Input Devices

Abstract

An input device that can quickly indicate a prescribed process on the input device without performing operations such as clicking an icon or pressing an operation button. The input device comprises: a pen indication position detection unit that detects the pen indication position of an electronic pen held by a user on an input surface; a touch position detection unit that detects the user's touch position on the input surface; and a control unit that receives information on the pen indication position detected by the pen indication position detection unit and information on the touch position detected by the touch position detection unit, and performs processing based on the information on the pen indication position and / or the information on the touch position. When the control unit receives the information on the pen indication position and the information on the touch position within a prescribed time, it determines whether the positional relationship between the touch position and the pen indication position has become a special positional relationship, and when it is determined that a special positional relationship has been formed, it performs prescribed processing that establishes a corresponding special positional relationship between the touch position and the pen indication position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an input device having a touch position detection function for detecting a touch position touched by, for example, a user's finger and a pen indication position detection function for detecting a pen indication position input by an electronic pen held by the user. Background Art

[0002] Input devices that can perform writing input or drawing input using an electronic pen are widely used. As such input devices, there are provided input devices that can detect not only the pen indication position input by the electronic pen but also the user's touch position (for example, see Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2015-38718)).

[0003] In the past, such input devices can switch the mode of the processing function for the pen indication position input of the electronic pen, or can switch the pen type (such as ballpoint pen and brush) and the writing color. For example, in the input device of Patent Document 1, there are a writing mode for accepting the pen indication position input of the electronic pen as a new writing input and an eraser mode for accepting the eraser input as an erase input for the past writing input, and the mode can be switched by the user.

[0004] In this case, in the conventional input device, the switching is performed based on a user clicking an icon displayed on a display screen or pressing an operation button physically provided on the input device. For example, when the input device is in a writing mode, if the user clicks an eraser icon with a finger or an electronic pen, the input device switches from the writing mode to the eraser mode.

[0005] Prior art literature

[0006] Patent Literature

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-38718 Summary of the invention

[0008] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0009] As described above, in the conventional input device, in order to process the switching of functions, it is necessary to click the icon or operate the operation button, so that the switching cannot be performed quickly, and the working efficiency may be deteriorated.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide an input device that can alleviate the above-mentioned problems.

[0011] Means for solving problems

[0012] In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, an input device is provided, characterized in that it comprises:

[0013] a pen indication position detection unit for detecting a pen indication position on the input surface of the electronic pen held by the user;

[0014] a touch position detection unit for detecting a touch position of a user on the input surface; and

[0015] a control unit that receives information about the pen indication position detected by the pen indication position detection unit and information about the touch position detected by the touch position detection unit, and performs processing based on the information about the pen indication position and / or the information about the touch position,

[0016] When the control unit receives the information of the pen indication position and the touch position within a specified time, it determines whether the positional relationship between the touch position and the pen indication position has become a specified positional relationship. When it is determined that the positional relationship between the touch position and the pen indication position has become the specified positional relationship, it performs a specified processing corresponding to the positional relationship between the touch position and the pen indication position.

[0017] In the input device of the above structure, the control unit determines whether the positional relationship between the touch position and the position indicated by the pen has reached a predetermined positional relationship, and when it is determined that the positional relationship between the touch position and the position indicated by the pen has reached a predetermined positional relationship, a predetermined process corresponding to the predetermined positional relationship is performed. The predetermined process may be, for example, a process of switching a processing mode for writing input with the electronic pen between a writing mode and an eraser mode.

[0018] Therefore, according to the input device with the above-mentioned structure, the user can perform prescribed processing on the input device, such as switching the mode from writing mode to eraser mode, by holding the electronic pen and inputting the pen indication position on the input surface while, for example, touching the vicinity of the tip of the electronic pen with a finger so that the positional relationship between the touch position and the pen indication position becomes a prescribed positional relationship.

[0019] As a result, the user of the input device does not need to click on an icon displayed on the input device or press an operation button. By continuing the pen indication position input state of the electronic pen while performing a special operation form in which the positional relationship between the touch position and the pen indication position becomes a specified positional relationship, the input device can quickly execute the specified processing, thereby achieving improved work efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 It is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of the appearance of an input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2It is an exploded perspective view for explaining an example of a hardware configuration of a first embodiment of the input device of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 It is a diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the first embodiment of the input device of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4 It is a diagram for explaining the main part of the first embodiment of the input device of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 5 It is a diagram for explaining the main part of the first embodiment of the input device of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing a flowchart for explaining an example of processing operations of the first embodiment of the input device of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing a flowchart for explaining an example of processing operations of the first embodiment of the input device of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 8 It is a diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of a second embodiment of the input device of the present invention.

[0028] Fig. 9 It is a diagram for explaining an example of processing operation of the second embodiment of the input device of the present invention.

[0029] Fig.10 It is a diagram for explaining still another embodiment of the input device of the present invention.

[0030] Description of symbols

[0031] 1, 1A…input device, 2F…finger, 3, 3A…electronic pen, 11…display device, 11S…input surface, 12…touch detection sensor, 12A…position detection sensor, 13…pen indication detection sensor, 14…control circuit substrate, 100, 100A…control unit, 102, 102A…touch position detection circuit, 103, 103A…pen indication position detection circuit, 104, 104A…processing control circuit, 1041…palm accidental touch prevention function unit, 1042…setting registration unit, 1043…special position relationship determination unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Below, while referring to the attached Figure 1 Embodiments of the input device of the present invention will be described below.

[0033] [First embodiment]

[0034] Figure 1is a diagram showing the appearance of an input device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 It is an exploded perspective view of a configuration example of the input device 1 according to this embodiment.

[0035] like Figure 1 As shown, the input device 1 of this embodiment includes a display screen 11D on one side of a thin and rectangular housing 16. The input device 1 of this embodiment is a tablet terminal having a function of using the entire display area of ​​the display screen 11D as an input surface 11S provided as an input area for receiving input operations by a user and detecting a pen pointing position of a user's finger 2F and a pen tip 3a of an electronic pen 3 as examples of a position indicator.

