Electronic pen

Abstract

To realize an electronic pen having a side switch that has a simple configuration, and can input an instruction of multiple states easily and appropriately.SOLUTION: In an electronic pen, a side switch section is provided on a side face of a pen body PB gripped by a user. The side switch section has a sensor section in which capacitance type sensors CH1, CH2, CH3, CH4 and a pressure-sensitive sensor are laminated such that sensor areas (detection areas) overlap as two kinds of touch sensors having different detection systems. Accordingly, it becomes possible to instruct at least a case where operation is performed so as to operate on one touch sensor and a case where operation is simultaneously performed to both the touch sensors through the side switch section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic pen that enables input of information by specifying coordinates to a position detection device mounted on an electronic device such as a tablet PC (Personal Computer). [Background technology]

[0002] For example, some electronic devices, such as tablet PCs (Personal Computers) and high-performance mobile phones known as smartphones, allow users to input instructions using an electronic pen via a built-in position detection device in order to perform more detailed drawing input. Even with such electronic pens, it is being considered to make available a so-called side switch. The side switch of an electronic pen refers to a switch provided on the side of the electronic pen that can be operated with a finger while holding the electronic pen.

[0003] The side switch of some electronic pens is configured using, for example, a small switch that mechanically switches on and off. However, Patent Document 1 discloses an idea for an electronic pen in which the side switch is configured using a touch sensor to realize an electronic pen (position indicator) that requires a light operating pressure and is easy to use. The electronic pen of the idea disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured by connecting a pair of touch sensor electrodes as variable resistance elements to a tuning circuit including a coil and a capacitor, and providing this pair of touch sensor electrodes on the side of the housing of the electronic pen.

[0004] By connecting a pair of touch sensor electrodes with a fingertip, a user can change the characteristics of the tuning circuit, such as the reactance, impedance, or so-called Q value. In other words, the on / off state of the side switch can be indicated by the characteristics of the tuning circuit, which change depending on whether a finger is connected or disconnected between the pair of touch sensor electrodes. The electronic pen of the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 uses an electromagnetic coupling method in which position indication is performed by transmitting and receiving a magnetic field between the position detection device and the electronic pen. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 6-65929 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the case of the device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the only instruction that can be given through the side switch is an on / off switching operation. In order to enable input of instructions for multiple states, multiple pairs of touch sensor electrodes must be provided, as shown in FIG. 1(b) of Patent Document 1. In this case, since the side area of ​​the electronic pen is limited, providing multiple pairs of touch sensor electrodes may make it difficult to hold, which may reduce operability. Furthermore, providing multiple pairs of touch sensor electrodes may increase the likelihood of incorrect operation.

[0007] In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic pen with a side switch that is simple in configuration and allows for easy and appropriate input of instructions for a plurality of states. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, a cylindrical housing that is held by a user; a side switch unit provided on a side surface of the cylindrical housing and configured to receive an operation input from a user; Equipped with The side switch unit includes a sensor unit in which two types of touch sensors with different detection methods are stacked so that their sensor areas overlap each other, The two types of touch sensors are a capacitive touch sensor and a pressure-sensitive touch sensor, The capacitive touch sensors are arranged in a plurality in the axial direction of the cylindrical housing. The present invention provides an electronic pen characterized by the above features.

[0009] In this specification, the term "touch sensor" refers to a sensor that detects the approach or touch of a human finger, which is a dielectric, or a sensor that detects pressure applied by a human finger, etc. In other words, the touch sensor includes various sensors that detect operation by a human finger, etc. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an example of the configuration of a side switch section of the electronic pen according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating a layered structure of a side switch portion of the electronic pen according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] 3A and 3B are diagrams for explaining a sensor unit included in a side switch unit of the electronic pen according to the embodiment; [Figure 4] 3A to 3C are diagrams illustrating an operation mode for a side switch portion of the electronic pen according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] 3A to 3C are diagrams illustrating an operation mode for a side switch portion of the electronic pen according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] 3A to 3C are diagrams illustrating an operation mode for a side switch portion of the electronic pen according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining the correspondence between operation modes and instruction contents for a side switch portion of the electronic pen according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an electronic pen in the case where operation details on a side switch unit are multiplexed into a position indication signal and sent out. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an electronic pen when an operation performed on a side switch unit is transmitted by short-range wireless communication. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an electronic pen according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. There are various types of electronic pens, such as the active electrostatic coupling type (AES (Active Electrostatic) type) and the electromagnetic induction type (EMR (Electro Magnetic Resonance) type). The electronic pen according to the present invention is characterized by the configuration of the side switch unit. Therefore, the electronic pen according to the present invention can be applied to any type of electronic pen as long as it is equipped with a side switch. Below, the electronic pen according to the present invention will be described, focusing on the configuration of the distinctive side switch unit.

