Pen-type input device, drawing mode change method, and drawing mode change program

Abstract

To improve operability.SOLUTION: A first thin-film piezoelectric element 6, which can detect a gripping force Fg1, and a second thin-film piezoelectric element 8, which can detect a gripping force Fg2, are arranged in a gripping art 2b of a stylus pen 1. A user can select a desired drawing menu by clicking the second thin-film piezoelectric element 8 a desired number of times (C2) with the gripping force Fg2. The user can also select a desired drawing mode in the desired drawing menu by clicking the first thin-film piezoelectric element 6 a desired number of times (C1) with the gripping force Fg1. Since the second thin-film piezoelectric element 8 generates vibrations according to the number of clicks C1 and C2, the user can know whether the desired drawing menu and drawing mode have been able to be selected. As a matter of course, the stylus pen 1 outputs grip information Ig (C2, C1) associating the number of clicks C1 and C2, allowing the drawing information to be displayed in the desired drawing mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pen-type input device that is operated while being held by a user to display drawing information on a display screen, a drawing mode change method for changing a drawing mode on the display screen by the pen-type input device, and a drawing mode change program.

Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-126417 (Patent Document 1) describes an electronic pen that can input characters, figures, etc. by handwriting on a display screen by operating while bringing the tip into contact with the display screen.

[0003] A pressure sensor is wound around a portion that the user holds when writing with the electronic pen, and the pressure sensor detects the user's gripping force and outputs an analog voltage corresponding to the detected gripping force. As a result, on the display screen that receives the analog voltage, characters, figures, etc. are displayed with a line thickness corresponding to the analog voltage.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When changing the line thickness, the electronic pen described in the above-mentioned publication does not need to strongly press the electronic pen against the display screen, such as a configuration in which the line thickness is changed according to the pen pressure of the electronic pen. However, whether it is set to the desired line width is uncertain until actually drawn on the display screen, and there is still room for improvement in terms of operability.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a pen-type input device that contributes to an improvement in operability.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The pen-type input device, drawing mode change method, and drawing mode change program of the present invention have adopted the following means in order to achieve the above object.

[0008] The pen-type input device according to the first invention is configured as a pen-type input device that is operated while being held by a user in order to display drawing information on a display screen. The pen-type input device includes a rod-shaped housing, a grip information detection unit, an information output unit, and a notification unit. The housing has a grip portion that can be gripped by the user. The grip information detection unit is disposed on the grip portion so as to be able to detect first grip information including the user's first grip force. The information output unit is disposed on the housing and is electrically connected to the grip information detection unit. Further, the information output unit outputs drawing mode information corresponding to the detected first grip information. The notification unit is disposed on the housing and is electrically connected to the grip information detection unit. Further, the notification unit performs a first notification according to the first grip information. Here, "drawing" in the present invention preferably includes not only drawing a picture but also drawing characters, lines, figures, and the like. Further, as a mode of "displaying drawing information on a display screen" in the present invention, not only a mode of directly contacting the pen-type input device with a touch panel or a tablet to display drawing information on a display screen such as a liquid crystal display, but also a mode of operating the pen-type input device in the air to display drawing information in an XR space displayed on a display screen such as a head-mounted display is preferably included. Further, the "first grip information" in the present invention preferably includes not only information regarding the first grip force itself but also information regarding the number of times the first grip force is detected and information regarding the detection mode of the first grip force (for example, the detection order). Furthermore, the "drawing mode information" in the present invention corresponds to information regarding the width of a line, information regarding the type of line, information regarding color, information regarding shading, information regarding font, and the like when drawing using the pen-type input device.

[0009] According to the first invention, since the pen-type input device outputs drawing mode information according to first grip information including a first grip force when the user grips the grip portion, it can draw on the display screen in a drawing mode according to the first grip information. Moreover, since the pen-type input device performs a first notification according to the first grip information, the user can know before drawing whether it is possible to draw in a desired drawing mode. Thereby, the operability of the pen-type input device can be improved.

[0010] The pen-type input device according to the second invention is the pen-type input device according to the first invention, wherein the grip information detection unit detects a first grip force as the first grip information. Further, the information output unit outputs drawing mode information according to the first grip force. And the notification unit performs a notification according to the magnitude of the first grip force as the first notification.

[0011] According to the second invention, the user can draw on the display screen in a desired drawing mode only by changing the magnitude of the first grip force. In addition, since the pen-type input device performs a first notification according to the magnitude of the first grip force, the user can know before drawing whether it is possible to draw in a desired drawing mode.

[0012] The pen-type input device according to the third invention is the pen-type input device according to the first invention, wherein the grip information detection unit detects a first detection frequency of the first grip force within a first predetermined time as the first grip information. Further, the information output unit outputs drawing mode information according to the first detection frequency. And the notification unit performs a notification according to the first detection frequency as the first notification.

[0013] According to the third invention, the user can draw on the display screen in a desired drawing mode only by changing the number of times of pressing the grip portion with the first grip force within the first predetermined time. In addition, since the pen-type input device performs a first notification according to the number of times of pressing the grip portion (first detection frequency) within the first predetermined time by the user, the user can know before drawing whether it is possible to draw in a desired drawing mode.

[0014] The pen-type input device according to the fourth invention is a pen-type input device according to any one of the first to third inventions, and the gripping information detection unit has a first piezoelectric element.

[0015] According to the fourth invention, the first gripping force can be detected using the first piezoelectric element.

[0016] The pen-type input device according to the fifth invention is a pen-type input device according to the fourth invention, and the first piezoelectric element has at least a second piezoelectric element and a third piezoelectric element. Further, the gripping information detection unit detects a detection mode of a second gripping force and a third gripping force of the user by the second piezoelectric element and the third piezoelectric element as the first gripping information. The information output unit outputs the drawing mode information according to the detection mode. And the notification unit performs a notification according to the detection mode as a first notification. Here, the "detection mode" in the present invention corresponds to the detection order of the second piezoelectric element and the third piezoelectric element by the second piezoelectric element and the third gripping force, the number of detections, and combinations thereof.

[0017] According to the fifth invention, the user can draw on the display screen in a desired drawing mode only by changing the mode of pressing the gripping portion where the second piezoelectric element and the third piezoelectric element are arranged with the second gripping force and the third gripping force. In addition, since the pen-type input device performs a first notification according to the pressing mode (detection mode) of the gripping portion by the user, the user can know whether or not he / she can draw in a desired drawing mode before drawing.

[0018] The pen-type input device according to the sixth invention is a pen-type input device according to the fourth or fifth invention, and the first notification is a notification by vibration generated due to the inverse piezoelectric effect of the first piezoelectric element.

[0019] According to the sixth invention, since the notification is performed using the first piezoelectric element, a dedicated component for notification becomes unnecessary. Thereby, an increase in the number of components can be prevented.

[0020] The pen-type input device according to the seventh invention is the pen-type input device according to the fourth or fifth invention, wherein the first notification is a voice notification using vibrations generated due to the inverse piezoelectric effect of the first piezoelectric element.

[0021] According to the seventh invention, since notification is performed using the first piezoelectric element, dedicated components for notification are unnecessary. Thereby, an increase in the number of components can be prevented.

[0022] The pen-type input device according to the eighth invention is the pen-type input device according to any one of the first to seventh inventions, wherein the gripping information detection unit can detect second gripping information including the user's fourth gripping force. And the information output unit outputs, in association with each other, drawing menu information corresponding to the detected second gripping information and drawing mode information. Here, the "drawing menu information" in the present invention is information regarding items for which the drawing mode can be changed, and information regarding items such as the line width, line type, color, shading, and font corresponds thereto.

[0023] According to the eighth invention, since the pen-type input device outputs, in association with each other, drawing menu information corresponding to the second gripping information including the fourth gripping force when the user grips the gripping portion and drawing mode information, it is possible to draw on the display screen in a desired drawing mode in a desired drawing menu. That is, when the pen-type input device has a plurality of drawing menus, the drawing mode can be changed for each drawing menu. Thereby, various drawing information can be displayed on the display screen.

