Terminal device and position detection sensor

Abstract

Even when using an extremely thin and flexible display device, such as e-paper, it enables high-quality drawing input using an electronic pen. [Solution] Multiple first electrodes X1, X2, X3, ... are arranged in a first direction on the first surface of the insulating layer 13 on the electronic paper 2 side. Between the multiple first electrodes X1, X2, X3, ... arranged in a first direction on the first surface of the insulating layer 13, one or more first wires d1, d2, d3, ... are arranged between the first electrodes that have a predetermined distance in the first direction, and are extended in a direction along the first electrode.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a terminal device configured to include, for example, a thin display device and a position detection sensor that receives an input operation using a pen-type position indicator such as an electronic pen, and a position detection sensor mounted on the terminal device.

Background Art

[0002] In terminal devices such as high-function mobile phone terminals called smartphones and tablet PCs (Personal Computers), a touch sensor is mounted to enable touch operations by a user's finger. The touch sensor is composed of transparent electrodes and is arranged, for example, on the display screen of a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). Thus, the touch sensor and the display device constitute a touch panel as an input device. Further, in terminal devices, in order to enable more detailed operations and handwriting input of characters, figures, symbols, etc., there are also those that can perform instruction input using an electronic pen (pen-type position indicator). [[ID=~]] [[ID=~]]

[0003] [[ID=~]] Examples of the method of a position detection device capable of performing instruction input using an electronic pen include, for example, a capacitance method and an electromagnetic induction method. The capacitance method is a method also used in the above-described touch sensor, and includes a sensor unit in which a plurality of linear conductors (line electrodes) are arranged in each of the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. When an electronic pen is brought close to the sensor, the instruction position is detected according to a change in the capacitance (electric charge) generated in the linear conductors constituting the sensor. Note that an electronic pen of the capacitance method is also called an electrostatic pen, and there is a so-called active type position indicator that is simply a pen-type position indicator having conductivity or is driven by a battery and sends out a signal from an oscillation circuit. An example of an input device (position detection device) composed of a coordinate detection sensor of the capacitance method and an electronic pen is disclosed in Patent Document 1 described later.

[0004] The electromagnetic induction method includes a sensor unit with multiple loop coils arranged in both the X-axis and Y-axis directions. The sensor unit has a configuration that alternates between a transmission period, in which current is sequentially supplied to the multiple loop coils to generate a magnetic field, and a reception period, in which the supply of current is stopped to receive an external magnetic field. The corresponding electronic pen has a resonant circuit consisting of a coil and a capacitor, and generates a signal by causing current to flow through the coil in response to the magnetic field from the sensor unit, and transmits this signal along with the signal to the sensor unit. This signal is received through the sensor unit during the reception period to detect the position indicated by the electronic pen. An example of an input device consisting of an electromagnetic induction coordinate detection sensor and an electronic pen is disclosed in Patent Document 2, which will be described later.

[0005] Furthermore, the display devices used in terminal devices often utilize LCDs or organic EL (electro-luminescence) displays, as mentioned above. In recent years, so-called electronic paper, which is thin, lightweight, and capable of displaying clear images, has been used as a display device in e-book readers and other devices. Electronic paper is expected to continue to be widely used as a display device in various terminal devices. Various improvements have also been made to electronic paper, and one example of this is disclosed in Patent Documents 3 and 4, which will be described later. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 07-295722 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 07-044304 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2009-037119 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-060946 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] In terminal devices, when both rough touch operations using the user's finger, mainly for icon selection, and detailed drawing operations using an electronic pen are implemented, both a capacitive touch sensor and an electromagnetic induction position detection sensor are installed. For example, as shown in Figure 5(A), in conventional terminal devices, a stacked structure is adopted in which a capacitive touch sensor 500 is placed on the upper side of the display device 600 and an electromagnetic induction position detection sensor 700 is placed on the lower side of the display device 600.

