Position detection device and information processing system

Abstract

Regarding the position detection device, it does not require a dedicated driver, and even when inputting information to only a portion of the display device's screen, the entire input surface can be used, preventing problems such as display distortion. [Solution] The position detection circuit unit 507 detects the indicated position on the input surface of the sensor unit as absolute coordinates. The relative coordinate calculation unit 922 sequentially acquires absolute coordinates from the position detection circuit unit 507 and calculates relative coordinates indicating the indicated position by the indicator on the input surface from the difference between the previous absolute coordinates and the current absolute coordinates. The output absolute coordinate value calculation unit 923 calculates the output absolute coordinate value of the indicated position corresponding to the instruction input using the relative coordinates from the relative coordinate calculation unit 922, assuming that an instruction input has been made to an input area positioned on the output absolute coordinate region corresponding to the display screen. The calculated output absolute coordinate value is output through the output unit 925.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a position detection device that detects information such as an instruction position by an indicator such as an electronic pen and supplies the detected information to an information processing device, and an information processing system configured using the position detection device.

Background Art

[0002] A position detection device that reads an instruction position on a plate-like body by an indicator such as an electronic pen with a position detection sensor built in the plate-like body and provides it to an information processing device such as a PC (Personal Computer) main body is widely used. The position detection device is generally called a pen tablet, a tablet PC, or simply a tablet. In this specification, hereinafter, the position detection device of the plate-like body will be described as a tablet. The PC is equipped with a standard driver compliant with HID (Human Interface Device), so that computer peripheral devices such as tablets can be easily connected to and used with the PC. Note that HID is a general term for those responsible for the man-machine interface among computer peripheral devices and the like, and means a keyboard, a pointing device such as a tablet or a mouse, various game controllers, various operation buttons and knobs, a remote control, and the like.

[0003] As disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 to be described later, the tablet detects the instruction position on the position detection sensor by the indicator as absolute coordinates and outputs this. For this reason, the standard driver compliant with HID for the tablet receives and processes the absolute coordinates from the tablet. The absolute coordinates are those that set an origin and represent the position by the distance from there. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a conventional information processing system including a tablet 1, a PC 2, and a display 3. For example, as shown in FIG. 12(A), when the input surface 1N of the tablet 1 and the display screen 3D of the display 3 connected to the PC 2 are in a congruent or similar relationship, consider the case of notifying the instruction position to the PC 2 from the tablet 1 in absolute coordinates.

[0004] Generally, the entire input surface 1N of the tablet 1 corresponds to the entire display screen 3D of the display 3 connected to the PC. In this case, the pictures, characters, etc. drawn on the input surface 1N of the tablet 1 and the pictures, characters, etc. displayed on the display screen 3D of the display 3 can be made congruent or similar. That is, the input position and the display position match, and the shape of the input information and the shape of the displayed information match. As a result, drawing input can be performed without any sense of incongruity, as if writing by hand on paper, while confirming the information drawn through the input surface 1N of the tablet 1 on the display screen 3D of the display 3.

[0005] In recent years, displays with vertical or horizontal orientations have come into use, and it has also become common to add external displays to PCs, forming a single display screen using the screens of multiple displays. For example, as shown in Figure 12(B), suppose the display screen 3AD of display 3A connected to PC2 is horizontal and not congruent or similar to the input surface 1N of tablet 1. Even in this case, the entire surface of the input surface 1N of tablet 1 corresponds to the entire surface of the display screen 3AD of display 3A. Therefore, as shown in Figure 12(B), if a large character "A" is drawn on the input surface 1N of tablet 1, the displayed character "A" may appear stretched horizontally because the display screen 3AD of display 3A is horizontal.

[0006] Thus, when a tablet provides a position indication using absolute coordinates to the PC, if the input surface of the tablet and the display screen of the connected PC are not congruent or similar, it may cause a sense of incongruity. In other words, the images, characters, etc. drawn on the tablet's input surface cannot be displayed on the PC's display screen as the user intends, making it impossible to perform drawing input properly. Therefore, providing the position indication to the PC using relative coordinates is a possible solution. Relative coordinates are coordinates that indicate a position in relation to a specific point (arbitrary point), and Patent Document 1 explains that they are the value obtained by subtracting the absolute coordinate before the change from the absolute coordinate after the change per unit time. That is, relative coordinates can be expressed as the amount of change per unit time.

[0007] However, as mentioned above, standard HID-compliant drivers for tablets accept and process absolute coordinates from the tablet, and therefore cannot accept and process relative coordinates. For this reason, it is conceivable to use a standard HID-compliant driver for a mouse, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, which will be described later. This is because a standard HID-compliant driver for a mouse can acquire and process relative coordinates from the mouse. However, since a standard HID-compliant driver for a mouse is strictly for a mouse, it cannot acquire and process the pressure information applied to the electronic pen, which is important information in input systems using tablets.

[0008] Therefore, it might be considered to use a dedicated driver for tablets that can handle relative coordinates. However, even though a stable, HID-compliant standard driver for tablets is available, this dedicated driver must be obtained, for example, by downloading it from a designated server on the internet, and then installed to enable operation. Downloading and installing a dedicated driver may not be a problem for computer-savvy users, but it can be a cumbersome process for those who are not. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-198490 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-134101 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0010] In recent years, partly due to the impact of digital transformation, there has been an increasing need to add data directly to data entered into a PC by handwriting. Figure 13 shows an example of adding data by handwriting. For example, if data such as "Confirmation Items," which is pre-entered in PC2, is displayed on the 3D screen of display 3 and presented to the other party, and the other party confirms it, it may be necessary to handwrite the other party's name to leave proof that they have confirmed it. Even processes that were previously done through paper documents can now be saved and managed on a PC by digitizing the data, and can also be printed out as needed, making it very convenient.

[0011] However, conventional tablets, which are also intended for illustration purposes, are large in size and require a large space to be set up. Furthermore, due to the size of conventional tablets, they must be placed in the most convenient position on the desk between the display and the user for writing purposes. Therefore, if a keyboard and mouse are to be used in conjunction, the placement of these peripherals becomes an issue. Also, as mentioned above, generally, the entire surface of the input surface 1N of the tablet 1 corresponds to the entire display screen 3D of the display 3. Therefore, as shown in Figure 13, if a signature input area (display field) R is provided in the lower right of the display screen 3D, only a very limited portion of the input surface 1N of the tablet 1 can be used for input. In this case, the user is forced to input small characters, making input difficult. Also, as mentioned above, in this case, if the display screen 3D and the input surface 1N are not congruent or similar, the displayed image may be unnaturally distorted, which can cause discomfort.

[0012] Considering these points, if the purpose of handwriting input is to input supplementary information such as notes, schematics, diagrams, and so-called rough sketches, or to input signatures, then a conventional large tablet is unnecessary, and a small tablet is sufficient. However, simply making the tablet smaller, as mentioned above, if the entire input surface of the tablet is mapped to the entire display screen, the displayed image may become distorted. Also, as explained using Figure 13, if you want to display input information on only a part of the 3D display screen, only a very small part of the input surface 1N of the tablet 1 can be used for input, so you have to perform detailed input work, which actually makes it less convenient to use.

[0013] In view of the above, this invention provides a user-friendly, miniaturized tablet and an information processing system using the miniaturized tablet. In particular, it aims to provide a device that does not require a dedicated driver, allows the entire input surface to be used even when inputting information to only a part of the display screen, and does not cause any inconvenience such as display distortion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] To solve the above problems, A method for detecting a location performed by a computer, The steps include sequentially detecting the indicated position on the input surface by the indicator as absolute coordinates on the input surface, A step of calculating the relative coordinates of the indicated position based on the sequentially detected change in the absolute coordinates, The steps include: calculating output absolute coordinate values ​​based on the calculated relative coordinates, assuming that an instruction input has been made to an input area corresponding to the input surface, which is set within the output absolute coordinate region corresponding to the display screen of an external display device; The steps include outputting the calculated absolute coordinate values ​​for output, The present invention provides a location detection method that includes [specific features / methods]. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of an information processing system using the tablet of the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a diagram illustrating the coordinate transformation process performed on the tablet according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure illustrates the process of moving the input area in the output absolute coordinate region performed by the tablet of the embodiment. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates the input processing and corresponding display processing performed in the information processing system of the embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the tablet according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the processing control unit of the tablet position detection circuit according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] This diagram illustrates how to adjust coordinates when the aspect ratio of the tablet's input surface and the display screen of a monitor differ significantly. [Figure 8]It is a flowchart for explaining the processing performed on the tablet in the embodiment. [Figure 9] It is a flowchart following FIG. 8. [Figure 10] It is a block diagram for explaining the schematic configuration of the PC main body used in the information processing system of the embodiment. [Figure 11] It is a diagram for explaining the combined use of the tablet and the mouse in the information processing system of the embodiment. [Figure 12] It is a diagram showing a conventional information processing system composed of a tablet, a PC, and a display. [Figure 13] It is a diagram showing an example when data is to be added by handwriting input.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the device and system according to this invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The tablet (position detection device) in the embodiment described below is, for example, connected to and used with an information processing device such as a PC, and functions as an input device of the information processing device such as a PC. The tablet in the embodiment, although will be described in detail later, is, for example, a miniaturized one suitable for use when inputting information to a partial area of a display screen such as auxiliary information such as memo writing, so-called punch pictures such as schematic diagrams and configuration diagrams, or signatures.

