Pen state detection circuit, pen state detection method, and electronic apparatus

Abstract

To provide a pen state detection circuit capable of improving responsiveness when detecting an electronic pen by using a capacitive touch sensor configured to be bendable at a plurality of locations, a pen state detection method, and an electronic apparatus.SOLUTION: A pen state detection circuit executes a classification step and a control step. The classification step classifies a sensor region of a touch sensor into an exposed region corresponding to an exposed portion of a detection surface of the touch sensor and a non-exposed region corresponding to a non-exposed portion of the detection surface by using bending information including a position, a bending direction, or a bending amount of the touch sensor. The control step controls the driving of the touch sensor such that presence / absence of execution or execution frequency of scanning an electronic pen differs according to whether the divided region belongs to the exposed region or the non-exposed region.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 22

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pen state detection circuit, a pen state detection method, and an electronic device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses an electronic device that detects a first position on the detection surface of a touch sensor where a user's hand touches and a second position pointed to by an electronic pen, estimates the tilt direction of the electronic pen using the coordinate values ​​of the first and second positions, and corrects the pointing position of the electronic pen according to this tilt direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-087785 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] By using an electronic pen with two electrodes, it is possible to estimate the position and orientation of the electronic pen even when the user's hand is not touching the detection surface. However, since the two electrodes are physically separated, there are cases where the projection position of only one electrode is not detected, or where a projection position that deviates from the actual position is detected, for example, at the periphery or bend of the touch sensor. As a result, unexpected calculation results regarding the state of the electronic pen are output.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a pen state detection circuit, a pen state detection method, and an electronic device that can prevent unexpected results from being obtained at the peripheral or curved parts of a touch sensor when calculating the tilt of an electronic pen having two electrodes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The pen state detection circuit of the first invention is a circuit that is connected to a capacitive touch sensor consisting of a plurality of sensor electrodes arranged in a plane, and detects the state of an electronic pen having a first electrode and a second electrode based on an output signal from the touch sensor, and sequentially repeats the following steps: an acquisition step of acquiring a first coordinate value indicating the projection position of the first electrode and a second coordinate value indicating the projection position of the second electrode in a sensor coordinate system defined on the detection surface of the touch sensor; and a tilt output step of calculating and outputting a tilt value indicating the tilt of the electronic pen from the acquired first coordinate value and second coordinate value in accordance with a calculation rule, wherein in the tilt output step, if a judgment condition is satisfied that indicates a situation in which at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode may be in a position that interferes with the peripheral portion or bent portion of the touch sensor when viewed from above the detection surface, a tilt value different from the value calculated in accordance with the normal calculation rule when the judgment condition is not satisfied is output.

[0007] A pen state detection method according to a second aspect of the present invention is a method using a pen state detection circuit that is connected to a capacitive touch sensor having a plurality of sensor electrodes arranged in a planar shape, and that detects the state of an electronic pen having a first electrode and a second electrode based on an output signal from the touch sensor. The pen state detection circuit sequentially repeats the following steps: an acquisition step of acquiring a first coordinate value indicating the projection position of the first electrode and a second coordinate value indicating the projection position of the second electrode in a sensor coordinate system defined on the detection surface of the touch sensor; and a tilt output step of calculating and outputting a tilt value indicating the tilt of the electronic pen from the acquired first coordinate value and second coordinate value according to a calculation rule. In the tilt output step, if a judgment condition is satisfied that indicates a situation in which at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode may be in a position that interferes with the peripheral portion or bent portion of the touch sensor when viewed from above the detection surface, a tilt value different from the value calculated according to the normal calculation rule when the judgment condition is not satisfied is output.

[0008] The pen state detection circuit of the third present invention is a circuit that is connected to a capacitive touch sensor consisting of a plurality of sensor electrodes arranged in a plane, and detects the state of an electronic pen having a first electrode and a second electrode based on an output signal from the touch sensor, and sequentially repeats an acquisition step of acquiring a first coordinate value indicating the projection position of the first electrode and a second coordinate value indicating the projection position of the second electrode in a sensor coordinate system defined on the detection surface of the touch sensor, and a tilt output step of calculating and outputting a tilt value indicating the tilt of the electronic pen from the acquired first coordinate value and second coordinate value, wherein in the tilt output step, while the electronic pen is moving, the time series tilt values ​​sequentially output at the peripheral part of the touch sensor are smoother than the time series tilt values ​​sequentially output at the central part of the touch sensor.

[0009] The pen state detection circuit of the fourth aspect of the present invention is a circuit that is connected to a capacitive touch sensor consisting of a plurality of sensor electrodes arranged in a plane, and detects the state of an electronic pen having a first electrode and a second electrode based on an output signal from the touch sensor, and sequentially repeats an acquisition step of acquiring a first coordinate value indicating the projection position of the first electrode and a second coordinate value indicating the projection position of the second electrode in a sensor coordinate system defined on the detection surface of the touch sensor, and a tilt output step of calculating and outputting a tilt value indicating the tilt of the electronic pen from the acquired first coordinate value and second coordinate value, and in the tilt output step, while the electronic pen is moving, the time series tilt values ​​sequentially output from the bent portion of the touch sensor are smoother than the time series tilt values ​​sequentially output from the flat portion of the touch sensor. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, when calculating the tilt of an electronic pen having two electrodes, it is possible to prevent unexpected results from being obtained at the periphery or bend of the touch sensor. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1]1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an input system incorporating a pen state detection circuit according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram partially illustrating the electronic pen of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a signal distribution obtained when the electronic pen is in contact with the surface; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the electronic device shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a definition of a sensor area of ​​a touch sensor. [Figure 6] 2 is a block diagram showing a pen detection function of the touch IC of FIG. 1. [Figure 7] 5 is a flowchart relating to the execution of the pen detection function shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a combination of a determination condition and a calculation method. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a first example of a calculation result of an inclination angle. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second example of the calculation results of the tilt angle. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an input system for performing a pen pressure value output method according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 12 is a block diagram showing a pen detection function of the touch IC of FIG. 11. [Figure 13] 13 is a flowchart relating to the execution of the pen detection function shown in FIG. 12. [Figure 14] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram partially illustrating the electronic pen of FIG. 11. [Figure 15] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of pen pressure correction characteristics used for correcting pen pressure values. [Figure 16] 10 is another flowchart showing a case where the electronic pen corrects the writing pressure value. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an input system incorporating a pen state detection circuit according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a pen detection function of the touch IC of FIG. 17. [Figure 19] 19 is a flowchart relating to the execution of the pen detection function shown in FIG. 18. [Figure 20] FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the electronic device shown in FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for dividing a sensor area. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a first example of a result of determining a scan area. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second example of the result of determining the scan area. [Figure 24] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a third example of the result of determining the scan area. [Figure 25] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of another scanning operation performed by the scanning control unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The pen state detection circuit and pen state detection method of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and modifications, and can be freely modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Alternatively, each configuration may be arbitrarily combined within the scope of no technical contradiction.

