Sensor system, method of controlling dual screen sensor system, and processor

Abstract

The invention provides a sensor system, a method of controlling a dual-screen sensor system, and a processor, which enable one line drawing to be drawn across a panel surface of a dual-screen model while preventing the occurrence of misoperation in pen input. The present invention is a sensor system for detecting a stylus on at least one panel surface having an effective region. The sensor system includes: an acquisition step of acquiring a position of a stylus and a stylus pressure value indicating a pressure applied to a tip of the stylus; and a position output step of outputting the position acquired by the acquisition step and the pen pressure value to the host processor, the sensor system being configured to output the pen pressure value to the host processor when the position acquired by the acquisition step is outside the effective area. The occurrence of a pen drop indicating that the stylus is in contact with the panel surface and / or a pen lift indicating that the stylus is separated from the panel surface is concealed from the host processor.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of a Chinese invention patent application. The original invention title is "Sensor System", the original application number is 202011231547.4, and the original application date is November 6, 2020. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a sensor system, and particularly to a sensor system for performing pen input based on a stylus. Background Art

[0003] In recent years, laptops often have a touchpad or a trackpad (hereinafter, collectively referred to as "touchpad"). A touchpad generally has a touch panel for implementing finger-based input (hereinafter, referred to as "touch input") and a button function for implementing a function equivalent to the right-click or left-click function of a mouse device. Depending on whether the touch panel and the button function are provided by separate mechanisms, it is classified into either a discrete type or a non-discrete type.

[0004] The discrete type of touchpad is configured to have a dedicated button for click operation independently of the touch panel. On the other hand, the non-discrete type of touchpad does not have such a dedicated button, and the click operation is achieved by pressing the touch panel. The non-discrete type of touchpad can be further classified into two types, "clickpad" and "pressure pad", according to the specific structure for achieving click by pressing the touch panel. A clickpad is a type of touchpad in which the touch panel is displaced downward by the user's pressing, and is configured to have a click button directly below the touch panel. On the other hand, a pressure pad is a type of touchpad that uses a force sensor to detect the pressing force applied to the touch panel and achieves click through threshold determination of the output of the force sensor. It is disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1 that the above three types (discrete type, clickpad, pressure pad) are included in the touchpad.

[0005] In addition, in recent years, foldable tablet terminals having two screens have attracted attention. Hereinafter, such a tablet terminal is referred to as a "dual-screen model". Along with the emergence of the dual-screen model, the development of technologies that can utilize both touch input and stylus-based input (hereinafter, referred to as "pen input") in each of the two screens is also being promoted.

[0006] An example of such a technology is disclosed in Patent Document 1. As shown in Patent Document 1, a sensor system including a first integrated circuit connected to a sensor electrode group for a first screen, a second integrated circuit connected to a sensor electrode group for a second screen, and a host processor connected to the first and second integrated circuits is provided within the dual-screen model, and touch input and pen input are achieved by this sensor system.

[0007] Moreover, in order to enable pen input and touch input, a sensor electrode group provided inside the panel surface of the touch panel and the display surface of the display (hereinafter collectively referred to as the "panel surface") is sometimes arranged in a slightly wider area than the area corresponding to the corresponding panel surface (hereinafter referred to as the "effective area"). In this case, the area capable of detecting the stylus is slightly larger than the effective area. Hereinafter, the area outside the effective area in the area capable of detecting the stylus is referred to as the "detectable area". Patent Document 2 discloses that when the detected position of the stylus is within the detectable area, it is transformed into a position within the effective area.

[0008] Prior Art Documents

[0009] Patent Documents

[0010] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2019-133487

[0011] Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-099260

[0012] Non-Patent Documents

[0013] Non-Patent Document 1: Eliot Graff, et al., "Windows Precision Touchpad Collection", [online], May 2, 2017, Microsoft Corporation, [searched on January 15, 2020], Internet <URL: https: / / docs.microsoft.com / en-us / windows-hardware / design / component-guidelines / touchpad-windows-precision-touchpad-collection> Summary of the Invention

[0014] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0015] The detectable area is different from the effective area and is an area where fingers and styli are not intended to slide. As a result, there may be obstacles such as steps and grooves in the detectable area. Since it is extremely small, no problem will occur when using a relatively thick fingertip for touch input, but when using a relatively thin tip of a stylus for pen input, it will cause misoperations. That is, when the tip of the stylus passes through an obstacle, there may be a sudden change in the pen pressure value detected by the stylus, and this change may cause an unintended pen-down by the user, resulting in misoperations such as accidental touches.

[0016] Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a sensor system capable of preventing the occurrence of misoperations in pen input.

[0017] In addition, regarding a dual-screen model, there is a user expectation to draw a single line across the screens. However, if there are obstacles such as steps or grooves, or dead zones where the stylus cannot be detected, between the screens, an unintended pen lift will occur here, and thus the line drawing will be interrupted.

[0018] Therefore, another object of the present invention is to provide a sensor system capable of drawing a single line across the screens of a dual-screen model.

[0019] Means for Solving the Problem

[0020] The sensor system of the present invention is a sensor system that detects a stylus on at least one panel surface having an effective area, and includes: an acquisition step of acquiring the position of the stylus and a pen pressure value indicating the pressure applied to the tip of the stylus; and a position and the like output step of outputting the position and the pen pressure value acquired by the acquisition step to a host processor, and when the position acquired by the acquisition step is outside the effective area, concealing from the host processor at least one of the occurrence of a pen-down indicating that the stylus has contacted the panel surface and a pen-up indicating that the stylus has left the panel surface.

[0021] Advantages of the Invention

[0022] According to the present invention, since a pen-down does not occur when the tip is outside the effective area, the occurrence of misoperations in pen input can be prevented. In addition, since a pen-up does not occur when the tip is outside the effective area, a single line can be drawn across the screens of a dual-screen model. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 FIG. is a diagram showing a notebook computer 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 FIG. shows Figure 1 a diagram showing the internal structure of the notebook computer 1 shown.

[0025] Figure 3 (a) and (b) of FIG. are Figure 1 cross-sectional views of a housing 2 near a touchpad 5 shown.

[0026] Figure 4 FIG. is a cross-sectional view of a housing 2 of a notebook computer 1a that constitutes a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 5It is a diagram showing the processing performed by the sensor system in the background art of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 6 (a) is a diagram showing the details of the "status report processing" performed in step S108 of Figure 5 Figure 6 (b) is a diagram showing the details of the "location and other report processing" performed in step S111 of Figure 5

[0029] Figure 7 It is a diagram explaining the corresponding positions within the effective area R1.

[0030] Figure 8 It is a diagram showing the first example (Comparative Example 1-1) of the result of performing the processing of the background art shown in Figure 5 and Figure 6

[0031] Figure 9 It is a diagram showing the second example (Comparative Example 1-2) of the result of performing the processing of the background art shown in Figure 5 and Figure 6

[0032] Figure 10 It is a diagram showing the location and other report processing performed by the sensor system of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 11 It is a diagram showing an example (Example 1-1) of the result of performing the location and other report processing shown in Figure 10

[0034] Figure 12 It is a diagram showing the location and other report processing performed by the sensor system of the first modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 13 It is a diagram showing an example (Example 1-2) of the result of performing the location and other report processing shown in Figure 12

[0036] Figure 14 It is a diagram showing the location and other report processing performed by the sensor system of the second modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 15 It is a diagram showing an example (Example 1-3) of the result of performing the processing of this modification shown in Figure 14

[0038] Figure 16 It is a diagram showing the status report processing performed by the sensor system in the background art of the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 17 is a diagram showing a first example (Comparative Example 2-1) of the result of the process of the background art shown in Figure 16

[0040] Figure 18 is a diagram showing a second example (Comparative Example 2-2) of the result of the process of the background art shown in Figure 16

[0041] Figure 19 is a diagram showing the status report process executed by the sensor system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 20 is a diagram showing an example (Example 2) of the result of the status report process of the present embodiment shown in Figure 19

[0043] Figure 21 is a diagram showing the tablet terminal 20 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 22 is a diagram showing Figure 21 the internal structure of the tablet terminal 20 shown in

[0045] Figure 23 is a diagram explaining the problem of the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 24 is a diagram showing an example (Comparative Example 3) of the result of the process of the background art of the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 25 is a diagram showing the status report process executed by the sensor system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 26 is a diagram showing the position and other report process executed by the sensor system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 27 is a diagram showing an example (Example 3) of the result of the process of the third embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 25 and Figure 26

[0050] Figure 28 is a diagram showing an example (Comparative Example 4) of the result of the process of the background art of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Figure 29 is a diagram showing the status report process executed by the sensor system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.​​​​

[0052] Figure 30 This is a diagram showing the position reporting process and the like performed by the sensor system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Figure 31 This is a diagram showing Figure 29 and Figure 30 an example of the result of the process according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention shown in (Example 4). Detailed Embodiments

[0054] Hereinafter, while referring to the attached Figure One drawings, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0055] [First Embodiment]

[0056] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the laptop computer 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this diagram, the laptop computer 1 is configured to include a housing 2, a display 3, a keyboard 4, and a touchpad 5. In addition, Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the internal structure of the laptop computer 1. In this diagram, only the part related to the touchpad 5 is shown. As Figure 2 shown, a main processor 7 is provided inside the laptop computer 1.

