Active stylus, electronic device, and wireless power supply system

Abstract

The present invention relates to an active stylus, an electronic device, and a wireless power supply system that suppresses power consumption in a case where a built-in battery of the active stylus is being charged by wireless power supply from the electronic device. The active stylus and the electronic device perform signal transmission and reception therebetween, including: a reception unit (22) that receives an uplink signal transmitted from the electronic device (2); a transmission unit (23) that transmits a downlink signal to the electronic device (2); a power reception unit (24) that receives power supplied wirelessly from the electronic device (2); and an integrated circuit (20). The integrated circuit (20) causes the transmission unit (23) to transmit the downlink signal in accordance with reception of the uplink signal by the reception unit (22) in a case where power is not being supplied to the power reception unit (24), and stops transmission of the downlink signal by the transmission unit (23) in correspondence with start of supply of power to the power reception unit (24).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to active styluses, electronic devices, and wireless power supply systems. Background Technology

[0002] Among styluses used for pen input on electronic devices such as tablets, some have built-in rechargeable batteries. However, in recent years, technologies that charge these batteries wirelessly from the electronic device have attracted attention. Examples of such technologies are disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2.

[0003] Furthermore, active styluses that transmit and receive signals bidirectionally with electronic devices are known. Examples of active styluses are described in Patent Documents 3 and 4. Hereinafter, signals transmitted from the electronic device to the active styluse will be referred to as "uplink signals," and signals transmitted from the active styluse to the electronic device will be referred to as "downlink signals."

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: US Patent No. 10,627,923

[0007] Patent Document 2: US Patent No. 10739871

[0008] Patent Document 3: International Publication No. 2016 / 139861

[0009] Patent Document 4: International Publication No. 2017 / 029836 Summary of the Invention

[0010] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0011] To charge the built-in battery of the active stylus wirelessly from the electronic device, the stylus needs to be positioned near the device. This can lead to a situation where the stylus receives uplink signals even when not in use, establishing a pairing between the stylus and the electronic device. While paired, the stylus and tablet continuously transmit and receive uplink and downlink signals, wasting power and requiring improvement.

[0012] Therefore, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide an active stylus, an electronic device, and a wireless power supply system capable of suppressing power consumption when the built-in battery of the active stylus is being charged via wireless power from an electronic device.

[0013] Furthermore, Patent Document 1 describes a method where magnets are arranged on both sides of the power-transmitting part of an electronic device and on both sides of the power-receiving part of a stylus, thereby fixing the wirelessly powered stylus to the electronic device by attracting them together. However, in conventional electronic devices and styluses, these magnets are arranged such that the magnetization direction is parallel to the pen axis direction (that is, with the N pole and S pole arranged along the pen axis direction). This limits the orientation of the stylus when it is fixed to the electronic device to one direction, thus requiring improvement.

[0014] Therefore, one of the objectives of this invention is to provide an active stylus, an electronic device, and a wireless power supply system with a high degree of freedom in the orientation of the active stylus when fixed to an electronic device.

[0015] Methods for solving problems

[0016] The active stylus of the first side of the present invention transmits and receives signals with an electronic device, comprising: a receiving unit for receiving an uplink signal transmitted by the electronic device; a transmitting unit for transmitting a downlink signal to the electronic device; a powered unit for receiving power wirelessly supplied from the electronic device; and an integrated circuit, wherein, when no power is supplied to the powered unit, the integrated circuit causes the transmitting unit to transmit the downlink signal in accordance with the receiving unit receiving the uplink signal, and stops the transmitting unit from transmitting the downlink signal in accordance with the commencement of power supply to the powered unit.

[0017] The first side of the present invention provides an electronic device for locating the position of an active stylus, comprising: a power supply unit for wirelessly powering the active stylus; and a sensor controller for locating the position of the active stylus on a touch surface using a sensor panel, wherein the sensor controller transmits an uplink signal via the sensor panel, detects a downlink signal transmitted by the active stylus based on the reception of the uplink signal via the sensor panel, and stops transmitting the uplink signal to the active stylus in accordance with the state where the power supply unit is wirelessly powering the active stylus.

[0018] The wireless power supply system of the second side of the present invention includes an active stylus and an electronic device for locating the position of the active stylus. On the side of the active stylus, a first magnet, arranged such that a first magnetic pole and a second magnetic pole are arranged in the radial direction of the active stylus from the side closest to the side, a receiving part that receives power wirelessly supplied from the electronic device, and a magnetic body that is attracted to the magnet are arranged sequentially along the pen axis direction. On the surface of the electronic device, a second magnet, arranged such that the second magnetic pole and the first magnetic pole are arranged in the depth direction from the side closest to the surface, a power supply part that wirelessly supplies power to the active stylus, and a third magnet, arranged such that the second magnetic pole and the first magnetic pole are arranged in the depth direction from the side closest to the surface, are arranged sequentially.