[0013] [First embodiment] A pen state detection circuit and a pen state detection method according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0014] <Overall configuration of input system 10> 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an input system 10 incorporating a pen state detection circuit according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The input system 10 basically comprises an electronic device 12 having a touch panel display and an electronic pen 14 (also called a "stylus"), which is a pen-shaped pointing device.

[0015] The electronic device 12 is configured, for example, as a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or a personal computer. A user can write pictures or characters on the electronic device 12 by holding the electronic pen 14 in one hand and pressing the tip of the pen against the detection surface 16 of the electronic device 12 and moving the pen. In addition, the user can perform desired operations via the displayed user controls by touching the detection surface 16 with their own finger F.

[0016] The electronic device 12 includes a touch sensor 18, a touch IC (Integrated Circuit) 20 that is a pen state detection circuit, and a host processor 22. The touch sensor 18 is formed by combining multiple electrodes arranged on a display panel (not shown). The touch sensor 18 includes multiple sensor electrodes 18x for detecting a position on the X axis and multiple sensor electrodes 18y for detecting a position on the Y axis. The x and y directions shown in this figure correspond to the X and Y axes of a Cartesian coordinate system defined on the detection surface 16 formed by the touch sensor 18.

[0017] The strip-shaped sensor electrodes 18x extend in the y direction and are arranged at equal intervals along the x direction. The strip-shaped sensor electrodes 18y extend in the x direction and are arranged at equal intervals along the y direction. Hereinafter, the arrangement interval of the sensor electrodes 18x (or the sensor electrodes 18y) may be referred to as the "pitch." Note that the touch sensor 18 may be a self-capacitance sensor in which block-shaped electrodes are arranged in a two-dimensional lattice pattern, instead of the mutual capacitance sensor described above.

[0018] The touch IC 20 is an integrated circuit configured to be able to execute firmware 24, and is connected to each of the plurality of sensor electrodes 18x, 18y that make up the touch sensor 18. The firmware 24 is configured to be able to implement a touch detection function 26 that detects a touch by a user's finger F or the like, and a pen detection function 28 that detects the state of the electronic pen 14.

[0019] The touch detection function 26 includes, for example, a function of scanning the touch sensor 18, a function of creating a heat map (two-dimensional distribution of detection levels) on the touch sensor 18, and a function of classifying areas on the heat map (for example, classification of fingers F and palm).The pen detection function 28 includes, for example, a function of scanning the touch sensor 18 (global scan or sector scan), a function of receiving and analyzing downlink signals, a function of estimating the state of the electronic pen 14 (for example, position, tilt, writing pressure, etc.), and a function of generating and transmitting uplink signals including commands to the electronic pen 14.

[0020] The host processor 22 is a processor including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The host processor 22 reads and executes programs from a memory (not shown) to perform, for example, a process of generating digital ink using data from the touch IC 20, a rendering process for displaying the drawing content indicated by the digital ink, and the like.

[0021] <Pen status estimation method> Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram partially illustrating the electronic pen 14 of Fig. 1. The electronic pen 14 includes a tip electrode 30 and an upper electrode 32. The conical tip electrode 30 has a shape symmetrical with respect to the axis of the electronic pen 14, and is provided at the tip of the electronic pen 14. The tapered, annular upper electrode 32 has a shape symmetrical with respect to the axis of the electronic pen 14, and is provided closer to the base end than the tip electrode 30.

[0022] The tip electrode 30 and the upper electrode 32 are electrodes for outputting a signal (so-called downlink signal) generated by the oscillation circuit 34. The oscillation circuit 34 changes the oscillation frequency and switches the transmission destination in a time-division manner, so that the electronic pen 14 can output two types of downlink signals via the tip electrode 30 and the upper electrode 32.

[0023] The touch IC 20 (FIG. 1) of the electronic device 12 acquires a signal distribution (hereinafter referred to as the "first signal distribution") from the touch sensor 18, which indicates a change in capacitance (more specifically, mutual capacitance or self-capacitance) associated with the approach of the tip electrode 30. The first signal distribution typically has a shape with one peak at position Q1. Here, position Q1 corresponds to the position where the top of the tip electrode 30 (position P1) is projected onto the detection surface 16.

[0024] Similarly, the touch IC 20 (FIG. 1) of the electronic device 12 acquires from the touch sensor 18 a signal distribution (hereinafter referred to as the "second signal distribution") that indicates a change in capacitance as the upper electrode 32 approaches. The second signal distribution typically has a shape with one or two peaks at position Q2. Here, position Q2 corresponds to the position where the shoulder (position P2) of the upper electrode 32 is projected onto the detection surface 16. Note that position P3, which will be described later, corresponds to the center of the top surface of the upper electrode 32.

[0025] FIG. 3 shows an example of a signal distribution obtained when the electronic pen 14 is in contact. More specifically, FIG. 3(a) shows a first signal distribution, and FIG. 3(b) shows a second signal distribution. The horizontal axis of the graph indicates the relative position (unit: mm) based on the pointing position of the electronic pen 14, and the vertical axis of the graph indicates the signal value (unit: no) normalized to [0,1]. The positive and negative signs of these signal values ​​are defined so that they become "positive" when the electronic pen 14 approaches. The shapes of the first and second signal distributions each change depending on the tilt of the electronic pen 14 (hereinafter also referred to as "pen tilt"). In this figure, three curves obtained by changing the pen tilt are superimposed.

[0026] As shown in Figure 3(a), the first signal distribution has a generally similar shape regardless of pen tilt. This is because, during use of the electronic pen 14, the top of the tip electrode 30 is usually closest to the detection surface 16, and position Q1 generally coincides with position P1. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 3(b), the second signal distribution exhibits a significant change in the position or number of peaks depending on changes in pen tilt. This is because, during use of the electronic pen 14, one of the shoulders of the upper electrode 32 is usually closest to the detection surface 16, and the distance between positions Q1 and Q2 changes depending on pen tilt.

