Position indicator

Abstract

To provide a position indicator of the electromagnetic induction type with a function of a side switch in which a position indicator cartridge is housed in a hollow part of a housing.SOLUTION: The position indicator is provided with: a first resonant circuit including a first housing having a side peripheral surface provided with an opening for an operation part for pressing a side switch during operation, a first coil provided in a position indicator cartridge provided in the first housing and wound around a magnetic core disposed at one end side in the axial direction of the position indicator cartridge, and a first capacitor; a second coil provided outside the position indicator cartridge independently of the position indicator cartridge and located at a position magnetically coupled to the first coil of the position indicator cartridge; and a circuit board provided in the first housing at a position covering the range of the opening and having both ends of the second coil extended.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electromagnetic induction type position indicator in which a position indicator cartridge is housed in a hollow portion of a housing.

Background Art

[0002] Due to the recent trend of miniaturization, there is an increasing demand for further miniaturization of portable electronic devices. As an input device for this type of small portable electronic device, a position detection sensor mounted on the electronic device and a position indicator such as an electronic pen that performs position indication by interacting with the position detection sensor are used.

[0003] This type of position indicator is required to be thinner in accordance with the miniaturization of electronic devices. Recently, position indicators such as electronic pens have been regarded as an extension of stationery, and there has also been a demand to modularize their internal configuration so that they can be handled in the same way as a refill (refill or cartridge) of a ballpoint pen.

[0004] Against this background, a position indicator has been provided in which the internal configuration of the position indicator is modularized and can be handled as a cartridge component (see, for example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent No. 5869193)). Hereinafter, in this specification, a position indicator in which the internal component parts of the position indicator are modularized and integrated and configured to be replaceable like a refill of a ballpoint pen will be referred to as a position indicator cartridge.

[0005] The position indicator cartridge disclosed in Patent Document 1 is of an electromagnetic induction type, and a magnetic core around which a coil is wound is provided on the tip side that interacts with the position detection sensor. Inside a cylindrical body coupled to the magnetic core, a circuit board is provided on which a capacitor for connecting to the coil to form a resonance circuit is disposed.

[0006] In Patent Document 1, an opening is provided on one end side in the axial direction at the tip side of the cartridge for the position indicator in the housing of the position indicator, and a knock-type mechanism portion is provided that allows the tip portion of the cartridge for the position indicator to protrude and retract through the opening.

[0007] According to this position indicator, by making the magnetic core and the cylindrical body portion that make up the cartridge for the position indicator thinner, the entire cartridge for the position indicator can be made thinner, and the position indicator can be made thinner. And the cartridge for the position indicator can be made compatible with the refill of a commercially available ballpoint pen.

[0008] Also, since the cartridge for the position indicator is housed in the housing of the position indicator, the configuration of the position indicator can be simplified, and the cartridge for the position indicator can be made replaceable, which is convenient.

[0009] By the way, this type of position indicator generally includes a switch called a side switch that is turned on and off, for example, by pressing an operation portion that is operably exposed from the side circumferential surface of a cylindrical housing. The on / off operation of this side switch is set in association with a predetermined function such as a function corresponding to a click operation of a mouse pointer in an electronic device equipped with a position detection device. The user can appropriately instruct the electronic device of the above-mentioned predetermined function by turning on and off the side switch on the position indicator.

[0010] In an electromagnetic induction type position indicator, as described in Patent Document 2 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2018-018149), for a resonance circuit composed of a coil wound around a magnetic core and a capacitor, by configuring to connect another capacitor via a side switch, the resonance frequency of the resonance circuit is changed, and thereby, the on / off of the side switch is configured to be transmitted to the electronic device side equipped with a position detection device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Document

[0011]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0012] As disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 2, in a conventional electromagnetic induction type position indicator, the connection of another capacitor to a resonance circuit composed of a coil wound around a magnetic core and a capacitor is controlled by turning on and off a side switch, thereby changing the resonance frequency of the resonance circuit. Accordingly, the on and off states of the side switch are configured to be transmitted to the position detection device side.

[0013] For this reason, in a position indicator configured to house a position indicator cartridge as described above in a housing, when trying to provide a side switch, there were the following problems.

[0014] That is, since the resonance circuit is configured on a circuit board in the position indicator cartridge, conventionally, it has been necessary to dispose the side switch inside the position indicator cartridge. On the other hand, an operation unit for turning on and off the side switch needs to be provided by providing an opening in the housing of the position indicator and exposing it to the outside. Therefore, when using the conventional method, an opening for pushing an operating element of the operation unit exposed to the outside of the housing of the position indicator into the housing of the position indicator cartridge to turn on and off the side switch needs to be provided in the housing of the position indicator cartridge.

[0015] However, when an opening is provided in the housing of the thin-type position indicator cartridge, there is a problem that the strength is reduced. Further, when an opening is provided in the housing of the position indicator cartridge, there is also a problem that it becomes difficult to make the position indicator cartridge waterproof.

[0016] In addition, alignment between a switch inside the housing of the position indicator cartridge and an operation unit exposed outside the housing of the position indicator is indispensable, which complicates the configuration and makes the manufacture of the position indicator laborious.

[0017] An object of the present invention is to provide a position indicator capable of solving the above problems.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0018] To solve the above problems, a position indicator using an electromagnetic induction method, a first housing having a side surface with an opening for an operation unit for pressing a side switch during operation; a first resonance circuit including a first coil wound around a magnetic core provided in a position indicator cartridge provided in the first housing and arranged on one end side in the axial direction of the position indicator cartridge, and a first capacitor; a second coil provided outside the position indicator cartridge, independently of the position indicator cartridge, at a position magnetically coupled to the first coil of the position indicator cartridge; a circuit board provided in the first housing at a position covering the range of the opening, with both ends of the second coil extended; A position indicator characterized by comprising the above is provided.

[0019] In the position indicator having the above configuration, a position indicator cartridge including a first resonance circuit composed of a first coil wound around a magnetic core and a first capacitor is housed in a hollow portion of the first housing. And in the position indicator, a second coil is provided outside the position indicator cartridge, independently of the position indicator cartridge, at a position where it can be magnetically coupled to the first coil wound around the magnetic core of the position indicator cartridge.

[0020] In addition, an opening for an operation portion that presses a side switch is provided on the side circumferential surface of the first housing of the position indicator, and a circuit board with both ends of the second coil extended is provided at a position covering the range of the opening within the first housing.

[0021] When no current flows through the second coil, the mutual induction effect between the first coil and the second coil does not occur, so the resonance frequency of the first resonance circuit is the resonance frequency determined by the first coil and the first capacitor.

[0022] When current starts to flow through the second coil, a mutual induction effect occurs between the first coil and the second coil. As a result, the inductance of the first resonance circuit changes, and its resonance frequency also changes. Therefore, by turning the side switch on and off through an operation on the operation portion to turn the current flowing through the second coil on and off, on the position detection device side, the operation state of the side switch can be detected based on the change in the frequency of the received signal from the position indicator.

[0023] In the position indicator with this configuration, the side switch controls the current flowing through a second coil provided independently of the position indicator cartridge outside the position indicator cartridge and is not a component of the first resonance circuit of the position indicator cartridge. Therefore, it is not necessary to configure the operation portion to mechanically interact with the position indicator cartridge, and it can be configured independently of the position indicator. And since the second coil only needs to be provided in a state where it can be magnetically coupled with the first coil of the position indicator cartridge, there is no need to make any changes to the position indicator cartridge.

[0024] Therefore, according to the position indicator with the above configuration, in the position indicator for storing the position indicator cartridge in the housing, even when the position indicator cartridge is configured to be replaceable or the tip is configured to be able to protrude and retract from the opening of the housing of the position indicator by a knock-type mechanism unit, it is possible to provide a side switch. That is, according to the position indicator with the above configuration, even if a side switch is not provided in the position indicator cartridge, the function of the side switch can be provided.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0025]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0026] Hereinafter, several embodiments of the position indicator according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0027] [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a first embodiment of the position indicator according to the present invention, and in this example, the position indicator is an electromagnetic induction type electronic pen. In the electronic pen 1 of this first embodiment, an electronic pen main body 3, which is an example of a cartridge for a position indicator, is housed in a hollow portion 2a of a cylindrical housing 2, and a knock-type mechanism portion 4 allows the pen tip side of the electronic pen main body 3 to be inserted and removed from an opening 2b at one end in the longitudinal direction of the housing (electronic pen housing) 2. In this embodiment, the electronic pen main body 3 is configured to be replaceable and is detachable from the housing 2.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 2 of the electronic pen 1 in this example is configured by screwing a pen tip sleeve portion 22 into a housing cylindrical portion 21. The pen tip sleeve portion 22 has a tapered shape that tapers towards the pen tip, and the opening 2b on the pen tip side of the housing 2 is provided at the tip of this pen tip sleeve portion 22.