[0036] The input device of this embodiment includes a touch position detection unit for detecting a touch position of a user's finger 2F on the input surface 11S and a pen indication position detection unit for detecting a pen indication position of the electronic pen 3 on the input surface 11S. In addition, the input device 1 of this embodiment includes a control unit for performing control processing based on the touch position detected by the touch position detection unit and the pen indication position detected by the pen indication position detection unit and controlling a display image displayed on the display screen 11D.

[0037] The display device 11 is composed of a flat display such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electroluminescence) display, etc. Figure 2 As shown, a display screen 11D is provided on a display substrate 111 in which a plurality of display pixels 112 are arranged in the X-axis direction (lateral direction) and a plurality of display pixels 112 are arranged in the Y-axis direction (vertical direction) perpendicular to the X-axis direction.

[0038] Furthermore, in the input device 1 of this embodiment, a touch detection sensor 12 for detecting the touch position of the user's finger 2F on the input surface 11S is provided on the front surface side (front side) of the display screen 11D of the display device 11, and a pen indication detection sensor 13 for detecting the pen indication position of the electronic pen 3 on the input surface 11S is provided on the rear surface side (rear side) of the display screen 11D. Figure 2 As shown, a control circuit board 14 constituting a control unit is disposed on the back side of the pen indication detection sensor 13 .

[0039] And, if Figure 2As shown, the touch detection sensor 12, the display device 11, the pen indication detection sensor 13, and the control circuit substrate 14 are housed in a recess 161 of a housing 16 made of, for example, synthetic resin in a state of overlapping in a direction perpendicular to the display screen 11D. Thereafter, the frame region 15a of the planar member 15 made of, for example, a transparent material such as glass or resin is bonded to the frame region 162 of the housing 16 by, for example, an adhesive, thereby sealing the recess 161 of the housing 16, and the input device 1 is assembled.

[0040] Therefore, the surface side of the planar member 15 is Figure 2 The area enclosed by the dotted line in the figure is the input surface 11S for indicating a position using the finger 2F or the pen tip 3a of the electronic pen 3. The touch detection sensor 12, the display device 11, the pen indication detection sensor 13 and the control circuit board 14 are arranged on the back side of the planar member 15.

[0041] In this embodiment, the touch detection sensor 12 is composed of an electrostatic coupling position detection sensor, and constitutes a touch position detection unit together with a touch position detection circuit provided on the control circuit substrate 14. In addition, in this embodiment, the pen indication detection sensor 13 is composed of an electromagnetic induction position detection sensor, and constitutes a pen indication position detection unit together with a pen indication position detection circuit provided on the control circuit substrate 14.

[0042] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the touch position detection area of ​​the touch detection sensor 12, the pen indication position detection area of ​​the pen indication detection sensor 13, and the display area of ​​the display screen 11D of the display device 11 are set to be approximately equal in size, and are in an overlapping configuration in a direction orthogonal to the display screen 11D (input surface 11S).

[0043] The electrical configuration of the input device 1 of this embodiment having the above hardware configuration is shown in FIG. Figure 3 It should be noted that in this Figure 3 In the figure, an example of the electrical structure of the electronic pen 3 is also shown, and the interaction of signals between the electronic pen 3 and the input device 1 is also explained.

[0044] like Figure 3 As shown, as described above, the input device 1 of this embodiment is configured by connecting the display device 11 , the touch detection sensor 12 , and the pen indication detection sensor 13 to the control unit 100 provided on the control circuit board 14 .

[0045] The control unit 100 is formed by connecting a display control circuit 101, a touch position detection circuit 102, and a pen indication position detection circuit 103 to a processing control circuit 104. In this embodiment, the processing control circuit 104 is formed by a computer (microprocessor) and has a function of controlling the overall operation of the input device 1 of this embodiment.

[0046] Furthermore, the display device 11 is connected to the display control circuit 101 . Furthermore, the touch detection sensor 12 is connected to the touch position detection circuit 102 , and the pen indication position detection circuit 103 is connected to the pen indication detection sensor 13 .

[0047] It should be noted that in Figure 2 Although not shown in the figure, the touch position detection circuit 102 and the touch detection sensor 12 of the control unit 100 of the control circuit substrate 14 are electrically connected, for example, via a flexible cable, and the pen indication position detection circuit 103 and the pen indication detection sensor 13 are electrically connected, for example, via a flexible cable, and the display control circuit 101 and the display device 11 are electrically connected, for example, via a flexible cable.

[0048] In this example, if Figure 3 As shown, the touch detection sensor 12 is composed of a plurality of linear X conductors 12X1 to 12Xn (n=1, 2, ...) arranged in the X-axis direction (e.g., horizontal direction) on one surface of an insulating substrate, and a plurality of linear Y conductors 12Y1 to 12Ym (m=1, 2, ...) arranged in the Y-axis direction (e.g., vertical direction) on the other surface of the insulating substrate in a manner orthogonal to and intersecting with the plurality of X conductors 12X1 to 12Xn. The X conductors 12X1 to 12Xn and the Y conductors 12Y1 to 12Ym are capacitively coupled via the insulating substrate at their intersections.

[0049] The touch position detection circuit 102 includes a receiving circuit and a transmission circuit for transmitting a signal for detecting the touch of the finger 2F. The transmission circuit of the touch position detection circuit is connected to, for example, the Y conductors 12Y1 to 12Ym of the touch detection sensor 12, and the receiving circuit is connected to the X conductors 12X1 to 12Xn of the touch detection sensor 12. For example, a spread spectrum code is used as the transmission signal for detecting the touch of the finger 2F.

[0050] The transmission signal transmitted from the transmission circuit of the touch position detection circuit to the Y conductors 12Y1 to 12Ym of the touch detection sensor 12 is received by the reception circuit of the touch position detection circuit via the electrostatic capacitance between the Y conductors 12Y1 to 12Ym and the X conductors 12X1 to 12Xn of the touch detection sensor 12 and the X conductors 12X1 to 12Xn.

