Position detection method, position detector and integrated circuit

Abstract

Improve the accuracy of coordinate derivation. A position detection method in a position detector 1 including a first sensor coil group consisting of a plurality of conductors having a plurality of electrodes arranged in parallel in a first direction, and a second sensor coil group consisting of a plurality of conductors having a plurality of electrodes arranged in parallel in a second direction intersecting the first direction, the method including a first step in which the position detector generates an alternating magnetic field from the first sensor coil group, a second step in which the position detector 1 acquires a level of a pen signal, which is a response alternating magnetic field from the pen stored by the alternating magnetic field, using at least the second sensor coil group, and a third step in which the position detector derives information regarding the position of the pen using a two-dimensional distribution of the level of the pen signal at each intersection between the plurality of electrodes of the first sensor coil group and the plurality of electrodes of the second sensor coil group.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a position detection method, a position detector, and an integrated circuit. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, electromagnetic induction type position input devices have been used as input devices for tablet PCs (personal computers) and the like. This position input device is composed of a pen-shaped position indicator (pen-type position indicator) and a position detection device having an input surface on which pointing operations and input of characters, figures, etc. are performed using this pen-type position indicator.

[0003] The position indicator includes a resonant circuit consisting of a coil and a capacitor. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 34, in order to obtain the coordinate of the position indicator in the X-axis direction within the active area AA, the position detection device an X sensor coil group including X sensor coils X0, . . . , X4 arranged in the X direction; A switch connected to the X sensor coil group; During the sending period, an alternating magnetic field (sending magnetic field, hereafter the same) is generated by passing a current through each of the X sensor coils arranged on the X axis. During the detection period following the sending period, an X-axis TX / RX circuit detects, by current or voltage, electromotive forces generated in each of the X sensor coils by a pen signal (alternating magnetic field generated by the circuit of the position indicator, the same applies below) that is continuously generated from the position indicator that stored energy in the resonant circuit during the sending period; The present invention is configured to include the following.

[0004] Similarly, to obtain the coordinate of the Y-axis direction of the position indicator, the position detection device A Y sensor coil group including Y sensor coils Y0, . . . , Y4 arranged in the Y direction; A switch connected to the Y sensor coil group; During the transmission period, a transmission magnetic field is generated by passing a current through each of the X sensor coils arranged on the Y axis. a Y-axis TX / RX circuit for detecting, in a detection period following the transmission period, an electromotive force generated in each of the Y sensor coils by a pen signal that is continuously generated from the position indicator that has stored energy in the resonant circuit during the transmission period, as a current or voltage; The present invention is configured to include the following.

[0005] The position detection device, for example, selects one sensor coil in a predetermined order from multiple sensor coils that make up the position detection sensor, sends a transmission signal from the selected sensor coil to a position indicator, and charges a capacitor in the position indicator. On the other hand, the position detection device receives the signal transmitted from the resonant circuit of the position indicator by connecting the sensor coil used for transmission to a receiving circuit. The position detection device detects the position of the position indicator on the position detection device by sequentially switching the sensor coils to transmit and receive such signals.

[0006] Describing in detail the position detection of the position indicator in the position detection device, first, (1) a global scan is performed in which all sensor coils are switched in sequence to detect where the position indicator is located on the indicated position detection sensor, and an approximate position on the position detection sensor is identified, and (2) a sector scan is performed in which only a predetermined number of sensor coils in the vicinity of the identified approximate position are selected in sequence to transmit and receive signals, thereby accurately identifying the position indicated by the position indicator (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0007] Here, Figure 3 4 In this example, the coordinate of the Y axis of the position indicator is the level value 34 obtained by the Y sensor coil Y0, the level value 35 obtained by the Y sensor coil Y1, as shown in RXdata (upper part) in the figure. value The coordinate in the Y direction is derived by an interpolation calculation or the like from the distribution of level values ​​in one axis direction, such as the level value 107 obtained by the Y sensor coil Y4, 118, . . .

[0008] Similarly, as shown by RXdata (lower row) in the figure, the X-axis coordinate of the position indicator is derived by interpolation or the like from the distribution of level values ​​in one axis direction, such as the level 25 obtained by X sensor coil X0, the level value 100 obtained by X1, ..., and the level value 99 obtained by X4.

[0009] In this way, in the position detection device of FIG. 30, in order to obtain the two-dimensional coordinates of the position indicator, the levels on each of the two axes are acquired separately, and the coordinates for each dimension on each of the X and Y axes are obtained using each distribution (RXdata), and these two are combined and output as two-dimensional coordinates after a certain amount of processing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-244806 A [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-295729 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] As described above, in conventional position detection devices, in order to detect the position of the position indicator, signals are sent and received independently to the sensor coils in the X-axis and Y-axis directions, so that one-dimensional information is obtained in each of the X-axis and Y-axis directions, and the coordinates and inclination of the position indicator are derived based on this information.

[0012] However, while conventional position detection devices can derive the coordinates of a position indicator with a small amount of information, there was a problem in that the accuracy of deriving the coordinates deteriorated when the position indicator was tilted diagonally because the information in the diagonal direction was dispersed in the X-axis and Y-axis directions.

[0013] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a position detection method, a position detector, and an integrated circuit that improve the accuracy of deriving coordinates. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] Form 1: One or more embodiments of the present invention are a position detection method in a position detector including a first sensor coil group consisting of a plurality of conductors having a plurality of electrodes arranged in parallel in a first direction, and a second sensor coil group consisting of a plurality of conductors having a plurality of electrodes arranged in parallel in a second direction intersecting the first direction, the method including a first step in which the position detector generates an alternating magnetic field from the first sensor coil group, a second step in which the position detector uses at least the second sensor coil group to acquire a level of a pen signal, which is a response alternating magnetic field from a pen stored by the alternating magnetic field, and a two-dimensional distribution of the level of the pen signal at each intersection of the plurality of electrodes of the first sensor coil group and the plurality of electrodes of the second sensor coil group. a third step of acquiring a first reference position, the first reference position being a position corresponding to a first peak in the two-dimensional distribution and being a position indicated by the tip of the pen; a fifth step of acquiring a second reference position, the second reference position being a position corresponding to a second peak in the two-dimensional distribution that is different from the first peak and has the same sign as the sign of the first peak; and a sixth step of deriving a tilt direction of the pen, which is an angle on the sensor plane of a projection of the pen relative to a sensor plane, based on a direction of the second reference position relative to the first reference position. The present invention proposes a position detection method including the steps of: Effect of the Invention

[0020] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to improve the accuracy of deriving coordinates. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a coordinate deriving operation of the position detector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 2A] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the pen signal level when the position indicator has a tilt angle of 90 degrees and an angle of 0 degrees with respect to the normal to the sensor plane in the region where the TX sensor coil and the RX sensor coil cross in the position detector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a graph showing the pen signal level values ​​of FIG. 2A summarized by a moving average. [Figure 2C]FIG. 3C is a 3D view of the pen signal level data shown in FIG. 2B in the position detector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3A] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the pen signal level when the position indicator has a tilt angle of 30 degrees with respect to the normal to the sensor plane and an angle of 90 degrees with respect to the sensor plane in the region where the TX sensor coil and the RX sensor coil cross in the position detector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is a graph showing the pen signal level values ​​of FIG. 3A summarized by a moving average. [Figure 3C] FIG. 4 is a 3D view of the pen signal level data shown in FIG. 3B in the position detector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4A] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the pen signal level when the position indicator has a tilt angle of 30 degrees with respect to the normal to the sensor plane and an angle of 0 degrees with respect to the sensor plane in the region where the TX sensor coil and the RX sensor coil cross in the position detector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a graph showing the pen signal level values ​​of FIG. 4A summarized by a moving average. [Figure 4C] FIG. 4C is a 3D view of the pen signal level data shown in FIG. 4B in the position detector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5A] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the pen signal level when the position indicator is at a tilt angle of 30 degrees with respect to the normal to the sensor plane and at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the sensor plane in the region where the TX sensor coil and the RX sensor coil cross in the position detector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is a graph showing the pen signal level values ​​of FIG. 5A summarized by a moving average. [Figure 5C] FIG. 5C is a 3D view of the pen signal level data shown in FIG. 5B in the position detector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6A]FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the pen signal level when the position indicator is at a tilt angle of 30 degrees with respect to the normal to the sensor plane and at an angle of -45 degrees with respect to the sensor plane in the region where the TX sensor coil and the RX sensor coil cross in the position detector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is a graph showing the pen signal level values ​​of FIG. 6A summarized by a moving average. [Figure 6C] FIG. 7 is a 3D view of the pen signal level data shown in FIG. 6B in the position detector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating a coordinate derivation process of the position detector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are conceptual diagrams showing a coordinate deriving operation in a position detector according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating a coordinate derivation process of the position detector according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of a TX circuit in a position detector according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a scan pattern in a TX circuit of a position detector according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating a coordinate derivation process of a position detector according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13A] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an ideal distribution of pen signal levels. [Figure 13B] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a distribution of pen signal levels acquired in a position detector according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of a TX circuit in a position detector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a scan pattern in a TX circuit of a position detector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating a coordinate derivation process of a position detector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17A] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an ideal distribution of pen signal levels. [Figure 17B] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a distribution of pen signal levels acquired in a position detector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of a TX circuit in a position detector according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a scan pattern in a TX circuit of a position detector according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating a coordinate derivation process of a position detector according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21A] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an ideal distribution of pen signal levels. [Figure 21B] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a distribution of pen signal levels acquired in a position detector according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22A] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a conventional stack configuration in which a position detector, a touch sensor for detecting a finger or the like using a capacitance (self-capacitance or mutual capacitance) method, and a display device are combined (or incorporated). [Figure 22B] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a stack configuration in which a position detector according to the first to fifth embodiments of the present invention, a touch sensor for detecting a finger or the like using a capacitance (self-capacitance or mutual capacitance) method, and a display device are combined (or incorporated). [Figure 22C] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a stack configuration in which a position detector according to the first to fifth embodiments of the present invention, a touch sensor for detecting a finger or the like using a capacitance (self-capacitance or mutual capacitance) method, and a display device are combined (or incorporated). [Figure 22D] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a stack configuration in which a position detector according to the first to fifth embodiments of the present invention, a touch sensor for detecting a finger or the like using a capacitance (self-capacitance or mutual capacitance) method, and a display device are combined (or incorporated). [Figure 22E]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a stack configuration in which a position detector according to the first to fifth embodiments of the present invention, a touch sensor for detecting a finger or the like using a capacitance (self-capacitance or mutual capacitance) method, and a display device are combined (or incorporated). [Figure 22F] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a stack configuration in which a position detector according to the first to fifth embodiments of the present invention, a touch sensor for detecting a finger or the like using a capacitance (self-capacitance or mutual capacitance) method, and a display device are combined (or incorporated). [Figure 23] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a TX sensor coil group in a position detector according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 24] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an RX sensor coil group in a position detector according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 25] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a position detector according to the first to fifth embodiments of the present invention, which includes an integrated sensor configured by integrating a TX sensor coil group and an RX sensor coil group into a touch sensor. FIG. [Figure 26] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a position detector according to the first to fifth embodiments of the present invention, which includes an integrated sensor configured by integrating a TX sensor coil group and an RX sensor coil group into a touch sensor. FIG. [Figure 27] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of a position detector according to the first to fifth embodiments of the present invention, which includes an integrated sensor configured by integrating a TX sensor coil and an RX sensor coil group into a touch sensor. [Figure 28] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a position detector according to the first to fifth embodiments of the present invention, which includes an integrated sensor configured by integrating a TX sensor coil group and an RX sensor coil group into a touch sensor. FIG. [Figure 29] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a position detector according to the first to fifth embodiments of the present invention, which includes an integrated sensor configured by integrating a TX sensor coil group and an RX sensor coil group into a touch sensor. FIG. [Diagram 30]13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating a coordinate derivation process of a position detector according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 31] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing finger coordinate derivation processing according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 32] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a timing chart of a pen or finger coordinate derivation process according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 33] 13A to 13C are diagrams showing differences in the form of the coil shapes constituting the second coil group according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention depending on the coordinate derivation processing mode. [Diagram 34] FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram showing a coordinate deriving operation of a position detector according to a conventional example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0023] <First embodiment> A position detector 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0024] <Configuration of position detector 1> As shown in FIG. 1, the position detector 1 is composed of a TX circuit 10, a switch 11, a TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100, an RX sensor coil group (second sensor coil group) 200, an RX circuit 20, and peripheral circuits such as an amplifier.

