Electrostatic coupling type electronic pen

Abstract

To maintain multifunctionality and thickness reduction of a cartridge type electrostatic coupling type electronic pen.SOLUTION: A cartridge for an electronic pen comprises: a conductive core body formed of a conductor that projects or is allowed to project to the outside at its leading end through an opening of an electronic pen housing; a first electronic circuit that includes a circuit for delivering and receiving signals to and from a position detection sensor through the core body; and a rear end connector that is provided at a rear end on the opposite side of the leading end of the core body in an axial direction, and is coupled to a connector for coupling provided at a rear end of a hollow part of the electronic pen housing. The rear end connector includes a first terminal part that is electrically connected with the first electronic circuit, and is connected with a second terminal of the connector for coupling. The second terminal part of the connector for coupling is electrically connected with a second electronic circuit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic pen used with a position detection device having a position detection sensor, and more particularly to an electrostatic coupling type electronic pen having an electronic pen cartridge. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, electronic pens have become cartridge-type due to the diversification of overall shapes (external housings) (emphasis on design). To achieve this, electronic pen cartridges have been proposed that are equipped with the primary functions of electronic pens, such as a position indication function for a position detection sensor and a writing pressure detection function (see Patent Document 1 (WO2016 / 158418), etc.). This type of electronic pen can be constructed simply by incorporating the electronic pen cartridge into the hollow portion of a cylindrical external housing. This increases the degree of freedom in the design of the external housing of the electronic pen, facilitating the diversification of electronic pens, and also makes them easy to replace, similar to ballpoint pen refills, making them extremely convenient.

[0003] On the other hand, electronic pens in recent years have become thinner and more portable, and are becoming more multifunctional, such as being able to transmit a unique pen ID (identification information) for each electronic pen to a position detection device equipped with a position detection sensor using a communication means such as a wireless communication module conforming to the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard (see Patent Document 2 (JP 2016-134168 A)). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] WO2016 / 158418 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-134168 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In view of the recent trends in electronic pens as described above, there is a demand for electronic pens to be cartridge-type, thin, and multifunctional.

[0006] To achieve multi-functionality, the electronic pen must be equipped with a wireless communication module, an IC (Integrated Circuit) that constitutes a transmission control circuit for transmitting the pen ID and other information using this wireless communication module, and a power source (primary battery and secondary battery). Because the multi-functional portion of the electronic pen thus includes multiple components, if all of these components were to be housed within the electronic pen cartridge, the electronic pen cartridge would become thick. This would make the outer housing of the electronic pen even thicker, making it difficult to slim down the electronic pen.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic pen that can solve the above problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, An electronic pen in which an electronic pen cartridge is housed in a hollow part of an electronic pen housing having an opening at one end side of the axial center, that is, a pen tip side, The electronic pen cartridge comprises: a conductive core body whose tip protrudes or can protrude to the outside through the opening; Through the core rank a first electronic circuit including a signal generating circuit for generating a signal to be sent to the position detection sensor; In the axial direction of the core body The aforementioned Tip Department The rear end portion of the casing is provided on the opposite side to the side of the casing. electrically connected to the first electronic circuit; a rear end connector that is coupled to a coupling connector provided on the rear end side of the hollow portion of the electronic pen housing; Equipped with before The electronic pen housing includes: before The above connection connector Ta A second electronic circuit electrically connected The road Established And, When the rear end connector and the coupling connector are coupled together, the first electronic circuit and the second electronic circuit are electrically connected together. The present invention provides an electronic pen characterized by the above features.

[0009] In the electrostatic coupling type electronic pen having the above-described configuration, the electronic pen cartridge has a rear end connector with a terminal part electrically connected to the electronic circuit (first electronic circuit) that the electronic pen cartridge has. The electronic pen housing is provided with a second electronic circuit that can constitute, for example, a multi-functional part, and a coupling connector is provided electrically connected to this second electronic circuit.

[0010] The rear end connector of the electronic pen cartridge is coupled to a coupling connector provided on the rear end side of the hollow portion of the electronic pen housing, and the electronic pen is housed within the electronic pen housing to form the electronic pen.