[0019] The active stylus of the second side of the present invention indicates the position within the touch surface by transmitting and receiving signals with an electronic device, wherein it includes: a first magnet having a first magnetic pole and a second magnetic pole; a power receiving part that receives power wirelessly supplied from the electronic device; and a magnetic body that is attracted to the magnet. The first magnet, the power receiving part, and the magnetic body are sequentially arranged within the side of the active stylus along the pen axis direction. The first magnet is arranged such that the first magnetic pole and the second magnetic pole are arranged in a radial direction of the active stylus.

[0020] The second side of the present invention provides an electronic device for locating an active stylus, comprising: a first magnet having a first magnetic pole and a second magnetic pole; a power supply unit for wirelessly powering the active stylus; and a second magnet having a first magnetic pole and a second magnetic pole. The first magnet, the power supply unit, and the second magnet are arranged side-by-side on the surface of the electronic device, and the first magnet and the second magnet are respectively arranged such that the first magnetic pole and the second magnetic pole are aligned in the depth direction of the electronic device.

[0021] Invention Effects

[0022] According to a first aspect of the invention, in response to the commencement of wireless power supply from the electronic device to the active stylus, the transmission of downlink signals by the active stylus or the transmission of uplink signals from the sensor controller to the active stylus is stopped, thereby suppressing power consumption when the built-in battery of the active stylus is being charged via wireless power supply from the electronic device.

[0023] According to a second aspect of the present invention, an active stylus can be fixed to an electronic device with the first and second magnets adsorbing it, and the magnetic body and third magnet also adsorbing it, or it can be fixed to an electronic device with the first and third magnets adsorbing it, and the magnetic body and second magnet also adsorbing it. Therefore, a wireless power supply system with a high degree of freedom in the orientation of the active stylus when fixed to an electronic device can be obtained. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating the system structure of a wireless power supply system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the operating modes of integrated circuit 20.

[0026] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing flow of integrated circuit 20.

[0027] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing flow of integrated circuit 20.

[0028] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the state of each active stylus 3 maintained by the sensor controller 12.

[0029] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing flow of the sensor controller 12.

[0030] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating the system structure of a wireless power supply system 1, a modified example of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Label Explanation

[0032] 1 Wireless Power Supply System

[0033] 1a Touch surface

[0034] 2 Electronic devices

[0035] 3 Active stylus

[0036] 10 host processors

[0037] 11 Sensor Panel / Display

[0038] 12 Sensor Controller

[0039] 13 Power Transmission Department

[0040] 14, 15, 26 Magnets

[0041] Magnetic sensors 16, 17, and 28

[0042] 20 Integrated Circuits

[0043] 21. Pen tip electrode

[0044] 22 Receiving Department

[0045] 23. Sending Department

[0046] 24 Power receiving section

[0047] 25 batteries

[0048] 27 Magnetic bodies

[0049] D1 Distance between magnet 26 and magnetic body 27

[0050] D2 Distance between magnet 14 and magnet 15

[0051] M1 Sleep Mode

[0052] M2 Discovery Mode

[0053] M3 communication mode

[0054] M11 uplink signal transmission stopped.

[0055] M12 Not Detected

[0056] M13 Pairing Status

[0057] M14 Communication Status

[0058] Width of W1 magnetic body 27

[0059] W2 magnets with widths of 14, 15, and 26 mm. Detailed Implementation

[0060] The following is a reference to the appendix. Figure 1 The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below.

[0061] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating the system structure of a wireless power supply system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the wireless power supply system 1 is configured to include an electronic device 2 and an active stylus 3.

[0062] Electronic device 2 is a position detection device that determines the position of the active stylus 3 within the touch surface 1a. It may be, for example, a tablet terminal or a personal computer that uses the display surface as the touch surface 1a. However, a digital converter that does not use the display surface as the touch surface 1a may also be used as electronic device 2. Hereinafter, we will continue the explanation assuming that electronic device 2 is a tablet terminal.

[0063] like Figure 1As shown, the electronic device 2 is configured to include a host processor 10, a sensor panel / display 11, a sensor controller 12, a power supply unit 13, magnets 14 and 15, and magnetic sensors 16 and 17.

[0064] The host processor 10 is the central processing unit of the electronic device 2, and has the function of reading and executing programs from a memory (not shown). The programs executed by the host processor 10 include the operating system of the electronic device 2, various applications including drawing applications, etc.

[0065] The sensor panel / display 11 is a device having multiple sensor electrodes disposed within a touch surface 1a and a display containing multiple pixels. The touch surface 1a also serves as the display surface. The multiple sensor electrodes are conductors used for communication between the sensor controller 12 and the active stylus 3, and are disposed as a whole within the touch surface 1a. The multiple pixels within the display are configured such that their brightness can be controlled by changing the magnitude of the voltage applied to both ends. The host processor 10 displays various images on the touch surface 1a (display surface) by independently controlling the brightness of each of the multiple pixels. Alternatively, the multiple sensor electrodes can be used as part of the electrodes within the display (e.g., the common electrodes of a liquid crystal display), in which case the electronic device 2 is referred to as "in-cell type".