[0024] The pen-type input device according to the ninth invention is the pen-type input device according to the eighth invention, wherein the notification unit performs a second notification according to the second gripping information.

[0025] According to the ninth invention, since the pen-type input device performs a second notification according to the second gripping information, the user can know whether or not a desired drawing menu has been selected.

[0026] The pen-type input device according to the tenth invention is the pen-type input device according to the ninth invention, and the notification unit performs the first notification and the second notification in different manners.

[0027] According to the tenth invention, the user can surely know which of the drawing mode and the drawing menu has been changed.

[0028] The pen-type input device according to the eleventh invention is the pen-type input device according to the ninth or tenth invention. The gripping information detection unit detects a fourth gripping force as the second gripping information. The information output unit outputs, in association with each other, drawing menu information corresponding to the fourth gripping force and drawing mode information. The notification unit performs a notification corresponding to the magnitude of the fourth gripping force as the second notification.

[0029] According to the eleventh invention, the user can change to a desired drawing menu only by changing the magnitude of the fourth gripping force. In addition, since the pen-type input device performs the second notification corresponding to the magnitude of the fourth gripping force, the user can know whether or not the desired drawing menu has been changed.

[0030] The pen-type input device according to the twelfth invention is the pen-type input device according to the ninth or tenth invention. The gripping information detection unit detects a second detection count of the fourth gripping force within a second predetermined time as the second gripping information. The information output unit outputs, in association with each other, drawing menu information corresponding to the second detection count and drawing mode information. The notification unit performs a notification corresponding to the second detection count as the second notification.

[0031] According to the twelfth invention, the user can change to a desired drawing menu only by changing the number of times of pressing the gripping portion with the fourth gripping force within the second predetermined time. In addition, since the pen-type input device performs the second notification corresponding to the number of times of pressing the gripping portion (the second detection count) by the user within the second predetermined time, the user can know whether or not the desired drawing menu has been changed.

[0032] The pen-type input device according to the 13th invention is a pen-type input device according to any one of the 9th to 12th inventions, and the gripping information detection unit has a fourth piezoelectric element.

[0033] According to the 13th invention, the fourth gripping force can be detected using the fourth piezoelectric element.

[0034] The pen-type input device according to the 14th invention is a pen-type input device according to the 13th invention, and the second notification is a notification by vibration generated due to the inverse piezoelectric effect of the fourth piezoelectric element.

[0035] According to the 14th invention, since notification is performed using the fourth piezoelectric element, components dedicated to notification are not required. Thereby, an increase in the number of components can be prevented.

[0036] The pen-type input device according to the 15th invention is a pen-type input device according to the 13th invention, and the second notification is a voice notification using vibration generated due to the inverse piezoelectric effect of the fourth piezoelectric element.

[0037] According to the 15th invention, since notification is performed using the fourth piezoelectric element, components dedicated to notification are not required. Thereby, an increase in the number of components can be prevented.

[0038] The pen-type input device according to the 16th invention is a pen-type input device according to any one of the 4th to 7th inventions, and further includes an operation feeling presentation unit capable of presenting an operation feeling when operating the pen-type input device. The operation feeling presentation unit presents the operation feeling using vibration generated due to the inverse piezoelectric effect of the first piezoelectric element.

[0039] According to the 16th invention, since the operation feeling when operating the pen-type input device can be presented, the operability can be further improved. Moreover, since the operation feeling is presented using vibration generated due to the inverse piezoelectric effect of the first piezoelectric element, dedicated components for presenting the operation feeling are not required. Thereby, an increase in the number of components can be prevented.

[0040] The pen-type input device according to the 17th invention is a pen-type input device according to any one of the 13th to 15th inventions, and further includes an operation feeling effecting unit capable of effecting an operation feeling when operating the pen-type input device. And the operation feeling effecting unit effects the operation feeling by using vibrations generated due to the inverse piezoelectric effect of the fourth piezoelectric element.

[0041] According to the 17th invention, since the operation feeling when operating the pen-type input device can be effected, the operability can be further improved. Moreover, since the operation feeling is effected by using vibrations generated due to the inverse piezoelectric effect of the fourth piezoelectric element, dedicated components for effecting the operation feeling are unnecessary. Thereby, an increase in the number of components can be prevented.

[0042] The pen-type input device according to the 18th invention is a pen-type input device according to the 16th or 17th invention, and the operation feeling effecting unit changes the vibration mode according to the first gripping information.

[0043] According to the 18th invention, the vibration mode can be changed according to the drawing mode. That is, for example, when the line width is thick, the vibration frequency is made lower than when the line width is thin. Thereby, since an operation feeling according to the drawing mode can be obtained, the operability is further improved.

[0044] The pen-type input device according to the 19th invention is a pen-type input device according to any one of the 4th to 7th inventions, and further includes a speaker unit capable of emitting sound, and a reception supply unit capable of receiving an electrical signal from the outside and supplying the received electrical signal to the first piezoelectric element. And the speaker unit emits sound by using vibrations generated due to the inverse piezoelectric effect of the first piezoelectric element based on the electrical signal.

[0045] According to the 19th invention, the pen-type input device can be used as a speaker. In addition, since the sound is emitted by using the vibration generated due to the inverse piezoelectric effect of the first piezoelectric element, a dedicated component for emitting the sound is not required. Thereby, an increase in the number of components can be prevented.

[0046] The pen-type input device according to the 20th invention is the pen-type input device according to the 19th invention, and the speaker unit can emit a volume according to the first gripping information.

[0047] According to the 20th invention, the user can easily change to a desired volume.

[0048] The pen-type input device according to the 21st invention is the pen-type input device according to any one of the 13th to 16th inventions, and further includes a speaker unit capable of emitting sound, and a reception supply unit capable of receiving an electrical signal from the outside and supplying the received electrical signal to the fourth piezoelectric element. The speaker unit emits sound by using the vibration generated due to the inverse piezoelectric effect of the fourth piezoelectric element based on the electrical signal.

[0049] According to the 21st invention, the pen-type input device can be used as a speaker. In addition, since the sound is emitted by using the vibration generated due to the inverse piezoelectric effect of the fourth piezoelectric element, a dedicated component for emitting the sound is not required. Thereby, an increase in the number of components can be prevented.

[0050] The pen-type input device according to the 22nd invention is the pen-type input device according to the 21st invention, and the speaker unit can emit a volume according to the second gripping information.

[0051] According to the 22nd invention, the user can easily change to a desired volume.

[0052] The pen-type input device according to the 23rd invention is the pen-type input device according to the 1st to 22nd inventions, and the gripping part has a concave part. The concave part has a curved surface.

[0053] According to the 23rd invention, it becomes easier for the user to grip the pen-type input device. Thereby, the operability can be improved. Also, the gripping force can be detected efficiently.

[0054] The drawing mode change method according to the 24th invention is configured with a drawing mode change method for changing the drawing mode on the display screen by the pen-type input device. The drawing mode change method includes a gripping information detection step of detecting first gripping information including a first gripping force when the user grips the pen-type input device, an information output step of outputting drawing mode information corresponding to the detected first gripping information, and a notification step of performing a first notification corresponding to the first gripping information. Here, "drawing" in the present invention preferably includes not only drawing a picture but also drawing characters, lines, figures, and the like. The "first gripping information" in the present invention preferably includes not only information regarding the first gripping force itself but also information regarding the number of times the first gripping force is detected and information regarding the detection mode of the first gripping force (for example, the detection order). Further, the "drawing mode information" in the present invention corresponds to information regarding the width of a line, information regarding the type of line, information regarding color, information regarding shading, information regarding font, and the like when drawing using the pen-type input device.