[0011] In the electrostatic coupling type electronic pen having the above-described configuration, the electronic circuit components are mounted separately inside the electronic pen cartridge and outside the electronic pen cartridge, thereby making it possible to construct an electronic pen that maintains a slim design.

[0012] That is, in the electrostatic coupling type electronic pen having the above-described configuration, a second electronic circuit constituting the multi-functional portion can be provided on the electronic pen housing, so that the electronic pen cartridge can be equipped with only the main functions of the electronic pen, such as the electronic pen's position indication function and pen pressure detection function, and the electronic pen cartridge can be kept slim. This makes it possible to maintain the slimness and multi-functionality of electronic pens and the diversification of electronic pen designs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an embodiment of an electronic pen according to the present invention; [Figure 2] 1A to 1C are diagrams for explaining a configuration example of an embodiment of a cartridge for an electronic pen according to the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an electronic circuit of an embodiment of an electronic pen according to the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration of a position detection device used together with an embodiment of an electronic pen according to the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a part of a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the embodiment of the electronic pen according to the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a part of a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the embodiment of the electronic pen according to the present invention. [Figure 7] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating an example of the operation of the electronic pen according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a part of a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of a position detection device used together with an embodiment of an electronic pen according to the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a part of a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of a position detection device used together with an embodiment of an electronic pen according to the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an electronic circuit of another embodiment of the electronic pen according to the present invention. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of the configuration of another embodiment of an electronic pen according to the present invention. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a configuration example of still another embodiment of the electronic pen according to the present invention. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a configuration example of still another embodiment of the electronic pen according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an electronic pen and an embodiment of a cartridge for an electronic pen according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0015] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an embodiment of an electronic pen according to the present invention, in this example, an electromagnetic induction type electronic pen. Electronic pen 1 of this embodiment has a cartridge type configuration, and the main functions of the electronic pen, such as a position indication function for a position detection sensor and a writing pressure detection function, are stored in electronic pen cartridge 3. In this embodiment, electronic pen cartridge 3 is detachable from housing 2.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1(A) and (B), the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment has an electronic pen cartridge 3 stored in a hollow portion 2a of a cylindrical housing 2 (hereinafter referred to as the pen housing 2), and has a knock-type configuration in which the pen tip side of the electronic pen cartridge 3 is inserted and removed from the opening 2b side at one end of the longitudinal direction of the pen housing 2 by a knock cam mechanism portion 10.

[0017] Fig. 1(A) shows a state in which the entire electronic pen cartridge 3 is housed in the hollow portion 2a of the pen housing 2, and Fig. 1(B) shows a state in which the pen tip side of the electronic pen cartridge 3 protrudes from the opening 2b of the pen housing 2 due to the knock cam mechanism 10. In the example of Fig. 1, the pen housing 2 of the electronic pen 1 is made of transparent synthetic resin, and is shown in a state in which the interior is visible through it.

[0018] In the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment, the pen tip of the electronic pen cartridge 3 and the thickness and axial length of the cartridge housing are the same as those of a refill for a commercially available ballpoint pen. Therefore, the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment is configured so that a refill for a commercially available knock-type ballpoint pen can be attached instead of the electronic pen cartridge 3.

[0019] The pen housing 2 and the knock cam mechanism 10 provided in the pen housing 2 have the same configuration as the outer housing and knock cam function of a well-known commercially available knock-type ballpoint pen, and are also configured with the same dimensional relationship.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 1, the knock cam mechanism 10 has a well-known configuration in which a cam body 11, a knock rod 12, and a rotor 13 are combined. The cam body 11 is formed on the inner wall surface of the cylindrical pen housing 2. The knock rod 12 has an end 12a that protrudes from an opening 2c on the side opposite the pen tip side of the pen housing 2 so that it can receive a knock operation by the user.

[0021] The rotor 13 has a cartridge coupling portion 13a equipped with a connector jack 13J that is fitted with a connector plug 3P (see dashed lines in FIGS. 1(A) and 1(B)) provided at the rear end portion opposite the pen tip side of the electronic pen cartridge 3. The connector plug 3P is an example of a rear end connector, and the connector jack 13J is an example of a coupling connector.