[0057] The main processor 7 is a central processing unit that controls each part of the laptop computer 1 and functions to read and execute a program stored in a memory (not shown). Among the programs executed by the main processor 7, there are an operating system of the laptop computer 1, various drawing applications, various communication programs, and the like.

[0058] The display 3 is an output unit that outputs visual information under the control of the main processor 7. The keyboard 4 and the touchpad 5 are input units that function to receive user input and supply it to the main processor 7. In addition to these, various input / output units and communication units typically found in a computer are also provided in the laptop computer 1.

[0059] Figure 3 Figures (a) and (b) are cross-sectional views of the housing 2 near the touchpad 5. The touchpad 5 is the above-described click pad and is configured to include a touch panel 5a, a fulcrum 5b, and a click button 5c. The touchpad 5 is integrally embedded in a rectangular recess 2c provided in the housing 2, and in the initial state, the surface of the touch panel 5a is maintained parallel to the surface of the housing 2.

[0060] As can be seen from Figure 3As understood in (a), the touchpad 5 supports both the above-described pen input and touch input. The pen input is achieved by the user sliding the tip of the stylus S on the touch panel 5a and the sensor controller 11 (refer to Figure 2 ) detecting its trajectory. In addition, the touch input is achieved by the user sliding their finger F on the touch panel 5a and the sensor controller 11 (refer to Figure 2 ) detecting its trajectory.

[0061] The fulcrum 5b and the click button 5c are respectively arranged vertically between the lower surface of the touch panel 5a and the bottom surface of the recess 2c. In addition, the fulcrum 5b and the click button 5c are respectively arranged inside and near the front side of the recess 2c when viewed from the user of the notebook computer 1 in the horizontal direction. If pressure is applied to the vicinity above the click button 5c on the upper surface of the touch panel 5a by the stylus S or the finger F, then as shown in Figure 3 (b), a part of the touch panel 5a sinks. When the amount of sinking becomes a certain amount or more, the click button 5c is pressed. Although the click is achieved in this way, when a part of the touch panel 5a is sinking, as shown in Figure 3 (b), a step 5d will be generated between the touch panel 5a and the housing 2. Since this step 5d is extremely small, there will be no problem in the case of touch input based on the relatively thick finger F, but in the case of pen input using the relatively thin tip of the stylus S, it will be the cause of the above-mentioned misoperation.

[0062] Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional view of the housing 2 of the notebook computer 1a which is a modification example of the present embodiment. The notebook computer 1a of this modification example is different from the notebook computer 1 of the present embodiment in that it has a touchpad 6 as a discrete type or a pressure plate instead of the touchpad 5 as a clickpad. The touchpad 6 does not sink like the touchpad 5, but sometimes there are slightly grooves 6a as shown in the figure and steps (not shown) between the touchpad 6 and the side surface of the recess 2c. Since these obstacles are also extremely small, there will be no problem in the case of touch input based on the relatively thick finger F, but in the case of pen input using the relatively thin tip of the stylus S, it will be the cause of the above-mentioned misoperation. Hereinafter, the touchpad 5 will be described, but the present invention can also be similarly applied to the touchpad 6.

[0063] Return Figure 2, the touchpad 5 is configured to include a sensor 10 including a plurality of sensor electrodes 10x and 10y, a sensor controller 11, a plurality of path selection lines 12x for connecting each sensor electrode 10x to the sensor controller 11, a plurality of path selection lines 12y for connecting each sensor electrode 10y to the sensor controller 11, and a guard wiring LG for disconnecting each path selection line 12x and 12y from the external environment.

[0064] The sensor controller 11 is an integrated circuit configured to be able to execute a plurality of processes. Among the processes executed by the sensor controller 11, there is a process of detecting the positions of the stylus S and the finger F on the panel surface of the touch panel 5a, receiving the data transmitted by the stylus S, and outputting the detected positions and the received data to the host processor 7. In this specification, this output is sometimes referred to as a "report". The sensor controller 11 and the host processor 7 constitute the sensor system of the present invention, and each of the following processes is executed by either or both of the sensor controller 11 and the host processor 7.

[0065] The sensor controller 11 and the stylus S are configured to be able to communicate bidirectionally via the sensor 10. Hereinafter, the signal transmitted by the sensor controller 11 to the stylus S is referred to as an "uplink signal", and the signal transmitted by the stylus S to the sensor controller 11 is referred to as a "downlink signal". Details of the communication between the sensor controller 11 and the stylus S will be described in detail later with reference to Figure 5 and Figure 6 for details.

[0066] As Figure 2 shown, the touchpad 5 is configured to have an effective area R1 and a detectable area R2. The effective area R1 is the area corresponding to the panel surface of the touch panel 5a. On the other hand, the detectable area R2 is the area of the effective area R1 within the area where the sensor controller 11 can detect the stylus S. The detectable area R2 is arranged so as to surround the effective area R1.

[0067] Hereinafter, after first explaining the processing of the background art of the present embodiment, the processing executed by the sensor system of the present embodiment will be described in detail.

[0068] Figure 5 is a diagram showing the processing executed by the sensor system of the background art of the present embodiment. In this diagram, the following processing is shown: The sensor controller 11 pairs with a new stylus S, obtains the state, position, etc. of the stylus S, and reports to the host processor 7. In addition, Figure 6 (a) is a diagram showing the details of the "status report processing" executed in Figure 5 step S108, Figure 6 (b) is a diagram showing Figure 5A diagram showing details of the "location and other report processing" performed in step S111.

[0069] First, the sensor controller 11 transmits an uplink signal via the sensor 10 (step S100). The sensor controller 11 periodically transmits this uplink signal and performs a downlink signal reception operation each time (step S101).

[0070] The sensor controller 11 determines whether a downlink signal is received as a result of the reception operation performed in step S101 (step S102). If it is determined that the downlink signal is not received, the process returns to step S100 and is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the downlink signal is received, the sensor controller 11 performs pairing with the stylus S that is the transmission source of the downlink signal (step S103). Specifically, the sensor controller 11 determines the communication resources (time slot, frequency, spreading code, etc.) allocated to the stylus S and the local ID allocated to the stylus S, and transmits an uplink signal indicating them. In addition, the sensor controller 11 receives the pen ID from the stylus S using the downlink signal transmitted in response to the uplink signal. When the pen ID is successfully received in this way, the sensor controller 11 associates and stores the received pen ID and the information indicating the allocated communication resources with the allocated local ID. Through the above processing, the pairing is successful. The allocated communication resources and local ID are saved in the stylus S that has been paired with the sensor controller 11.

[0071] After step S103 ends, the sensor controller 11 determines whether the pairing with the stylus S is successful (step S104). If it is determined that the pairing is a failure, the process returns to step S100 and is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the pairing is successful, the sensor controller 11 performs an initial setting for the processing described below (step S105). Specifically, a process such as setting the value of the pairing release flag described later to the initial value False is performed.

[0072] Next, the sensor controller 11 transmits an uplink signal (step S106). This uplink signal can include the local ID allocated to the paired stylus S and an instruction signal indicating a command for the stylus S. The stylus S that receives the uplink signal transmits a downlink signal at a timing determined based on the reception timing of the uplink signal and the pre-stored communication resources. In addition, when the uplink signal includes an instruction signal containing the local ID allocated to itself, the process indicated by the instruction signal is performed.

[0073] The downlink signal includes a position signal used by the sensor controller 11 to detect the position of the stylus pen S and a pressure value indicating the pressure applied to the tip of the stylus pen S. The stylus pen S is configured with a pressure sensor for detecting this pressure value. The pressure value detected by the pressure sensor is zero when the tip of the stylus pen S is not in contact with the panel surface, and a value greater than zero when not in contact. If the command signal requests the transmission of specific data, this data is also included in the downlink signal.

[0074] The sensor controller 11 receives the downlink signal at the timing when the stylus pen S transmits the downlink signal (step S107 : receiving step). Then, the sensor controller 11 first performs a status report process (step S108 ).

[0075] While referring to Figure 6 (a) The status report processing is explained. Figure 6 As shown in (a), the sensor controller 11, having begun status reporting processing, determines whether a downlink signal has been received as a result of executing step S107 (step S120). If it is received, the sensor controller 11 obtains the positions x and y of the stylus pen S based on the reception strength of the position signals at each of the multiple sensor electrodes 10x and 10y, and also obtains the pressure value P contained in the downlink signal (step S121: acquisition step). It then determines whether a change in the pressure value P from 0 to a value greater than 0 has been detected (step S122). If it is detected, pen-down information indicating a pen-down (the stylus pen S has contacted the panel surface of the touch panel 5a) is output to the host processor 7 in a manner associated with the local ID (step S123: status output step). If it is determined that a pen-down has not been detected, the status reporting process ends.

[0076] When it is determined in step S120 that no downlink signal is received, the sensor controller 11 outputs pen-lift information indicating the occurrence of pen-lift (the stylus pen S has detached from the panel surface of the touch panel 5a) to the host processor 7 in a manner associated with the local ID (step S125. Status output step), and further sets the value of the pairing release flag to True (step S126), thereby ending the status report processing.

[0077] return Figure 5. The sensor controller 11, which has completed the status report processing, determines the value of the pairing release flag (step S109). As a result, if the value of the pairing release flag is True, the sensor controller 11 releases the pairing with the stylus pen S (step S110. Pairing release step). Specifically, the pen ID and the information indicating the communication resource stored in a manner corresponding to the assigned local ID are deleted. The sensor controller 11 then returns to step S100 and repeats the process. On the other hand, if it is determined to be False in step S109, the sensor controller 11 performs the position and other reporting processing (step S111), and then returns the process to step S106.