[0027] The position and orientation of electronic pen 14 can be estimated using the coordinates of positions Q1 and Q2. For example, the indicated position corresponds to position Q1 shown in FIG. 2. The pen tilt corresponds to the angle between the normal to detection surface 16 and the axis of electronic pen 14 (hereinafter referred to as tilt angle θ). That is, when the pen is perpendicular to detection surface 16, θ=0°, and when the pen is parallel to detection surface 16, θ=90°. Note that the physical quantity indicating the tilt of electronic pen 14 may be an angle indicating the "magnitude" of the tilt, or an orientation indicating the "direction" of the tilt.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the electronic device 12 shown in FIG. 1. Each of the linearly arranged rectangles schematically represents a planar array of sensor electrodes 18x, 18y (FIG. 1). In the example of this figure, the flat electronic device 12 is folded in half so that the detection surface 16 faces outward and the non-detection surface 40 faces inward. This allows the user to perform input operations using the electronic pen 14 or a finger F even when the electronic device 12 is folded.

[0029] However, since the tip electrode 30 and the upper electrode 32 of the electronic pen 14 are physically separated, situations may arise in which the positions Q1 and Q2 are not correctly detected depending on the relative positional relationship between the electronic pen 14 and the touch sensor 18. Examples of such situations include: [1] when only the position Q2 is not detected at the peripheral portion 42; [2] when the detection accuracy of the positions Q1 and Q2 is reduced due to electromagnetic interference with the electronic components 45 including the camera unit at the peripheral portion 44; and [3] when a skip occurs in the detection of the position Q2 at the bent portion 46.

[0030] That is, if the positions Q1 and Q2 cannot be detected or if positions Q1 and Q2 that deviate from the actual positions are detected, an unexpected calculation result will be output regarding the state of the electronic pen 14. Therefore, a pen state detection method is proposed that can prevent unexpected results from being obtained at the peripheral portions 42 and 44 or the bent portion 46 of the touch sensor 18 when calculating the tilt of the electronic pen 14 having the tip electrode 30 and the upper electrode 32.

[0031] <Operation of Touch IC20> FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the definition of a sensor area 50 of the touch sensor 18. The sensor coordinate system is a two-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system having an origin O and consisting of an X axis and a Y axis. The origin O is a feature point (e.g., the upper left vertex) on the detection surface 16. The XY plane coincides with the planar direction of the detection surface 16. The sensor area 50 includes at least one of a peripheral area 52 corresponding to the peripheral portion 42 ( FIG. 4 ), a peripheral area 54 corresponding to the peripheral portion 44 ( FIG. 4 ), and a curved area 56 corresponding to the curved area 56 ( FIG. 4 ). The general area 58 is the remaining area of ​​the sensor area 50 and corresponds to the flat general portion 48 shown in FIG. 4 . The shape of each area (e.g., width, position, size, etc.) can be set in various ways depending on the electronic device 12 or the electronic pen 14.

[0032] Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing pen detection function 28 of touch IC 20 of Fig. 1. This pen detection function 28 includes a signal acquisition unit 60, a peak estimation unit 62, a tilt value calculation unit 64, and a coordinate value calculation unit 66. The operation of touch IC 20 when this pen detection function 28 is executed will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 7.

[0033] 7, the signal acquiring unit 60 acquires a first signal distribution and a second signal distribution from the touch sensor 18 through a scanning operation for each of the sensor electrodes 18x and 18y. The signal distribution may be a one-dimensional signal distribution along the X-axis or Y-axis, or a two-dimensional signal distribution on the XY-axis plane.

[0034] In step S2, the peak estimation unit 62 estimates the peak of the first signal distribution acquired in step S1. Specifically, the peak estimation unit 62 creates a curve by interpolation or approximation for the discrete first signal distribution, and calculates a first coordinate value corresponding to the peak of the obtained curve. Similarly, the peak estimation unit 62 creates a curve by interpolation or approximation for the discrete second signal distribution, and calculates a second coordinate value corresponding to the peak of the obtained curve. This "first coordinate value" indicates the projection position of the tip electrode 30 (hereinafter referred to as the first position), and this "second coordinate value" indicates the projection position of the upper electrode 32 (hereinafter referred to as the second position).

[0035] In step S3, the inclination value calculation unit 64 acquires a determination parameter required for the determination described below. The determination parameter may be, for example, a parameter specifying the position or shape of the peripheral regions 52, 54 or the bent region 56 (FIG. 5), or a parameter specifying the state of the electronic pen 14.

[0036] In step S4, the inclination value calculation unit 64 checks whether a predetermined judgment condition is met using the first coordinate value or the second coordinate value acquired in step S2 and the judgment parameters acquired in step S3. This "judgment condition" is a condition that indicates a situation in which at least one of the tip electrode 30 and the upper electrode 32 may be in a positional relationship that causes interference with the peripheral portions 42, 44 or the bent portion 46 when viewed from above the detection surface 16.

[0037] 8 is a diagram showing an example of a combination of judgment conditions and calculation methods. "First condition A" corresponds to (1) the first position being in the general portion 48 and (2) the second position being in the peripheral portion 42. In other words, it is determined that first condition A is satisfied when (1) the first coordinate value indicates a position within the general region 58 and the second coordinate value indicates a position within the peripheral region 52.

[0038] Furthermore, the "first condition B" corresponds to (1) the first position moving from the inside to the outside of the touch sensor 18, and (2) the second position being in the peripheral portion 42. In other words, the first condition B is determined to be satisfied when (1) the first coordinate value moving from the inside to the outside of the sensor area 50, and (2) the second coordinate value indicating a position within the peripheral area 52.

[0039] The "second condition" corresponds to (1) the first position being detected and (2) the second position not being detected. In other words, the second condition is determined to be met when (1) the first coordinate value can be acquired and (2) the second coordinate value cannot be acquired.

[0040] Furthermore, the "third condition" corresponds to the first position or the second position being in a specific peripheral portion 44. In other words, when at least one of the first coordinate value and the second coordinate value indicates a position within the peripheral region 54, it is determined that the third condition is met.