[0066] The sensor controller 12 is an integrated circuit that communicates bidirectionally with the active stylus 3 within the sensor panel / display 11 via multiple sensor electrodes to determine the position of the active stylus 3 within the touch surface 1a and to receive data transmitted by the active stylus 3. Communication between the sensor controller 12 and the active stylus 3 is performed, for example, via active electrostatic or electromagnetic induction.

[0067] The sensor controller 12 has the function of notifying the active stylus 3 of the uplink signal transmission and reception arrangement and sending commands relative to the active stylus 3 in response to the uplink signal sent by the active stylus 3. The active stylus 3 performs the following processing: obtaining the uplink signal and downlink signal transmission and reception arrangement based on the reception timing of the received uplink signal, and generating a downlink signal based on the command contained in the received uplink signal.

[0068] The downlink signal is a signal that includes a position signal used by the sensor controller 12 to derive the position of the active stylus 3 and a data signal modulated from the commanded data. The sensor controller 12 attempts to receive position signals using each of the multiple sensor electrodes in the sensor panel / display 11, and derives the position of the active stylus 3 on the touch surface 1a based on the received position signal strength at each sensor electrode. Additionally, the sensor controller 12 obtains data transmitted by the active stylus 3 by receiving data signals from any one of the multiple sensor electrodes in the sensor panel / display 11. This obtained data includes a pre-assigned pen ID for the active stylus 3, a pen pressure value indicating the pressure applied to the tip of the active stylus 3, and switch information indicating the on / off state of a switch located on the surface of the active stylus 3. The sensor controller 12 sequentially supplies the derived position and received data to the host processor 10. The host processor 10 performs the following processing: generates and renders stroke data based on the supplied position and data, displays the stroke data on the sensor panel / display 11, and generates digital ink containing the generated stroke data.

[0069] The power supply unit 13 is a functional unit that wirelessly powers the active stylus 3. Although not shown, the power required for the operation of the power supply unit 13 is supplied from a battery or commercial power source that serves as the operating power source for the electronic device 2.

[0070] In a typical example, the wireless power supply of the power transmitting unit 13 is performed according to the "Qi" standard, an international standard for wireless charging. In this case, the power transmitting unit 13 has a built-in power transmitting coil, configured to transmit power by coupling with the magnetic field of the receiving coil in the receiving unit 24 (described later) through the flow of alternating current into the power transmitting coil. Furthermore, the power transmitting unit 13 is configured to enable bidirectional communication with the receiving unit 24. Specifically, signal transmission from the power transmitting unit 13 to the receiving unit 24 is performed by modulation of the operating frequency of the power transmitting unit 13 (frequency offset modulation), and signal transmission from the receiving unit 24 to the power transmitting unit 13 is performed by modulation of the reflected impedance of the receiving unit 24 (amplitude offset modulation). The power transmitting unit 13 is configured to provide wireless power when the presence of the receiving unit 24 is detected through this communication, and to terminate wireless power supply upon receiving a signal from the receiving unit 24 indicating the end of power supply.

[0071] Magnets 14 and 15 are permanent magnets with a first magnetic pole and a second magnetic pole, respectively. One of the first and second magnetic poles is the S pole, and the other is the N pole. For example... Figure 1 As shown, magnets 14 and 15 are configured such that the first and second magnetic poles are aligned in the depth direction of the electronic device 2. It should be noted that... Figure 1The example shown illustrates that magnets 14 and 15 are both positioned with their S poles close to the surface. However, as long as magnets 14 and 15 are consistent, they can also be positioned with their N poles close to the surface. Magnets 14, the power transmission unit 13, and magnets 15 are arranged side by side on the surface of the electronic device 2. In other words, the power transmission unit 13 is sandwiched between magnets 14 and 15.

[0072] Magnetic sensors 16 and 17 are sensors for detecting magnetic fields, for example, composed of Hall elements. Magnetic sensor 16 is disposed near magnet 14, and magnetic sensor 17 is disposed near magnet 15. In electronic device 2, magnetic sensors 16 and 17 function to detect the magnetic field generated by magnet 26 (described later).

[0073] The active stylus 3 is configured to include an integrated circuit 20, a pen tip electrode 21, a receiver 22, a transmitter 23, a power receiver 24, a battery 25, a magnet 26, a magnetic body 27, and a magnetic sensor 28.

[0074] The integrated circuit 20 is configured to receive uplink signals sent by the sensor controller 12 and send downlink signals to the sensor controller 12 via bidirectional communication through the pen tip electrode 21. The content and function of the uplink and downlink signals are as described above.