[0029] FIG. 1(A) shows a state in which the entire electronic pen main body 3 is housed in the hollow portion 2a of the housing 2, and FIG. 1(B) shows a state in which the pen tip side of the electronic pen main body 3 protrudes from the opening 2b of the housing 2 by the knock-type mechanism portion 4. In the example of FIG. 1, it is shown by a cross-section in which the housing 2 of the electronic pen 1 is broken, showing a state in which the inside of the housing 2 can be seen.

[0030] The electronic pen 1 of this embodiment is configured to be compatible with a commercially available click-type ballpoint pen. The housing 2 and the click-type mechanism unit 4, which is an example of the click-type mechanism unit provided in the housing 2, have the same configuration as a well-known commercially available click-type ballpoint pen and are also configured to have the same dimensional relationships.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the electronic pen main body 3 in comparison with a refill of a commercially available click-type ballpoint pen. That is, FIG. 2(A) shows the refill 6 of a commercially available click-type ballpoint pen, and FIG. 2(B) shows a configuration example of the electronic pen main body 3 of this embodiment.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2(A), the refill 6 of a commercially available click-type ballpoint pen has a well-known configuration in which a pen tip portion 61 having a ball disposed at the tip and an ink storage portion 62 are joined and integrated at a joint portion 63. The joint portion 63 has the same diameter as the ink storage portion 62.

[0033] On the other hand, in the electronic pen main body 3 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2(B), a magnetic core around which a coil 31 is wound, in this example, a ferrite core 32, is joined to a cylindrical body portion 33. Then, a core body 34 is inserted through a through hole (not shown in FIG. 2) of the ferrite core 32 and is fitted into a pen pressure detection portion 35 provided in the cylindrical body portion 33 and is provided as a part of the electronic pen main body 3. As shown in FIG. 2, one end portion 34a (hereinafter referred to as the tip end portion 34a) of the core body 34 protrudes from the ferrite core 32 as a pen tip, and the other end portion is fitted into the pen pressure detection portion 35.

[0034] The pen pressure detection portion 35 is configured as a variable capacitance capacitor whose capacitance changes according to the pen pressure, using a well-known pen pressure detection means described in, for example, Patent Document: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-186803. Note that the pen pressure detection portion 35 can also be configured using a semiconductor element that varies the capacitance according to the pen pressure, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-161307.

[0035] Inside the cylindrical body portion 33, a printed circuit board 36 is further housed. On this printed circuit board 36, a capacitor 37 that is connected in parallel to the coil 31 to form a resonant circuit is provided. And the variable capacitance capacitor constituted by the pen pressure detection unit 35 is connected in parallel to the capacitor 37 formed on this printed circuit board 36 so as to constitute a part of the resonant circuit (see FIG. 4 described later).

[0036] The core body 34 is inserted through the through-hole of the ferrite core 32 and fitted to the pen pressure detection unit 35 inside the cylindrical body portion 33. The core body 34 is made replaceable.

[0037] In the case of this example, as shown in FIGS. 2(A) and 2(B), the dimension on the pen tip side of the electronic pen main body portion 3 is configured to be substantially equal to the dimension on the pen tip side of the refill 6 of the ballpoint pen.

[0038] By fitting the cylindrical body portion 33 of the electronic pen main body portion 3 having the above configuration to the knock-type mechanism portion 4, it can be housed in the housing 2. And in the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment, when the user uses it together with the position detection device, the end portion 42a of the knock bar 42 is pressed. Then, in the electronic pen 1, as shown in FIG. 1(B), a part of the non-wound portion of the coil of the ferrite core 32 and the tip portion 34a of the core body 34 protrude from the opening 2b of the housing 2. The user of the electronic pen 1 performs an input operation of the instruction position on the sensor of the position detection device in this state.

[0039] When the use of the electronic pen 1 is finished, by pressing the end portion 42a of the knock bar 42 again, as shown in FIG. 1(A), the entire electronic pen main body portion 3 can be in a state of being housed in the hollow portion 2a of the housing 2. At this time, the entire electronic pen main body portion 3 is housed in the hollow portion 2a of the housing 2, and the tip portion 34a of the core body 34 of the electronic pen main body portion 3 is in a state of being protected by the housing 2.

[0040] Then, as shown in FIG. 1, within the hollow portion 2a of the housing 2 of the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment, a circuit board 8 provided with a side switch 7 is disposed so as not to interfere with the axial movement within the hollow portion 2a of the housing 2 of the electronic pen main body portion 3.

[0041] Further, in the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment, by turning on the side switch 7, a coil 9 that can be magnetically coupled so as to mutually inductively couple with the coil 31 of the resonance circuit of the electronic pen main body portion 3 is provided on the pen tip side of the hollow portion 2a of the housing 2 as a member for shifting the resonance frequency of the resonance circuit of the electronic pen main body portion 3.

[0042] FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view for explaining the configuration near the pen tip side of the electronic pen 1 and the position where the side switch 7 is provided. Referring also to this FIG. 3, the arrangement positions and configurations of the side switch 7, the circuit board 8, and the coil 9 will be further described.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, inside the pen tip side of the housing cylindrical portion 21 of the housing 2 of the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment, a coil holding portion 10 around which the coil 9 is wound is mounted. The coil holding portion 10 includes a cylindrical portion 10a having a through hole through which the electronic pen main body portion 3 can be inserted, and the coil 9 is wound around the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 10a.

[0044] Then, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, on the side opposite to the pen tip side of the cylindrical portion 10a of the coil holding portion 10, a flange portion 10b that projects in a ring shape is formed, and by joining this flange portion 10b to the inner wall surface of the housing cylindrical portion 21 of the housing 2, the coil 9 is disposed on the pen tip side of the housing cylindrical portion 21. A part of the cylindrical portion 10a of the coil holding portion 10 protrudes outside the housing cylindrical portion 21. Then, the pen tip sleeve portion 22 is screwed and coupled to the housing cylindrical portion 21 in a state where the cylindrical portion 10a of the coil holding portion 10 is housed within the hollow portion of the pen tip sleeve portion 22, whereby the coil 9 is disposed within the housing 2.

[0045] In this case, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the coil 31 at the tip of the electronic pen main body 3 is moved in the axial direction so as to protrude from the opening 2b of the housing 2 by being inserted through the through hole of the cylindrical portion 10a of the coil holding portion 10 by the knock-type mechanism portion 4. Even when it moves, the coil 31 of the resonance circuit of the electronic pen main body 3 and the coil 9 are configured to always maintain a magnetically coupled positional relationship.

[0046] That is, in this example, as shown in FIG. 1(B), even in the usage state of the electronic pen 1 in which the tip of the electronic pen main body 3 protrudes from the opening 2b of the housing 2 to the outside, at least a part (most in this example) of the coil 31 is configured to be present within the through hole of the cylindrical portion 10a of the coil holding portion 10.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, an opening 2c for the operation portion 11 for pressing the side switch 7 is formed at a position in the middle in the axial direction on the side circumferential surface of the housing cylindrical portion 21 of the housing 2. The circuit board 8 is provided at a position covering the range where the opening 2c exists on the inner wall surface of the housing cylindrical portion 21 of the housing 2. As shown in FIG. 3, in this example, the circuit board 8 is adhered to the inner wall surface of the housing cylindrical portion 21 of the housing 2 via adhesive members 8a and 8b such as double-sided tape, for example, and is arranged so as not to interfere with the axial movement of the electronic pen main body 3 within the housing cylindrical portion 21. The side switch 7 is arranged on the circuit board 8 so as to face the outside from this opening 2c as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The operation portion 11 is composed of an elastic member such as a rubber member and can be elastically restored with respect to the pressing operation.

[0048] Then, as shown in FIG. 3, both ends 9a and 9b of the coil 9 are extended to the circuit board 8 and soldered to the conductor pattern of the circuit board 8, for example. In this embodiment, a capacitor 12 that is connected to the coil 9 to form a resonance circuit is provided on the circuit board 8. In this case, when the side switch 7 is turned on, the resonance circuit is configured to be formed as a closed circuit in which the capacitor 12 is connected in parallel to the coil 9.

[0049] [Circuit configuration example] FIG. 4 shows a circuit configuration example of the electronic pen 1 as the position indicator of this first embodiment, and also shows a circuit configuration example of the position detection device 200 that performs position detection by electromagnetic inductive coupling with the electronic pen 1.