[0041] Furthermore, the "fourth condition A" corresponds to (1) the first position or the second position being in the bending portion 46, and (2) the bending portion 46 forming a convex detection surface 16. In other words, the fourth condition A is determined to be satisfied when (1) at least one of the first coordinate value and the second coordinate value indicates a position within the bending region 56, and (2) the flag value related to the bending direction of the bending region 56 indicates "upward convex."

[0042] Furthermore, the "fourth condition B" corresponds to (1) the first position or the second position being in the bending portion 46, and (2) the bending portion 46 forming a concave detection surface 16. In other words, the fourth condition B is determined to be satisfied when (1) at least one of the first coordinate value and the second coordinate value indicates a position within the bending region 56, and (2) the flag value related to the bending direction of the bending region 56 indicates "downward convex."

[0043] In addition to the above-described multiple determination conditions, the tilt value calculation unit 64 may make a determination by setting an additional condition related to "the electronic pen 14 being in a contact state." Here, the "contact state" refers to a state in which the tip electrode 30 of the electronic pen 14 is in contact with the detection surface 16 of the electronic device 12. Conversely, the "hover state" refers to a state in which the tip electrode 30 of the electronic pen 14 is not in contact with the detection surface 16 of the electronic device 12. For example, if the electronic pen 14 includes a pressure sensor 38 (FIG. 14), the touch IC 20 can distinguish between the above-described two states by analyzing the downlink signal transmitted from the electronic pen 14.

[0044] If none of the predetermined multiple determination conditions is met (step S4: NO), the process proceeds to step S5. On the other hand, if any of the multiple determination conditions is met (step S4: YES), the process proceeds to step S6.

[0045] When proceeding to step S5, the tilt value calculation unit 64 calculates a tilt value indicating the current pen tilt (hereinafter referred to as the "normal calculated value") according to a normal calculation rule using the first coordinate value and the second coordinate value currently acquired in step S2. This "normal calculation rule" is a rule for calculating the tilt value based on a geometric model constructed under the assumption that the detection surface 16 is flat. Specifically, when the distance between positions P1 and P3 is H and the distance between positions Q1 and Q2 is D, the tilt value calculation unit 64 calculates the tilt angle θ according to the following equation (1): Here, D0 is the distance between positions Q1 and Q2 when θ=0 [degrees]. θ=sin -1 (D / H)-sin -1 (D0 / H) (1)

[0046] On the other hand, when proceeding to step S6, the tilt value calculation unit 64 calculates the tilt value according to calculation rules (hereinafter referred to as "special calculation rules") that are different from the normal calculation rules used in step S5. In other words, the tilt value calculation unit 64 calculates a value that is different from the "normal calculated value" that is calculated according to the normal calculation rules from the first coordinate value and second coordinate value acquired at the current time.

[0047] 8 is satisfied, the gradient value calculation unit 64 calculates a normal calculated value in the same manner as in step S5, and then corrects this normal calculated value. Specifically, the gradient value calculation unit 64 outputs a weighted sum of the current gradient value and one or more gradient values ​​calculated at a time point prior to the current time point (for example, n times prior; n is a natural number).

[0048] For example, if the tilt angle indicated by the tilt value output one time previously (hereinafter referred to as the previous tilt value) is θprv and the tilt angle indicated by the normal calculation value is θcal, the tilt value calculation unit 64 calculates the tilt angle θ according to the following equation (2). θ=(1-α)·θcal+α·θprv ···(2)

[0049] Here, the coefficient α is a positive value that satisfies 0<α<1 and corresponds to a parameter that indicates the degree of smoothing. In other words, the larger the value of the coefficient α, the greater the degree of smoothing, while the smaller the value of the coefficient α, the smaller the degree of smoothing.

[0050] Furthermore, if the second condition is satisfied, the tilt value calculation unit 64 outputs the tilt value at a time point prior to the current time point. Specifically, if θprv is the most recent valid value, the tilt value calculation unit 64 calculates the tilt angle θ so that θ=θprv. This calculation formula is the same as formula (2) with α=1.

[0051] Furthermore, if the fourth condition B is satisfied, the tilt value calculation unit 64 outputs a tilt value indicating a state in which the electronic pen 14 is perpendicular to the detection surface 16. Specifically, the tilt value calculation unit 64 calculates the tilt angle θ so that θ = 0. If the touch sensor 18 is configured to be bendable or curved at multiple locations, the tilt value calculation unit 64 may determine whether the fourth conditions A and B are satisfied only for the bending region 56 that includes the position of the bending portion 46, if the position of the bending portion 46 can be identified.

[0052] In step S7, coordinate value calculation unit 66 corrects the pointing position (i.e., the first coordinate value) of electronic pen 14 using the tilt value calculated in step S5 or step S6. This suppresses deviation of the pointing position according to tilt angle θ. Note that pen detection function 28 may also use this tilt value to correct a state value (e.g., a writing pressure value) other than the pointing position.

[0053] In step S8, the pen detection function 28 supplies data including state values ​​(specifically, coordinate values, tilt values, pen pressure values, etc.) indicating the state of the electronic pen 14 to the host processor 22. In this manner, the flowchart of FIG. 7 ends. The touch IC 20 can detect changes over time in the state of the electronic pen 14 by sequentially executing this flowchart at predetermined time intervals. An example of the calculation result of the tilt angle θ will be described below with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0054] 9(a) is a diagram showing a first behavior of the electronic pen 14. For example, assume that the user fixes the pen tip of the electronic pen 14 on the detection surface 16 and swings the electronic pen 14 left and right around the fixed point. Note that the amplitude and period of the swing are constant regardless of the position of the fixed point.

[0055] FIG. 9(b) shows the time change of the tilt angle θ calculated sequentially in accordance with the first behavior. The horizontal axis of the graph indicates time (unit: s), and the vertical axis of the graph indicates the tilt angle θ (unit: degrees). The solid line graph G1 corresponds to the tilt angle θ calculated when the fixed point is in the general portion 48, i.e., according to the normal calculation rule. On the other hand, the dashed line graph G2 corresponds to the tilt angle θ calculated when the fixed point is in the peripheral portion 42, i.e., according to the special calculation rule ("first condition A" in FIG. 8). Note that graph G3 corresponds to the actual value of the tilt angle θ.

[0056] As can be seen from this figure, graphs G1 to G3 all exhibit behavior that changes at approximately the same cycle, centered around θ=0 degrees. The shape of graph G1 roughly matches the shape of graph G3. However, the shape of graph G2 has a smaller fluctuation range in the tilt angle θ compared to graph G1. In other words, the time series of the tilt angle θ is smoothed by using a special calculation rule.