[0055] According to the 24th invention, since the pen-type input device outputs drawing mode information corresponding to the first gripping information including the first gripping force when the user grips the gripping portion, it can draw on the display screen in a drawing mode corresponding to the first gripping information. Moreover, since the pen-type input device performs a first notification corresponding to the first gripping information, the user can know before drawing whether he / she can draw in a desired drawing mode. Thereby, the operability of the pen-type input device can be improved.

[0056] The drawing mode change method according to the 25th invention is the drawing mode change method according to the 24th invention, wherein the gripping information detection step includes a step of detecting second gripping information including the fourth gripping force of the user. And the information output step includes a step of associating and outputting drawing menu information corresponding to the detected second gripping information and drawing mode information. Here, the "drawing menu information" in the present invention is information regarding items for which the drawing mode can be changed, and information regarding items such as the line width, line type, color, shading, and font corresponds thereto.

[0057] According to the 25th invention, since the pen-type input device associates and outputs drawing menu information corresponding to the second gripping information including the fourth gripping force when the user grips the gripping portion and drawing mode information, it can draw on the display screen in a desired drawing mode in a desired drawing menu. That is, when the pen-type input device has a plurality of drawing menus, the drawing mode can be changed for each drawing menu. Thereby, a variety of drawing information can be displayed on the display screen.

[0058] The drawing mode change method according to the 26th invention is the drawing mode change method according to the 25th invention, wherein the notification step includes a step of performing a second notification according to the second gripping information.

[0059] According to the 26th invention, since the pen-type input device performs a second notification according to the second gripping information, the user can know whether or not a desired drawing menu has been selected.

[0060] The drawing mode change method according to the 27th invention is the drawing mode change method according to the 26th invention, wherein the notification step is a step of performing the first notification and the second notification in different manners.

[0061] According to the 27th invention, the user can surely know which of the drawing mode and the drawing menu has been changed.

[0062] The drawing mode change program according to the 28th invention is configured as a drawing mode change program for changing the drawing mode on the display screen by the pen-type input device. The drawing mode change program causes a computer to execute each step of the drawing mode change method according to any one of the inventions described in the above-mentioned 24th to 27th.

[0063] According to the 28th invention, the effects similar to those of the drawing mode change method according to any one of the inventions described in the above-mentioned 24th to 27th can be achieved, for example, the effect of improving the operability of the pen-type input device can be achieved.

Effects of the Invention

[0064] According to the present invention, a pen-type input device that contributes to the improvement of operability can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0065]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 6

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Figure 13

[0066] Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described using examples.

Example 1

[0067] As shown in FIG. 1, the stylus pen 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a housing 2, a pen tip 4, first and second thin film piezoelectric elements 6 and 8, a battery 10, a communication unit 12, a USB connector 14, and a control unit 16. The stylus pen 1 is configured as a pen-type input device that can draw drawing information such as pictures, characters, lines, and diagrams corresponding to the movement locus of the pen tip 4 on a display device Dp (see FIG. 5) such as a device with a touch panel screen or a tablet by bringing the pen tip 4 into contact with the display device Dp. The stylus pen 1 is an example of an implementation configuration corresponding to the "pen-type input device" in the present invention.

[0068] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the housing 2 has a hollow cylindrical shape inside. As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 2 has a tip portion 2a whose diameter gradually decreases toward the tip, and a grip portion 2b. The grip portion 2b has recesses 20 and 22 as shown in FIG. 4. The recesses 20 and 22 have an elliptical shape that is long in the longitudinal direction of the housing in plan view and have a curved concave shape. The recess 20 is arranged at a position where the index finger abuts when the user grips the stylus pen 1, and the recess 22 is arranged at a position where the thumb abuts when the user grips the stylus pen 1. Here, since the recesses 20 and 22 have a curved concave shape, the finger pads can easily fit (see FIG. 4). Thereby, since the fitting feeling is improved, the operability can be improved. The pen tip 4 is made of a resin such as rubber containing a conductive material.

[0069] The first and second thin film piezoelectric elements 6 and 8 are configured as elements that output a voltage corresponding to the magnitude of the gripping force (pressure) with which the user grips the grip portion 2b (piezoelectric effect) and generate a deformation corresponding to the magnitude of the input voltage (reverse piezoelectric effect), and are electrically connected to the control unit 16 as shown in FIG. 1. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the first and second thin film piezoelectric elements 6 and 8 are arranged inside the housing 2 at positions corresponding to the recesses 20 and 22. In the present embodiment, the first thin film piezoelectric element 6 is attached to the position corresponding to the recess 20, that is, the position corresponding to the portion where the pad of the user's index finger abuts, and the second thin film piezoelectric element 8 is attached to the position corresponding to the recess 22, that is, the position corresponding to the portion where the pad of the user's thumb abuts (see FIG. 4). The first thin film piezoelectric element 6 is an example of an implementation configuration corresponding to the "first piezoelectric element" in the present invention, and the second thin film piezoelectric element 8 is an example of an implementation configuration corresponding to the "fourth piezoelectric element" in the present invention.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 1, the battery 10 is disposed inside the housing 2 and is electrically connected to the control unit 16. The communication unit 12 is a circuit that performs wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or wireless LAN (Local Area Network). The USB connector 14 is a connector to which a USB cable can be connected. The USB connector 14 is disposed inside the housing 2 and is electrically connected to the control unit 16. The USB connector 14 can supply external power to the battery 10 and the control unit 16 via a USB cable.

[0071] The control unit 16 is configured as a microprocessor centered on a CPU, and includes a ROM that stores a processing program, a RAM that temporarily stores data, an input / output port, a communication port, etc. in addition to the CPU. Forces Fg1, Fg2, etc. from the first and second thin-film piezoelectric elements 6, 8 are input to the control unit 16 via an input port (not shown). Further, grip information Ig, an answer-back signal, etc. are output from the control unit 16 via an output port (not shown).

[0072] In the stylus pen 1 configured in this way, a grip information detection unit 40, an information output unit 42, and a notification unit 44 are constructed as functional blocks by the cooperation of one or both of hardware resources (CPU, ROM, RAM, various interfaces, etc.) and software (installed firmware, driver, application program, etc.). In other words, these units (the grip information detection unit 40, the information output unit 42, and the notification unit 44) are functions realized by the components (CPU, ROM, RAM, input / output port, communication port, etc.) operating alone or in cooperation according to instructions from the CPU that executes an application program including a driver developed from the ROM onto the RAM. Note that each functional unit of the stylus pen 1 may combine a plurality of functional units into one functional unit, or divide one functional unit into a plurality of functional units for each function.

[0073] The gripping information detection unit 40 acquires the gripping forces Fg1 and Fg2 from the first and second thin film piezoelectric elements 6 and 8, and counts the number of times (hereinafter referred to as "click count") C1 and C2 of acquiring the gripping forces Fg1 and Fg2 equal to or greater than a predetermined value within a predetermined time. Thus, since the click counts C1 and C2 are configured to count the number of times the gripping forces Fg1 and Fg2 equal to or greater than a predetermined value are acquired within a predetermined time, the intention of the user can be appropriately reflected. Note that the same time may be set for the predetermined time for the gripping force Fg1 and the gripping force Fg2, or different times may be set. Also, for the predetermined value, the same value may be set for the gripping force Fg1 and the gripping force Fg2, or different values may be set. The gripping force Fg1 is an example of an implementation configuration corresponding to the "first gripping force" in the present invention, and the gripping force Fg2 is an example of an implementation configuration corresponding to the "fourth gripping force" in the present invention. Also, the click count C1 is an example of an implementation configuration corresponding to the "first gripping information" and the "first detection count" in the present invention, and the click count C2 is an example of an implementation configuration corresponding to the "fourth gripping information" and the "second detection count" in the present invention. Furthermore, the predetermined time is an example of an implementation configuration corresponding to the "first predetermined time" and the "second predetermined time" in the present invention.