[0025] The TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100 is a plurality of conductors arranged in parallel in a first direction (X-axis direction) of the sensor, and the TX sensor coils that make up the TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100 are, for example, rectangular loop coils. Moreover, the TX sensor coils constituting the TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100 are arranged, for example, at equal intervals.

[0026] The RX sensor coil group (second sensor coil group) 200 is a plurality of conductors having a plurality of electrodes arranged in parallel in a second direction (Y-axis direction) intersecting the first direction (X-axis direction), and the RX sensor coils constituting the RX sensor coil group (second sensor coil group) 200 are, for example, rectangular loop coils. Moreover, the RX sensor coils constituting the RX sensor coil group (second sensor coil group) 200 are arranged, for example, at equal intervals.

[0027] The TX circuit 10 transmits a signal to the TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100 via a switch 11, and functions as an alternating magnetic field generating unit that causes the TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100 to generate an alternating magnetic field. That is, in the position detector 1 according to this embodiment, the TX sensor coils T0, T1, . . . , T4 are connected to the TX circuit 10 and used to generate an alternating magnetic field, but are not used to detect pen signals.

[0028] The RX circuit 20 functions as a pen signal level acquisition unit that receives a pen signal, which is a response alternating magnetic field from a position indicator stored by an alternating magnetic field, using multiple electrodes of the RX sensor coil group (second sensor coil group) 200, and acquires the level of the pen signal. That is, the RX sensor coils R0, R1, . . . , R4 are connected to the RX circuit 20 and used to detect the pen signal, but are not used to generate the transmitted magnetic field. In addition, the RX circuit 20 functions as an information derivation unit that derives information regarding the position of the position indicator using a two-dimensional distribution of the pen signal levels at each intersection between the multiple conductors of the TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100 and the multiple electrodes of the RX sensor coil group (second sensor coil group) 200. Here, information about the position of the pen (position indicator) includes either the inclination of the pen with respect to the normal to the sensor plane (the XY plane consisting of the X-axis and Y-axis) or the direction of the inclination of the pen with respect to the sensor plane.

[0029] The information derivation section of the RX circuit 20 derives either the inclination of the pen with respect to the normal to the sensor plane or the direction of the inclination of the pen with respect to the sensor plane based on the asymmetry of the two-dimensional distribution.

[0030] The information derivation unit of the RX circuit 20 acquires a first reference position, which is the position indicated by the tip of the pen, acquires a second reference position that is convex upward or convex downward, and derives the direction of inclination of the pen relative to the sensor plane based on the direction of the second reference position relative to the first reference position.

[0031] Moreover, the information derivation section of the RX circuit 20 derives the inclination of the pen with respect to the normal to the sensor plane based on the level intensity of the pen signal at the first reference position and the level intensity of the pen signal at the second reference position.

[0032] Here, Figures 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, and 6A are map data that quantifies the levels of the pen signal at positions on the sensor plane where the RX sensor coils R0, R1, ..., R15 and the TX sensor coils T0, T1, ..., T15 intersect, Figures 2B, 3B, 4B, 5B, and 6B are data summarizing the data of Figures 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, and 6A using moving averages, and Figures 2C, 3C, 4C, 5C, and 6C are graphs that represent 3D versions of Figures 2B, 3B, 4B, 5B, and 6B.

[0033] 2A to 2C show the level change when the inclination of the pen with respect to the normal to the sensor plane (tilt angle) is 90 degrees and the inclination direction of the pen with respect to the sensor plane (angle angle) is 0 degrees. In the following drawings, MATX and MARX are sensor coils corresponding to TX and RX in FIG. 2A, respectively. In FIG. 2A, a peak value is shown at (TX6, RX7), and in FIG. 2B, a peak value is shown at (MATX6, MARX7), and similar changes in the level of the pen signal are seen in a concentric pattern. FIG. 2C also shows a similar state. From FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, (TX6, RX7) or (MATX6, MARX7) is a first reference position which is the indicated position of the pen tip. In this case, the method of deriving the inclination of the pen relative to the normal to the sensor plane (tilt angle) and the inclination direction of the pen relative to the sensor plane (angle) is the same as in the conventional example, so details are omitted.

[0034] 3A to 3C show the level change when the inclination of the pen with respect to the normal to the sensor plane (tilt angle) is 30 degrees and the inclination direction of the pen with respect to the sensor plane (angle angle) is 90 degrees. In FIG. 3A, a peak value is shown at (TX6, RX7), and in FIG. 3B, a peak value is shown at (MATX6, MARX7), and from this point onwards the change in the level of the pen signal becomes more pronounced in the upward direction, and FIG. 3C also shows a similar state. From FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, (TX6, RX7) or (MATX6, MARX7) is a first reference position which is the indicated position of the pen tip. In this case, the method of deriving the inclination of the pen relative to the normal to the sensor plane (tilt angle) and the inclination direction of the pen relative to the sensor plane (angle) is the same as in the conventional example, so details are omitted.

[0035] 4A to 4C show the level change when the inclination of the pen with respect to the normal to the sensor plane (tilt angle) is 30 degrees and the inclination direction of the pen with respect to the sensor plane (angle) is 0 degrees. In FIG. 4A, a peak value is shown at (TX6, RX7), and in FIG. 4B, a peak value is shown at (MATX6, MARX7), and from this point onwards the change in the level of the pen signal becomes more pronounced in the direction to the right; FIG. 4C also shows a similar state. From FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, (TX6, RX7) or (MATX6, MARX7) is a first reference position which is the indicated position of the pen tip. In this case, the inclination of the pen with respect to the normal to the sensor plane (tilt angle) and the inclination direction of the pen with respect to the sensor plane (angle) are derived as follows: The following is described in paragraphs 0008 and 0009 of Patent Document 2: As this is similar to the conventional example, details are omitted.

[0036] 5A to 5C show the level change when the inclination of the pen with respect to the normal to the sensor plane (tilt angle) is 30 degrees and the inclination direction of the pen with respect to the sensor plane (angle angle) is 45 degrees. In Fig. 5B, (MATX6, MARX 6 ), which is the first reference position, that is, the position indicated by the tip of the pen. In addition, in FIG. 5B, a second peak value is shown at (MATX9, MARX9), and this point becomes the second reference position. Then, the information derivation unit of the RX circuit 20 acquires a first reference position, which is the position indicated by the tip of the pen, acquires a second reference position that is convex upward or convex downward, and derives the direction of inclination of the pen relative to the sensor plane based on the direction of the second reference position relative to the first reference position.

[0037] 6A to 6C show the level change when the inclination of the pen with respect to the normal to the sensor plane (tilt angle) is 30 degrees and the inclination direction of the pen with respect to the sensor plane (angle angle) is -45 degrees. In FIG. 6B, a peak value is shown at (MATX6, MARX7), and this point is the first reference position which is the position indicated by the pen tip. Moreover, in FIG. 6B, a second peak value is shown at (MATX9, MARX4), and this point becomes the second reference position. Then, the information derivation unit of the RX circuit 20 acquires a first reference position, which is the position indicated by the tip of the pen, acquires a second reference position that is convex upward or convex downward, and derives the direction of inclination of the pen relative to the sensor plane based on the direction of the second reference position relative to the first reference position.

[0038] <Processing of position detector 1> The processing of the position detector 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0039] The position detector 1 selects one TX sensor coil from the TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100 that generates an emission magnetic field by switching using the switch 11, and drives the selected TX sensor coil by the TX circuit 10 to emit an emission magnetic field (step S110). FIG. 1A shows a state in which the TX sensor coil T1 is selected.