[0012] [Side switch configuration example] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an example of the configuration of a side switch unit of an electronic pen according to an embodiment. The electronic pen of the present invention is configured by mounting an electronic pen main body on an outer housing. In the case of the electronic pen shown in FIG. 1, the outer housing is a portion consisting of a front cap FC, a pen body PB, and a rear cap (not shown). The front cap FC is attached to the front end of the pen body PB and is a tapered portion that allows the pen tip portion of the core to protrude. The pen body (cylindrical housing) PB is a portion that is held by the user. The rear cap functions to close the rear end opening of the pen body PB. Although not shown, the electronic pen main body mounted in the outer housing is configured with various components such as a core, a pen pressure detection unit, a circuit board, and a battery, and is a portion that realizes the functions of the electronic pen, such as a position indication function.

[0013] Furthermore, the electronic pen of this embodiment is equipped with a side switch unit configured using two types of touch sensors with different detection methods. As shown in FIG. 1, the pen body PB is approximately cylindrical, with the upper portion of the side surface being flat. This flat portion of the side surface of the pen body PB is referred to as the flat portion PBu. A rectangular opening PBh for accommodating the side switch unit is provided at a position slightly closer to the front cap FC than the flat portion PBu. In the electronic pen of this embodiment, the side switch unit is configured by stacking a holding member 1, an elastic member 2, a sensor unit 3, and an operating member 4 in the opening PBh portion.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the holding member 1 is substantially cylindrical, and like the pen body PB, the upper portion of the side surface is flat. The flat portion of the side surface of the holding member 1 is referred to as the flat portion 1u. The flat portion 1u is provided with a pair of first protrusions (ribs) 11 and 12, each extending in a direction intersecting the axial direction, and a second protrusion (pivot) 13, each extending in the axial direction. The flat portion 1u of the holding member 1 also has a fitting hole 14 at its leading end and a fitting hole 15 at its trailing end. The holding member 1 is inserted into the pen body PB as indicated by the arrow IN in FIG. 1 and pushed into the opening PBh. The protrusions on both ends of the flat portion 1u of the holding member 1 engage with the protrusions on the inner wall surface of the pen body PB, and the holding member 1 is fixed at position PBa. When the holding member 1 is fixed at position PBa, the flat portion 1u is visible through the opening PBh.

[0015] A rectangular elastic member 2 is placed on the flat surface 1u of the holding member 1, which is fixed at position PBa within the pen body PB, through an opening PBh. In this embodiment, the elastic member 2 is made of PORON (registered trademark), a high-performance urethane foam. Of course, other elastic materials, such as rubber or sponge, may also be used. The elastic member 2 functions to apply pressure gently rather than suddenly when the side switch is pressed. Thus, the elastic member 2 prevents a pressure-sensitive sensor (described later) from responding to a slight press, but ensures that the pressure-sensitive sensor functions only when the switch is pressed firmly. Furthermore, first holes 21 and 22 are formed in the elastic member 2 at positions corresponding to the first protrusions 11 and 12 of the holding member 1. Furthermore, a second hole 23 is formed in the elastic member 2 at a position corresponding to the second protrusion 13 of the holding member 1.

[0016] As a result, when the elastic member 2 is placed on the flat portion 1u of the holding member 1, the first protrusions 11, 12 and the second protrusion 13 of the holding member 1 fit into the first hole portions 21, 22 and the second hole portion 23 of the elastic member 2. In this embodiment, the heights of the first protrusions 11, 12 and the second protrusion 13 are set to be approximately the same as the thickness of the elastic member 2, and the upper surfaces of the first protrusions 11, 12 and the second protrusion 13 are positioned on approximately the same plane as the upper surface of the elastic member 2.

[0017] The sensor unit 3 formed on a flexible substrate 30 is disposed on the upper surface of the elastic member 2. The flexible substrate 30 is a deformable, flexible printed wiring board made of a thin insulating material, such as a plastic film, and is elongated and made up of a sensor placement section 31, an extension section 32, and a connector section 33. The sensor placement section 31 is a section that is slightly wider in width to accommodate the sensor unit 3, and has a hole 31a at its leading end and a hole 31b at its trailing end.

[0018] The extension section 32 is a section that extends rearward from the rear end of the sensor arrangement section 31, is narrower in width than the sensor arrangement section 31, and accommodates conductive wires that are derived from the sensor section 3 arranged in the sensor arrangement section 31 and extend rearward. The connector section 33 is a section that is provided with connection terminals to which the conductive wires extending from the sensor section 3 are connected. The sensor section 3, which will be described in detail later, is a section formed by stacking two types of touch sensors with different detection methods so that their sensor areas overlap.

[0019] The flexible substrate 30 configured in this manner is inserted into the rear end opening of the pen body PB, and the sensor arrangement section 31 is positioned on the upper surface of the elastic member 2, so that the sensor section 3 arranged on the sensor arrangement section 31 is superimposed on the elastic member 2. Also, the connector section (plug section) 33 of the flexible substrate 30 is inserted into and connected to a predetermined connector section (jack section) of the circuit board of the electronic pen main body (not shown).