[0050] That is, the electronic pen 1 includes, as the circuit configuration of the electronic pen main body 3, a first resonance circuit RC1 configured by connecting a coil 31, a capacitor 37, and a variable capacitor Cv composed of a pen pressure detection unit 35 in parallel. Further, on the circuit board 8 of the electronic pen 1, one end of a coil 9 provided in the housing 2 and one end of a capacitor 12 are connected, and a side switch 7 is connected between the other end of the coil 9 and the other end of the capacitor 12. When the side switch 7 is turned on, the other end of the coil 9 and the other end of the capacitor are connected to form a closed circuit. This closed circuit becomes a second resonance circuit RC2 composed of the coil 9 and the capacitor 12.

[0051] In the electronic pen 1, when the side switch 7 is off, the second resonance circuit RC2 is not formed, and a closed circuit for flowing current through the coil 9 is not formed. At this time, since no mutual induction action occurs between the coil 31 of the first resonance circuit RC1 of the electronic pen main body 3 of the electronic pen 1 and the coil 9 of the second resonance circuit RC2, the resonance frequency of the resonance circuit RC1 of the electronic pen main body 3 of the electronic pen 1 is the frequency f1 determined by the coil 31, the capacitor 37, and the variable capacitor Cv.

[0052] On the other hand, in the electronic pen 1, when the operation unit 11 is operated by the user and the side switch 7 is turned on, a resonance circuit RC2 composed of the coil 9 and the capacitor 12 is generated, and a closed circuit for flowing current through the coil 9 is formed. Then, a mutual induction action occurs between the coil 31 of the first resonance circuit RC1 of the electronic pen main body 3 of the electronic pen 1 and the coil 9 of the second resonance circuit RC2. Therefore, the resonance frequency of the resonance circuit RC1 of the electronic pen main body 3 of the electronic pen 1 becomes a frequency f2 different from the frequency f1.

[0053] On the one hand, the position detection device 200 is configured to include a position detection sensor 201 and a position detection circuit 202. The position detection sensor 201 is formed by laminating an X-axis direction loop coil group 201X and a Y-axis direction loop coil group 201Y.

[0054] The position detection circuit 202 includes an oscillator 204, a current driver 205, a selection circuit 206, a switching connection circuit 207, a receiving amplifier 208, a position detection circuit 209, a pen pressure detection circuit 210, a side switch operation detection circuit 211, and a control unit 212. The control unit 212 is constituted by a microprocessor. The control unit 212 controls the selection of loop coils in the selection circuit 206 and the switching of the switching connection circuit 207, and also controls the processing timing in the position detection circuit 209 and the pen pressure detection circuit 210.

[0055] Then, the X-axis direction loop coil group 201X and the Y-axis direction loop coil group 201Y of the position detection sensor 201 are connected to the selection circuit 206. The selection circuit 206 sequentially selects one loop coil from the two loop coil groups 201X and 201Y. The oscillator 204 generates an alternating current signal with a frequency f0. The oscillator 204 supplies the generated alternating current signal to the current driver 205 and the pen pressure detection circuit 210. The current driver 205 converts the alternating current signal supplied from the oscillator 204 into a current and sends it to the switching connection circuit 207.

[0056] The switching connection circuit 207 switches the connection destinations (transmission side terminal T, reception side terminal R) to which the loop coil selected by the selection circuit 206 is connected under the control from the control unit 212. Among these connection destinations, the current driver 205 is connected to the transmission side terminal T, and the receiving amplifier 208 is connected to the reception side terminal R, respectively. When transmitting a signal from the position detection sensor 201, the switching connection circuit 207 is switched to the T side terminal. Conversely, when the position detection sensor 201 receives a signal from the outside, the switching connection circuit 207 is switched to the R side terminal.

[0057] When the switching connection circuit 207 is switched to the terminal T side, the current from the current driver 205 is supplied to the loop coil selected by the selection circuit 206. As a result, a magnetic field is generated in the selected loop coil, and a signal (radio wave) can be transmitted to act on the first resonance circuit RC1 of the electronic pen body 3 of the electronic pen 1 opposing this magnetic field.

[0058] On the other hand, when the switching connection circuit 207 is switched to the terminal R side, the induced voltage generated in the loop coil selected by the selection circuit 206 is sent to the receiving amplifier 208 via the selection circuit 206 and the switching connection circuit 207. The receiving amplifier 208 amplifies the induced voltage supplied from the loop coil and sends it to the position detection circuit 209, the pen pressure detection circuit 210, and the side switch operation detection circuit 211.

[0059] That is, an induced voltage is generated in each loop coil of the X-axis direction loop coil group 201X and the Y-axis direction loop coil group 201Y by the radio wave transmitted (fed back) from the first resonance circuit RC1 of the electronic pen body 3 of the electronic pen 1.

[0060] The position detection circuit 209 detects the induced voltage generated in the loop coil, that is, the received signal, for the component of the resonance frequency of the first resonance circuit RC1 of the electronic pen body 3 of the electronic pen 1, converts the detected output signal into a digital signal, and outputs it to the control unit 212.

[0061] Based on the digital signal for the resonance frequency component from the position detection circuit 209, that is, based on each of the voltage value levels of the induced voltages generated in the respective loop coils, the control unit 212 calculates the coordinate values of the indicated positions in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction of the tip 34a of the electronic pen body 3 of the electronic pen 1.

[0062] The pen pressure detection circuit 210 synchronously detects the received signal from the receiving amplifier 208 with the AC signal from the oscillator 204, and detects the pen pressure applied to the tip 34a of the electronic pen body 3 of the electronic pen 1 based on the frequency displacement (phase difference) between the two signals.

[0063] Based on the frequency of the output signal from the receiving amplifier 208, the side switch operation detection circuit 211 detects the resonance frequency of the first resonance circuit RC1 of the electronic pen body 3 of the electronic pen 1, and detects whether the detected frequency is the resonance frequency when the side switch 7 is off or the resonance frequency when it is on, and outputs the detection result to the control unit 212. Based on the output of this side switch operation detection circuit 211, the control unit 212 is configured to detect whether the side switch 7 is turned on or not.

[0064] The control unit 212 transmits the detected coordinate values of the indicated position by the electronic pen 1, the pen pressure value, and the information on the detection result of the on / off state of the side switch 7 to the information processing unit (host computer) provided in the electronic device equipped with the position detection device.

[0065] As described above, in the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment, separately from the electronic pen body 3, a second coil is provided at a position magnetically coupled to the coil 31 of the first resonance circuit of the electronic pen body 3, and the on / off state of the side switch provided on the housing 2 of the electronic pen 1 is used to turn on / off a closed circuit composed of the second coil and the second capacitor, which is configured as a second resonance circuit. Thus, according to the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment, it is not necessary to configure the resonance circuit (first resonance circuit) of the electronic pen body 3 to have two types of resonance frequencies or to provide a side switch on the electronic pen body 3. The electronic pen body 3 can be used as it is without adding any processing to provide an opening.

[0066] Therefore, according to the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment, even when the electronic pen body 3 is moved in the axial direction by the knock-type mechanism unit 4, it can have the function of a side switch with a relatively simple configuration.

[0067] [Second Embodiment] In the electronic pen 1 as an example of the position indicator of the above-described first embodiment, the second coil that changes the resonance frequency of the first resonance circuit of the electronic pen main body as an example of the position indicator cartridge by turning on the side switch is provided inside the housing 2 of the electronic pen 1. However, it can also be provided outside the housing 2 of the electronic pen 1.

[0068] Similar to the first embodiment, the position indicator of the second embodiment is a case where the position indicator is an electronic pen, and an electronic pen main body 3 as an example of a position indicator cartridge is housed in the hollow portion of the housing so that it can protrude and retract from the opening at the tip of the housing by a knock-type mechanism portion 4. This is a case where the second coil is configured to be provided outside the housing of the electronic pen.

[0069] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an electronic pen 1A as an example of the position indicator of this second embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 1(A) of the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment. In the electronic pen 1A of the second embodiment shown in this FIG. 5, the same parts as those of the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0070] In this example, the housing 2A of the electronic pen 1A of this second embodiment is not separated into a housing cylindrical portion 21 and a pen tip sleeve portion 22, but is composed of a single cylindrical member, and has an opening 1Ab on the pen tip side and an opening 2Ac on the rear end side. In the housing 2A of the electronic pen 1A of this second embodiment, the electronic pen main body 3 is housed in the hollow portion 2Aa of the housing 2A, and the tip portion 34a side of the core 34 of the electronic pen main body 3 is configured to protrude and retract from the opening 2Ab by the knock-type mechanism portion 4.

