Position indicator

Abstract

To provide a position indicator capable of appropriately transmitting pressure to a position detection system.SOLUTION: A position indicator can communicate with a position detection system. The position indicator includes: generation means for generating a position detection signal; detection means for detecting pressure applied to a tip of the position indicator; an operation unit configured to receive an operation of a user; a first communication unit which transmits the position detection signal; a second communication unit which is a communication unit transmitting a signal to the position detection system and different from the first communication unit; and control means for controlling the transmission of information generated according to pressure and a user operation for the operation unit from the second communication unit to the position detection system while the position detection signal is transmitted from the first communication unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a position indicator (stylus) used together with a position detection sensor. [Background technology]

[0002] Position input devices consisting of a position detection sensor and a position indicator called an electronic pen come in a variety of types, such as electromagnetic coupling types and electrostatic coupling types, depending on the coupling method between the position detection sensor and the electronic pen.

[0003] Even if the position input device is of the same type, there are various configuration types depending on the method of transmitting and receiving a position detection signal between the position detection system and the position indicator, the method of transmitting and receiving additional information such as switch operation information, pen pressure information, identification information of the position indicator, and internally stored data provided in the position indicator, and the method of transmitting and receiving instruction information for changing the operation of the position indicator. Conventionally, position indicators corresponding to position detection systems were provided to users with a specific method of transmitting and receiving a position detection signal and a specific method of transmitting and receiving additional information. Therefore, even for position input devices equipped with position detection systems having similar position detection sensor means, users were required to have a dedicated position indicator, and therefore had to carry multiple position indicators and select an appropriate position indicator for each position input device.

[0004] For example, there are several configuration types of electrostatic coupling type position indicators, as follows: That is, the first configuration type is a position indicator of a type (passive type) in which no position detection signal is sent from the position indicator, but AC electric field energy sent from a sensor unit of a position detection system is passed to the earth (ground) through the position indicator and the human body, and a change in energy (or voltage) induced in a conductor of the sensor unit of the position detection system at the position where the position indicator is located is detected to detect the position (see, for example, Patent Document 1 (JP Patent Publication No. 2011-3035), etc.).

[0005] The second configuration type of electrostatic coupling system improves on the low position detection sensitivity of the above-mentioned first configuration type, and is a position indicator that receives a signal from a sensor unit of a position detection system, processes the received signal by amplifying it, etc., and then feeds it back to the sensor unit (an improved passive system) (see, for example, Patent Document 2 (Patent No. 4683505)). In the case of position indicators of the first and second configuration types, additional information is transmitted or received to the position detection sensor using, for example, wireless communication means.

[0006] The third configuration type of the electrostatic coupling type differs from the above-mentioned first and second configuration types in that the position indicator is equipped with a transmitting circuit, and a transmission signal from this transmitting circuit is supplied to a position detection sensor as a position detection signal; this is a so-called active type position indicator (see, for example, Patent Document 3 (JP Patent Publication 07-295722A)). The position detection system uses a sensor panel as a position detection means, and detects the position indicated by the position indicator from the signal strength of each conductor that receives a transmission signal from this active type position indicator.

[0007] Furthermore, in the case of position indicators of this third configuration type, they are further divided into several types, including a configuration type in which all of the additional information is sent and received together with the position detection signal to the position detection system, and a configuration type in which only a portion of the additional information is sent and received together with the position detection signal, and the remaining additional information is transmitted separately to a wireless communication means provided in the position detection system via a wireless communication means.

[0008] Although detailed explanation will be omitted, even in the electromagnetic coupling method, there are various configuration types, such as a configuration type in which a position indicator receives a signal from a sensor unit of the position detection system using a resonant circuit and feeds the received signal back to the sensor unit of the position detection system, a configuration type in which a position indicator has a transmitting circuit and transmits a transmitting signal from the transmitting circuit through a resonant circuit to the sensor unit of the position detection system, and a configuration type in which a position indicator transmits additional information to a wireless communication means that transmits the additional information to a wireless communication means provided in the position detection system, just like in the case of the electrostatic coupling method described above. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-3035 A [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 4683505 [Patent Document 3] JP 2011-3035 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] Incidentally, as described above, conventionally, even if the position input device is of the same electrostatic coupling type or electromagnetic induction type, a position indicator corresponding to each different configuration type must be prepared. However, having to prepare a position indicator for each different configuration type in this way places a cost burden on the user, and the user must manage position indicators of a plurality of configuration types in association with the position detection system, which is troublesome.

[0011] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide a position indicator that solves the above problems and allows a plurality of configuration types to be used with one position indicator. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides: A position indicator capable of communicating with a position detection system, A generating means for generating a position detection signal; A detection means for detecting a pressure applied to the tip of the position indicator; An operation unit configured to receive an operation from a user; A first communication unit that transmits the position detection signal; a second communication unit that transmits a signal to the position detection system and is different from the first communication unit; a control means for controlling the transmission of the position detection signal from the first communication unit and the transmission of information generated in response to the pressure and the user's operation of the operation unit from the second communication unit to the position detection system; of Has The control means controls the first communication unit or the second communication unit to enter a pause state in response to the first communication unit or the second communication unit being unable to receive a signal transmitted from the position detection system for a predetermined period of time. The present invention provides a position indicator characterized by the above-mentioned. Effect of the Invention

[0013] The position indicator of the present invention can adopt a configuration (mode) corresponding to the configuration type of the position detection system, so there is no need to prepare a position indicator for each position detection system of a different configuration type, which reduces the cost burden on the user. In addition, the user only needs to prepare one common position indicator for position detection systems of multiple configuration types, which has the effect of eliminating the need for troublesome management in correspondence with the position detection system. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a conceptual configuration of an embodiment of a position indicator according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1A to 1C are diagrams for explaining an example of a mechanical configuration of an embodiment of a position indicator according to the present invention. [Diagram 3] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a detailed configuration example of a part of a mechanical configuration of an embodiment of a position indicator according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram for explaining a conceptual configuration and processing operation of an embodiment of a position indicator according to the present invention; [Diagram 5] 1A and 1B are diagrams used to explain a part of a conceptual configuration example of an embodiment of a position indicator according to the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a part of a flowchart for explaining an example of a flow of processing operations of an embodiment of a position indicator according to the present invention. [Figure 7]FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a part of a flowchart for explaining an example of a flow of processing operations of an embodiment of a position indicator according to the present invention. [Figure 8] 1A to 1C are diagrams for explaining an example of a position indicator of a configuration type that can be configured according to an embodiment of the position indicator of the present invention. [Figure 9] 1A to 1C are diagrams for explaining an example of a position indicator of a configuration type that can be configured according to an embodiment of the position indicator of the present invention, and a corresponding position detection system. [Figure 10] 11A to 11C are diagrams for explaining another example of a position indicator of a configuration type that can be configured according to an embodiment of the position indicator of the present invention, and a corresponding position detection system. [Figure 11] 11 is a timing chart used to explain the example of FIG. 10. [Figure 12] 11A to 11C are diagrams for explaining another example of a position indicator of a configuration type that can be configured according to an embodiment of the position indicator of the present invention, and a corresponding position detection system. [Figure 13] 13 is a timing chart used to explain the example of FIG. 12. [Figure 14] 11A to 11C are diagrams for explaining another example of a position indicator of a configuration type that can be configured according to an embodiment of the position indicator of the present invention, and a corresponding position detection system. [Figure 15] 15 is a timing chart used to explain the example of FIG. 14. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a flowchart used to explain an example of the flow of processing operations of a position detection system corresponding to another example of a position indicator of a configuration type that can be configured by an embodiment of the position indicator of this invention. [Figure 17] 13 is a diagram used to explain yet another example of a configuration type that can be configured by an embodiment of a position indicator according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a conceptual configuration of another embodiment of a position indicator according to the present invention. [Figure 19]11A to 11C are diagrams for explaining examples of configuration types of position indicators that can be configured according to other embodiments of the position indicator of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a position indicator according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram for generally explaining the conceptual configuration of a position indicator 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention and its processing operation, and is a diagram showing a state in which the position indicator 1 is positioned on a sensor input surface 2a of a capacitive position detection system 2. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of the mechanical configuration of the position indicator 1, with FIG. 2(A) being a partial vertical cross-sectional view thereof, and FIG. 2(B) being a diagram showing a part of its external appearance. In this embodiment, the position indicator 1 is formed to have an external appearance in the shape of a rod-like stylus.

[0016] [Explanation of an Example of a Mechanical Configuration of a Position Indicator of an Embodiment] The position indicator 1 of this embodiment includes a rod-shaped housing 3. As shown in Fig. 2(A), this housing 3 is configured with an insulator part 31 having a hollow cylindrical shape and made of an insulating material, for example, a synthetic resin. In this embodiment, at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the insulator part 31 of the housing 3 where the operator holds the position indicator 1 is covered with a conductor part 32 made of, for example, a metal.

[0017] 2(A), a printed wiring board 40, a battery 5, and a pen pressure detection unit 9 are disposed within the housing 3. Although not shown in the figure, a conductor portion 32 covering the outer peripheral surface of the housing 3 is electrically connected to the earth conductor of the printed wiring board 40.

[0018] 1 and 2(A), on the printed wiring board 40, there are arranged a signal transmission control circuit 41 constituting an example of a control means, a wireless communication module 42, a side switch 43 consisting of a push button switch, an ID memory 44 storing identification information (ID) of the position indicator 1, oscillators 45 and 46 outputting oscillation signals with different frequencies f1 and f2, wiring patterns such as conductive patterns 47a to 47e, and in this example, a power switch 48 and an LED (Light Emitting Diode) 49. Note that in FIG. 2(A), the conductive patterns 47a to 47e are shown as a single conductor pattern for the sake of simplicity of explanation, but the conductive patterns 47a to 47e may of course be composed of a plurality of conductor patterns as necessary.

[0019] The battery 5 is a power supply source for the electronic circuits and electronic components configured on the printed wiring board 40. As will be described later, in this embodiment, the writing pressure detection unit 9 is configured as a variable capacitance capacitor that exhibits a capacitance corresponding to the writing pressure applied to the central electrode 7 that configures the core body.