[0017] Tablets come in various types, with electromagnetic induction and capacitive types being widely used. The electromagnetic induction type includes a sensor unit in which the position detection device has multiple loop coils (electrodes) arranged in both the X-axis and Y-axis directions. The sensor unit alternates between a transmission period, in which power is sequentially supplied to the multiple loop coils to generate a magnetic field, and a reception period, in which the power supply 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. This signal, along with pen pressure information, is transmitted to the position detection sensor. The position detection device receives this signal during the reception period and detects the position and pressure indicated by the electronic pen.

[0018] The capacitive electrostatic coupling method includes a sensor unit in which the position detection device has multiple line electrodes (linear conductors) arranged in both the X-axis and Y-axis directions. This sensor unit detects the indicated position in response to changes in capacitance (charge) generated in the line electrodes when a finger or electrostatic pen (electronic pen) is brought close to it. Electrostatic pens can be simply conductive rod-shaped objects or battery-powered pens that transmit signals (active electrostatic pens). In the case of the active electrostatic coupling method using an active electrostatic pen, the electrostatic pen transmits a signal from its built-in oscillator circuit, including pressure information, which is received by the position detection device to detect the indicated position and pressure.

[0019] The position detection device of this invention can be configured as an electromagnetic induction type (EMR (Electro Magnetic Resonance) type) or as an active capacitance type (AES (Active Electrostatic) type). For the sake of simplicity, the following explanation will use the case where this invention is applied to an electromagnetic induction type position detection device as an example.

[0020] [Example of an information processing system configuration] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information processing system using the tablet of the embodiment. The information processing system as a whole is configured by connecting peripheral devices such as a display 200, a keyboard 300, a mouse 400, and a tablet 500 to the PC main unit 100. The PC main unit 100, display 200, keyboard 300, and mouse 400 are all commercially available, common products. As will be described later, the PC main unit 100 is equipped with an I / F (interface) for connecting peripheral devices and various HID-compliant standard drivers (keyboard driver, mouse driver, tablet driver, etc.) for making the peripheral devices function.

[0021] As a result, the PC unit 100 can display various information on the display screen 200D of the connected display 200, and clear the display. The PC unit 100 can also accept information input via the keyboard 300, display the received information, and execute processing according to the received information. Similarly, the PC unit 100 can accept instruction input from the mouse 400 to move the cursor displayed on the display screen 200D, or accept input to select a desired item from a menu and execute processing corresponding to the selected item. In this embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, the display screen 200D of the display 200 is assumed to be, for example, a 26-inch display with an aspect ratio of 16:9. Therefore, the vertical width of the display screen 200D is 323.6 mm and the horizontal width is 574.5 mm.

[0022] As mentioned above, the tablet 500 uses an electromagnetic induction system and accepts instruction input using an electromagnetic induction electronic pen 600, supplying coordinate information corresponding to that instruction input to the PC main unit 100. Furthermore, the tablet 500 is miniaturized. The area of ​​the input surface (operation surface) 500N that accepts operation input from the electronic pen 600 is very small, in terms of paper size, for example, A4, A5, A6, B5, B6, and B7. Note that if we express each paper size in (short side × long side) mm, A4 is (210 × 297), A5 is (148 × 210), A6 is (148 × 105), B5 is (182 × 257), B6 ​​is (128 × 182), and B7 is (128 × 91). Of course, the tablet 500 can be configured in various other sizes. Such small tablets can be realized with a simple configuration, for example, as an extremely thin tablet, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-95521.

[0023] The input surface 500N of the tablet 500 in this embodiment is 6 inches in size, which is about the size of a B7 sheet of paper. Therefore, when the tablet 500 is not in use, it can be placed anywhere, such as to the right edge of the desk or on top of the PC unit 100, so finding a place to put it is not a problem. Furthermore, when using the tablet 500, it can be positioned in a location that makes it easy to write with the electronic pen 600, such as slightly in front of the user's right hand, including on the keyboard, allowing for efficient writing.

[0024] As mentioned above, the small tablet 500 is miniaturized and suitable for inputting auxiliary information that is displayed on a portion of the display screen 200D of the display 200, such as notes, schematic diagrams, configuration diagrams, or signatures. Specifically, consider the case where a signature input area display area Ar is provided at the lower right corner of the display screen 200D of the display 200, as shown in Figure 1. In this case, the entire input surface 500N of the tablet 500 can be used to receive the writing force of the signature, and a corresponding display can be shown on the signature input area display area Ar of the display screen 200D.

[0025] Thus, the tablet 500 is not a large tablet intended for illustration purposes, but rather a smaller version (with an input surface area of ​​approximately B7 size). Furthermore, the entire input surface 500N of the tablet 500 does not correspond to the entire display screen 200D of the display 200. An input range display area Ar corresponding to the input surface 500N is provided on a portion of the display screen 200D, and input information corresponding to input operations received through the entire input surface 500N can be displayed in this input range display area Ar.

[0026] Furthermore, the tablet 500 in this embodiment enables processing using relative coordinates so that input information corresponding to input operations received through the input surface 500N is not distorted when displayed in the input range display area Ar. However, as mentioned above, HID-compliant tablet drivers cannot handle relative coordinates, so the tablet is designed to be usable with a standard HID-compliant tablet driver. In other words, the tablet 500 enables processing using relative coordinates, but does not require a dedicated driver and can be easily connected to the PC main unit 100 and used with a standard HID-compliant tablet driver.

[0027] [Coordinate transformation processing performed on tablet 500] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the coordinate transformation process performed by the tablet 500 in this embodiment. In Figure 2, the tablet 500, which is an input device shown at the bottom, is connected to the PC main unit 100, and the display device 200, which is a display device shown at the top, is also connected. In this embodiment, as mentioned above, the size of the display screen 200D of the display 200 is 26 inches, and the input surface 500N of the tablet 500 is, for example, B7 size. Therefore, the display screen 200D and the input surface 500N are not the same in size or aspect ratio, and are not congruent or similar.

[0028] The input surface 500N of the tablet 500 is an absolute coordinate region where the upper left corner is the origin NP(0,0) and the lower right corner is the maximum value NP(Xmax,Ymax). For example, in the tablet 500 of this embodiment, Xmax is 12236 and Ymax is 9059. However, as will be explained in more detail later, in the tablet 500, the input information received through the input surface 500N is understood using relative coordinates obtained by subtracting the current absolute coordinates from the previous absolute coordinates. In other words, the input information is understood as the amount of change from the previous absolute coordinates.

[0029] Furthermore, in this embodiment of the information processing system, unlike conventional information processing systems, the entire input surface 500N of the tablet 500, or a portion thereof, is not mapped to the entire display screen 200D of the display 200. As explained using Figure 1, the entire input surface 500N of the tablet 500 is mapped to a portion of the display screen 200D of the display 200, enabling the system to accept handwritten input (position indication input) from the user.

[0030] In other words, as shown in the lower part of Figure 2, the tablet 500 is provided with a virtual output absolute coordinate region VI, as indicated by the large dotted rectangle. This output absolute coordinate region VI is a virtual region that corresponds to the display screen 200D of the display 200. As shown in Figure 2, the output absolute coordinate region VI has its upper left corner as the origin VP(0,0) and its lower right corner as the maximum value VP(Xmax,Ymax). In this embodiment, NP(Xmax,Ymax) and VP(Xmax,Ymax) are set to the same value, but VP(Xmax,Ymax) may be larger than NP(Xmax,Ymax), or it may be smaller, although decimation of the input data will be performed. This resolution is sufficiently larger than the resolution of a typical monitor. The coordinate values ​​of the VI are passed to the PC main unit 100, where they are converted to coordinate values ​​that match the resolution of the display screen 200D and output as drawing data.

[0031] In the tablet 500, the input area Nr corresponding to the input surface 500N is moved and positioned at an arbitrary location on the virtual output absolute coordinate region VI, which is shown as a large dotted rectangle in Figure 2. The input area Nr positioned at an arbitrary location on the output absolute coordinate region VI corresponds to the information input range display area Ar on the display screen 200D of the display 200, as shown as a dotted rectangle in the display screen 200D of Figure 2. The output absolute coordinate region VI is the area associated with the display screen 200D of the display 200 and is initially notified to the PC main unit 100. This is because the display control of the display 200 is performed.

[0032] The user can input instructions to the input surface 500N of the tablet 500, thereby inputting instructions to an input area Nr positioned at any location in the output absolute coordinate region VI via the input surface 500N. The tablet 500 recognizes the instructions input to the input surface 500N as relative coordinates, which are the difference between the previously detected absolute coordinates and the current absolute coordinates. Furthermore, the tablet 500 converts the recognized relative coordinates into output absolute coordinates OA according to the position of the input area Nr positioned on the output absolute coordinate region VI, and outputs these to the PC main unit 100.