[0078] While referring to Figure 6 (b) The processing of reporting position, etc. is explained. Figure 6 As shown in (b), the sensor controller 11, having begun the position and other information reporting process, first determines whether the positions x and y acquired in step S102 are within the valid region R1 (step S130). If the position is determined to be within the valid region R1, the sensor controller 11 outputs the positions x and y and the pen pressure value P to the host processor 7, associating them with the local ID (step S131: position and other information output step), and the process ends. On the other hand, if the position is determined to be outside the valid region R1, the sensor controller 11 obtains the position within the valid region R1 corresponding to the positions x and y (the corresponding position) and outputs it to the host processor 7 along with the local ID and the pen pressure value P (step S132).

[0079] Figure 7 This figure illustrates corresponding positions within effective region R1. In this figure, the longitudinal direction of effective region R1 is the x-direction, and the direction perpendicular to the x-direction is the y-direction. Furthermore, the x-coordinate at one end in the x-direction, the x-coordinate at the other end in the x-direction, the y-coordinate at one end in the y-direction, and the y-coordinate at the other end in the y-direction of effective region R1 are designated as x0, x1, y0, and y1, respectively. Furthermore, the x-coordinate at the other end in the x-direction (the end on the x1 side) of detectable region R2 is designated as x2 (>x1).

[0080] The sensor controller 11 compares the position x obtained in step S121 with x0 and x1. If x is smaller than x0, x is replaced with x0; if x is larger than x1, x is replaced with x1. Furthermore, the sensor controller 11 compares the position y obtained in step S121 with y0 and y1. If y is smaller than y0, y is replaced with y0; if y is larger than y1, y is replaced with y1. The corresponding positions within the effective region R1 corresponding to positions x and y are the positions obtained as a result of this replacement process.

[0081] Figure 8 is a diagram showing a first example (Comparative Example 1-1) of the result of processing the background art shown in Figure 5 and Figure 6 . The times t0 to t14 shown in this diagram correspond to the transmission timing of the downlink signal of the stylus S. In this comparative example, the stylus S approaches the panel surface of the touch panel 5a from above the effective area R1 from time t0 to time t1, contacts the panel surface between times t2 and t3, maintains the contact state unchanged, moves to the detectable area R2 between times t5 and t6, and then returns to the effective area R1 between times t10 and t11. After that, it detaches from the panel surface after time t12. It should be noted that the positions x0, x1, x2, y0, y1 shown in this diagram are based on the example shown in Figure 7 .

[0082] When the stylus S approaches the panel surface, after the above pairing, the sensor controller 11 can obtain the position x, y and the pen pressure value P at time t1. Since the tip of the stylus S has not contacted the panel surface at this time point, the pen pressure value P is 0. In addition, since the stylus S is above the effective area R1, the detected positions x, y satisfy x0 ≤ x ≤ x1, y0 ≤ y ≤ y1.

[0083] After that, if the tip of the stylus S contacts the effective area R1 between times t2 and t3, the pen pressure value P changes to a value greater than 0 at time t3. Then, if the tip of the stylus S moves to the detectable area R2 between times t5 and t6, at time t6, the detected positions x, y change to positions within the detectable area R2. The case where the position x changes to a value satisfying x1 ≤ x ≤ x2 is shown in Figure 8 . After that, if the tip of the stylus S returns to the effective area R1 again between times t10 and t11, at time t11, the detected positions x, y return to positions within the effective area R1.

[0084] Moreover, if the tip of the stylus S detaches from the panel surface between times t12 and t13, the pen pressure value P changes to 0 at time t13. Then, if the distance between the stylus S and the panel surface increases between times t13 and t14, the downlink signal no longer reaches the sensor 10 at time t14, and the sensor controller 11 becomes unable to obtain the position x, y and the pen pressure value P.

[0085] Between time t1 to time t13 when the position x, y, and pen pressure value P can be obtained, the position x, y, and pen pressure value P are continuously output from the sensor controller 11 to the host processor 7 in association with the local ID. However, between time t6 to time t10 when the tip of the stylus S is within the detectable area R2, the coordinates of the corresponding position within the effective area R1 are output instead of the obtained position x, y. In this example, as Figure 8 shown, the output position is x1, y.

[0086] In addition, the sensor controller 11 outputs a pen-down information to the host processor 7 at time t3 when the pen pressure value P changes to a value greater than 0. Moreover, the sensor controller 11 outputs a pen-up information to the host processor 7 at time t14 when it becomes unable to receive the downlink signal.

[0087] Here, the host processor 7 of the present embodiment is configured to determine the state of the stylus S based on the pen pressure value P supplied from the sensor controller 11. Specifically, when the pen pressure value P is 0, it is determined that the pen is in the up state, and when the pen pressure value P changes from 0 to a value greater than 0, it is determined that a pen-down has occurred. During the period when the pen pressure value P remains greater than 0, the host processor 7 determines that it is in the state of pen movement indicating that the stylus S is sliding on the panel surface. The state thus determined is utilized by the host processor 7 for the movement of the pointer for display on the screen, touch operations, generation of stroke data, and drawing, etc.

[0088] In addition, the host processor 7 of the present embodiment is configured to end the processing related to the stylus S when it has received the supply of the pen-up information from the sensor controller 11. After that, even if the same stylus S is used again, the processing such as the generation of stroke data by the host processor 7 is executed as a process independent of the previous processing.

[0089] Figure 9 is a diagram showing a second example (Comparative Example 1-2) of the result of executing the Figure 5 and Figure 6 shown background art processing. This comparative example is different from Comparative Example 1-1 in that the stylus S passes through the step 5d shown in Figure 3 (b) from time t6 to t9, and is the same as Comparative Example 1-1 in other respects.

[0090] During the period when the tip passes through the step 5d, the pen pressure value P obtained by the sensor controller 11 becomes 0. In addition, immediately after passing through the step 5d, the pen pressure value P temporarily becomes a large value. The situation where the pen pressure value P temporarily becomes a large value is written as "P>>0" in Figure 9 and the following respective diagrams.

[0091] Since the pen pressure value P changes from 0 to a value greater than 0 at time t9, the host processor 7 detects the pen-down at time t9. This pen-down is caused by the passage of an obstacle and is not intentionally caused by the user. In addition, the position supplied to the host processor 7 at time t9 is not the actual position of the tip of the stylus S (the position within the detectable area R2), but is replaced with the corresponding position within the effective area R1. Therefore, if a manipulable GUI (Graphical User Interface), such as a "Close" button, is displayed at the position within the display 3 corresponding to the corresponding position within the effective area R1, an unintended touch operation will occur and will be recognized by the user as an incorrect operation.

[0092] When the acquired positions x and y are outside the effective area R1, the sensor system of the present embodiment conceals the occurrence of pen-down from the host processor 7, thereby preventing the occurrence of incorrect operations as described above. Hereinafter, the processing performed by the sensor system of the present embodiment for this purpose will be described in detail.

[0093] Figure 10 It is a diagram showing the position and other report processing executed by the sensor system of the present embodiment. As understood by comparing this diagram with Figure 6 FIG. (b), the position and other report processing executed by the sensor system of the present embodiment is different from the position and other report processing executed by the sensor system of the background art in that steps S1 to S5 are added. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the differences.

[0094] As Figure 10 shown, after the execution of step S131, the sensor system of the present embodiment sets the value of the output substitution flag to False (step S1). This output substitution flag is a variable that becomes False when the sensor controller 11 directly reports the pen pressure value P obtained in Figure 6 step S121 of FIG. (a) and becomes True in other cases. The initial value of the output substitution flag is False and is initially set in Figure 5 step S105.

[0095] In addition, when the sensor system of the present embodiment determines in step S130 that the positions x and y are not within the effective area R1, it first determines whether the pen pressure value P is 0 (step S2). And when it is determined that the pen pressure value P is 0, after setting the value of the output substitution flag to True (step S3), the process proceeds to step S4. When it is determined that the pen pressure value P is not 0, the sensor system does not change the value of the output substitution flag and proceeds to step S4.

[0096] In step S4, the sensor system determines the value of the output substitution flag (step S4). As a result, when it is determined that the value of the output substitution flag is False, the corresponding position and the pen pressure value P within the effective region R1 are output to the host processor 7 in association with the local ID assigned during pairing (step S132). On the other hand, when it is determined that the value of the output substitution flag is True, the sensor system restricts the output of the pen pressure value P. Specifically, the corresponding position and the pen pressure value 0 (i.e., the pen pressure value indicating non-contact) within the effective region R1 are output to the host processor 7 in association with the local ID assigned during pairing (step S5). Thus, after the tip of the stylus S is outside the effective region R1 and the pen pressure value P becomes 0 even once, during the period until the tip of the stylus S returns to the effective region R1, the pen pressure value 0 is reported instead of the pen pressure value P.

[0097] Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example (Example 1-1) of the result of performing the Figure 10 position reporting process and the like shown. The operation of the stylus S in this embodiment is the same as that of the stylus S in Figure 9 Comparative Example 1-2 shown. The difference between this embodiment and Comparative Example 1-2 is that the content of the data output from the sensor controller 11 to the host processor 7 in response to the operation of the stylus S is different.