[0022] In this example, a printed circuit board 14 (see dashed lines in FIGS. 1A and 1B) on which electronic circuits including an IC, a wireless communication unit, an ID memory, etc., which will be described later, is mounted is disposed within the rotor 13. Furthermore, a battery 15 (see dashed lines in FIGS. 1A and 1B) that supplies power supply voltage to the electronic circuits of the printed circuit board 14, as will be described later, is disposed within the knock bar 12.

[0023] When the end 12a of the knock rod 12 is pressed down in the state shown in Fig. 1(A), the knock cam mechanism 10 locks the electronic pen cartridge 3 in the pen housing 2 into the state shown in Fig. 1(B), with the pen tip side of the electronic pen cartridge 3 protruding from the opening 2b of the pen housing 2. When the end 12a of the knock rod 12 is pressed down again from the state shown in Fig. 1(B), the knock cam mechanism 10 releases the locked state, and the return spring 5 returns the position of the electronic pen cartridge 3 in the pen housing 2 to the state shown in Fig. 1(A). The detailed configuration and operation of the knock cam mechanism 10 are well known, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0024] [Embodiment of cartridge for electronic pen] Figure 2 shows examples of the configuration of the electronic pen cartridge 3 of this embodiment. Figure 2(A) shows a first example of the electronic pen cartridge 3 of this embodiment, and Figure 2(C) shows a second example of the electronic pen cartridge 3 of this embodiment. The first and second examples differ only in the configuration of the connector plug 3P, and other parts are substantially identical in configuration.

[0025] As shown in Figures 2(A) and (C), the cartridge 3 for the electronic pen in this embodiment comprises a core body 30, a signal transmitting member 40, a holder portion 50 that holds a pen pressure detection unit 51 and a printed circuit board 52 on which an electronic circuit is arranged, a cartridge housing 60 that has the function of storing and protecting the pen pressure detection unit 51 and the printed circuit board 52 held in the holder portion 50, and a connector plug 3P as an example of a rear end connector provided at the rear end of the cartridge housing 60 on the side opposite the core body side.

[0026] In this example, the core body 30 is a rod-shaped member with a circular cross section made of a relatively hard and elastic resin material, such as POM (Polyoxymethylene), and has a diameter of, for example, about 1 mm.

[0027] The signal transmitting member 40 comprises a coil 41 that forms a resonant circuit for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the position detection device by electromagnetic induction, a magnetic core around which the coil 41 is wound, in this example a ferrite core 42, and a core pipe member 43 that is fitted and fixed in a through hole formed in the axial direction at the center of the ferrite core 42. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the core pipe member 43 is fitted and fixed to the ferrite core 42 in a state where it protrudes further toward the pen tip side than the ferrite core 42 in the axial direction.

[0028] The inner diameter of the core pipe member 43 is larger than the diameter of the core body 30, and the core body 30 is inserted through the core pipe member 43 and fitted into the writing pressure detection unit 51. In this case, the tip 30a of the core body 30 in the axial direction is configured to protrude beyond the core pipe member 43 as the pen tip, and the other end 30b of the core body 30 in the axial direction is fitted into the writing pressure detection unit 51. As a result, the pressure (writing pressure) applied to the tip 30a of the core body 30 on the pen tip side is applied to the writing pressure detection unit 51.

[0029] The pen pressure detection unit 51 is configured, for example, using a mechanism that changes the capacitance of a variable capacitor in response to the applied pressure (pen pressure) (see, for example, Patent Document (JP 2011-186803 A)). Note that the pen pressure detection unit 51 may also use a variable capacitor configured with a semiconductor chip made of MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) elements (see, for example, Patent Document (JP 2013-161307 A)). Note that the configuration of the pen pressure detection unit 51 is not limited to this example.

[0030] The holder portion 50 is made of, for example, a resin material, and is fitted with the ferrite core 42 of the signal transmitting member 40. It has a cylindrical portion (not shown) that holds the pen pressure detection portion 51, and a printed circuit board mounting base portion (not shown) on which the printed circuit board 52 is placed and held.

[0031] The cartridge housing 60 is composed of a pipe-shaped member made of a hard material, in this example a metal pipe-shaped member, and constitutes a circuit protection member that protects the electrical circuit components of the pen pressure detection unit 51 and the printed circuit board 52 held in the holder unit 50.