[0033] As a result, the PC unit 100 operates an HID-compliant tablet driver based on the output absolute coordinate OA from the tablet 500. That is, the PC unit 100 forms drawing data based on the output absolute coordinate value indicating the position on the output absolute coordinate area VI corresponding to the display screen 200D, and outputs this to the display 200. This allows an image corresponding to the information input through the input surface 500N of the tablet 500 to be drawn and displayed in the input range display area Ar located at any position on the display screen 200D of the display 200.

[0034] Thus, the tablet 500 of this embodiment can display information input using the entire input surface 500N on the target portion of the display screen 200D of the display 200 (the input range display area Ar, which is a part of the display screen 200D). In the following, the movement process on the output absolute coordinate region of the input area Nr corresponding to the input surface 500N of the tablet 500, and the input of information using the tablet 500 and its display on the display screen 200D of the display 200 will be described in detail.

[0035] [Processing of moving the input area in the output absolute coordinate region] Figure 3 illustrates the movement process of the input area Nr in the output absolute coordinate region VI performed by the tablet 500 of this embodiment. For the sake of simplicity, the output absolute coordinate region VI is assumed to be a region of 900 x 500, and the input surface 500N of the tablet 500 is assumed to be a region of 250 x 150. Note that these values ​​are examples for the sake of making the explanation concrete, and in general, the values ​​will be much larger.

[0036] In the example shown in Figure 3, when the tablet 500 is powered on and in its initial state, the input area Nr corresponding to the input surface 500N of the tablet 500 is assumed to be located at the upper left end of the output absolute coordinate region VI. Therefore, as shown in Figure 3(A), the origin VP(0,0) of the output absolute coordinate region VI and the origin P0(0,0) of the input area Nr are assumed to coincide. Thus, we consider moving the input area Nr from this state, where it is located at the upper left end of the output absolute coordinate region VI, to the lower right end of the output absolute coordinate region VI. The movement of the input area Nr is performed according to the linear distance, including both hovering and writing movements, from the time the electronic pen 600 is detected until it is no longer detected, and the no-detection movement operation, as described below.

[0037] <Hovering or writing movement: Pen tip movement within the area (dotted arrow H1)> First, as shown in Figure 3(B), the user indicates the starting point by having the tip of the electronic pen 600 detected at position S1 at the upper left corner of the input surface 500N of the tablet 500. Next, the user either lifts the tip of the electronic pen 600 so that no pressure is applied, but the tablet 500 can recognize the position of the electronic pen 600's tip, thus creating a so-called hovering state, or touches the tip to the tablet (applying pressure), creating a so-called writing state. In these states, as indicated by the dotted arrow H1 in Figure 3(B), the user moves the tip of the electronic pen 600 to position E1 at the lower right corner of the input surface 500N, then dedetects the tip, indicating the ending point. In this case, the absolute coordinates of position S1 on the input surface 500N are assumed to be (30,20), and the absolute coordinates of position E1 are assumed to be (230,120).

[0038] In this way, the start and end positions are indicated by detecting the pen tip, and the operation of hovering between them is considered the operation of instructing the movement of the pen tip within the input area Nr. In this case, as shown on the right side of Figure 3(B), the movement is from position S1(30,20) to position E1(230,120), so the operation of instructing the movement of the pen tip within the input area Nr is by the difference Δ(200,100) obtained by subtracting position S1 from position E1.

[0039] <Undetected movement: Movement of area (dotted arrow M1)> Next, the user moves the tip of the electronic pen 600 away from the input surface 500N so that it cannot be detected by the tablet 500 (not in writing or hovering mode). While maintaining this state, the user moves the electronic pen 600 to the upper left corner of the input surface 500N, as indicated by the dotted arrow M1 between Figure 3(B) and Figure 3(C). In this case, the position S2 on the input surface 500N shown in Figure 3(C) is assumed to be the same position as the position S1 on the input surface 500N shown in Figure 3(B). Through these operations, the input area Nr is moved in accordance with the movement command of the tip of the electronic pen 600. Therefore, the new origin position P1 on the output absolute coordinate region VI of the moved input area Nr is the position obtained by adding a relative coordinate difference Δ(200,100) to the origin P0(0,0) on the output absolute coordinate region VI of the current input area.

[0040] Specifically, the new origin position P1 on the output absolute coordinate region VI of the input area Nr after movement is (200,100), as shown in Figure 3(A). In this case, the coordinates of position S2 on the tablet (on the input surface 500N) are (30,20), but the coordinates on the output absolute coordinate region VI are (230,120). Similarly, the coordinates of position E2 on the tablet (on the input surface 500N) are (230,120), but the coordinates on the output absolute coordinate region VI are (430,220).

[0041] <Hovering or writing movement: Pen tip movement within the area (dotted arrow H2)> As shown in Figure 3(C), the user repeats the same operation as shown in Figure 3(B). That is, the user places the tip of the electronic pen 600 at position S2, the upper left corner of the input surface 500N of the tablet 500, to indicate the starting point. Next, the user either lifts the tip of the electronic pen 600 to a hovering state or places the tip in contact (applies pressure) to enter a so-called writing state. In these states, as indicated by the dotted arrow H2 in Figure 3(C), the user moves the tip of the electronic pen 600 to position E2, the lower right corner of the input surface 500N, to dedetect the input surface 500N and indicate the ending point. Here again, we assume that the absolute coordinates of position S2 on the input surface 500N are (30,20) and the absolute coordinates of position E2 are (230,120). Therefore, as shown on the right side of Figure 3(C), since the movement is from position S2(30,20) to position E2(230,120), the operation instructs the pen tip to move within the input area Nr by the difference Δ(200,100) obtained by subtracting position S2 from position E2.

[0042] <Undetected movement: Movement of area (dotted arrow M2)> Next, the user moves the tip of the electronic pen 600 away from the input surface 500N so that it cannot be detected by the tablet 500, and moves it to the upper left corner of the input surface 500N, as indicated by the dotted arrow M2 between Figure 3(C) and Figure 3(D). In this case, the position S3 on the input surface 500N shown in Figure 3(D) is assumed to be the same position as the positions S1 and S2 on the input surface 500N shown in Figures 3(B) and (C). As a result of these operations, the input area Nr will be moved further in accordance with the movement instruction of the tip of the electronic pen 600. Therefore, the new origin position P2 on the output absolute coordinate region VI of the moved input area Nr will be the position obtained by adding the difference Δ(200,100), which is a relative coordinate, to the origin P1(200,100) on the output absolute coordinate region VI of the current input area.

[0043] Specifically, the new origin position P2 on the output absolute coordinate region VI of the input area Nr after movement is (400,200), as shown in Figure 3(A). Then, the coordinates of position S3 on the tablet (on the input surface 500N) at this time are (30,20), but the coordinates on the output absolute coordinate region VI are (430,220). Also, the coordinates of position E3 on the output absolute coordinate region VI are (630,320).

[0044] <Hovering or writing movement: Pen tip movement within the area (dotted arrow H3)> As shown in Figure 3(D), the user repeats the same operations as shown in Figures 3(B) and (C). That is, the user places the tip of the electronic pen 600 at position S3, the upper left corner of the input surface 500N of the tablet 500, to indicate the starting point. Next, the user either lifts the tip of the electronic pen 600 to a hovering state or places the tip in contact (applies pressure) to enter a so-called writing state. In these states, as indicated by the dotted arrow H3 in Figure 3(D), the user moves the tip of the electronic pen 600 to position E3, the lower right corner of the input surface 500N, to dedetect the input surface 500N and indicate the ending point. Here again, we assume that the absolute coordinates of position S3 on the input surface 500N are (30,20) and the absolute coordinates of position E3 are (230,120). Therefore, as shown on the right side of Figure 3(D), since the movement is from position S3(30,20) to position E3(230,120), the operation instructs the movement of the pen tip within the input area Nr by the difference Δ(200,100) obtained by subtracting position S3 from position E3.

[0045] <Last undetected movement in this example: Movement of region (not shown)> Finally, although not shown in the diagram, the user moves the tip of the electronic pen 600 away from the input surface 500N so that it cannot be detected by the tablet 500, and moves it to the upper left corner of the input surface 500N. As a result of these operations, the input area Nr is further moved in accordance with the movement instructions of the electronic pen 600 tip. Therefore, the new origin position P3 on the output absolute coordinate region VI of the moved input area Nr is the position obtained by adding a relative coordinate difference Δ(200,100) to the origin P2(400,200) on the output absolute coordinate region VI of the current input area. Specifically, the new origin position P3 on the output absolute coordinate region VI of the moved input area Nr is (600,300), as shown in Figure 3(A). In this case, if the coordinates of the indicated position of the pen tip of the electronic pen 600 were (30,20) on the tablet (on the input surface 500N), then the coordinates on the output absolute coordinate region VI would be (630,320).

[0046] In this way, the input area Nr corresponding to the input surface 500N of the tablet 500 can be positioned at the lower right end of the output absolute coordinate region VI. In response to this processing in the tablet 500, a new output absolute coordinate value is output from the tablet 500 by adding the current relative coordinate value (difference Δ) on the input surface 500N to the current output absolute coordinate value, and this is supplied to the PC 100. In this case, the movement of the electronic pen 600 is a hovering movement without pressure, so it does not constitute input of handwriting.