[0075] The pen tip electrode 21 is a conductive element disposed on the tip of the active stylus 3. The receiving unit 22 is a receiving circuit connected between the integrated circuit 20 and the pen tip electrode 21, which receives uplink signals arriving at the pen tip electrode 21 and supplies them to the integrated circuit 20. The transmitting unit 23 is a transmitting circuit connected between the integrated circuit 20 and the pen tip electrode 21, which transmits downlink signals from the pen tip electrode 21 by supplying downlink signals generated by the integrated circuit 20 to the pen tip electrode 21.

[0076] The power receiving unit 24 is a functional unit that receives power wirelessly supplied from the power transmitting unit 13 of the electronic device 2. The specific method of wireless power supply and the bidirectional communication capability between the power receiving unit 24 and the power transmitting unit 13 within the electronic device 2 are explained above. The power receiving unit 24 supplies the received power to the battery 25 and thereby charges the battery 25. The battery 25 is a built-in rechargeable battery of the electronic device 2, functioning as the operating power source for the integrated circuit 20.

[0077] Magnet 26, like magnets 14 and 15 mentioned above, is a permanent magnet having a first magnetic pole and a second magnetic pole. For example... Figure 1As shown, magnet 26 is configured such that the first and second magnetic poles are aligned radially along the stylus 3. It should be noted that the placement of either the first or second magnetic pole near the surface depends on the arrangement of magnets 14 and 15 within the electronic device 2. Specifically, the arrangement of the first and second magnetic poles in magnet 26 is determined by placing a pole different from the magnetic poles of magnets 14 and 15 near the surface within the electronic device 2 near the surface.

[0078] Magnetic material 27 is the substance that attracts to the magnet, typically composed of strongly magnetic materials such as iron, cobalt, and nickel. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the magnet 26, the charge-receiving part 24, and the magnetic body 27 are arranged side by side along the pen axis on the inner side of the active stylus 3. That is, the charge-receiving part 24 is sandwiched between the magnet 26 and the magnetic body 27. It should be noted that... Figure 1 In this case, a magnet 27 is disposed on the tip side, but a magnet 26 can also be disposed on the tip side.

[0079] The magnetic sensor 28 is a sensor that detects magnetic fields, for example, it is composed of a Hall element. The magnetic sensor 28 is disposed near the magnetic body 27 or the magnet 26. In the active stylus 3, the magnetic sensor 28 functions to detect the magnetic field generated by the magnet 14 or the magnet 15 of the electronic device 2.

[0080] The basic structure of the wireless power supply system 1 has been described above. Next, the operation of the integrated circuit 20 and the sensor controller 12 will be discussed, referring to... Figures 2-6 He explained in detail.

[0081] Figure 2 This diagram illustrates the operating modes of integrated circuit 20. As shown in the diagram, integrated circuit 20 is configured to operate in any of the following modes: sleep mode M1, discovery mode M2, and communication mode M3.

[0082] The operating mode of integrated circuit 20 after the power supply from battery 25 begins is discovery mode M2. In discovery mode M2, integrated circuit 20 monitors the reception unit 22 for uplink signal reception and monitors the start of power supply to the powered unit 24. As a result, if the state of not receiving an uplink signal continues for a predetermined time, or if power supply to the powered unit 24 begins, integrated circuit 20 transitions to sleep mode M1. On the other hand, if an uplink signal is received before power supply to the powered unit 24 begins, integrated circuit 20 performs a predetermined pairing process with sensor controller 12, and if pairing is established as a result, it transitions to communication mode M3.

[0083] When integrated circuit 20 enters sleep mode M1, it neither receives uplink signals nor transmits downlink signals, but monitors the power supply status of the powered unit 24 and the elapsed time. During the period when the power supply to the powered unit 24 continues, integrated circuit 20 continues its operation in sleep mode M1. On the other hand, if the power supply to the powered unit 24 ends or if a predetermined time has elapsed since entering sleep mode M1 without power supply, integrated circuit 20 switches to discovery mode M2.

[0084] In communication mode M3, integrated circuit 20 monitors the receiver 22's reception of uplink signals and monitors the start of power supply to the power receiving unit 24. Upon receiving an uplink signal, integrated circuit 20 generates a downlink signal based on the received uplink signal and transmits the generated downlink signal at the timing indicated by the received uplink signal. Conversely, if integrated circuit 20 fails to receive an uplink signal at the expected timing for a predetermined number of times, it depairs and transitions to discovery mode M2. Furthermore, upon the start of power supply to the power receiving unit 24, integrated circuit 20 depairs and transitions to sleep mode M1.

[0085] Figure 3 and Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing flow of integrated circuit 20. The operation of integrated circuit 20 will be explained in more detail below, referring to these figures.