[0040] The position detector 1 acquires the level of the pen signal at the location of all RX sensor coils after a certain emission period, ie a period during which a certain energy would be accumulated if the pen was in the vicinity of the TX sensor coil. The position detector 1 detects the level values ​​(33, 105, 118, 121, 110 in the figure) of the pen signal in the area where the TX sensor coil T1 and the RX sensor coils R1, R2, . . . R4 cross (hereinafter, coil cross point area). The position detector 1 obtains two-dimensional heat map data RXdata by sequentially switching the selection of the TX sensor coils based on the signal level at each coil cross point (step S120).

[0041] After acquiring the two-dimensional heat map data RXdata, the position detector 1 executes a coordinate processing process to obtain the pen coordinates, the pen inclination (angle from the normal to the sensor surface) or the pen orientation (tilt angle) based on the two-dimensional heat map data RXdata (step S130).

[0042] <Actions and Effects> As described above, in the position detector 1 of this embodiment, the position detector 1 executes a first step of generating an alternating magnetic field from a plurality of conductors arranged in parallel in a first direction of the sensor, a second step of acquiring the level of a pen signal, which is a response alternating magnetic field from the pen stored by the alternating magnetic field, using a plurality of electrodes arranged in parallel in at least a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a third step of deriving information regarding the position of the pen using a two-dimensional distribution of the level of the pen signal at each intersection between the plurality of conductors arranged in parallel in the first direction of the sensor and the plurality of electrodes arranged in parallel in the second direction intersecting the first direction. In other words, the position detector 1 of this embodiment uses multiple conductors (e.g., TX sensor coils T0, T1, ..., T4) arranged in a first direction of the sensor only to generate an alternating magnetic field, and uses multiple electrodes (e.g., RX sensor coils R0, R1, ..., R4) arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction only to detect the level of the pen signal, and derives information regarding the position of the pen using a two-dimensional distribution of the level of the pen signal at each intersection between the multiple conductors arranged in the first direction of the sensor and the multiple electrodes arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction. Therefore, by using the two-dimensional distribution of the pen signal levels, the accuracy of deriving the coordinates can be improved even when the position indicator is tilted in an oblique direction.

[0043] In the position detector 1 according to this embodiment, information about the position of the pen includes either the inclination of the pen with respect to the normal to the sensor plane or the direction of the inclination of the pen with respect to the sensor plane. In other words, the position detector 1 of this embodiment uses the two-dimensional distribution of the pen signal levels to accurately derive not only the coordinate information of the pen tip, but also the inclination of the pen with respect to the normal to the sensor plane or the direction of the inclination of the pen with respect to the sensor plane. Therefore, even if the position indicator is tilted in an oblique direction, the accuracy of deriving the coordinates can be improved.

[0044] The position detector 1 according to this embodiment detects either the inclination of the pen with respect to the normal to the sensor plane or the direction of the inclination of the pen with respect to the sensor plane based on the asymmetry of the two-dimensional distribution. The same method as the conventional example described in paragraphs 0008 and 0009 of Patent Document 2 Derive. In other words, the position detector 1 of this embodiment derives the inclination of the pen with respect to the normal to the sensor plane or the direction of the inclination of the pen with respect to the sensor plane based on the asymmetry of the two-dimensional distribution, so that not only the coordinate information of the pen tip, but also the inclination of the pen with respect to the normal to the sensor plane or the direction of the inclination of the pen with respect to the sensor plane can be accurately derived. Therefore, even if the position indicator is tilted in an oblique direction, the accuracy of deriving the coordinates can be improved.

[0045] The position detector 1 according to this embodiment acquires a first reference position which is a position indicated by the tip of a pen, and acquires a second reference position which is convex upward or convex downward. The position detector 1 then derives the direction of inclination of the pen with respect to the sensor plane based on the direction of the second reference position with respect to the first reference position. In other words, the position detector 1 of this embodiment acquires a first reference position, which is the indicated position of the pen tip, and a second reference position, which is convex upward or convex downward, and derives the direction of tilt of the pen relative to the sensor plane based on the direction of the second reference position relative to the first reference position, so that not only the coordinate information of the pen tip, but also the direction of tilt of the pen relative to the sensor plane can be derived with high accuracy. Therefore, even if the position indicator is tilted in an oblique direction, the accuracy of deriving the coordinates can be improved.

[0046] The position detector 1 according to this embodiment derives the inclination of the pen with respect to the normal to the sensor plane based on the level intensity of the pen signal at the first reference position and the level intensity of the pen signal at the second reference position. In other words, the position detector 1 of this embodiment derives the inclination of the pen with respect to the normal to the sensor plane based on the level intensity of the pen signal at the first reference position and the level intensity of the pen signal at the second reference position, so that not only the coordinate information of the pen tip but also the inclination of the pen with respect to the normal to the sensor plane can be derived with high accuracy. Therefore, even if the position indicator is tilted in an oblique direction, the accuracy of deriving the coordinates can be improved.

[0047] The position detector 1 of this embodiment generates a transmitting magnetic field, transmits the transmitting magnetic field to a plurality of conductors arranged in parallel in a first direction of the sensor selected by the switch 11, and after a certain transmission period, acquires the level of the pen signal at each intersection between the plurality of conductors arranged in parallel in the first direction of the sensor and all of the plurality of electrodes arranged in parallel in a second direction that intersects the first direction. Therefore, the circuit configuration of the position detector 1 can be simplified.

[0048] <Variation 1> In this embodiment, the RX circuit 20 of the position detector 1 uses multiple electrodes of the RX sensor coil group (second sensor coil group) 200 to receive a pen signal, which is a response alternating magnetic field from the position indicator stored by the alternating magnetic field, and acquires the level of the pen signal, but depending on the number of RX channels that the RX circuit 20 has, it may be possible to perform detection simultaneously using all of the RX sensor coils included in the RX sensor coil group (second sensor coil group) 200, or to detect a portion of multiple RX sensor coils simultaneously.

[0049] <Second embodiment> A position detector 1A according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0050] <Configuration of position detector 1A> Position detector 1 AAs shown in FIG. 8, the sensor circuit 10 is composed of a TX circuit 10, a switch 11, a switch 21, a TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100, an RX sensor coil group (second sensor coil group) 200, an RX circuit 20A, and peripheral circuits such as an amplifier. In addition, since the components having the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment have the same functions, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0051] The RX circuit 20A functions as a pen signal level acquisition unit that receives a signal from the RX sensor coil group (second sensor coil group) 200 via the switch 21 and acquires the level of the pen signal, which is a response alternating magnetic field from the position indicator stored by the alternating magnetic field. That is, the RX sensor coils R0, R1, . . . , R4 are connected to the RX circuit 20A and used to detect the pen signal, but are not used to generate the transmitted magnetic field. In addition, the RX circuit 20A functions as an information derivation unit that derives information regarding the position of the position indicator using a two-dimensional distribution of the pen signal levels at each intersection between the multiple conductors of the TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100 and the multiple electrodes of the RX sensor coil group (second sensor coil group) 200. Here, information about the position of the pen (position indicator) includes either the inclination of the pen with respect to the normal to the sensor plane (the XY plane consisting of the X-axis and Y-axis) or the direction of the inclination of the pen with respect to the sensor plane.

[0052] Based on the asymmetry of the two-dimensional distribution, the RX circuit 20A derives either the tilt of the pen with respect to the normal to the sensor plane or the direction of the tilt of the pen with respect to the sensor plane.

[0053] The RX circuit 20A acquires a first reference position, which is the position indicated by the tip of the pen, acquires a second reference position, which is convex upward or convex downward, and derives the direction of inclination of the pen relative to the sensor plane based on the direction of the second reference position relative to the first reference position.

[0054] Moreover, the RX circuit 20A derives the inclination of the pen with respect to the normal to the sensor plane based on the level intensity of the pen signal at the first reference position and the level intensity of the pen signal at the second reference position.

[0055] <Processing of position detector 1A> The processing of the position detector 1A according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0056] The position detector 1A selects one TX sensor coil from the TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100 that generates an emission magnetic field by switching using the switch 11, and drives the selected TX sensor coil by the TX circuit 10 to emit an emission magnetic field (step S110). FIG. 8 shows a state in which the TX sensor coil T1 is selected.

[0057] After a certain transmission period, i.e., after a period during which a certain amount of energy would be accumulated if a pen were in the vicinity of the TX sensor coil, the position detector 1A controls the switch 21 to select the RX sensor coil that detects the pen signal, and obtains the level of the pen signal at the position of the selected RX sensor coil. FIG. 8 shows a state in which the RX sensor coil R2 is selected. The position detector 1A detects the level value (118 in the figure) of the pen signal in a region where the TX sensor coil T1 and the RX sensor coils R1, R2, . . . R4 cross (hereinafter, coil cross point region). The position detector 1A obtains two-dimensional heat map data RXdata by fixing the signal level at each coil cross point in sequence the TX sensor coil and switching the selection of the RX sensor coil (step S210).

[0058] After acquiring the two-dimensional heat map data RXdata, the position detector 1A executes a coordinate processing process to obtain the pen coordinates, the pen inclination (angle from the normal to the sensor surface) or the pen orientation (tilt angle) based on the two-dimensional heat map data RXdata (step S130).

[0059] <Function and Effect> As described above, in the position detector 1A according to the present embodiment, the same function and effect as those of the position detector 1 according to the first embodiment are exhibited.

[0060] <Third Embodiment> The position detector 1B according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13.

[0061] <Configuration of Position Detector 1B> The position detector 1B is composed of a TX circuit 10A, a switch 11, a TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100, an RX sensor coil group (second sensor coil group) 200, an RX circuit 20, and peripheral circuits such as an amplifier. That is, the function of the TX circuit is different from that of the position detector 1 shown in FIG. 1, as will be described below. Note that components having the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment and the second embodiment have the same functions, and thus detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0062] <Configuration of TX Circuit 10A> As shown in FIG. 10, the TX circuit 10A includes an alternating magnetic field generation unit 111, a global scan unit 112, a scan start position determination unit 113, and a scan pattern control unit 114.