[0032] In other words, the cartridge housing 60 and the holder portion 50 are connected in the axial direction in a state in which a part of the cylindrical portion that holds the pen pressure detection portion 51 of the holder portion 50 and the printed circuit board mounting base portion are housed within the hollow portion of the cartridge housing 60.

[0033] A connector plug 3P is provided at the rear end of the cartridge housing 60 on the side opposite to the side where the signal-transmitting member 40 is coupled in the axial direction. The connector plug 3P is electrically connected to an electronic circuit formed on the printed circuit board 52 and has a plurality of terminals that are insulated from one another, five terminals 31a, 32a, 33a, 34a, and 35a in this example.

[0034] In the first example of the electronic pen cartridge 3 shown in Fig. 2(A), the five terminals 31a, 32a, 33a, 34a, and 35a of the connector plug 3P are configured as follows: In this example, the terminal 31a is configured from a conductive metal that forms a central shaft. In the example shown in Fig. 2(A), the connector plug 3P is configured by concentrically combining cylindrical terminals 32a, 33a, 34a, and 35a, each of which has an insulating layer formed on its inner wall surface, with the rod-shaped conductive metal of the terminal 31a.

[0035] In this case, terminal portion 31a, which is made of conductive metal and forms the central mandrel, is the tip end in the axial direction, and its annular circumferential surface and tip end are exposed for a predetermined length in the axial direction, and each of cylindrical terminal portions 32a, 33a, 34a, and 35a has its annular circumferential surface exposed for a predetermined length in the axial direction. That is, the five terminal portions 31a, 32a, 33a, 34a, and 35a of connector plug 3P have annular conductor contact portions exposed at different positions in the axial direction. Note that while terminal portion 31a has a cylindrical shape, its annular circumferential surface and tip end form the conductor contact portions.

[0036] When this connector plug 3P is inserted into the mating recess of the connector jack 13J provided on the rotor 13 disposed in the hollow portion 2a of the pen housing 2, it is elastically connected to each of the five contact terminals 13J1, 13J2, 13J3, 13J4, and 13J5 provided on the connector jack 13J, as shown in Fig. 2(B). Each of the five contact terminals 13J1, 13J2, 13J3, 13J4, and 13J5 is made of a conductive elastic metal and is connected to an electronic circuit disposed on the printed circuit board 14.

[0037] In this way, when the connector plug 3P is inserted into and coupled to the connector jack 13J, the electronic circuit formed on the printed circuit board 52 of the electronic pen cartridge 3 is electrically connected to the electronic circuit of the printed circuit board 14 provided on the rotor 13 arranged within the hollow portion 2a of the pen housing 2.

[0038] At this time, the annular conductor contact portions of the terminal portions 31a, 32a, 33a, 34a, and 35a of the connector plug 3P are connected to the contact terminals 13J1, 13J2, 13J3, 13J4, and 13J5 of the connector jack 13J, respectively, so that even if the electronic pen cartridge 3 rotates around the center line in the axial direction, electrical connection is always maintained, and electrical non-contact can be avoided.

[0039] 2(C), the five terminals 31b, 32b, 33b, 34b, and 35b of the connector plug 3P are configured as follows: The connector plug 3P in this example has a configuration similar to that of an audio pin plug (for example, a five-pole pin plug with a noise cancellation function), and in this example, the five terminals 31b, 32b, 33b, 34b, and 35b have annular conductor contact portions of the same diameter exposed at different positions in the axial direction.

[0040] That is, of the five terminal portions 31b, 32b, 33b, 34b, and 35b, the terminal portion 31b at the tip is a chip terminal, the three intermediate terminal portions 32b, 33b, and 34b are ring terminals insulated from the other terminal portions by insulating rings 36a, 36b, 36c, and 36d, respectively, and the terminal portion 35b at the base side of the electronic pen cartridge 3 is a sleeve terminal.

[0041] The connector jack 13J that is coupled to the connector plug 3P of the electronic pen cartridge 3 in Figure 2(C) also has five contact terminals that come into contact with each of the annular conductor contact portions of the five terminal portions 31b, 32b, 33b, 34b, and 35b to form an electrical connection, just like Figure 2(B).