[0051] In this case, at the position touched by the finger 2F in the touch detection sensor 12, a part of the transmission signal flows through the human body, so the level of the received signal detected by the receiving circuit at the touch position becomes low. In the touch position detection circuit 102, the position on the touch detection sensor 12 where the level of the received signal becomes low is detected by monitoring the correlation between the transmission signal and the received signal. In this case, the touch position detection circuit 102 can detect multiple fingers touching at multiple different positions on the input surface 11S at the same time (within a specified time). And the touch position detection circuit 102 supplies the information of the detected touch position to the processing control circuit 104.

[0052] Then, if Figure 3 As shown, the pen indication detection sensor 13 is composed of a plurality of X-axis direction loop coils 13X and a plurality of Y-axis direction loop coils 13Y arranged in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, respectively. The pen indication detection sensor 13 is arranged on the back side of the display screen 11D of the display device 11 in such a manner as to overlap with the display device 11 and the touch detection sensor 12 in such a manner as to detect the position indicated by the electronic pen 3 on the input surface 11S. Therefore, both the touch detection sensor 12 and the pen indication detection sensor 13 are arranged in such a manner as to be able to detect the coordinate position on the input surface 11S.

[0053] like Figure 3 As shown, the electronic pen 3 of the electromagnetic induction coupling method of this example has a resonance circuit RCp composed of a coil 31 and a capacitor 32. In addition, the electronic pen 3 of this example has a writing pressure detection unit that detects the writing pressure applied to the pen tip 3a of its core as a change in static capacitance, and the variable capacitance capacitor 33C formed by the writing pressure detection unit is connected in parallel with the coil 31 so as to constitute a part of the resonance circuit RCp.

[0054] Furthermore, an AC signal having a frequency equal to the resonance frequency of the resonance circuit RCp of the electronic pen 3 is transmitted from the pen indication position detection circuit 103 to the electronic pen 3 via the loop coils 13X and 13Y of the pen indication detection sensor 13. In the electronic pen 3, the AC signal from the pen indication detection sensor 13 is received by the resonance circuit RCp through electromagnetic induction coupling with the loop coils 13X and 13Y of the pen indication detection sensor 13, and the received AC signal is fed back from the resonance circuit RCp to the pen indication detection sensor 13.

[0055] The pen indication position detection circuit 103 receives a feedback signal from the electronic pen 3 through the pen indication detection sensor 13, and detects the position indicated by the pen tip 3a of the core of the electronic pen 3 by detecting the positions of the annular coils 13X and 13Y of the pen indication detection sensor 13 that detects the received AC signal.

[0056] In this case, in the electronic pen 3, the capacitance of the variable capacitance capacitor 33C constituting the writing pressure detection unit changes according to the writing pressure applied to the pen tip 3a of the core body, and therefore the frequency of the AC signal fed back from the resonance circuit RCp of the electronic pen 3 to the pen indication detection sensor 13 changes according to the capacitance of the variable capacitance capacitor 33C. In the pen indication position detection circuit 103, the received AC signal is synchronously detected using the signal of the transmission frequency, and the writing pressure applied to the pen tip of the core body of the electronic pen 3 is detected by detecting the frequency change (phase change) of the AC signal. In addition, the pen indication position detection circuit 103 supplies the coordinate information of the detected pen indication position together with the detected writing pressure information to the processing control circuit 104.

[0057] Furthermore, the processing control circuit 104 detects whether the pen tip 3a of the electronic pen 3 is in contact with the input surface 11S or is present above the input surface 11S in a non-contact state (referred to as a hovering state) based on the pen pressure information from the pen indication position detection circuit 103, and includes the contact state detection information of the detection result in the information of the pen indication position detected by the pen indication position detection circuit 103. That is, in this embodiment, the pen indication position detection circuit 103 can detect not only the coordinate information of the position when the pen tip 3a of the electronic pen 3 is in contact with the input surface 11S, but also the coordinate information of the position of the pen tip 3a of the electronic pen 3 in the hovering state.

[0058] Furthermore, in the processing control circuit 104, as a process based on the touch position of the finger 2F detected by the touch position detection circuit 102 and the pen indication position detected by the pen indication position detection circuit 103, in addition to performing the same process as a well-known input device, in this embodiment, the positional relationship between the pen indication position and the touch position is also monitored, and when it is determined that the positional relationship between the pen indication position and the touch position has become a predetermined specified positional relationship, specified processing such as mode switching determined corresponding to the specified positional relationship is executed.

[0059] As the same processing as that of a well-known input device, the processing control circuit 104 performs the processing of "generating an image of a writing trajectory based on the pen indication position of the electronic pen 3, supplying it to the display device 11 through the display control circuit 101, thereby displaying the writing trajectory on the display screen 11D", and performs the processing of "determining the application corresponding to the icon displayed at the position touched by the pen tip 3a of the electronic pen 3 or the finger 2F, and starting the application".

[0060] <Description of Main Parts of Embodiment>

[0061] Furthermore, in the input device 1 of this embodiment, a special operation form that the user holding the electronic pen 3 does not perform in a normal writing input operation is determined. This special operation form is an operation form in which the pen indication position and the touch position of the electronic pen 3 are detected simultaneously (within a specified time) on the input surface 11S, and is an operation form in which the positional relationship between the pen indication position and the touch position satisfies a specified positional relationship (hereinafter, this specified positional relationship is referred to as a special positional relationship) that does not occur in a normal writing input operation (or presents a specified positional relationship). In this embodiment, the special positional relationship that does not occur in a normal writing input operation is predetermined, and is set to a positional relationship in which the separation distance between the pen indication position and the touch position is less than a specified distance (for example, less than 3 cm).

[0062] In the input device 1 of this embodiment, the Figure 4 An example of a special operation form of a user that satisfies the special positional relationship will be described.

[0063] When the user holds the electronic pen 3 with the hand 2H and performs writing input on the display screen 11D (input surface 11S), as shown in FIG. Figure 4 As shown in (A), when the pen tip 3a of the electronic pen 3 is brought into contact with the input surface 11S, the palm 2Ha or the little finger 2Fa of the hand 2H holding the electronic pen 3 may come into contact with the input surface 11S. The palm 2Ha or the little finger 2Fa that comes into contact with the input surface 11S is called a palm. The part of the palm is not brought into contact with the input surface 11S by the user for touch instruction. Therefore, in the past, there has been provided a function (called palm accidental touch prevention function) of determining that the contact of the palm 2Ha, the little finger 2Fa, etc. on the input surface 11S is not an input operation and ignoring the touch detection (setting it invalid) (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-221358).