[0071] In the electronic pen 1A of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a coil 9A is provided in a positional relationship magnetically coupled to the coil 31 wound around the ferrite core 32 at the tip of the electronic pen main body 3 on the outer peripheral portion on the pen tip side of the housing 2A.

[0072] Also, an opening 2Ac for the operation unit 11 for pressing the side switch 7 is formed at a position in the middle in the axial direction on the side circumferential surface of the housing 2A. Further, a circuit board 8 is adhered and disposed by an adhesive member (not shown) such as double-sided tape at a position on the inner wall surface of the housing 2A that covers the range where the opening 2Ac exists so as not to interfere with the axial movement of the housing cylindrical portion 21 of the electronic pen main body portion 3 within the housing 2A. As shown in FIG. 5, the side switch 7 is disposed on the circuit board 8 in a state facing the outside through the opening 2Ac.

[0073] Both ends 9Aa and 9Ab of the coil 9A are introduced into the hollow portion 2Aa of the housing 2A through a through hole (not shown), and are connected to a capacitor 12 (not shown in FIG. 5) through the side switch 7 of the circuit board 8 in the same manner as the coil 9 of the first embodiment. When the side switch 7 is turned on, it is configured to form a resonance circuit composed of the coil 9A and the capacitor 12.

[0074] According to the electronic pen 1A of the second embodiment, except that the coil 9A magnetically coupled to the coil 31 of the resonance circuit of the electronic pen main body portion 3 is provided outside the housing 2A of the electronic pen 1A, it can perform exactly the same operation as the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment and exhibit the same effects.

[0075] Note that the housing 2A of the electronic pen 1A of the second embodiment described above has a configuration of a single cylindrical body in the above example. However, the housing 2A may be divided into two parts on the more rear end side than the part where the opening 2Ac for the operation unit 11 for pressing the side switch 7 of the housing 2A is provided, and the two parts may be configured to be coupled by, for example, screwing or press-fitting. In such a case where the housing 2A is divided into two parts and configured to be separable, the electronic pen main body portion 3 can be easily replaced.

[0076] [Third Embodiment] The third embodiment of the position indicator according to the present invention is a modification of the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment. In the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment described above, only one electronic pen main body 3 is housed in the housing 2. In this third embodiment, a plurality of electronic pen main bodies are housed in the housing, and a single one of the plurality of electronic pen main bodies is selected by a knock-type mechanism unit, and the tip of the pen tip portion of the selected electronic pen main body is configured to be able to protrude from the opening on the pen tip side of the housing and be used.

[0077] As described above, the electronic pen main body 3 of the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment is configured to be compatible with the refill 6 of a ballpoint pen. Among commercially available ballpoint pens, there are multi-color ballpoint pens with refills of different ink colors. This third embodiment provides an electronic pen configured by housing the electronic pen main body 3 in a housing having the same configuration as the housing of this multi-color ballpoint pen.

[0078] FIG. 6(A) is a configuration diagram showing the appearance of the electronic pen 1M of this third embodiment. The housing 2M of the electronic pen 1M has the same configuration as the housing and knock-type mechanism unit of a commercially available knock-type multi-color ballpoint pen. In this housing 2M, in this example, three electronic pen main bodies 3B, 3R, and 3E are housed.

[0079] These electronic pen main bodies 3B, 3R, and 3E are configured in the same manner as the electronic pen main body 3 of the first embodiment, except that they are configured to have the same dimensions as the refills of a multi-color ballpoint pen. On the tip side, each is provided with a coil 31 wound around a ferrite core 32, and in the cylindrical body portion 33, a capacitor 37 that constitutes a resonance circuit together with the coil 31 and a pen pressure detection unit 35 are provided.

[0080] However, in the case of the electronic pen main bodies 3B, 3R, and 3E of this third embodiment, in the cylindrical body portion 33 where electronic circuit components are disposed, a control unit and its peripheral circuits for realizing the function of transmitting its own identification information (hereinafter referred to as ID information) to the position detection device are provided. An example of the electronic circuit of the electronic pen main bodies 3B, 3R, and 3E will be described later.

[0081] In the knock-type mechanism part of the electronic pen 1M, knock rods 42B, 42R, and 42E into which the respective electronic pen main body parts 3B, 3R, and 3E are fitted are provided. Then, when any one of the knock rods 42B, 42R, and 42E is slid toward the pen tip side, the tip part 34a of the core body 34 of any one of the electronic pen main body parts 3B, 3R, and 3E and a part of the ferrite core 32 protrude so as to perform electromagnetic induction coupling with the sensor of the position detection device.

[0082] And in the case of this embodiment, the position detection device used together with the electronic pen main body parts 3B, 3R, and 3E has a function of receiving and discriminating the ID information transmitted from each of the electronic pen main body parts 3B, 3R, and 3E. That is, the position detection device in the case of this embodiment discriminates the differences between the electronic pen main body parts 3B, 3R, and 3E based on the ID information, and realizes the functions assigned to each of the electronic pen main body parts 3B, 3R, and 3E.

[0083] In the example described below, for example, the electronic pen main body part 3B is assigned a function of representing the locus (characters or figures) displayed according to the indicated position in black, the electronic pen main body part 3R is assigned a function of representing the locus displayed according to the indicated position in red, and the electronic pen main body part 3E is assigned a function of erasing the locus that was previously indicated and input according to the indicated position. The functions assigned to the electronic pen main body part are not limited to only the display color of the locus according to the indicated position as in this example, and various functions are possible, such as the thickness of the locus, and the type of line to be displayed, such as a solid line, a dotted line, or a dashed line.

[0084] FIG. 6(B) shows an example of the electronic circuit configuration of one of the electronic pen main body parts 3B, 3R, and 3E, here, the electronic pen main body part 3B. Needless to say, the other electronic pen main body parts 3R and 3E have the same circuit configuration and perform the same operations.

[0085] As shown in Fig. 6(B), the electronic pen main body 3B includes, similar to the electronic pen main body 3 of the first embodiment, a first resonance circuit RC1 in which a variable capacitance capacitor Cv of a capacitor 37 and a pen pressure detection unit 35 provided in a cylindrical body 33 is connected in parallel to a coil 31, and includes a control unit 300 made of, for example, an IC (Integrated Circuit), a rectifier circuit 301, and a switch circuit 302.

[0086] The rectifier circuit 301 rectifies an AC signal received from the position detection device by electromagnetic induction coupling in the first resonance circuit RC1 to generate a power supply voltage Vcc and supplies it to the control unit 300.

[0087] The switch circuit 302 is connected in parallel to the coil 31 of the first resonance circuit RC1 and is configured to be turned on and off by the control unit 300.

[0088] In this example, the control unit 300 stores ID information composed of, for example, an 8-bit digital signal including information such as the manufacturer number, product number, and type of the above-described functions of the electronic pen main body 3B in a built-in memory 300M. Then, the control unit 300 turns on and off the switch circuit 302 so that when the value of each bit of the ID information stored in the memory 300M is, for example, "0", the switch circuit 302 is turned off, and when it is "1", the switch circuit 302 is turned on, thereby interrupting the AC signal received from the position detection device to generate an ASK (Amplitude Shift Keying) signal and transmitting the ID information to the position detection device.

[0089] In the electronic pen 1M of the third embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6(A), a second coil 9M is provided on the pen tip side of the hollow portion of the housing 2A so as to cover all the tips of the three electronic pen main bodies 3B, 3R, and 3E and cover the periphery thereof. That is, in the example of Fig. 6(A), one second coil 9M common to the three electronic pen main bodies 3B, 3R, and 3E is provided on the pen tip side of the hollow portion of the housing 2M in a state of being magnetically coupled to the respective coils 31 of the electronic pen main bodies 3B, 3R, and 3E.

[0090] And, at a position around the middle in the axial direction on the side peripheral surface of the housing 2M, an opening (not shown in FIG. 6) is formed, and on the inner wall surface of the housing 2M, at a position covering the range where this opening exists, a circuit board 8M is adhered and disposed by an adhesive member such as double-sided tape so as not to interfere with the axial movement of the three electronic pen main body parts 3B, 3R, 3E of the electronic pen 1M within the housing 2M of the electronic pen 1M. And, on the circuit board 8M, a side switch 7M is provided as desired from the opening on the side peripheral surface of the housing 2M, and an operation part 11M for pressing down this side switch 7M is disposed so as to protrude to the outside from the opening on the side peripheral surface of the housing 2M.

[0091] And, on the circuit board 8M, as shown in FIG. 6(B), when the side switch 7M is turned on, a capacitor 12M (not shown in FIG. 6(A)) connected so as to constitute a coil 9M and a second resonance circuit RC2M is disposed.