[0086] The integrated circuit 20, which has started processing, first enters the discovery mode M2 ​​(step S1). Then, it determines whether there is a power supply to the power receiving unit 24 (step S2). If it is determined that there is a power supply, it enters the sleep mode M1 (step S6).

[0087] Here, in the determination of step S2, the integrated circuit 20 detects, for example, that the active stylus 3 and the electronic device 2 are magnetically bonded by the magnetic force based on the magnetic field generated by the magnet 14 or magnet 15 of the electronic device 2 detected by the magnetic sensor 28. In this case, it can detect that the power supply to the powered unit 24 has started. Alternatively, the integrated circuit 20 can also detect the start of the power supply to the powered unit 24 by detecting the rise in voltage within the powered unit 24, or by receiving a signal indicating the start of the power supply from the electronic device 2. It should be noted that the signal indicating the start of the power supply can be sent through communication between the power supply unit 13 and the powered unit 24, or as part of an uplink signal from the sensor controller 12, or via short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth.

[0088] If, in step S2, it is determined that there is no power supply, the integrated circuit 20 controls the receiving unit 22 to perform uplink signal reception (step S3). If, as a result, an uplink signal is received, the integrated circuit 20 shifts processing to... Figure 4 Step S11 (Step S4). On the other hand, if no uplink signal is received even after a specified time, the integrated circuit 20 enters sleep mode M1 (Steps S5, S6).

[0089] When integrated circuit 20 enters sleep mode M1, it stops the receiving unit 22 from receiving uplink signals (step S7), and consequently, the transmitting unit 23 also stops transmitting downlink signals. If a transmission and reception arrangement has already been obtained in step S14 (described later), the stopping in step S7 can be performed by invalidating the obtained transmission and reception arrangement.

[0090] Next, integrated circuit 20 determines, in the same manner as in step S2, whether or not power is supplied to the powered unit 24 (step S8). As a result, integrated circuit 20, which determines that power is supplied, repeatedly performs the determination process of step S8. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no power supply, integrated circuit 20 determines whether the power supply to the powered unit 24 has ended (step S9). As a result, if it is determined that the power supply has ended, integrated circuit 20 returns to step S1 and enters discovery mode M2. It should be noted that the determination in step S9 is a determination of whether the power supply has ended; therefore, it becomes a negative determination if the power supply to the powered unit 24 has not even started in the first place.

[0091] In step S9, the integrated circuit 20, having obtained a negative determination result, determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since entering sleep mode M1 (step S10). As a result, if it is determined that no time has elapsed, it returns to step S8 and repeats the process; if it is determined that time has elapsed, it returns to step S1 and enters discovery mode M2.

[0092] Move towards Figure 4 The integrated circuit 20, which has entered step S11, determines whether the current mode is discovery mode M2 ​​or communication mode M3 (step S11). If it is determined to be discovery mode M2, the integrated circuit 20 further determines whether pairing with the sensor controller 12 has been established (step S12). If pairing has been established, it enters communication mode M3 (step S13). If it is determined to be communication mode M3 in step S11, not paired in step S12, or enters communication mode M3 in step S13, the integrated circuit 20 proceeds to step S14 to continue processing.

[0093] In step S14, integrated circuit 20 performs the operation in... Figure 3 The action corresponding to the uplink signal received in step S3 or step S19 described later (step S14). This action includes obtaining the above-mentioned transmission and reception arrangements and generating the downlink signal.

[0094] Next, integrated circuit 20 determines, in the same manner as in step S2, whether or not power is supplied to the power receiving unit 24 (step S15). As a result, if power is determined to be supplied, integrated circuit 20 moves towards... Figure 3 Step S6 is followed by entering sleep mode M1. As a result, uplink signal reception and downlink signal transmission are stopped, and pairing with sensor controller 12 is also disengaged.

[0095] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S15 that there is no power supply, the integrated circuit 20 determines, according to the transmit / receive arrangement obtained in step S14, whether the transmission timing of the downlink signal has arrived (step S16) and whether the reception timing of the uplink signal has arrived (step S17). The integrated circuit 20 repeatedly performs the above steps S15 to S17 until the uplink signal is received or until the uplink signal is not received for a predetermined number of times.

[0096] If, in step S16, it is determined that the downlink signal transmission timing has arrived, the integrated circuit 20 causes the transmitting unit 23 to transmit the downlink signal generated in step S14 (step S18). Furthermore, if, in step S17, it is determined that the uplink signal reception timing has arrived, the integrated circuit 20 controls the receiving unit 22 to perform uplink signal reception (step S19). If an uplink signal is received as a result, the integrated circuit 20 moves the processing to step S11 (step S20). On the other hand, if no uplink signal is received, the integrated circuit 20 determines whether the number of consecutive times the uplink signal has not been received has reached a predetermined number (step S21).