[0064] In the input device 1 of this embodiment, as Figure 3 As shown, the processing control circuit 104 of the control unit 100 also includes a palm rejection function unit 1041 for executing the palm rejection function.

[0065] The palm error prevention function unit 1041 is configured similarly to the palm error prevention function unit described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-221358, and registers and stores in advance for each user the positional relationship between the pen pointing position of the electronic pen and the detected position of the palm when the user holds the electronic pen and performs a pointing input operation. When the palm is detected by referring to the registered positional relationship during the actual user's pointing input operation using the electronic pen, the detection of the palm is ignored.

[0066] It should be noted that the palm-accidental touch prevention function unit 1041 provided in the processing control circuit 104 of the control unit 100 of this embodiment only needs to be able to detect and ignore a palm, and therefore is not limited to the method disclosed in the above-mentioned public gazette, and various palm-accidental touch prevention methods can be used. For example, the palm-accidental touch prevention function unit 1041 can also use a method such as "detecting the area of ​​the touch position detection part, and when the area is large enough to be distinguished from the case of finger-first touch, the detected touch is judged as a palm and the touch position is ignored", and multiple methods can also be used together.

[0067] The special operation form that satisfies the above-mentioned special position relationship determined in this embodiment is set as an operation form in which the positional relationship between the pen indication position and the touch position of the electronic pen 3 detected simultaneously (within a specified time) in the input surface 11S is not ignored by the palm accidental touch prevention function unit 1041 (is not set to invalid).

[0068] Generally speaking, the distance D1 between the pen pointing position due to the contact of the pen tip of the electronic pen and the touch position of the little finger, palm, etc. is (refer to Figure 4 (A)) is relatively large, for example, about 3 cm. Therefore, when the pen indication position and the touch position of the electronic pen are detected simultaneously (within a specified time), when it is determined that the separation distance between the pen indication position and the touch position is shorter than 3 cm, the touch position becomes a touch position input that is not ignored by the palm accidental touch prevention function unit 1041.

[0069] Furthermore, the operation form in which a finger is used to touch the vicinity of the pen indication position which is less than a prescribed distance (e.g., 3 cm) relative to the pen indication position is not a normal operation form but a special operation form, and the positional relationship in which the separation distance between the pen indication position and the touch position is shorter than the prescribed distance (e.g., 3 cm) is a special positional relationship.

[0070] When the user holds the electronic pen, he or she holds the electronic pen with at least the thumb and index finger, and also with the middle finger. Some people sometimes hold the electronic pen with the thumb and index finger without the middle finger. In any case, when the user holds the electronic pen, the middle finger and the ring finger can move relatively freely, so that the user can hold the electronic pen 3 with the hand while touching the vicinity of the pen tip with the middle finger and the ring finger of the holding hand.

[0071] Therefore, in this embodiment, considering the above situation, Figure 4As shown in FIG. 2B , the user performs an operation of touching the vicinity of the pen tip of the electronic pen 3 that is in contact with the input surface 11S with the middle finger 2Fb of the hand 2H holding the electronic pen 3 as an example of the above-mentioned special operation form. In this case, the distance D2 (refer to FIG. 2B ) between the touch position of the middle finger 2Fb and the pen pointing position of the electronic pen 3 is Figure 4 (B)) Figure 4 The distance D1 between the pen pointing position and the palm touching position shown in (A) is short. This operation mode is an operation mode that the user does not perform as a normal writing input operation mode using the electronic pen 3, and is a special operation mode.

[0072] As described above, in this embodiment, the positional relationship in which the distance between the pen indication position and the touch position of the electronic pen 3 detected simultaneously (within a specified time) is shorter than a specified distance (in this example, the separation distance D1 between the pen indication position and the touch position of the palm) (for example, less than 2 cm) is determined as a special positional relationship, so that the user can perform a special operation form that satisfies the special positional relationship.

[0073] In this embodiment, a predetermined processing function is assigned to the special positional relationship (special operation form). In this embodiment, the assignable predetermined processing is configured so that the user can select from a plurality of processing candidates and register them in advance.

[0074] In order to implement the above-mentioned contents, the processing control circuit 104 of the control unit 100 may Figure 3 As shown, in addition to the aforementioned palm accidental touch prevention function unit 1041, a setting registration unit 1042 and a special position relationship determination unit 1043 are further provided as functional units.

[0075] As described above, the palm error prevention function unit 1041 is a function unit that determines whether the touch position of the touch position detection circuit 102 when the pen indication position of the electronic pen 3 is detected by the pen indication position detection circuit 103 is a palm, and ignores the touch when it is determined to be a palm.

[0076] In this embodiment, the setting registration unit 1042 is a functional unit that receives registration of a processing function that can be assigned to a special positional relationship based on a selection from a user, and stores and holds the received processing function.

[0077] Figure 5 1 is a diagram showing an example of a menu of processing functions that can be selected and assigned to a special positional relationship in the input device 1 of this embodiment. That is, in this example, as processing functions that can be set for a special positional relationship, Figure 5 As shown, prompt

[0078] (1) Writing / erasing mode switching process that alternately switches between writing mode and erasing mode (eraser mode)

[0079] (2) Display color mode switching processing for alternately switching the display mode of the display screen 11D between the color display mode and the black-and-white display mode

[0080] (3) Pen track color switching processing of the display color of the pen track

[0081] (4) Pen track thickness switching processing

[0082] (5) Application start processing (select the application to start)

[0083] The user can select any one of the processing functions.

[0084] In this example, when the pen track color switching process (3) is selected, each time the user performs a special operation to achieve the special position relationship, the display color of the pen track is switched in a cyclic manner among the plurality of colors prepared in advance. Similarly, when the pen track thickness switching process (4) is selected, each time the user performs a special operation to achieve the special position relationship, the display thickness of the pen track is switched in a cyclic manner among the plurality of colors prepared in advance.