[0020] The wireless communication module 42 has a transmitting function unit which is an example of a transmitting unit (second transmitting unit) of additional information of the present invention, and a receiving function unit which is an example of a receiving unit (first receiving unit) which receives a signal from the position detection system, and in this embodiment, is configured as a wireless communication module of Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard, which is a short-range wireless communication standard. The wireless communication module 42 is connected to the signal transmission control circuit 41. Note that the wireless communication module 42 is not limited to Bluetooth, and may be, for example, an infrared communication type, or a wireless communication module of Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard.

[0021] The side switch 43, the ID memory 44, and the writing pressure detection unit 9 each constitute an additional information generating means. The side switch 43 supplies its on or off information to the signal transmission control circuit 41 as an example of additional information. In response to a read request from the signal transmission control circuit 41, the ID memory 44 outputs stored identification information (ID) of the position indicator 1 to the signal transmission control circuit 41 as an example of additional information. The variable capacitance capacitor constituted by the writing pressure detection unit 9 exhibits a capacitance change according to the writing pressure value applied to the central electrode 7 constituting the core body, and the signal transmission control circuit 41 generates writing pressure information as an example of additional information based on the capacitance.

[0022] The oscillators 45 and 46 generate AC signals for forming position detection signals to be sent from the position indicator 1 of this embodiment, and supply the generated AC signals to the signal transmission control circuit 41. In this embodiment, the oscillator 45 generates an AC signal with a frequency f1, and the oscillator 46 generates an AC signal with a frequency f2 different from the frequency f1. The signal transmission control circuit 41 generates different position detection signals based on the oscillators 45 and 46. That is, the signal transmission control circuit 41, in combination with the oscillators 45 and 46, constitutes a means for generating position detection signals, and constitutes two transmitting units. Then, the signal transmission control circuit 41 uses one of the two generated position detection signals as the position detection signal to be sent from the position indicator 1. Note that, instead of the oscillators 45 and 46, a configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of transmitting units are provided for generating and transmitting position detection signals for each of a plurality of configuration types of active type position indicators to be described later, and the signal transmission control circuit 41 is selectively controlled.

[0023] In this embodiment, the battery 5 is configured to be stored in the housing 3 as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2(A), and the power supply voltage for electronic circuits such as the signal transmission control circuit 41 on the printed wiring board 40 is generated by this battery 5. In Fig. 2(A), a terminal 52 is a terminal electrically connected to the power supply circuit on the printed wiring board 40. The positive electrode 51 of the battery 5 is in contact with and electrically connected to this terminal 52. Although not shown in the figure, the negative electrode of the battery 5 is directly connected to the earth conductor of the printed wiring board 40, or is pressed into contact with an elastically displaceable terminal connected to the earth conductor of the printed wiring board 40 via the conductive portion 32 of the housing 3.

[0024] An operator 48a of the power switch 48 disposed on the printed wiring board 40 is provided so as to be operable from the outside through an opening provided in the housing 3, as shown in Fig. 2(B). A user can turn the power switch 48 on and off by sliding the operator 48a. Note that a power supply circuit section that generates a power supply voltage from the voltage from the battery 5 when the power switch 48 is turned on is also formed on the printed wiring board 40, but is omitted in Figs. 1 and 2 for simplicity of explanation.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 2(A), one end side in the center line direction of the hollow cylindrical insulator part 31 constituting the housing 3 is a tapered part 33 that gradually tapers down. A peripheral electrode 6 made of, for example, a ring-shaped conductive metal is attached to the outer periphery side of this tapered part 33. The peripheral electrode 6 and the conductor part 32 on the outer periphery surface of the housing 3 are insulated by the insulator part 31 being interposed between them.

[0026] 1, the peripheral electrode 6 is electrostatically coupled with the position detection system 2 to constitute a receiver (second receiver) for a signal from the position detection system in this embodiment. The peripheral electrode 6 is electrically connected to a conductor pattern 47a of the printed wiring board 40 by a lead conductor member 61 penetrating the insulator part 31. The conductor pattern 47a is connected to an input terminal of a signal transmission control circuit 41 in this example.

[0027] In this embodiment, a central electrode 7 made of a conductive rod-like body is disposed so that one end side protrudes to the outside from the hollow portion of the tapered portion 33 of the housing 3. This central electrode 7 becomes a core body constituting the pen tip of the pen-shaped position indicator 1.

[0028] In this embodiment, the center electrode 7 constitutes a first transmitting section for transmitting a signal for position detection, and its end opposite to the side protruding to the outside is configured to be electrically connected to a conductive pattern 47b formed on the printed wiring board 40. This conductive pattern 47b is connected to an output end of the signal transmission control circuit 41. In this embodiment, the position indicator 1 also operates as a passive type position indicator that does not transmit a signal for position detection, and in that case, the center electrode 7 plays a role of absorbing charges from the conductor of the position detection system 2 via the electrostatic coupling section.

[0029] The peripheral electrode 6 is provided around the central electrode 7. The combination of the peripheral electrode 6 and the central electrode 7 is for an improved type position indicator of the passive type described above. In this embodiment, a shielding member 8 is provided between the peripheral electrode 6 and the central electrode 7 to effectively prevent electrical interference between them. The shielding member 8 in this embodiment is provided so as to surround the central electrode 7, and thus the shielding member 8 is interposed between the peripheral electrode 6 and the central electrode 7 to minimize the coupling capacitance between the peripheral electrode 6 and the central electrode 7.

[0030] The end of the center electrode 7 as a core body opposite to the side protruding to the outside is fitted into the writing pressure detection unit 9 disposed in the hollow part of the housing 3, and thus the center electrode 7 is locked in the hollow part of the housing 3 of the position indicator 1. As will be described later, the center electrode 7 is configured so that the fitting with the writing pressure detection unit 9 can be released by pulling it out. In other words, the center electrode 7 as a core body is replaceable with respect to the position indicator 1.

[0031] In this example, the writing pressure detection unit 9 is configured with a variable capacitance capacitor (see, for example, JP 2011-186803 A) that exhibits a capacitance according to the pressure (writing pressure) applied to the central electrode 7 as a core body. Electrodes at both ends of the variable capacitance capacitor configured with this writing pressure detection unit 9 are connected to the signal transmission control circuit 41 by the conductive pattern 47c in FIG. 2(A).

[0032] The signal transmission control circuit 41 determines and controls which of a plurality of configuration types (modes) the position indicator 1 of this embodiment will be configured to be in, based on information received from the outside through the wireless communication module 42 or information received through the peripheral electrode 6, and based on that determination control, controls the transmission of a position detection signal through the central electrode 7, and further controls the transmission of additional information through the central electrode 7 or the wireless communication module 42.

[0033] Next, the detailed configuration of the center electrode 7, the shield member 8, and the writing pressure detection unit 9 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the center electrode 7, the shield member 8, and the writing pressure detection unit 9.

[0034] 3, the center electrode 7 includes a core body 71 made of a conductive material, for example, a metal, formed to a diameter of, for example, 1.9 mm, and in this embodiment, about half of the core body 71 on the pen tip side is covered with a protective member 72 made of an insulating material. The protective member 72 serves to prevent the sensor input surface 2a of the position detection system 2 from being scratched and to increase the contact area with the sensor input surface 2a, as well as to provide stronger insulation from the shield member 8 and the peripheral electrode 6.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the shielding member 8 is configured such that a cylindrical body 81 made of a conductive material is covered with an insulating layer 82 over its entire surface, including its outer wall surface and inner wall surface.

[0036] The writing pressure detection unit 9 is configured as a variable capacitance capacitor whose capacitance changes upon receiving the writing pressure applied to the center electrode 7 through the pressure transmission member 10. As shown in Fig. 3, the center electrode 7 and the pressure transmission member 10 are joined and housed in a hollow portion of the cylindrical body 81 of the shield member 8 in a freely slidable state. The pressure transmission member 10 has a core body fitting portion 11 into which the end portion 71b of the core body 71 of the center electrode 7 is fitted, and a protruding portion 12 that fits into the writing pressure detection unit 9.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3, a terminal piece 13 is disposed within the recess 11a of the pressure transmission member 10 for electrically connecting the center electrode 7 to the signal transmission control circuit 41 of the printed wiring board 40, and an extension portion 13a from the terminal piece 13 is connected to a lead electrode 14 which is connected to the conductor pattern of the printed wiring board 40.

[0038] The core 71 of the center electrode 7 is connected to the pressure transmission member 10 by inserting (pressing) its end 71a into the terminal piece 13 in the recess 11a of the core fitting portion 11 of the pressure transmission member 10, so that the writing pressure applied to the core 71 is transmitted via the pressure transmission member 10 to the writing pressure detection unit 9 described later.

[0039] 3, a conductive metal plate 86 electrically connected to the earth conductor of the printed wiring board 40 is provided at the abutment portion between the pen pressure detection unit 9 and the shield member 8, and the terminal portion 83 at which the surface of the cylindrical body 81 of the shield member 8 is exposed is electrically connected to the conductive metal plate 88. As a result, the center electrode 7 is electric field shielded by the shield member 8.

[0040] The core fitting portion 11 of the pressure transmitting member 10 engages with a step portion 84 in the hollow portion of the tubular body 81 of the shielding member 8, so that the center electrode 7 and the pressure transmitting member 10 do not fall off toward the pen tip side. Also, a step portion 85 on the outer peripheral surface of the shielding member 8 engages with a step portion formed on the inner wall of the hollow portion of the insulator portion 31 of the housing 3 (not shown), so that the shielding member 8 does not move in the axial direction within the hollow portion of the insulator portion 31 of the housing 3.

[0041] The writing pressure detection unit 9 will be described below. The writing pressure detection unit 9 in this example uses a writing pressure detection means having a known configuration, as described in, for example, Patent Document: JP 2011-186803 A, and constitutes a variable capacitance capacitor whose capacitance changes according to the writing pressure applied to the center electrode 7.

[0042] 3, the pen pressure detection unit 9 of this example is configured by housing member 91 made of an insulating material, for example, resin, and housing a plurality of components, including a dielectric member 92, a conductive member 93, an elastic member 94, a holding member 95, and a terminal member 96. The terminal member 96 configures a first electrode of a variable capacitor that configures the pen pressure detection unit 9. Furthermore, the conductive member 93 and the elastic member 94 are electrically connected to configure a second electrode of the variable capacitor.