[0063] The alternating magnetic field generation unit 111 transmits a TX signal to the TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100 via the switch 11, and generates an alternating magnetic field from the TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100. The alternating magnetic field generation unit 111 transmits a TX signal based on a control signal from the scan pattern control unit 114 described later. Specifically, the alternating magnetic field generating unit 111 generates an alternating magnetic field a predetermined number of times using, for example, a plurality of conductors (e.g., a TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100) arranged in parallel in a first direction of the sensor, while changing the position in the first direction (e.g., the arrangement direction of the TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100).

[0064] The global scan unit 112 detects where the position indicator is located among the TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100 by sequentially switching among all the TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100 to detect the position indicated by the position indicator. Specifically, the global scan unit 112 acquires the level of a pen signal, which is a response alternating magnetic field from a pen stored by an alternating magnetic field, for example, a predetermined number of times. The detection result by the global scan unit 112 is output to a scan start position determination unit 113, which will be described later.

[0065] Based on the detection result by the global scan unit 112, the scan start position determination unit 113 determines that the start position is one of the multiple conductors arranged in a first direction (e.g., the arrangement direction of the TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100) of the sensor in which the signal level from the pen was the largest. The scan start position information determined in scan start position determination section 113 is output to scan pattern control section 114, which will be described later.

[0066] The scan pattern control unit 114 determines a scan pattern based on the scan start position information, and controls the output timing of the TX signal in the alternating magnetic field generating unit 111 and the switching timing of the switch 11 based on the scan pattern. Specifically, the scan pattern control unit 114 sets the scan pattern so that the scan order is, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, the conductor adjacent to the conductor having the highest signal level from the pen after the conductor scanned first. In addition, the scan pattern control unit 114 sets the scan pattern, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, so that the scanning order is the conductor adjacent to the conductor having the highest signal level from the pen after the first scanned conductor, and the conductors are selected sequentially so as to cross the first scanned conductor.

[0067] <Processing of position detector 1B> The process of the position detector 1B according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0068] The alternating magnetic field generating unit 111 generates an alternating magnetic field a predetermined number of times using, for example, a plurality of conductors (for example, a TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100) arranged in parallel in a first direction of the sensor while changing the position in the first direction (for example, the arrangement direction of the TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100) (step S310).

[0069] The global scan unit 112 acquires the level of a pen signal, which is a response alternating magnetic field from the pen stored by the alternating magnetic field, for each of a predetermined number of times (step S320).

[0070] Based on the detection result by the global scan unit 112, the scan start position determination unit 113 determines that the start position is one of the multiple conductors arranged in the arrangement direction of the first direction (e.g., the TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group)) 100 of the sensor in which the signal level from the pen is the largest (step S330).

[0071] The scan pattern control unit 114 sets the scan pattern, for example, so that the scan order is the conductor adjacent to the conductor having the highest level of the signal from the pen after the conductor scanned first. In addition, the scan pattern control unit 114 sets the scan pattern, for example, so that the scan order is the conductor adjacent to the conductor having the highest signal level from the pen after the first scanned conductor, and the conductors are selected sequentially so as to cross the first scanned conductor (step S340).

[0072] <Actions and Effects> As described above, the position detector 1B of this embodiment uses a plurality of conductors (e.g., a TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100) arranged in parallel in a first direction of the sensor to generate an alternating magnetic field a predetermined number of times while changing the position in the first direction, acquires the level of the pen signal, which is a response alternating magnetic field from the pen stored by the alternating magnetic field, for each of the predetermined number of times, and determines the scanning order for the next predetermined number of times so that the starting position is one of the plurality of conductors arranged in parallel in the first direction of the sensor which had the largest level of the signal from the pen. In other words, the position detector 1B performs a global scan using the global scanning unit 112, and determines the order of the next predetermined number of scans so that the starting position is one of the multiple conductors arranged in parallel in the first direction of the sensor that had the largest signal level from the pen. This is based on the knowledge that when obtaining position information of a pen or the like that moves quickly, if it takes a long time to drive the sensor, blurring of the obtained data occurs. Specifically, it is known that when writing or drawing with a pen at high speed, the coordinate precision deteriorates and the drawn lines become wavy. On the other hand, the important information in coordinate calculation is the data with the greatest signal strength directly under the pen, and the more distant the data is from that point, the less relevant it is to coordinate calculation. Therefore, by determining the order of the next specified number of scans so that the starting position is one of the multiple conductors arranged in parallel in the first direction of the sensor in which the signal level from the pen was the largest, the accuracy of coordinate derivation can be improved even when writing or drawing with the pen is performed at high speed and the pen is tilted diagonally. FIG. 13A is a diagram showing an ideal distribution of pen signal levels, and FIG. 13B is a diagram showing the distribution of pen signal levels acquired by position detector 1B according to this embodiment. As can be seen from these figures, the distribution of pen signal levels acquired by the position detector 1B according to this embodiment shows results that compare favorably with the ideal distribution of pen signal levels.

[0073] The position detector 1B according to this embodiment changes the scanning order to the conductor adjacent to the conductor having the highest level of the signal from the pen after the conductor scanned first. As described above, the important information in coordinate calculation is the data with the greatest signal strength directly under the pen, and the more distant the data is from that point, the less relevant it is to coordinate calculation. Therefore, by adopting a scan pattern that scans the conductors in order from closest to the pen, it is possible to reduce the fluctuation of data that is weighted in coordinate calculations and suppress deterioration of coordinate accuracy. FIG. 13A is a diagram showing an ideal distribution of pen signal levels, and FIG. 13B is a diagram showing the distribution of pen signal levels acquired by position detector 1B according to this embodiment. As can be seen from these figures, the distribution of pen signal levels acquired by the position detector 1B according to this embodiment shows results that compare favorably with the ideal distribution of pen signal levels.

[0074] The position detector 1B according to this embodiment sequentially selects the conductor adjacent to the conductor having the highest signal level from the pen after the previously scanned conductor, and so on, straddling the previously scanned conductor. As described above, the important information in coordinate calculation is the data with the greatest signal strength directly under the pen, and the more distant the data is from that point, the less relevant it is to coordinate calculation. Therefore, by changing the scanning order to the conductor adjacent to the conductor with the highest signal level from the pen after the first scanned conductor and sequentially selecting the conductor so as to cross the first scanned conductor, it is possible to reduce the fluctuation of weighted data in coordinate calculations and suppress deterioration of coordinate accuracy. FIG. 13A is a diagram showing an ideal distribution of pen signal levels, and FIG. 13B is a diagram showing the distribution of pen signal levels acquired by position detector 1B according to this embodiment. As can be seen from these figures, the distribution of pen signal levels acquired by the position detector 1B according to this embodiment shows results that compare favorably with the ideal distribution of pen signal levels.

[0075] <Modification Example 2> In the above-described third embodiment, the position detector 1B has been described by way of example. However, for example, it can also be applied to the conventional position detection device shown in FIG. 30.

[0076] <Fourth Embodiment> The position detector 1C according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 17.

[0077] <Configuration of Position Detector 1C> The position detector 1C is composed of a TX circuit 10B, a switch 11, a TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100, an RX sensor coil group (second sensor coil group) 200, an RX circuit 20, and peripheral circuits such as an amplifier. That is, the function of the TX circuit is different from that of the position detector 1B, as will be described below. Note that components denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first to third embodiments have the same functions, and thus detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0078] <Configuration of TX Circuit 10B> As shown in FIG. 14, the TX circuit 10B includes an alternating magnetic field generation unit 111, a global scan unit 112, a scan start position determination unit 113, and a scan pattern control unit 114A. Note that components denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the third embodiment have the same functions, and thus detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0079] The scan pattern control unit 114A determines a scan pattern based on the scan start position information, and controls the output timing of the TX signal in the alternating magnetic field generation unit 111 and the switching timing of the switch 11 based on the scan pattern. Specifically, for example, the scan pattern control unit 114A sets the scan pattern such that the scan order is the conductor adjacent to the conductor with the largest signal level from the pen next to the conductor scanned first. In addition, the scan pattern control unit 114A sets the scan pattern, for example, as shown in FIG. 15, so that the scanning order is the conductor adjacent to the conductor having the highest signal level from the pen after the first scanned conductor, and the conductors are selected sequentially so as to cross the first scanned conductor. In this embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 15, when the scanning area exceeds the arrangement area of ​​multiple conductors arranged in parallel in the first direction of the sensor, the scan pattern control unit 114A extends the scanning area (for example, y5, y6 in FIG. 15) to an area beyond the arrangement area.

[0080] <Processing of position detector 1C> The processing of the position detector 1C according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0081] The alternating magnetic field generating unit 111 generates an alternating magnetic field a predetermined number of times using, for example, a plurality of conductors (for example, a TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100) arranged in parallel in a first direction of the sensor while changing the position in the first direction (for example, the arrangement direction of the TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100) (step S310).

[0082] The global scan unit 112 acquires the level of a pen signal, which is a response alternating magnetic field from the pen stored by the alternating magnetic field, for each of a predetermined number of times (step S320).

[0083] Based on the detection result by the global scan unit 112, the scan start position determination unit 113 determines that the start position is one of the multiple conductors arranged in a first direction (e.g., the arrangement direction of the TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100) of the sensor in which the signal level from the pen was the largest (step S330).

[0084] Scan pattern control unit 114A sets the scan pattern, for example, so that the scan order is the conductor adjacent to the conductor having the highest level of the signal from the pen after the conductor scanned first. In addition, the scan pattern control unit 114A sets the scan pattern, for example, so that the scanning order is the conductor adjacent to the conductor with the highest signal level from the pen after the first scanned conductor, and the conductors are selected sequentially so as to cross the first scanned conductor. In addition, for example, when the area to be scanned exceeds the arrangement area of ​​the multiple conductors arranged in parallel in the first direction of the sensor, the scan pattern control unit 114A extends the area to be scanned to an area beyond the arrangement area and executes the scan (step S410).

