has been detected (step S215). In the determination process in step S215, the first conductor portion is changed from the state in which the user holds the electronic pen 1 with the second conductor portion 22 and directs the second core 32 toward the position detection device 201. This is a determination process as to whether or not the first core 31 is held in a state where the first core 31 is directed to the position detection device 201 by holding 21.

When it is determined in step S215 that the contact of the human body with the first conductor portion 21 is not detected, the control circuit 101A returns the process to step S213, and the contact of the human body with the second conductor portion 22 is detected. It is determined whether or not non-detection has occurred, and when the state returns to the state in which contact of the human body with the second conductor portion 22 is detected, the process returns from step S213 to step S212. Therefore, in a state where the user is holding and using the second conductor portion 22 of the electronic pen 1, even if the second conductor portion 22 is temporarily not held, the user again within a predetermined time Tth. When the second conductor portion 22 is gripped, the electronic pen 1 A continues to send the second transmission signal through the second core body 32.

When it is determined in step S215 that the contact of the human body with the first conductor portion 21 has been detected, the control circuit 101A at this time has the transmission circuit 102 already in the normal transmission operation state. From step S205, the transmission circuit 102 is controlled so that the first transmission signal is transmitted from the first core 31.

In step S214, when it is determined that the duration of the state in which the contact of the human body with both the first conductor portion 21 and the second conductor portion 22 is not detected has continued for a predetermined time Tth or longer, the control circuit 101A Causes the process to jump to step S209 to place the transmission circuit 102 in the sleep state, then returns the process to step S202, and repeats the processes after step S202.

[Effects of Second Embodiment]
According to the electronic pen 1A of the second embodiment described above, when the user makes contact with the first conductor portion 21 or the second conductor portion 22 with a finger or hand so as to hold the electronic pen 1A, the transmission circuit The state is changed from the sleep state to the normal transmission operation state, and the transmission signal can be transmitted from the first core body 31 or the second core body 32. Therefore, the user applies writing pressure to the first core body 31 or the second core body 32 in order to change the transmission circuit 102 from the sleep state to the normal transmission operation state as in the first embodiment. Thus, the electronic pen 1A can be used with the same feeling of operation as a two-color pencil or the like.

According to the electronic pen 1A of the second embodiment, the transmission circuit 102 changes from the sleep state to the normal transmission operation state simply by grasping the case 2, so that the electronic pen 1A can be positioned without any operation as it is. If it is located on the sensor of the detection device, the position detection device has an effect that the hover state of the electronic pen 1A can be detected.

[Modification of Second Embodiment]
In the description of the second embodiment described above, when the first contact detection unit 121 or the second contact detection unit 122 detects the contact of the human body with the first conductor unit 21 or the second conductor unit 22, the transmission is performed. The circuit 102 is shifted from the sleep state to the normal transmission operation state, and the first writing pressure value calculation unit 111 or the second writing pressure value calculation unit 112 does not wait for detection of the writing pressure equal to or higher than the predetermined value Pth, The transmission signal or the second transmission signal is transmitted.

However, when the first contact detection unit 121 or the second contact detection unit 122 detects the contact of the human body with the first conductor unit 21 or the second conductor unit 22, the transmission circuit 102 is changed from the sleep state to the normal transmission operation. Only by shifting to the state, the first transmission signal or the second transmission signal is sent out at a writing pressure equal to or higher than a predetermined value Pth in the first writing pressure value calculation unit 111 or the second writing pressure value calculation unit 112. It may be performed after waiting for the detection. In that case, the electronic pen 1 A uses the first pen pressure value or the second pen pressure value until the first pen pressure value calculation unit 111 or the second pen pressure value calculation unit 112 detects a pen pressure that is equal to or greater than the predetermined value Pth. The writing pressure value and the first identification information or the second identification information may not be transmitted.