[0092] In the position detection device that electromagnetically inductively couples with the electronic pen 1M of this third embodiment, similar to the position detection device 200 corresponding to the electronic pen 1 of the aforementioned first embodiment, it has the functions of a position detection circuit 209, a pen pressure detection circuit 210, and a side switch operation detection circuit 211, and further has a function of detecting ID information from each of the electronic pen main body parts 3B, 3R, 3E of the electronic pen 1M.

[0093] And, in this third embodiment, in the position detection device, for each of the three electronic pen main body parts 3B, 3R, 3E of the electronic pen 1M, a function corresponding to the operation of the side switch 7M can be set, and each function is stored corresponding to the ID information. Therefore, in the position detection device, the function of the side switch can be set to the same function for all of the three electronic pen main body parts 3B, 3R, 3E of the electronic pen 1M, or different separate functions can be assigned and set for each of the three electronic pen main body parts 3B, 3R, 3E.

[0094] In the electronic pen 1M of this third embodiment, by performing a knocking operation (sliding movement operation) in the axial direction on any one of the knocking rods 42B, 42R, and 42E of the knocking mechanism unit, the pen tip of any one of the electronic pen main body parts 3B, 3R, and 3E fitted to the knocked knocking rod can be projected from the opening 2Ma of the housing 2M, and a state in which electromagnetic coupling with the position detection device is possible can be achieved. In the following description, an electronic pen main body part in a state where the pen tip is projected from the opening 2Ma of the housing 2M and electromagnetic coupling with the position detection device is possible is referred to as a selected electronic pen main body part.

[0095] In the position detection device in the third embodiment, based on the electromagnetic induction coupling between the first resonance circuit RC1 of the selected electronic pen main body part whose pen tip protrudes from the opening 2Ma and the position detection sensor, the position indicated by the pen tip is detected, and the pen pressure value applied to the pen tip is detected. Further, in the position detection device, based on the ID information included in the signal from the selected electronic pen main body part, it is determined which of the electronic pen main body parts 3B, 3R, and 3E the selected electronic pen main body part is.

[0096] Then, in the electronic pen 1M, when the operation unit 11M is operated by the user, as shown in FIG. 6(B), when the side switch 7M is turned on, the second resonance circuit RC2M is generated as a closed circuit. As a result, the resonance frequency of the first resonance circuit RC1 of the selected electronic pen main body part changes, and the position detection device detects this frequency change to detect that the side switch 7M has been turned on. Then, the position detection device determines the corresponding function of the side switch 7M set and stored corresponding to the ID information corresponding to the selected electronic pen main body part, and transmits the information on the corresponding function to the host computer, for example, through the wireless communication unit.

[0097] As described above, in the electronic pen 1M of the third embodiment, in the case where any one of the pen tips of the three electronic pen main body parts 3B, 3R, and 3E can be projected from the opening 2Ma of the housing 2M by the knock-type mechanism part, the function of the side switch for each of the three electronic pen main body parts 3B, 3R, and 3E can be realized without modifying the electronic pen main body parts 3B, 3R, and 3E.

[0098] In this case, as a member for realizing the function of the side switch, the housing 2M may be configured to be provided with a side switch, an operation part, and a coil for each of the three electronic pen main body parts 3B, 3R, and 3E. However, in the above-described third embodiment, since it is configured to be provided with one side switch 7M, one operation part 11M, and one coil 9M shared by the three electronic pen main body parts 3B, 3R, and 3E, the configuration can be simplified as compared with the case where a side switch, an operation part, and a coil are provided for each of the three electronic pen main body parts 3B, 3R, and 3E.

[0099] And in the electronic pen 1M of the above-described third embodiment, since the three electronic pen main body parts 3B, 3R, and 3E each have a function of transmitting ID information for identifying each of them, different corresponding functions can be set for each of the three electronic pen main body parts 3B, 3R, and 3E as a function corresponding to the side switch 7M, which is convenient.

[0100] Note that the method for the position detection device to identify each of the electronic pen main body parts 3B, 3R, and 3E is not limited to the method using ID information as in the above-described third embodiment. For example, the resonance frequencies of the resonance circuits RC1 of the respective electronic pen main body parts 3B, 3R, and 3E may be set to different frequencies, and the position detection device may be configured to identify each of the electronic pen main body parts 3B, 3R, and 3E by detecting the difference in the frequencies received from the respective electronic pen main body parts 3B, 3R, and 3E.

[0101] In the description of the above-described third embodiment, the number of electronic pen main bodies that can be accommodated in one housing is three, but it may be two or four or more.

[0102] Also, in the above-described third embodiment, the housing 2M of the electronic pen 1M has a configuration of a single cylindrical body. However, similar to the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment, it may be separated into a pen tip sleeve portion and a cylindrical main body housing, and configured to be coupled by, for example, screwing or press-fitting. In this way, when the housing 2M is separated into two parts and configured to be separable, each of the electronic pen main bodies 3B, 3R, 3E can be easily replaced.

[0103] In the above-described third embodiment, the second coil 9M constituting the second resonance circuit RC2M is provided in the hollow portion of the housing 2M. However, similar to the electronic pen 1A of the second embodiment described above, it may be provided on the outer peripheral portion on the pen tip side of the housing 2M.

[0104] In that case, the housing 2M may be separated into two parts at a position more on the rear end side than the position where the opening for the operation portion 11M for pressing the side switch 7M is provided, and the two may be configured to be coupled by, for example, screwing or press-fitting.

[0105] [Fourth Embodiment] In the above-described first to third embodiments, the position indicator is an electronic pen. However, the position indicator of the present invention is also applicable to an electromagnetic induction type electronic eraser. The electromagnetic induction type electronic eraser erases the note data (coordinate data) input by position indication with an electromagnetic induction type electronic pen by indicating the position indicated by the electronic pen with the electronic eraser.

[0106] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an electronic eraser 1ER as a fourth embodiment of the position indicator according to the present invention. As shown in the external view of FIG. 7(A), the electronic eraser 1ER includes an erasing portion 13 at one end (front end) in the axial direction of a cylindrical housing 2ER, and an eraser main body portion 3ER is housed as an example of a position indicator cartridge inside the hollow portion of the housing 2ER. In this example, the eraser main body portion 3ER is fitted and fixed to a holding portion 14 attached to the other end (rear end) of the housing 2ER.

[0107] The erasing portion 13 has a circular tip surface 13a and a side peripheral surface 13b extending cylindrically from the outer periphery (outer edge) of the tip surface 13a.

[0108] In this example, the eraser main body portion 3ER has the same configuration as the electronic pen main body portion 3 of the electronic pen 1 of the first embodiment described above. For the same portions as the electronic pen main body portion 3, the same reference numerals are appended with the suffix "ER" to indicate them. That is, the eraser main body portion 3ER is provided with a ferrite core 32ER around which a coil 31ER is wound on the pen tip side, and a core body 34ER is fitted into a pressure detection portion (not shown) in a cylindrical body portion 33ER through a through hole of the ferrite core 32ER. The pressure detection portion has the same configuration as the pen pressure detection portion 35 of the electronic pen main body portion 3.

[0109] FIG. 7(B) is a diagram showing the housing 2ER and the erasing portion 13 of the electronic eraser 1ER cut in half along the axial direction and the front side portion removed therefrom. The erasing portion 13 has a cup shape with a recess 13c, and the end portion on the opening side of the recess 13c has a shape that protrudes outward. When the erasing portion 13 and the holding portion 14 to which the eraser main body portion 3ER is attached are attached to the housing 2ER, the tip end portion 34ERa of the core body 34ER of the eraser main body portion 3ER is made to slightly contact the bottom surface of the inner wall surface of the recess 13c of the erasing portion 13.

[0110] In this case, as shown in Fig. 7(B), there is a portion with a predetermined thickness between the front end surface 13a and the side circumferential surface 13b of the erasing portion 13 and the inner wall surface of the recess 13c. Therefore, in a state where the electronic eraser 1ER is not in use, the tip portion 34ERa of the core 34ER of the eraser main body portion 3ER is held at a position separated from the front end surface 13a and the side circumferential surface 13b of the erasing portion 13 by a predetermined distance.

[0111] And in the electronic eraser 1ER of this embodiment, when the erasing portion 13 is pressed from the outside, it can slide (move in the axial direction) to the inner side of the housing 2ER. Therefore, the pressure applied to the erasing portion 13 is transmitted to the core 34ER of the eraser main body portion 3ER, and the pressure detection portion mounted on the eraser main body portion 3ER can detect the pressure applied to the erasing portion 13. Also, when the pressure applied to the erasing portion 13 is released, the eraser main body portion 3ER pushes back the erasing portion 13, and the erasing portion 13 is configured to return to its original position.