[0020] As a result, the detection outputs from the touch sensors constituting the sensor unit 3 are led to the terminals of the connector unit 33 through the extensions 32 and supplied to a circuit board in the electronic pen main body (not shown). The electronic pen main body can multiplex the detection outputs from the touch sensors constituting the side switch unit into a position indication signal and send it to the position detection device side, or send it to the position detection device side by short-range wireless communication.

[0021] An operation member 4 is disposed on the upper surface of the sensor unit 3. The operation member 4 is, for example, a rectangular plate-like body made of a resin material, and has legs 41a and 41b provided on the outer bottom surface. When the operation member 4 is placed on the sensor unit 3, the legs 41a and 41b pass through the holes 31a and 31b of the sensor arrangement unit 31 and fit into the fitting holes 14 and 15 of the holding member 1. As a result, the elastic member 2, the sensor arrangement unit 31 in which the sensor unit 3 is disposed, and the operation member 4 are fixed to the holding member 1 fixed to the pen body PB, and function as a side switch unit of the electronic pen.

[0022] 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating the layered structure of the side switch unit of the electronic pen according to the embodiment. In Fig. 2, Fig. 2A is an external view of the pen tip side portion including the side switch unit of the electronic pen according to the embodiment, and Fig. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the side switch unit taken along the position indicated by the dotted arrow in Fig. 2A. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2A, the side switch unit of the electronic pen according to this embodiment is formed on the side surface of the electronic pen on the pen tip side, and has a four-layer structure as shown in Fig. 2B.

[0023] That is, inside the pen body PB, the elastic member 2 is placed on the flat surface 1u of the holding member 1 fixed to the opening PBh, and the sensor unit 3 is placed on that, and the operating member 4 is placed on that, to form a side switch unit. Legs 41a and 41b on the outer bottom surface of the operating member 4 fit into fitting holes 14 and 15 in the flat surface 1u of the holding member 1, so that the above four parts function as a side switch unit provided in the electronic pen without coming apart. In the side switch unit of the electronic pen of this embodiment, the operating member 4 is about 0.5 mm thick, as shown in FIG. 2(B).

[0024] In this embodiment, when the legs 41a, 41b of the operating member 4 are fitted into the fitting holes 14, 15 of the holding member 1, the upper surface of the operating member 4 is positioned in approximately the same plane as the flat surface PBu of the pen body PB. However, this is not limited to this. The position of the upper surface of the operating member 4 can be changed by adjusting the thickness, shape, etc. of the operating member 4, the elastic member 2, and the holding member 1. In other words, the position of the upper surface of the operating member 4 can be set to a position lower inside the pen body PB than the flat surface PBu of the pen body PB, or conversely, it can be set to a position protruding outward from the flat surface PBu of the pen body PB.

[0025] 2(B), for ease of explanation, the flexible substrate 30 on which the sensor unit 3 is provided is omitted. Similarly, the first protrusions 11, 12 and second protrusion 13 provided on the flat surface 1u of the holding member 1, and the first holes 21, 22 and second holes 23 provided in the elastic member 2 corresponding to these protrusions are also omitted.

[0026] As described above, in the electronic pen of this embodiment, the front cap FC is connected to the tip of the pen body PB, and the holding member 1 is inserted into the pen body PB and fixed at the fixing position PBa corresponding to the opening PBh. The side switch unit is formed by stacking the elastic member 2, sensor unit 3, and operation member 4 on the holding member 1. The detection outputs from the sensors in the sensor unit 3 of the side switch unit are supplied to the electronic pen main body unit via the conductive wires on the extension portion 32 of the flexible substrate 30 and the connection terminals of the connector portion 33, as described with reference to FIG.

[0027] The electronic pen main body is inserted into the rear end opening of the pen body PB, and the tip of the electronic pen main body passes through the inside of the pen body PB, penetrates the holding member 1, and reaches the front cap FC, causing the tip of the core (pen tip portion) to protrude from the front end opening of the front cap FC. After the electronic pen main body is loaded, a rear cap is fitted into the rear end opening of the pen body PB. This fixes the electronic pen main body within the outer housing, and the entire assembly constitutes a single electronic pen.

[0028] [Example of sensor configuration] Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating the sensor unit 3 provided in the side switch unit of the electronic pen according to the embodiment. In Fig. 3, Fig. 3(A) is an overall view of the flexible substrate 30 on which the sensor unit 3 is provided, and Fig. 3(B) is a cross-sectional view of the sensor unit 3 as viewed from the direction indicated by the dotted arrow in Fig. 3(A). Also, in Fig. 3, Figs. 3(C) and (D) are diagrams showing examples of the arrangement of touch sensors with different detection methods. In this embodiment, the two types of touch sensors with different detection methods are a pressure-sensitive (resistive film) sensor and a capacitance sensor.

[0029] As described above and also shown in Fig. 3(A), the sensor unit 3 is arranged on a sensor arrangement portion 31 of the flexible substrate 30. As shown in Fig. 3(B), the sensor unit 3 is configured by stacking, from the bottom side (flexible substrate 30 side), the substrate Bd1 → pressure-sensitive sensor CH5 (CH6) → substrate Bd2 → capacitance-type sensors CH1, CH2, CH3, and CH4 in this order. The capacitance-type sensors CH1, CH2, CH3, and CH4 are arranged on the substrate Bd2, which is coplanar as shown in Fig. 3(B).