[0074] In addition, the gripping information detection unit 40 generates gripping information Ig(C2, C1) associating the number of clicks C2 and the number of clicks C1. Here, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a drawing menu can be selected according to the number of clicks C2, and as shown in FIG. 7, a drawing mode can be selected according to the number of clicks C1. In the present embodiment, the drawing menu is configured to use "line width", "line type", "color", "shading", and "font". Also, as the drawing mode, when "line width" is selected as the drawing menu, the width of the line such as "0.25", "0.5",..., "6" can be selected. When "line type" is selected as the drawing menu, the type of the line such as "solid line", "dashed line",..., "two-dot chain line" can be selected. When "color" is selected as the drawing menu, the color such as "black", "red",..., "yellow green" can be selected. When "shading" is selected as the drawing menu, the shading such as "100%", "80%",..., "0%" can be selected. The gripping information Ig(C2, C1) is an example of an implementation configuration corresponding to the "drawing mode information" and "drawing menu information" in the present invention.

[0075] The information output unit 42 acquires the gripping information Ig(C2, C1) generated by the gripping information detection unit 40 and outputs the acquired gripping information Ig(C2, C1) to the display device Dp.

[0076] The notification unit 44 acquires the click counts C1 and C2 counted by the gripping information detection unit 40, and notifies in a manner based on the acquired click counts C1 and C2. In the present embodiment, the notification unit 44 supplies a voltage (answer back signal) corresponding to the click count C1 to the first thin film piezoelectric element 6, causing the inverse piezoelectric effect to occur in the first thin film piezoelectric element 6, and generating vibrations corresponding to the click count C1 due to the inverse piezoelectric effect for notification. At the same time, a voltage (answer back signal) corresponding to the click count C2 is supplied to the second thin film piezoelectric element 8, causing the inverse piezoelectric effect to occur in the second thin film piezoelectric element 8, and generating vibrations corresponding to the click count C2 due to the inverse piezoelectric effect for notification. Thus, the user can know whether the desired number of clicks has been reached, that is, whether the desired drawing mode has been selected in the desired drawing menu. Note that, as the vibration mode corresponding to the click counts C1 and C2, in this embodiment, the notification unit 44 is configured to generate vibrations the same number of times as the click counts C1 and C2, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0077] Next, the operation of the stylus pen 1 according to the first embodiment configured in this way, particularly the operation when the drawing mode (such as line width, line type, color, shading, font, etc.) is changed by the user, will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a drawing mode change processing routine executed by the control unit 16. This routine is repeatedly executed at predetermined time intervals when a power switch (not shown) of the stylus pen 1 is turned on. The drawing mode change processing routine is mainly executed by the gripping information detection unit 40, the information output unit 42, and the notification unit 44.

[0078] When the drawing mode change process routine is executed, first, the gripping information detection unit 40 reads the gripping force Fg2 from the second thin-film piezoelectric element 8 (step S100), and executes a process of determining whether or not a gripping force Fg2 equal to or greater than a predetermined value is detected (step S102). When the gripping information detection unit 40 detects a gripping force Fg2 equal to or greater than the predetermined value, it increments the click count C2 by a value of 1 (step S104), and executes a process of determining whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (step S106).

[0079] When the predetermined time has elapsed, the notification unit 44 executes a process of outputting an answerback signal corresponding to the click count C2 to the second thin-film piezoelectric element 8 (step S108). As a result, the inverse piezoelectric effect occurs in the second thin-film piezoelectric element 8, and the second thin-film piezoelectric element 8 generates vibrations corresponding to the click count C2. In the present embodiment, the second thin-film piezoelectric element 8 generates one vibration when the click count C2 is 1, generates two vibrations when the click count C2 is 2, generates three vibrations when the click count C2 is 3, generates four vibrations when the click count C2 is 4, and generates five vibrations when the click count C2 is 5 (see FIG. 6).

[0080] Subsequently, the gripping information detection unit 40 reads the gripping force Fg1 from the first thin-film piezoelectric element 6 (step S110), and executes a process of determining whether or not a gripping force Fg1 equal to or greater than a predetermined value is detected (step S112). When the gripping information detection unit 40 detects a gripping force Fg1 equal to or greater than the predetermined value, it increments the click count C1 by a value of 1 (step S114), and executes a process of determining whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (step S116).

[0081] When the specified time has elapsed, the notification unit 44 executes a process of outputting an answer-back signal corresponding to the number of clicks C1 to the first thin-film piezoelectric element 6 (step S118). As a result, the inverse piezoelectric effect occurs in the first thin-film piezoelectric element 6, and the first thin-film piezoelectric element 6 generates vibrations corresponding to the number of clicks C1. In the present embodiment, the first thin-film piezoelectric element 6 generates one vibration if the number of clicks C1 is 1, two vibrations if the number of clicks C1 is 2, three vibrations if the number of clicks C1 is 3, four vibrations if the number of clicks C1 is 4, five vibrations if the number of clicks C1 is 5, six vibrations if the number of clicks C1 is 6, seven vibrations if the number of clicks C1 is 7, and eight vibrations if the number of clicks C1 is 8 (see Fig. 7).

[0082] After the notification unit 44 executes the process of outputting the answer-back signal to the first thin-film piezoelectric element 6 in this way, the information output unit 42 executes the process of outputting the gripping information Ig(C2, C1), and the gripping information detection unit 40 executes the process of resetting the number of clicks C1 and C2 to the value 0 (step S120), and this processing routine ends. The gripping information Ig(C2, C1) output by the information output unit 42 is transmitted to the display device Dp (see Fig. 5) via the communication unit 12. Then, the control unit (not shown) of the display device Dp that has received the gripping information Ig(C2, C1) generates drawing information in a drawing mode corresponding to the gripping information Ig(C2, C1), and the drawing information is displayed on the display screen (not shown) of the display device Dp. For example, when the number of clicks C1 is 2 and the number of clicks C2 is 3, that is, when the gripping information Ig(C2, C1) is "gripping information Ig(3, 2)", drawing mode information is generated with the drawing mode "color" being "blue", and it is displayed on the display screen (not shown) of the display device Dp with the "color" being "blue" (see Figs. 6 and 7).

[0083] On the one hand, in step S102, if the gripping force Fg2 equal to or greater than a predetermined value is not detected, or in step S106, if the predetermined time has not elapsed, the processes of steps S100 to S106 are repeatedly executed until the predetermined time elapses. Also, in step S112, if the gripping force Fg1 equal to or greater than a predetermined value is not detected, or in step S116, if the predetermined time has not elapsed, the processes of steps S110 to S116 are repeatedly executed until the predetermined time elapses.

[0084] According to the stylus pen 1 according to the embodiment described above, by simply clicking the gripping portion 2b (recess 22) a desired number of times (click count C2) with a gripping force Fg2 equal to or greater than a predetermined value within a predetermined time, a desired drawing menu can be selected, and by simply clicking the gripping portion 2b (recess 20) a desired number of times (click count C1) with a gripping force Fg1 equal to or greater than a predetermined value within a predetermined time, a desired drawing mode can be selected in the desired drawing menu. Then, in order to output the gripping information Ig (C2, C1) associating the click counts C1 and C2, the drawing information can be displayed on the display screen of the display device Dp in the desired drawing mode. Thereby, a wide variety of drawing information can be displayed on the display screen. Moreover, since the first thin film piezoelectric element 6 and the second thin film piezoelectric element 8 generate vibrations a number of times corresponding to the click count C1 and the click count C2, respectively, the user can know before drawing whether the desired drawing menu and the desired drawing mode have been selected. Thereby, the operability of the stylus pen 1 can be improved. Note that since the vibration utilizes the inverse piezoelectric effect of the first thin film piezoelectric element 6 and the second thin film piezoelectric element 8, components dedicated to notification are not required, and an increase in the number of components can be prevented.

