Position input device and computer system

Abstract

A position input device is provided in which signals are transmitted from a position indicator, and signals transmitted from the position indicator are received by a position detector device. According to certain embodiments, an electrical double-layer capacitor, a charging circuit which charges the electrical double-layer capacitor, and a power transmission unit which relays and supplies to the charging circuit power supplied from a power supply unit external to the position indicator, are provided in the position indicator. In other embodiments the position input device has a built-in power supply unit, transmitting units, and a control unit for switching the transmitting units between energized and de-energized states. Also provided are position input systems and computer systems including the position input device, and methods of operating the position input device and the systems.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND CLAIM TO PRIORITY [0001] The present application claims the benefit of Japanese Application No. P2005-357965, filed on Dec. 12, 2005, which application is incorporated herein by reference and to which priority is claimed. [0002] The present application also claims the benefit of Japanese Application No. P2006-073102 filed on Mar. 16, 2006, which application is incorporated hereby by reference and to which priority is claimed. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0003] Aspects of this invention relate to a battery-free position pointing device (also referred to herein as a position indicator), a position input system, and a computer system which detect position by transmitting and receiving signals between the position indicator and the position detection device, and to related methods. [0004] Additional aspects of the present invention relate to a position pointing device with a built-in power source, a position input system, and a computer system sui...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] Aspects of this invention were devised in light of the above circumstances, and certain aspects have as an object the provision of a position indicator device capable of stable position detection without readily being affected by external noise even under low power consumption, which is lightweight, and which does not require battery replacement. It is another object of the invention to provide a position input system and a computer system to which this position indicator device is applied.

Problems solved by technology

However, strengthening of the signals is problematic inasmuch as power consumption by the position detector device is increased.

It has been proposed to incorporate a battery into the position indicator, so that the transmission of signals from the position detector device becomes unnecessary.

However, the use of batteries can also raise problems.

In the case of the above-described position indicator, replacing the battery is time consuming and troublesome.

Also, if the intensity of signals transmitted from the position indicator is to be increased, power consumption is increased and battery depletion occurs in a short length of time, so that the batteries built into the position indicator may need to be replaced frequently, causing further inconvenience.

In addition, the weight of a position indicator incorporating a battery is increased significantly, and there is the further problem that operating properties are severely degraded.

However, if a position pointing device possesses a built-in power supply unit (i.e., a battery) and a plurality of oscillation units instead of the above-discussed tuning circuits, then power consumption of the built-in power supply unit is increased by a multiple equal to the number of oscillation units in the position pointing device, e.g., if the position pointing device contains two oscillation units, then power consumption is doubled.

As a result, the battery must be replaced or recharged more frequently, inconveniencing the operator.

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