[0030] That is, the capacitance type sensors CH1, CH2, CH3, and CH4 are arranged in the axial direction of the electronic pen (the direction indicated by the arrow Ar in FIG. 3C) as shown in Figures 3(B) and 3(C). The capacitance type sensors CH1, CH2, CH3, and CH4 can detect whether an operation has been performed by detecting a change in capacitance between the fingertip and the conductive film, and can even detect this by simply bringing the fingertip close to the sensor.

[0031] Pressure-sensitive sensors CH5 and CH6 are arranged in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the electronic pen (the direction indicated by the arrow Cr in FIG. 3(D)). Note that, since FIG. 3(B) is a cross-sectional view as viewed from the direction of the dotted arrow in FIG. 3(A), pressure-sensitive sensor CH6 is located on the other side of pressure-sensitive sensor CH5 and is not visible in FIG. 3(B).

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3B, the pressure-sensitive sensor CH5 is configured by bonding a first electrode FE1 and a second electrode FE2 with an adhesive layer Ads. The pressure-sensitive sensor CH5 applies a voltage to one of two opposing electrodes (resistive films). When the sensor is pressed, the two electrodes approach each other, generating a voltage on the electrode to which no voltage is applied, enabling the sensor to detect whether the sensor is pressed. Therefore, unlike the capacitive sensors CH1, CH2, CH3, and CH4, the pressure-sensitive sensor CH5 does not generate a voltage simply by bringing a fingertip close to the sensor; a certain amount of pressure is required for a detection output. The pressure-sensitive sensor CH6 is configured similarly to the pressure-sensitive sensor CH5.

[0033] In this way, the capacitance sensors CH1, CH2, CH3, and CH4 can detect the user's fingertip when it approaches within a certain distance, whereas the pressure-sensitive sensors CH5 and CH6 cannot detect operation unless a certain amount of force is applied to press them.

[0034] In the electronic pen of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3(B), the sensor unit 3 (FIG. 3(B)) is configured by stacking the following in order: substrate Bd1 → pressure-sensitive sensors CH5 and CH6 → substrate Bd2 → capacitance-sensitive sensors CH1, CH2, CH3, and CH4. As a result, when a user's finger lightly traces the operation member 4, the operation is only detected by the capacitance-sensitive sensors CH1, CH2, CH3, and CH4. However, suppose that the operation member 4 is pressed down with a pressure of a predetermined value or more. In this case, of the capacitance-sensitive sensors CH1, CH2, CH3, and CH4, the capacitance sensor at the pressed portion and the pressure-sensitive sensors CH5 and CH6 located below it can simultaneously detect the pressing operation.

[0035] Therefore, the side switch unit can accept slide operation inputs, which only function with the capacitance type sensors CH1, CH2, CH3, and CH4 of the sensor unit 3. The side switch unit can also accept press operation inputs, which simultaneously function with both the capacitance type sensors CH1, CH2, CH3, and CH4 and the pressure type sensors CH5 and CH6. Furthermore, by taking into consideration the positions of the sensors that detect the operation inputs, it is possible to accept a variety of different operation inputs.

[0036] [Example of operation mode] 4, 5, and 6 are diagrams illustrating the operation of the side switch unit of the electronic pen according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a slide operation in which only the capacitance sensors CH1, CH2, CH3, and CH4 detect the operation input, without using the pressure-sensitive sensors CH5 and CH6. As shown in FIG. 4(A), assume that a user lightly touches the pen tip side of the operation member 4 of the side switch unit of the electronic pen according to this embodiment with their fingertip and then performs a slide-up operation by sliding the fingertip in the direction indicated by arrow a. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4(B), the capacitance sensors CH1, CH2, CH3, and CH4 detect the operation by the fingertip in the order CH1 → CH2 → CH3 → CH4. However, because pressure greater than a predetermined value is not applied, the pressure-sensitive sensors CH5 and CH6 do not detect the operation.

[0037] Also, as shown in Fig. 4(A), suppose a user lightly touches the rear end of operation member 4 of the side switch portion of the electronic pen of this embodiment with their fingertip and, while in that state, performs a slide-down operation by sliding their fingertip in the direction indicated by arrow b. In this case, as shown in Fig. 4(C), capacitive sensors CH1, CH2, CH3, and CH4 detect that the fingertip has been operated in the order CH4 → CH3 → CH2 → CH1. However, because pressure greater than a predetermined value is not applied, no operation is detected by pressure-sensitive sensors CH5 and CH6.

[0038] As a result, when the slide-up operation described with reference to Fig. 4(B) is performed, the information processing device including the position detection device can be instructed to, for example, scroll up to move the display image upward, and when the slide-down operation described with reference to Fig. 4(C) is performed, the information processing device including the position detection device can be instructed to, for example, scroll down to move the display image downward.