[0057] 10(a) is a diagram illustrating a second behavior of the electronic pen 14. For example, assume that the user moves the electronic pen 14 so that it passes through an L-shaped bent portion 46. Here, the detection surface 16 of the electronic device 12 is curved in an L-shape so as to be convex downward at the position of the bent portion 46.

[0058] 10(b) is a diagram showing the change over time in the tilt angle θ calculated sequentially in association with the second behavior. The horizontal axis of the graph indicates time (unit: s), and the vertical axis of the graph indicates the tilt angle θ (unit: degrees). The solid line graph G1 indicates the comparative example, the dashed line graph G2 indicates the working example, and the thick solid line graph G3 indicates the actual value. Here, the "comparative example" corresponds to the case where only the normal calculation rule is used, and the "working example" corresponds to the case where the normal calculation rule and the special calculation rule ("fourth condition B" in FIG. 8) are used.

[0059] As shown in graph G3, a user tends to write with the electronic pen 14 held perpendicular to the detection surface 16 so that the tip of the electronic pen 14 does not slip at the bent portion 46 having a concave curved surface. In this case, as shown in graph G1 (comparison example), a detection jump occurs at position Q2 at the bent portion 46, which may result in the detection of a pseudo state in which the electronic pen 14 is suddenly tilted. Therefore, as shown in graph G2 (example), by using a calculation rule suitable for the bent portion 46, the time series of the tilt angle θ is partially smoothed, thereby obtaining a calculation result that is closer to the actual behavior of the electronic pen 14.

[0060] <Summary of the First Embodiment> As described above, the touch IC 20 is a pen state detection circuit that is connected to a capacitance-type touch sensor 18 formed by arranging a plurality of sensor electrodes 18x, 18y in a planar shape, and that detects the state of the electronic pen 14 having the tip electrode 30 (first electrode) and the upper electrode 32 (second electrode) based on an output signal from the touch sensor 18. The touch IC 20 sequentially and repeatedly executes the following steps: acquires first coordinate values ​​indicating the projected position of the tip electrode 30 and second coordinate values ​​indicating the projected position of the upper electrode 32 in a sensor coordinate system defined on the detection surface 16 of the touch sensor 18 (S2); and calculates and outputs a tilt value indicating the tilt of the electronic pen 14 from the acquired first coordinate values ​​and second coordinate values ​​in accordance with a calculation rule (S5, S6, S8).

[0061] Then, in the tilt output steps (S6, S8), if a determination condition is satisfied indicating a situation in which at least one of the tip electrode 30 and the upper electrode 32 may be in a positional relationship that interferes with the peripheral portions 42, 44 or the bent portion 46 of the touch sensor 18 when viewed from above the detection surface 16, the touch IC 20 outputs a tilt value that differs from the value calculated according to normal calculation rules when this determination condition is not satisfied. This prevents unexpected results from being obtained at the peripheral portions 42, 44 or the bent portion 46 of the touch sensor 18 when calculating the tilt of the electronic pen 14 having two electrodes.

[0062] Furthermore, the touch IC 20 may operate so that the time series of gradient values ​​sequentially output from the peripheral portions 42, 44 of the touch sensor 18 during movement of the electronic pen 14 are smoother than the time series of gradient values ​​sequentially output from the general portion 48 (central portion) of the touch sensor 18. Alternatively, the touch IC 20 may operate so that the time series of gradient values ​​sequentially output from the bent portion 46 of the touch sensor 18 are smoother than the time series of gradient values ​​sequentially output from the general portion 48 (flat portion) of the touch sensor 18 during movement of the electronic pen 14.

[0063] [Second embodiment] A method for outputting pen pressure values ​​according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 11 to 16. Note that the same reference numerals are used for configurations or functions that are the same as those in the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof may be omitted.

[0064] <Overall configuration of input system 10> 11 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an input system 80 for performing a pen pressure value output method according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The input system 80 is basically composed of an electronic pen 14 and an electronic device 82. As in the first embodiment, this electronic device 82 includes a touch sensor 18, a touch IC 20, and a host processor 22. However, firmware 24 of the touch IC 20 is configured to be able to implement a pen detection function 84 that is different from that in the first embodiment.

[0065] <Operation of Touch IC20> Fig. 12 is a block diagram showing a pen detection function 84 of the touch IC 20 of Fig. 11. In addition to the signal acquisition unit 60 and the peak estimation unit 62, this pen detection function 84 includes a slope value calculation unit 86 and a writing pressure correction unit 88. The operation of the touch IC 20 when this pen detection function 84 is executed will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 13.

[0066] 13, the signal acquiring unit 60 acquires the first signal distribution and the second signal distribution from the touch sensor 18 through a scanning operation for each of the sensor electrodes 18x and 18y. This acquisition is the same operation as in step S1 in FIG. 7, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0067] In step S12, the signal acquisition unit 60 analyzes the downlink signal from the electronic pen 14 and acquires a writing pressure value indicating the writing pressure of the electronic pen 14. This writing pressure value is a value correlated with the writing pressure applied in the axial direction of the electronic pen 14, and is defined, for example, so that the value increases as the writing pressure increases.

[0068] Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram partially illustrating the electronic pen 14 of Fig. 11. In addition to the tip electrode 30, the upper electrode 32, and the oscillator circuit 34, the electronic pen 14 includes a core body 36 and a writing pressure sensor 38. The tip electrode 30 is connected to one end of the core body 36, and the writing pressure sensor 38 is connected to the other end of the core body 36. The writing pressure sensor 38 is a pressure sensor capable of measuring pressure applied in the axial direction of the electronic pen 14. Specifically, the detection method of the pressure sensor may be any of a capacitance method, a diffused resistance method, a resistance wire method, a film method, and a mechanical method.

[0069] When the electronic pen 14 is perpendicular to the detection surface 16 (θ=0), all pressure applied by the user via the electronic pen 14 is transmitted to the writing pressure sensor 38 as a normal force from the detection surface 16. However, when the electronic pen 14 is tilted with respect to the normal to the detection surface 16 (θ≠0), the pressure from the user is transmitted to the writing pressure sensor 38 in a state where it is reduced by approximately cosθ. Note that the writing pressure applied in the axial direction of the electronic pen 14 thus changes depending on the pen tilt.