[0098] Specifically, during the period from the moment t7 when the tip of the stylus S is outside the effective region R1 and the pen pressure value P becomes 0 until the tip of the stylus S returns to the effective region R1, in Comparative Example 1-2, the pen pressure value P is directly output, but in this embodiment, the pen pressure value 0 is output. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the host processor 7 from causing a pen-down event due to the rapid increase in the pen pressure value P at time t9.

[0099] As described above, according to the sensor system of the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent a pen-down event from occurring against the user's intention when the tip of the stylus S is outside the effective region R1. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of misoperations caused by obstacles such as steps and grooves present within the detectable region R2, such as accidental touches of the "close" button displayed at the end of the display 3.

[0100] Here, some modification examples can be considered for the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the first and second modification examples of the present embodiment will be described while referring to the Figure One accompanying drawings.

[0101] Figure 12 is a diagram showing the position reporting process and the like performed by the sensor system of the first modification example of the present embodiment. If this diagram is compared with Figure 10As understood by comparison, the sensor system of this modified example differs from the sensor system of this embodiment in that the output of the pen pressure value P is restricted by not performing step S5. Since step S5 is not performed, if the pen pressure value P becomes 0 when the tip of the stylus S is outside the effective area R1, then until the tip of the stylus S returns inside the effective area R1, the position x, y, and the pen pressure value P are not supplied to the host processor 7. Therefore, as in this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the host processor 7 from causing a pen-down event due to a rapid increase in the pen pressure value P at time t9.

[0102] Figure 13 It is a diagram showing an example (Example 1-2) of the result of performing the Figure 12 position and other reporting processes shown. The operation of the stylus S in this embodiment is also the same as that of the stylus S in Figure 9 Comparative Example 1-2 shown. As Figure 13 shown, in this embodiment, when the tip of the stylus S is outside the effective area R1 and during the period from the time t7 when the pen pressure value P becomes 0 until the tip of the stylus S returns to the effective area R1, the reporting of the position x, y, and the pen pressure value P to the host processor 7 stops. During the period when the reporting stops, the host processor 7 maintains the state of the stylus S and waits for the reporting to start again. After the reporting starts again, the processing such as the movement of the pointer displayed on the screen, the generation of stroke data, and the drawing is started again.

[0103] As described above, according to the sensor system of this modified example, it is also possible to prevent a pen-down event from occurring when the tip of the stylus S is outside the effective area R1. Therefore, as in this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of misoperations caused by obstacles such as steps and grooves existing in the detectable area R2, such as the accidental touch of the "Close" button displayed at the end of the display 3.

[0104] Figure 14 It is a diagram showing the position and other reporting processes performed by the sensor system of the second modified example of this embodiment. As can be understood by comparing this diagram with Figure 10 the sensor system of this modified example differs from the sensor system of this embodiment in that "step S10 is performed between step S131 and step S1, step S11 is performed after step S132, and step S12 is performed instead of step S5".

[0105] Steps S10 and S11 are steps of substituting the pen pressure value P into the variable Pa. The variable Pa is a variable for temporarily storing the pen pressure value P. The initial value of the variable Pa is 0 and is initially set in Figure 5 step S105. Step S12 differs from Figure 10is different from step S5 shown. According to these processes, when the pen pressure value P becomes 0 once while the tip of the stylus S is outside the effective area R1, until the tip of the stylus S returns inside the effective area R1 thereafter, the pen pressure value Pa (>0) before the pen pressure value P was about to become 0 is output instead of the newly obtained pen pressure value P. Therefore, similar to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the host processor 7 from causing a pen-down due to the rapid increase in the pen pressure value P at time t9.

[0106] Figure 15 is a diagram showing an example (Example 1-3) of the result of performing the Figure 14 position report process and the like shown. The operation of the stylus S in this embodiment is also the same as that of the stylus S in Figure 9 Comparative Example 1-2 shown. As Figure 15 shown, in this embodiment, while the tip of the stylus S is outside the effective area R1 and during the period from the time t7 when the pen pressure value P becomes 0 until the tip of the stylus S returns to the effective area R1, the pen pressure value Pa is reported to the host processor 7 instead of the pen pressure value P. Therefore, the pen pressure value P at time t9 that rapidly increases under the influence of obstacles such as steps and grooves is not reported to the host processor 7.

[0107] As described above, with the sensor system of this modification, it is also possible to prevent a pen-down from occurring when the tip of the stylus S is outside the effective area R1. Therefore, similar to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent maloperations caused by obstacles such as steps and grooves existing in the detectable area R2, such as accidental touch of the "Close" button displayed at the end of the display 3.

[0108] Note that, in this embodiment, similar to the second embodiment described later, it is also possible not to output a pen-down when the tip of the stylus S is outside the effective area R1. By doing so, even if some applications are performing processes corresponding to the pen state supplied from the sensor controller 11, it is possible to prevent a pen-down from occurring when the tip of the stylus S is outside the effective area R1.

[0109] [Second Embodiment]

[0110] Next, a sensor system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The sensor system of this embodiment is different from the sensor system of the first embodiment in that the sensor controller 11 outputs a timing for lifting the pen. In addition, the process performed by the host processor 7 is also different from the process described in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the differences will be described.

[0111] Figure 16It is a diagram showing the status report process executed by the sensor system of the background art of the present embodiment. The status report process shown in this diagram is different from the status report process shown in Figure 6 in that step S125 is not performed and steps S127 and S128 are added.

[0112] After the processes of steps S122 and S123 are completed, the sensor system of this background art determines whether a change in the pen pressure value P from a value greater than 0 to 0 is detected (step S127). If it is determined that a change is detected, the above-described pen-lifting information is output to the host processor 7 in association with the local ID (step S128. Status output step). If it is determined that no change is detected, the status report process ends.

[0113] The host processor 7 of the present embodiment is different from the host processor 7 of the first embodiment and is configured to use the pen state (pen-lifting or pen-down) supplied from the sensor controller 11 as the state of the stylus S. That is, the host processor 7 of the present embodiment performs processes such as moving the pointer displayed on the screen, touch operations, generation of stroke data, and drawing based on the pen state supplied from the sensor controller 11.

[0114] Figure 17 It is a diagram showing a first example (Comparative Example 2-1) of the result of performing the process of the background art shown in Figure 16 . The operation of the stylus S in this comparative example is the same as that of the stylus S in Comparative Example 1-1 shown in Figure 8 . As shown in Figure 17 , in this comparative example, since the pen pressure value P becomes 0 at time t13, the pen-lifting information is reported to the host processor 7. As a result, the state of the stylus S held inside the host processor 7 is the same as that of Comparative Example 1-1 shown in Figure 8 .

[0115] Figure 18 It is a diagram showing a second example (Comparative Example 2-2) of the result of performing the process of the background art shown in Figure 16 . The operation of the stylus S in this comparative example is the same as that of the stylus S in Comparative Example 1-2 shown in Figure 9 . As shown in Figure 18 , in this comparative example, the pen-lifting information is reported to the host processor 7 at each of times t7 and t13. As a result, the state of the stylus S held inside the host processor 7 is the same as that of Comparative Example 1-2 shown in Figure 9 .

[0116] Here, in the first embodiment, the occurrence of a pen-down operation when the tip of the stylus S is outside the effective area R1 is prevented by changing the output content of the pen pressure value P or stopping the output of the pen pressure value P. However, in the present embodiment, due to the difference in the processing of the host processor 7, the occurrence of a pen-down operation when the tip of the stylus S is outside the effective area R1 cannot be prevented by the same method as in the first embodiment. Therefore, in the sensor system of the present embodiment, the occurrence of a pen-down operation when the tip of the stylus S is outside the effective area R1 is prevented by stopping the output of the pen state from the sensor controller 11. The following is a detailed description.

[0117] Figure 19 FIG. is a diagram showing the status report process executed by the sensor system of the present embodiment. As can be understood by comparing this figure with Figure 16 the position and other report processes executed by the sensor system of the present embodiment are different from those of the sensor system of the background art in that step S20 is added.

[0118] Step S20 is a step of determining whether the positions x and y obtained in step S121 are within the effective area R1. When the sensor system of the present embodiment determines in this step S20 that the positions are within the effective area R1, the processes of steps S122 and S127 are performed in the same manner as those of the sensor system of the background art. On the other hand, when it is determined that the positions are not within the effective area R1, the processes of steps S122 and S127 are skipped. Thus, when the positions x and y are not within the effective area R1, the pen state is not reported from the sensor controller 11 to the host processor 7.

[0119] Figure 20 FIG. is a diagram showing an example (Example 2) of the result of executing the Figure 19 status report process shown. The operation of the stylus S in this example is the same as that of the stylus S in Figure 18 Comparative Example 2-2 shown. The difference between this example and Comparative Example 2-2 is that the content of the pen state output from the sensor controller 11 in response to the operation of the stylus S is different.

[0120] Specifically, during the period from time t6 to time t10 when the tip of the stylus S is outside the effective area R1, in Comparative Example 2-2, a pen-up and a pen-down are each output once, but in this example, neither is output. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an operation based on a pen-down due to a rapid increase in the pen pressure value P at time t9.

[0121] As described above, with the sensor system of the present embodiment, it is also possible to prevent writing from occurring against the user's intention when the tip of the stylus S is outside the effective area R1. Therefore, similar to the first embodiment, it is possible to prevent malfunction such as accidental touch of the "Close" button displayed at the end of the display 3 caused by obstacles such as steps and grooves present in the detectable area R2.