[0039] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating an up-and-down push operation in which a pressure equal to or greater than a predetermined value is applied, causing both the capacitance-based sensors CH1, CH2, CH3, and CH4 and the pressure-based sensors CH5 and CH6 to detect an operational input. As shown by arrow c in FIG. 5A, suppose a push operation (upward push operation) is performed on the rear end of the operating member 4 of the side switch unit, applying a pressure equal to or greater than a predetermined value. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5B, the capacitance-based sensors CH3 and CH4 and the pressure-based sensors CH5 and CH6 simultaneously detect the push operation.

[0040] Also, as shown by arrow d in FIG. 5(A), suppose that a position on the pen tip side of the operating member 4 of the side switch unit is pressed down (downward push operation) with a pressure of a predetermined value or more. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5(C), the capacitance sensors CH1 and CH2 and the pressure-sensitive sensors CH5 and CH6 simultaneously detect the pressing operation. As a result, when the upward push operation described with reference to FIG. 5(B) is performed, an information processing device equipped with a position detection device can be instructed to, for example, click up to display an image above the currently displayed image. When the downward push operation described with reference to FIG. 5(C) is performed, an information processing device equipped with a position detection device can be instructed to, for example, click down to display an image below the currently displayed image.

[0041] 1, in the electronic pen of this embodiment, first protrusions (ribs) 11 and 12 are provided on the flat surface 1u of the holding member 1. In this case, one first protrusion 11 is provided between the capacitive sensor CH1 and the capacitive sensor CH2, and the other first protrusion 12 is provided between the capacitive sensor CH3 and the capacitive sensor CH4.

[0042] 5(A), pressing the position indicated by arrow c acts on the capacitance sensors CH3 and CH4, and the first protrusion 12 applies a stronger pressing force to the pressure-sensitive sensors CH5 and CH6. Similarly, pressing the position indicated by arrow d in FIG. 5(A) acts on the capacitance sensors CH1 and CH2, and the first protrusion 11 applies a stronger pressing force to the pressure-sensitive sensors CH5 and CH6. In other words, the first protrusions (ribs) 11 and 12 act to reliably apply a pressing force to the pressure-sensitive sensors CH5 and CH6, whether the pen tip side or the rear end side of the operating member 4 is pressed.

[0043] 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating a left-right push operation in which a pressure equal to or greater than a predetermined value is applied to both the capacitance sensors CH1, CH2, CH3, and CH4 and the pressure-sensitive sensors CH5 and CH6 to detect an operation input. In FIG. 6A, it is assumed that the electronic pen of this embodiment is held in a user's hand, with the arrow e indicating the right side and the arrow f indicating the left side. As indicated by the arrow e in FIG. 6A, a push operation (right push operation) is performed on the right side of the operating member 4 of the side switch unit with a pressure equal to or greater than a predetermined value. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6B, the capacitance sensors CH2 and CH3 and the pressure-sensitive sensor CH6 simultaneously detect the push operation.

[0044] Furthermore, as shown by arrow f in FIG. 6(A), suppose that a left position on the operating member 4 of the side switch unit is pressed down with a pressure equal to or greater than a predetermined value (left push operation). In this case, as shown in FIG. 6(C), the capacitance sensors CH2 and CH3 and the pressure-sensitive sensor CH5 simultaneously detect the pressing operation. As a result, when the right push operation described with reference to FIG. 6(B) is performed, an information processing device equipped with a position detection device can be instructed to, for example, push right, which moves the currently displayed image to the right. Furthermore, when the left push operation described with reference to FIG. 6(C) is performed, an information processing device equipped with a position detection device can be instructed to, for example, push left, which moves the currently displayed image to the left.

[0045] In the case of the electronic pen of this embodiment, as described with reference to Fig. 1, a second protrusion (pivot) 13 is provided on the flat surface 1u of the holding member 1. In this case, the second protrusion 13 is provided between the pressure-sensitive sensors CH5 and CH6. That is, the second protrusion 13 is provided so as to separate the pressure-sensitive sensors CH5 and CH6 from each other on the left and right.

[0046] As a result, when the position indicated by arrow e in Fig. 6(A) is pressed, an action is exerted on capacitance-based sensors CH2 and CH3. At the same time, the presence of second protrusion 13 allows a pressing force to be exerted on pressure-based sensor CH6, but not on pressure-based sensor CH5. Similarly, when the position indicated by arrow f in Fig. 6(A) is pressed, an action is exerted on capacitance-based sensors CH2 and CH3. At the same time, the presence of second protrusion 13 allows a pressing force to be exerted on pressure-based sensor CH5, but not on pressure-based sensor CH6.

[0047] 7 is a diagram illustrating the correspondence between the operation mode of the side switch unit of the electronic pen and the instruction content according to the embodiment. The information shown in FIG. 7 corresponds to the information stored and held in the instruction content determination table formed in the storage device of the information processing device equipped with the position detection device.