[0043] In this writing pressure detection unit 9, when writing pressure is applied to the central electrode 7, the writing pressure is transmitted to the holding member 95 of the writing pressure detection unit 9 via the pressure transmitting member 10, and the holding member 95 moves the conductive member 93 toward the dielectric 92 in response to the applied writing pressure. Then, the contact area between the conductive member 93 and the dielectric 92 changes in response to the applied writing pressure, and the capacitance of the variable capacitor formed between the first electrode and the second electrode is varied in response to the applied writing pressure.

[0044] [Explanation of an example of the configuration of the internal electronic circuit of the position indicator 1 according to the embodiment] In this embodiment, the position detection system 2 used together with the position indicator 1 has a plurality of configuration types, such as a passive system, an improved passive system, and an active system, as described above. In this embodiment, when the position detection system 2 includes a wireless communication module capable of communicating with the wireless communication module 42 of the position indicator 1, the wireless communication module transmits pen type information indicating a configuration type in which the position detection system can operate to the position indicator 1. The position indicator 1 receives the pen type information from the position detection system by a receiving function (first receiving unit) of the wireless communication module 42, determines which configuration type (mode) the position indicator should have based on the received pen type information, and controls the position indicator to have the determined configuration type.

[0045] In the case of a position indicator of a passive type or an improved passive type configuration type that receives a transmission signal from the position detection system 2, the position indicator 1 receives a signal from the position detection system through the peripheral electrode 6 (second receiving unit), thereby determining which type of position indicator configuration it should have, and can be controlled to have the determined type of position indicator configuration.

[0046] In this case, since there are differences in the frequency of the signal from the position detection system and differences in the signal contents (diffusion code, modulation method, etc.) between the passive system and the improved passive system, the position indicator 1 distinguishes these differences and determines which configuration type of the position indicator should be used based on the distinguishing result.In this case, even when configuration type information cannot be obtained from the position detection system through the wireless communication module, it is possible to determine which configuration type (mode) of the position indicator should be used.

[0047] The signal transmission control circuit 41 of the position indicator 1 performs a process of determining the configuration type (mode) of the position indicator 1 based on the information received from the position detection system 2 through the wireless communication module 42 or the signal received through the peripheral electrode 6 as described above, and also performs a process of controlling the position indicator 1 to be in the determined configuration type (mode).

[0048] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of electronic circuits formed on a printed wiring board 40 inside the housing 3 of the position indicator 1 of this embodiment, and is a diagram mainly showing an example of the internal detailed configuration of a signal transmission control circuit 41.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 4, the signal transmission control circuit 41 is configured to include a control unit 410 consisting of, for example, an IC (Integrated Circuit), a pen type determination unit 411, a center electrode transmission signal generation unit 412, a wireless transmission signal generation unit 413, a switch circuit 414 for selecting a position detection signal, a feedback signal generation circuit 415, and switch circuits 416, 417 for switching between a passive type position indicator and an improved passive type and an active type position indicator.

[0050] A variable capacitance capacitor constituted by the writing pressure detection unit 9 is connected to the control unit 410, and the control unit 410 calculates the pressure (writing pressure value) applied to the central electrode 7 from the capacitance of the variable capacitance capacitor constituted by the writing pressure detection unit 9. An on / off state signal of the side switch 43 is also supplied to the control unit 410. The control unit 410 generates side switch information, which is additional information related to the side switch 43, from the on / off state signal of the side switch 43. An ID memory 44 is also connected to the control unit 410, and the control unit 410 reads and acquires the identification information (ID) of the position indicator 1 from the ID memory 44 as necessary. The ID memory 44 may store the identification information stored in advance in the position indicator 1, or the identification information stored in the stored ID memory 44 may be rewritten by a command from the position detection system 2 received, for example, through the wireless communication module 42.

[0051] Depending on information based on the pen type determination result from the pen type determination unit 411, the control unit 410 controls whether each of multiple types of additional information, in this example, writing pressure information, side switch information, and identification information, is sent from the center electrode 7 or wirelessly transmitted from the wireless communication module 42.

[0052] The control unit 410 supplies the additional information transmitted through the central electrode 7 to a central electrode transmission signal generation unit 412 , and supplies the additional information transmitted through the wireless communication module 42 to a wireless transmission signal generation unit 413 .

[0053] The center electrode transmission signal generating unit 412 is connected to the center electrode 7, and as described later, transmits the additional information to be sent together with the position detection signal to the position detection system 2 through the center electrode 7. The wireless transmission signal generating unit 413 is connected to a transmitting unit 421 of the wireless communication module 42, and the additional information to be sent is wirelessly transmitted to the position detection system 2 through this transmitting unit 421.

[0054] In response to the switching selection of the switch circuit 414 by the control unit 410, the central electrode transmission signal generating unit 412 is supplied with an AC signal with a frequency f1 from the oscillator 45 and an AC signal with a frequency f2 from the oscillator 46 as signals for generating a position detection signal to be sent, and also receives a feedback signal from a feedback signal generating circuit 415 as a position detection signal to be sent. In this example, the feedback signal generating circuit 415 amplifies the signal received from the position detection system 2 through the peripheral electrode 6 to enhance the signal and further invert the phase. An example of the configuration and processing of the feedback signal generating circuit 415 will be described in detail later. The control unit 410 generates a switching selection signal for the switch circuit 414 based on information based on the pen type determination result from the pen type determining unit 411.

[0055] Furthermore, the connection portion between the central electrode transmission signal generating unit 412 and the central electrode 7 is connected to the conductor portion 32 of the housing 3 through a switch circuit 416. Furthermore, the peripheral electrode 6 is connected to the conductor portion 32 of the housing 3 through a switch circuit 417. These switch circuits 416, 417 are switched by an on / off control signal from the control unit 410. The control unit 410 generates on / off control signals for the switch circuits 416, 417 based on information based on the pen type determination result from the pen type determination unit 411.

[0056] The pen type determination unit 411 is composed of a pen type table memory 4111 and a determination processing unit 4112. The determination processing unit 4112 of the pen type determination unit 411 is supplied with information received from the position detection system 2 by the receiving unit 422 of the wireless communication module 42, and is also supplied with a signal received from the position detection system 2 via the peripheral electrode 6.

[0057] The pen type table memory 4111 stores a plurality of configuration types of the position indicator 1, and pen type table information for each configuration type of position indicator, including whether or not a position detection signal is sent and the frequency of an oscillator for generating the position detection signal to be sent, and whether additional information is sent from the center electrode 7 or through the wireless communication module 42. This pen type table information may be stored in advance in the pen type table memory 4111, but in this example, it is configured to be able to be written and rewritten by commands from the position detection system 2 through the wireless communication module 42.

[0058] The determination processing unit 4112 discriminates the information from the position detection system 2 received by the receiving unit 422 of the wireless communication module 42, or the signal received from the sensor unit of the position detection system 2 through the peripheral electrode 6, and refers to the pen type table information in the pen type table memory 4111 to determine the configuration type of the position indicator that is compatible with the position detection system 2 to be used together with the position indicator 1. Then, based on the determination result, it generates information on the presence or absence of signal transmission from the center electrode 7, information on the position detection signal and additional information to be transmitted from the center electrode 7, and information on the additional information to be transmitted through the wireless communication module 42, and supplies the generated information to the control unit 410.

[0059] Based on information from the pen type determination unit 411, the control unit 410 generates a switching selection signal for the switch circuit 414 and an on / off control signal for the switch circuits 416 and 417 and supplies them to those switch circuits 414, 416, 417, and also determines additional information to be supplied to the center electrode transmission signal generation unit 412 and additional information to be supplied to the wireless transmission signal generation unit 413, and supplies them respectively.

[0060] Fig. 5 shows an example of pen type table information of the pen type determination unit 411. The example of Fig. 5 is table information for five types of position indicators, configuration type 1 to configuration type 5 (mode 1 to mode 5). After determining the configuration type (mode) of the position indicator, the pen type determination unit 411 refers to this pen type table information and generates control information to be supplied to the control unit 410. Below, it will be explained that in the position indicator 1 of this embodiment, each configuration type (mode) is switched under the control of the control unit 410.

[0061] Configuration type 1 (mode 1) is a passive type position indicator, in which no signal is transmitted from the center electrode 7, and all additional information is transmitted through the wireless communication module 42. That is, in the signal transmission control circuit 41 of the position indicator 1, when the pen type determination unit 411 determines this configuration type 1 (mode 1), the control unit 410 turns on the switch circuits 416 and 417, and also brings the center electrode transmission signal generation unit 412 into an inactive state. The switch circuit 417 may be turned off. Then, the control unit 410 controls so that all additional information is transmitted to the position detection system 2 through the wireless transmission signal generation unit 413 and the transmission unit 421 of the wireless communication module 42. Note that there are cases in which the identification information does not need to be transmitted as additional information.

[0062] Configuration type 2 (mode 2) is a position indicator that is an improved type of passive type. When the pen type determination unit 411 determines this configuration type 2 (mode 2), the control unit 410 turns off the switch circuits 416 and 417 and switches the switch circuit 414 to a state in which the signal from the feedback signal generation circuit 415 is selected, based on information from the pen type determination unit 411. Then, the control unit 410 controls so that all additional information is transmitted from the wireless transmission signal generation unit 413 to the position detection system 2 via the transmission unit 421 of the wireless communication module 42. Note that there are cases in which the identification information does not need to be transmitted as additional information.

[0063] Configuration type 3 (mode 3) is the first type of active-type position indicator. When the pen type determination unit 411 determines this configuration type 3 (mode 3), the control unit 410 turns off the switch circuit 416 and turns on the switch circuit 417 based on information from the pen type determination unit 411, and switches the switch circuit 414 to a state in which an AC signal from the oscillator 45 of frequency f1 is selected in this example. Then, the control unit 410 controls so that all additional information is transmitted from the wireless transmission signal generation unit 413 to the position detection system 2 via the transmission unit 421 of the wireless communication module 42. Note that there may be cases in which the identification information does not need to be transmitted as additional information.

[0064] Configuration type 4 (mode 4) is the second type of active-type position indicator. When the pen type determination unit 411 determines this configuration type 4 (mode 4), the control unit 410 turns off the switch circuit 416 and turns on the switch circuit 417 based on information from the pen type determination unit 411, and switches the switch circuit 414 to a state in which an AC signal from the oscillator 46 of frequency f2 is selected in this example. Then, the writing pressure information and side switch information of the additional information are sent from the central electrode 7 together with a position detection signal, and the identification information ID is controlled to be transmitted to the position detection system 2 via the wireless transmission signal generation unit 413 and the transmission unit 421 of the wireless communication module 42.