[0122] It should be noted that in the present embodiment, similar to what was described in the first embodiment and its first and second modified examples, when the tip is outside the effective area R1, processing such as changing the output content of the pen pressure value P or stopping the output of the pen pressure value P can be performed.

[0123] [Third Embodiment]

[0124] Next, a sensor system according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0125] Figure 21 FIG. shows the tablet terminal 20 of the present embodiment. The tablet terminal 20 is the above-described dual-screen model, and has a structure in which a housing 2a having a display 3a (first display) and a housing 2b having a display 3b (second display) are connected via a hinge 21. The housing 2b is configured to be able to rotate 360 degrees around the hinge 21 along the arrow A shown in the figure.

[0126] The displays 3a and 3b are each configured to support both pen input and touch input. Pen input is achieved by the user sliding the tip of the stylus S on the displays 3a and 3b and the sensor controllers 11a and 11b described later (refer to Figure 22 ) detecting its trajectory. In addition, touch input is achieved by the user sliding their finger F on the displays 3a and 3b and the sensor controllers 11a and 11b described later (refer to Figure 22 ) detecting its trajectory.

[0127] Figure 22 FIG. shows the internal structure of the tablet terminal 20. In this figure, only the parts related to pen input and touch input of the displays 3a and 3b are shown. As shown in this figure, the tablet terminal 20 is also configured to have a host processor 7. The host processor 7 is a central processing unit that controls each part of the tablet terminal 20, and functions to read and execute programs stored in a memory (not shown). Among the programs executed by the host processor 7, there are an operating system of the tablet terminal 20, various drawing applications, various communication programs, and the like.

[0128] In addition, the display 3a is configured to include a sensor 10a including a plurality of sensor electrodes 10xa and 10ya, a sensor controller 11a, a plurality of path selection lines 12xa for connecting each sensor electrode 10xa to the sensor controller 11a, a plurality of path selection lines 12ya for connecting each sensor electrode 10ya to the sensor controller 11a, and a guard wiring LG for disconnecting each path selection line 12xa and 12ya from the external environment. Similarly, the display 3b is configured to include a sensor 10b including a plurality of sensor electrodes 10xb and 10yb, a sensor controller 11b, a plurality of path selection lines 12xb for connecting each sensor electrode 10xb to the sensor controller 11b, a plurality of path selection lines 12yb for connecting each sensor electrode 10yb to the sensor controller 11b, and a guard wiring LG for disconnecting each path selection line 12xb and 12yb from the external environment.

[0129] The path selection lines 12xa and 12xb are respectively connected to the ends of the corresponding sensor electrodes 10xa and 10xb on the side farther from the hinge 21 shown in the y-direction of both ends. The path selection lines 12xa and 12xb are configured in this way to minimize the distance between the screens of the displays 3a and 3b. Figure 21 The path selection lines 12xa and 12xb are respectively connected to the ends of the corresponding sensor electrodes 10xa and 10xb on the side farther from the hinge 21 shown in the y-direction of both ends. The path selection lines 12xa and 12xb are configured in this way to minimize the distance between the screens of the displays 3a and 3b.

[0130] The sensor controllers 11a and 11b are respectively integrated circuits configured to be able to execute a plurality of processes. Among the processes executed by the sensor controllers 11a and 11b, there are processes of detecting the positions of the stylus S and the finger F on the panel surface of the displays 3a and 3b, receiving the data transmitted by the stylus S, and reporting the detected positions and the received data to the host processor 7. The sensor controllers 11a and 11b and the host processor 7 constitute the sensor system of the present invention, and each of the processes described later is executed by one or more of the sensor controllers 11a and 11b and the host processor 7.

[0131] The sensor controllers 11a and 11b are respectively configured to be able to communicate bidirectionally with the stylus S via the sensors 10a and 10b, similarly to the sensor controller 11 of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the signal transmitted by the sensor controllers 11a and 11b to the stylus S is referred to as an "uplink signal", and the signal transmitted by the stylus S to the sensor controllers 11a and 11b is referred to as a "downlink signal".

[0132] As Figure 22As shown, the display 3a is configured to have an effective area R1a and a detectable area R2a. The effective area R1a is the area corresponding to the panel surface of the display 3a. The detectable area R2a is the area outside the effective area R1a in the area where the sensor controller 11a can detect the stylus S. The detectable area R2a is arranged so as to surround the effective area R1a.

[0133] Similarly, the display 3b is configured to have an effective area R1b and a detectable area R2b. The effective area R1b is the area corresponding to the panel surface of the display 3b. The detectable area R2b is the area outside the effective area R1b in the area where the sensor controller 11b can detect the stylus S. The detectable area R2b is arranged so as to surround the effective area R1b.

[0134] A dead zone R3 where the stylus S cannot be detected is formed between the detectable area R2a and the detectable area R2b. When the tip of the stylus S is within the dead zone R3, neither the sensor controller 11a nor the sensor controller 11b can receive the downlink signal from the stylus S.

[0135] The processing performed by the sensor system in the background art of this embodiment is the same as that described with reference to Figure 5 and Figure 6 It should be noted that the sensor controllers 11a and 11b and the host processor 7 in the background art of this embodiment are configured to process the displays 3a and 3b as one touch surface by communicating with each other as needed. Specifically, it is configured such that one of the sensor controllers 11a and 11b can also share the information of the paired stylus S with the other of the sensor controllers 11a and 11b.

[0136] In addition, the host processor 7 of this embodiment is configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment to determine the state of the stylus S based on the pen pressure value P supplied from the sensor controllers 11a and 11b, and to end the processing related to the stylus S when a report of the pen-lift information is received from the sensor controller 11.

[0137] Figure 23This is a diagram for explaining the problems of the present embodiment. In this diagram, a case where the housing 2b is disposed at the 180-degree position is shown, and the stroke data ST shown in this diagram is an example of the stroke data that the user of the tablet terminal 20 is considered to want to draw. The stroke data ST is configured as a single connected line drawing that spans between the displays 3a and 3b. According to the sensor system of the background art of the present embodiment, even when using the stylus S to draw such stroke data ST, sometimes due to an unintended pen lift or disconnection of pairing occurring between the displays 3a and 3b, it becomes two pieces of stroke data that are different for each of the displays 3a and 3b. This is caused by the presence of obstacles such as steps and grooves, and the dead zone R3, between the displays 3a and 3b. Therefore, the problem of the sensor system of the present embodiment is to prevent an unintended pen lift and disconnection of pairing from occurring between the displays 3a and 3b, so that, as the Figure 23 stroke data ST shown, it is possible to draw one stroke data that spans between the displays 3a and 3b.

[0138] In Figure 23 the coordinates used in the following description are also shown. As shown in this diagram, in the following description, the arrangement direction of the effective regions R1a and R1b is set as the y direction, and the direction orthogonal to the y direction is set as the x direction. In addition, the x coordinates of one end and the other end of the effective region R1a in the x direction are respectively set as x0 and x1. In this case, the x coordinates of one end and the other end of the effective region R1b in the x direction also become x0 and x1, respectively. Moreover, the y coordinate of one end of the effective region R1a in the y direction, the y coordinate of the other end of the effective region R1a in the y direction, the y coordinate of the other end of the detectable region R2a (the end on the effective region R1b side) in the y direction, the y coordinate of one end of the detectable region R2b (the end on the effective region R1a side) in the y direction, the y coordinate of one end of the effective region R1b in the y direction, and the y coordinate of the other end of the effective region R1b in the y direction are respectively set as y0, y1, y2, y3, y4, and y5.

[0139] In addition, in the following description, the region in the detectable region R2a that satisfies y1 ≤ y ≤ y2 may be particularly referred to as the specific detectable region R2aa, and the region in the detectable region R2b that satisfies y3 ≤ y ≤ y4 may be particularly referred to as the specific detectable region R2ba. In Figure 23 these specific detectable regions R2aa and R2ba are clearly shown by hatching.

[0140] Figure 24This figure illustrates an example (Comparative Example 3) of the results of executing the background technology of this embodiment. Times t0 to t17 shown in this figure correspond to the transmission timing of downlink signals from stylus pen S. In this comparative example, stylus pen S approaches display 3a from above active area R1a between times t0 and t1. After making contact with the panel surface of display 3a between times t2 and t3, it maintains this contact and moves toward specific detectable area R2aa between times t5 and t6. Subsequently, it moves toward dead zone R3 between times t8 and t9, toward specific detectable area R2ba between times t10 and t11, and toward active area R1b between times t13 and t14. After time t15, it detaches from the panel surface of display 3b.

[0141] like Figure 24 As shown, if the stylus pen S approaches the display 3a, the sensor controller 11a, after the pairing described above, can obtain the position x, y, and the pen pressure value P at time t1. Because the tip of the stylus pen S has not yet touched the panel surface at this time, the pen pressure value P is 0. Furthermore, because the stylus pen S is above the active area R1a, the detected positions x and y satisfy x0 ≤ x ≤ x1 and y0 ≤ y ≤ y1.

[0142] Thereafter, if the tip of the stylus pen S comes into contact with the effective area R1a between times t2 and t3, the pressure value P at time t3 changes to a value greater than 0. Then, if the tip of the stylus pen S moves toward the specific detectable area R2aa between times t5 and t6, the detected position x and y at time t6 changes to a position within the specific detectable area R2aa.