[0008] In recent years, there has been a focus on providing more user-friendly, low-cost portable terminals that utilize electronic paper as a display device and enable input via an electronic pen using an electromagnetic induction-type position detection device. Specifically, these terminals do not incorporate a capacitive touch sensor as an input device, but only an electromagnetic induction-type position detection sensor. As shown in Figure 5(B), a terminal device is conceivable in which an electronic paper 600E is used as the display device, with an electromagnetic induction-type position detection sensor 700 positioned below it. In this case, the display screen of the electronic paper 600E serves as the operating surface, and input is performed by touching the electronic pen to the display screen of the electronic paper 600E.

[0009] As shown in Figures 5(A) and (B), an electromagnetic induction type position detection sensor is formed by stacking and arranging multiple loop coil groups 701 and 703, which are formed by conductive wires, on a predetermined substrate 702, such as a rigid substrate or a flexible substrate. Electronic paper is much thinner than LCDs and organic EL displays. In this case, we consider performing drawing input by bringing an electronic pen 200 into contact with the electronic paper 600E and moving it. As shown in Figure 5(B), since the electronic paper 600E is thin and flexible, when the electronic pen 200 is moved on the electronic paper 600E, the tip of the electronic pen 200 will move up and down where there are loop coils and where there are no loop coils.

[0010] In other words, when drawing is performed using the electronic pen 200 in contact with the electronic paper 600E, the distance between the tip of the electronic pen 200 and the sensor surface of the electromagnetic induction type position detection sensor 700 fluctuates. In this case, the level of the signal from the electronic pen 200 received by each loop coil of the loop coil group 701 that constitutes the position detection sensor 700 also fluctuates. Therefore, as shown in Figure 5(C), when the trajectory input by the electronic pen 200 is displayed on the electronic paper 600E, a so-called waving phenomenon may occur, resulting in a wave-like display. In this case, the quality of the drawing input by the electronic pen 200 is reduced, making it impossible to realize a mobile terminal capable of high-quality drawing input.

[0011] In view of the above, the purpose of this invention is to enable high-quality drawing input using an electronic pen, even when an extremely thin and flexible material such as electronic paper is used as the display device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] To solve the above problems, A terminal device comprising a display device and a position detection sensor positioned below the display screen of the display device and detecting a position indicated by an electronic pen on the display screen, The position detection sensor is An insulating substrate having a first surface facing the display screen, A plurality of first electrodes are arranged at intervals along a first direction on the first surface of the insulating substrate, On the first surface, at least one first linear member is disposed in the space between adjacent first electrodes and extends in a direction along the first electrode, It has, Each of the first electrodes is an electromagnetic induction loop coil. The present invention provides a terminal device characterized by the following features. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1]This is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of a terminal device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of a position detection device mounted on the terminal device shown in FIG. 1 and a configuration example of an electronic pen used for the position detection device. [Figure 3] This is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of a position detection sensor according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of a position detection sensor according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of a conventional terminal device and problems that may occur in a terminal device using electronic paper.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] [Configuration Example of an Electronic Device Equipped with a Display Device and a Position Detection Sensor] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of a terminal device according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, an electronic paper 2 as a display device is located above a position detection sensor 1, and a motherboard 3 is located below the position detection sensor 1. Thus, these are stacked in the order of motherboard 3 → position detection sensor 1 → electronic paper 2 from bottom to top, and are housed in a housing 4A and enclosed by a front panel 4B from above, thereby constituting the terminal device of this embodiment.

[0015] The electronic paper 2 generally means all display media that maintain visibility and portability, which are the advantages of paper, and whose display content can be electrically rewritten. There are various display methods for electronic paper, such as electrophoresis method and electronic powder particle method, but they are thinner and cheaper than LCDs and organic EL displays. The motherboard 3 is a so-called printed circuit board provided with a position detection circuit to which the position detection sensor 1 is connected, a power supply circuit, a control circuit, a display circuit for the electronic paper 2, an interface circuit with an external device, and the like.