[0047] Therefore, PC100 sequentially changes the cursor position displayed on the display screen 200D of display 200 based on the absolute coordinate values ​​output from tablet 500. Ultimately, PC100 will display the cursor near the position of (600,300) on the display screen 200D. This makes it possible to move the input range display area Ar, which corresponds to the input area Nr, on the display screen 200D. As mentioned above, the output absolute coordinate area VI is the area that corresponds to the display screen 200D of display 200.

[0048] [Information input via input surface 500N and display on display screen 200D] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the input processing and corresponding display processing performed in the information processing system of the embodiment. In the example shown in Figure 4, for the sake of simplicity, the display screen 200D of the display 200 to which the output absolute coordinate region VI is associated is assumed to be an area of ​​900 pixels horizontally and 500 pixels vertically. Also, in the example shown in Figure 4, the input surface 500N of the tablet 500 is assumed to be an area of ​​250 pixels horizontally and 150 pixels vertically.

[0049] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 4, the input range display area Ar, corresponding to the input area Nr, is positioned at the lower right corner of the display screen 200D due to the movement process of the input area Nr on the output absolute coordinate region VI explained using Figure 3. Therefore, the origin AP of the input range display area Ar, positioned at the lower right corner of the display screen 200D, is (600, 300), similar to the input area Nr explained using Figure 3. In other words, the relationship between the output absolute coordinate region VI and the input area Nr explained using Figure 3 directly applies to the relationship between the display screen 200D of the display 200 and the input range display area Ar.

[0050] In this case, consider the scenario where the entire input surface 500N of the tablet 500 is used to write a large letter "A". First, as shown in Figure 4(B), the user touches the tip of the electronic pen 600 to position D1 at the center of the upper edge of the input surface 500N of the tablet 500 (applying pressure) to indicate the starting point. Next, while keeping the tip of the electronic pen 600 in contact with the input surface 500N (applying pressure), the user moves to position D2 at the lower left edge of the input surface 500N, lifting the tip of the electronic pen 600 from the input surface 500N. In this case, assume that the absolute coordinates on the input surface 500N at position D1 are (130,20) and the absolute coordinates on the input surface 500N at position D2 are (50,130).

[0051] Thus, the operation of touching the pen tip to the starting position and moving it to the ending position while keeping the pen tip in contact constitutes a writing input operation. In this case, as shown on the right side of Figure 4(B), since the writing input is from position D1(130,20) to position D2(50,130), the difference Δ(-80,110) obtained by subtracting position D1 from position D2 becomes the change (relative coordinate) from position D1 to position D2. Up to this point, the operation and processing are on the input surface 500N of the tablet 500. However, the input area Nr corresponding to the input surface 500N is located at the lower right end of the output absolute coordinate region VI, as explained using Figure 3.

[0052] Correspondingly, as shown in Figure 4(A), on the display screen 200D to which the output absolute coordinate region VI is associated, the input range display area Ar corresponding to the input area Nr is positioned at the lower right end. Therefore, it is necessary to convert the writing input operation performed on the input surface 500N into an operation on the output absolute coordinate region VI. First, the position D1 on the input surface 500N is converted to the position OD1 on the output absolute coordinate region VI. Position OD1 is obtained by adding the position D1(130,20) on the input surface 500N to the origin AP(600,300) of the input area Nr on the output absolute coordinate region VI, as shown on the right side of Figure 4(B), and position OD1 becomes (730,320).

[0053] Next, the position D2 on the input surface 500N is converted to the position OD2 on the output absolute coordinate region VI. As shown on the right side of Figure 4(B), position OD2 is obtained by adding the variation from position D1 to position D2 on the input surface 500N, i.e., the difference Δ (relative coordinate) obtained by subtracting position D1 from position D2, to position OD1 on the output absolute coordinate region VI. Therefore, the position OD2 on the output absolute coordinate region VI is (650, 430). The output absolute coordinate values ​​obtained in this way, OD1 (730, 320) and OD2 (650, 430), are output to the PC100 along with the pen pressure information, and a drawing corresponding to the writing input is displayed in the input range display area Ar on the display screen 200D.

[0054] Similarly, as shown in Figures 4(C) and (D), by performing writing input on the input surface 500N of the tablet 500 using the electronic pen 600, relative coordinates on the input surface 500N corresponding to the writing input are obtained. In addition, the absolute coordinates on the output absolute coordinate region VI of the input area Nr corresponding to the input surface 500N are obtained according to the movement process of the input area Nr explained using Figure 3. Therefore, based on the relative coordinates corresponding to the writing input and the absolute coordinates on the output absolute coordinate region VI of the input area Nr, the output absolute coordinates are obtained and output to the PC 100 along with the pen pressure information, and a drawing corresponding to the writing input is displayed on the input range display area Ar of the display screen 200D.

[0055] By performing the handwriting input shown in Figures 4(B), (C), and (D), the PC 100 draws a display on the input range display area Ar of the display screen 200D of the display 200, based on the absolute coordinate values ​​output from the tablet 500 and the pressure information, as shown in Figure 4(A). In this example, as shown in Figure 4(A), the character "A" is drawn and displayed in the input range display area Ar at the lower right corner of the display screen 200D of the display 200. In this case, as mentioned above, the operation input on the input surface 500N of the tablet 500 is understood as relative coordinates.

[0056] The operation input on the input surface 500N of the tablet 500 is understood as relative coordinates, which are obtained as the difference (change) by subtracting the current absolute coordinates from the previous absolute coordinates. However, the operation input to the input surface 500N is converted into output absolute coordinate values ​​and supplied to the PC main unit 100, where it can be processed by the HID-compliant tablet driver. As a result, even in the input range display area Ar of the display screen 200D, drawing and display are possible according to the operation input understood as relative coordinates on the input surface 500N, and no inconvenience such as distortion of the displayed image relative to the input image occurs.

[0057] [Example configuration for Tablet 500] <Overall configuration of Tablet 500> Next, we will describe an example configuration of the tablet 500 that functions as explained using Figures 1 to 4. Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of the electromagnetic induction type tablet 500 of the embodiment. The electronic pen 600 shown in the upper left of Figure 5 is of the electromagnetic induction type and includes a resonant circuit configured by connecting a coil L for transmitting and receiving signals, a pressure detection unit Cv which is a variable capacitance capacitor, and a resonant capacitor Cf, etc., in parallel.

[0058] The tablet 500 includes a sensor unit (position detection sensor) 510 formed by laminating an X-axis loop coil group 510X and a Y-axis loop coil group 510Y with an insulating layer in between. The loop coils X1, X2, ..., X of the X-axis loop coil group 510X 40 and loop coils Y1, Y2, ..., Y of the Y-axis loop coil group 510Y 30 Each of these may consist of one turn or multiple turns (two or more). Such sensor units 510 are arranged inside the tablet housing and connected to a position detection circuit 501, which is also arranged inside the tablet housing, thereby forming a plate-shaped tablet 500 as a whole.

[0059] The position detection circuit 501 consists of an oscillator 502, a current driver 503, a selection circuit 504, a switching connection circuit 505, a receiving amplifier 506, a position detection circuit 507, a pen pressure detection circuit 508, and a processing control unit 509. As shown in Figure 5, the X-axis loop coil group 510X and the Y-axis loop coil group 510Y of the sensor unit 510 are connected to the selection circuit 504. The selection circuit 504 sequentially selects one of the two loop coil groups 510X and 510Y in accordance with the control of the processing control unit 509. The processing control unit 509 controls the selection of the loop coil in the selection circuit 504 and the switching of the switching connection circuit 505, as well as the processing timing in the position detection circuit 507 and the pen pressure detection circuit 508, although this will be described in detail later.

[0060] The oscillator 502 generates an AC signal with frequency f0. The oscillator 502 supplies the generated AC signal to the current driver 503 and the pressure sensitivity detection circuit 508. The current driver 503 converts the AC signal supplied from the oscillator 502 into current and sends it to the switching connection circuit 505. The switching connection circuit 505, under control from the processing control unit 509, switches the connection destination (transmitting terminal T, receiving terminal R) to which the loop coil selected by the selection circuit 504 is connected. Of these connection destinations, the current driver 503 is connected to the transmitting terminal T, and the receiving amplifier 506 is connected to the receiving terminal R.

[0061] The switching connection circuit 505 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 503 through the transmitting terminal T, generates a magnetic field, which is transmitted to the electronic pen 600 and acts on the resonant circuit of the electronic pen 600. In this case, the resonant circuit of the electronic pen 600 generates a position indication signal (radio wave) and transmits it to the sensor unit 510.

[0062] On the other hand, during the reception period, the loop coil selected by the selection circuit 504 is connected to the receiving amplifier 506 through the receiving terminal R. When the loop coil is subjected to a magnetic field from the electronic pen 600, an induced voltage is generated in the loop coil, and this induced voltage is sent to the receiving amplifier 506 via the selection circuit 504 and the switching connection circuit 505. The receiving amplifier 506 amplifies the induced voltage supplied from the loop coil and sends it to the position detection circuit 507 and the pen pressure detection circuit 508.