[0085] It should be noted that in the pen trajectory color switching process and the pen trajectory thickness switching process (3) above, it can also be configured so that the display color and thickness are not switched cyclically as in the example, but each time the user performs a special operation form that forms the special position relationship, a menu near the pen indication position on the display screen displays multiple colors and multiple thicknesses, and the user can select the desired display color and thickness from the menu by touching it with the finger of the other hand that is not holding the electronic pen 3.

[0086] Furthermore, when the application start process (5) is selected, a plurality of applications that can be started are displayed as a pull-down menu, and the user can select a desired application from the menu.

[0087] It should be noted that the selection of the application that can be started can also be configured to be performed when the user performs the special operation form that achieves the special position relationship. That is, it can also be configured so that when the user performs the special operation form that achieves the special position relationship, a menu of multiple applications that can be started is displayed near the pen indication position on the display screen, and the user can select and set a desired application from the menu by touching it with a finger of the other hand that is not holding the electronic pen 3 and start the application.

[0088] In this embodiment, when a setting registration item of a processing function is selected by a user's touch instruction or an instruction of the electronic pen 3 on the input surface 11S, the processing control circuit 104 of the control unit 100 starts the setting registration unit 1042 to execute Figure 6 The processing actions are shown in the flowchart.

[0089] That is, the setting registering unit 1042 will be as follows Figure 5 The setting function menu shown is displayed on the display screen 11D (step S101), and the user's selection of the processing function from the setting function menu is waited for (step S102). Then, when the setting registration unit 1042 determines in step S102 that the user's selection of the processing function from the setting function menu has been accepted, it determines whether the selected processing function has been confirmed by the user's operation (step S103).

[0090] Furthermore, when the setting registration unit 1042 determines in step S103 that the selection of the processing function is not determined, the processing returns to step S102, and the processing after step S102 is repeated. When it is determined that the selection of the processing function is determined, the registration of the selected processing function is accepted and stored in the storage unit (step S104). Then, the process ends. Figure 5 processing routine.

[0091] The special position relationship determination unit 1043 of the control unit 100 determines whether the position relationship between the pen indication position and the touch position when the pen indication position of the electronic pen 3 detected by the pen indication position detection circuit 103 and the touch position detected by the touch position detection circuit 102 are detected simultaneously (within a specified time) has become a special position relationship. As described above, in this embodiment, whether a special position relationship has been formed is whether the distance between the pen indication position and the touch position is less than 3 cm in this example. In addition, when the special position relationship determination unit 1043 determines that the pen indication position and the touch position have formed a special position relationship when the distance between the pen indication position and the touch position is less than 3 cm, the specified processing illustrated in (1) to (5) above corresponding to the special position relationship registered in the setting registration unit 1042 is performed.

[0092] <Processing Operation Example of Processing Control Circuit 104>

[0093] Reference Figure 7 An example of processing operation in the processing control circuit 104 of the control unit 100 configured as described above is described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0094] The processing control circuit 104 monitors the detection output of the pen pointing position detection circuit 103 and determines whether the pen pointing position is detected (step S111). It should be noted that the detected pen pointing position may also be in a hovering state.

[0095] When it is determined in step S111 that the pen indicated position is not detected, the processing control circuit 104 monitors the detection output of the touch position detection circuit 102 to determine whether the touch position is detected (step S112). When it is determined in step S112 that the touch position is not detected, the processing control circuit 104 returns the process to step S111. In addition, when it is determined in step S112 that the touch position is detected, the processing control circuit 104 uses the function of the palm error prevention function unit 1041 to determine whether the touch is a palm (step S113). When it is determined that the touch is a palm, the detected touch position is ignored and the process returns to step S111.

[0096] When it is determined in step S113 that the touch is not a palm but a finger touch indication, the processing control circuit 104 performs normal processing corresponding to the detected touch position (step S114), and after the processing is completed, returns the processing to step S111.

[0097] Furthermore, when it is determined in step S111 that the pen indication position is detected, the processing control circuit 104 determines whether the touch position is detected at the same time (within a predetermined time) (step S115). When it is determined in step S115 that the touch position is not detected at the same time (within a predetermined time), the processing control circuit 104 performs a normal process corresponding to the detected pen indication position (step S116), and after the process is completed, the process returns to step S111.

[0098] In addition, when it is determined in step S115 that the touch position is detected simultaneously (within the specified time), the processing control circuit 104 uses the function of the palm accidental touch prevention function unit 1041 to determine whether the touch is a palm (step S117). When it is determined that the touch is a palm, the detected touch position is ignored and the processing is moved to step S116, and the normal processing corresponding to the detected pen indication position is performed. After the processing is completed, the processing returns to step S111.

[0099] In addition, when it is determined in step S117 that the touch is not a palm but a finger touch indication, the processing control circuit 104 uses the function of the special position relationship determination unit 1043 to calculate the distance between the detected pen indication position and the touch position (step S118), and determines whether the calculated distance is less than the specified value (3 cm in this example) (step S119).

[0100] Furthermore, when it is determined in step S119 that the calculated distance is not less than the predetermined value, the processing control circuit 104 performs the normal processing corresponding to the pen indication position and the normal processing corresponding to the touch position (step S120). Furthermore, after step S120 is completed, the processing control circuit 104 returns the processing to step S111 and repeatedly performs the processing after step S111.

[0101] In addition, when it is determined in step S119 that the calculated distance is less than the predetermined value, the processing control circuit 104 executes any one of the processing functions (1) to (5) above, which is registered and maintained in the setting registration unit 1042 (step S121). After step S121 is completed, the processing control circuit 104 returns the processing to step S111 and repeats the processing after step S111.

[0102] As described above, according to the input device 1 of this embodiment, when the user holds the electronic pen 3 and performs writing input using the electronic pen 3 on the input surface 11S, the user does not need to perform operations different from writing input such as clicking icons, but can perform predetermined operations set in correspondence with a special position relationship such as mode switching from a writing input mode to an erasing mode (eraser mode) while continuing the state of position indication input of the electronic pen 3 on the input surface 11S while performing the special operation form described above. Therefore, a quick writing input operation can be performed.