[0016] In this embodiment, the position detection sensor 1 is of the electromagnetic induction type and is connected to a position detection circuit formed on the motherboard 3. The position detection sensor 1 and the position detection circuit of the motherboard 3 constitute a position detection device. The position detection sensor 1 corresponds to the entire display screen of the electronic paper 2, and can detect the indicated position no matter which position on the display screen of the electronic paper 2 is indicated by the electronic pen.

[0017] In a terminal device with such a configuration, drawing input can be performed by touching and moving an electronic pen on the display screen of the electronic paper 2. Of course, it is also possible to perform selection input of an icon by touching the electronic pen on the display screen of the electronic paper 2. Thus, the terminal device of this embodiment includes the electronic paper 2 as a display device, and is configured with a position detection sensor 1 of the electromagnetic induction type provided below the electronic paper 2.

[0018] Therefore, there is no capacitance type touch sensor above the electronic paper 2. For this reason, various instruction inputs are performed by directly touching the display screen of the electronic paper 2 with the electronic pen. That is, the electronic device of this embodiment has only a position detection device of the electromagnetic induction type as the main input device other than operation buttons such as a power supply.

[0019] [Configuration Example of Position Detection Device] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of a position detection device 100 constituted by a position detection sensor 1 and a position detection circuit 102, and a configuration example of an electronic pen 200. The position detection device 100 and the electronic pen 200 of this embodiment are of the electromagnetic induction type. Specifically, as shown in the upper left of FIG. 2, the electronic pen 200 includes a resonance circuit in which a coil L for signal transmission and reception, a pen pressure detection unit Cv which is a variable capacitance capacitor, a resonance capacitor Cf, etc. are connected in parallel.

[0020] The position detection device 100 includes a position detection sensor 1 formed by stacking an X-axis loop coil group 12X and a Y-axis loop coil group 12Y. Each of the loop coils X1, X2, ..., X40 of the X-axis loop coil group 12X and the loop coils Y1, Y2, ..., Y30 of the Y-axis loop coil group 12Y may have one turn or two or more turns. Note that the position detection sensor 1 is shown in a simplified form in Figure 2, and the detailed configuration of the position detection sensor 1 will be described later. This position detection sensor 1 is connected to the position detection circuit 102 to constitute the position detection device 100 as a whole.

[0021] In this embodiment, the position detection circuit 102 is formed on the motherboard 3. The position detection circuit 102 includes an oscillator 104, a current driver 105, a selection circuit 106, a switching connection circuit 107, a receiving amplifier 108, a position detection circuit 109, a pen pressure detection circuit 110, and a processing control unit 111. As shown in Figure 2, the loop coil group 12X in the X-axis direction and the loop coil group 12Y in the Y-axis direction of the position detection sensor 1 are connected to the selection circuit 106. The selection circuit 106 sequentially selects one of the two loop coil groups 12X and 12Y according to the control of the processing control unit 111.

[0022] The processing control unit 111 is composed of a microprocessor. The processing control unit 111 controls the selection of the loop coil in the selection circuit 106 and the switching of the switching connection circuit 107, as well as the processing timing in the position detection circuit 109 and the pressure sensitivity detection circuit 110.

[0023] The oscillator 104 generates an AC signal with frequency f0. The oscillator 104 supplies the generated AC signal to the current driver 105 and the pressure sensitivity detection circuit 110. The current driver 105 converts the AC signal supplied from the oscillator 104 into current and sends it to the switching connection circuit 107. The switching connection circuit 107 switches the connection destination (transmitter terminal T, receiver terminal R) to which the loop coil selected by the selection circuit 106 is connected, under control from the processing control unit 111. Of these connection destinations, the current driver 105 is connected to the transmitter terminal T, and the receiver amplifier 108 is connected to the receiver terminal R.