[0112] When the handwriting information input using the electronic pen is displayed as image information on the display screen of the electronic device, the electronic eraser 1ER of this embodiment is configured to erase the handwriting information (coordinate information) of the portion indicated by the position indication by aligning the position indication with the position on the operation surface corresponding to the portion to be erased of the image information.

[0113] In this case, in the electronic eraser 1ER of this embodiment, the electronic eraser 1ER can be tilted, and an erasing instruction can be given by using the corner portion formed by the front end surface 13a and the side circumferential surface 13b, that is, the outer edge portion of the front end surface 13a, as the contact portion with the operation surface.

[0114] In this case, the position detection device sends information on the position and range of the contact portion between the operation surface and the corner of the electronic eraser 1ER to the information processing unit (host computer) of the electronic device. The host computer can display an erasing range centered on the position of the contact portion on the display screen of the image information of the handwritten information, for example, in the form of a circular mark. In this way, when the user gives an erasing instruction at the corner formed by the tip surface 13a and the side peripheral surface 13b of the electronic eraser 1ER, the user can know the erasing instruction position and range, which is convenient. Note that the erasing range centered on the contact portion can be set to a size corresponding to the pressure detected by the pressure detection portion provided in the eraser main body portion 3ER.

[0115] Then, as shown in FIGS. 7(A) and (B), a coil 9ER that is magnetically coupled to the coil 31ER of the eraser main body portion 3ER is wound and provided on the outer peripheral portion of the end portion on the erasing portion 13 side of the housing 2ER of the electronic eraser 1ER configured as described above. The coil 9ER may be provided inside the housing 2ER so as to be magnetically coupled to the coil 31ER of the eraser main body portion 3ER.

[0116] Also, an opening 2ERc is formed at a position in the middle in the axial direction on the side peripheral surface of the housing 2ER of the electronic eraser 1ER, and an operation portion 11ER for pressing the side switch 7ER is provided through this opening 2ERc. A circuit board 8ER is adhered and disposed at a position on the inner wall surface of the housing 2ER that covers the range where this opening 2ERc exists so as not to contact the eraser main body portion 3ER, for example, by an adhesive member such as double-sided tape (not shown). As shown in FIGS. 7(A) and (B), the side switch 7ER faces the outside through the opening 2ERc and is disposed on the circuit board 8ER in a state where it can be pressed by the operation portion 11ER.

[0117] Both ends 9ERa and 9ERb of the coil 9ER are introduced into the hollow portion 2ERa of the housing 2ER through through-holes (not shown), and are connected to a capacitor 12ER (not shown in FIG. 7) through the side switch 7ER of the circuit board 8ER, similar to the coil 9 in the first embodiment. When the side switch 7ER is turned on, it is configured to form a second resonance circuit.

[0118] Therefore, when the operation unit 11ER is pressed and the side switch 7ER is turned on, a second resonance circuit composed of the coil 9ER and the capacitor 12ER is generated, and a closed circuit through which current flows in the coil 9ER is formed. Then, the resonance frequency of the first resonance circuit of the eraser main body 3ER causes a mutual induction effect between the coil 31ER and the coil 9ER of the second resonance circuit. For this reason, the resonance frequency of the first resonance circuit of the eraser main body 3ER becomes a frequency different from the frequency when the side switch is off.

[0119] In the position detection device, in the same manner as described in the above embodiment, the resonance frequency of the first resonance circuit of the eraser main body 3ER of the electronic eraser 1ER is detected, and it is detected whether the detected frequency is the resonance frequency when the side switch 7ER is off or the resonance frequency when it is on, and the detection result is sent to the host computer. The host computer executes the function assigned to the side switch.

[0120] As functions associated with the operation of the side switch 7ER of the electronic eraser 1ER, various functions are possible. For example, the following functions may be used.

[0121] As described above, in the electronic eraser 1ER, the pressure (pressing force) applied to the erasing part 13 can be detected by the pressure detection part of the eraser main body part 3ER, and this detection result can be transmitted by including it in the position indication signal sent as a magnetic field. Therefore, on the side of the electronic device equipped with the position detection device, since the pressure applied to the erasing part 13 can be detected together with the indicated position, it is possible to widen or narrow the erasing range centering on the center position of the erasing indication position (corresponding to the contact part at the corner of the electronic eraser 1ER) according to the detected pressure.

[0122] Therefore, in the electronic eraser 1ER of this example, when the side switch 7ER is off, the erasing range is a narrow range with a certain radius centered on the contact part at the corner of the electronic eraser 1ER, and the pressure detected by the pressure detection part is not reflected in the erasing range. On the other hand, when the side switch 7ER is turned on, the pressure detected by the pressure detection part is reflected in the erasing range. In this case, on the display screen of the electronic device, the erasing range by the electronic eraser 1ER may be displayed as a circle centered on the position of the contact point P to notify the user. In this case, when the side switch 7ER is off, the radius of the circle indicating the erasing range is constant, and when the side switch 7ER is on, the radius of the circle indicating the erasing range is set to a value corresponding to the detected pressure and displayed.

[0123] [Other Embodiments] <Example of Multiple Side Switches> In the position indicator of the above-described embodiment, one side switch is provided and one function is assigned, but two or more side switches may be provided, and different functions may be assigned to each of the plurality of side switches. As an example of the configuration for changing the resonance frequency of the first resonance circuit of the electronic pen main body part or the eraser main body part as an example of the position indicator cartridge in that case, there are various configurations as described below. Hereinafter, an example in the case where there are two side switches will be described.

[0124] First, as for the configuration of the operation unit for pressing each of the two side switches, two side switches are provided on the circuit board, and each of the two side switches is configured to be pressed using an independent operation unit. In this case, the two side switches are arranged at different positions in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the circuit board with the axial direction of the housing of the position indicator that houses the position indicator cartridge as the longitudinal direction. Alternatively, within the hollow portion of the housing of the position indicator, two circuit boards with the axial direction of the housing as the longitudinal direction are provided at angular range positions that do not overlap each other in the inner circumferential surface direction of the housing so as not to overlap each other. Side switches are provided on each of the two circuit boards, and operation units are formed at corresponding positions.

[0125] Also, as described above, instead of providing operation units separately for each of the two side switches, the two side switches can be configured to be turned on and off by a single seesaw operation unit that is provided to be capable of seesaw movement.

[0126] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a main part for explaining an example of a main part of a configuration in which two side switches are turned on and off by a single seesaw operation unit. As shown in FIG. 8, in this example, a long hole opening 2Wd is formed in the middle part along the axial direction of the housing 2W of the position indicator, and a seesaw operation unit 11W that protrudes so that the user can operate is provided from this opening 2Wd. Then, a circuit board 8W is provided inside the opening 2Wd of the housing 2W, and a bearing portion 8Wa for the fulcrum 11Wc of the seesaw movement of the seesaw operation unit 11W is provided on this circuit board 8W.

[0127] Also, as shown in FIG. 8, two side switches 7W1 and 7W2 are provided at different positions in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the circuit board 8W, and these two side switches 7W1 and 7W2 are configured to be turned on and off by a seesaw operation unit 11W that is provided to be capable of seesaw movement. That is, a pressing portion 11Wa for pressing the side switch 7W1 is formed at one end in the longitudinal direction of the seesaw operation unit 11W, and a pressing portion 11Wb for pressing the side switch 7W2 is formed at the other end in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, when the user presses the pressing portion 11Wa as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 8, the side switch 7W1 can be turned on, and when the user presses the pressing portion 11Wb as indicated by the arrow, the side switch 7W2 can be turned on.

[0128] Next, an example of the configuration of a portion for changing the resonance frequency of the first resonance circuit of the electronic pen main body portion or the eraser main body portion as an example of the position indicator cartridge will be described with reference to FIG. 9 in the case of the two side switches 7W1 and 7W2 in the example of FIG. 8.

[0129] FIG. 9(A) is a diagram showing a first example. In this first example, two coils 9W1 and 9W2 are provided as the second coil. The two coils 9W1 and 9W2 may be provided inside the hollow portion of the housing 2W or on the outer peripheral portion of the housing 2W as in the first embodiment. Further, one of the two coils 9W1 and 9W2 may be provided inside the hollow portion of the housing 2W and the other may be provided on the outer peripheral portion of the housing 2W.