[0103] In particular, it is effective in the case of an electronic pen having a so-called side switch in which the operating portion is exposed from the outer shell of the pen. That is, in the case of an electronic pen having a side switch, mode switching can be performed by transmitting the operating information of the side switch to the input device. However, in recent years, in an electronic pen in which the main body of the electronic pen including the component that interacts with the signal of the position detection sensor and the pen pressure detection portion is set as a refill type or a replaceable refill type and can be replaced, it is impossible to be equipped with a side switch. In the case of such an electronic pen without a side switch, as described above, by performing a special operation form that satisfies a special positional relationship on the input surface of the position detection sensor, it is possible to perform prescribed processing such as mode switching, which is very convenient.

[0104] And, in the above Figure 4 In the example of (B), a special operation form that satisfies a special positional relationship can be performed by operating with the fingers of the hand holding the electronic pen (single-hand operation), thereby achieving the following effect: even when the input device, such as a portable device, is held by the hand that does not hold the electronic pen, a special operation form can be performed.

[0105] It should be noted that in Figure 7In the example of the flowchart, the palm accidental touch prevention function unit 1041 is used to determine whether the touch position is a palm. When it is determined that it is not a palm, the special position relationship determination unit 1043 is used to determine whether it is a special position relationship. However, it is also possible to determine whether a special position relationship has been established based on whether the distance between the pen indication position and the touch position is less than a specified distance, regardless of palm accidental touch prevention.

[0106] [Second embodiment]

[0107] In the input device 1 of the first embodiment described above, the electronic pen 3 of the electromagnetic induction coupling method is used as the electronic pen, but the electronic pen may also be an electronic pen of the electrostatic coupling method. The second embodiment described below is a case where the pen indication position indicated by the electronic pen 3A and the touch position of the user's finger 2F can be distinguished and detected by using the electronic pen 3A of the active electrostatic method as the electronic pen.

[0108] Figure 8 FIG. 2 shows an example of an electrical configuration of an input device 1A according to the second embodiment. It should be noted that the hardware configuration of the input device 1A according to the second embodiment is omitted from the illustration, but is equivalent to the configuration of the input device 1A according to the second embodiment. Figure 2 The hardware configuration of the input device 1 of the first embodiment shown is a configuration in which the pen indication detection sensor 13 is removed and an active electrostatic electronic pen 3A is used instead of the electromagnetic induction coupling electronic pen 3 .

[0109] That is, in the input device 1A of the second embodiment, the position detection sensor includes only the electrostatic coupling type position detection sensor 12A, and does not include the electromagnetic induction coupling type position detection sensor (pen indication detection sensor) 13. In addition, in the second embodiment, as the control unit formed on the control circuit substrate 14, a control unit such as Figure 8 The position detection sensor 12A has the same structure as the touch detection sensor 12 of the input device 1 of the first embodiment, and in the second embodiment, it is also composed of a plurality of linear X conductors 12X1 to 12Xn (n=1, 2, ...) arranged in the X-axis direction (e.g., horizontal direction) on one surface of the insulating substrate, and a plurality of linear Y conductors 12Y1 to 12Ym (m=1, 2, ...) arranged in the Y-axis direction (e.g., vertical direction) on the other surface of the insulating substrate in a manner orthogonal to and intersecting with the plurality of X conductors 12X1 to 12Xn.

[0110] And, if Figure 8As shown, the input device 1A of the second embodiment includes a position detection sensor 12A and a control unit 100A connected to the position detection sensor 12A. The control unit 100A includes a data selector 105 provided as an input / output interface with the position detection sensor 12A, a display control circuit 101A, a touch position detection circuit 102A, a pen indication position detection circuit 103A, and a processing control circuit 104A.

[0111] The data selector 105 has a function as a switching circuit that connects the position detection sensor 12A to either the touch position detection circuit 102A or the pen indication position detection circuit 103A under switching control of the processing control circuit 104A.

[0112] The touch position detection circuit 102A has the same structure as the touch position detection circuit 102 in the first embodiment, and can simultaneously (within a predetermined time) detect the positions of a plurality of fingers 2F touching at a plurality of different positions on the input surface 11S. It should be noted that in this embodiment, in the touch position detection function of the touch position detection circuit 102A, for example, a transmission signal (in this example, a spread spectrum code) with a frequency f1 of about 50 kHz to 200 kHz is used.

[0113] The pen indication position detection circuit 103A detects the pen indication position of the active electrostatic pen 3A on the position detection sensor 12A, that is, on the input surface 11S.

[0114] like Figure 8 As shown, the active electrostatic pen 3A has a transmission circuit 3S inside the pen housing, and a signal of a frequency f2 different from the frequency f1, for example, 1.8 MHz, from the transmission circuit 3S is sent out from the electrode of the pen tip. It should be noted that the transmission circuit 3S can be composed of an oscillator, or a circuit that generates a signal after performing a process such as modulation on the oscillation signal generated by the oscillator. The pen indication position detection circuit 103A receives the signal from the active electrostatic pen 3A not only from the X conductors 12X1 to 12Xn of the position detection sensor 12A, but also from the Y conductors 12Y1 to 12Ym.

[0115] The pen position detection circuit 103A checks the level of the received signal of the 1.8 MHz signal from the active electrostatic pen 3A with respect to the X conductors 12X1 to 12Xn and the Y conductors 12Y1 to 12Ym, detects the X conductor 12X and the Y conductor 12Y where the 1.8 MHz signal becomes a high level, and detects the position indicated by the active electrostatic pen 3A. The pen position detection circuit 103A supplies the detection result of the pen position indicated by the active electrostatic pen 3A to the processing control circuit 104A.

[0116] It should be noted that, as described above, in order to detect the indicated position of the finger 2F and the active electrostatic pen 3A, the frequency f1 of the signal processed by the touch position detection function of the touch position detection circuit 102A is set to 50 to 200 kHz, and the frequency f2 of the signal processed by the pen indicated position detection circuit 103A is set to 1.8 MHz, and the used frequency bands are greatly different. Therefore, the signals processed by the touch position detection circuit 102A and the pen indicated position detection circuit 103A can be separated in frequency band using, for example, a bandpass filter.