[0143] exist Figure 24 2 shows a case where an obstacle such as a step or a groove exists in the specific detectable area R2aa. Due to the influence of the obstacle, the writing pressure value P temporarily becomes 0 at time t7 and temporarily becomes a large value at time t8.

[0144] If the tip of the stylus pen S moves to the dead zone R3 between time t8 and t9, the sensor controllers 11a and 11b cannot receive the downlink signal from the stylus pen S, and thus the position x, y and the pressure value P are not detected. Figure 5 In step S110 , the pairing with the stylus pen S is temporarily released.

[0145] Afterwards, if the tip of the stylus pen S enters the specific detectable area R2ba between time t10 and t11, pairing is performed again, and at time t11, the detected positions x and y change to positions within the specific detectable area R2aa. Furthermore, if the tip of the stylus pen S enters the effective area R1b between time t13 and t14, then at time t14, the detected positions x and y change to positions within the effective area R1b. Figure 23 , the case where there are no obstacles such as steps or grooves in the specific detectable area R2ba is shown, but it is of course possible that there are obstacles. In this case, the same change in the pen pressure value P as at times t7 and t8 will be observed.

[0146] If the tip of the stylus pen S is removed from the panel surface between times t15 and t16, the pressure value P at time t16 becomes 0. Furthermore, if the distance between the stylus pen S and the panel surface increases between times t16 and t17, the downlink signal no longer reaches the sensor 10b at time t17, and the sensor controller 11b is again unable to obtain the position x, y and the pressure value P.

[0147] During the period from time t1 to time t8, the sensor controller 11a sends a signal to the host processor 7 with the first local ID ( Figure 24 In addition, during the period from time t11 to time t16, the sensor controller 11b outputs the position x, y and the pen pressure value P in a manner associated with the second local ID (in Figure 24 Position x, y, and pen pressure value P are output in an associated manner (and denoted as "LID2" in the figures described later). However, during the periods from time t6 to time t8 and from time t11 to time t13 when the tip of the stylus pen S is within the detectable areas R2a and R2b, the corresponding position within the effective area (position y1 or position y4) is output instead of the acquired position y.

[0148] The host processor 7 determines that the pen has been dropped when the pen pressure value P changes to a value greater than 0 at times t3, t8, and t11. Furthermore, when the pen pressure value P is 0 at times t1, t2, t7, and t16, the host processor 7 determines that the stylus S is in the pen-up state. Furthermore, when the sensor controllers 11a and 11b report pen-up information at times t9 and t17, when they are unable to receive downlink signals, the host processor 7 can terminate processing related to the stylus S at times t9 and t17, respectively.

[0149] The pen lift at time t7 and the pairing release at time t9 and the end of the processing related to the stylus S in the host processor 7 are important for the image to be drawn. Figure 23 The displayed travel data ST is unexpected for the user. As a result, the line drawing that the user is trying to draw will be interrupted against the user's intention.

[0150] When the acquired positions x and y of the sensor system according to this embodiment are outside the effective region R1, the occurrence of lifting the pen is concealed from the host processor 7, and the cancellation of pairing is postponed, thereby preventing the interruption of the line drawing as described above. Hereinafter, the processing performed by the sensor system according to this embodiment for this purpose will be described in detail.

[0151] Figure 25 It is a diagram showing the status report processing executed by the sensor system according to this embodiment. As can be understood by comparing this diagram with Figure 6 FIG. (a), the position and other report processing executed by the sensor system according to this embodiment is different from the status report processing executed by the sensor system in the background art in that steps S30 to S34 are added. Hereinafter, the differences will be mainly described.

[0152] As Figure 25 shown, when the sensor system according to this embodiment determines in step S120 that it has become impossible to receive the downlink signal, it first determines whether the tip of the stylus S is located in the region (between the panel surfaces) between the screens of the display 3a and the display 3b (step S30. Determination step). The sensor system can set the determination result of step S30 to affirmative when the last acquired positions x and y are in any one of the specific detectable regions R2aa and R2ba, and set the determination result of step S30 to negative in other cases.

[0153] The sensor system that has obtained a negative result in step S30 executes steps S125 and S126 described with reference to Figure 6 FIG. (a), and ends the status report processing. As a result, in Figure 5 step S110, the pairing with the stylus S is cancelled.

[0154] On the other hand, the sensor system that has obtained an affirmative result in step S30 determines whether the variable N is larger than the specified value K (step S32). The initial value of the variable N is 0, and it is initially set in Figure 5 step S105. When it is determined in step S32 that it is larger than the specified value K, the sensor system executes steps S125 and S126, and ends the status report processing. As a result, in Figure 5 step S110, the pairing with the stylus S is cancelled. On the other hand, the sensor system that determines in step S30 that it is not larger than the specified value K increments the variable N by 1 (step S32). Through these processes, the output of the pen-lifting information and the execution of the cancellation of pairing are postponed for a specified period specified by the specified value K.

[0155] The sensor system may end the status report processing immediately after ending step S32, but it may also be as Figure 25As shown by the dashed line, the host processor 7 outputs the position x, y, and pen pressure value P in the same manner as the previous time using the same values to establish an association with the local ID (step S33. Previous value output step). By doing so, even when the tip of the stylus S is within the dead zone R3, it is possible to continue outputting valid position x, y, and pen pressure value P to the host processor 7.

[0156] In addition, when the sensor system of the present embodiment determines in step S120 that a downlink signal has been received, it acquires the position x, y, and pen pressure value P in step S121, and substitutes 0 for the above variable N (step S34). After that, it Figure 6 performs the processes of steps S122 and S123 in the same manner as

[0157] Figure 26 FIG. is a diagram showing the position and other report processing performed by the sensor system of the present embodiment. As can be understood by comparing this figure with Figure 14 the position and other report processing performed by the sensor system of the present embodiment adds steps S40 to S44 to the position and other report processing of the second modification of the first embodiment shown in Figure 14 The following will mainly describe the differences from Figure 14 this.

[0158] After the sensor system of the present embodiment executes the processes of steps S2 and S3, it determines whether the tip of the stylus S is located in the area between the screens of the display 3a and the display 3b (between the panel surfaces) (step S40). This is the same process as Figure 25 step S30 shown in

[0159] The sensor system that obtains a negative result in step S40 performs the processes of steps S4, S132, S11, and S12 in the same manner as Figure 14 On the other hand, the sensor system that obtains a positive result in step S40 first determines the value of the output substitution flag (step S41). As a result, when it is determined that the value of the output substitution flag is False, it outputs the position x, y, and pen pressure value P to the host processor 7 in a manner associated with the local ID assigned during pairing (step S42). Then, it substitutes the pen pressure value P for the variable Pa (step S43), and ends the position and other report processing. On the other hand, the sensor system that determines that the value of the output substitution flag is True outputs the position x, y, and pen pressure value Pa to the host processor 7 in a manner associated with the local ID assigned during pairing (step S44).

[0160] According to the above processing, when the tip of the stylus S exists in an area outside the effective areas R1a and R1b and also outside the specific detectable areas R2aa and R2ba, similar to the second modification of the first embodiment, until the pen pressure value P becomes 0, the corresponding positions within the effective areas R1a and R1b and the pen pressure value P are output. Once the pen pressure value P becomes 0, thereafter, instead of the newly obtained pen pressure value P, the pen pressure value Pa (>0) just before the pen pressure value P was about to become 0 is output together with the corresponding positions within the effective areas R1a and R1b. On the other hand, when the tip of the stylus S exists within the specific detectable areas R2aa and R2ba, the pen pressure value is the same as above. On the other hand, the positions x and y obtained in Figure 25 step S121 are output instead of the corresponding positions within the effective areas R1a and R1b.

[0161] Figure 27 It shows an example (Example 3) of the result of performing the processing of the present embodiment shown in Figure 25 and Figure 26 The operation of the stylus S in this embodiment is the same as the operation of the stylus S in Comparative Example 3 shown in Figure 24 As shown in Figure 27 , in this embodiment, at times t9 and t10 when the tip of the stylus S is within the dead zone R3, no lift pen information is output and the pairing is not released. Also, during the period from time t6 to time t13 when the tip of the stylus S is outside the effective areas R1a and R1b, after the pen pressure value P becomes 0 at time t7, instead of the pen pressure value P, the pen pressure value Pa (= the pen pressure value P at time t6) is supplied to the host processor 7. Therefore, the pairing is released at time t9, and the processing related to the stylus S in the host processor 7 does not end temporarily. Also, at time t7, the host processor 7 does not cause a lift pen to occur, so it is possible to prevent Figure 23 the stroke data ST shown from being interrupted between the displays 3a and 3b.

[0162] In addition, according to the present embodiment, during the period from time t6 to time t8 when the tip of the stylus S is within the specific detectable area R2aa and during the period from time t11 to time t13 when the tip of the stylus S is within the specific detectable area R2ba, the coordinates within the specific detectable areas R2aa and R2ba are supplied to the host processor 7 instead of the corresponding positions within the effective areas R1a and R1b. Therefore, the host processor 7 can smoothly generate stroke data spanning the displays 3a and 3b. Moreover, according to the present embodiment, during the period from time t9 to time t10 when the tip of the stylus S is within the dead zone R3, the positions x, y, and the pen pressure value P can be continuously output in association with the local ID using the same values as the previous time. By doing so, the host processor 7 can more smoothly generate stroke data spanning the displays 3a and 3b.