[0130] And in the example of FIG. 9(A), two capacitors 12W1 and 12W2 are provided on the circuit board 8W. One end of the coil 9W1 is connected to one end of the capacitor 12W1 via the side switch 7W1, and the other end of the coil 9W1 is connected to the other end of the capacitor 12W1. Also, one end of the coil 9W2 is connected to one end of the capacitor 12W2 via the side switch 7W2, and the other end of the coil 9W2 is connected to the other end of the capacitor 12W2.

[0131] Therefore, when the side switch 7W1 is turned on, a resonance circuit RC21 composed of the coil 9W1 and the capacitor 12W1 is generated, and the resonance frequency of the first resonance circuit of the position indicator cartridge is changed. Also, when the side switch 7W2 is turned on, a resonance circuit RC22 composed of the coil 9W2 and the capacitor 12W2 is generated, and the resonance frequency of the first resonance circuit of the position indicator cartridge is changed.

[0132] In this case, the resonance frequency of the resonance circuit RC21 and the resonance frequency of the resonance circuit RC22 are set to be different from each other. Therefore, the resonance frequency of the first resonance circuit is different when the side switch 7W1 is turned on and when the side switch 7W2 is turned on. On the position detection device side, by detecting the difference in the frequency of the received signal from the position indicator corresponding to the difference in the resonance frequency of this first resonance circuit, it is detected which of the side switch 7W1 and the side switch 7W2 is turned on.

[0133] FIG. 9(B) is a diagram showing a second example. Also in this second example, similar to the first example, two coils 9W1 and 9W2 are provided as the second coil. However, one capacitor 12W is provided on the circuit board 8W. Then, one end of the coil 9W1 and one end of the capacitor 12W are connected via the side switch 7W1, and one end of the coil 9W2 and one end of the capacitor 12W are connected via the side switch 7W2. Also, the other end of the coil 9W1 and the other end of the capacitor 12W are connected, and the other end of the coil 9W2 and the other end of the capacitor 12W are connected.

[0134] That is, the second example is different from the first example in that the capacitor 12W is shared by the coil 9W1 and the coil 9W2, and when the side switch 7W1 is turned on, a resonance circuit RC21' composed of the coil 9W1 and the capacitor 12W is generated, and when the side switch 7W2 is turned on, a resonance circuit RC22' composed of the coil 9W2 and the capacitor 12W is generated.

[0135] Also in this second example, the resonance frequencies of the resonance circuit RS21' and the resonance circuit RC22' are set to be different from each other. Thereby, in the same manner as in the first example, on the position detection device side, it is possible to detect which one of the side switches 7W1 and the side switch 7W2 is turned on.

[0136] FIG. 9(C) is a diagram showing a third example. In this example, one second coil 9W is provided, and two capacitors 12W1 and 12W2 are provided on the circuit board 8W. Then, one end of the coil 9W and one end of the capacitor 12W1 are connected via the side switch 7W1, and one end of the coil 9W and one end of the capacitor 12W2 are connected via the side switch 7W2. Also, the other end of the coil 9W is configured to be connected to the other ends of the capacitor 12W1 and the capacitor 12W2.

[0137] That is, the third example is different from the first and second examples in that for one coil 9W, the capacitors 12W1 and 12W2 are switched by the side switch 7W1 and the side switch 7W2. That is, in the third example, when the side switch 7W1 is turned on, a resonance circuit RC21'' composed of the coil 9W and the capacitor 12W1 is generated, and when the side switch 7W2 is turned on, a resonance circuit RC22'' composed of the coil 9W and the capacitor 12W2 is generated.

[0138] Also in this third example, the resonance frequencies of the resonance circuit RS21'' and the resonance circuit RC22'' are set to be different from each other. Thereby, in the same manner as in the first and second examples, on the position detection device side, it is possible to detect which one of the side switch 7W1 and the side switch 7W2 is turned on.

[0139] Note that the number of side switches is not limited to two, and three or more side switches may be provided to form a second resonance circuit having different resonance frequencies from each other in the same manner as described above, and different functions may be set for each of these three or more side switches.

[0140] <Example where the side switch is provided in a separate housing> Also, in the above-described embodiment, the circuit board including the second coil, the side switch, and further the capacitor constituting the resonance circuit is provided in the housing of the position indicator. However, these may be provided in a housing separate from the housing of the position indicator and configured in a jacket shape, and by covering the housing of the position indicator with this jacket-shaped member (hereinafter referred to as the jacket member), a position indicator having the function of the side switch as described above may be configured.

[0141] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration example in that case, FIG. 10(A) is a diagram showing a configuration example of the jacket member 100, and FIG. 10(B) shows a state in which the jacket member 100 is attached to the electronic pen 1S provided with the knock-type mechanism portion.

[0142] As shown in FIG. 10(B), the electronic pen 1S, similar to the electronic pens 1 and 1A of the first and second embodiments, houses an electronic pen main body portion 3, which is an example of a position indicator cartridge using an electromagnetic induction method, in a hollow portion 2Sa of a housing 2S of the electronic pen 1S, and is configured to be able to protrude and retract from an opening 2Sb of the housing 2S by a knock-type mechanism portion 4. In FIG. 10(B), the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those of the electronic pens 1 and 1A of the first and second embodiments, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0143] The housing 2S of the electronic pen 1S in this example is not provided with the second coil, the circuit board including the side switch and the capacitor, and the operation portion of the side switch, and has the same configuration as the housing of a knock-type ballpoint pen. That is, the housing 2S of the electronic pen 1S has a configuration that does not include a configuration portion for the side switch.

[0144] As shown in FIG. 10(B), the jacket member 100 is configured to cover at least the pen tip side of the electronic pen 1S, be put on the electronic pen 1S, and be lockable to the housing 2S of the electronic pen 1S.

[0145] As shown in FIGS. 10(A) and (B), the jacket member 100 includes a cylindrical jacket housing 101 made of, for example, resin. The inner diameter of the hollow portion 101a of the jacket housing 101 is larger than the maximum outer diameter of the electronic pen 1S. An opening 101b having an inner diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the pen tip side of the housing 2S of the electronic pen 1S is formed at one end side in the axial direction of the jacket housing 101 (the pen tip side of the electronic pen 1S). Further, an opening 101c having an inner diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the rear end side of the housing 2S of the electronic pen 1S is formed at the other end side in the axial direction of the jacket housing 101 (the rear end side of the electronic pen 1S).

[0146] A second coil 102 is wound and provided on the outer peripheral portion of the jacket housing 101 on the opening 101b side. An opening 101d for the operation portion 105 for pressing the side switch 103 is formed at a position on the side peripheral surface of the jacket housing 101 at the rear end side in the axial direction. Further, a circuit board 104 is disposed by being adhered, for example, by an adhesive member (not shown) such as double-sided tape at a position on the inner wall surface of the jacket housing 101 that covers the range where the opening 101d exists. The side switch 103 is disposed on the circuit board 104 in a state of facing the outside from the opening 101d of the jacket housing 101 and is made pressable by the operation portion 105.

[0147] Both ends 102a and 102b of the second coil 102 are introduced into the hollow portion 101a of the jacket housing 101 through through-holes (not shown) and connected to the circuit board 104. On this circuit board 104, the second coil 102 is connected to a capacitor 106 provided on this circuit board 104 through a side switch 103, and when the side switch 103 is on, a resonance circuit composed of the second coil 102 and the capacitor 106 is formed.

[0148] The electronic pen 1S is inserted into the hollow portion 101a of the jacket housing 101 of the jacket member 100 from its pen tip side through the opening 101c on the rear end side of the jacket member 100 configured as described above. As a result, the jacket member 100 is put on the electronic pen 1S, and in the state of FIG. 10(B), the jacket member 100 is locked to the housing 2S of the electronic pen 1S.

[0149] In this example, elastic locking members 107 and 108 made of, for example, elastic rubber are provided on the inner peripheral wall surface of the opening 101b and the inner peripheral wall surface of the opening 101c of the jacket housing 101. Due to the elastic friction between the elastic locking members 107 and 108 and the outer peripheral surface of the housing 2S of the electronic pen 1S, the jacket member 100 is securely locked to the electronic pen 1S.

[0150] In the state of FIG. 10(B), when the operation portion 105 of the jacket member 100 is not operated and the side switch 103 is off, a resonance circuit composed of the second coil 102 and the capacitor 106 is not generated. Therefore, the resonance frequency of the first resonance circuit composed of the first coil 31 and the capacitor 37 of the electronic pen main body portion 3 of the electronic pen 1S becomes the first frequency f1 determined by the first coil 31 and the capacitor 37.

[0151] When one presses the operation portion 105 of the jacket member 100, the side switch 103 is turned on, and a resonance circuit composed of the second coil 102 and the capacitor 106 is formed as a closed circuit. Then, a mutual induction effect occurs between the first coil 31 of the first resonance circuit and the second coil 102, and the resonance frequency of the first resonance circuit becomes a second resonance frequency different from the first resonance frequency.