Example 2

[0085] Next, the stylus pen 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The stylus pen 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention has the same configuration as the stylus pen 1 according to the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. 1, except that the operation feeling effect part 146 is constructed as a functional block as shown in FIG. 9. Therefore, the same parts as those of the stylus pen 1 according to the first embodiment in the stylus pen 100 according to the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. The stylus pen 100 is an example of an implementation configuration corresponding to the "pen-type input device" in the present invention.

[0086] The stylus pen 100 according to the second embodiment is constructed as functional blocks including a grip information detection unit 40, an information output unit 42, a notification unit 44, and an operation feeling effect unit 146, as shown in FIG. 9, by the cooperation of one or both of hardware resources (such as a CPU, ROM, RAM, and various interfaces) and software (such as installed firmware, drivers, and application programs). In other words, these units (the grip information detection unit 40, the information output unit 42, the notification unit 44, and the operation feeling effect unit 146) are functions realized by the components (such as a CPU, ROM, RAM, input / output ports, and communication ports) operating alone or in cooperation according to instructions from a CPU that executes an application program including a driver developed from the ROM onto the RAM. Note that each functional unit of the stylus pen 100 may combine a plurality of functional units into one functional unit, or divide one functional unit into a plurality of functional units for each function.

[0087] The operation feeling presentation unit 146 acquires the click counts C1 and C2 counted by the gripping information detection unit 40, and presents an operation feeling in a manner based on the acquired click counts C1 and C2. In the second embodiment, when the click count C1 is 1 or 2, that is, only when "line width" and "line type" are selected as the drawing modes, a voltage corresponding to the click count C2 is supplied to the second thin-film piezoelectric element 8, causing the inverse piezoelectric effect to occur in the second thin-film piezoelectric element 8, and generating vibrations corresponding to the click count C2 due to the inverse piezoelectric effect, thereby presenting an operation feeling. For example, as the selected line width increases, the frequency of the vibration is gradually lowered so that the roughness feeling in the feeling (writing feeling) when operating the stylus pen 100 increases, or vibrations corresponding to the line type are generated when "dashed line", "dotted line", or "double-dotted line" is selected as the line type.

[0088] According to this configuration, the user can obtain an operation feeling (writing feeling) corresponding to the selected line width and line type, thus improving the operability. In addition, since the second thin-film piezoelectric element 8 is used to generate vibrations for presenting the feeling (writing feeling) when operating the stylus pen 100, a dedicated component for presenting the operation feeling is not required. Thereby, an increase in the number of components can be prevented.

[0089] In the second embodiment, the second thin-film piezoelectric element 8 is used to generate vibrations for presenting the feeling (writing feeling) when operating the stylus pen 100, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the first thin-film piezoelectric element 6 may be used to generate vibrations for presenting the feeling (writing feeling) when operating the stylus pen 100, or a dedicated component for generating vibrations for presenting the feeling (writing feeling) when operating the stylus pen 100 may be provided.

Example 3

[0090] Next, the stylus pen 200 according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The stylus pen 200 according to the third embodiment of the present invention has the same configuration as the stylus pen 1 according to the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. 1, except that the speaker unit 246 is constructed as a functional block as shown in FIG. 10. Therefore, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those of the stylus pen 1 according to the first embodiment in the stylus pen 200 according to the third embodiment, and the detailed description thereof is omitted. The stylus pen 200 is an example of an implementation configuration corresponding to the "pen-type input device" in the present invention.

[0091] In the stylus pen 200 according to the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, a grip information detection unit 40, an information output unit 42, a notification unit 44, and a speaker unit 246 are constructed as functional blocks by the cooperation of one or both of hardware resources (such as a CPU, ROM, RAM, and various interfaces) and software (such as installed firmware, drivers, and application programs). In other words, these units (the grip information detection unit 40, the information output unit 42, the notification unit 44, and the speaker unit 246) are functions realized by the individual or cooperative operation of each component (such as a CPU, ROM, RAM, input / output port, and communication port) according to instructions from a CPU that executes an application program including a driver developed from the ROM onto the RAM. Note that each functional unit of the stylus pen 200 may combine a plurality of functional units into one functional unit, or divide one functional unit into a plurality of functional units for each function.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 10, the speaker unit 246 receives an external sound source 90, for example, an audio signal (electrical signal) from a music player, a radio, a smartphone, or a game device, and outputs the received audio signal (electrical signal) to the first thin-film piezoelectric element 6 or the second thin-film piezoelectric element 8. Further, the speaker unit 246 acquires the click count C1 or the click count C2 counted by the grip information detection unit 40, and can adjust the volume according to the acquired click count C1 or click count C2.

[0093] In the third embodiment, the first thin-film piezoelectric element 6 or the second thin-film piezoelectric element 8 receives the audio signal (electrical signal) from the speaker unit 246, and uses the vibration caused by the inverse piezoelectric effect generated in the first thin-film piezoelectric element 6 or the second thin-film piezoelectric element 8 to emit sound. That is, the first thin-film piezoelectric element 6 or the second thin-film piezoelectric element 8 is used as a speaker. According to this configuration, since a dedicated component for emitting sound is not required, an increase in the number of components can be prevented. In addition, since the user can adjust the volume according to the click count C1 or click count C2, the volume can be easily changed to a desired level.

[0094] In the third embodiment, the volume is adjusted according to the click count C1 or click count C2, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a dedicated button or knob (dial) for volume adjustment may be provided separately.

[0095] In the first, second, and third embodiments, both the drawing menu and the drawing mode can be selected, but only the drawing mode may be selectable. In this case, it is only necessary to arrange the first thin-film piezoelectric element 6 in the concave portion 20 of the grip portion 2b.

[0096] In the first, second, and third embodiments, a configuration is adopted in which voltages (answer-back signals) corresponding to the number of clicks C1 and the number of clicks C2 are supplied to the first thin-film piezoelectric element 6 and the second thin-film piezoelectric element 8, respectively. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which a voltage (answer-back signal) corresponding to the number of clicks C1 and the number of clicks C2 is supplied to the first thin-film piezoelectric element 6, or a configuration may be adopted in which a voltage (answer-back signal) corresponding to the number of clicks C1 and the number of clicks C2 is supplied to the second thin-film piezoelectric element 8.

[0097] In the first, second, and third embodiments, the first thin-film piezoelectric element 6 and the second thin-film piezoelectric element 8 are used to generate vibrations for notification. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which dedicated components for generating vibrations for notification are provided.

[0098] In the first, second, and third embodiments, a configuration is adopted in which the first and second thin-film piezoelectric elements 6 and 8 are used. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which only the first thin-film piezoelectric element 6 or only the second thin-film piezoelectric element 8 is used. In this case, a configuration may be adopted in which both the drawing menu and the drawing mode are selected according to only the number of acquisitions (number of clicks C1) of the gripping force Fg1 from the first thin-film piezoelectric element 6 or only the number of acquisitions (number of clicks C2) of the gripping force Fg2 from the second thin-film piezoelectric element 8.

[0099] In the first, second, and third embodiments, a configuration is adopted in which the drawing mode is selected according to the number of clicks C1. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which the drawing mode is selected according to the magnitude of the gripping force Fg1. In this case, by supplying a voltage (answer-back signal) corresponding to the magnitude of the gripping force Fg1 to the first thin-film piezoelectric element 6, an inverse piezoelectric effect can be generated in the first thin-film piezoelectric element 6, and notification can be made by vibrations generated due to the inverse piezoelectric effect.

[0100] In the first, second, and third embodiments, the drawing menu is selected according to the number of clicks C2, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which the drawing menu is selected according to the magnitude of the gripping force Fg2. In this case, by supplying a voltage (answer back signal) corresponding to the magnitude of the gripping force Fg2 to the second thin film piezoelectric element 8, the inverse piezoelectric effect is generated in the second thin film piezoelectric element 8, and notification is made by vibration generated due to the inverse piezoelectric effect.