[0063] In other words, each loop coil in the X-axis loop coil group 510X and the Y-axis loop coil group 510Y is induced by the radio waves transmitted from the electronic pen 600. Therefore, the position detection circuit 507 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 509. The processing control unit 509 calculates the coordinate values ​​of the indicated positions in the X-axis and Y-axis directions of the electronic pen 600 based on the digital signals from the position detection circuit 507, i.e., the voltage levels of the induced voltages generated in each loop coil.

[0064] Meanwhile, the pressure detection circuit 508 synchronously detects the output signal of the receiving amplifier 506 with the AC signal from the oscillator 502 to obtain a signal with a level corresponding to the phase difference (frequency shift) between them. In this case, the signal corresponding to the phase difference (frequency shift) is converted into a digital signal and output to the processing control unit 509. The processing control unit 509 detects the pressure applied to the electronic pen 600 based on the level of the digital signal from the pressure detection circuit 508, that is, the signal corresponding to the phase difference (frequency shift) between the transmitted radio wave and the received radio wave.

[0065] In this manner, the position detection circuit 501 switches between a signal transmission period and a signal reception period. During the transmission period, it supplies driving power to the electronic pen 600 to drive it, and during the reception period, it receives a signal from the electronic pen 600 to detect the indicated position and pen pressure. This position detection circuit 501 is configured as a circuit board. By connecting the cable portion of the sensor unit 510 to the position detection circuit 501 configured as a circuit board, the tablet 500 can be realized.

[0066] <Example of configuration of the processing control unit 509 of the position detection circuit 501> Figure 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the processing control unit 509 of the position detection circuit 501 of the tablet 500 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 6, the processing control unit 509 includes a control unit 910 which is configured to include a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 901, ROM (Read-only Memory) 902, RAM (Random Access Memory) 903, and non-volatile memory 904.

[0067] The timing signal generation unit 905, equipped with an oscillation circuit and the like, generates timing signals to be supplied to the selection circuit 504, the switching connection circuit 505, the position detection circuit 507, and the pen pressure detection circuit 508, respectively, under the control of the control unit 910, as described above. For example, the timing signal generation unit 905 generates timing signals to be sampled at a frequency of 500Hz to 1000Hz for the X-axis loop coil group 510X and the Y-axis loop coil group 510Y that constitute the sensor unit 510. In response to this, the timing signal generation unit 905 generates timing signals to be supplied to each unit. The timing signals generated by the timing signal generation unit 905 are supplied to the target circuit unit through control ports 906, 907, 908, and 909.

[0068] Furthermore, input port 911 receives a digital signal from position detection circuit 507 and supplies it to control unit 910. This allows control unit 910 to detect the indicated position on input surface 500N in accordance with the digital signal from position detection circuit 507. In addition, input port 912 receives a digital signal from pressure detection circuit 508 and supplies it to control unit 910. This allows control unit 910 to detect the pressure applied to the electronic pen 600 by making contact with input surface 500N in accordance with the digital signal from pressure detection circuit 508.

[0069] The initialization processing unit 921 sets an output absolute coordinate value to associate with the origin P of the input area Nr in order to position the input area Nr, which corresponds to the input surface 500N, on the output absolute coordinate region VI at the initialization timing immediately after power is turned on to the tablet 500. Specifically, as explained using Figure 3, when positioning the origin P of the input area Nr at the origin VP of the output absolute coordinate region VI, the output absolute coordinate value to associate with the origin P of the input area becomes the origin VP(0,0) of the output absolute coordinate region VI.

[0070] Furthermore, after powering on the tablet 500 and using it, the output absolute coordinate value indicating the last position of the input area Nr on the output absolute coordinate region VI is stored in the non-volatile memory 904 of the control unit 910 by a so-called last memory function. In this case, the initialization processing unit 921 will use the output absolute coordinate value stored in the non-volatile memory 904 as the output absolute coordinate value associated with the origin P of the input area. For example, suppose the origin of the input area Nr shown in Figure 3 is positioned at P3 in the output absolute coordinate region, and the output absolute coordinate value (600,300) is stored in the non-volatile memory 904. In this case, the initialization processing unit 921 will use the stored output absolute coordinate value (600,300) as the output absolute coordinate value associated with the origin P of the input area, and can start processing from a state where the input area Nr is positioned at the lower right end of the output absolute coordinate region VI.

[0071] The relative coordinate calculation unit 922 sequentially acquires absolute coordinates on the input surface 500N, which are identified by the control unit 910, based on digital data from the position detection circuit 507. Based on the acquired absolute coordinates, the relative coordinate calculation unit 922 calculates relative coordinates indicating the position indicated by the electronic pen 600 on the input surface 500N from the difference between the previous absolute coordinate and the current absolute coordinate. Figure 3 As explained using Figure 4, the relative coordinate calculation unit 922 calculates the difference Δ based on the absolute coordinates obtained previously and the absolute coordinates obtained this time.

[0072] The output absolute coordinate value calculation unit 923 calculates the output absolute coordinate value by treating the instruction input made on the input surface 500N of the tablet 500 as being made to an input area Nr located on the output absolute coordinate region VI corresponding to the display screen 200D of the display 200. In other words, it calculates the output absolute coordinate value of the instruction position corresponding to the instruction input using the relative coordinates from the relative coordinate calculation unit.

[0073] Specifically, as explained using Figure 4, when calculating the output absolute coordinate value corresponding to the writing start position in the input area Nr on the output absolute coordinate region VI, the following procedure is followed. In this case, the absolute coordinates indicating the contact position on the input area Nr (corresponding to input surface 500N) are added to the origin of the input area Nr on the output absolute coordinate region VI (the previous output absolute coordinate value). This allows the output absolute coordinate value corresponding to the writing start position in the input area Nr on the output absolute coordinate region VI to be calculated.

[0074] Furthermore, as explained using Figure 4, when calculating the output absolute coordinate value corresponding to the writing end position in the input area Nr on the output absolute coordinate region VI, the following procedure is followed. In this case, the relative coordinate obtained by subtracting the absolute coordinate of the writing start position from the absolute coordinate of the writing end position on the input area Nr (corresponding to input surface 500N) is added to the previous output absolute coordinate value of the input area Nr on the output absolute coordinate region VI (in this example, the writing start position).

[0075] In this way, the output absolute coordinate value calculation unit 923 calculates the output absolute coordinate value corresponding to the instruction input made to the input surface 500N of the tablet 500, treating it as if the instruction input was made to the input area Nr located in the output absolute coordinate region VI. In Figure 4, for the sake of simplicity, the explanation was given assuming that the output absolute coordinate value is calculated when the writing start point and writing end point are known. However, in reality, the X-axis loop coil group 510X and the Y-axis loop coil group 501Y that constitute the sensor unit 510 are sampled by the timing signal with a frequency of 500Hz to 1000Hz. Therefore, the instruction input can be sampled finely, and the output absolute coordinate value corresponding to the instruction input can be calculated with high accuracy.

[0076] The input area movement processing unit 924 performs a process to move the input area Nr on the output absolute coordinate region VI based on the absolute coordinates indicating the indicated position of the input surface 500N from the control unit 910 and the pen pressure information from the control unit 910. In other words, the input area movement processing unit 924 functions when a series of operations such as specifying a start point, hovering or writing movement, specifying an end point, and non-detection movement are performed, as explained with reference to Figure 3. Specifically, as explained with reference to Figure 3, when a predetermined operation is performed, the input area movement processing unit 924 performs a process to change the output absolute coordinate value indicating the position on the output absolute coordinate region VI to which the origin of the input area is associated, according to the relative coordinates from the relative coordinate calculation unit 922.

[0077] The input / output interface 925 enables connection to the PC main unit 100, receives information from the PC main unit 100, converts it into information in a format that can be processed by the local machine, and supplies it to the control unit 910. The input / output interface 925 also converts the information to be supplied to the PC main unit 100 into a format for transmission and supplies it to the PC main unit 100. The information supplied from the local machine to the PC main unit 100 includes not only the output absolute coordinate values ​​and pen pressure information mentioned above, but also functional information such as the resolution of the local machine, which is supplied to the PC main unit 100 via the input / output interface 925. In addition, the information supplied from the PC main unit 100 includes information such as the aspect ratio of the display screen 200D of the display 200 connected to the PC main unit 100.

[0078] As described above, in this embodiment, the tablet 500 receives input information as relative coordinates and outputs it to the PC main unit 100 after converting it to absolute coordinates. Therefore, if the aspect ratio of the input surface 500N of the tablet 500 and the display screen 200D of the display 200 are not significantly different, the drawn image corresponding to the input information will not differ significantly. However, if the aspect ratio of the input surface 500N of the tablet 500 and the display screen 200D of the display 200 are significantly different, the drawn image corresponding to the input information may differ. For this reason, the aspect ratio adjustment unit 926 receives information from the PC main unit 100 indicating the aspect ratio of the display screen 200D of the display 200 and performs processing to adjust the absolute coordinate values ​​output to the PC main unit 100.