[Third Embodiment]
The electronic pens 1 and 1A according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above include the first signal transmission unit and the second signal transmission unit at both ends in the axial direction of the case 2 of the electronic pens 1 and 1A. The first signal transmission unit and the second signal transmission unit have the same configuration, shape, and size, and the first conductor portion of the case 2 is configured for pen input. 21 and the second conductor portion 22 have the same shape and size.

However, the electronic pen according to the present invention needs to have the same shape and size for the first and second signal transmitting portions at both ends and the corresponding first and second conductor portions. There is no. In the third embodiment, the first signal transmission unit and the second signal transmission unit at both ends and the corresponding first conductor unit and second conductor unit are connected to the first and second embodiments described above. It is an example of an electronic pen that is different from the embodiment.

The electronic pen of the third embodiment described below is a pen tip as an example of the first signal sending unit at one end in the axial direction of the case, as in the first embodiment. Although the core is provided, as an example of the second signal transmission unit at the other end, in the example described below, a core having a function of an eraser is provided.

FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically showing an outline of a configuration example of the electronic pen 1B of the third embodiment. The case 2B (housing) of the electronic pen 1B is broken along the axial direction, Corresponds to what shows the interior.

As shown in FIG. 14, the case 2B of the electronic pen 1B according to the third embodiment is also formed in a cylindrical shape that is elongated in the axial direction as a whole, as in the above-described embodiment. Three parts of 20B, the first conductor part 21B, and the second conductor part 22B are coupled in the axial direction. However, unlike the above-described embodiment, in the electronic pen 1B of the third embodiment, the axial length of the first conductor portion 21B is selected to be longer than that of the second conductor portion 22B.

The first conductor portion 21B and the second conductor portion 22B are made of a conductor such as aluminum, for example, and the side coupled to the non-conductor portion 20B in the axial direction has the same diameter as the non-conductor portion 20B. The side opposite to the side coupled with the non-conductor portion 20B in the axial direction is formed in a tapered shape. The first core 31B is inserted through the opening 21Ba at the tip of the tapered portion of the first conductor portion 21B, and the tapered shape of the second conductor portion 22B is tapered. The second core body 32B is inserted through the opening 22Ba at the tip of the portion.

The first core body 31B and the second core body 32B are made of a conductive material, for example, a conductive metal rod or a resin mixed with conductive metal powder. The opening 21Ba and the opening 22Ba are provided with

nib guard members

23B and 24B made of an insulating material, and the

nib guard members

23B and 24B are electrically conductive with the conductive first core 31B. It is configured to be interposed between the first conductor portion 21B and between the conductive second core 32B and the conductive second conductor portion 22B.

In the electronic pen 1B of the third embodiment, the first core body 31B is configured to function as a pen tip similar to that of the above-described embodiment, and has a thin rod shape. On the other hand, the second core body 32B is configured to function as an eraser (a function of erasing the previous pen input at the position designated by the electronic pen 1B). In this example, the second core body 32B has a mushroom shape. Yes. The second core body 32B is configured such that a mushroom-shaped umbrella portion protrudes to the outside and a handle portion is inserted into the case 2B. That is, the first core body 31B and the second core body 32B are different in shape and size. The first core body 31B and the second core body 32B may have different sizes, or both the shape and the size may be different.

In the hollow part of the case 2B, as shown in FIG. 11, the control circuit 101B, the transmission circuit 102B, the first writing pressure detection mechanism unit 41B, and the second writing pressure detection mechanism unit 42B, as in the above-described embodiment. Is provided. The first writing pressure detection mechanism 41B detects the writing pressure applied to the first core 31B, and the second writing pressure detection mechanism 42B applies the writing pressure applied to the second core 32B. It is comprised as a thing for detecting. In the third embodiment, each of the first writing pressure detection mechanism unit 41B and the second writing pressure detection mechanism unit 42B is the first writing pressure detection mechanism unit 41 of the first and second embodiments described above. And it is set as the structure similar to the 2nd writing pressure detection mechanism part 42, and is set as the structure of the variable capacitor which exhibits the electrostatic capacitance which changes according to writing pressure.