[0085] <Actions and Effects> As described above, the position detector 1C of this embodiment extends the scanning area (e.g., y5, y6 in FIG. 15) beyond the arrangement area of ​​multiple conductors (e.g., TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100) arranged in parallel in the first direction of the sensor when the scanning area exceeds the arrangement area. In other words, the position detector 1C performs a global scan using the global scanning unit 112, and determines the order of the next predetermined number of scans so that the starting position is one of the multiple conductors arranged in parallel in the first direction of the sensor that had the largest signal level from the pen. This is based on the knowledge that when obtaining position information of a pen or the like that moves quickly, if it takes a long time to drive the sensor, blurring of the obtained data occurs. Specifically, it is known that when writing or drawing with a pen at high speed, the coordinate precision deteriorates and the drawn lines become wavy. On the other hand, the important information in coordinate calculation is the data with the greatest signal strength directly under the pen, and the more distant the data is from that point, the less relevant it is to coordinate calculation. Therefore, by determining the order of the next specified number of scans so that the starting position is one of the multiple conductors arranged in parallel in the first direction of the sensor in which the signal level from the pen was the largest, the accuracy of coordinate derivation can be improved even when writing or drawing with the pen is performed at high speed and the pen is tilted diagonally. On the other hand, when the area to be scanned exceeds the arrangement area of ​​multiple conductors (e.g., the TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100) arranged in parallel in the first direction of the sensor, the position detector 1C extends the area to be scanned (e.g., y5, y6 in FIG. 15) beyond the arrangement area and performs scanning. With the above scanning method, it is not possible to obtain data with low signal strength, but it is possible to capture data with high signal strength, thereby improving the accuracy of coordinate derivation compared to conventional methods, even when the pen is tilted at an angle. FIG. 17A is a diagram showing an ideal distribution of pen signal levels, and FIG. 17B is a diagram showing the distribution of pen signal levels acquired by a position detector 1C according to this embodiment. As can be seen from these figures, the distribution of pen signal levels acquired by the position detector 1C according to this embodiment shows results that are comparable to ideal distribution of pen signal levels for data with high signal strength.

[0086] <Modification 3> In the fourth embodiment, the position detector 1C is exemplified. 4 The present invention can also be applied to the conventional position detection device shown in FIG.

[0087] <Variation 4> In the above fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, when the scanning area exceeds the arrangement area of ​​multiple conductors arranged in parallel in the first direction of the sensor, the scanning area (for example, y5, y6 in FIG. 15) is extended to the area beyond the arrangement area. Specifically, for example, for y5 and y6 in FIG. 15, dummies may be prepared in advance, or y1 or y3 may be used, or the processing may be skipped. Substitution can potentially improve accuracy compared to skipping the process, and when only a small number of items exceed the placement area, skipping the process can increase processing speed while maintaining a certain degree of accuracy.

[0088] <Fifth Embodiment> The position detector 1D according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 to 21.

[0089] <Configuration of Position Detector 1D> The position detector 1D includes a TX circuit 10C, a switch 11, a TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100, an RX sensor coil group (second sensor coil group) 200, an RX circuit 20, and peripheral circuits such as an amplifier. That is, the function of the TX circuit is different from that of the position detector 1C, as will be described below. Note that components denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first to fourth embodiments have the same functions, and thus detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0090] <Configuration of TX Circuit 10C> As shown in FIG. 18, the TX circuit 10C includes an alternating magnetic field generation unit 111, a global scan unit 112, a scan start position determination unit 113, and a scan pattern control unit 114B. Note that components denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the third and fourth embodiments have the same functions, and thus detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0091] The scan pattern control unit 114B determines a scan pattern based on the scan start position information, and controls the output timing of the TX signal in the alternating magnetic field generation unit 111 and the switching timing of the switch 11 based on the scan pattern. Specifically, for example, the scan pattern control unit 114B sets the scan pattern such that the next conductor to be scanned is the conductor adjacent to the conductor with the largest signal level from the pen after the previously scanned conductor. Also, for example, as shown in FIG. 19, the scan pattern control unit 114B sets the scan pattern such that the next conductor to be scanned is the conductor adjacent to the conductor with the largest signal level from the pen after the previously scanned conductor, and sequentially selects conductors so as to straddle the previously scanned conductor. In this embodiment, when the scanning area exceeds the arrangement area of ​​multiple conductors arranged in parallel in the first direction of the sensor, for example as shown in FIG. 19, the scan pattern control unit 114B extends the scanning area beyond the arrangement area to the area opposite the end of the arrangement area.

[0092] <Processing of position detector 1D> The processing of the position detector 1D according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0093] The alternating magnetic field generating unit 111 generates an alternating magnetic field a predetermined number of times using, for example, a plurality of conductors (for example, a TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100) arranged in parallel in a first direction of the sensor while changing the position in the first direction (for example, the arrangement direction of the TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100) (step S310).

[0094] The global scan unit 112 acquires the level of a pen signal, which is a response alternating magnetic field from the pen stored by the alternating magnetic field, for each of a predetermined number of times (step S320).

[0095] Based on the detection result by the global scan unit 112, the scan start position determination unit 113 determines that the start position is one of the multiple conductors arranged in a first direction (e.g., the arrangement direction of the TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100) of the sensor in which the signal level from the pen was the largest (step S330).

[0096] Scan pattern control unit 114B sets the scan pattern, for example, so that the scan order is the conductor adjacent to the conductor having the highest level of the signal from the pen after the conductor scanned first. In addition, the scan pattern control unit 114B sets the scan pattern, for example, so that the scanning order is the conductor adjacent to the conductor having the highest signal level from the pen after the first scanned conductor, and the conductors are selected sequentially so as to cross the first scanned conductor. In addition, for example, when the area to be scanned exceeds the arrangement area of ​​the multiple conductors arranged in parallel in the first direction of the sensor, the scan pattern control unit 114B extends the area to be scanned that exceeds the arrangement area to the area opposite the end of the arrangement area, and executes the scan (step S510).

[0097] <Actions and Effects> As described above, when the scanning area of ​​the position detector 1D of this embodiment exceeds the arrangement area of ​​multiple conductors (e.g., the TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100) arranged in parallel in the first direction of the sensor, the scanning area of ​​the area exceeding the arrangement area is extended to the area opposite the end of the arrangement area. In other words, the position detector 1D performs a global scan using the global scanning unit 112, and determines the order of the next predetermined number of scans so that the starting position is one of the multiple conductors arranged in parallel in the first direction of the sensor that had the largest signal level from the pen. This is based on the knowledge that when obtaining position information of a pen or the like that moves quickly, if it takes a long time to drive the sensor, blurring of the obtained data occurs. Specifically, it is known that when writing or drawing with a pen at high speed, the coordinate precision deteriorates and the drawn lines become wavy. On the other hand, the important information in coordinate calculation is the data with the greatest signal strength directly under the pen, and the more distant the data is from that point, the less relevant it is to coordinate calculation. Therefore, by determining the order of the next specified number of scans so that the starting position is one of the multiple conductors arranged in parallel in the first direction of the sensor in which the signal level from the pen was the largest, the accuracy of coordinate derivation can be improved even when writing or drawing with the pen is performed at high speed and the pen is tilted diagonally. On the other hand, when the area to be scanned exceeds the arrangement area of ​​a plurality of conductors (e.g., the TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100) arranged in parallel in the first direction of the sensor, the position detector 1D extends the area to be scanned beyond the arrangement area to the area opposite the end of the arrangement area, and performs scanning. The above scanning method makes it possible to acquire data with low signal strength that could not be captured in the third embodiment. Here, data with low signal strength may affect the accuracy of tilt correction. However, in the position detector 1D of this embodiment, data with low signal strength that could not be captured in the third embodiment can be acquired, and therefore the accuracy of coordinate derivation can be improved even when the pen is tilted diagonally. FIG. 21A is a diagram showing an ideal distribution of pen signal levels, and FIG. 21B is a diagram showing the distribution of pen signal levels acquired by a position detector 1D according to this embodiment. As can be seen from these figures, the distribution of pen signal levels acquired by the position detector 1D according to this embodiment shows results that compare favorably with the ideal distribution of pen signal levels.

[0098] <Variation 5> In the above fifth embodiment, the position detector 1D has been described as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to, for example, a conventional position detection device shown in FIG.

[0099] Sixth embodiment A position detector 1E according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0100] <Stack configuration> 22A to 22F are diagrams showing examples of stack configurations in which a position detector 1E, a touch sensor for detecting a finger or the like using a capacitance (self-capacitance or mutual capacitance) method, and a display device are combined (or incorporated). In each figure, the upper side is the side closer to the pen and the lower side is the side farther from the pen. In either example shown, a sheet made of a material having a predetermined magnetic permeability may be provided below the bottom layer to increase the strength of the pen signal.

[0101] FIG. 22A is a diagram showing a conventional stack configuration. A display 300 (comprising a front panel layer 301 and a TFT back panel layer 302) is provided, and a TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100 and an RX sensor coil group (second sensor coil group) 200 are provided below the display 300 via an adhesive layer. A touch sensor is provided on the upper side of the display 300, and a cover glass (which may be a cover film, the same applies below) that comes into contact with the pen is provided on the upper side of the touch sensor.

[0102] FIG. 22B is a diagram showing another example of a stack configuration. The upper side of the display 300B has a layer in which a capacitive touch sensor and a TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100 and an RX sensor coil group (second sensor coil group) 200 are integrated, and a cover glass is provided on the upper side of the layer.

[0103] 22C and 22D relate to a configuration called an in-cell or on-cell in which a touch sensor function is integrated into a part of the display 300. FIG. FIG. 22C is based on a display configuration known as in-cell touch. The display 300C is configured by integrating a TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100 and an RX sensor coil group (second sensor coil group) 200 into a TFT backplane layer 302 that controls a front panel layer 301. A touch sensor is provided on the upper side of the display 300C, and a cover glass is provided on the upper side of the touch sensor.

[0104] FIG. 22D is based on a display configuration known as on-cell touch. The display 300D is provided with a front panel layer 301 and a TFT backplane layer 302 that controls the front panel layer. FIG. 22D shows a so-called on-cell touch panel configuration in which a capacitive touch sensor is provided in a layer above the front panel layer 301 and within the module of the display 300D, and a TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100 and an RX sensor coil group (second sensor coil group) 200 are integrated into the touch sensor.