[0070] In step S13, the peak estimation unit 62 estimates the peaks of the first and second signal distributions acquired in step S11, thereby acquiring the first and second coordinate values. This estimation is the same operation as in step S2 of Fig. 7, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0071] In step S14, the tilt value calculation unit 86 calculates a tilt value indicating the pen tilt using the first coordinate value and the second coordinate value acquired in step S12. The tilt value calculation unit 86 may calculate the tilt value according to the above formula (1) or the above formula (2).

[0072] In step S15, the writing pressure correction unit 88 corrects the writing pressure value acquired in step S12 using the tilt value calculated in step S14. Specifically, the writing pressure correction unit 88 corrects the writing pressure value by multiplying the original writing pressure value by a correction multiplier M.

[0073] 15 is a diagram showing an example of a pen pressure correction characteristic 90 used to correct a pen pressure value. The horizontal axis of the graph indicates the tilt angle θ (unit: degrees), and the vertical axis of the graph indicates the correction multiplier M (unit: none). This pen pressure correction characteristic 90 is a function in which the correction multiplier M monotonically increases as the absolute value |θ| of the tilt angle θ increases. For example, when M(θ) = secθ = 1 / cosθ, M(0) = 1, M(45) = √2, and M(60) = √3.

[0074] 15, the pen pressure correction characteristic 90 may have a function shape according to the mechanical structure of the electronic pen 14 or the detection performance of the pen pressure sensor 38. The pen pressure value may be corrected by adding a correction amount ΔC in addition to the multiplication by the correction multiplier M described above.

[0075] In step S16, the pen detection function 84 supplies data including state values ​​(e.g., coordinate values, tilt values, corrected writing pressure values, etc.) indicating the state of the electronic pen 14 to the host processor 22. In this way, the flowchart of Fig. 13 ends. The touch IC 20 can detect changes in the state of the electronic pen 14 over time by sequentially executing this flowchart at predetermined time intervals.

[0076] <Summary of the second embodiment> As described above, this writing pressure value output method is a method using an input system 80 including an electronic pen 14 having a writing pressure sensor 38 capable of measuring writing pressure applied in the axial direction, and an electronic device 82 having a detection surface 16 for detecting the state of the electronic pen 14, in which the electronic device 82 acquires a tilt value indicating the tilt of the electronic pen 14 with respect to the normal to the detection surface 16 (S14), corrects the writing pressure value indicating the writing pressure measured by the writing pressure sensor 38 using a writing pressure correction characteristic 90 in which the correction amount monotonically increases with the tilt value (S15), and outputs the corrected writing pressure value (S16). This makes it possible to suppress the tendency for the detection value of the writing pressure sensor 38 to become relatively smaller as the tilt of the electronic pen 14 with respect to the normal to the detection surface 16 increases, and a writing pressure that matches the user's operating feel of the electronic pen 14 is output.

[0077] <Another flowchart> In the above example, the touch IC 20 of the electronic device 82 performs the correction of the writing pressure value (S14), the correction of the writing pressure value (S15), and the output of the writing pressure value (S16), but these operations may be performed by the electronic pen 14. In this case, the input system 80 operates according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0078] The electronic device 82 acquires a first signal distribution and a second signal distribution (S21), calculates a first coordinate value and a second coordinate value (S22), and then calculates a tilt value (S23). Then, the electronic device 82 transmits an uplink signal including the tilt value calculated in step S23 to the electronic pen 14. The electronic pen 14 acquires the tilt value included in the uplink signal received from the electronic device 82 (S24), acquires a writing pressure value from the writing pressure sensor 38 (S25), and corrects the writing pressure value using the tilt value (S26). Then, the electronic pen 14 outputs the tilt value corrected in step S26 as a downlink signal to the electronic device 82. Even with this configuration, the same effect as in the second embodiment can be obtained, i.e., a writing pressure output that matches the operation feel can be obtained.

[0079] [Third embodiment] A pen state detection circuit and a pen state detection method according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 17 to 25. Note that the same reference numerals are used for configurations or functions that are the same as those in the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof may be omitted.

[0080] <Overall configuration of input system 100> 17 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an input system 100 incorporating a pen state detection circuit according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The input system 100 is basically composed of an electronic pen 14 and an electronic device 102. The electronic device 102 is composed of a touch sensor 18, one or more strain sensors 104, a touch IC 106 which is a pen state detection circuit, and a host processor 108.

[0081] The strain sensor 104 is a sensor for detecting a change in the shape of the touch sensor 18 due to the deformation function of the electronic device 102. For example, in the case of a non-flexible electronic device 102, the strain sensor 104 is provided around the position where the touch sensor 18 bends. Alternatively, in the case of a flexible electronic device 102, the strain sensor 104 is provided in a position that covers the entire surface of the touch sensor 18.

[0082] The touch IC 106 is an integrated circuit configured to be able to execute firmware 110, and is connected to each of the plurality of sensor electrodes 18x, 18y. This firmware 110 is configured to be able to implement a touch detection function 112 that may be the same as or different from the touch detection function 26 (FIG. 1), and a pen detection function 114, which will be described later.

[0083] The host processor 108 is a processor made up of a CPU or a GPU, and performs the same processing as the host processor 22. Note that the host processor 108 is connected to one or more of the above-mentioned strain sensors 104, respectively.

[0084] <Operation of Touch IC106> Fig. 18 is a block diagram showing pen detection function 114 included in touch IC 106 of Fig. 17. This pen detection function 114 includes a bending information acquisition unit 120, an area division unit 122, an area determination unit 124, a scan control unit 126, and an indication position detection unit 128. Hereinafter, the operation of touch IC 106 when this pen detection function 114 is executed will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 19.

[0085] 19, the bending information acquisition unit 120 periodically or irregularly acquires information indicating the bending shape of the touch sensor 18 (hereinafter referred to as "bending information") from the host processor 108. Prior to this acquisition, the host processor 108 generates bending information of the touch sensor 18 using sensor signals output from one or more strain sensors 104.

[0086] Fig. 20 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the electronic device 102 shown in Fig. 17. Each of the linearly arranged rectangles schematically represents a planar array of sensor electrodes 18x, 18y (Fig. 1). In the example shown in this figure, the flat electronic device 102 is folded in a roughly Z-shape so that part of the detection surface 16 faces outward.