The control circuit 101B is configured by a microprocessor, for example, as an IC circuit. In the third embodiment, the first and second identification information are stored in the same manner as the control circuit 101A in the second embodiment. A storage unit (not shown) for storing, a first writing pressure value calculating unit and a second writing pressure value calculating unit (shown) for calculating writing pressure applied to the first core body 31B and the second core body 32B And a first contact detection unit and a second contact detection unit (not shown) for detecting contact of the human body with the first conductor portion 21B and the second conductor portion 22B as processing function means. Therefore, the control circuit 101B of the third embodiment performs the same control operation as the control circuit 101A of the second embodiment.

The transmission circuit 102B is configured as a digital oscillation circuit, and does not have a transformer 1022 like the transmission circuit 102 described above. This transmission circuit 102B has a configuration for outputting an AC signal as a transmission signal between the first terminal 102Ba and the second terminal 102Bb. When the first terminal 102Ba is connected to the ground, the transmission circuit 102B outputs an AC signal as a transmission signal from the second terminal 102Bb, and when the second terminal 102Bb is connected to the ground, the first circuit 102B From the terminal 102Ba, an AC signal having a phase opposite to that of the AC signal output from the second terminal 102Bb is output as a transmission signal.

In the third embodiment, the first terminal 102Ba of the transmission circuit 102B is connected to the first core body 31B and the second conductor portion 22B, and is also connected to the first contact detection portion of the control circuit 101B. The The second terminal 102Bb of the transmission circuit 102B is connected to the second core body 32B and the first conductor portion 21B, and is connected to the second contact detection portion of the control circuit 101B.

In the third embodiment, when the user grasps the first conductor portion 21B, the control circuit 101B detects the grip (contact) of the first conductor portion 21B of the user by the first contact detection portion. Then, control is performed so that a transmission signal from the first terminal 102Ba of the transmission circuit 102B is transmitted to the outside through the first core body 31B. At this time, the first core body 31B includes first identification information corresponding to the first core body 31B and information on the pen pressure value applied to the first core body 31B during the data transmission period. The control circuit 101B controls so that one transmission signal is supplied to the position detection device 201. In the position detection device 201, the first transmission signal from the first core body 31B of the electronic pen 1B is determined and accepted as a pen input.

When the user grasps the second conductor portion 22B, the control circuit 101B detects the grasping (contact) of the user's second conductor portion 22B by the second contact detection portion, and the second contact portion 22B of the transmission circuit 102B is detected. The transmission signal from the second terminal 102Bb is controlled to be sent to the outside through the second core body 32B. At this time, the second core 32B includes second identification information corresponding to the second core 32B and information on the pen pressure value applied to the second core 32B in the data transmission period. The control circuit 101B controls so that the second transmission signal is transmitted to the position detection device 201. The position detection device 201 determines and accepts the second transmission signal from the second core 32B of the electronic pen 1B as an input of the function of the eraser.

[Effect of the third embodiment]
As described above, in the electronic pen 1B of the third embodiment described above, the user performs pen input with the first core 31B side directed toward the position detection device 201 as the pen tip of the electronic pen 1B. The core body to which the transmission signal from the transmission circuit 102 is sent can be switched to the second core body 32B having an eraser function simply by turning the case 2B upside down. Therefore, according to the electronic pen 1B of the above-described third embodiment, the first core 31B as the pen tip of the electronic pen 1B and the eraser function of the first one can be changed by the same holding operation as a writing instrument such as a pencil with an eraser. The two core bodies 32B can be switched.

[Modification of Third Embodiment]
Also in the above-described third embodiment, the first transmission signal and the second transmission signal transmitted from each of the first core body 31B and the second core body 32B have the first identification during the data transmission period. Each of the information and the second identification information is included. However, in the transmission circuit 102B of the third embodiment, the second terminal 102Bb is connected to the ground, the AC signal output as the transmission signal from the first terminal 102Ba, and the first terminal 102Ba is connected to the ground. The AC signal that is connected and output as a transmission signal from the second terminal 102Bb is an AC signal having an opposite phase to each other.