[0101] In the first, second, and third embodiments, one first thin film piezoelectric element 6 is used, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in the stylus pen 300 of the modified example illustrated in FIG. 11, a configuration using three first thin film piezoelectric elements 306a, 306b, and 306c may be adopted. The stylus pen 300 is an example of an implementation configuration corresponding to the "pen-type input device" in the present invention. Further, the three first thin film piezoelectric elements 306a, 306b, and 306c are each an example of an implementation configuration corresponding to the "second piezoelectric element" and the "third piezoelectric element" in the present invention.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 11, the stylus pen 300 of the modified example has the same configuration as the stylus pen 1 of the present embodiment, except that the first thin film piezoelectric element 6 is replaced with the first thin film piezoelectric elements 306a, 306b, and 306c. Therefore, in order to avoid redundant explanations, the same reference numerals are given to the configurations corresponding to the configuration of the stylus pen 1 of the present embodiment among the configurations of the stylus pen 300 of the modified example, and the detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0103] The first thin-film piezoelectric elements 306a, 306b, and 306c are configured as elements that output a voltage (piezoelectric effect) according to the magnitude of the gripping force (pressure) with which the user grips the gripping portion 2b and generate a deformation according to the magnitude of the input voltage (converse piezoelectric effect), and are electrically connected to the control unit 16. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the first thin-film piezoelectric elements 306a, 306b, and 306c are disposed inside the housing 2 at positions corresponding to the recesses 20. Note that the first thin-film piezoelectric elements 306a, 306b, and 306c are arranged in the order of the first thin-film piezoelectric elements 306a, 306b, and 306c from the pen tip 4 side toward the pen butt side (the direction opposite to the pen tip 4 in the pen axis direction) (from the lower side to the upper side in FIG. 11).

[0104] Next, the operation of the stylus pen 300 configured in this way, particularly the operation when the drawing mode (line width, line type, color, shading, font, etc.) is changed by the user, will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a drawing mode change processing routine executed by the control unit 16. This routine is repeatedly executed at predetermined time intervals when a power switch (not shown) of the stylus pen 300 is turned on. The drawing mode change processing routine is mainly executed by the gripping information detection unit 40, the information output unit 42, and the notification unit 44.

[0105] The drawing mode change processing routine in FIG. 12 performs the same processing as the drawing mode change processing routine in FIG. 8, except that the processing from steps S110 to S120 in the drawing mode change processing routine in FIG. 8 is changed to the processing from steps S210 to S224. Therefore, hereinafter, only the parts of the drawing mode change processing routine in FIG. 12 that are different from the drawing mode change processing routine in FIG. 8 will be described.

[0106] When the drawing mode change process routine of FIG. 12 is executed, the gripping information detection unit 40 and the notification unit 44 execute the same processes as those from steps S100 to S108 of the drawing mode change process routine of FIG. 8. Subsequently, the gripping information detection unit 40 reads the gripping forces Fg11, Fg12, and Fg13 from the first thin film piezoelectric elements 306a, 306b, and 306c (step S210), and executes a process of determining whether or not the gripping forces Fg11, Fg12, and Fg13 equal to or greater than a predetermined value are detected (step S212). Then, when the gripping information detection unit 40 detects the gripping forces Fg11, Fg12, and Fg13 equal to or greater than the predetermined value, it executes a process of determining the detection order (step S214). When the detection order is "from the pen tip 4 side to the pen butt side", the detection mode Dm is incremented by a value of 1 (step S216), and a process of determining whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed is executed (step S218). On the other hand, when the detection order is "from the pen butt side to the pen tip 4 side", the detection mode Dm is decremented by a value of 1 (step S220), and a process of determining whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed is executed (step S218). The gripping forces Fg11, Fg12, and Fg13 are each an example of an implementation configuration corresponding to the "second gripping force" and the "third gripping force" in the present invention. Also, the acquisition mode Dm is an example of an implementation configuration corresponding to the "detection mode" in the present invention. Furthermore, the gripping information Ig(C2, Dm) is an example of an implementation configuration corresponding to the "drawing mode information" and the "drawing menu information" in the present invention.

[0107] When a predetermined time has elapsed, the notification unit 44 executes a process of outputting an answer-back signal corresponding to the detection mode Dm to any one of the first thin film piezoelectric elements 306a, 306b, and 306 (step S222). As a result, the inverse piezoelectric effect occurs in the first thin film piezoelectric elements 306a, 306b, and 306 that have received the answer-back signal, generating vibrations corresponding to the detection mode Dm. In this modified example, as shown in FIG. 13, each drawing mode (line width, line type, color, shading) is associated with the number of vibrations, and when a drawing mode (line width, line type, color, shading) corresponding to the detection mode Dm is selected, vibrations are generated by the number of vibrations corresponding to the drawing mode (line width, line type, color, shading). Note that, in this modified example, the selection of the drawing mode (line width, line type, color, shading) corresponding to the detection mode Dm stores the previously selected drawing mode (line width, line type, color, shading), and starting from the stored drawing mode (line width, line type, color, shading), the drawing mode (line width, line type, color, shading) is moved in the ascending direction (downward in FIG. 13) or the descending direction (upward in FIG. 13) by the value of the detection mode Dm for selection. Specifically, for example, when explaining using "color" as the drawing mode, if the previously selected "color" is "yellow" and the detection mode Dm has a value of "2", then "color" becomes "light blue" which has moved 2 values in the ascending direction (downward in FIG. 13) starting from "yellow", and the number of vibrations is 6 times. On the other hand, if the detection mode Dm has a value of "-3", then "color" becomes "black" which has moved 3 values in the descending direction (upward in FIG. 13) starting from "yellow line", and the number of vibrations is 1 time.

[0108] After the notification unit 44 executes the process of outputting the answer-back signal to any one of the first thin-film piezoelectric elements 306a, 306b, and 306 in this way, the information output unit 42 executes the process of outputting the gripping information Ig(C2, Dm), and the gripping information detection unit 40 executes the process of resetting the click count C1 and the detection mode Dm to the value 0 (step S224), and this processing routine ends. Note that the gripping information Ig(C2, Dm) output by the information output unit 42 is transmitted to the display device Dp (see FIG. 5) via the communication unit 12. Then, the control unit (not shown) of the display device Dp that has received the gripping information Ig(C2, Dm) generates drawing information in a drawing mode corresponding to the gripping information Ig(C2, Dm), and the drawing information is displayed on the display screen (not shown) of the display device Dp. For example, when the previously selected drawing mode "color" is "yellow", the click count C2 is 3 times (see FIG. 6), and the detection mode Dm is the value 2, that is, when the gripping information Ig(C2, Dm) is the gripping information Ig(3, 2), the drawing mode "color" is "light blue" and drawing mode information is generated (see FIG. 13), and "color" is "light blue" and is displayed on the display screen (not shown) of the display device Dp.

[0109] On the other hand, in step S212, when the gripping forces Fg11, Fg12, Fg13 equal to or greater than a predetermined value are not detected, or in step S218, when the predetermined time has not elapsed, the processes of steps S210 to S218 are repeatedly executed until the predetermined time elapses.

[0110] In the first, second, and third embodiments and the above-described modified examples, a configuration for notifying by vibration is adopted, but it is not limited to this. For example, notification through vision such as lighting or blinking may be used, or notification through hearing such as voice may be used. When voice notification is adopted, a voltage (answer-back signal) corresponding to the click counts C1 and C2 is supplied to the second thin-film piezoelectric element 8, so that the inverse piezoelectric effect is generated in the thin-film piezoelectric element 8, and the vibration corresponding to the click counts C1 and C2 generated due to the inverse piezoelectric effect is utilized to emit voice. According to this configuration, since a dedicated component for emitting voice is not required, an increase in the number of components can be prevented.

[0111] In the first, second, and third embodiments and the above-described modified examples, the configuration having the recesses 20 and 22 is adopted, but the recesses 20 and 22 may not be provided.

[0112] In the first, second, and third embodiments and the above-described modified examples, the housing 2 has a cylindrical shape, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the housing 2 may have a triangular prism shape with a hollow interior or a hexagonal shape with a hollow interior.