[0042] In this embodiment, the electronic pen cartridge 3 is configured as a cartridge having the same external shape as a ballpoint pen refill, with the signal transmitting member 40, holder portion 50, and cartridge housing 60 joined in the axial direction as described above.

[0043] [Example of internal circuit configuration of electronic pen 1] Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example configuration of an electronic circuit (first electronic circuit) 300 formed on the printed circuit board 52 of the electronic pen cartridge 3 in the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment, and an electronic circuit (second electronic circuit) 100 formed on a printed circuit board 14 located in the hollow portion of the pen housing 2, separate from the electronic pen cartridge 3, in this example, on the rotor 13 of the knock cam mechanism portion 10.

[0044] 3, in an electronic circuit (first electronic circuit) 300 formed on a printed circuit board 52 of the electronic pen cartridge 3, a coil 41 wound around a ferrite core 42 is connected in parallel with a capacitor 301 that constitutes a resonant circuit RC together with the coil 41. The resonant circuit RC is electromagnetically inductively coupled with a position detection sensor 220 (see FIG. 4) of the position detection device 200, which will be described later, and has a function of receiving an electromagnetic wave signal sent from the position detection sensor 220, and a function of transmitting the received electromagnetic wave signal so as to return it to the position detection sensor 220.

[0045] In this embodiment, a series circuit of capacitor 302 and variable capacitor 51C configured in pen pressure detection unit 51 is connected in parallel to capacitor 301 configuring resonance circuit RC. The resonance frequency of resonance circuit RC changes as the capacitance of variable capacitor 51C configured in pen pressure detection unit 51 changes in response to the pressure (pen pressure) applied to core body 30.

[0046] In this embodiment, a switch circuit 303 is connected to short-circuit both ends of the variable capacitor 51C. This switch circuit 303 is configured with a semiconductor switch such as an FET, and is controlled to be on or off by a switch control signal sent from the electronic circuit (second electronic circuit) 100 via the terminal 34a of the connector plug 3P; it is an example of a controlled device. When this switch circuit 303 is turned on, the variable capacitor 51C is bypassed, and its contribution to the resonant circuit RC is disabled, so that the writing pressure applied to the core 30 becomes equivalent to zero. In other words, by turning on this switch circuit 303, the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit RC can be set to the frequency when the writing pressure is zero, allowing for zero writing pressure adjustment.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a switch circuit 304 is connected in parallel to the coil 41. This switch circuit 304 is configured with a semiconductor switch such as an FET, and is an example of a controlled device, being on / off controlled by a switch control signal sent from the electronic circuit (second electronic circuit) 100 through the terminal portion 33a of the connector plug 3P. When this switch circuit 304 is turned on, both ends of the coil 41 are short-circuited, so that the resonant circuit RC is in a state where it stops resonating (inactive state). When the switch circuit 304 is turned off, the resonant circuit RC is in an active state.

[0048] The power supply voltage Vcc of the switch circuits 303 and 304 is configured to be sent from the electronic circuit (second electronic circuit) 100 through the terminal portion 32a of the connector plug 3P.

[0049] One end of the coil 41 is connected to the earth conductor of the printed circuit board 52 and also to the terminal portion 35a of the connector plug 3P. The other end of the coil 41 is connected to a reception level generating circuit 305 that generates information indicating the signal level of the electromagnetic induction signal received from the position detection sensor by a resonant circuit RC that functions as a receiver.

[0050] The reception level generating circuit 305 comprises a capacitor 306 that removes the DC signal of the electromagnetic induction signal received from the position detection sensor by the resonant circuit RC, and diodes 307 and 308 that form a rectifier circuit that rectifies the AC signal through the capacitor 306 to generate an output signal corresponding to the signal level of the received signal, and a capacitor 309. The signal level of the output signal from the reception level generating circuit 305 depends on the strength of electromagnetic coupling between the resonant circuit RC of the electronic pen 1 and the position detection sensor.

[0051] When the signal level of the output signal of this reception level generating circuit 305 is greater than a predetermined threshold level, the electronic pen 1 and the position detection sensor are electromagnetically coupled to the extent that the position detection sensor can detect the position indicated by the electronic pen 1, and when the signal level is below the threshold level, the electronic pen 1 and the position detection sensor are not electromagnetically coupled to the extent that the position detection sensor can detect the position indicated by the electronic pen 1.