[0048] Assume that the slide-up (upward slide) operation described with reference to FIG. 4(B) is performed on the side switch portion of the electronic pen of this embodiment. In this case, as shown in the "upward slide" column of FIG. 7, the capacitance sensors CH1, CH2, CH3, and CH4 sequentially change from "0 (off)" to "1 (on)" and then return to "0 (off)" in the order CH1 → CH2 → CH3 → CH4, and obtain detection outputs. Meanwhile, the pressure-sensitive sensors CH5 and CH6 both remain at "0 (off)." When such detection outputs are obtained, the information processing device determines that a slide-up instruction has been issued and can perform processing accordingly.

[0049] Also, assume that the slide-down (downward slide) operation described with reference to FIG. 4(C) is performed on the side switch portion of the electronic pen of this embodiment. In this case, as shown in the column for "downward slide" in FIG. 7, the capacitance-based sensors CH1, CH2, CH3, and CH4 sequentially change from "0 (off)" to "1 (on)" and then return to "0 (off)" in the order CH4 → CH3 → CH2 → CH1, and obtain detection outputs. Meanwhile, the pressure-based sensors CH5 and CH6 both remain at "0 (off)." When such detection outputs are obtained, the information processing device determines that a slide-down command has been issued and can perform processing accordingly.

[0050] Also, assume that the up push operation described with reference to Fig. 5(B) is performed on the side switch portion of the electronic pen of this embodiment. In this case, as shown in the up push column of Fig. 7, the capacitance sensors CH3 and CH4 become "1 (ON)" and the pressure-sensitive sensors CH5 and CH6 both become "1 (ON)." When such detection outputs are obtained, the information processing device determines that a click-up command has been issued and can perform processing accordingly.

[0051] Also, assume that the down push operation described with reference to Fig. 5(C) is performed on the side switch portion of the electronic pen of this embodiment. In this case, as shown in the down push column of Fig. 7, the capacitance sensors CH1 and CH2 become "1 (ON)" and the pressure-sensitive sensors CH5 and CH6 both become "1 (ON)." When such detection outputs are obtained, the information processing device determines that a click down has been instructed and can perform processing accordingly.

[0052] Also, assume that the right push operation described with reference to Fig. 6(B) is performed on the side switch portion of the electronic pen of this embodiment. In this case, as shown in the right push column of Fig. 7, the capacitance sensors CH2 and CH3 become "1 (ON)" and the pressure-sensitive sensor CH6 becomes "1 (ON)." When such detection outputs are obtained, the information processing device determines that a click light has been instructed and can perform processing accordingly.

[0053] Also, suppose that the left push operation described with reference to Fig. 6(C) is performed on the side switch portion of the electronic pen of this embodiment. In this case, as shown in the left push column of Fig. 7, the capacitance sensors CH2 and CH3 become "1 (ON)" and the pressure-sensitive sensor CH5 becomes "1 (ON)." When such detection outputs are obtained, the information processing device determines that a click left has been instructed and can perform processing accordingly.

[0054] Although not shown, when the rear right end of the side switch is pushed, the capacitance sensors CH3 and CH4 become "1 (on)" and the pressure-sensitive sensor CH6 becomes "1 (on)." Similarly, when the rear left end of the side switch is pushed, the capacitance sensors CH3 and CH4 become "1 (on)" and the pressure-sensitive sensor CH5 becomes "1 (on)."

[0055] Furthermore, although not shown, when the right side of the front end (pen tip side) of the side switch is pushed, the capacitance sensors CH1 and CH2 become "1 (on)" and the pressure-sensitive sensor CH6 becomes "1 (on)." Similarly, when the left side of the front end (pen tip side) of the side switch is pushed, the capacitance sensors CH1 and CH2 become "1 (on)" and the pressure-sensitive sensor CH5 becomes "1 (on)." Therefore, because these operations can also be distinguished, it is of course possible to assign predetermined functions to these operations.

[0056] [Example of overall configuration of electronic pen] As described above, the electronic pen of this embodiment can multiplex the detection output from the sensor unit 3 constituting the side switch unit onto a position indication signal and send it to the position detection device, or can send it to the position detection device via short-range wireless communication. However, the configuration of the electronic pen differs depending on how the detection output is sent. Below, we will explain an example of the configuration of an electronic pen in which the detection output from the sensor unit 3 is multiplexed onto a position indication signal and sent to the position detection device, and an example of the configuration of an electronic pen in which the detection output is sent to the position detection device via short-range wireless communication. Note that the electronic pen described below will be described as an example in which the present invention is applied to an AES-type electronic pen that sends a position indication signal from a conductive core.

[0057] Fig. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an electronic pen in which the operation content of the side switch unit is multiplexed into a position indication signal and sent out. The electronic pen shown in Fig. 8 includes a conductive core 5, an oscillator circuit 6, a pen pressure detection unit 7 configured as a variable capacitor, a power supply circuit 8, and a controller 9, and is configured so that the detection output from the sensor unit 3 of the side switch unit is supplied to the controller 9. The oscillator circuit 6 and the controller 9 are supplied with driving power from the power supply circuit 8 so that they can be driven.