[0105] FIGS. 22E and 22F are characterized in that the TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100 and the RX sensor coil group (second sensor coil group) 200 are provided in separate and spaced-apart layers. In FIG. 22E, the TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100 is provided and configured in the TFT backplane layer 302, and the RX sensor coil group (second sensor coil group) 200 is provided in a layer above the display front plane 301 where an on-cell touch sensor (capacitive sensor) is provided, and a cover glass is provided above it.

[0106] In FIG. 22F, the TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100 is not provided in the TFT backplane layer 302, but the TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100 is provided below the display 300F, and the RX sensor coil group (second sensor coil group) 200 is provided in a layer above the display front plane 301 where an on-cell touch sensor (capacitive sensor) is provided, and a cover glass is provided above it.

[0107] <Details of the TX Sensor Coil Group (First Sensor Coil Group) 100> FIG. 23 shows a configuration example of the TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100. The configuration of the TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100 in the same figure is effective particularly when the TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100 and the RX sensor coil group (second sensor coil group) 200 are provided in separate and spaced-apart layers and the TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100 is provided below the display as in FIG. 22F. The TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100 includes TX electrodes 120, ···, TX electrodes 135 that respectively constitute TX sensor coils T0, T1, ···, T15, and connection conductors 130 that connect the TX electrodes 120, ···, TX electrodes 135 to each other, and is configured in a comb shape (SAW shape). Here, the comb shape refers to the shape formed by the following first wiring and a plurality of second wirings. The first wiring is a wiring extending in the first direction, and the second wirings are a plurality of wirings extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and the plurality of second wirings are arranged side by side in the first direction at a predetermined interval. Furthermore, the first wiring and the plurality of second wirings are electrically connected. Here, for the sake of convenience, in the plurality of second wirings, if the side connected to the first wiring is defined as the terminal end and the other end is the open end, one ends of the plurality of second wirings are all connected to the first wiring and the other ends are open, and its shape is a comb shape. The open ends, which are the other ends of the plurality of second wirings, are connected to the integrated circuit and are used, for example, for supplying a drive signal or detecting a received signal. The position detector 1E controls the switches 11 (S0, ···, S15) to, for example, bundle the TX electrode 125 and the TX electrode 126 and connect them to the TX terminal of the TX circuit 10, while bundling the TX electrode 128 and the TX electrode 129 and connecting them to the TX_inv terminal of the TX circuit 10. The TX circuit 10 controls the TX terminal and the TX_inv terminal so that the amount of change in current is in antiphase with each other, thereby generating a stronger transmission magnetic field between the bundle of the TX electrode 125 and the TX electrode 126 and the bundle of the TX electrode 128 and the TX electrode 129 (near the TX electrode 127) compared to the case of not bundling and compared to the case where TX_inv is at a fixed potential.

[0108] <Details of the RX sensor coil group (second sensor coil group) 200> FIG. 24 is a configuration example of the RX sensor coil group (second sensor coil group) 200. The RX sensor coil group (second sensor coil group) 200 in the figure is a sensor for use above the display (closer to the pen), and includes RX sensor coils R0 to R8. (1) is substantially transparent within the active area AA; (2) Consists of only one side of the film; (3) Adjacent RX coil sensors do not overlap each other and have a gap between them; (4) One turn (not multiple turns) It is characterized by the fact that

[0109] The outermost RX sensor coil R0 is composed of an AA outer long side portion 201 which is an opaque metal conductor arranged outside the active area AA, an AA long side portion 202 which is a substantially transparent conductor (typically a mesh conductor) arranged inside the active area AA, and a connecting conductor 203 which is an opaque metal conductor arranged outside the active area AA. Similarly, the outermost RX sensor coil R8 is composed of an AA outer long side portion 282 which is an opaque metal conductor arranged outside the active area AA, an AA long side portion 281 which is a substantially transparent conductor (typically a mesh conductor) arranged inside the active area AA, and a connecting conductor 283 which is an opaque metal conductor arranged outside the active area AA.

[0110] The RX sensor coil R1 that is not located at the outermost position is composed of an AA long side portion 211 which is a substantially transparent conductor (typically a mesh conductor) arranged inside the active area AA, an AA long side portion 212, and a connecting conductor 203 which is an opaque metal conductor arranged outside the active area AA and connects them. Similarly, the RX sensor coils R2...R7 that are not the outermost are each composed of two AA long side portions (221, 222, etc.) which are substantially transparent conductors (typically mesh conductors) arranged inside the active area AA, and a connecting conductor (223, etc.) which connects them and is an opaque metal conductor arranged outside the active area AA. One end of each of the RX sensor coils in the RX sensor coil group (second sensor coil group) 200 is connected to the RX circuit 20 via a switch 21, and the other end of each of the RX sensor coils is connected to a reference potential such as GND. When a differential amplifier circuit is provided in the RX circuit 20, one end and the other end of each of the RX sensor coils in the RX sensor coil group (second sensor coil group) 200 may be connected to the differential amplifier circuit.

[0111] <Integrated sensor configuration> 25 to 29 are diagrams illustrating the configuration of a position detector 1E including an integrated sensor (Integrated / Universal Sensor Module) configured by integrating a TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100 and an RX sensor coil group (second sensor coil group) 200 into a touch sensor. This configuration is useful in the case of a stack configuration called on-cell touch, which is provided on the upper side (pen side) of a display 300D as shown in FIG. 22D.

[0112] FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of a mesh pattern of a mesh electrode layer provided on one surface of a transparent substrate. The mesh patterns forming the TX sensor coils T0, ..., T5 are each composed of an island portion 611, a peripheral portion 612 surrounding the island portion 611, and a mesh connection portion 613 connecting the peripheral portions 612 to each other in the direction in which the sending coil electrode T0 extends, in the mesh electrode layer. The mesh patterns that do not form the TX sensor coils T0, ..., T5 are insulated in the mesh electrode layer, and each is composed of an island portion 621 and a peripheral portion 622 surrounding the island portion 621, and are connected to each other by jumper wiring described later.

[0113] FIG. 26 shows the configuration of a jumper provided on the other surface of the transparent substrate. The jumper 701 is a wiring that constitutes the RX sensor coil ER1. A jumper 702 is a jumper wiring that connects the coils of the RX sensor coil group (second sensor coil group) to each other. The jumper 703 is a jumper for configuring a touch electrode TR4 for performing touch detection by electrostatic capacitance (mutual capacitance method).

[0114] FIG. 27 is a diagram of an integrated sensor showing the mesh electrode layer of FIG. 25 superimposed with the jumper wiring of FIG. The integrated sensor performs (1) pen detection using an electromagnetic induction method, and (2) finger detection, which detects a finger or the like using a capacitance (mutual capacitance) method. Regarding TX (drive), (1) the generation of a transmission magnetic field in pen detection using the electromagnetic induction method, and (2) the generation of a transmission electric field in finger detection that detects a finger or the like using the capacitance (mutual capacitance) method are performed by TX sensor coils T0, ..., T4 that are used in common to both methods. With regard to RX (detection), (1) RX sensor coils ER0...ER5 constituting an RX sensor coil group (second sensor coil group) 200 are provided for detecting pen signals, and (2) as RX electrodes in the mutual capacitance method, touch detection electrodes TR0...TR4 for electrostatic touch are provided separately in parallel with the RX sensor coil group (second sensor coil group).

[0115] <Operation when detecting a pen using electromagnetic induction method> FIG. 28 is a diagram showing the operation of the position detector 1E in a mode in which pen detection is performed by electromagnetic induction. First, during the transmission period, the TX circuit 10 located on the left side of the figure: One end of a sensor coil (T1 in the figure) selected by the switch 11 from the TX sensor coils T0, . . . , T4 of the TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100 is driven with a positive phase signal via the TX terminal, One end of a sensor coil (T3 in the figure) selected by a switch 11 is driven via a TX_inv terminal with a reverse phase signal that generates a current change in reverse phase to the current change of the positive phase signal, At the same time, the TX circuit 10 located on the right side of the figure The sensor coil (T in the figure) selected by switch 11 via the TX_inv terminal 1 the other end of the positive-phase signal is driven by a negative-phase signal which produces a current change in a phase opposite to that of the positive-phase signal; A sensor coil (T in the figure) selected by the switch 11 from the TX sensor coils T0, . . . , T4 of the TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100 is connected via the TX terminal. 3 ) is driven with a positive phase signal. This makes it possible to form the aforementioned strong emitted magnetic field in the vicinity of the pen position (in the vicinity of T2 in the drawing).

[0116] In the detection period following the transmission period, the RX circuit 20 connects the RX sensor coil ER2 and the RX sensor coil ER3, which logically form one loop coil, to both ends of the differential amplifier circuit via the switch 21, and detects the signal level of the pen signal passing through this loop coil. Thereafter, the two-dimensional heat map data (RXdata) described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 8 is acquired, and the pen coordinates, area, tilt direction, etc. are derived based on this two-dimensional heat map data.

[0117] <Operation when detecting capacitance (finger touch) using the capacitance (mutual capacitance) detection method> FIG. 29 is a diagram showing the operation of the position detector 1E when detecting electrostatic capacitance (finger touch) by the electrostatic capacitance (mutual capacitance) detection method. During the capacitance detection operation, the TX sensor coil electrodes T0, . . . , T4 constituting the TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100 are used, as in the case of the electromagnetic induction type detection. The TX circuit 10 on the left side of the figure drives one end of the TX sensor coil electrode T1 selected by the switch 11 with a positive-phase touch signal, and the TX circuit 10 on the right side of the figure drives the other end of the selected TX sensor coil electrode T1 with a positive-phase touch signal by the switch 11. This makes it possible to supply a desired potential (TX signal) to the TX sensor coil electrode T1. The RX circuit 20 detects a change in mutual capacitance from a reference value at a cross point (the intersection point of T1 and TR2) in the selected RX touch electrode TR2. The RX circuit 20 acquires the change in capacitance for each cross point as two-dimensional heat map data, and derives the position of the finger touch by performing calculations such as center of gravity calculations that are used in capacitance detection.