[0117] The processing control circuit 104A is composed of a computer (microprocessor) similarly to the processing control circuit 104 of the first embodiment. In the input device 1A of the second embodiment, the touch position detection and the pen indication position detection are controlled in a time-sharing manner. That is, in the input device 1A of the second embodiment, Fig. 9 As shown, the pen indication position detection period TP for performing detection of the pen indication position and the touch position detection period TF for performing touch position detection are performed alternately in time division.

[0118] That is, during the pen indication position detection period TP, the processing control circuit 104A controls the data selector 105 to connect the position detection sensor 12A to the pen indication position detection circuit 103A, and controls the pen indication position detection circuit 103A to be in an operating state (active state).

[0119] In addition, in the touch position detection period TF, the processing control circuit 104A controls the data selector 105 so as to connect the position detection sensor 12A and the touch detection circuit 102A, and controls so as to put the touch detection circuit 102A into an operating state (active state).

[0120] As described above, the processing control circuit 104A performs the timing control of the time-sharing processing of the pen indication position detection period TP and the touch position detection period TF, and performs the switching control of the finger approach detection function and the touch position detection function in the touch position detection period TF. Therefore, in this embodiment, the position indication of the finger 2F and the position indication of the active electrostatic pen 3A can be detected at the same time (within a specified time).

[0121] Furthermore, the processing control circuit 104A of the input device 1A of the second embodiment has the same functional units as the palm error prevention function unit 1041, the setting registration unit 1042, and the special position relationship determination unit 1043 of the processing control circuit 104 of the first embodiment. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the processing control circuit 104A also compares the pen indication position of the electronic pen 3A detected by the pen indication position detection circuit 103A with the touch position detected by the touch position detection circuit 102A. Figure 7 The same processing as shown.

[0122] As described above, in the input device 1A of the second embodiment, when the electronic pen 3A using the electrostatic coupling method is used, as in the first embodiment, by continuing the position indication input state of the electronic pen 3A on the input surface 11S while performing a special operation form that satisfies the special position relationship as described above, it is possible to perform prescribed processing that is set to correspond to the pre-special position relationship, thereby enabling rapid writing input operations.

[0123] Furthermore, in the input device 1A of the second embodiment, the position detection sensor for detecting the pen indication position and the touch position may be only an electrostatic coupling position detection sensor 12A, thereby simplifying the hardware structure compared to the input device 1 of the first embodiment and reducing the manufacturing cost.

[0124] [Other embodiments or modifications]

[0125] In the above implementation, as an example of a special operation form, Figure 4 (B) shows a form in which the middle finger of the hand holding the electronic pen 3 or 3A touches the vicinity of the pen tip. However, the special operation form that satisfies the special position relationship is a form in which the touch is not detected as a palm by the palm error touch prevention function unit. In the above-mentioned embodiment, as long as the distance between the pen indication position and the touch position is shorter than the distance between the palm detection position and the pen indication position detected when the user performs a pen indication input (for example, 3 cm), it can be a form. Therefore, as a special operation form, it is of course not limited to Figure 4 (B) The morphology shown.

[0126] For example, it is also possible to replace Figure 4(B) is an operation form in which the middle finger 2Fb touches the vicinity of the pen tip of the electronic pen 3 or 3A and the ring finger of the hand holding the electronic pen 3 or 3A performs the same operation. Alternatively, a special operation form may be used in which, instead of using the fingers of the hand holding the electronic pen, any finger (e.g., index finger or middle finger) of the other free hand touches the position of the input surface 11S satisfying a special positional relationship near the pen tip of the electronic pen 3 or 3A for pen pointing input.

[0127] Thus, the special operation mode can be multiple, so the user can also configure it so that the special operation mode that is easy to perform by the user is registered in the control unit 100 or 100A. In this case, the setting registration unit of the control unit 100 or 100A is used. Figure 6 Before or after the acceptance of the selection registration of the processing function described above, the input operation of the special operation form on the input surface 11S by the user is accepted, and the positional relationship between the pen indication position and the touch position at that time is registered and maintained.

[0128] It should be noted that, in this case, the control unit 100 or 100A determines whether the operation form input by the user can become a special operation form, for example, based on whether it is not judged as a palm touch by the palm error prevention function unit, and notifies the user of the determination result, for example, through the display screen 11D. In addition, when the control unit 100 or 100A determines that the operation form input by the user can become a special operation form, it accepts the input form as a special operation form, and registers and maintains the positional relationship between the pen indication position and the touch position at this time.

[0129] In this case, the user can confirm whether the input operation form can be used as the special operation form, which is very convenient. In addition, when accepting the notification that will not become this discrimination result of the special operation form, the user can input the input operation that can become the special operation form again, which is convenient.

[0130] In addition, it is also conceivable that there may be a plurality of special operation modes as described above, and that different processing functions may be set and registered for each of the different special operation modes.

[0131] In this case, the difference in the direction of the touch position relative to the pen indication position on the input surface 11S may be used as a different special operation form. This means that a special positional relationship may be set that takes into account not only the distance between the pen indication position and the touch position as described above but also the difference in the direction of the touch position relative to the pen indication position.

[0132] For example, in Figure 4In the example of (B), a form is shown in which the middle finger 2Fb of the hand holding the touch pen touches a position near the right horizontal direction of the indicated position. However, as a different form, a form in which the touch pen touches a position near the front of the indicated position can also be used. Alternatively, as a different form, a form in which, for example, the index finger of the hand that does not hold the electronic pen touches a position near the left horizontal direction of the pen indicated position can also be used.

[0133] In addition, as a different special operation form, the difference in the number of touch positions with respect to one pen indicated position as shown in Figure 4 the example of (B) can also be used. This means that, as a special positional relationship, a special positional relationship that takes into account the difference in the number of touch positions with respect to one pen indicated position can also be set.

[0134] For example, as shown in Fig.10 if, in addition to the operation form in which the middle finger 2Fb of the hand 2H holding the electronic pen touches near the pen indicated position as in the example of Figure 4 (B), one finger 2Fc of the other idle hand also touches near the pen indicated position (the distance D3 between the pen indicated position and the touch position of the finger 2Fc is 3 cm or less (D3 < D1)), then with respect to one pen indicated position, the number of touch positions that satisfy the special positional relationship becomes two. Therefore, Figure 4 the special operation form shown in Fig.10 and the special operation form shown in

[0135] can be used as different operation forms.