[0065] Configuration type 5 (mode 5) is the second type of active-type position indicator. When the pen type determination unit 411 determines this configuration type 5 (mode 5), the control unit 410 switches the switch circuit 416 off and the switch circuit 417 on, based on information from the pen type determination unit 411, and switches the switch circuit 414 to a state in which it selects an AC signal from the oscillator 46 of frequency f2 in this example. Then, it controls so that all of the additional information is sent from the center electrode 7 together with the position detection signal.

[0066] As described above, the signal transmission control circuit 41 determines the configuration type of the position indicator based on the information and signals received from the sensor unit of the position detection system 2 through the receiving unit 422 of the wireless communication module 42 and the peripheral electrode 6, and configures the position indicator 1 to have the determined configuration type. Therefore, the position indicator 1 of this embodiment can automatically configure and use position indicators of various configuration types corresponding to position detection systems 2 of various types. In other words, position indication can be input for a plurality of position detection systems 2 of various types using only the position indicator 1 of this embodiment. Therefore, there is no need to prepare separate position indicators for each of a plurality of position detection systems 2 of various types, which is very convenient and reduces the cost burden on the user.

[0067] In addition, the pen type information received from the position detection system 2 through the wireless communication module 42 is not limited to configuration type information that directly identifies each of configuration types 1 to 5, but may be information that indirectly indicates, for example, the numbers of each of configuration types 1 to 5 in the pen type table information, or the addresses of each configuration type in the pen type table memory 4111.

[0068] 4, the processing functions of the judgment processing unit 4112 of the pen type judgment unit 411, the center electrode transmission signal generation unit 412, and the wireless transmission signal generation unit 413 can also be configured as software processing function means by the control unit 410. The same applies to the feedback signal generation circuit 415.

[0069] [Example of processing operation in the signal transmission control circuit 41] Next, an example of the processing operation executed by the signal transmission control circuit 41 after the power switch 48 is turned on will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

[0070] The signal transmission control circuit 41 first determines whether or not information has been received by the receiving unit 422 of the wireless communication module 42 (step S1), and if it is determined that information has been received, determines whether or not the received information is pen type information (step S2). If it is determined in step S2 that the received information is pen type information, the signal transmission control circuit 41 determines the configuration type (pen type) of the position indicator based on the received pen type information, and refers to the pen type table memory 4111 to determine the signal to be transmitted from the center electrode 7 and the transmitting unit 421 of the wireless communication module 42 (step S3). As described above, this determination also includes the determination of whether or not to transmit a position detection signal from the center electrode 7.

[0071] After step S3, the signal transmission control circuit 41 executes signal transmission according to the configuration type determined in step S3 through the central electrode 7 and the transmitter 421 of the wireless communication module 42 (step S4).

[0072] Then, the signal transmission control circuit 41 determines whether or not it is no longer possible to receive information from the position detection system 2 through the receiving unit 422 of the wireless communication module 42 (step S5), and if it determines that it is not no longer possible to receive information, it returns the processing to step S4 and continues signal transmission according to the determined configuration type.

[0073] If it is determined in step S5 that the information from the position detection system 2 cannot be received through the receiver 422 of the wireless communication module 42, the signal transmission control circuit 41 determines whether or not a predetermined time has passed since the information could not be received (step S6). If it is determined in step S6 that the predetermined time has not passed, the signal transmission control circuit 41 returns the process to step S4 and continues signal transmission according to the determined configuration type.

[0074] When it is determined in step S6 that a predetermined time or more has elapsed, the signal transmission control circuit 41 suspends signal transmission from the center electrode 7 and the transmitter 421 of the wireless communication module 42, and puts the position indicator 1 into a sleep state (step S7). In this sleep state, in order to reduce consumption of the battery 5 as much as possible and to conserve power, power supply to the receiver 422 of the wireless communication module 42, the control unit 410 of the signal transmission control circuit 41, and the pen type determination unit 411 is maintained, but unnecessary voltage supply to other parts is stopped.

[0075] Then, after step S7, the signal transmission control circuit 41 returns the process to step S1, and repeats the processes from step S1 onwards.

[0076] When it is determined in step S1 that no information has been received by the receiving unit 422 of the wireless communication module 42, or when it is determined in step S2 that the received information is not pen type information, the signal transmission control circuit 41 determines whether or not a signal has been received through the peripheral electrode 6 (step S11 in FIG. 7). When it is determined in this step S11 that no signal has been received through the peripheral electrode 6, the signal transmission control circuit 41 turns on the switch circuit 416 to connect the central electrode 7 to the earth conductor (ground) of the printed wiring board 40 through the conductor portion 32, thereby setting the state to configuration type 1 (step S18). Then, after this step S18, the signal transmission control circuit 41 returns the process to step S1 in FIG. 6, and repeats the processes from step S1 onward.

[0077] Then, when it is determined in step S11 that a signal has been received through the peripheral electrode 6, it is determined whether or not it is possible to determine the pen type from the received signal (step S12). If it is determined in step S12 that it is not possible to determine the pen type, the signal transmission control circuit 41 turns on the switch circuit 416 to connect the central electrode 7 to the earth conductor (ground) of the printed wiring board 40 through the conductive portion 32, thereby setting the state to configuration type 1 (step S18). Then, after step S18, the signal transmission control circuit 41 returns the process to step S1 in Fig. 6, and repeats the processes from step S1 onwards.

[0078] If it is determined in step S12 that the pen type can be determined, the signal transmission control circuit 41 determines the configuration type (pen type) of the position indicator based on the received signal, and determines the signal to be transmitted from the center electrode 7 and the transmitter 421 of the wireless communication module 42 by referring to the pen type table 4111 (step S13). This determination includes the determination of whether or not to transmit a position detection signal from the center electrode 7, as described above.

[0079] After step S13, the signal transmission control circuit 41 executes signal transmission according to the configuration type determined in step S13 through the central electrode 7 and the transmitter 421 of the wireless communication module 42 (step S14).

[0080] Then, the signal transmission control circuit 41 determines whether or not it is no longer possible to receive signals through the peripheral electrode 6 (step S15), and if it determines that it is not no longer possible to receive signals, it returns the processing to step S14 and continues signal transmission according to the determined configuration type.

[0081] If it is determined in step S15 that a signal cannot be received through the peripheral electrode 6, the signal transmission control circuit 41 determines whether or not a predetermined time has passed since the signal could not be received (step S16). If it is determined in step S16 that the predetermined time has not passed, the signal transmission control circuit 41 returns the process to step S14 and continues transmitting a signal according to the determined configuration type.

[0082] When it is determined in step S16 that the predetermined time or more has elapsed, the signal transmission control circuit 41 suspends signal transmission from the center electrode 7 and the transmitter 421 of the wireless communication module 42, and puts the position indicator 1 into a sleep state (step S17). After step S17, the signal transmission control circuit 41 returns the process to step S1 and repeats the processes from step S1 onwards.

[0083] [Explanation of the operation of various types of position indicators and the corresponding position detection systems] <Position indicator 1A of configuration type 2 and corresponding position detection system 2A> FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the circuitry of the main parts of a position indicator 1A of configuration type 2, and in particular shows an example of the circuitry of the feedback signal generating circuit 415 and the power supply circuit section 50, which was omitted above.

[0084] The power supply circuit unit 50 includes a DC / DC converter 501, and generates a power supply voltage +Vcc from the voltage of the battery 5, and supplies it to the signal transmission control circuit 41 and other components.

[0085] In the power supply circuit section 50, a power switch 48 is provided between the DC / DC converter 501 and the battery 5. A series circuit of a resistor 502 and an LED 49 is connected between the output terminal of the DC / DC converter 501 and a ground conductor. Furthermore, the output terminal of the DC / DC converter 501 is connected to the ground conductor through a series connection of resistors 503 and 504, and a reference voltage Vref (=Vcc / 2) is output from the connection point of the resistors 503 and 504.

[0086] The feedback signal generating circuit 415 is configured as a signal amplification processing circuit in this example, and is made up of a sense amplifier 510 , a signal amplification factor variable circuit 520 , and a transformer 530 .

[0087] In this example, the sense amplifier 510 comprises an operational amplifier 511 and a capacitor 512 connected between the inverting input terminal and the output terminal of this operational amplifier 511. The inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier 511 is connected to a connection terminal 513 which is connected to the peripheral electrode 6. In addition, the above-mentioned reference voltage Vref is supplied to the non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier 511.

[0088] When the position indicator 1A is on the position detection system 2A, the peripheral electrode 6 of the position indicator 1A and the position detection system 2A are coupled via the capacitance C1, as shown in Fig. 1. As described later, an AC signal flows through the position detection system 2A, and this AC signal is supplied to the connection terminal 513 as a current signal via the capacitance C1 and the peripheral electrode 6, and input to the sense amplifier 510. The capacitor 512 is for detecting the current signal input via the capacitance C1.

[0089] Then, the sense amplifier 510 inverts the phase of the AC signal input as a current signal through a connection terminal 513 and outputs the inverted signal to a signal amplification factor variable circuit 520 .

[0090] The signal amplification factor variable circuit 520 consists of an operational amplifier 521 and a variable resistor 522 connected between the inverting input terminal and the output terminal of the operational amplifier 521. By variably setting the resistance value of this variable resistor 522, the amplification factor of this signal amplification factor variable circuit 520 is variably set, and as a result, the signal detection sensitivity of the position indicator 1A is controlled.

[0091] The AC signal amplified by this signal amplification factor variable circuit 520 is supplied to the primary winding 530a of the transformer 530. The ratio of the number of turns n1 of the primary winding 530a of this transformer 530 to the number of turns n2 of the secondary winding 530b is set such that the number of turns on the secondary winding 530b side is larger (n1 < n2), for example, n1:n2 = 1:10. Therefore, on the secondary winding 530b side of the transformer 530, the amplitude of the output signal of the signal amplification factor variable circuit 520 is multiplied according to the turns ratio, and an AC signal (voltage signal) with a large amplitude is obtained.