[0079] Figure 7 illustrates the adjustment of coordinates when the aspect ratios of the input surface 500N of the tablet 500 and the display screen 200D of the display 200 are significantly different. As shown in Figure 7(A), assume that the aspect ratio of the display screen 700D of the display 700 connected to the computer main unit 100 is 4:3, and the aspect ratio of the input surface 500N of the tablet 500 is also 4:3. In this case, since the aspect ratios of both are the same, the drawing corresponding to the handwriting input via the input surface 500N of the tablet 500 can be displayed on the display screen 700D of the display 700 without any change in its shape.

[0080] However, as shown in Figure 7(B), suppose the aspect ratio of the display screen 800D of the display 800 connected to the computer main unit 100 is 16:9, and the aspect ratio of the input surface 500N of the tablet 500 is 4:3. In this case, the aspect ratios of the two are different, and the image displayed on the display screen 800D in response to the information written on the input surface 500N of the tablet 500 will be stretched horizontally and compressed vertically, resulting in a distorted display.

[0081] As mentioned above, the PC unit 100 can notify the tablet 500 of the aspect ratio of the display screen of the display connected to it. The tablet 500 also knows the aspect ratio of its own input surface 500N, for example, using the ROM 902 or non-volatile memory 904 of the control unit 910. Therefore, as shown in Figure 7(C), the aspect ratio adjustment unit 926 adjusts the output data based on the aspect ratio of its own input surface 500N and the aspect ratio of the display screen 800D of the display 800, which it has received notification of from the PC unit 100.

[0082] The aspect ratio adjustment unit 926 determines the horizontal compression / expansion ratio and the vertical compression / expansion ratio from the aspect ratio of its own input surface 500N and the aspect ratio of the display screen 800D. The horizontal compression / expansion ratio is information indicating how much it expands or contracts in the horizontal direction, and the vertical compression / expansion ratio is information indicating how much it expands or contracts in the vertical direction. Based on the determined horizontal compression / expansion ratio and vertical compression / expansion ratio, the aspect ratio adjustment unit 926 adjusts the output absolute coordinate values, which are output data. This prevents the image from being stretched or distorted when the output data is processed by the PC main unit 100 and the corresponding image is displayed on the display screen 800D of the display 800.

[0083] Although not shown in Figures 5 and 6, the processing control unit 509 is connected to an operation unit equipped with a power on / off button and other function keys. When the power is turned on using the power on / off button on the operation unit, power is supplied to each part from a power supply circuit (not shown), and the tablet 500 becomes operational. When the power is turned off using the power on / off button on the operation unit, the power supply to each part from the power supply circuit (not shown) is stopped, and the tablet 500 becomes inoperable.

[0084] [Summary of processes performed on tablets] Figures 8 and 9 are flowcharts illustrating the processing performed by the tablet 500 of the embodiment. The processing shown in Figures 8 and 9 is performed, for example, by the control unit 910 of the processing control unit 509 when power is turned on to the tablet 500. When power is turned on, the control unit 910 first controls the initialization processing unit 921 and executes the initialization process (step S101). The process in step S101 is to position the input area Nr, which corresponds to the input surface 500N of the tablet 500, on the output absolute coordinate region VI, which corresponds to the display screen 200D of the display 200. The PC main unit 100 is also notified of the maximum value VP(Xmax,Ymax) of the output absolute coordinate region VI. Normally, the initialization processing unit 921 positions the origin P of the input area at the origin of the output absolute coordinate region VI, or at the center point of the output absolute coordinate region VI, or at the position it was positioned at immediately before the last power-off, and at the position indicated by the corresponding output absolute coordinate value stored in the non-volatile memory 904.

[0085] Subsequently, the control unit 910 controls the timing signal generation unit 905 to generate timing signals to be supplied to each unit, and supplies them to each unit through control ports 906, 907, 908, and 909. As a result, when an instruction operation is performed on the sensor unit 510 using the electronic pen 600, it is determined whether or not the absolute coordinates of the instruction position and the pen pressure on the sensor unit 510 have been detected and acquired (step S102). This step S102 process is carried out by the position detection circuit 507 and the control unit 910 of the processing control unit 509 shown in Figure 5, and, if pen pressure is involved, by the pen pressure detection circuit 508 and the control unit 910 of the processing control unit 509. If the instruction position is not detected, the process proceeds to the determination of the termination operation in step S110.

[0086] In the determination process of step S102, if it is determined that the indicated position has been detected, the control unit 910 controls the relative coordinate calculation unit 922 to calculate the relative coordinate by subtracting the current absolute coordinate from the previous absolute coordinate using the sequentially acquired absolute coordinates (step S103). The control unit 910 also controls the output absolute coordinate value calculation unit 923 to calculate the absolute coordinate value corresponding to the instruction input, and at this point determines the input range of the input area Nr (step S104). This input range of the input area Nr does not change until the absolute coordinate of the indicated position on the position detection sensor is not detected in step S108 of Figure 9, which will be described later. In step S104, the output absolute coordinate value is sequentially calculated using the position of the input area Nr on the output absolute coordinate region VI, the previous output absolute coordinate value if calculated, and the current relative coordinate from the relative coordinate calculation unit 922, and plotted on the output absolute coordinate region VI. This means that an output absolute coordinate region different from the absolute coordinate region of the tablet is constructed using relative coordinates.

[0087] Next, as explained with reference to Figure 4, the control unit 910 determines whether the instruction input received through the sensor unit 510 is a writing input or drawing process involving pen pressure (step S105). In the determination process of step S105, it is determined that the instruction input to the sensor unit 510 is a handwriting input or drawing process. In this case, the control unit 910 associates the output absolute coordinate value from the output absolute coordinate value calculation unit 923 with the acquired pen pressure and outputs it to the PC main unit 100 through the input / output I / F 925 (step S106).

[0088] On the other hand, in the determination process of step S105, it is determined that the instruction input to the sensor unit 510 is not a handwriting input or a drawing process. In this case, the control unit 910 controls the input area movement processing unit 924 and, as explained with reference to Figure 3, determines that the instruction input received through the sensor unit 510 is a hovering movement instruction, and the control unit 910 outputs the output absolute coordinate value from the output absolute coordinate value calculation unit 923 to the PC main unit 100 through the input / output I / F 925 (step S107).

[0089] After the processing in steps S106 and S107, the process proceeds to Figure 9, where it is determined whether or not the absolute coordinates of the indicated position on the position detection sensor have not been detected (step S108). If the determination process in step S108 determines that the absolute coordinates of the indicated position on the position detection sensor have not been detected, the input area movement processing unit 924, under the control of the control unit 910, performs a process to move the position of the input area Nr on the output absolute coordinate region VI (step S109). However, at this point, the range of the input area Nr is still undetermined.

[0090] In the determination process of step S102, if it is determined that the absolute coordinates of the instruction position and the pen pressure have not been detected, or after the processing in step S109, the control unit 910 determines whether or not a power-off termination operation has been performed (step S110). In the determination process of step S110, if it is determined that a termination operation has not been performed, the control unit 910 repeats the processing from step S102 in Figure 8 and continues the process of accepting further instruction inputs. In the determination process of step S110, if it is determined that a termination operation has been performed, the control unit 910 executes a predetermined termination process (step S111) and terminates the process shown in Figure 8.

[0091] The predetermined termination process performed in step S111 involves various processes to prevent problems from occurring when the power is turned on next, such as saving necessary information to the non-volatile memory 904, and then turning off the power. Therefore, for example, if the last memory function is used, the termination process in step S111 also includes processes such as storing the position (output absolute coordinate value) of the origin of the current input area Nr on the output absolute coordinate region VI in the non-volatile memory 904.

[0092] As described above, by performing the process shown in Figure 8, an input range display area Ar is created on a portion of the display screen 200D, as explained using Figures 2 to 4. Various types of information can be input into this input range display area Ar using the entire input surface 500N of the tablet 500.

[0093] [Example PC configuration] Figure 10 is a block diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of the PC main unit used in the information processing system of the embodiment. Using Figure 10, an example of the configuration of the PC main unit to which the tablet 500 is connected will be briefly explained. The PC main unit 100 includes a control unit 101. The control unit 101 is configured as a microprocessor with a CPU, ROM, RAM, non-volatile memory, etc., connected via a bus, and realizes the function of executing various programs to control each part of the PC main unit 100.

[0094] The storage device 102 consists of a recording medium such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) and its driver, and has functions to write, read, delete, and modify data to the recording medium under the control of the control unit 101. The mapping memory 103 stores and holds mapping data for forming drawing data by assigning the output absolute coordinate values ​​from the tablet 500 to the coordinates of the display screen 200D.

[0095] The aspect ratio notification unit 104, under the control of the control unit 101, forms notification information to notify the aspect ratio of the display screen 200D of the display 200 connected to the device, and processes the notification to the tablet 500 via the tablet I / F 113 described later. The keyboard I / F 111 enables the connection of the keyboard 300 and enables the sending and receiving of information with the keyboard 300. The mouse I / F 112 enables the connection of the mouse and enables the sending and receiving of information with the mouse 400. The tablet I / F 113 enables the connection of the tablet 500 and enables the sending and receiving of information with the tablet 500. In addition, the display I / F 114 enables the connection of the display 200 and enables the sending and receiving of information with the display 200.