[0113] In the present embodiment, the present invention is described as a form of the stylus pen 1 capable of drawing drawing information such as pictures, characters, lines, and figures corresponding to the movement locus of the pen tip 4 on a display device Dp such as a device having a touch panel screen or a tablet by bringing the pen tip 4 into contact with and operating the display device Dp, or as a method for changing the drawing mode in the stylus pen 1 capable of drawing drawing information such as pictures, characters, lines, and figures corresponding to the movement locus of the pen tip 4 on a display device Dp such as a device having a touch panel screen or a tablet by bringing the pen tip 4 into contact with and operating the display device Dp. However, for example, it may be applied to a form of a program for executing the drawing mode change method. This program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium (for example, a hard disk, ROM, SSD, flash memory (such as a USB memory, SD card), floppy disk, CD, DVD, etc.), or may be distributed from one computer to another computer via a transmission medium (a communication network such as the Internet or LAN), or may be transferred in any other form. If this program is executed by one computer or each step is shared and executed by a plurality of computers, each step of the above-described drawing mode change processing routine is executed, so that the same operational effects as those of the stylus pen 1 of the present embodiment and the drawing mode change method in the stylus pen 1 can be obtained.

[0114] This embodiment shows an example of a form for implementing the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of this embodiment.

Industrial Applicability

[0115] It can be used in the technical field of the pen-type input device disclosed in this specification.

[0116] <Appendix> In view of the gist of the above invention, the transport device according to the present invention can be configured in the following aspects. (Aspect 1) 「A pen-type input device that is operated while being held by a user to display drawing information on a display screen, a rod-shaped housing having a grip portion that can be gripped by the user, a grip information detection unit disposed in the grip portion so as to be able to detect first grip information including the first grip force of the user, an information output unit that is disposed in the housing and electrically connected to the grip information detection unit, and outputs drawing mode information corresponding to the detected first grip information, a notification unit that is disposed in the housing and electrically connected to the grip information detection unit, and performs a first notification corresponding to the first grip information, A pen-type input device comprising:」 (Aspect 2) 「The grip information detection unit detects the first grip force as the first grip information, the information output unit outputs the drawing mode information corresponding to the first grip force, the notification unit performs a notification corresponding to the magnitude of the first grip force as the first notification The pen-type input device according to Aspect 1.」 (Aspect 3) 「The grip information detection unit detects the first detection frequency of the first grip force within a first predetermined time as the first grip information, the information output unit outputs the drawing mode information corresponding to the first detection frequency, the notification unit performs a notification corresponding to the first detection frequency as the first notification The pen-type input device according to Aspect 1.」 (Aspect 4) 「The grip information detection unit has a first piezoelectric element The pen-type input device according to any one of the above aspects 1 to 3. (Aspect 5) The first piezoelectric element has at least a second piezoelectric element and a third piezoelectric element, The gripping information detection unit detects a detection mode of the second gripping force and the third gripping force by the second piezoelectric element and the third piezoelectric element as the first gripping information, The information output unit outputs the drawing mode information corresponding to the detection mode, The notification unit performs a notification corresponding to the detection mode as the first notification The pen-type input device according to the above aspect 4. (Aspect 6) The first notification is a notification by vibration generated due to the inverse piezoelectric effect of the first piezoelectric element The pen-type input device according to the above aspect 4 or 5. (Aspect 7) The first notification is a voice notification using vibration generated due to the inverse piezoelectric effect of the first piezoelectric element The pen-type input device according to the above aspect 4 or 5. (Aspect 8) The gripping information detection unit can detect second gripping information including a fourth gripping force of the user, The information output unit outputs the drawing menu information corresponding to the detected second gripping information in association with the drawing mode information The pen-type input device according to any one of the above aspects 1 to 7. (Aspect 9) The notification unit performs a second notification according to the second gripping information The pen-type input device according to the above aspect 8. (Aspect 10) The notification unit performs the first notification and the second notification in different modes The pen-type input device according to the above aspect 9. (Aspect 11) The gripping information detection unit detects the fourth gripping force as the second gripping information, The information output unit outputs by associating the drawing menu information corresponding to the fourth gripping force and the drawing mode information. The notification unit performs notification according to the magnitude of the fourth gripping force as the second notification. The pen-type input device according to aspect 9 or 10. (Aspect 12) The gripping information detection unit detects a second detection count of the fourth gripping force within a second predetermined time as the second gripping information. The information output unit outputs by associating the drawing menu information corresponding to the second detection count and the drawing mode information. The notification unit performs notification according to the second detection count as the second notification. The pen-type input device according to aspect 9 or 10. (Aspect 13) The gripping information detection unit has a fourth piezoelectric element. The second gripping information is information including the fourth gripping force detected by the fourth piezoelectric element. The pen-type input device according to any one of aspects 9 to 12. (Aspect 14) The second notification is notification by vibration generated due to the inverse piezoelectric effect of the fourth piezoelectric element. The pen-type input device according to aspect 13. (Aspect 15) The second notification is notification by sound using vibration generated due to the inverse piezoelectric effect of the fourth piezoelectric element. The pen-type input device according to aspect 13. (Aspect 16) The pen-type input device further includes an operation feeling effect unit capable of creating an operation feeling when operating the pen-type input device. The operation feeling effect unit creates the operation feeling using vibration generated due to the inverse piezoelectric effect of the first piezoelectric element. The pen-type input device according to any one of aspects 4 to 7. (Aspect 17) The pen-type input device further includes an operation feeling effect unit capable of creating an operation feeling when operating the pen-type input device. The operation feeling presentation unit presents the operation feeling by using vibrations generated due to the inverse piezoelectric effect of the fourth piezoelectric element. The pen-type input device according to any one of Aspects 13 to 15. (Aspect 18) The operation feeling presentation unit changes the vibration mode according to the first gripping information. The pen-type input device according to Aspect 16 or 17. (Aspect 19) Further comprising a speaker unit capable of emitting sound, and a reception and supply unit capable of receiving an electrical signal from the outside and supplying the received electrical signal to the first piezoelectric element. The speaker unit emits the sound by using vibrations generated due to the inverse piezoelectric effect of the first piezoelectric element based on the electrical signal. The pen-type input device according to any one of Aspects 4 to 7. (Aspect 20) The speaker unit is capable of emitting sound at a volume corresponding to the first gripping information. The pen-type input device according to Aspect 19. (Aspect 21) Further comprising a speaker unit capable of emitting sound, and a reception and supply unit capable of receiving an electrical signal from the outside and supplying the received electrical signal to the fourth piezoelectric element. The speaker unit emits the sound by using vibrations generated due to the inverse piezoelectric effect of the fourth piezoelectric element based on the electrical signal. The pen-type input device according to any one of Aspects 13 to 16. (Aspect 22) The speaker unit is capable of emitting sound at a volume corresponding to the second gripping information. The pen-type input device according to Aspect 21. (Aspect 23) The gripping part has a concave portion. The concave portion has a curved surface. The pen-type input device according to any one of Aspects 1 to 22. (Aspect 24) A drawing mode changing method for changing a drawing mode on a display screen by a pen-type input device, comprising: a grip information detection step of detecting first grip information including a first grip force when a user grips the pen-type input device; an information output step of outputting drawing mode information corresponding to the detected first grip information; a notification step of performing a first notification corresponding to the first grip information; A drawing mode changing method. (Aspect 25) The grip information detection step includes a step of detecting second grip information including a fourth grip force of the user, The information output step includes a step of outputting, in association with each other, drawing menu information corresponding to the detected second grip information and the drawing mode information. The drawing mode changing method according to Aspect 24. (Aspect 26) The notification step includes a step of performing a second notification corresponding to the second grip information. The drawing mode changing method according to Aspect 25. (Aspect 27) The notification step is a step of performing the first notification and the second notification in different manners. The drawing mode changing method according to Aspect 26. (Aspect 28) A drawing mode changing program for changing a drawing mode on a display screen by a pen-type input device, comprising: causing a computer to execute each step of the drawing mode changing method according to any one of Aspects 24 to 27. A drawing mode changing program.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0117] 1 Stylus pen (pen-type input device) 2 Housing (housing) 2a Tip 2b Grip portion 4 Pen tip 6 First thin film piezoelectric element (first piezoelectric element) 8 Second thin-film piezoelectric element (fourth piezoelectric element) 10 Battery 12 Communication unit 14 USB connector 16 Control unit 20 Concave portion (concave portion) 22 Concave portion (concave portion) 40 Grasping information detection unit (grasping information detection unit) 42 Information output unit (information output unit) 44 Notification unit (notification unit) 90 Sound source 100 Stylus pen (pen-type input device) 146 Operation feeling presentation unit (operation feeling presentation unit) 200 Stylus pen (pen-type input device) 246 Speaker unit (speaker unit) 300 Stylus pen (pen-type input device) 306a First thin-film piezoelectric element (second piezoelectric element, third piezoelectric element) 306b First thin-film piezoelectric element (second piezoelectric element, third piezoelectric element) 306c First thin-film piezoelectric element (second piezoelectric element, third piezoelectric element) Dp Display device Fg1 Grasping force (first grasping force) Fg2 Grasping force (fourth grasping force) Fg11 Grasping force (second grasping force, third grasping force) Fg12 Grasping force (second grasping force, third grasping force) Fg13 Grasping force (second grasping force, third grasping force) C1 Number of clicks (first grasping information, first detection count) C2 Number of clicks (fourth grasping information, second detection count) Dm Acquisition mode (detection mode) Ig(C2,C1) Grasping information (drawing mode information, drawing menu information) Ig(C2,Dm) Grasping information (drawing mode information, drawing menu information)