Therefore, in the electronic pen 1B according to the third embodiment, the first identification information and the second identification information are not included in the data transmission period, respectively, while the position detection device 201 transmits the transmission signal from the electronic pen 1B. By determining the phase, it can be configured to detect which of the first core body 31B and the second core body 32B is a transmission signal. In that case, the control circuit 101B of the electronic pen 1B according to the third embodiment does not need the storage unit 110 that stores the first identification information and the second identification information.

In the above-described third embodiment, the control circuit 101B detects the contact of the human body with the first contact detector 22B and the second conductor 22B, which detects the contact of the human body with the first conductor 21B. An example in which the second contact detection unit is provided and the same processing operation as that of the second embodiment is performed is described. However, the control circuit 101B of the third embodiment does not include the first contact detection unit and the second contact detection unit, and performs the same control processing operation as the control circuit 101 of the first embodiment described above. You may comprise.

In the third embodiment described above, the second signal sending unit having a configuration, shape, and size different from that of the first signal sending unit has an eraser function. The function is not limited to the eraser. For example, the second signal sending unit may be a different type of pen tip from the first signal sending unit such as a brush.

[Other Embodiments or Modifications]
In the above-described embodiment, the writing pressure detection unit as an example of the pressure detection unit that detects the pressure applied to the first core body and the second core body includes the dielectric as the first electrode and the second electrode. A variable capacitance capacitor in which the electrostatic capacity is variable according to the writing pressure by allowing one of the first electrode and the second electrode to move in the axial direction according to the writing pressure. Although used, it is not limited to this configuration. For example, the writing pressure detection means can be configured using a semiconductor element whose capacitance is variable according to the writing pressure as disclosed in JP2013-161307A. Further, the writing pressure detection means may be configured by using a structure or an element that makes the inductance value or resistance value variable according to the writing pressure, instead of the capacitance.

In the above-described embodiment, the pressure detection unit capable of continuously measuring the writing pressure value is used as the pressure detection unit. However, instead of such a writing pressure detection unit, it is applied to the core body. A switch (tact switch) that is turned on in response to the pressure may be provided to detect whether or not this switch is turned on. In addition, the pressure detection unit may use a pressure-sensitive resistance sensor that generates a resistance value corresponding to the pressure applied to the core body, instead of the switch, and includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element. You may make it use the optical sensor of the structure which changes the amount of received light according to the pressure applied to the core.

In the above-described embodiment, the first signal sending unit and the second signal sending unit have the first core body and the second core body made of a conductor, respectively. As long as the part and the second signal sending unit are conductors that can send a transmission signal from the transmission circuit, the first core and the second core need not be configured.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, in order to be able to identify the first signal transmission unit and the second signal transmission unit on the position detection device side, the first signal transmission unit receives the first signal transmission unit from the first signal transmission unit. The identification information is transmitted, and the second identification information is transmitted from the second signal transmission unit. However, the method for enabling identification of the first signal transmission unit and the second signal transmission unit on the position detection device side is not limited to this.

For example, with an electronic pen, the signal distribution of the transmission signal transmitted from the first signal transmission unit and the signal distribution of the transmission signal transmitted from the second signal transmission unit on the sensor of the position detection device are greatly increased. By detecting the difference in the signal distribution on the position detection device side, it is detected whether the received signal is a transmission signal from the first transmission unit or a transmission signal from the second transmission unit. You may make it do. For example, as a method of changing the signal distribution of the transmission signal, the tip of the first signal sending unit is made to have a narrow sharp shape by having a thin and sharp shape, while the tip of the second signal sending unit is made thick. The signal distribution may be wide so that the signal distribution has a large spread. Further, for example, by supplying the transmission signal from the transmission circuit to the first signal transmission unit and the second signal transmission unit through amplifiers having different amplification degrees, the signal distribution in the sensor of the position detection device is The transmission signal from the first transmission unit and the transmission signal from the second transmission unit may be different. The signal distribution may be changed by combining the shapes and sizes of the tips of the first signal transmission unit and the second signal transmission unit and the amplification degree of the amplifier.