[0096] The keyboard information processing unit 121 is the part that receives and processes information from the keyboard 300, and this function is realized by a standard HID-compliant keyboard driver executed by the control unit 101. However, in Figure 10, for the sake of simplicity, the keyboard information processing unit 121 is shown as a single block of double-lined rectangles. The mouse information processing unit 122 is the part that receives and processes information from the mouse 400, and this function is realized by a standard HID-compliant mouse driver executed by the control unit 101. However, in Figure 10, for the sake of simplicity, the mouse information processing unit 122 is shown as a single block of double-lined rectangles.

[0097] Furthermore, the tablet information processing unit 123 is the part that receives and processes output absolute coordinate values ​​and pen pressure information from the tablet 500, and a standard HID-compliant tablet driver executed by the control unit 101 realizes this function. However, in Figure 10, for the sake of simplicity, the tablet information processing unit 123 is shown as a single block of double-lined rectangle. The tablet information processing unit 123 uses the output absolute coordinate values ​​and pen pressure information received through the tablet I / F 113, as well as the mapping data in the mapping memory 103, to form drawing data for displaying information on the display screen 200D. The formed drawing data is supplied to the display 200 through the display I / F 114 and used for drawing processing. In other words, the PC main unit 100 is capable of drawing processing that also takes into account pen pressure information from the tablet 500.

[0098] Thus, the PC unit 100 can be a general-purpose device, and as long as it is equipped with a standard HID-compliant tablet driver, the tablet 500 can be connected as an input device and used. As mentioned above, the tablet 500 uses timing signals with sampling frequencies from 500Hz to 1000Hz to detect the indicated position, and this is converted into output absolute coordinate values ​​and supplied to the PC unit 100. The PC unit 100 is equipped with the capability to process output absolute coordinate values ​​from the tablet 500, which uses a higher sampling frequency than conventional tablets, without delay.

[0099] [Effects of the embodiment] The tablet 500 of the above-described embodiment is realized as an extremely small tablet. The tablet 500 does not require a dedicated driver and can be easily connected to an information processing device such as a PC equipped with an HID-compliant tablet driver, allowing for immediate use. Moreover, even when inputting information to only a part of the display screen, the entire input surface 500N of the tablet 500 can be used for input. Furthermore, since the operation input to the input surface of the tablet 500 is understood as relative coordinates, the occurrence of distortions when displayed on a display screen can be reduced.

[0100] Furthermore, the Tablet 500 can receive the aspect ratio of the display screen from a connected information processing device such as a PC, and adjust it to prevent distortion and other inconveniences caused by differences in aspect ratio between its own display surface and the connected device. Also, because the Tablet 500 is small, it doesn't take up much space even when shared with peripherals such as a keyboard and mouse. The Tablet 500 can be placed and used in a position that is convenient for the user.

[0101] [Differentiation] <Switching between input area movement mode and drawing mode> In the tablet 500 of the embodiment described above, the range of the input area is determined when the pen tip is detected, and the straight-line distance until the pen tip is no longer detected is processed as an instruction to move the input area, and instruction input accompanied by pen pressure is processed as writing input. However, this is not the only option. For example, in addition to writing input, a series of operations such as instructing a starting point by the pen tip touching the tablet 500, hovering the pen tip, instructing an ending point by the pen tip touching the tablet 500, and the pen tip moving to a non-detection state may be processed as an instruction to move the input area, and instruction input accompanied by pen pressure may be processed as writing input. Alternatively, for example, a mode switching button may be provided on the tablet 500, and the input area movement instruction mode and the writing instruction mode may be switched by operating this mode switching button. The mode switching button is connected to the processing control unit 509 shown in Figure 6, for example. This allows the processing control unit 509 to switch itself between the input area movement instruction mode and the writing instruction mode in response to the operation of pressing the mode switching button.

[0102] And when in the movement instruction mode of the input area, even if an instruction input to move between the start point and the end point by applying pen pressure is performed, as described using FIG. 3, the difference Δ from the end point to the start point may be used as movement instruction information to move the input area. Therefore, in the movement instruction mode of the input area, the pen pressure information is not provided to the PC main body 100. Also, in the writing instruction mode, as in the case of the tablet 500 of the above-described embodiment, on the input surface, the instruction input is grasped as the amount of change by the relative coordinates, which are the difference Δ of the absolute coordinates. However, by converting it to the output absolute coordinate value and providing it to the PC main body 100, it becomes information that can be processed by the standard tablet driver conforming to HID of the PC main body 100, and drawing corresponding to the writing input can be performed.

[0103] <Transmission and reception of information between the PC main body 100 and the tablet 500> In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the output absolute coordinate value and the pen pressure information are transmitted from the tablet 500 to the PC main body 100. Also, it has been described that the aspect ratio of the display screen 200D of the display 200 can be notified from the PC main body 100 to the tablet 500. However, it is not limited to this. As in the prior art, from the tablet 500 to the PC main body 100, necessary information such as the resolution of the tablet 500 is also provided. Note that the resolution is a numerical value indicating the density of pixels in a bitmap image. In other words, the resolution is the fineness of the grid representing the image, and is generally represented by a number depending on how many parts an inch is divided into.

[0104] <Information processing device other than the PC main body 100> Also, the tablet 500 can be connected not only to the PC main body 100 but also to various information processing devices that require connection of a tablet as an input device, such as a notebook PC, a tablet PC, a smartphone, and the like.

[0105] <Corresponding to size> Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, the display screen 200D of the display 200 was described as, for example, a 21-inch widescreen (aspect ratio 16:9) screen, and the input surface 500N of the tablet 500 was described as, for example, A5 size. However, it is not limited to these. The size of the display screen and input surface can be various sizes. The size of the input area Nr and the input range display area Ar can be determined according to the size of the input surface 500N of the tablet 500. Alternatively, the size of the output absolute coordinate area may be determined according to the size of the display screen of the display connected to the information processing device.

[0106] <Using a Tablet 500 and a Mouse 400 together> Figure 11 illustrates the use of both the tablet 500 and the mouse 400. In conventional information processing systems equipped with both a mouse and a tablet as pointing devices, both the mouse and the tablet have the same basic function of being able to indicate a target position on the screen. Therefore, in the PC main unit of conventional information processing systems, the position indicated by the mouse and the position indicated by the electronic pen via the tablet are managed without distinction as pointing device positions. As a result, icons displayed on the screen can be selected using either mouse input or electronic pen input via the tablet.

[0107] The information processing system of the above-described embodiment (hereinafter simply referred to as the information processing system of the embodiment) also has a mouse 400 and a tablet 500 connected to the PC main unit 100 as pointing devices, as explained with reference to Figure 1. Therefore, in the information processing system of the embodiment as well, it is possible to indicate any position on the display screen 200D of the display 200 by using the mouse 400 or by pointing on the input surface 500N of the tablet 500 with the electronic pen 600.

[0108] However, in the case of the information processing system of this embodiment, as described above, input operations using the tablet 500 and the electronic pen 600 are performed with respect to the input range display area Ar positioned on the display screen 200D of the display 200, as shown in Figure 11. That is, the input range display area Ar corresponds to the input area Nr that is positioned at an arbitrary position by moving the input area Nr corresponding to the input surface 500N on the virtual output absolute coordinate region VI, as explained using Figure 3. For this reason, the position indication by the mouse 400 and the position indication using the electronic pen 600 via the tablet 500 are treated as different coordinate systems in which the cursor CS in the PC main unit 100 is managed.

[0109] Here, using the information processing system of the embodiment, we consider a case where, as shown in Figure 11, a signature is entered by hand using an electronic pen 600 via a tablet 500 in the input range display area Ar of the display screen 200D. Suppose that, while in the process of entering a signature, for example, "Wagomi Taro," and as shown in Figure 11, the user wants to redraw part or all of the entered signature while the tip of the electronic pen 600 is at position P. In this case, by selecting the eraser button ES on the toolbar Br displayed at the top of the display screen 200D, the user transitions from drawing mode to eraser mode (erasing mode), and then uses the electronic pen 600 to indicate the part to be erased and perform the erasing.

[0110] As described above, in the information processing system of the embodiment, the area where position indication by the electronic pen 600 is possible is only within the input range display area Ar on the display screen 200D. Therefore, in order to select the eraser button ES with the electronic pen 600, an operation of moving the input area Nr (corresponding to the input range display area Ar) described using FIG. 3 is performed, and as indicated by the arrow AW1 in FIG. 11, the input range display area Ar is moved to a position including the eraser button ES. By including the eraser button ES within the input range display area Ar, selection of the eraser button ES becomes possible with the electronic pen 600, and when the eraser button ES is selected, the PC main body 100 transitions the operating state to the eraser mode.

[0111] In this case, the location where the character to be erased was input is the lower right end of the display screen 200D. Therefore, an operation of moving the input area Nr (corresponding to the input range display area Ar) described using FIG. 3 is performed, and as indicated by the arrow AW2 in FIG. 11, an operation of moving the input range display area Ar at a position including the eraser button ES back to the lower right end of the display screen 200D is performed. Thereby, for the first time, it becomes possible to erase part or all of the already input characters "sumiko" using the electronic pen 600.