[0024] The switching connection circuit 107 is switched to the transmitting terminal T side during the transmission period and to the receiving terminal R side during the reception period. As a result, during the transmission period, the loop coil, which receives current from the current driver 105 through the transmitting terminal T, generates a magnetic field, which is transmitted to the electronic pen 200 and acts on the resonant circuit of the electronic pen 200. In this case, the resonant circuit of the electronic pen 200 generates a position indication signal (radio wave) and transmits it to the position detection sensor 1.

[0025] On the other hand, during the reception period, the loop coil selected by the selection circuit 106 is connected to the receiving amplifier 108 through the receiving terminal R. When the loop coil is subjected to a magnetic field from the electronic pen 200, an induced voltage is generated in the loop coil, and this induced voltage is sent to the receiving amplifier 108 via the selection circuit 106 and the switching connection circuit 107. The receiving amplifier 108 amplifies the induced voltage supplied from the loop coil and sends it to the position detection circuit 109 and the pen pressure detection circuit 110.

[0026] In other words, an induced voltage is generated in each loop coil of the X-axis loop coil group 12X and the Y-axis loop coil group 12Y by the radio waves transmitted from the electronic pen 200. Therefore, the position detection circuit 109 detects the induced voltage (received signal) generated in the loop coils, converts the detected output signal into a digital signal, and outputs it to the processing control unit 111. The processing control unit 111 calculates the coordinate values ​​of the indicated position in the X-axis and Y-axis directions of the electronic pen 200 based on the digital signal from the position detection circuit 109, that is, the voltage value of the induced voltage generated in each loop coil.

[0027] The pressure sensitivity detection circuit 110 synchronously detects the output signal of the receiving amplifier 108 with the AC signal from the oscillator 104 to obtain a signal with a level corresponding to the phase difference (frequency shift) between them, converts this signal corresponding to the phase difference (frequency shift) into a digital signal, and outputs it to the processing control unit 111. The processing control unit 111 detects the pressure applied to the electronic pen 200 based on the level of the digital signal from the pressure sensitivity detection circuit 110, that is, the signal corresponding to the phase difference (frequency shift) between the transmitted radio wave and the received radio wave.

[0028] In this manner, the position detection circuit 102 switches between a signal transmission period and a signal reception period. During the transmission period, it supplies driving power to the electronic pen 200 to operate it, and during the reception period, it receives a signal from the electronic pen 200 to detect the indicated position and pen pressure. The detected indicated position and pen pressure are sent to the control circuit of the motherboard 3, which allows the motherboard 3 to execute processing corresponding to the icon displayed at the indicated position or to display the drawn image corresponding to the input on the electronic paper 2.

[0029] [Example configuration of position detection sensor 1] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the position detection sensor 1, and is an enlarged view of the left end portion of the X-axis direction loop coil group 12X of the position detection sensor 1 shown in Figure 2. In other words, in Figure 3, for the sake of simplicity, the description of the Y-axis direction loop coil group 12Y is omitted. As shown in Figure 3, on the side of the position detection sensor 1 facing the electronic paper 2 (the first surface of the position detection sensor 1), multiple loop coils X1, X2, X3, X4, ... that constitute the X-axis direction loop coil group 12X are arranged at predetermined intervals in the X-axis direction. Note that in Figure 3, the horizontal direction of the figure is the X-axis direction, and the vertical direction of the figure is the Y-axis direction.

[0030] In this embodiment, each of the loop coils X1, X2, X3, X4, ... is a single-turn coil formed in a rectangular shape, as shown in Figure 3. Each of the loop coils X1, X2, X3, X4, ... has two long sides L1 and R1, L2 and R2, ... extending in the Y-axis direction intersecting the X-axis direction, and two short sides S1, S2, ... extending in the X-axis direction that connect them. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, adjacent loop coils are arranged to have overlapping portions. One end of each of the loop coils X1, X2, X3, X4, ... is connected to the selection circuit 106, and the other end is grounded.