[0136] It should be noted that for the two touches near the pen indicated position, two fingers of the idle hand can also be used to touch two points near the pen indicated position. In the case of a special operation form in which the number of such touch positions is plural, touches detected as the palm are of course not included in the touches counted as touch positions.

[0137] It should be noted that as a different special operation form, in addition to the difference in the number of touch positions with respect to one pen indicated position, the difference in the direction of each touch position with respect to the pen indicated position can also be considered. This means that, as a special positional relationship, a special positional relationship that takes into account the difference in the direction of each touch position with respect to the pen indicated position in addition to the difference in the number of touch positions with respect to one pen indicated position can also be set.

[0138] As described above, if different processing functions are associated with and registered for each of a plurality of different special operation forms that satisfy a special positional relationship, further improvement in work efficiency can be expected, which is convenient.

[0139] It should be noted that in the above-mentioned embodiment, whether a special position relationship is formed is determined based on whether the distance between the pen indication position and the touch position is less than a specified distance, but whether a special position relationship is formed can also be determined based on whether the touch position is in a position relationship relative to the pen indication position that is not detected as a palm by the palm accidental touch prevention function unit.

[0140] In addition, whether a special positional relationship has been formed is determined by whether the distance between the pen indication position and the touch position is less than a specified distance and the touch position deviates in a specified direction based on the pen indication position while also considering the difference in direction of the touch position relative to the pen indication position as described above.

[0141] In addition, whether a special position relationship is formed is determined by whether the distance between the pen indication position and the touch position is less than a predetermined distance and there are multiple touch positions when the difference in the number of touch positions is taken into account as described above. It should be noted that when the difference in the direction of each touch position relative to the pen indication position is taken into account in addition to the number of touch positions, it is further determined whether each touch position deviates from a predetermined direction based on the pen indication position. When the inclination of the electronic pen is taken into account, the inclination of the electronic pen at that time is detected for determination.

Claims

1. An input device, characterized in that: have: a pen indication position detection unit for detecting a pen indication position on the input surface of the electronic pen held by the user; a touch position detection unit for detecting a touch position of a user on the input surface; and a control unit that receives information about the pen indication position detected by the pen indication position detection unit and information about the touch position detected by the touch position detection unit, and performs processing based on the information about the pen indication position and / or the information about the touch position, When the control unit receives the information of the pen indication position and the touch position within a specified time, it determines whether the positional relationship between the touch position and the pen indication position has become a special positional relationship, and when it is determined that the positional relationship between the touch position and the pen indication position has become the special positional relationship, it performs a specified processing corresponding to the special positional relationship between the touch position and the pen indication position. The control unit includes a palm error prevention function that, when a user holds the electronic pen and inputs the pen indication position on the input surface, invalidates detection by the touch position detection unit of contact between the palm or finger of the user's hand holding the electronic pen and the input surface. The special positional relationship between the touch position and the pen indication position is a positional relationship in which information on the touch position in the touch position detection unit is not invalidated by the palm rejection prevention function. In the special position relationship in which the information of the touch position in the touch position detection unit is not invalidated by the palm accidental touch prevention function, the distance between the pen indication position and the touch position is set to a distance shorter than the distance between the touch position and the pen indication position that is invalidated by the palm accidental touch prevention function.

2. The input device according to claim 1, characterized in that The special positional relationship refers to whether the distance between the pen indication position and the touch position is less than or equal to a predetermined distance.

3. The input device according to claim 1, characterized in that The special positional relationship includes the direction of the touch position with respect to the pen indication position.

4. The input device according to claim 1, characterized in that A registration unit is provided for receiving registration of a special operation form in which the positional relationship between the pen indication position and the touch position on the input surface becomes the special positional relationship by a user holding the electronic pen, and storing and holding the special operation form.

5. The input device according to claim 4, characterized in that The special operation mode is an operation mode in which the user holding the electronic pen detects the pen indication position and the touch position of the electronic pen on the input surface within a specified time, and is an operation mode in which the positional relationship between the pen indication position and the touch position becomes a special positional relationship that will not occur in normal writing input operations.

6. The input device according to claim 1, characterized in that A registration unit is provided, the registration unit receiving registration of the predetermined process corresponding to the special positional relationship and storing and holding the registration.

7. The input device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The registration unit is a unit for a user to select and confirm the predetermined process from a plurality of processes.

8. The input device according to claim 1, characterized in that The touch position detection unit is composed of a first sensor of an electrostatic coupling method and a first position detection circuit. The pen indication position detection unit is composed of a second electromagnetic induction sensor and a second position detection circuit. The first sensor and the second sensor are arranged to overlap in a direction perpendicular to the input surface.

9. The input device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The touch position detection unit is composed of a first sensor of an electrostatic coupling method and a first position detection circuit for detecting the touch. The pen indication position detection unit is composed of the first sensor and a second position detection circuit, the second position detection circuit receiving a signal from the electrostatic coupling electronic pen from the first sensor to detect the indication position of the electrostatic coupling electronic pen. The first position detection circuit and the second position detection circuit are operated in a time-sharing manner.

10. The input device according to claim 1, characterized in that The predetermined process performed when it is determined that the positional relationship between the touch position and the pen indication position has reached the special positional relationship is mode switching.

11. The input device according to claim 10, characterized in that The mode switching is switching between a writing mode for detecting input of a designated position of the electronic pen as a writing input and an eraser mode for detecting the input as an erasing input.

12. The input device according to claim 1, characterized in that The predetermined processing performed when it is determined that the positional relationship between the touch position and the pen indication position has reached the special positional relationship is a start processing of a predetermined processing function.

13. The input device according to claim 1, characterized in that The input surface is arranged on the surface of the display screen and has the function of displaying the track of the indicated position of the electronic pen on the display screen. The predetermined process performed when it is determined that the positional relationship between the touch position and the pen indication position has reached the special positional relationship is a process of switching a display attribute of a trajectory of the indication position of the electronic pen.

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