[0092] One end of the secondary winding 530b of the transformer 530 is connected to a connection terminal 523 connected to a core body 71 composed of a rod-shaped conductor of the center electrode 7 shielded by a shield member 8, and the other end of the secondary winding 530b of the transformer 530 is connected to the ground conductor of the printed wiring board 40. Therefore, the output signal made into a large-amplitude AC signal voltage by the feedback signal generation circuit 415 is supplied to the center electrode 7 through the connection terminal 523.

[0093] When the position indicator 1A is on the position detection system 2A, since the center electrode 7 of the position indicator 1A and the position detection system 2A are coupled via capacitance, an AC signal is fed back from the position indicator 1A to the position detection system 2A through the center electrode 7 of the position indicator 1A.

[0094] Next, the position detection system 2A of this example will be described with reference to FIG. 9. The position detection system 2A of this example has a sensor electrode composed of an input electrode and an output electrode, and is configured as a mutual capacitance type position detection system that detects changes in the coupling capacitance of the touch point where the position indicator 1A contacts.

[0095] 9, the position detection system 2A of this example includes a sensor unit 20A, a transmitter 21, a receiver 22, a wireless communication unit 25, and a controller 220A. The sensor unit 20A includes a plurality of linear transmission conductors 23Y1, 23Y2, . . . , 23Y3, . . . , m in this example, extending in the lateral direction (X-axis direction) of the sensor input surface. m (m is an integer of 1 or more) and these transmission conductors 23Y1 to 23Y m A plurality of receiving conductors 24X1, 24X2, . . . , 24X n (n is an integer of 1 or more). m are arranged at equal intervals in the Y-axis direction and are connected to the transmitting section 21. In addition, a plurality of receiving conductors 24X1 to 24X n are arranged at equal intervals in the X-axis direction and are connected to the receiving unit 22.

[0096] In the following description of this specification, the transmission conductors 23Y1 to 23Y m and receiving conductors 24X1 to 24X n When there is no need to distinguish between them, they will be referred to as a transmission conductor 23Y and a reception conductor 24X, respectively.

[0097] The transmission conductors 23Y and the reception conductors 24X are arranged at a predetermined interval and perpendicular to each other to form a plurality of cross points. At each cross point, the transmission conductors 23Y and the reception conductors 24X are considered to be coupled via a predetermined capacitance.

[0098] The transmitter 21 supplies a predetermined AC signal to the transmission conductor 23Y under the control of the control unit 220. In this case, the transmitter 21 transmits the same AC signal to the multiple transmission conductors 23Y1, 23Y2, . . . , 23Y m Alternatively, a plurality of different AC signals may be supplied to the plurality of transmission conductors 23Y1, 23Y2, . . . , 23Y mIn addition, the power may be supplied simultaneously to the plurality of transmission conductors 23Y1, 23Y2, . . . , 23Y m Alternatively, the inputs may be divided into a plurality of groups, and a different AC signal may be used for each group.

[0099] The receiving unit 22, based on the control of the control unit 220, receives the receiving conductors 24X1, 24X2, . . . , 24X n If the coupling capacitance between the transmission conductor 23Y and the reception conductor 24X is equal at all cross points, when the position indicator 1 is not present on the sensor section 20, the coupling capacitance between all the reception conductors 24X1, 24X2, . . . , 24X of the sensor section 20 is equal at all cross points. n A reception signal of a predetermined level is detected by the receiving section 22 from the

[0100] On the other hand, when the position indicator 1A comes into contact with the sensor unit 20A, the transmitting conductor 23Y and the receiving conductor 24X constituting the cross point at the contact position, and the position indicator 1A are coupled through capacitance. That is, the capacitance is changed by the position indicator 1A, and the reception signal level obtained from the reception conductor 24X of the cross point where the position indicator 1A exists changes compared to the reception signal levels of the other cross points.

[0101] The receiving section 22 includes a plurality of receiving conductors 24X1, 24X2, . . . , 24X n The control unit of the position detection system 2 (not shown) detects the transmission conductor 23Y to which the AC signal is supplied from the transmission unit 21 and the reception conductor 24X to which the reception unit 22 has changed the level of the reception signal, thereby detecting the cross point with which the position indicator 1A is in contact.

[0102] When a finger, instead of the position indicator 1A, approaches or touches the sensor unit 20, the position detection system 2 detects the cross point where the finger approaches or touches, based on a similar principle. In this case, part of the AC signal supplied to the transmission conductor 23Y flows to the ground through the finger and through the user's body. This causes a change in the reception signal level of the reception conductor 24X that constitutes the cross point where the finger is present. The reception unit 22 detects this change in the reception signal level to detect the reception conductor 24X that constitutes the cross point where the finger is present.

[0103] In the case of a position indicator of configuration type 1, the position detection system 2A can detect the indicated position in the sensor unit 20A in the same manner as the principle of detecting the position of a finger. However, in the case of a position indicator of configuration type 1, the contact area with the position detection system 2A is not large as in the case of a finger, so the coupling capacitance is small and the detection sensitivity of the position detection system 2A is low. For this reason, a position detection system corresponding to a position indicator of configuration type 1 uses a spread code as an AC signal to be transmitted to the position indicator, and detects the indicated position of the position indicator by taking a correlation between the transmitted signal and the received signal, thereby compensating for the decrease in detection sensitivity.

[0104] In contrast, in the case of the position indicator 1A and the position detection system 2A of configuration type 2, even without using a spread code or the like, the affinity between the position indicator 1A and the position detection system 2A is high, and the system is highly versatile. Furthermore, a predetermined waveform correlation is ensured between the input signal and the output signal, enabling highly sensitive position detection on the sensor unit 20A.

[0105] That is, when the position indicator 1A is brought close to or into contact with the sensor unit 20A of the position detection system 2A, the AC signal supplied to the transmission conductor 23Y is input as a current signal to the feedback signal generating circuit 415 through the connection terminal 513 via the capacitance C1 and the peripheral electrode 6 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0106] The AC signal (current signal) input to the feedback signal generating circuit 415 is phase-inverted by the sense amplifier 510, then amplified by the signal amplification factor variable circuit 520 and boosted (multiplied) by the transformer 530 to enhance the signal, and supplied as a voltage signal to the central electrode 7 through the connection terminal 523. That is, the AC signal input to the feedback signal generating circuit 415 from the sensor unit 20A via the peripheral electrode 6 is made into an inverted phase and a large amplitude signal in the feedback signal generating circuit 415 and fed back to the sensor unit 20A through the central electrode 7.

[0107] In this case, the AC signal fed back from the center electrode 7 of the position indicator 1A to the sensor unit 20A of the position detection system 2A is an amplified signal having a reverse phase to the AC signal supplied to the transmission conductor 23Y, so that the position indicator 1A functions to further increase the change in the AC signal in the reception signal of the reception conductor 24X. Therefore, the position detection system 2A can detect the contact position of the position indicator 1A with high sensitivity. The detection operation is further stabilized by connecting the earth conductor of the position indicator 1A to the human body. That is, in this embodiment, the housing 3 of the position indicator 1A is covered with the conductor part 32 connected to the earth conductor of the printed wiring board 40. Therefore, the AC signal supplied to the transmission conductor 23Y in the position detection system 2A flows to the ground through the position indicator 1A and the user's body, so that the signal detection operation can be further stabilized.

[0108] In addition, if the voltage at the transmission conductor 23Y of the sensor unit 20A of the position detection system 2A is V, the voltage at the central electrode 7 of the position indicator 1A of this embodiment is e, and the electrostatic capacitance between the peripheral electrode 6 and the central electrode 7 is C2 (see FIG. 1), then: e≦C1 / C2 V For this reason, it is advantageous for increasing the electric potential e of the central electrode 7 that the electrostatic capacitance C2 between the peripheral electrode 6 and the central electrode 7 is as small as possible.

[0109] For this reason, in the position indicator 1 of this embodiment, the shield member 8 is interposed between the peripheral electrode 6 and the central electrode 7 to minimize the coupling between them. Therefore, in the position indicator 1 of this embodiment, by interposing the shield member 8, the capacitance C2 between the peripheral electrode 6 and the central electrode 7 becomes small, and the voltage e can be increased, thereby efficiently increasing the sensitivity.

[0110] The position indicator 1A of the embodiment described above is configured to receive an AC signal from the position detection system 2A at the peripheral electrode 6, and to feed back an amplified output AC signal to the position detection system 2A from the central electrode 7. However, the electrode for receiving the AC signal from the position detection system 2A may be the central electrode 7, and the electrode for feeding back the amplified AC signal to the position detection system 2 may be the peripheral electrode 6.

[0111] 9, in the position indicator 1A of configuration type 2, the writing pressure information, side switch information, and identification information are wirelessly transmitted from the wireless communication module 42 to the wireless communication unit 25 of the position detection system 2A. The writing pressure information, side switch information, and identification information received by the wireless communication unit 25 are supplied to the control circuit 220A and transmitted, together with the detected position information, to, for example, a host computer. Additional information from the position indicator of configuration type 1 is also transmitted from the wireless communication module 42 to the position detection system.

[0112] <Position indicator 1B of configuration type 3 and corresponding position detection system 2B> 10 is a diagram showing an example of a circuit of a main part of a position indicator 1B of configuration type 3 and a corresponding position detection system 2B. The position indicator 1B of configuration type 3 outputs an AC signal of frequency f1 as a position detection signal, and also outputs all of additional information, such as pen pressure information, side switch information, and identification information, from the wireless communication module 42 to the wireless communication unit 25B of the position detection system 2B.

[0113] As shown in FIG. 10, the position detection system 2B is made up of a sensor unit 20B, a pen indication detection circuit 26B connected to the sensor unit 20B, and a wireless communication unit 25B.

[0114] The sensor unit 20B is formed by stacking, from the bottom up, a first conductor group 211, an insulating layer (not shown), and a second conductor group 212. The first conductor group 211 includes a plurality of first conductors 211Y1, 211Y2, ..., 211Y3 extending in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction). m (m is an integer of 1 or more) are arranged in parallel in the Y-axis direction at a predetermined distance from each other.

[0115] The second conductor group 212 includes first conductors 211Y1, 211Y2, . . . , 211Y m In this example, a plurality of second conductors 212X1, 212X2, ..., 212X extend in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the first conductor 212, i.e., in a vertical direction (Y-axis direction) perpendicular to the extending direction of the second conductor 212. n (n is an integer of 1 or more) are arranged in parallel along the X-axis at a predetermined distance from each other.