[0031] In conventional electromagnetic induction position detection sensors, there is no space between the left long side L1 of loop coil X1 and the left long side L2 of loop coil X2, and no space between the right long side R1 of loop coil X1 and the left long side L3 of loop coil X3. Similarly, there is no space between the right long side R2 of loop coil X2 and the left long side L4 of loop coil X4, and no space between the right long side R3 of loop coil X3 and the left long side L5 of loop coil X5.

[0032] As described above, there were relatively large empty spaces between each of the longer sides. These empty spaces do not pose a problem for detecting the position indicated by the electronic pen 200. However, as explained using Figure 5, when drawing by moving the electronic pen 200 that is in contact with the display screen of the electronic paper 2, it causes the tip of the electronic pen 200 to move up and down. This can cause the drawn lines to appear as if they are wavy, a phenomenon known as the waving phenomenon. In particular, terminal devices that use very thin and flexible electronic paper 2 as a display device are thought to be more prone to causing the waving phenomenon.

[0033] Therefore, as shown in Figure 3, in the position detection sensor 1 of this embodiment, wires d1, d2, and d3 are provided between the left long side L1 of loop coil X1 and the left long side L2 of loop coil X2. Also, wires d4 and d5 are provided between the right long side R1 of loop coil X1 and the left long side L3 of loop coil X3. Similarly, wires d6 and d7 are provided between the right long side R2 of loop coil X2 and the left long side L4 of loop coil X4, and wires d8 and d9 are provided between the right long side R3 of loop coil X3 and the left long side L5 of loop coil X5.

[0034] In this manner, all loop coils constituting the X-axis loop coil group 12X are provided with predetermined wires, as indicated by wires d1, d2, d3, ..., in the gaps between adjacent long sides where there is enough space for the tip of the electronic pen 200 to sink in. These predetermined wires d1, d2, d3, ..., may be made of a conductive material such as metal, or a non-conductive material such as resin. Regardless of the material used, these predetermined wires are not connected to the loop coils or the position detection circuit 102. This ensures a smooth sensor surface for the position detection sensor 1 and prevents the tip of the electronic pen 200 from sinking too deeply.

[0035] Furthermore, if there is not enough space between adjacent long sides to allow the tip of the electronic pen 200 to sink in, such as between the left long side L2 of loop coil X2 and the right long side R1 of loop coil X1, then it is not necessary to provide the specified wire. The same applies to the space between the left long side L3 of loop coil X3 and the right long side R2 of loop coil X2, and between the left long side L4 of loop coil X4 and the right long side R3 of loop coil X3.

[0036] Furthermore, the case of the X-axis loop coil group 12X was used as an example in this explanation. However, in the case of the position detection sensor 1 of this embodiment, the Y-axis loop coil group 12Y, which is arranged on the second surface that is opposite to the first surface on which the X-axis loop coil group is arranged, also has predetermined wires arranged in the same way. That is, for all the loop coils Y1, Y2, Y3,... that make up the Y-axis loop coil group 12Y, predetermined wires are provided in the parts where there is a predetermined amount of empty space between adjacent long sides, similar to the case of the X-axis loop coil group 12X.

[0037] Since the Y-axis loop coil group 12Y is formed on the second surface of the insulating layer (insulating substrate) 13, it is thought that its influence is less than that of the X-axis loop coil group 12X, which is formed on the first surface. However, it contributes to further smoothing of the sensor surface of the position detection sensor 1. The predetermined empty space in the Y-axis loop coil group 12Y is the same as in the case of the X-axis loop coil group 12X. That is, when the Y-axis loop coil group 12Y is formed on the first surface of the insulating layer 13, the predetermined empty space is the space that causes the tip of the electronic pen 200, which is in contact with the display screen of the electronic paper 2, to move up and down in a direction perpendicular to the display screen.