[0097] In step S21, if the integrated circuit 20 is determined to have reached the predetermined number of times, it will be unpaired from the sensor controller 12, and the processing will be moved to... Figure 3 Step S1 is followed by entering discovery mode M2. On the other hand, if the integrated circuit 20 is determined in step S21 to have not reached the prescribed number of times, it returns to step S15 and the process is repeated.

[0098] then, Figure 5This diagram illustrates the states maintained by the sensor controller 12 for each active stylus 3. As shown in the diagram, the sensor controller 12 is configured to maintain any one of the following states for each active stylus 3: uplink signal transmission stopped state M11, undetected state M12, pairing state M13, or communication state M14. The undetected state M12 is a state in which the sensor controller 12 does not maintain information about the active stylus 3. Regarding the other states, the sensor controller 12 is configured to maintain the state by maintaining state information representing the state of the active stylus 3.

[0099] The sensor controller 12 initially maintains an undetected state M12 for a certain active stylus 3. When the sensor controller 12 receives a new downlink signal from the active stylus 3 which is in the undetected state M12, it rewrites the state information of the active stylus 3 to the pairing state M13.

[0100] The sensor controller 12 performs a prescribed pairing operation with the active stylus 3, which is in pairing state M13. If pairing is established as a result, the sensor controller 12 rewrites the status information of the active stylus 3 to a communication state M14. Thus, the sensor controller 12 can derive the location and receive data regarding the active stylus 3. If no downlink signal is received from the active stylus 3 in communication state M14, the sensor controller 12 deletes the status information held about the active stylus 3. Thus, the status of the active stylus 3 returns to the undetected state M12.

[0101] Additionally, the sensor controller 12 monitors the power supply status from the power supply unit 13 to the active stylus 3. As a result, when it detects that the power supply unit 13 is wirelessly powering an active stylus 3, it obtains the stylus ID of the active stylus 3 at the power supply destination. If it is paired with that active stylus 3, it unpairs the pair and rewrites the status information of that active stylus 3 to an uplink signal transmission stop status M11.

[0102] The sensor controller 12 stops transmitting uplink signals to the active stylus 3, which is in the uplink signal transmission stop state M11, and continues to monitor the power supply status from the power supply unit 13. If, as a result of this monitoring, the termination of wireless power supply from the power supply unit 13 to the active stylus 3 is detected, the sensor controller 12 deletes the state information held by the active stylus 3. Thus, the state of the active stylus 3 returns to the undetected state M12.

[0103] Here, the sensor controller 12 is configured to transmit uplink signals and receive downlink signals in frames. Specifically, the frame is divided into multiple time slots, and the uplink signal is transmitted in the first time slot of the frame. The second time slot from the beginning of the frame is reserved for receiving the downlink signal from the active stylus 3, which is in an undetected state M12. Figure 2 The active stylus 3 shown in the discovery mode M2 ​​is in... Figure 3 In step S4, if the unpaired sensor controller 12 initially receives the uplink signal, in step S18, the second time slot is used to transmit the downlink signal. Subsequent time slots are allocated to the active stylus 3, which is in pairing state M13 or communication state M14.

[0104] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing flow of the sensor controller 12. The following will refer to this flowchart... Figure 6 The operation of the sensor controller 12 will be explained in more detail.

[0105] The sensor controller 12 first determines whether a new active stylus 3 has received a downlink signal (step S30). The determination result of step S30 becomes affirmative if a downlink signal is received in the second time slot described above. Having obtained an affirmative determination in step S30, the sensor controller 12 rewrites the status information of the active stylus 3 that sent the downlink signal to a pairing state M13 (step S31). Thereafter, the sensor controller 12 uses both the uplink and downlink signals to perform a pairing process with the active stylus 3 in the pairing state M13.

[0106] Next, the sensor controller 12 performs steps S33 to S36 (step S32) for each active stylus 3 that holds state information. Specifically, the sensor controller 12 first determines whether a pairing has been established with the active stylus 3 being monitored (step S33). This determination is affirmative, for example, if the sensor controller 12 receives a pen ID from the active stylus 3. Upon determining that a pairing has been newly established, the sensor controller 12 rewrites the state information of the active stylus 3 being monitored to communication state M14 (step S35). Thus, the sensor controller 12 can export the position and receive data for the active stylus 3 being monitored.

[0107] If, in step S33, it is determined that pairing has not been newly established, or if the processing in step S35 has ended, the sensor controller 12 determines whether the downlink signal from the active-active stylus 3 has become unreceived (step S34). This determination becomes positive if the downlink signal is not received in the time slot where it should be received from the active-active stylus 3 in step S44 (described later). The sensor controller 12, having determined that the downlink signal has become unreceived, deletes the state information held regarding the active-active stylus 3 (step S36). Thus, the active-active stylus 3 becomes undetected state M12.