[0116] In the following description, the first conductors 211Y1, 211Y2, . . . , 211Y m When there is no need to distinguish between the conductors, the conductor is referred to as the first conductor 211Y. Similarly, the second conductors 212X1, 212X2, ..., 212X n When there is no need to distinguish between the conductors, the conductor will be referred to as the second conductor 212X.

[0117] The pen indication detection circuit 26B is made up of a selection circuit 221 serving as an input / output interface with the sensor unit 20B, an amplifier circuit 222, a bandpass filter 223, a detection circuit 224, a sample-and-hold circuit 225, an AD (Analog to Digital) conversion circuit 226, and a control circuit 220B.

[0118] The selection circuit 221 selects one conductor from each of the first conductor group 211Y and the second conductor group 212X based on a control signal from the control circuit 220B. The conductor selected by the selection circuit 221 is connected to the amplifier circuit 222, and the signal from the position indicator 1B is detected by the selected conductor and amplified by the amplifier circuit 222. The output of the amplifier circuit 222 is supplied to a band-pass filter 223B, which extracts only the component of frequency f1 of the signal transmitted from the position indicator 1B.

[0119] The output signal of the bandpass filter 223B is detected by a detection circuit 224. The output signal of this detection circuit 224 is supplied to a sample-and-hold circuit 225, where it is sampled and held at a predetermined timing by a sampling signal from a control circuit 220B, and then converted into a digital value by an AD conversion circuit 226. The digital data from the AD conversion circuit 226 is read and processed by the control circuit 220B.

[0120] The control circuit 220B operates according to a program stored in an internal ROM to send control signals to the sample-and-hold circuit 225, the AD conversion circuit 226, and the selection circuit 221. The control circuit 220B also calculates the position coordinates on the sensor unit 20B indicated by the position indicator 1B from the digital data from the AD conversion circuit 226.

[0121] 11 is a timing chart for explaining a signal transmitted from the position indicator 1B of configuration type 3 to the corresponding position detection system 2B. As described above, from the position indicator 1B of configuration type 3, a signal based on an AC signal of, for example, frequency f1 is continuously transmitted through the center electrode 7 as a position detection signal.

[0122] However, the position indicator 1B of configuration type 3 in this example takes advantage of the fact that the position indicator 1 of this embodiment has a configuration capable of sending out an AC signal of frequency f1 and an AC signal of frequency f2 as a position detection signal, and is able to switch the frequency of the position detection signal when noise of the same frequency as the position detection signal is present.

[0123] That is, in the position indicator 1B of configuration type 3 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11(A), the position detection signal is configured to repeat one cycle, which is made up of a continuous transmission period of a predetermined period length Ta and a pause period of a predetermined period length Tb.

[0124] 11B, the control circuit 220B of the position detection system 2B sets a pause period of a predetermined period length Tb as a window section for detecting the presence or absence of noise, and detects whether or not noise of the same frequency as the position detection signal exists in the window section. When it detects the presence of noise of the same frequency as the position detection signal in the window section, the control circuit 220B of the position detection system 2B notifies the position indicator 1B of the presence or absence of noise through the wireless communication unit 25B.

[0125] When the receiver 422 of the wireless communication module 42 of the position indicator 1B receives this notification from the position detection system 2B, it transfers it to the control unit 410 of the signal transmission control circuit 41. In accordance with this notification, the control unit 410 of the signal transmission control circuit 41 controls the switching of the switch circuit 414 to switch from the oscillator 45 of frequency f1 to the oscillator 46 of frequency f2. If the position detection signal from the position indicator 1B when the notification from the position detection system 2B is received is based on the signal from the oscillator 46 of frequency f2, the control unit 410 controls the switching of the switch circuit 414 in response to the notification from the position detection system 2B to switch from the oscillator 46 of frequency f2 to the oscillator 45 of frequency f1.

[0126] For example, when the position detection signal from the position indicator 1B is a signal of frequency f1 as shown in FIG. 11(A), if noise NR of the same frequency f1 is present as shown in FIG. 11(C), the control circuit 220B of the position detection system 2B detects the noise NR in the window section shown in FIG. 11(B) and sends a notification of this to the position indicator 1B via the wireless communication unit 25B.

[0127] In the position indicator 1B, the control unit 410 receives the notification from the position detection system 2B through the receiving unit 422 of the wireless communication module 42, and controls the switch circuit 414 to switch the frequency of the position detection signal from frequency f1 to frequency f2, as shown in Fig. 11(D). Therefore, even if noise having the same frequency as the frequency of the position detection signal is present in the vicinity of the position detection system 2B, it is possible to prevent the position indicator 1B from being affected by the noise by switching the frequency of the position detection signal.

[0128] In the position detection system 2B, in order to be able to handle both position detection signals of frequency f1 and frequency f2, the bandpass filter 223B is configured to have a state in which the pass frequency band has a center frequency of frequency f1, and a state in which the pass frequency band has a center frequency of frequency f2, and is configured to be able to switch between the pass frequency bands to be used under the control of the control circuit 220B.

[0129] <Position indicator 1C of configuration type 4 and corresponding position detection system 2C> 12 is a diagram showing an example of a circuit of a main part of a position indicator 1C of configuration type 4 and a corresponding position detection system 2C. The position indicator 1C of configuration type 4 sends out an AC signal of frequency f2 as a position detection signal, and sends writing pressure information and side switch information, which are examples of important additional information for a position indicator, together with the position detection signal through the central electrode 7 to the position detection system 2C. Then, the position indicator 1C sends identification information of the additional information from the wireless communication module 42 to the wireless communication unit 25C of the position detection system 2C.

[0130] 12, the position detection system 2C is composed of a sensor unit 20C, a pen instruction detection circuit 26C connected to the sensor unit 20C, and a wireless communication unit 25C. In this example, the sensor unit 20C has the same configuration as the sensor unit 20B of the position detection system 2B. Moreover, the pen instruction detection circuit 26C has the same configuration as the pen instruction detection circuit 26B, except for the bandpass filter 223C and the control circuit 220C.

[0131] In this example, the bandpass filter 223C of the position pointer 1C of configuration type 4 has a pass frequency band centered on frequency f2. The control circuit 220C also has a function of detecting writing pressure information and side switch information transmitted together with the position detection signal.

[0132] In the position indicator 1C of configuration type 4 of this example, the center electrode transmission signal generating unit 412 receives control from the control unit 410 and repeatedly outputs a signal of a pattern in which a continuous transmission period and a transmission data period form one cycle. Fig. 13(A) shows an example of a control signal supplied from the control unit 410 of the position indicator 1C to the center electrode transmission signal generating unit 412. During a certain period in which the control signal in Fig. 13(A) is maintained at a high level, the center electrode transmission signal generating unit 412 continuously transmits an oscillation signal of frequency f2 as a burst signal as shown in Fig. 13(B) (the continuous transmission period in Fig. 13(C)).

[0133] The length of this continuous transmission period is set to a time length that enables the pen indication detection circuit 26C of the position detection system 2C to detect the indicated position on the sensor unit 20C by the position indicator 1C, and is set to a time length that enables, for example, scanning all of the first conductor 211Y and the second conductor 212X at least once, preferably at least multiple times.

[0134] During this continuous transmission period, the control unit 410 of the position indicator 1C calculates the writing pressure applied to the central electrode 7 based on the capacitance of the variable capacitor of the writing pressure detection unit 9, and obtains information on the calculated writing pressure value as a multi-bit value (binary code). The control unit 410 also generates on / off information of the side switch 43 as side switch information, which is one-bit or multi-bit information.

[0135] 13(A), after the end of the continuous transmission period, the control unit 410 controls the control signal to be at a high level or a low level at a predetermined cycle (Td) during the transmission data period, thereby ASK (Amplitude Shift Keying) modulating the AC signal of frequency f2. Instead of ASK modulation, an OOK (On Off Keying) signal may be used.

[0136] At this time, the first time of the predetermined period (Td) after the continuous transmission period is always set to high level, and this is used as the start signal in Fig. 13(C). This start signal is a timing signal that enables the pen indication detection circuit 26C of the position detection system 2C to accurately determine the timing of sending data thereafter. Note that instead of this start signal, the burst signal of the continuous transmission period can also be used as the timing signal.

[0137] The center electrode transmission signal generating unit 412 of the position indicator 1C, under the control of the control unit 410, sequentially transmits multiple bits of writing pressure information and one or multiple bits of side switch information following a start signal during a transmission data period. In this case, as shown in Figures 13(A) and (B), when the transmission data (binary code) is "0", the control signal (Figure 13A) is set to low level to not transmit an AC signal, and when the transmission data (binary code) is "1", the control signal is set to high level to transmit an AC signal, thereby performing ASK modulation.

[0138] In the pen indication detection circuit 26C of the position detection system 2C, the control circuit 220C detects the position indicated by the position indicator 1C from the received signal during the continuous transmission period in the same manner as the position detection system 2B described above. Then, the control circuit 220C waits for the end of the continuous transmission period, and when it detects a start signal after the end of the continuous transmission period, it detects the writing pressure information and side switch information data during the transmission data period and performs an operation of restoring them. Then, the control circuit 220C outputs the detection information of the position indicated by the position indicator 1C, the writing pressure information, and the side switch information to a host computer or the like together with the identification information received through the wireless communication unit 25C.

[0139] In addition, in the position indicator 1C of configuration type 4, the frequency of the position detection signal may be switched in the same manner as in the position indicator 1B of configuration type 3 so as to reduce the influence of noise. In that case, the bandpass filter 223C and the control circuit 220C of the position detection system 2C are also configured to have the same functions as the bandpass filter 223B and the control circuit 220B of the position detection system 2B corresponding to configuration type 3.

[0140] <Position indicator 1D of configuration type 5 and corresponding position detection system 2D> 14 is a diagram showing an example of a circuit of a main part of a position indicator 1D of configuration type 5 and a corresponding position detection system 2D. The position indicator 1D of configuration type 5 outputs an AC signal of frequency f2 as a position detection signal, and also outputs all additional information, in this example, pen pressure information, side switch information and identification information ID1, together with the position detection signal, to the position detection system 2D via the central electrode 7.