[0038] Figure 4 illustrates an example configuration of the position detection sensor 1. Specifically, Figure 4(A) is a top view when the electronic paper 2 is stacked on the position detection sensor 1. Figure 4(B) is a cross-sectional view of the left end of the position detection sensor 1 and electronic paper 2 as seen from the side of arrow a in Figure 4(A). Figure 4(C) is a diagram showing an example of a drawn image (image of handwriting) when an electronic pen 200 is brought into contact with the display screen of the electronic paper 2 to draw a straight line. Figure 4(D) is a cross-sectional view of the left end of the position detection sensor 1 and electronic paper 2 as seen from the side of arrow b in Figure 4(A).

[0039] As shown in Figure 4(A), a position detection sensor 1 is positioned on the underside of the electronic paper 2, and the sensor surface of the position detection sensor 1 corresponds to the entire display screen of the electronic paper 2. This ensures that no matter where on the display screen of the electronic paper 2 is indicated by the electronic pen 200, that indicated position can be appropriately detected.

[0040] As shown in Figure 4(B), when viewing a cross-section of the position detection sensor 1 and the left end portion of the electronic paper 2 from the side of arrow a in Figure 4(A), a loop coil group 12X in the X-axis direction is formed on the surface of the insulating layer 13 facing the electronic paper 2 (the first surface). In addition, a loop coil group 12Y in the Y-axis direction is formed on the surface of the insulating layer 13 opposite to the surface facing the electronic paper 2 (the first surface) (the second surface).

[0041] As explained using Figure 3 and also shown in Figure 4(B), wires d1, d2, and d3 are provided between the left long side of loop coil X1 and the left long side of loop coil X2. Also, wires d4 and d5 are provided between the right long side of loop coil X1 and the left long side of loop coil X3. Similarly, wires d6 and d7 are present between the right long side of loop coil X2 and the left long side of loop coil X4, and wires d8 and d9 are provided between the right long side R3 of loop coil X3 and the left long side L5 of loop coil X5.

[0042] In this way, for the X-axis axial loop coil group 12X formed on the first surface of the insulating layer 13, the distance between the long sides is a predetermined distance, and a predetermined wire is placed in the empty space where the tip of the electronic pen 200 moves up and down, causing a waving phenomenon. As a result, as shown in Figure 4(B), even when drawing input is performed by bringing the tip of the electronic pen 200 into contact with the display screen of the electronic paper 2, the tip of the electronic pen 200, indicated by the black circle, does not sink significantly in the direction perpendicular to the display screen of the electronic paper 2.

[0043] Therefore, when the tip of the electronic pen 200 is brought into contact with the display screen of the electronic paper 2 to draw a straight line, the tip of the electronic pen 200 does not move up and down in the direction that intersects the display screen, or if it does move up and down, it is only a very small amount. As a result, the drawn image of the straight line (the image of the handwriting) in this case is a high-quality image that does not ripple, or at least does not show noticeable ripple, as shown in Figure 4(C).

[0044] As shown in Figure 4(D), when viewing the cross-section of the position detection sensor 1 and the left end portion of the electronic paper 2 from the side of arrow b in Figure 4(A), a group of Y-axis loop coils is formed on the second surface of the insulating layer 13. The Y-axis loop coil group 12Y is formed by arranging loop coils in a direction intersecting the X-axis loop coil group 12X. In the case of the position detection sensor 1 of this embodiment, the Y-axis loop coil group 12Y is also provided with predetermined wires in the same manner as the X-axis loop coil group 12X described above.

[0045] Specifically, as shown in Figure 4(D), wires da, db, and dc are provided between the left long side of loop coil Y1 and the left long side of loop coil Y2. Also, wires dd and de are provided between the right long side of loop coil Y1 and the left long side of loop coil Y3. Similarly, wires df and dg are provided between the right long side of loop coil Y2 and the left long side of loop coil Y4, and wires dh and di are provided between the right long side of loop coil Y3 and the left long side of loop coil Y5.