[0052] In the following description of this specification, the state in which the electronic pen 1 is electromagnetically coupled with the position detection sensor to such an extent that the position detection sensor can detect the position pointed to by the electronic pen 1 will be referred to as "in-range," and the state in which the electronic pen 1 is not in-range will be referred to as "out-range." The output signal of this reception level generation circuit 305 is supplied to the electronic circuit (second electronic circuit) 100 through the terminal portion 31a of the connector plug 3P.

[0053] The electronic circuit 100 is provided with a control unit 101 configured with an IC (Integrated Circuit). The control unit 101 is configured with a microcomputer (microprocessor). Five contact terminals 13J1, 13J2, 13J3, 13J4, and 13J5 of the connector jack 13J are connected to the control unit 101.

[0054] The control unit 101 is also connected to a wireless communication unit 102, an ID memory 103, a pen state detection unit 104, an LED drive unit 105, and a battery 15.

[0055] The wireless communication unit 102 performs wireless communication with a wireless communication unit 210 (see FIG. 4) provided in the position detection device 200 having the position detection sensor 220, and in this example is configured as a wireless communication module conforming to the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard. The control unit 101 controls the wireless communication unit 102 to be in an inoperative state when the electronic pen 1 does not detect an in-range state in which it is electromagnetically coupled with the position detection sensor 220 of the position detection device 200, and controls the wireless communication unit 102 to be in an operative state when the electronic pen 1 detects an in-range state, thereby generating a wireless communication path with the wireless communication unit 210 of the position detection device 200.

[0056] The ID memory 103 stores identification information (hereinafter referred to as pen ID (Identification)) for identifying the electronic pen 1. This pen ID is unique information assigned to each electronic pen and is stored for each electronic pen, for example, at the time of manufacture. When a wireless communication path is established between the control unit 101 and the position detection device 200, the control unit 101 transmits the pen ID stored in the ID memory 103 to the position detection device 200 via the wireless communication unit 102.

[0057] The pen state detection unit 104 detects pen attitude such as tilt, rotation, movement speed, and pen swing of the electronic pen 1, as well as the state of the user's hand holding the electronic pen 1, as pen state information, and is equipped with a 9-axis sensor for detecting the pen attitude and a temperature and humidity sensor. A 3-axis sensor or a 6-axis sensor may be used instead of the 9-axis sensor. When a wireless communication path is established between the control unit 101 and the position detection device 200, the control unit 101 transmits information about the pen state detected by the pen state detection unit 104 to the position detection device 200 via the wireless communication unit 102.

[0058] The LED driving unit 105 is a circuit that drives an LED (Light Emitting Diode) 16. As will be described later, the LED 16 constitutes an example of a notification means that notifies the user when the electronic pen 1 is coupled to a position detection sensor, based on control by the control unit 101, and is attached so that a notification by its illumination is transmitted from the pen housing 2 to the outside, as indicated by a circle in Fig. 1. Note that the notification means may be configured to notify by light as in this example, or to notify by sound in addition to light.

[0059] Although a fixed battery (primary battery) may be used as battery 15, in this example a rechargeable battery (secondary battery) is used. Although not shown in the drawings, in this example a charging electrode is formed on end 12a of knock bar 12 of electronic pen 1.

[0060] [Example of circuit configuration for position detection device] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the electronic circuit configuration of a position detection device 200 used together with the electronic pen 1 of this embodiment.

[0061] The electromagnetic induction type position detection device 200 of this embodiment includes a wireless communication unit 210, a position detection sensor 220, and a transmission / reception processing circuit 230.

[0062] The wireless communication unit 210 is for wireless communication with the wireless communication unit 102 of the electronic pen 1, and in this example is made up of a wireless communication module conforming to the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard.

[0063] The position detection sensor 220 is configured with a position detection coil in which an X-axis direction loop coil group 221 and a Y-axis direction loop coil group 222 are stacked. The position detection device 200 transmits a signal to the resonant circuit RC of the electronic pen 1 through the position detection sensor 220 by electromagnetic coupling, and the electronic pen 1 feeds back the signal received from the position detection device 200 to the position detection sensor 220 via the resonant circuit RC.