[0058] In the case of the electronic pen shown in Fig. 8, the controller 9 controls the oscillator circuit 6 to shift the timing of sending out the position indication signal through the core body 5 and the detection output from the sensor unit 3. That is, at the timing of sending out the position indication signal, the controller 9 controls the oscillator circuit 6 to oscillate a predetermined position indication signal and send it through the core body 5. Furthermore, at the timing of sending out the detection output from the sensor unit 3, the controller 9 supplies the detection output from the sensor unit 3 to the oscillator circuit 6.

[0059] The oscillator circuit 6 oscillates a signal corresponding to the detection output of the sensor unit 3 from the controller 9 and sends it through the core body 5. This allows the position indication signal and the detection output from the sensor unit 3 to be time-division multiplexed, output from the core body 5, and transmitted to the position detection device. Note that information indicating the writing pressure can be included in the position indication signal, or the information indicating the writing pressure can also be time-division multiplexed and transmitted.

[0060] Fig. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an electronic pen when the operation content of the side switch unit is transmitted via short-range wireless communication. The electronic pen shown in Fig. 9 includes a conductive core 5, an oscillator circuit 6, a pen pressure detection unit 7 configured as a variable capacitor, a power supply circuit 8, a controller 10, a short-range wireless communication unit CM, and an antenna AT. The electronic pen in this example is also configured so that the detection output from the sensor unit 3 of the side switch unit is supplied to the controller 10. The oscillator circuit 6, the controller 10, and the short-range wireless communication unit CM are supplied with driving power from the power supply circuit 8 so that they can be driven.

[0061] In the case of the electronic pen shown in Fig. 9, the controller 10 controls the oscillator circuit 6 to generate a position indication signal and send it through the core body 5. Furthermore, the controller 10 forms a transmission signal from the detection output from the sensor unit 3 of the side switch unit, supplies this to the short-range wireless communication unit CM, and controls it to be transmitted through the antenna AT. As a result, the position indication signal can be transmitted to the position detection device side through the core body 5 as in the conventional case, and the detection output from the sensor unit 3 can be transmitted to the information processing device on the position detection device side by short-range wireless communication.

[0062] In this way, depending on the configuration of the electronic pen, the detection output from the sensor unit 3 constituting the side switch unit can be multiplexed with a position indication signal and sent from the core body 5, or sent by short-range wireless communication. The route through which the detection output from the sensor unit 3 is sent can be determined by using an appropriate route depending on the functions of the position detection device and the functions of the information processing device on the position detection device side, etc.

[0063] If the electronic pen is an EMR-type electronic pen, a variable capacitor whose capacitance changes in response to the detection output from the sensor unit 3 is connected in parallel to the resonant circuit. This allows the detection output from the sensor unit 3 to be superimposed on the position indication signal as a phase change and transmitted. Also, even in the case of an EMR-type electronic pen, it is possible to transmit the position indication signal and the detection output from the sensor unit 3 over the same path by using time division multiplexing, which separates the timing of transmitting the normal position indication signal from the timing of transmitting the detection output from the sensor unit 3. Also in the case of an EMR-type electronic pen, the detection output from the sensor unit 3 can be transmitted via short-range wireless communication separately from the position indication signal, as in the case of the electronic pen shown in FIG. 9.

[0064] [Effects of the embodiment] The electronic pen according to the above-described embodiment has a simple configuration and is equipped with a side switch that can easily and appropriately input instructions for multiple states. More specifically, by overlapping touch sensors with different detection methods, an electronic pen equipped with a side switch that can accept multiple types of operation inputs can be realized without increasing the size of the side switch itself.

[0065] [Variations] In the electronic pen of the above-described embodiment, the sensor unit is configured by providing a pressure-sensitive sensor in the lower layer and a capacitance-type sensor in the upper layer when viewed from the operation surface side, but this is not limited to this. The sensor unit may also be configured by providing a capacitance-type sensor in the lower layer and a pressure-sensitive sensor in the upper layer when viewed from the operation surface side.

[0066] Furthermore, in the electronic pen of the above-described embodiment, four capacitance sensors are provided in the axial direction and two pressure-sensitive sensors are provided in the direction intersecting the axial direction, but this is not limited to this. Two or more capacitance sensors may be provided in the axial direction and two or more pressure-sensitive sensors may be provided in the direction intersecting the axial direction. In other words, the sensor unit 3 can be configured by arranging multiple capacitance sensors in the axial direction and multiple pressure-sensitive sensors in the direction intersecting the axial direction.

[0067] Furthermore, in the case of the electronic pen of the above-described embodiment, first protrusions (ribs) 11 and 12 and second protrusions (pivot) 13 are provided on the flat surface 1u of the holding member 1 to appropriately obtain a detection output from the sensor unit 3. However, this is not limited to this. If a desired detection output is obtained, the first protrusions (ribs) 11 and 12 and the second protrusions (pivot) 13 may not be provided. Furthermore, it is also possible to provide the first protrusions (ribs) 11 and 12 on the flat surface 1u of the holding member 1 but not the second protrusions (pivot) 13, or conversely, to provide the second protrusion 13 but not the first protrusions 11 and 12.