[0163] As described above, in the sensor system according to the present embodiment, since the pen is not lifted and the pairing is not released when the tip of the stylus S is between the screens, a single line drawing can be drawn across the displays 3a and 3b. Further, while the tip of the stylus S is within the specific detectable regions R2aa and R2ba, coordinates within the specific detectable regions R2aa and R2ba rather than the corresponding positions within the effective regions R1a and R1b are supplied to the host processor 7, and the position x, y, and pen pressure value P can continue to be output while the tip of the stylus S is within the dead zone R3. Therefore, stroke data spanning the displays 3a and 3b can be generated smoothly.

[0164] In addition, in the sensor system according to the present embodiment, in regions other than between the screens, as in the first embodiment and the like, it is possible to prevent the pen from being put down against the user's intention when the tip of the stylus S is outside the effective region R1. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of malfunction such as an accidental touch of the "close" button displayed at the ends of the displays 3a and 3b due to obstacles such as steps and grooves present in the detectable regions R2a and R2b.

[0165] It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, the pen pressure value Pa is output in steps S44 and S12 of Figure 26 , but the pen pressure value 0 may be output as in the first embodiment, or the pen pressure value may not be output as in the first modification example of the first embodiment.

[0166] [Fourth Embodiment]

[0167] Next, a sensor system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The sensor system of the present embodiment is different from the sensor system of the third embodiment in the timing at which the sensor controller 11 outputs the pen-lift information. In addition, the processing performed by the host processor 7 is also different from the processing described in the third embodiment. Hereinafter, the differences will be focused on for description.

[0168] The processing performed by the sensor system of the background art of the present embodiment is the same as the processing performed by the sensor system of the background art of the second embodiment described with reference to Figure 16 . The host processor 7 of the present embodiment is also configured in the same manner as the host processor 7 of the second embodiment to use the pen state (pen-lift or pen-down) reported from the sensor controllers 11a and 11b as the state of the stylus S.

[0169] Figure 28 is a diagram showing an example (Comparative Example 4) of the result of executing the processing of the background art of the present embodiment. The operation of the stylus S in this comparative example is the same as the operation of the stylus S in Comparative Example 3 shown in Figure 24 . As shown in Figure 28As shown, in this comparative example, since the pen pressure value P became 0 at times t7 and t16, the sensor controller 11a reported the pen-lifting information to the host processor 7. As a result, the state of the stylus S that the host processor 7 has internally is the same as that of Figure 24 Comparative Example 3.

[0170] It should be noted that the host processor 7 is configured to wait for a certain period of time before ending the processing related to the stylus S instead of immediately ending it during the period when the position x, y, etc. are no longer supplied from the sensor controllers 11a and 11b at times t9 and t10. However, in this comparative example, the pairing was temporarily released at time t9. As a result, the position x, y, etc. supplied after time t11 are associated with a different local ID from those before. Therefore, the host processor 7 processes the stroke data up to time t8 and the stroke data after time t11 as the stroke data drawn by different styli S.

[0171] Here, in the third embodiment, the occurrence of pen-lifting when the tip of the stylus S is between the screens is prevented by changing the output content of the pen pressure value P or stopping the output of the pen pressure value P. However, in this embodiment, due to the different processing of the host processor 7, the occurrence of pen-lifting when the tip of the stylus S is between the screens cannot be prevented by the same method as in the third embodiment. Thus, in the sensor system of this embodiment, the occurrence of pen-down when the tip is outside the effective regions R1a and R1b is prevented by stopping the output of the pen state from the sensor controllers 11a and 11b. On the other hand, the process of delaying the release of the pairing for a certain period of time when the tip of the stylus S is between the screens is implemented in the same way as in the third embodiment. The following is a detailed description.

[0172] Figure 29 FIG. is a diagram showing the status report process executed by the sensor system of this embodiment. As can be understood by comparing this figure with Figure 25 the process after it is determined in step S120 that the downlink signal has not been received is the same as that shown in Figure 25 except that step S125 for outputting pen-lifting information is not included. In addition, the fact that step S34 is performed together with step S121 after it is determined in step S120 that the downlink signal has been received is also the same as that in Figure 25 Accordingly, in the sensor system of this embodiment, the execution of the pairing release is postponed by the number of times specified by the specified value K.

[0173] In addition, as can be understood by comparing Figure 29 with Figure 19 the process after step S34 is the same as that in Figure 19The processing of the sensor system of the second embodiment shown is the same. Therefore, in the sensor system according to the present embodiment, when the positions x and y are not within the effective regions R1a and R1b, the pen state is not reported from the sensor controllers 11a and 11b to the host processor 7.

[0174] Figure 30 FIG. is a diagram showing the position and other reporting processing executed by the sensor system of the present embodiment. As can be understood by comparing this figure with Figure 6 (b), the position and other reporting processing executed by the sensor system of the present embodiment adds step S50 to the processing of Figure 6 (b).

[0175] Step S50 is a process of determining whether the tip of the stylus S is located in the region between the screens of the displays 3a and 3b (between the panel surfaces) in the same manner as step S30 shown in Figure 25 and step S40 shown in Figure 26 . In the sensor system of the present embodiment, when it is determined in step S130 that the positions x and y are not within the effective regions R1a and R1b, the determination of step S50 is performed. And, when it is determined in step S50 that the tip of the stylus S is between the screens, the process of step S131 is performed, and when it is determined in step S50 that the tip of the stylus S is not between the screens, the process of step S132 is performed. Thus, when the tip of the stylus S is between the screens, the process of replacing the positions x and y with the corresponding positions within the effective regions R1a and R1b is not performed.

[0176] Figure 31 FIG. is a diagram showing an example (Example 4) of the result of executing the processing of the present embodiment shown in Figure 29 and Figure 30 . The operation of the stylus S in this example is the same as the operation of the stylus S in Comparative Example 4 shown in Figure 28 . As shown in Figure 31 , according to the present embodiment, during the period from time t6 to time t13 when the tip of the stylus S is outside the effective regions R1a and R1b, the pen state is not output from the sensor controllers 11a and 11b to the host processor 7. In addition, pairing is not released at times t9 and t10 when the tip of the stylus S is within the dead zone R3, so the local ID is maintained even after time t10. Therefore, during the period from time t6 to time t13, the state of the moving pen is maintained in the host processor 7, so that it is possible to prevent Figure 23 the stroke data ST shown from being interrupted between the displays 3a and 3b.

[0177] As described above, with the sensor system of this embodiment, when the tip of the stylus pen S is between the screens, the stylus pen S is not lifted and pairing is not released, so a line can be drawn across the displays 3a and 3b.

[0178] In addition, through the sensor system of this embodiment, while the tip of the stylus pen S is in the specific detectable area R2aa, R2ba, the coordinates within the specific detectable area R2aa, R2ba are supplied to the host processor 7 instead of the corresponding positions within the effective area R1a, R1b, and while the tip of the stylus pen S is in the dead zone R3, the position x, y and pen pressure value P can continue to be output, thereby also being able to smoothly generate travel data across the displays 3a, 3b.

[0179] Furthermore, the sensor system of this embodiment, similar to the second embodiment and other embodiments, can also prevent the stylus pen S from being placed outside the effective area R1, even in areas other than the screen space, without the user's intention. This prevents erroneous operations caused by obstacles such as steps or grooves within the detectable areas R2a and R2b, such as accidentally touching the "off" button displayed at the ends of the displays 3a and 3b.

[0180] Note that, in this embodiment, as described in the third embodiment, when the pen tip is outside the effective areas R1a and R1b, processing such as changing the output content of the writing pressure value P or stopping the output of the writing pressure value P may be performed.

[0181] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments at all, and the present invention can of course be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0182] Description of labels

[0183] 1a Laptop

[0184] 2, 2a, 2b housing

[0185] 2c concave part

[0186] 3.3a, 3b Display

[0187] 4 Keyboard

[0188] 5 Touchpad

[0189] 5a Touch panel

[0190] 5b Pivot

[0191] 5c Click the button

[0192] 5d stairs

[0193] 6 Touchpad

[0194] 6a Slot

[0195] 7 Host Processor

[0196] 10, 10a, 10b Sensors

[0197] 10x, 10y, 10xa, 10ya, 10xb, 10yb Sensor Electrodes

[0198] 11, 11a, 11b Sensor Controllers

[0199] 12x, 12y, 12xa, 12ya, 12xb, 12yb Path Selection Lines

[0200] 20 Tablet Terminal

[0201] 21 Hinge

[0202] F Finger

[0203] LG Protection Wiring

[0204] P, Pa Pen Pressure Value

[0205] R1, R1a, R1b Effective Areas

[0206] R2, R2a, R2b Detectable Areas

[0207] R2aa, R2ba Specific Detectable Areas

[0208] R3 Dead Zone

[0209] S Stylus

[0210] ST Stroke Data.

Claims

1. A sensor system that detects a pointer on a first panel surface of a first display having a first active area and a second panel surface of a second display having a second active area, the sensor system comprising: A memory device including computer-executable instructions; And A processor that, when loaded with the computer-executable instructions, performs: Obtain the position of the pointer; Output the obtained position to a host processor; Wherein the first active area has a first side that abuts one side of the second active area and a second side that does not abut the one side of the second active area, In response to the obtained position being outside the first side of the first active area, conceal from the host processor a first piece of information indicating that the pointer has left the first panel surface, and In response to the obtained position being outside the second side of the first active area, output the first piece of information to the host processor.