[0087] In the example shown in the figure, the bending information includes various pieces of information for identifying the two bent portions 136, 138. Specifically, the information includes "2" indicating the number of bent portions 136, 138, "coordinate values ​​of bending lines L1, L2" indicating the positions of the bent portions 136, 138, "mountain fold / valley fold" indicating the orientation of the bent portions 136, 138, and "bending amount" indicating the degree of bending of the bent portions 136, 138.

[0088] In step S32, the bending information acquisition unit 120 analyzes the bending information acquired in step S31 to check whether the touch sensor 18 has been deformed. If the touch sensor 18 has not been deformed (step S32: NO), the process returns to step S31 and steps S31 and S32 are repeated sequentially until the touch sensor 18 is deformed. On the other hand, if the touch sensor 18 has been deformed (step S32: YES), the process proceeds to the next step S33.

[0089] In step S33, the region dividing unit 122 uses the bending information acquired in step S31 to divide the sensor region 140 of the touch sensor 18. Specifically, the region dividing unit 122 sets a plurality of sub-regions 141 to 144 partitioned by one or more bending lines indicated by the bending information.

[0090] 21 is a diagram showing an example of a method for dividing the sensor area 140. As shown in Fig. 21(a), when the touch sensor 18 is folded along two folding lines L1 and L2, the area dividing unit 122 divides the rectangular sensor area 140 into three sub-areas 141, 142, and 143 defined by the two folding lines L1 and L2. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 21(b), when the touch sensor 18 is folded along one folding line L1, the area dividing unit 122 divides the rectangular sensor area 140 into two sub-areas 141 and 144 defined by one folding line L1.

[0091] In step S34, the area determination unit 124 determines one or more scan areas 146 from among the multiple sub-areas 141 to 143 divided in step S33. Specifically, the area determination unit 124 determines one or more scan areas 146 adjacent to the position of the bending portion 136 specified by the bending information (i.e., bending lines L1, L2). The area determination unit 124 may also estimate the three-dimensional shape of the touch sensor 18 from the obtained bending information, and determine an area accessible by the electronic pen 14 (part or all of the sensor area 140) as the scan area 146.

[0092] In step S35, the area determination unit 124 instructs the scan control unit 126 to change the scan area 134. As a result, the scan control unit 126 controls the driving of the touch sensor 18 so that the electronic pen 14 scans within the newly instructed scan area 146.

[0093] After that, the process returns to step S31 and repeatedly executes the flowchart of Fig. 19. That is, every time deformation of touch sensor 18 is detected, touch IC 106 detects changes over time in the state of electronic pen 14 while dynamically changing scan area 146. Hereinafter, the results of determining scan area 146 in response to various deformations of electronic device 102 will be described with reference to Figs. 22 to 24.

[0094] 22 is a diagram showing a first example of the result of determining the scan area 146. As shown in FIG. 22(a), the electronic device 102 is folded in a mountain direction along the folding line L1 and in a valley direction along the folding line L2, so that it is deformed into a roughly Z-shape in a side view. That is, in the first deformed state, only a portion of the detection surface 16 (exposed portion 131) is exposed. In this case, as shown in FIG. 22(b), one sub-area 141 corresponding to the exposed portion 131 is determined as the scan area 146.

[0095] 23 is a diagram showing a second example of the result of determining the scan area 146. As shown in FIG. 23(a), the electronic device 102 is folded in a valley shape at the folding line L1 and in a mountain shape at the folding line L2, so that it is deformed into a roughly S-shape in a side view. That is, in the second deformed state, only a portion of the detection surface 16 (exposed portion 133) is exposed. In this case, as shown in FIG. 23(b), one sub-area 143 corresponding to the exposed portion 133 is determined as the scan area 146.

[0096] 24A and 24B are diagrams showing a third example of the result of determining the scan area 146. As shown in FIG. 24A, the electronic device 102 is bent into an L-shape at the bend line L1 and then bent into an L-shape at the bend line L2, thereby being deformed into a substantially C-shape in side view. That is, in the third deformed state, all of the detection surface 16 (exposed portions 131, 132, and 133) is exposed. In this case, as shown in FIG. 24B, three sub-areas 141 to 143 corresponding to the exposed portions 131 to 133 are determined as the scan area 146.

[0097] <Summary of the third embodiment> As described above, the touch IC 106 is a pen state detection circuit connected to a capacitive touch sensor 18 that has a plurality of sensor electrodes 18x, 18y arranged in a planar shape and is configured to be bendable or curved at a plurality of locations, and that detects the state of the electronic pen 14 based on an output signal from the touch sensor 18. The touch IC 106 acquires bending information including the positions of the bending portions 136, 138 of the touch sensor 18 (S31), determines one or more scan areas 146 within the sensor area 140 of the touch sensor 18 that are adjacent to the positions (bending lines L1, L2) of the bending portions 136, 138 specified by the bending information (S34), and controls the drive of the touch sensor 18 so that the electronic pen 14 scans only within the determined scan area 146.

[0098] This configuration makes it possible to determine the scan area 146 that is suitable for the bending shape of the touch sensor 18, and the frequency of scans increases compared to when the entire sensor area 140 is constantly scanned. This improves responsiveness when detecting the electronic pen 14.

[0099] The position information also includes bending directions corresponding to the positions of the bending portions 136, 138, and the touch IC 106 may use the positions and bending directions of the bending portions 136, 138 identified by the bending information to estimate exposed portions 131-133 of the touch sensor 18 that are accessible to the electronic pen 14, and determine sub-areas 141-143 corresponding to the exposed portions 131-133 as the scan area 146. This makes it possible to exclude from the scan area 146 unexposed areas that are unlikely to be used with the current shape of the touch sensor 18.

[0100] <Another example of scanning> The scan control unit 126 may perform scanning within the entire area of ​​the specified scan area 146, or may temporarily stop scanning within a portion of the scan area 146. As an example of the latter, the scan control unit 126 changes the scan control in accordance with the detection result of the electronic pen 14 by the pointed position detection unit 128.

[0101] Fig. 25 is a diagram showing another example of a scanning operation by the scan control unit 126. This electronic device 102 is deformed into a roughly C-shape in side view, similar to the case of Fig. 24(a). That is, the touch sensor 18 is bent so that the pair of exposed portions 131, 133 face opposite sides.