Further, as described in the third embodiment, in the electronic pen, the phase of the AC signal is inverted between the transmission signal from the first signal transmission unit and the transmission signal from the second signal transmission unit. Thus, the position detection device may detect the phase of the received signal to distinguish between the transmission signal from the first signal transmission unit and the transmission signal from the second signal transmission unit. .

The transmission type electronic pen of the above-described embodiment is a case of a capacitance type electronic pen used together with a capacitance type position detection device. However, the transmission type electronic pen has a built-in transmission circuit and transmits the transmission signal by an electromagnetic induction method. The present invention can be similarly applied to a transmission type electronic pen that transmits to a position detection device.

The cases 2 and 2B have a cylindrical shape, but need not be cylindrical as long as they have a cylindrical shape, and may be cylindrical bodies having various cross-sectional shapes.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,1A, 1B ... Electronic pen, 2, 2B ... Case, 21, 21B ... 1st conductor part, 22, 22B ... 2nd conductor part, 31, 31B ... 1st core, 32, 32B ... 1st 2 cores, 41... First writing pressure detection mechanism, 42... Second writing pressure detection mechanism, 101, 101 A, 101 B control circuit, 102, 102 B transmission circuit, 110 storage unit, 111. 1st pen pressure value calculation part, 112 ... 2nd pen pressure value calculation part, 121 ... 1st contact detection part, 122 ... 2nd contact detection part, 102a, 102Ba ... 1st terminal, 102, 102Bb ... 2nd Terminal