[0108] If, in step S34, it is determined that the downlink signal is not being received or the processing in step S36 has ended, the sensor controller 12 will move the processing to the next active stylus 3. If, after all active stylus 3s with status information are maintained and the processing in step S32 has ended, the sensor controller 12 will determine whether the power supply unit 13 has entered a state where it is wirelessly supplying power to the active stylus 3 (step S37).

[0109] Here, in the determination of step S37, the sensor controller 12 may, for example, detect that the active stylus 3 and the electronic device 2 are magnetically bonded by magnetic force when at least one of the magnetic sensors 16 and 17 detects that the power supply unit 13 is wirelessly supplying power to the active stylus 3. Alternatively, the sensor controller 12 may detect the start of wireless power supply from the power supply unit 13 to the active stylus 3 through communication with the power supply unit 13, thereby detecting that the power supply unit 13 is wirelessly supplying power to the active stylus 3. It may also detect the state of wireless power supply from the power supply unit 13 to the active stylus 3 by detecting communication between the power supply unit 13 and the power receiving unit 24 of the active stylus 3, or it may detect the state of wireless power supply from the power supply unit 13 to the active stylus 3 when a signal indicating the start of power receiving is received from the active stylus 3. It should be noted that the signal indicating the start of power reception can be sent through communication between the power supply unit 13 and the power receiving unit 24, or as part of the downlink signal from the active stylus 3, or through short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0110] In step S37, the sensor controller 12, which determines that the power supply unit 13 is in a state of wirelessly supplying power to the active stylus 3, obtains the pen ID of the active stylus 3 as the destination of the power supply (step S38). This acquisition is preferably performed using communication between the power supply unit 13 and the power receiving unit 24, or short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). If the active stylus 3 can receive uplink signals and the sensor controller 12 can receive downlink signals transmitted by the active stylus 3, the pen ID can also be obtained using both the uplink and downlink signals. After obtaining the pen ID, the sensor controller 12 rewrites the status information of the active stylus 3 represented by the obtained pen ID to an uplink signal transmission stop state M11 (step S39). Thus, the active stylus 3 is excluded from the uplink signal reception address generated in step S42 (described later).

[0111] If, in step S37, it is determined that the power supply unit 13 is not wirelessly supplying power to the active stylus 3, or if the processing in step S39 has ended, the sensor controller 12 determines whether the power supply from the power supply unit 13 has ended (step S40). As a result, if it is determined that the power supply has ended, the sensor controller 12 deletes the state information maintained in relation to the stylus ID of the active stylus 3, which is the destination of the power supply (step S41). Therefore, the state of the active stylus 3, which is the destination of the power supply, becomes an undetected state M12. It should be noted that, compared with the above-described step S9 (refer to...),... Figure 3 Similarly, step S40 also determines whether the power supply has ended. Therefore, it becomes a negative determination if the power supply of the power transmission unit 13 has not started.

[0112] If a negative determination result is obtained in step S40 or the processing in step S41 ends, the sensor controller 12 generates an uplink signal (step S42). The uplink signal generated in step S42 has at least three types. The first type is generated when searching for a new active stylus 3, and is configured to include information indicating a local ID assigned to the new active stylus 3 and a time slot assigned to the new active stylus 3. The receiving address of this uplink signal is set to a broadcast address received by any active stylus 3. The second type is generated when there is an active stylus 3 in a pairing state M13, and is configured to include a command indicating an action required for pairing. The receiving address of this uplink signal is set to a local ID assigned to the paired active stylus 3. The third type is generated when there is an active stylus 3 in a communication state M14 and a command needs to be sent to this active stylus 3, and is configured to include a command for the target of the command. The receiving address of this uplink signal is set to a local ID assigned to the active stylus 3 that becomes the destination of the command. The sensor controller 12 selects one appropriate type from among them and generates the selected uplink signal.

[0113] In step S42, the sensor controller 12 excludes the active stylus 3 (with its local ID) that is in the uplink signal transmission stop state M11 from the uplink signal reception address. In other words, the sensor controller 12 does not generate an uplink signal that sets the active stylus 3 (with its local ID) in the uplink signal transmission stop state M11 as the reception address. Thus, for the wirelessly powered active stylus 3, the transmission of the uplink signal is stopped.

[0114] The sensor controller 12, having generated the uplink signal, sends the generated uplink signal (step S43), and then receives downlink signals in each time slot (step S44). Afterward, the sensor controller 12 returns to step S30 to continue processing.

[0115] As explained above, in the wireless power supply system 1 of this embodiment, when wireless power supply from electronic device 2 to active stylus 3 begins, the transmission of downlink signals by active stylus 3 or the transmission of uplink signals from sensor controller 12 to active stylus 3 is stopped. Therefore, power consumption can be suppressed when the battery 25 of active stylus 3 is being charged by wireless power supply from electronic device 2.