2. The sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the processor performs: In response to the obtained position being outside the first side of the first active area, refrain from outputting the first piece of information to the host processor for a specified period.

3. The sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the processor performs: In response to the obtained position being outside the first side of the first active area, output to the host processor a substitute position within the first active area or the second active area corresponding to the obtained position instead of the obtained position.

4. A sensor system that detects a pointer on a first panel surface of a first display having a first active area and a second panel surface of a second display having a second active area, the sensor system comprising: A memory device including computer-executable instructions; And A processor that, when loaded with the computer-executable instructions, performs: Obtain the position of the pointer; Output the obtained position to a host processor; Wherein the first active area has a first side that abuts one side of the second active area and a second side that does not abut the one side of the second active area, Wherein, in response to the pointer leaving the first panel surface, the processor outputs a first notification to the host processor, and wherein the output of the first notification is more strongly suppressed when the pointer passes through the first side and leaves the first panel surface than when the pointer passes through the second side and leaves the first panel surface.

5. The sensor system according to claim 4, wherein the processor performs: In response to the obtained position being outside the first side of the first active area, refrain from outputting the first piece of information to the host processor for a specified period.

6. The sensor system according to claim 4, wherein the processor performs: In response to the obtained position being outside the first side of the first active area, output to the host processor a substitute position within the first active area or the second active area corresponding to the obtained position instead of the obtained position.

7. A method for controlling a dual-screen sensor system, wherein the system is configured to detect a pointer on a first panel surface of a first display having a first active area and a second panel surface of a second display having a second active area, the method comprising: Obtaining the position of the pointer; Outputting the obtained position to a host processor; wherein the first active area has a first side that abuts one side of the second active area and a second side that does not abut the one side of the second active area; in response to the obtained position being outside the first side of the first active area, concealing from the host processor first information indicating that the pointer has left the first panel surface; and in response to the obtained position being outside the second side of the first active area, outputting the first information to the host processor.

8. The method according to claim 7, comprising: in response to the obtained position being outside the first side of the first active area, not outputting the first information to the host processor for a specified period.

9. The method according to claim 7, comprising: in response to the obtained position being outside the first side of the first active area, outputting to the host processor, instead of the obtained position, a substitute position within the first active area or the second active area corresponding to the obtained position.

10. A processor configured to control a sensor system that detects a pointer on a first panel surface of a first display having a first active area and on a second panel surface of a second display having a second active area, wherein, The processor, when loaded with computer-executable instructions, performs: Obtaining the position of the pointer; Outputting the obtained position to a host processor; wherein the first active area has a first side that abuts one side of the second active area and a second side that does not abut the one side of the second active area; in response to the obtained position being outside the first side of the first active area, concealing from the host processor first information indicating that the pointer has left the first panel surface; and in response to the obtained position being outside the second side of the first active area, outputting the first information to the host processor.

11. The processor according to claim 10, the processor, when loaded with computer-executable instructions, performs: in response to the obtained position being outside the first side of the first active area, not outputting the first information to the host processor for a specified period.

12. The processor according to claim 10, the processor, when loaded with computer-executable instructions, performs: in response to the obtained position being outside the first side of the first active area, outputting to the host processor, instead of the obtained position, a substitute position within the first active area or the second active area corresponding to the obtained position.

13. A processor configured to control a sensor system that detects a pointer on a first panel surface of a first display having a first active area and on a second panel surface of a second display having a second active area, wherein, The processor, when loaded with computer-executable instructions, performs: Obtaining the position of the pointer; Outputting the obtained position to a host processor; wherein the first active area has a first side that abuts one side of the second active area and a second side that does not abut the one side of the second active area; and Output a first notification to the host processor in response to the pointer leaving the first panel surface, wherein when the pointer passes through the first side and leaves the first panel surface, the output of the first notification is more strongly suppressed than when the pointer passes through the second side and leaves the first panel surface.

14. The processor according to claim 13, wherein when loaded with computer-executable instructions, the processor performs: In response to the obtained position being outside the first side of the first valid area, do not output the first information to the host processor within a specified period.

15. The processor according to claim 13, wherein when loaded with computer-executable instructions, the processor performs: In response to the obtained position being outside the first side of the first valid area, output to the host processor, instead of the obtained position, a substitute position within the first valid area or the second valid area corresponding to the obtained position.

16. A sensor system that detects a stylus on at least one panel surface having a valid area, the sensor system comprising: A memory device including computer-executable instructions; And A processor that, when loaded with the computer-executable instructions, performs: Obtain the position of the stylus and a pen pressure value representing the pressure applied to the tip of the stylus; Output the position and the pen pressure value to the host processor; And When the position is outside the valid area, prevent the output of at least one of the following until the position returns within the valid area: i) The pen pressure value, or ii) A pen-down signal indicating that the stylus has contacted the panel surface.

17. The sensor system according to claim 16, wherein, After the pen pressure value becomes a non-contact value indicating that the stylus is not in contact with the panel surface, the processor prevents the output of at least one of the following: i) The pen pressure value, or ii) The pen-down signal.

18. The sensor system according to claim 16, wherein, The panel surface includes a detectable area configured to surround the valid area.

19. The sensor system according to claim 16, wherein, The panel surface is a touch panel of a notebook personal computer.

20. The sensor system according to claim 16, wherein, When the position is outside the valid area and after the pen pressure value becomes a non-contact value indicating that the stylus is not in contact with the panel surface, the processor performs: Output the non-contact value instead of the pen pressure value until the position returns within the valid area.

21. The sensor system according to claim 16, wherein When the position is outside the valid area and after the pen pressure value becomes a non-contact value indicating that the stylus is not in contact with the panel surface, the processor performs: Prevent the output of the position and the pen pressure value to the host processor until the position returns within the valid area.

22. The sensor system according to claim 16, wherein, When the position is outside the valid area and after the pen pressure value changes from a first value indicating that the stylus is in contact with the panel surface to a second value indicating that the stylus is not in contact with the panel surface, the processor performs: Output the first value until the position returns within the valid area.

23. The sensor system according to claim 16, wherein The processor performs: In response to detecting that the pen pressure value changes to a value indicating that the stylus is in contact with the panel surface, output the pen-down signal to the host processor.

24. The sensor system according to claim 23, wherein, The processor performs: In response to detecting that the pen pressure value changes to a value indicating that the stylus pen is not in contact with the panel surface, outputting information indicating a pen-up state of the stylus pen to the host processor; and When the position is outside the effective area, the information indicating the pen-up state is not output to the host processor.

25. The sensor system according to claim 16, wherein When the position is outside the valid area, the processor executes: An alternative position within the effective area corresponding to the acquired position is output to the host processor.

26. The sensor system of claim 16, comprising a first display and a second display each having a panel surface, wherein the processor performs: receiving a downlink signal sent by the stylus; outputting information indicating a pen-up state of the stylus to the host processor in response to failure to receive the downlink signal; determining whether the stylus is located in an area between panels of the first display and the second display; and In response to determining that the stylus pen is located in the area between the panel surfaces, the information indicating the pen-up state of the stylus pen is not output to the host processor for a predetermined period of time.

27. The sensor system of claim 26, wherein the processor performs: unpairing the stylus in response to a failure to receive the downlink signal; and In response to determining that the stylus pen is located in the area between the panel surfaces, pairing with the stylus pen is not released within the predetermined period.

28. The sensor system according to claim 26, wherein, When the position is outside the effective area, after the pen pressure value becomes a non-contact value indicating that the stylus pen is not in contact with the panel surface, the processor executes: The non-contact value is output instead of the pen pressure value until the position returns to within the effective area.

29. The sensor system according to claim 26, wherein, When the position is outside the effective area, after the pen pressure value becomes a non-contact value indicating that the stylus pen is not in contact with the panel surface, the processor executes: The output of the position and the pen pressure value to the host processor is prevented until the position returns to within the valid area.

30. The sensor system according to claim 26, wherein, When the position is outside the valid area, after the pen pressure value changes from a first value indicating that the stylus pen is in contact with the panel surface to a second value indicating that the stylus pen is not in contact with the panel surface, the processor executes: The first value is output until the position returns to within the valid area.

31. The sensor system according to claim 26, wherein, The processor performs: In response to failure to receive the downlink signal, the position and the pressure value that were last output to the host processor are output to the host processor.

32. The sensor system of claim 16, comprising a first display and a second display each having a panel surface, wherein the processor performs: receiving a downlink signal sent by the stylus; unpairing with the stylus in response to a failure to receive the downlink signal; Determining whether the stylus is located in an area between panels of the first display and the second display; and In response to determining that the stylus is in the area between the panel surfaces, the pairing with the stylus is not released within a specified period.

33. The sensor system according to claim 32, wherein the processor performs: In response to detecting a situation where the pen pressure value changes to a value indicating that the stylus is not in contact with the panel surface, output information indicating the pen-lifting state of the stylus to the host processor; and When the position is outside the effective area, do not output the information indicating the pen-lifting state to the host processor.

34. The sensor system according to claim 33, wherein the processor performs: In response to detecting that the pen pressure value changes to a value indicating that the stylus is in contact with the panel surface, output the pen-down signal to the host processor; and When the position is outside the effective area, do not output the pen-down signal to the host processor.

35. The sensor system according to claim 33, wherein the processor performs: In response to failing to receive the downlink signal, output the position and the pen pressure value last output to the host processor to the host processor.

Images