Claims

1. A pen-type input device that is operated while being held by a user to display drawing information on a display screen, a rod-shaped housing having a grip portion that can be gripped by the user, a grip information detection unit disposed in the grip portion so as to be able to detect first grip information including a first grip force of the user, an information output unit that is disposed in the housing and electrically connected to the grip information detection unit, and outputs drawing mode information corresponding to the detected first grip information, a notification unit that is disposed in the housing and electrically connected to the grip information detection unit, and performs a first notification corresponding to the first grip information, A pen-type input device comprising:

2. The grip information detection unit detects the first grip force as the first grip information, The information output unit outputs the drawing mode information corresponding to the first grip force, The notification unit performs a notification corresponding to the magnitude of the first grip force as the first notification The pen-type input device according to claim 1.

3. The grip information detection unit detects a first detection count of the first grip force within a first predetermined time as the first grip information, The information output unit outputs the drawing mode information corresponding to the first detection count, The notification unit performs a notification corresponding to the first detection count as the first notification The pen-type input device according to claim 1.

4. The grip information detection unit has a first piezoelectric element The pen-type input device according to claim 1.

5. The first piezoelectric element has at least a second piezoelectric element and a third piezoelectric element, The grip information detection unit detects a detection mode of a second grip force and a third grip force of the user by the second piezoelectric element and the third piezoelectric element as the first grip information, The information output unit outputs the drawing mode information corresponding to the detection mode, The notification unit performs a notification corresponding to the detection mode as the first notification The pen-type input device according to claim 4.

6. The first notification is a notification by vibration generated due to the inverse piezoelectric effect of the first piezoelectric element The pen-type input device according to claim 4 or 5.

7. The first notification is a voice notification using vibration generated due to the inverse piezoelectric effect of the first piezoelectric element The pen-type input device according to claim 4 or 5.

8. The grip information detection unit is capable of detecting second grip information including a fourth grip force of the user, The information output unit outputs by associating drawing menu information corresponding to the detected second gripping information with the drawing mode information. The pen-type input device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

9. The notification unit performs second notification according to the second gripping information. The pen-type input device according to claim 8.

10. The notification unit performs the first notification and the second notification in different modes. The pen-type input device according to claim 9.

11. The gripping information detection unit detects the fourth gripping force as the second gripping information, The information output unit outputs by associating the drawing menu information corresponding to the fourth gripping force with the drawing mode information, The notification unit performs notification according to the magnitude of the fourth gripping force as the second notification. The pen-type input device according to claim 9.

12. The gripping information detection unit detects the second detection count of the fourth gripping force within a second predetermined time as the second gripping information, The information output unit outputs by associating the drawing menu information corresponding to the second detection count with the drawing mode information, The notification unit performs notification according to the second detection count as the second notification. The pen-type input device according to claim 9.

13. The gripping information detection unit has a fourth piezoelectric element, The second gripping information is information including the fourth gripping force detected by the fourth piezoelectric element. The pen-type input device according to claim 9.

14. The second notification is notification by vibration generated due to the inverse piezoelectric effect of the fourth piezoelectric element. The pen-type input device according to claim 13.

15. The second notification is voice notification using vibration generated due to the inverse piezoelectric effect of the fourth piezoelectric element. The pen-type input device according to claim 13.

16. The pen-type input device further includes an operation feeling presentation unit capable of presenting an operation feeling when operating the pen-type input device, The operation feeling presentation unit presents the operation feeling using vibration generated due to the inverse piezoelectric effect of the first piezoelectric element. The pen-type input device according to claim 4.

17. The pen-type input device further includes an operation feeling presentation unit capable of presenting an operation feeling when operating the pen-type input device, The operation feeling presentation unit presents the operation feeling using vibration generated due to the inverse piezoelectric effect of the fourth piezoelectric element. The pen-type input device according to claim 13.

18. The operation feeling presentation unit changes a vibration pattern according to the first gripping information. The pen-type input device according to claim 16.

19. The operation feeling presentation unit changes a vibration pattern according to the first gripping information. The pen-type input device according to claim 17.

20. The pen-type input device further includes a speaker unit capable of emitting sound, and a reception and supply unit capable of receiving an electrical signal from the outside and supplying the received electrical signal to the first piezoelectric element. The speaker unit emits the sound by using vibrations generated due to the inverse piezoelectric effect of the first piezoelectric element based on the electrical signal. The pen-type input device according to claim 4.

21. The speaker unit is capable of emitting a volume according to the first gripping information. The pen-type input device according to claim 20.

22. The pen-type input device further includes a speaker unit capable of emitting sound, and a reception and supply unit capable of receiving an electrical signal from the outside and supplying the received electrical signal to the fourth piezoelectric element. The speaker unit emits the sound by using vibrations generated due to the inverse piezoelectric effect of the fourth piezoelectric element based on the electrical signal. The pen-type input device according to claim 13.

23. The speaker unit is capable of emitting a volume according to the second gripping information. The pen-type input device according to claim 22.

24. The gripping unit has a concave portion. The concave portion has a curved surface. The pen-type input device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

25. A drawing mode change method for changing a drawing mode on a display screen by a pen-type input device, the method including: a gripping information detection step of detecting first gripping information including a first gripping force when a user grips the pen-type input device; an information output step of outputting drawing mode information corresponding to the detected first gripping information; a notification step of performing a first notification corresponding to the first gripping information. The drawing mode change method comprising the above steps.

26. The gripping information detection step includes a step of detecting second gripping information including a fourth gripping force of the user, and the information output step includes a step of outputting, in association with each other, drawing menu information corresponding to the detected second gripping information and the drawing mode information. The drawing mode change method according to claim 25.

27. The notification step includes a step of performing a second notification corresponding to the second gripping information. The drawing mode change method according to claim 26.

28. The notification step is a step of performing the first notification and the second notification in different manners. The drawing mode change method according to claim 27.

29. A drawing mode change program for changing a drawing mode on a display screen by a pen-type input device, causing a computer to execute each step of the drawing mode change method according to any one of Claims 25 to 28 drawing mode change program.

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