[0152] Therefore, on the position detection device side, in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment, by detecting the change in the frequency of the received signal according to the difference in the resonance frequency of the first resonance circuit of the electronic pen main body portion 3, for the electronic pen 1S covered with the jacket member 100 in this example as well, it is possible to detect the on / off of the side switch.

[0153] As described above, by covering the electronic pen 1S not provided with a side switch with the jacket member 100, it is possible to cause the electronic pen 1S to perform the same operation as when provided with a side switch.

[0154] That is, according to this example, without changing the configuration of the electronic pen not provided with a side switch at all, it is only necessary to cover it with a jacket member. Therefore, the owner of an electronic pen not provided with a side switch can purchase a jacket member and cover the electronic pen to realize an electronic pen provided with a side switch, which is very convenient.

[0155] In the above-described example, the second coil of the jacket member 100 is wound around the outer peripheral portion of the jacket housing 101. However, as in the first embodiment described above, the second coil may be provided at a position where it can be magnetically coupled to the first coil 31 of the electronic pen main body portion 3 within the hollow portion of the jacket housing 101.

[0156] Also, the second coil 102 is wound so that the axial direction of the cylindrical jacket housing 101 becomes the winding center direction. However, it may be provided so that the direction intersecting the axial direction of the cylindrical jacket housing 101 becomes the winding center.

[0157] That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, on the side peripheral surface of the jacket housing 101 on the opening 101b side, the conductor wire constituting the coil 102A is wound around a point P on the side peripheral surface of the jacket housing 101 as a winding center along the curved surface of the side peripheral surface of the jacket housing 101 to form the coil 102A. In this case, the side peripheral surface on which the coil 102A is formed is not parallel to the axial direction of the jacket housing 101, but is inclined so as to become thinner toward the pen tip side. Similar modifications are possible for the second coils 9, 9A, 9M, and 9ER in the first to fourth embodiments.

[0158] Also, in this jacket member, a configuration including a plurality of side switches described above with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 can be adopted.

[0159] Further, the electronic pen to which the jacket member is applied may be an electronic pen having the same configuration as the multi-color ballpoint pen of the third embodiment, or may be an electronic pen that does not include a knock-type mechanism portion and includes an electronic pen main body portion in the housing. Also, the jacket member is applicable to an electronic eraser.

[0160] [Other Examples] In the above-described embodiment, in order to change the resonance frequency of the first resonance circuit of the position indicator cartridge by the side switch, the second resonance circuit in which a capacitor is connected to the second coil via the side switch is used. However, without using the second resonance circuit, the both ends of the second coil are configured to be connected via the side switch, and when the side switch is turned on, the both ends of the second coil are connected to each other via the side switch to form a closed circuit, so that the coil of the first resonance circuit and the second coil mutually induct, and the frequency of the first resonance circuit may be configured to be changed.

[0161] However, by configuring to control the generation of the closed circuit of the second resonance circuit by turning on and off the side switch as in the above-described embodiment, it becomes easy to define the change in the frequency of the first resonance circuit, and on the position detection device side, it is possible to achieve the effect that the on / off operation state detection of the side switch can be surely performed.

[0162] Also, in the above-described embodiment, an example of using a self-return type switch is given for the side switch. Needless to say, the side switch is not limited to a self-return type switch, and any switch can be used.

[0163] Also, in the description of the electronic pen as an embodiment of the above-described position indicator, all of them are provided with a knock type mechanism portion, and the tip portion of the electronic pen main body portion as an example of the position indicator cartridge is configured to protrude and retract from the opening of the housing of the electronic pen by a knock operation. However, it goes without saying that this invention can also be applied to the case of an electronic pen configured to hold the electronic pen main body portion in the housing with its tip portion protruding from the opening of the housing without providing a knock type mechanism portion.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0164] 1, 1A, 1M, 1S... Electronic pen, 1ER... Electronic eraser, 2, 2A, 2M, 2ER, 2S... Housing, 3, 3B, 3R, 3E... Electronic pen main body portion, 3ER... Eraser main body portion, 4... Knock type mechanism portion, 7, 7A, 7M, 7S... Side switch, 8, 8A, 8M, 8S... Circuit board, 9, 9A, 9M... Second coil, 11, 11A, 11M... Operation portion, 12... Capacitor, 31... First coil, 32... Ferrite core, 34... Core, 35... Pen pressure detection portion, 37... Capacitor

Claims

1. A position indicator using electromagnetic induction, comprising: a first housing having a side surface with an opening for an operation unit that presses a side switch during operation; a first resonance circuit provided in a position indicator cartridge provided in the first housing, including a first coil wound around a magnetic core disposed on one end side in the axial direction of the position indicator cartridge, and a first capacitor; a second coil provided outside the position indicator cartridge, independent of the position indicator cartridge, and magnetically coupled to the first coil of the position indicator cartridge; a circuit board provided in the first housing at a position covering the opening range, with both ends of the second coil extended; A position indicator characterized by comprising the above.

2. The circuit board is attached to the first housing. The position indicator according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. The circuit board is adhered to the first housing by an adhesive. The position indicator according to claim 2, characterized by the above.

4. The side switch is disposed on a first side surface of the circuit board facing the opening on the side surface of the first housing, and the first capacitor is disposed on a second side surface of the circuit board facing the first side surface. The position indicator according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

5. Further including a second capacitor, When the side switch is turned on, the second capacitor is connected to the second coil to form a second resonance circuit. The position indicator according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

6. The first housing has a cylindrical shape with one end side in the axial direction of the position indicator cartridge being open, and includes a knock-type mechanism portion for protruding and retracting a tip portion of one end side of the position indicator cartridge in the axial direction from the opening. The position indicator according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

7. The knock-type mechanism portion has a configuration corresponding to that of a knock-type multi-color ballpoint pen, and a plurality of the position indicator cartridges can be mounted. The position indicator according to claim 6, characterized by the above.

8. The second coil, the side switch, and the operation unit are configured to be commonly used for a plurality of the position indicator cartridges. The position indicator according to claim 7, characterized by the above.

9. The circuit board is disposed along the axial direction of the position indicator cartridge. The side switch is provided on the circuit board. The operation unit for turning the side switch on and off is exposed so as to be operable from the outside through an opening provided in the first housing. The position indicator according to claim 1, characterized in that.

10. The second coil is disposed so as to surround at least a part of the magnetic core of the position indicator cartridge. The position indicator according to claim 1, characterized in that.

11. The second coil is disposed within the first housing. The position indicator according to claim 1, characterized in that.

12. The second coil is disposed outside the first housing. The position indicator according to claim 1, characterized in that.

13. The position indicator cartridge includes a pressure detection unit that detects pressure applied to a tip portion on one end side in the axial direction of the position indicator cartridge, and transmits a position indication signal and information on the pressure detected by the pressure detection unit through the first resonance circuit. The position indicator according to claim 1, characterized in that.

14. A plurality of the second coils are provided. The side switch includes a plurality of side switches provided in association with the plurality of second coils, and generates a closed circuit for the plurality of second coils. The position indicator according to claim 1, characterized in that.

15. When one or more of the plurality of side switches are turned on, a second resonance circuit is formed in which a second capacitor is connected to one or more of the plurality of coils. The second capacitor is configured to be commonly used for the plurality of second coils. The position indicator according to claim 14, characterized in that.

16. Further includes a plurality of second capacitors different from each other. When one or more of the plurality of side switches are turned on, one or more of the second capacitors are connected to one or more of the plurality of second coils to form a second resonance circuit. The position indicator according to claim 14, characterized in that.

17. The second coil includes a plurality of second coils. The side switch includes a plurality of side switches. When one or more of the plurality of side switches are turned on, a second resonant circuit is formed by connecting one or more of the plurality of second capacitors to one or more of the plurality of second coils. Each of the plurality of second capacitors is connected to the second coil via each of the plurality of side switches. Each of the plurality of side switches is turned on / off by an operation of the operation unit. In response to the side switch turned on by the operation of the operation unit, one of the plurality of second capacitors connected to one of the plurality of second coils is changed, and the second resonant circuit is switched. The position indicator according to claim 1, characterized in that.

18. The second coil, the operation unit, and the side switch are provided in a second housing separate from the first housing. The first housing that houses the position indicator cartridge is inserted into the second housing so that the first coil of the position indicator cartridge and the second coil are magnetically coupled.

19. The first housing that houses the position indicator cartridge and the second housing are detachable. The position indicator according to claim 18, characterized in that.

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