[0112] After that, after erasing part or all of the input characters "sumiko", again, as indicated by the arrow AW1, the input range display area Ar is moved to a position including the eraser button ES. Next, the eraser button is selected with the electronic pen 600 to cancel the eraser mode and transition to the drawing mode. Further, again, as indicated by the arrow AW2, the input range display area Ar is moved to the lower right end of the display screen 200D, enabling re-entry of the signature writing at the lower right end of the display screen 200D. Thus, in order to switch between the eraser mode and the drawing mode according to the instruction operation by the electronic pen 600 for the tablet 500, the input range display area Ar has to be moved each time, which is unbearably cumbersome.

[0113] Therefore, as shown in Figure 11, the mouse cursor CS can be moved to the display position of the eraser button ES using the mouse 400, and the eraser button ES can be selected by left-clicking the mouse to switch to eraser mode. To exit eraser mode, the mouse cursor CS can be moved again to the display position of the eraser button ES using the mouse 400, and the mouse 400 can be left-clicked.

[0114] However, when the tablet 500 is used as a mouse, a device for relative coordinate control as is commonly practiced, the PC unit 100 manages both the position indicated by the mouse 400 and the position indicated by the electronic pen 600 detecting the tablet 500 without distinction. As a result, when a position is indicated using the mouse 400, that position becomes the final indicated position, and the PC unit 100 is unable to determine the final indicated position P within the input range display area Ar positioned within the display screen 200D. This prevents the resumption of input into the input range display area Ar using the tablet 500 and the electronic pen 600. Therefore, the PC unit 100 is designed to manage the mouse cursor CS and the position indicated by the electronic pen 600 separately.

[0115] Specifically, the non-volatile memory 904 of the tablet 500 processing control unit 509 stores the absolute coordinate values ​​in the output absolute coordinate region VI of the origin of at least the immediately preceding input area Nr (corresponding to the input range display area Ar). As a result, when an operation is performed on the input surface 500N of the tablet 500 with the electronic pen 600, relative coordinates corresponding to the input operation are calculated based on the stored origin of the immediately preceding input area Nr, converted to output absolute coordinates, and output. This allows for continuous writing on the immediately preceding input area Nr (corresponding to the input range display area Ar).

[0116] In other words, using the mouse 400, the mouse cursor CS can be positioned at any location on the display screen 200D for input. Furthermore, using the electronic pen 600, writing can be performed via the tablet 500 on the input range display area Ar, which is always positioned by the user at a predetermined location on the display screen 200D. In addition, the non-volatile memory 904 may store not only the absolute coordinate value in the output absolute coordinate region VI of the origin of the previous input area Nr (corresponding to the input range display area Ar), but also the absolute coordinate value corresponding to the last input position. In this case, when writing is resumed, the relative coordinates based on the last input position can be calculated and converted into output absolute coordinate values.

[0117] <Other variations> Furthermore, in the tablet 500 of the embodiment described above, the initialization timing was explained as when the power is turned on, but this is not the only possible timing. For example, if the tablet 500 is provided with a reset button, the initialization timing can also be determined when the reset button is pressed. In other words, the initialization timing can be set in various ways.

[0118] [others] As can be seen from the description of the above embodiment, the function of the sensor unit of the claim is realized by the sensor unit 510 of the tablet 500 of the embodiment, and the position detection circuit of the claim is realized by the position detection circuit 507 and the processing control unit 509 of the tablet 500. Furthermore, the function of the relative coordinate calculation unit of the claim is realized by the relative coordinate calculation unit 922 of the processing control unit 509 of the tablet 500, and the function of the output absolute coordinate value calculation unit of the claim is realized by the output absolute coordinate value calculation unit 923 of the processing control unit 509 of the tablet 500. Furthermore, the function of the output unit of the claim is realized by the input / output I / F 925 of the processing control unit 509 of the tablet 500.

[0119] Furthermore, the pressure sensitivity detection circuit of the claim is implemented by the pressure sensitivity detection circuit 508 and the processing control unit 509 of the tablet 500, and the function of the input area movement processing unit of the claim is implemented by the input area movement processing unit 924 of the processing control unit 509 of the tablet 500. Furthermore, the function of the timing signal generation unit of the claim is implemented by the timing signal generation unit 905 of the processing control unit 509 of the tablet 500. Furthermore, the function of the information receiving unit of the claim is implemented by the input / output I / F 925 of the processing control unit 509 of the tablet 500.

[0120] Furthermore, the function of the input unit of the claimed information processing device is realized by the tablet I / F 113 of the PC main unit 100 in the embodiment, and the function of the information processing unit of the claimed information processing device is realized by the tablet information processing unit 123 of the PC main unit 100. Furthermore, the function of the information provision unit of the claimed information processing device is realized by the aspect ratio notification unit and the tablet I / F 113 of the PC main unit 100. Furthermore, the function of the information receiving unit of the claimed position detection device is realized by the input / output I / F 925 of the tablet 500, and the function of the aspect ratio adjustment unit of the claimed position detection device is realized by the aspect ratio adjustment unit 926 of the processing control unit 509 of the tablet 500. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0121] 100...PC main unit, 101...Control unit, 102...Storage device, 103...Mapping memory, 104...Aspect ratio notification unit, 111...Keyboard I / F, 112...Mouse I / F, 113...Tablet I / F, 114...Display I / F, 121...Keyboard information processing unit, 122...Mouse information processing unit, 123...Tablet information processing unit, 200, 700, 800...Display, 200D, 700D, 800D...Display screen, Ar...Input range display area, 300...Keyboard, 400...Mouse, 500...Tablet, 500N...Input surface, Nr...Input area, 501...Position detection circuit, 502...Oscillator, 503...Current driver, 504...Selection circuit, 505...Switching connection circuit, 506...Receiver amplifier, 507...Position detection circuit, 508...Pen pressure detection circuit, 509…Processing control unit, 510…Sensor unit (position detection sensor), 901…CPU, 902…ROM, 903…RAM, 904…Non-volatile memory, 905…Timing signal generation unit, 906…Control port, 907…Control port, 908…Control port, 909…Control port, 910…Control unit, 911…Input port, 912…Input port, 921…Initialization processing unit, 922…Relative coordinate calculation unit, 923…Output absolute coordinate value calculation unit, 924…Input area movement processing unit, 925…Input / output I / F, 926…Lower aspect ratio adjustment unit, 600…Electronic pen, L…Coil, Cf…Capacitor, Cv…Variable capacitance capacitor, VI…Output absolute coordinate region, VP…Origin of output absolute coordinate region, NP…Origin of input plane, P, P0~P3…Origin of input area, AP…Origin of input range display area

Claims

1. A method for detecting a location performed by a computer, The steps include sequentially detecting the indicated position on the input surface by the indicator as absolute coordinates on the input surface, A step of calculating the relative coordinates of the indicated position based on the sequentially detected change in the absolute coordinates, The steps include: calculating output absolute coordinate values ​​based on the calculated relative coordinates, assuming that an instruction input has been made to an input area corresponding to the input surface, which is set within the output absolute coordinate region corresponding to the display screen of an external display device; The steps include outputting the calculated absolute coordinate values ​​for output, A method for detecting a position, including the following:

2. A position detection method according to claim 1, The steps include detecting a predetermined input operation by the indicator, When the predetermined input operation is detected, the step of changing the position of the input area within the output absolute coordinate region based on the relative coordinates, A position detection method that further includes the following.

3. A position detection method according to claim 1 or 2, The step of adjusting the absolute coordinate values ​​for output based on the aspect ratio of the display screen obtained from an external source and the aspect ratio of the input surface, Furthermore, a method for detecting position.

4. The position detection method includes the method described in claim 1 or 3, An information processing method further comprising the step of an information processing device receiving the output absolute coordinate values ​​for output and forming image data for display on the display device based on the output absolute coordinate values.

5. A position detection unit that sequentially detects the indicated position on the input surface by an indicator as absolute coordinates on the input surface, A relative coordinate calculation unit calculates the relative coordinates of the indicated position based on the amount of change in the absolute coordinates sequentially detected by the position detection unit, An output absolute coordinate value calculation unit calculates an output absolute coordinate value based on the relative coordinates calculated by the relative coordinate calculation unit, assuming that an instruction input has been made to an input area corresponding to the input surface, which is set within the output absolute coordinate region corresponding to the display screen of an external display device. A position detection device comprising an output unit that outputs the calculated absolute coordinate values ​​for output.

6. A position detection device according to claim 5, An operation detection unit that detects a predetermined input operation by the indicator, A position detection device further comprising: an input area movement processing unit that, when the predetermined input operation is detected, changes the position of the input area within the output absolute coordinate region based on the relative coordinates.

7. A position detection device according to claim 6 or 7, A position detection device further comprising an aspect ratio adjustment unit that adjusts the absolute coordinate values ​​for output based on the aspect ratio of the display screen acquired from an external source and the aspect ratio of the input surface.

8. A position detection device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, An information processing device that receives the absolute coordinate values ​​for output output from the position detection device and forms image data for display on the display device based on the absolute coordinate values ​​for output; An information processing system equipped with the following features.

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