[0046] In this way, predetermined wires are placed in the empty spaces not only for the X-axis loop coil group 12X arranged on the first surface of the insulating layer 13 facing the electronic paper 2, but also for the Y-axis loop coil group 12Y arranged on the second surface of the insulating layer 13. This makes it possible to make the sensor surface of the position detection sensor 1 smoother. As a result, drawing becomes smoother. In other words, even in terminal devices that use electronic paper 2 as a display device, it becomes possible to perform drawing input with high quality.

[0047] [Effects of the embodiment] As described above, in the case of the position detection sensor 1 of this embodiment, if there is a predetermined empty space between the long sides in the direction in which each loop coil is arranged in the X-axis loop coil group 12X, one or more predetermined wires are placed in the empty space. Similarly, if there is a predetermined empty space between the long sides in the direction in which each loop coil is arranged in the Y-axis loop coil group 12Y, one or more predetermined wires are placed in the empty space.

[0048] This enables the smoothing of the sensor surface of the position detection sensor 1. Therefore, even when drawing input is performed by bringing the electronic pen 200 into contact with the display screen of the electronic paper 2 located above the position detection sensor 1 and moving it, the tip of the electronic pen 200 does not move up and down significantly, thus preventing the so-called waving phenomenon.

[0049] Therefore, even when configuring a terminal device in which an extremely thin and flexible electronic paper 2 is placed on the position detection sensor 1 as a display device, high-quality drawing input with the electronic pen 200 can be performed. In other words, even when configuring a terminal device using electronic paper 2 as a display device, a terminal device capable of high-quality and detailed drawing input can be realized.

[0050] [Differentiation] In the embodiments described above, adjacent loop coils were arranged so that they partially overlapped, but this is not the only arrangement. If the indicated position can be appropriately detected by the electronic pen, adjacent loop coils do not need to be arranged to overlap.

[0051] Furthermore, the number of wires to be placed between the long sides of the loop coil can be set to an appropriate number depending on the size of the empty space between the long sides of the loop coil.

[0052] Furthermore, if the predetermined wires placed between the long sides of the loop coil are made of a conductive material, then by arranging an appropriate number of predetermined wires, power can be efficiently supplied to the electronic pen 200, and signals from the electronic pen 200 can be efficiently received.

[0053] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment describes the case in which an electromagnetic induction type position detection sensor 1 is used, it is not limited to this. The position detection sensor of this invention can also be applied to an active electrostatic coupling type position detection sensor that is placed on the underside of the electronic paper 2 used as a display device.

[0054] An active electrostatic coupling position detection sensor comprises a sensor unit in which multiple linear conductors (line electrodes) are arranged in both the X-axis and Y-axis directions. The position detection sensor detects the indicated position in accordance with the change in capacitance (charge) generated in the linear conductors when the sensor unit receives a signal transmitted from the electrostatic pen. In such an active electrostatic coupling position detection sensor, a predetermined wire can be placed in the space between the linear conductors arranged in both the X-axis and Y-axis directions to suppress the vertical movement of the pen tip of the electronic pen.

[0055] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, it was explained that a predetermined wire is placed in the empty space between the long sides of both the X-axis loop coil group 12X and the Y-axis loop coil group 12Y. Similarly, in the case of an active electrostatic sensor, a predetermined wire is placed in the space between the linear conductors arranged in the X-axis and Y-axis directions, respectively. However, it is not limited to this. At a minimum, the predetermined wire can be placed in the empty space between adjacent long sides of the loop coil group located on the electronic paper side, or in the empty space between adjacent linear conductors of the linear conductor group.

[0056] However, in order to smooth the sensor surface of the position detection sensor, it is desirable to supplement the loop coil group and linear conductor group formed on the side that does not face the electronic paper with a predetermined wire material.