[0141] As shown in Fig. 14, the position detection system 2D includes a sensor unit 20D, a pen indication detection circuit 26D connected to the sensor unit 20D, and a wireless communication unit 25D. In this example, the sensor unit 20D has the same configuration as the sensor unit 20B of the position detection system 2B. The pen indication detection circuit 26D has the same configuration as the pen indication detection circuit 26C, including the bandpass filter 223D, except for the control circuit 220D. That is, in this example, the bandpass filter 223D has a pass frequency band with a center frequency of frequency f2. The control circuit 220D has a function of detecting writing pressure information, side switch information, and identification information ID1 sent together with the position detection signal.

[0142] In the position indicator 1D of configuration type 5 of this example, similarly to the position indicator 1C of configuration type 4 described above, the center electrode transmission signal generating unit 412, under the control of the control unit 410, repeatedly outputs a signal having a pattern in which a continuous transmission period and a transmission data period form one cycle, as shown in FIG. 15.

[0143] Fig. 15(A) shows an example of a control signal supplied from the control unit 410 of the position indicator 1D to the center electrode transmission signal generation unit 412. The center electrode transmission signal generation unit 412 of the position indicator 1D in this example is controlled by the control signal of Fig. 15(A) to continuously transmit an oscillation signal of frequency f2 as a burst signal during the continuous transmission period as shown in Fig. 15(B), and to transmit writing pressure information, side switch information, and identification information ID1 as ASK signals to the position detection system 2D through the center electrode 7 during the transmission data period as shown in Figs. 15(B) and (C).

[0144] The control circuit 220D of the position detection system 2D detects the position on the sensor unit 20D indicated by the position indicator 1D based on the burst signal during the continuous transmission period, and detects and restores the writing pressure information, side switch information, and identification information ID1 during the transmission data period.

[0145] In this example, in order to make the transmission of signals between the position indicator 1D and the position detection system 2D more secure, the position indicator 1D transmits the identification information ID2 from the wireless communication module 42 to the wireless communication unit 25D of the position detection system 2D. In this case, the identification information ID1 and the identification information ID2 are the same information (ID1=ID2). The control circuit 220D compares the identification information ID2 acquired through the wireless communication unit 25D with the identification information ID1 received and detected through the center electrode 7, and processes the signal acquired from the position indicator 1D as valid only when the two match.

[0146] Then, when the control circuit 220D validates the signal obtained from the position indicator 1D, it outputs detection information of the position indicated by the position indicator 1D, writing pressure information, side switch information, and identification information ID1 to a host computer or the like.

[0147] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of secure processing using the identification information ID1 and ID2 in the control circuit 220D of the position detection system 2D.

[0148] The control circuit 220D temporarily holds the identification information ID2 received through the wireless communication unit 25D (step S21). Next, the control circuit 220D acquires the identification information ID1 included in the information transmitted through the central electrode 7 of the position indicator 1D (step S22). Then, the control circuit 220D determines whether the identification information ID1 and the identification information ID2 match (step S23), and when it is determined that the identification information ID1 and the identification information ID2 match, it processes the signal from the position indicator 1D as valid (step S24), and thereafter returns to the process of step S21 and the processes after this step S21 are repeated. When it is determined in step S23 that the identification information ID1 and the identification information ID2 do not match, the control circuit 220D processes the signal from the position indicator 1D as invalid (step S25), and thereafter returns to the process of step S21, and the processes after this step S21 are repeated.

[0149] In the position detection system 2D, the secure processing using the comparison between the identification information ID2 from the wireless communication module 42 and the identification information ID1 acquired through the center electrode 7 is not essential and may not be performed.

[0150] [Other embodiments] <Another example of electrostatic coupling> The above-mentioned multiple configuration types of the position indicator are merely examples, and needless to say, are not limited to the configuration types connected here. For example, in the above-mentioned active type position indicator, a signal is sent only from the central electrode 7, but in order to be able to detect the inclination angle and rotation angle in the position detection system of the position indicator, the peripheral electrode 6 may be divided into a plurality of parts, and a position indicator may be configured to send a signal from each of the divided peripheral divided electrodes to enable identification of the peripheral divided electrodes, as one configuration type.

[0151] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the main parts of a position indicator 1E that can also be used to construct a position indicator of such a configuration type, where FIG. 17(A) is a diagram for explaining the components on the side of the center electrode 7, and FIG. 17(B) is a diagram of the position indicator 1E as viewed in the axial direction from the tip side of the center electrode 7.

[0152] In this position indicator 1E, the peripheral electrode made of a conductor provided around the opening 3a of the housing 3 into which the central electrode 7 is inserted is provided as three divided peripheral divided electrodes 6A, 6B, and 6C. These peripheral divided electrodes 6A, 6B, and 6C are provided electrically insulated and separated from each other, as shown in Figures 17(A) and (B).

[0153] These peripheral divided electrodes 6A, 6B, 6C are not used in the above-mentioned passive type configuration type 1 and active type configuration types 3, 4, and 5. In the improved passive type configuration type 2, the peripheral divided electrodes 6A, 6B, 6C are electrically connected, and the signals received by all of the peripheral divided electrodes 6A, 6B, 6C are synthesized and supplied to the feedback signal generating circuit 415.

[0154] When the position indicator 1E is configured as a position indicator of a configuration type capable of detecting the tilt angle and rotation angle on a position detection system, the central electrode 7 is configured to transmit a position detection signal and additional information selected according to the configuration type, and each of the peripheral divided electrodes 6A, 6B, 6C is configured to transmit a signal that can be detected by the position detection system.

[0155] For example, the peripheral divided electrodes 6A, 6B, and 6C are configured to transmit corresponding identification information (e.g., a 2-bit signal) respectively. Alternatively, the peripheral divided electrodes 6A, 6B, and 6C are configured to transmit signals of different frequencies or phases respectively. Alternatively, after the transmission of a signal from the central electrode 7 is completed, a signal of one frequency is transmitted for a predetermined period of time from the peripheral divided electrodes 6A, 6B, and 6C in that order.

[0156] A position detection system corresponding to a position indicator of a configuration type that enables detection of tilt angles and rotation angles on the position detection system has the function of detecting the rotation angle and tilt angle of the position indicator 1E from the reception strength of the signals from each of the peripheral divided electrodes 6A, 6B, 6C and the spreading distribution pattern of the received signals.

[0157] <Example of electromagnetic coupling method> Furthermore, the above-described embodiment has been described with respect to a position indicator and a position detection system of the electrostatic coupling type, but the present invention is also applicable to a position indicator and a position detection system of the electromagnetic coupling type.

[0158] FIG. 18 shows a configuration example of an electromagnetically coupled position indicator 100 according to the present invention, and corresponds to the conceptual configuration diagram of FIG. 1 showing the position indicator 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0159] 18, the position indicator 100 of this embodiment includes a signal transmission control circuit 141, a wireless communication module 142, a side switch 143, an ID memory 144, and an oscillator 145 inside a cylindrical housing 103 made of an insulating material, for example, resin, as well as a pen pressure detection unit 109. Also, a battery 105 is provided inside the housing 103 as a supply source of power supply voltage to the signal transmission control circuit 141, the wireless communication module 142, the side switch 143, the ID memory 144, the oscillator 145, etc. The signal transmission control circuit 141 includes a pen type determination unit 1411.

[0160] A core 107 penetrating a ferrite core 110 is coupled to the writing pressure detection unit 109, and the writing pressure detection unit 109 detects the writing pressure applied to the core 107 as the capacitance of a variable capacitance capacitor configured in the writing pressure detection unit 109. A coil 111 is wound around the ferrite core 110, and both ends of the coil 111 are connected to the signal transmission control circuit 141. A capacitor 112 that forms a resonant circuit with the coil 111 is connected between both ends of the coil 111.

[0161] Similar to the position indicator 1 of the above-described embodiment, the signal transmission control circuit 141 is connected to a wireless communication module 142, a side switch 143, an ID memory 144, and an oscillator 145, and a variable capacitance capacitor constituted by the pen pressure detection unit 109 is also connected to this signal transmission control circuit 141.

[0162] In this position indicator 100, the signal transmission control circuit 141 selects and controls the signal to be transmitted through the resonant circuit including the coil 111 and the capacitor 112, and also selects and controls whether additional information such as pen pressure information, side switch information, and identification information is transmitted from the wireless communication module 142 or as a signal from the resonant circuit.

[0163] That is, in the case of the position indicator 100 of this embodiment, the resonant circuit constitutes a first transmitting unit, and the transmitting function unit of the wireless communication module 142 constitutes the first transmitting unit. Also, the receiving function unit of the wireless communication module 142 constitutes a receiving unit that receives pen type information from the position detection system. The pen type information received from the position detection system by the receiving function unit of the wireless communication module 142 is supplied to a pen type discrimination unit 1411 of the signal transmission control circuit 141. Although not shown in the figure, the pen type discrimination unit 1411 can also be composed of a pen type determination processing unit and a pen type table memory in this embodiment.

[0164] The signal transmission control circuit 141 of the position indicator 100 in this embodiment receives pen type information from the position detection system, and determines the pen type through judgment by the pen type discrimination unit 1411, thereby enabling the configuration of position indicators 100A, 100B, and 100C of three configuration types 6, 7, and 8 as shown in Figures 19(A), (B), and (C), for example.

[0165] When the pen type information received from the position detection system through the receiving function unit of the wireless communication module 142 of the position indicator 100 is configuration type 6, the signal transmission control circuit 141 configures a position indicator 100A as shown in Fig. 19(A) . That is, in this configuration type 6, a variable capacitance capacitor configured by the pen pressure detection unit 109 is connected in parallel to a parallel resonant circuit configured by the coil 111 and the capacitor 112, and further, a series circuit of the side switch 143 and the capacitor 113 is connected.

[0166] The sensor section of the position detection system 200A, which is used together with the position indicator 100A of configuration type 6 and sends configuration type 6 to the position indicator 100A as pen type information, is not shown in the figure but is configured with a plurality of loop coils arranged in the X direction and Y direction which are perpendicular to each other, and a transmission signal (AC signal) of frequency fa is transmitted from the loop coils to the position indicator 100A.

[0167] In the position indicator 100A, a resonant circuit receives the AC signal from the position detection system 200A by electromagnetic coupling, and then the AC signal is fed back from the resonant circuit to the position detection system 200A. In the position detection system 200A, the position indicated by the position indicator 100A is detected from the position of the loop coil that transmitted the AC signal and the position of the loop coil that received the feedback signal from the position indicator 100A.