Claims

In an electronic pen that transmits an AC signal for detecting a position,
A first terminal and a second terminal, and one of the first terminal and the second terminal is connected to the ground through a predetermined capacitance, thereby allowing the first terminal and the second terminal to A transmission circuit that outputs an AC signal from the other of the terminals;
A first signal transmission unit and a second signal transmission unit for transmitting the AC signal from the transmission circuit to the outside;
A first conductor portion and a second conductor portion which are provided at different positions touched by a user and insulated from each other;
The first terminal of the transmission circuit is connected to the first signal transmission unit and the first conductor unit, and the second terminal is connected to the second signal transmission unit and the second conductor. Connected to the
When the first conductor is connected to the ground via the predetermined capacitance, the AC signal from the transmission circuit is sent to the outside through the second signal sending unit, and the second signal is sent to the second signal sending unit. The electronic pen is characterized in that the AC signal from the transmission circuit is transmitted to the outside through the first signal transmission unit by connecting a conductor unit to the ground via the predetermined capacitance.
The first signal transmission unit is provided on one end side in the axial direction of the casing, and the second signal transmission unit is provided on the other end side. Electronic pen described in 1.
The said 1st conductor part and said 2nd conductor part are exposed and provided outside as a part of the housing | casing of an electronic pen. The Claim 1 or Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. Electronic pen.
The first conductor portion is disposed around the second signal sending portion, and the second conductor portion is placed around the first signal sending portion. 3. The electronic pen according to 3.
When the AC signal from the transmission circuit is sent from the first signal sending part, the second conductor part is arranged so that the user uses the second conductor part as a grip part of the electronic pen. In addition, when the AC signal from the transmission circuit is transmitted from the second signal transmission unit, the first conductor is set so that the user uses the first conductor unit as a grip portion of the electronic pen. The electronic pen according to claim 3, wherein a portion is arranged.
The first conductor portion is on the other end side in the axial direction of the casing where the second signal sending portion is provided, and the second conductor portion is the first signal sending portion. The electronic pen according to claim 3, wherein the electronic pen is disposed on one end side in the axial direction of the housing in which the housing is provided.
The first signal sending unit and the second signal sending unit are core bodies made of conductors, and the tip ends of the core bodies are on one end side and the other end side in the axial direction of the housing. The electronic pen according to claim 2, wherein the electronic pen is arranged so as to protrude to the outside from a through-hole formed in.
The electronic pen according to claim 7, wherein the core constituting the first signal sending unit and the core constituting the second signal sending unit have different shapes and / or sizes. .
2. The electron according to claim 1, wherein the output stage of the transmission circuit includes a transformer, wherein the first terminal is one end of the transformer, and the second terminal is the other end of the transformer. pen.
A first pressure detection unit for detecting a pressure applied from the outside to the first signal sending unit;
A second pressure detection unit for detecting a pressure applied from the outside to the second signal sending unit;
Information on the pressure applied to the first signal transmission unit detected by the first pressure detection unit is controlled to be included in the AC signal transmitted from the first signal transmission unit, and the second A control circuit for controlling the information of the pressure applied to the second signal sending unit detected by the pressure detecting unit to be included in the AC signal sent from the second signal sending unit;
A power supply circuit for supplying a power supply voltage to the transmission circuit and the control circuit;
The electronic pen according to claim 1, further comprising:
The control circuit monitors information on the pressure detected by the first pressure detection unit and the second pressure detection unit, and the control circuit detects either the first signal transmission unit or the second signal transmission unit. 11. The electronic pen according to claim 10, wherein it is determined whether or not the pressure applied to the power supply exceeds a predetermined value, and information of the determination result is controlled to be included in the AC signal from the transmission circuit. .
A storage unit for storing first identification information and second identification information different from the first identification information;
When the pressure applied to the first signal sending unit becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined value, the control circuit sends the first identification information from the first signal sending unit as information of the discrimination result. While controlling to include in the AC signal to be sent, and when the pressure applied to the second signal sending unit is equal to or higher than the predetermined value, the second identification information is used as the discrimination result information. The electronic pen according to claim 11, wherein the electronic pen is controlled so as to be included in an AC signal transmitted from the second signal transmission unit.
The signal distribution of the AC signal transmitted from the first signal transmission unit and the signal distribution of the AC signal transmitted from the second signal transmission unit are different from each other. The electronic pen according to 1.
2. The electron according to claim 1, wherein the AC signal transmitted from the first signal transmission unit and the AC signal transmitted from the second signal transmission unit have phases inverted. 3. pen.
2. The electronic circuit according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit performs control to include predetermined information in the AC signal by performing ASK (Amplitude Shift Keying) modulation on the AC signal from the transmission circuit. 3. pen.
A storage unit that stores a control circuit, first identification information, and second identification information different from the first identification information, and a power supply circuit that supplies a power supply voltage to the control circuit;
The control circuit includes:
A first contact detection unit that detects contact of a human body with the first conductor unit;
A second contact detection unit for detecting contact of a human body with the second conductor unit;
With
When the first contact detection unit detects a user's contact with the first conductor portion, an alternating current that sends the first identification information stored in the storage unit from the first signal transmission unit And controlling the second identification information stored in the storage unit when the second contact detection unit detects the contact of the user with the second conductor unit. 2. The electronic pen according to claim 1, wherein the electronic pen is controlled so as to be included in an AC signal transmitted from the signal transmission unit of 2.
In the control circuit, a state in which the pressure applied to the first signal sending unit and the second signal sending unit in the first pressure detecting unit and the second pressure detecting unit is not detected continues for a predetermined time. The electronic pen according to claim 10, wherein the electronic pen is controlled to stop signal transmission from time to time.
When the pressure applied to the first signal transmission unit and the second signal transmission unit is detected in the first pressure detection unit or the second pressure detection unit, the control circuit transmits the transmission signal. The electronic pen according to claim 17, wherein the electronic pen is controlled to start signal transmission.
The control circuit controls to stop signal transmission of the transmission circuit when a state in which no user contact is detected in the first contact detection unit and the second contact detection unit continues for a predetermined time. The electronic pen according to claim 16.
The control circuit controls to start signal transmission of the transmission circuit when a user's contact is detected in the first contact detection unit or the second contact detection unit. The electronic pen according to claim 19.