[0057] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment uses electronic paper 2 as the display device, it is not limited to this. Regardless of the display method employed, this invention can be applied to various display devices that are thin and flexible, similar to electronic paper. In other words, this invention can be applied to various display devices that may be affected when inputting instructions with an electronic pen if the sensor surface of the position detection sensor located on the lower side is not smooth. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0058] 1…Position detection sensor, 12X…X-axis loop coil group, 12Y…Y-axis loop coil group, 13…Insulating layer, X1, X2, X3, X4, X5…Loop coil, Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4, Y5…Loop coil, L1, L2, L3, L4, L5…Left long side, R1, R2, R3, R4…Right long side, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5…Short side, d1~d9…Determined wire, da~di…Determined wire, 100…Position detection device, 102…Position detection circuit, 104…Oscillator, 105…Electric screwdriver, 106…Selection circuit, 107…Switching connection circuit, 108…Receiver amplifier, 109…Position detection circuit, 110…Pen pressure detection circuit, 111…Processing control unit, 200…Electronic pen, 2…Electronic paper, 3…Motherboard, 4A…Housing, 4B…Front panel

Claims

1. A terminal device comprising a display device and a position detection sensor positioned below the display screen of the display device and detecting a position indicated by an electronic pen on the display screen, The position detection sensor is An insulating substrate having a first surface facing the display screen, A plurality of first electrodes are arranged at intervals along a first direction on the first surface of the insulating substrate, On the first surface, at least one first linear member is arranged in the space between adjacent first electrodes and extends in a direction along the first electrode, It has, Each of the first electrodes is an electromagnetic induction loop coil. A terminal device characterized by the following features.

2. A terminal device according to claim 1, Each of the aforementioned first electrodes has at least two long sides and a short side connecting the at least two long sides, The first linear members are each positioned in the space between adjacent long sides in the first direction of the multiple loop coils that constitute the multiple first electrodes. A terminal device characterized by the following features.

3. A terminal device according to claim 1 or claim 2, The aforementioned position detection sensor further, On a second surface opposite to the first surface, a plurality of second electrodes are arranged at intervals along a second direction intersecting the first direction, On the second surface, at least one second linear member is arranged in the space between adjacent second electrodes and extends in a direction along the second electrode, It has, Each of the aforementioned second electrodes is an electromagnetic induction loop coil. A terminal device characterized by the following features.

4. A terminal device according to claim 3, Each of the aforementioned second electrodes has at least two long sides and a short side connecting the at least two long sides, The second linear members are each positioned in the space between adjacent long sides in the second direction of the multiple loop coils that constitute the multiple second electrodes. A terminal device characterized by the following features.

5. A position detection sensor positioned below the display screen of a display device, which detects a position indicated on the display screen by an electronic pen, An insulating substrate having a first surface facing the display screen, A plurality of first electrodes are arranged on the first surface at intervals along a first direction, On the first surface, at least one first linear member is arranged in the space between adjacent first electrodes and extends in a direction along the first electrode, It has, Each of the first electrodes is an electromagnetic induction loop coil. A position detection sensor characterized by the following features.

6. A position detection sensor according to claim 5, Each of the aforementioned first electrodes has at least two long sides and a short side connecting the at least two long sides, The first linear members are each positioned in the space between adjacent long sides in the first direction of the multiple loop coils that constitute the multiple first electrodes. A position detection sensor characterized by the following features.

7. A position detection sensor according to claim 5 or claim 6, further comprising: On a second surface opposite to the first surface, a plurality of second electrodes are arranged at intervals along a second direction intersecting the first direction, On the second surface, at least one second linear member is arranged in the space between adjacent second electrodes and extends in a direction along the second electrode, It has, Each of the aforementioned second electrodes is an electromagnetic induction loop coil. A position detection sensor characterized by the following features.

8. A position detection sensor according to claim 7, Each of the aforementioned second electrodes is an electromagnetic induction loop coil having at least two long sides and a short side connecting the at least two long sides, The second linear members are each positioned in the space between adjacent long sides in the second direction of the multiple loop coils that constitute the multiple second electrodes. A position detection sensor characterized by the following features.

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