[0168] In this case, the feedback signal from the position indicator 100A changes as the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit changes depending on the capacitance value of the variable capacitor configured in the pen pressure detection unit 109, so the position detection system 200A detects pen pressure information based on the change in frequency (or phase change).

[0169] Furthermore, since the capacitor 113 is connected or disconnected to the resonant circuit depending on whether the side switch 143 is on or off, the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit changes depending on whether the side switch 143 is on or off. The position detection system 200A detects side switch information corresponding to whether the side switch 143 is on or off based on a change in frequency (or a change in phase) of the feedback signal from the position indicator 100A.

[0170] In addition, in the position indicator 100A of configuration type 6, the identification information is transmitted through the transmission function unit of the wireless communication module 142 to the wireless communication unit of the position detection system 200A.

[0171] When the pen type information received from the position detection system through the receiving function unit of the wireless communication module 142 of the position indicator 100 is configuration type 7, the signal transmission control circuit 141 configures a position indicator 100B as shown in Fig. 19(B) . That is, in this configuration type 7, the parallel resonant circuit is made up of a coil 111 and a capacitor 112. Then, the writing pressure information, side switch information, and identification information are all transmitted to the wireless communication unit of the position detection system 200B through the transmitting function unit of the wireless communication module 142.

[0172] The sensor unit of the position detection system 200B, which is used together with this position indicator 100B of configuration type 7 and sends configuration type 7 to the position indicator 100B as pen type information, has the same configuration as the sensor unit of the position detection system 200A, and transmits a transmission signal (AC signal) of frequency fa from the loop coil to the position indicator 100B.

[0173] In the position indicator 100B, similar to the position indicator 100A, an AC signal from the position detection system 200B is received by a resonant circuit through electromagnetic coupling, and then the AC signal is fed back from the resonant circuit to the position detection system 200B. In the position detection system 200B, similar to the position detection system 200A, the position indicated by the position indicator 100B is detected.

[0174] The position detection system 200B of configuration type 7 does not have a function of detecting additional information by monitoring changes in the frequency or phase of the feedback signal, and instead decodes the additional information received through the wireless communication unit to obtain the pen pressure information, side switch information, and identification information.

[0175] When the pen type information received from the position detection system through the receiving function unit of the wireless communication module 142 of the position indicator 100 is configuration type 8, the signal transmission control circuit 141 configures a position indicator 100C as shown in Fig. 19(C). That is, in the position indicator 100C of configuration type 8, a parallel resonant circuit consisting of the coil 111 and the capacitor 112 is coupled to the oscillator 145 to configure an oscillation circuit 145S. Then, an oscillation signal from this oscillation circuit 145S is transmitted to the position detection system 200C through the parallel resonant circuit consisting of the coil 111 and the capacitor 112.

[0176] Then, the writing pressure information, the side switch information, and the identification information are all transmitted through the transmission function unit of the wireless communication module 142 to the wireless communication unit of the position detection system 200C.

[0177] The sensor section of the position detection system 200C, which is used together with the position indicator 100C of configuration type 8 and sends configuration type 8 to the position indicator 100C as pen type information, is configured by arranging a plurality of loop coils in the X direction and the Y direction which are perpendicular to each other, although not shown in the figure.

[0178] The position detection system 200C receives the AC signal transmitted from the position indicator 100C with the loop coil by electromagnetic coupling, and detects the position indicated by the position indicator 100C from the positions of the loop coils in the X and Y directions that receive the AC signal.

[0179] Note that the above configuration types 6 to 8 are also examples, and there are various other configuration types for electromagnetically coupled position indicators and position detection systems, and it goes without saying that the position indicator of the present invention can be configured to accommodate these various configuration types. For example, in the above examples of configurations 6 to 8, the identification information is not transmitted through the resonant circuit, but it is also possible to configure a configuration type in which the identification information is transmitted from the core body 107 side as an ASK modulated signal or an OOK signal by controlling the resonant operation of the resonant circuit or the on / off of the oscillation operation of the oscillation circuit 145S.

[0180] [Other embodiments or modifications] The pen pressure detection units 9, 109 of the above-mentioned embodiment use a variable capacitance capacitor in which a dielectric is sandwiched between a first electrode and a second electrode, and one of the first electrode and the second electrode is made movable in the axial direction according to the pen pressure, so that the capacitance is variable according to the pen pressure, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the pen pressure detection unit 9 can be configured using a semiconductor element that changes the capacitance according to the pen pressure as disclosed in JP 2013-161307 A. Also, the pen pressure detection unit may be configured using a structure or element that changes the inductance value or resistance value according to the pen pressure, instead of the capacitance.

[0181] As described above, the additional information is not limited to pen pressure information, side switch information, identification information, and the like, but various other information, such as remaining battery power information, can be used as the additional information.

[0182] In the above embodiment, the driving power source of the position indicator is a battery, but a capacitor for storing a power supply voltage may be provided in the position indicator and used as the driving power source. In this case, the configuration for storing the power supply voltage in the capacitor may be a charging circuit configuration that receives electric power energy from the outside by electromagnetic induction or electric field coupling and charges the capacitor, or a charging terminal may be provided in the position indicator and a charging current may be supplied from a dedicated charging device through the charging terminal. Then, the electric power energy from the outside (electromagnetic energy or electric field energy) may be supplied to the position indicator from the position detection device or from a dedicated power supply device.

[0183] In the above-described embodiment, the position indicator has two transmitting units, that is, the central electrode and the wireless communication module, but may have three or more transmitting units.

[0184] In the description of the position indicator of the above embodiment, the position indicator is automatically set to a configuration type corresponding to the position detection system by bringing the position indicator close to a sensor unit of the position detection system, etc. However, the position indicator may be configured to communicate with an external device such as a personal computer that can communicate with the wireless communication module of the position indicator instead of the position detection system, and the configuration type may be selected in the external device such as a personal computer, so that the position indicator can be set to the selected desired configuration type.

[0185] Also, a configuration may be configured such that a switch for switching the configuration type is provided in the position indicator, and the position indicator can be set to the desired configuration type by switching the switch. That is, for example, in the example of Fig. 18, a push button switch 146 operable by the user is provided in the housing 103, and a push operation signal of the push button switch 146 is supplied to the signal transmission control circuit 141. In this case, the signal transmission control circuit 141 performs control so as to change the configuration type, for example, every time the push button switch 146 is pressed by the user. Note that a push button switch may be provided in the example of Fig. 1 as well. [Explanation of symbols]

[0186] 1, 1A to 1E, 100A to 100C...position indicator, 2, 2A to 2D, 200A to 200C...position detection system, 3...housing, 31...insulating portion, 32...conductive portion, 5...battery, 6...peripheral electrode, 6...central electrode, 8...shielding member, 9...pen pressure detection unit, 40...printed wiring board, 41...signal transmission control circuit, 42...wireless communication module, 43...side switch, 44...ID memory, 45, 46...oscillator, 48...power switch, 410...control portion, 411...pen type determination portion

Claims

1. A position indicator capable of communicating with a position detection system, A generating means for generating a position detection signal; a detection means for detecting a pressure applied to the tip of the position indicator; An operation unit configured to receive an operation from a user; a first communication unit that transmits the position detection signal; a second communication unit that transmits a signal to the position detection system and is different from the first communication unit; a control means for controlling the transmission of the position detection signal from the first communication unit and the transmission of information generated in response to the pressure and the user's operation of the operation unit from the second communication unit to the position detection system; having The control means controls the first communication unit or the second communication unit to enter a pause state in response to the first communication unit or the second communication unit being unable to receive a signal transmitted from the position detection system for a predetermined period of time. A position indicator characterized by:

2. A position indicator capable of communicating with a position detection system, A generating means for generating a position detection signal; a detection means for detecting a pressure applied to the tip of the position indicator; A first communication unit that transmits the position detection signal; a second communication unit that transmits a signal to the position detection system and is different from the first communication unit; a control means for controlling the transmission of the position detection signal from the first communication unit and the transmission of the pressure from the second communication unit to the position detection system; having The control means controls the first communication unit or the second communication unit to enter a pause state in response to the first communication unit or the second communication unit being unable to receive a signal transmitted from the position detection system for a predetermined period of time. A position indicator characterized by:

3. A position indicator capable of communicating with a position detection system, A generating means for generating a position detection signal; An operation unit configured to receive an operation from a user; A first communication unit that transmits the position detection signal; a second communication unit that transmits a signal to the position detection system and is different from the first communication unit; a control means for controlling the transmission of the position detection signal from the first communication unit and the transmission of information generated in response to the user's operation of the operation unit to the position detection system from the second communication unit; having The control means controls the first communication unit or the second communication unit to enter a pause state in response to the first communication unit or the second communication unit being unable to receive a signal transmitted from the position detection system for a predetermined period of time. A position indicator characterized by:

4. The position indicator further includes a central electrode provided in an axial direction of a housing of the position indicator, The control means controls the transmission of the position detection signal via the central electrode and the transmission of the pressure.

3. The position indicator according to claim 1 or 2.

5. Further comprising a storage means for storing identification information of the position indicator, The control means controls the second communication unit to transmit the identification information to the position detection system.

4. The position indicator according to claim 1, wherein the position indicator is a position indicator having a first surface and a second surface.

6. The position indicator further includes a central electrode provided so as to protrude in an axial direction of a housing of the position indicator, The detection means detects the pressure applied to the central electrode.

3. The position indicator according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The first communication unit is configured to receive a signal based on a spreading code transmitted via a sensor unit of the position detection system.

4. The position indicator according to claim 1, wherein the position indicator is a position indicator having a first surface and a second surface.

8. The first communication unit is configured to transmit the position detection signal through electrostatic coupling with a sensor unit of the position detection system.

4. The position indicator according to claim 1, wherein the position indicator is a position indicator having a first surface and a second surface.

9. The first communication unit is configured to transmit the position detection signal through electromagnetic coupling with a sensor unit of the position detection system.

4. The position indicator according to claim 1, wherein the position indicator is a position indicator having a first surface and a second surface.

10. The second communication unit constitutes a wireless communication means.

4. The position indicator according to claim 1, wherein the position indicator is a position indicator having a first surface and a second surface.

11. The wireless communication means is a wireless communication means conforming to the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard.

11. The position indicator according to claim 10.

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