[0118] Thus, according to the position detector 1E using the integrated sensor of Figures 25 to 29, by using a group of mesh sensor patterns provided on one metal mesh layer and jumper wiring connecting them, it is possible to realize (1) generation of a magnetic field to be transmitted to the pen using an electromagnetic induction method and detection of a pen signal, and (2) detection of a finger touch (change in capacitance) using a capacitance (mutual capacitance) method.

[0119] Seventh embodiment A position detector 1F according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The configuration of the position detector 1F is similar to that of the position detector 1B according to the third embodiment, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0120] The position detector 1F of this embodiment has the same hardware configuration, but acquires the level of the pen signal, which is a response alternating magnetic field from the pen, or the signal level corresponding to the capacitive coupling with the finger, and acquires information regarding the position of the pen and information regarding the position of the finger.

[0121] The position detector 1F according to this embodiment includes a first sensor coil group 100 consisting of a plurality of conductors having a plurality of electrodes arranged in parallel in a first direction, a second sensor coil group 200 consisting of a plurality of conductors having a plurality of electrodes arranged in parallel in a second direction intersecting the first direction, an alternating magnetic field generating unit 111 that generates an alternating magnetic field from the first sensor coil group 100, a signal level acquiring unit (RX circuit 20) that acquires the level of a pen signal, which is a response alternating magnetic field from a position indicator stored by the alternating magnetic field, or a signal level corresponding to capacitive coupling with a finger, using the second sensor coil group 200, and a level of the pen signal at each intersection between the plurality of electrodes of the first sensor coil group 100 and the plurality of electrodes of the second sensor coil group 200, or a signal level corresponding to capacitive coupling with a finger. The control unit includes an information derivation unit (RX circuit 20) that derives information regarding the position of the pen or finger using the two-dimensional distribution of the alternating magnetic field and a control unit that controls the operation. The control unit causes the alternating magnetic field generating unit 111 to generate an alternating magnetic field a predetermined number of times while changing the position in a first direction using the first sensor coil group 100, causes the signal level acquiring unit (RX circuit 20) to acquire a pen signal level, which is a response alternating magnetic field from the pen stored by the alternating magnetic field, or a signal level corresponding to capacitive coupling with the finger, for each of the predetermined number of times, and determines the scanning order for the next predetermined number of times so that one of the multiple conductors arranged side by side in the first direction of the first sensor coil group 100 that had the largest signal level from the pen or the largest signal level corresponding to capacitive coupling with the finger becomes the starting position. Furthermore, in the position detector 1F of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 32, the process of deriving position information of the pen or finger is executed alternately, and in the process of deriving position information of the pen, the alternating magnetic field generation process of the alternating magnetic field generation unit 111 is executed until a period during which a predetermined energy is accumulated in the pen, and then stopped, and after the stoppage, the signal level acquisition process of the signal level acquisition unit (RX circuit 20) is executed to acquire the alternating magnetic field generated by the energy accumulated in the pen, and in the process of deriving position information of the finger, the alternating magnetic field generation process of the alternating magnetic field generation unit 111 and the signal level acquisition process of the signal level acquisition unit (RX circuit 20) are executed continuously within the same period. In addition, in the position detector 1F of this embodiment, in the process of deriving finger position information, the first sensor coil group 100 becomes a driving coil that generates an alternating magnetic field by the alternating magnetic field generating unit 111, and the second sensor coil group 200 becomes a receiving coil that receives a signal corresponding to capacitive coupling with the finger. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 33(A) and (B), the second sensor coil group 200 is formed in a U-shape, and in the process of deriving pen position information, each acts as a coil (Figure 33(A)), and in the process of deriving finger position information, the open part of the U-shape is short-circuited and functions as a single receiving electrode (Figure 33(B)). <Processing of position detector 1F> The processing of the position detector 1F according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0122] <Processing when acquiring pen position information> The process of acquiring pen position information in the position detector 1F according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0123] During the processing period for deriving pen position information, the alternating magnetic field generating unit 111 generates an alternating magnetic field a predetermined number of times while changing the position in a first direction (e.g., the arrangement direction of the TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100) using, for example, a plurality of conductors arranged in parallel in a first direction of the sensor (e.g., a TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100) (step S310).

[0124] The global scan unit 112 acquires the level of a pen signal, which is a response alternating magnetic field from the pen stored by the alternating magnetic field, for each of a predetermined number of times (step S320).

[0125] Based on the detection result by the global scan unit 112, the scan start position determination unit 113 determines the start position to be one of the multiple conductors arranged in parallel in the first direction of the sensor (e.g., the TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group)) 100 where the signal level from the pen was the largest, i.e., where it is estimated that the pen is present (step S330).

[0126] The scan pattern control unit 114 sets the scan pattern, for example, so that the scan order is the conductor adjacent to the conductor having the highest level of the signal from the pen after the conductor scanned first. In addition, the scan pattern control unit 114 sets the scan pattern, for example, so that the scan order is the conductor adjacent to the conductor having the highest signal level from the pen after the first scanned conductor, and the conductors are selected sequentially so as to cross the first scanned conductor (step S340).

[0127] Depending on the processing result of step S340, the position detector 1F selects one TX sensor coil from the TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100 that generates the transmission magnetic field by switching using the switch 11, and drives the selected TX sensor coil by the TX circuit 10 to emit the transmission magnetic field (step S110).

[0128] The position detector 1F acquires the level of the pen signal at the position of all the RX sensor coils after a certain emission period, ie after a period during which a certain energy would be accumulated if the pen was in the vicinity of the TX sensor coil. The position detector 1F detects the level values ​​(33, 105, 118, 121, 110 in the figures) of the pen signal in the area where the TX sensor coil T1 and the RX sensor coils R1, R2, . . . R4 cross (hereinafter, coil cross point area). The position detector 1F obtains two-dimensional heat map data RXdata by sequentially switching the selection of the TX sensor coils based on the signal level at each coil cross point (step S120).

[0129] <Processing when acquiring finger position information> The process of acquiring finger position information in the position detector 1F according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0130] During the processing period for deriving finger position information, the alternating magnetic field generating unit 111 generates an alternating magnetic field a predetermined number of times while changing the position in a first direction (e.g., the arrangement direction of the TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100) using, for example, a plurality of conductors arranged in parallel in a first direction of the sensor (e.g., the TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100) (step S311).

[0131] The global scan unit 112 acquires, for example, a signal level corresponding to the capacitive coupling with the finger a predetermined number of times (step S321).

[0132] Based on the detection result by the global scan unit 112, the scan start position determination unit 113 determines the start position to be one of the multiple conductors arranged in the arrangement direction of the first direction of the sensor (e.g., the TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group)) 100 where the signal level corresponding to the capacitive coupling with the finger was the largest, i.e., where it is estimated that a finger is present (step S331).

[0133] The scan pattern control unit 114 sets the scan pattern, for example, so that the scan order is the conductor adjacent to the conductor having the largest signal level corresponding to the capacitive coupling with the finger after the conductor scanned first. In addition, the scan pattern control unit 114 sets the scan pattern, for example, so that the scan order is the conductor adjacent to the conductor having the largest signal level corresponding to the capacitive coupling with the finger after the first scanned conductor, and sequentially selects the conductor across the first scanned conductor (step S341).

[0134] Depending on the processing result of step S340, the position detector 1F selects one TX sensor coil from the TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 100 that generates the transmission magnetic field by switching using the switch 11, and drives the selected TX sensor coil by the TX circuit 10 to emit the transmission magnetic field (step S351).

[0135] The position detector 1F obtains signal levels according to the capacitive coupling with the finger at the positions of all of the RX sensor coils during the period in which the position information of the finger is acquired. The position detector 1F detects signal level values ​​(33, 105, 118, 121, 110 in the figure) according to capacitive coupling with a finger in a region where the TX sensor coil T1 and the RX sensor coils R1, R2, . . . R4 cross (hereinafter, coil cross point region). The position detector 1F obtains two-dimensional heat map data RXdata by sequentially switching the selection of the TX sensor coils based on the signal level at each coil cross point (step S120).

[0136] <Actions and Effects> As described above, the position detector 1F according to this embodiment includes the first sensor coil group 100 consisting of a plurality of conductors having a plurality of electrodes arranged in parallel in a first direction, the second sensor coil group 200 consisting of a plurality of conductors having a plurality of electrodes arranged in parallel in a second direction intersecting the first direction, an alternating magnetic field generation unit 111 that generates an alternating magnetic field from the first sensor coil group 100, a signal level acquisition unit (RX circuit 20) that acquires, using the second sensor coil group 200, the level of a pen signal which is a response alternating magnetic field from a position indicator stored by the alternating magnetic field or a signal level corresponding to capacitive coupling with a finger, and a signal level acquisition unit (RX circuit 20) that acquires the level of the pen signal at each intersection between the plurality of electrodes of the first sensor coil group 100 and the plurality of electrodes of the second sensor coil group 200 or a signal level corresponding to capacitive coupling with a finger. The control unit includes an information derivation unit (RX circuit 20) that derives information about the position of the pen or finger using the two-dimensional distribution of the signal level obtained by scanning the first sensor coil group 100, and a control unit that controls the operation. The control unit causes the alternating magnetic field generation unit 111 to generate an alternating magnetic field a predetermined number of times while changing the position in the first direction using the first sensor coil group 100, causes the signal level acquisition unit (RX circuit 20) to acquire a pen signal level, which is a response alternating magnetic field from the pen stored by the alternating magnetic field, or a signal level corresponding to capacitive coupling with the finger, for each of the predetermined number of times, and determines the scanning order for the next predetermined number of times so that one of the multiple conductors arranged side by side in the first direction of the first sensor coil group 100 that had the largest signal level from the pen or the largest signal level corresponding to capacitive coupling with the finger becomes the starting position. In other words, the position detector 1F of this embodiment performs a global scan and determines the order of the next specified number of scans so that the starting position is one of the multiple conductors arranged in parallel in the first direction of the sensor that has the largest signal level from the pen or the largest signal level corresponding to capacitive coupling with the finger. This is based on the knowledge that when obtaining position information of a fast-moving pen, finger, or the like, if it takes a long time to drive the sensor, blurring of the obtained data will occur. Specifically, it is known that when writing or drawing with a pen at high speed, the coordinate precision deteriorates and the drawn lines become wavy. On the other hand, the important information in coordinate calculation is the data with the greatest signal strength directly under the pen or finger, and the more distant the data is from that point, the less relevant it is to coordinate calculation. Therefore, the accuracy of deriving the coordinates can be improved by determining the order of the next specified number of scans so that the starting position is one of the multiple conductors arranged in parallel in the first direction of the sensor that has the largest signal level from the pen or the largest signal level corresponding to capacitive coupling with the finger. Furthermore, after the above processing, a plurality of conductors (e.g., TX sensor coils T0, T1, ..., T4) arranged in parallel in a first direction of the sensor are used only for generating an alternating magnetic field, and a plurality of electrodes (e.g., RX sensor coils R0, R1, ..., R4) arranged in parallel in a second direction intersecting the first direction are used to derive information regarding the position of the pen or finger using the level of the pen signal at each intersection between the plurality of conductors arranged in parallel in the first direction of the sensor and the plurality of electrodes arranged in parallel in the second direction intersecting the first direction, or a two-dimensional distribution of the signal level according to the capacitive coupling with the finger. Therefore, by using the level of the pen signal or the two-dimensional distribution of the signal level according to the capacitive coupling with the finger, the accuracy of deriving the coordinates can be improved. In addition, with the same hardware configuration, it is possible to execute control according to its characteristics, and since it is possible to obtain pen coordinate information and finger coordinate information, it is possible to detect highly accurate coordinate information while reducing costs.