[0116] Furthermore, according to the wireless power supply system 1 of this embodiment, the active stylus 3 can be fixed to the electronic device 2 with the magnets 26 and 14 adsorbing and the magnetic bodies 27 and 15 adsorbing, and the active stylus 3 can also be fixed to the electronic device 2 with the magnets 26 and 15 adsorbing and the magnetic bodies 27 and 14 adsorbing. Therefore, a wireless power supply system 1 with a high degree of freedom in the orientation of the active stylus 3 when fixed to the electronic device 2 can be obtained.

[0117] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments in any way, and the present invention can certainly be implemented in various ways without departing from its spirit.

[0118] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating the system structure of a wireless power supply system 1 according to a modified example of the above-described embodiment. In this modified example, the distance D1 between magnet 26 and magnetic body 27 is different from the distance D2 between magnet 14 and magnet 15. More specifically, distance D1 is longer than distance D2. Thus, as... Figure 7 As shown, when magnet 26 is attracted to magnet 14, for example, when viewed from the direction of the pen axis, the side of magnetic body 27 can be positioned near the center of magnet 15. The same applies when magnet 26 is attracted to magnet 15. Therefore, according to this modified example, compared to the case where distances D1 and D2 are equal, the magnetic attraction force between magnetic body 27 and magnet 14 or magnet 15 can be increased.

[0119] It should be noted that, in Figure 7 The example shown is one where the distance D1 is longer than the distance D2, but the distance D2 can also be longer than the distance D1. Even so, when the magnet 26 is, for example, attached to the magnet 14, when viewed in the direction of the pen axis, the side of the magnetic body 27 can be located near the center of the magnet 15, thus achieving the same effect as described above.

[0120] Furthermore, in this variant example, such as Figure 7 As shown, when viewed along the pen axis, the width W1 of the magnetic body 27 is shorter than the width W2 of each of the magnets 14 and 15. In other words, the magnetic body 27 in this modified example has a partial defect along the pen axis of the magnetic body 27 in the above embodiment. More preferably, the width W1 can be set to half the width W2 (2×W1=W2). In this way, the magnetic attraction force between the magnetic body 27 and the magnet 14 or magnet 15 can be further improved.

Claims

1. An active stylus for transmitting and receiving signals with an electronic device, wherein, Include: The receiving unit receives the uplink signal sent by the electronic device; The transmitting unit sends downlink signals to the electronic device; The power receiving unit receives power wirelessly supplied from the electronic device; and integrated circuit, When no power is supplied to the receiving unit, the integrated circuit causes the transmitting unit to transmit the downlink signal based on the receiving unit receiving the uplink signal. When power supply to the receiving unit is initiated, the integrated circuit causes the transmitting unit to stop transmitting the downlink signal.

2. The active stylus according to claim 1, When the integrated circuit detects that the active stylus and the electronic device are magnetically bonded together, it detects that the power supply to the receiving part has begun.

3. The active stylus according to claim 1, The integrated circuit detects the start of power supply to the power receiving unit by detecting a rise in voltage within the power receiving unit.

4. The active stylus according to claim 1, When the integrated circuit receives a signal from the electronic device indicating the start of power supply, it detects that the power supply to the power receiving unit has begun.

5. The active stylus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The integrated circuit stops the transmitting unit from transmitting the downlink signal by stopping the receiving unit from receiving the uplink signal.

6. The active stylus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The integrated circuit stops transmitting the downlink signal by entering a sleep mode that does not receive the uplink signal or transmit the downlink signal.

7. An electronic device for deriving the position of an active stylus, wherein, Include: The power supply unit provides wireless power to the active stylus; and The sensor controller uses a sensor panel to determine the position of the active stylus on the touch surface. The sensor controller sends uplink signals via the sensor panel. The sensor controller, via the sensor panel, detects the downlink signal sent by the active stylus in response to receiving the uplink signal. When the sensor controller is in a state where the power supply unit is wirelessly supplying power to the active stylus, it stops sending the uplink signal to the active stylus.

8. The electronic device according to claim 7, When the sensor controller detects that the active stylus and the electronic device are magnetically bonded together, it detects that the power supply unit is in a state of wirelessly supplying power to the active stylus.

9. The electronic device according to claim 7, The sensor controller detects that the power supply unit has entered a state where it is wirelessly supplying power to the active stylus by detecting the start of wireless power supply from the power supply unit to the active stylus.

10. The electronic device according to claim 7, The sensor controller detects that the power supply unit is wirelessly supplying power to the active stylus by detecting the communication between the power supply unit and the active stylus.

11. The electronic device according to claim 7, The power supply unit is configured to communicate with the active stylus via communication without going through the sensor panel. When the power supply unit is communicating with the first active stylus and detects a second active stylus that is different from the first active stylus via the sensor panel, the sensor controller continues to send the uplink signal to the second active stylus, but does not send the uplink signal to the first active stylus.

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