[0068] Furthermore, when transmitting the detection output from the sensor unit 3 by short-range wireless communication, various standards of short-range wireless communication, including the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard, can be used. Furthermore, the electronic pen and the information processing device operated using it are usually located very close to each other. Therefore, the detection output from the sensor unit 3 can also be transmitted to the information processing device using infrared communication. Furthermore, the electronic pen and the information processing device operated using it can be connected by a cable, and the detection output from the sensor unit 3 can be transmitted via the cable.

[0069] In the above-described embodiment, the holding member 1 has been described as being substantially cylindrical. However, this is not limiting. The function of the holding member 1 is to prevent pressure from being applied to the electronic pen main body when the side switch is pressed. For this reason, the holding member 1 may be configured as a so-called half-pipe, which is a pipe cut in half in the longitudinal direction, or as a plate-like member, and may be fixed to the inner wall surface of the pen body PB.

[0070] In the above-described embodiment, six types of inputs are possible through the side switch unit: slide up, slide down, click up, click down, click right, and click left. The information processing device can determine what process to perform in response to these input operations.

[0071] In the above-described embodiment, a capacitive sensor and a pressure-sensitive sensor are used as two types of touch sensors with different detection methods, but this is not limiting. For example, a pressure-sensitive sensor configured as a button switch can also be used. That is, the side switch unit of the electronic pen of this invention can be configured using a capacitive sensor and a so-called force sensor (force sensor) capable of detecting pressure. However, when a capacitive sensor and a pressure-sensitive sensor are used, it is possible to reduce both the thickness of the side switch unit and the area of ​​the operating surface.

[0072] Alternatively, the pen body PB may be a cylindrical body with a polygonal cross section in a direction intersecting the axial direction, with the side switch unit having the above-described configuration provided on multiple different side surfaces. Depending on the width of the side surface, a single pressure-sensitive sensor may be sufficient. In this case, left and right click operations may not be possible, but the operation content accepted by the side switch unit may be different for each side surface of the pen body. Of course, only the portion of the pen body PB where the side switch unit is provided may be formed flat. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] FC...front cap, PB...pen body, 1...holding member, 11, 12...first protrusion (rib), 13...second protrusion (pivot), 14, 15...fitting hole, 2...elastic member, 21, 22...first hole, 23...second hole, 24...slit, 3...sensor section, 30...flexible substrate, 31...sensor arrangement section, 31a, 31b...hole, 32...extension section, 33...connector section, 4...operation member, 41a, 41b...leg section, CH1, CH2, CH3, CH4...capacitive sensor, CH5, CH6...pressure-sensitive sensor, Bd1, Bd2...substrate, FE1...first electrode, FE2...second electrode, Ads...adhesive layer, 5...core body, 6...oscillating circuit, 7...pen pressure detection section, 8...power supply circuit, 9, 10...controller, CM...near-field wireless communication section, AT...antenna

Claims

1. a cylindrical housing that is held by a user; a side switch unit provided on a side surface of the cylindrical housing and configured to receive an operation input from a user; Equipped with the side switch unit includes a sensor unit in which two types of touch sensors with different detection methods are stacked such that their sensor areas overlap each other; The two types of touch sensors are a capacitive touch sensor and a pressure-sensitive touch sensor, The capacitive touch sensors are arranged in a plurality in the axial direction of the cylindrical housing. An electronic pen characterized by:

2. The electronic pen according to claim 1 , The upper side is the capacitive touch sensor, and the lower side is the pressure-sensitive touch sensor. An electronic pen characterized by:

3. The electronic pen according to claim 1 , The upper side is the pressure-sensitive touch sensor, and the lower side is the capacitive touch sensor. An electronic pen characterized by:

4. The electronic pen according to claim 1 , The pressure-sensitive touch sensors are arranged in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the cylindrical housing. An electronic pen characterized by:

5. The electronic pen according to claim 1 , The side switch unit a holding member provided inside the cylindrical housing; an elastic member provided on an upper surface of the holding member; an operating member that is provided on an upper surface of the elastic member and that accepts an operation by a user; Equipped with The sensor unit is disposed between the elastic member and the operating member. An electronic pen characterized by:

6. The electronic pen according to claim 1 , the cylindrical housing is a cylindrical body having a polygonal cross section in a direction intersecting the axial direction, The side switch unit is provided on one or more different side surfaces of the polygonal cylindrical housing. An electronic pen characterized by:

7. 7. The electronic pen according to claim 1, an oscillator circuit; A core body made of a conductive material that transmits signals from the oscillator circuit. Equipped with The oscillator circuit multiplexes the instruction input received through the sensor unit into a position instruction signal and supplies the signal to the core body. An electronic pen characterized by:

8. 7. The electronic pen according to claim 1, Equipped with a short-range wireless communication unit, The short-distance wireless communication unit includes the instruction input received through the sensor unit in an output signal and sends it out. An electronic pen characterized by:

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