[0137] In the position detector 1F of this embodiment, the process of deriving position information of the pen or finger is executed alternately, and in the process of deriving position information of the pen, the alternating magnetic field generation process of the alternating magnetic field generation unit 111 is executed until a period during which a predetermined energy is accumulated in the pen, and then stopped, and after the stoppage, the signal level acquisition process of the signal level acquisition unit (RX circuit 20) is executed to acquire the alternating magnetic field generated by the energy accumulated in the pen, and in the process of deriving position information of the finger, the alternating magnetic field generation process of the alternating magnetic field generation unit 111 and the signal level acquisition process of the signal level acquisition unit (RX circuit 20) are executed continuously within the same period. In other words, as shown in Figure 32, the process of deriving position information of the pen or finger is executed alternately, and in the process of deriving position information of the pen, the alternating magnetic field generation process of the alternating magnetic field generation unit 111 is executed until a period during which a predetermined energy is accumulated in the pen and then stopped, and after the stoppage, the signal level acquisition process of the signal level acquisition unit (RX circuit 20) is executed to acquire the alternating magnetic field generated by the energy accumulated in the pen, and in the process of deriving position information of the finger, the alternating magnetic field generation process of the alternating magnetic field generation unit 111 and the signal level acquisition process of the signal level acquisition unit (RX circuit 20) are executed continuously within the same period. Since it is possible to execute control according to the characteristics of the hardware using the same configuration, it is possible to detect highly accurate coordinate information while reducing costs.

[0138] In the position detector 1F of this embodiment, in the process of deriving finger position information, the first sensor coil group 100 serves as a driving coil that generates an alternating magnetic field by the alternating magnetic field generating unit 111, and the second sensor coil group 200 serves as a receiving coil that receives a signal corresponding to capacitive coupling with the finger. In other words, despite the same hardware configuration, it is possible to execute appropriate control depending on the detection target, thereby making it possible to detect highly accurate coordinate information while reducing costs.

[0139] In the position detector 1F of this embodiment, the second sensor coil group 200 is formed in a U-shape, and in the process of deriving position information of the pen, each acts as a coil (FIG. 33(A)), and in the process of deriving position information of the finger, the open part of the U-shape is short-circuited and functions as a single receiving electrode (FIG. 33(B)). That is, in detecting finger position information, if the coil has a U-shape, the length of the conductor wire forming the coil becomes long, and the resulting capacitance reduces the detection sensitivity. However, in the position detector 1F according to this embodiment, the open portion of the U-shape is short-circuited and functions as one receiving electrode, so that the detection sensitivity does not decrease. Therefore, it is possible to detect highly accurate coordinate information while reducing costs.

[0140] The processing of the TX circuits 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D can be recorded on a recording medium readable by a computer system, and the program recorded on this recording medium can be read into the TX circuits 10, 10A to 10E and executed to realize the position detectors 1, 1A to 1E of the present invention. The computer system here includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices.

[0141] Furthermore, "computer system" also includes the homepage providing environment (or display environment) if a WWW (World Wide Web) system is used. The above program may be transmitted from a computer system in which the program is stored in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium, or by transmission waves in the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" that transmits the program refers to a medium that has the function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line.

[0142] The program may be for implementing some of the functions described above, or may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can implement the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

[0143] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and designs that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention are also included.

[0144] <Additional note 1> a first sensor coil group consisting of a plurality of conductors having a plurality of electrodes arranged in a first direction; and a second sensor coil group consisting of a plurality of conductors having a plurality of electrodes arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction; The one or more processors: an alternating magnetic field generating unit that generates an alternating magnetic field from the first sensor coil group; a pen signal level acquiring unit that acquires a level of a pen signal, which is a response alternating magnetic field from a position indicator stored by the alternating magnetic field, using the second sensor coil group; an information derivation unit that derives information about a position of the position indicator by using a two-dimensional distribution of levels of the pen signal at each of the intersections between a plurality of conductive wires of the first sensor coil group and a plurality of electrodes of the second sensor coil group; a position detector including

[0145] <Additional note 2> a first sensor coil group consisting of a plurality of conductors having a plurality of electrodes arranged in a first direction; and a second sensor coil group consisting of a plurality of conductors having a plurality of electrodes arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction; The one or more processors: an alternating magnetic field generating unit that generates an alternating magnetic field from the first sensor coil group; a pen signal level acquiring unit that acquires a level of a pen signal, which is a response alternating magnetic field from a position indicator stored by the alternating magnetic field, using the second sensor coil group; an information derivation unit that derives information about a position of the position indicator by using a two-dimensional distribution of levels of the pen signal at each of the intersections between a plurality of conductive wires of the first sensor coil group and a plurality of electrodes of the second sensor coil group; A control unit for controlling the operation; Including, The control unit causes the alternating magnetic field generating unit to generate the alternating magnetic field a predetermined number of times while changing the position in the first direction using the first sensor coil group, causes the pen signal level acquiring unit to acquire the level of the pen signal, which is a response alternating magnetic field from the pen stored by the alternating magnetic field, or the signal level corresponding to capacitive coupling with the finger, for each of the predetermined number of times, and determines the scanning order for the next predetermined number of times so that one of multiple conductors arranged in parallel in the first direction of the first sensor coil group, which had the largest level of the signal from the pen or the largest signal level corresponding to capacitive coupling with the finger, becomes the starting position. [Explanation of symbols]

[0146] 1; Position detector 1A; Position detector 1B; Position detector 1C: Position detector 1D; Position detector 1E; Position detector 1F: Position detector 10;TX circuit 10A;TX circuit 10B;TX circuit 10C;TX circuit 11; Switch 12; Switch 20;RX circuit 20A;RX circuit 21; Switch 100: TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) 111: Alternating magnetic field generating section 112; Global Scan Section 113: Scan start position determination unit 114: Scan pattern control section 114A: Scan pattern control section 114B: Scan pattern control section 120~135;TX electrode 130;Connecting conductor 200: RX sensor coil group (second sensor coil group) 201;AA outer long side 202;AA long side 203;Connecting conductor 211;AA long side 212;AA long side 281;AA long side 282;AA outer long side 283;Connecting conductor 300;display 300B;Display 300C;Display 300D;Display 300E; Display 300F;Display 611; Island 612; Periphery Periphery 613;Mesh connection part 621; Island 622; Periphery Periphery 701; Jumper AA; Active Area

Claims

1. A method for detecting a position in a position detector including a first sensor coil group made of a plurality of conductors having a plurality of electrodes arranged in parallel in a first direction, and a second sensor coil group made of a plurality of conductors having a plurality of electrodes arranged in parallel in a second direction intersecting the first direction, comprising: a first step in which the position detector generates an alternating magnetic field from the first sensor coil group; a second step in which the position detector acquires a level of a pen signal, which is a response alternating magnetic field from the pen stored by the alternating magnetic field, using at least the second sensor coil group; a third step in which the position detector acquires a two-dimensional distribution of the level of the pen signal at each intersection of the plurality of electrodes of the first sensor coil group and the plurality of electrodes of the second sensor coil group; a fourth step of acquiring a first reference position, which is a position corresponding to a first peak in the two-dimensional distribution and is a position indicated by the tip of the pen; a fifth step of acquiring a second reference position, which is a position corresponding to a second peak in the two-dimensional distribution, the second peak being different from the first peak and having the same sign as the sign of the first peak; a sixth step of deriving a tilt direction of the pen, which is an angle on a sensor plane of a projection of the pen on the sensor plane, based on a direction of the second reference position relative to the first reference position; A location detection method comprising:

2. In the third step, a seventh step in which the position detector derives a tilt of the pen with respect to a normal to the sensor plane based on a level intensity of the pen signal at the first reference position and a level intensity of the pen signal at the second reference position; The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

3. In the first step, an eighth step in which the position detector generates the alternating magnetic field a predetermined number of times while changing a position in the first direction by using the first sensor coil group; a ninth step in which the position detector acquires a level of the pen signal, which is a response alternating magnetic field from the pen stored by the alternating magnetic field, for each of the predetermined number of scans, and determines the order of the next predetermined number of scans so that one of the plurality of conductors arranged in parallel in the first direction of the first sensor coil group, which has the largest level of the signal from the pen, becomes a starting position; The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

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