[0102] 25(a), while the electronic pen 14 is not detected by either of the exposed portions 131, 132, the scan control unit 126 continues scanning within all of the sub-areas 141 to 143 that make up the scan area 146. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 25(b), while the electronic pen 14 is detected by only one of the exposed portions 131, the scan control unit 126 temporarily stops scanning within the sub-area 143 that corresponds to the other exposed portion 133.

[0103] In this way, when the touch sensor 18 is bent or curved so that the pair of exposed portions 131, 133 face opposite sides, the scan control unit 126 of the touch IC 106 may control the drive of the touch sensor 18 so as to temporarily stop scanning of the electronic pen 14 in the other sub-area 143 while the electronic pen 14 is detected only in one sub-area 141 of the pair of sub-areas 141, 143 corresponding to the pair of exposed portions 131, 133. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 10, 80, 100...input system, 12, 82, 102...electronic device, 14...electronic pen, 16...detection surface, 18...touch sensor, 18x, 18y...sensor electrode, 20, 106...touch IC (pen status detection circuit), 22, 106...host processor, 28, 84, 114...pen detection function, 30...tip electrode (first electrode), 32...upper electrode (second electrode), 34...oscillating circuit, 36...core, 38...pen pressure sensor, 42, 44...periphery, 46, 136, 138...bending portion, 50, 140...sensor area, 52, 54...periphery, 56...bending area, 58...general area, 131-133...exposed portion, 141-144...sub-area, 146...scan area, F...finger, L1, L2...bending curve

Claims

1. A pen state detection circuit is connected to a capacitance type touch sensor that has a plurality of sensor electrodes arranged in a plane and is bendable at a plurality of points, and detects a state of an electronic pen based on an output signal from the touch sensor, a classification step of classifying a sensor area of ​​the touch sensor into an exposed area corresponding to an exposed portion of a detection surface of the touch sensor and an unexposed area corresponding to an unexposed portion of the detection surface, using bending information including a position, a bending direction, or a bending amount of a bending portion of the touch sensor; a control step of controlling the touch sensor so that whether or not scanning is performed by the electronic pen or the frequency of scanning varies depending on whether the divided area belongs to the exposed area or the non-exposed area; , which runs the pen state detection circuit.

2. In the control step, the scanning is performed within the exposed area, and the scanning is not performed within the non-exposed area.

2. The pen state detection circuit of claim 1.

3. the electronic pen is an active electronic pen, In the control step, when there are a plurality of the exposure areas, the scanning is performed only within the exposure area in which the electronic pen is detected.

3. The pen state detection circuit of claim 2.

4. the exposed portion is a portion that is accessible to the electronic pen when the touch sensor is folded, The non-exposed portion is a portion that is not accessible to the electronic pen when the touch sensor is folded.

2. The pen state detection circuit of claim 1.

5. the touch sensor has a first sub-region, a second sub-region, and a third sub-region, and is foldable into three by a bending portion between the first sub-region and the second sub-region and a bending portion between the second sub-region and the third sub-region; In the control step, while the first sub-region is exposed and folded in three, the scanning in the first sub-region is continued, while the scanning in the second sub-region and the scanning in the second sub-region are stopped.

2. The pen state detection circuit of claim 1.

6. A method using a pen state detection circuit that is connected to a capacitance type touch sensor that has a plurality of sensor electrodes arranged in a plane and is configured to be bendable at a plurality of points, and that detects the state of an electronic pen based on an output signal from the touch sensor, The pen state detection circuit a classification step of classifying a sensor area of ​​the touch sensor into an exposed area corresponding to an exposed portion of a detection surface of the touch sensor and an unexposed area corresponding to an unexposed portion of the detection surface, using bending information including a position, a bending direction, or a bending amount of a bending portion of the touch sensor; a control step of controlling the touch sensor so that whether or not scanning is performed by the electronic pen or the frequency of scanning varies depending on whether the divided area belongs to the exposed area or the non-exposed area; Implement the pen state detection method.

7. a capacitance type touch sensor having a plurality of sensor electrodes arranged in a planar shape and configured to be bendable at a plurality of points; a pen state detection circuit connected to the touch sensor and configured to detect a state of the electronic pen based on an output signal from the touch sensor; Equipped with The pen state detection circuit a classification step of classifying a sensor area of ​​the touch sensor into an exposed area corresponding to an exposed portion of a detection surface of the touch sensor and an unexposed area corresponding to an unexposed portion of the detection surface, using bending information including a position, a bending direction, or a bending amount of a bending portion of the touch sensor; a control step of controlling the touch sensor so that whether or not scanning is performed by the electronic pen or the frequency of scanning varies depending on whether the divided area belongs to the exposed area or the non-exposed area; Electronic equipment that runs

8. A pen state detection circuit is connected to a capacitance type touch sensor having a plurality of sensor electrodes arranged in a plane, and detects a state of an electronic pen based on an output signal from the touch sensor, the touch sensor has a first sub-region, a second sub-region, and a third sub-region, and is foldable into three by a bending portion between the first sub-region and the second sub-region and a bending portion between the second sub-region and the third sub-region; A pen state detection circuit that continues scanning the electronic pen within the first sub-region while the electronic pen is folded in third with the first sub-region exposed, but stops the scanning within the second sub-region and the third sub-region.

9. A method using a pen state detection circuit that is connected to a capacitance type touch sensor having a plurality of sensor electrodes arranged in a plane, and detects the state of an electronic pen based on an output signal from the touch sensor, the touch sensor has a first sub-region, a second sub-region, and a third sub-region, and is foldable into three by a bending portion between the first sub-region and the second sub-region and a bending portion between the second sub-region and the third sub-region; The pen state detection method, wherein the pen state detection circuit continues scanning the electronic pen within the first sub-region while the electronic pen is folded in three with the first sub-region exposed, and stops scanning within the second sub-region and the third sub-region.

10. a capacitance type touch sensor having a plurality of sensor electrodes arranged in a plane; a pen state detection circuit connected to the touch sensor and configured to detect a state of the electronic pen based on an output signal from the touch sensor; Equipped with the touch sensor has a first sub-region, a second sub-region, and a third sub-region, and is foldable into three by a bending portion between the first sub-region and the second sub-region and a bending portion between the second sub-region and the third sub-region; The electronic device, wherein the pen state detection circuit continues scanning the electronic pen within the first sub-region while the electronic pen is folded in three with the first sub-region exposed, and stops scanning within the second sub-region and the third sub-region.

Images