[0064] The position detection device 200 receives a feedback signal from the resonant circuit RC of the electronic pen 1 by electromagnetic coupling, and detects the position on the position detection sensor 220 indicated by the electronic pen 1 from the position on the position detection sensor 220 where the received signal is detected, and also detects a change in the resonant frequency by detecting a change in the phase of the signal received from the resonant circuit RC of the electronic pen 1 by electromagnetic coupling, thereby detecting the writing pressure applied to the core body 30 of the electronic pen 1.

[0065] The transmission / reception processing circuit 230 is provided with a selection circuit 223 to which the X-axis direction loop coil group 221 and the Y-axis direction loop coil group 222 of the position detection sensor 220 are connected. The selection circuit 223 sequentially selects one of the two loop coil groups 221, 222.

[0066] The transmission / reception processing circuit 230 is provided with an oscillator 231, a current driver 232, a switching connection circuit 233, a receiving amplifier 234, a pointed position detection circuit 235, a writing pressure detection circuit 236, and a processing control unit 237. The processing control unit 237 is configured with a microcomputer. The processing control unit 237 controls the selection of the loop coil in the selection circuit 223 and the switching of the switching connection circuit 233, as well as the processing timing of the pointed position detection circuit 235 and the writing pressure detection circuit 236. The processing control unit 237 is also connected to the wireless communication unit 210, and controls the transmission and reception of wireless signals to and from the electronic pen 1 via this wireless communication unit 210.

[0067] The oscillator 231 generates an AC signal with a frequency f0. The oscillator 231 then supplies the generated AC signal to a current driver 232 and a pen pressure detection circuit 236. The current driver 232 converts the AC signal supplied from the oscillator 231 into a current and sends it to a switching connection circuit 233. Under the control of the processing control unit 237, the switching connection circuit 233 switches the connection destinations (transmission side terminal T, reception side terminal R) to which the loop coil selected by the selection circuit 223 is connected. Of these connection destinations, the current driver 232 is connected to the transmission side terminal T, and the reception side terminal R is connected to the reception amplifier 234.

[0068] The induced voltage generated in the loop coil selected by the selection circuit 223 is sent to a receiving amplifier 234 via the selection circuit 223 and a switching connection circuit 233. The receiving amplifier 234 amplifies the induced voltage supplied from the loop coil and sends it to a circuit 235 for detecting a pointed position and a circuit 236 for detecting a writing pressure.

[0069] An induced voltage is generated in each loop coil of the X-axis direction loop coil group 221 and the Y-axis direction loop coil group 222 by the radio waves transmitted from the electronic pen 1. The pointed position detection circuit 235 detects the induced voltage generated in the loop coils, i.e., the received signal, converts the detected output signal into a digital signal, and outputs it to the processing control unit 237. The processing control unit 237 calculates the coordinate values ​​of the pointed position in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction of the electronic pen 1 based on the digital signal from the pointed position detection circuit 235, i.e., the level of the voltage value of the induced voltage generated in each loop coil.

[0070] On the other hand, the writing pressure detection circuit 236 synchronously detects the output signal of the receiving amplifier 234 with the AC signal from the oscillator 231 to obtain a signal with a level corresponding to the phase difference (frequency shift) therebetween, converts the signal corresponding to the phase difference (frequency shift) into a digital signal, and outputs it to the processing control unit 237. The processing control unit 237 detects the writing pressure applied to the electronic pen 1 based on the digital signal from the writing pressure detection circuit 236, i.e., the level of the signal corresponding to the phase difference (frequency shift) between the transmitted radio wave and the received radio wave.

[0071] In this example, the processing control unit 237 is connected to the wireless communication unit 210, manages and controls wireless communication in this wireless communication unit 210, and performs wireless communication with the electronic pen 1 through this wireless communication unit 210. The processing control unit 237 detects and manages the electronic pen 1 that is electromagnetically coupled with the position detection sensor 220 based on information received through the wireless communication unit 210, and controls control elements (switch circuits 303 and 304 in this example) provided in the electronic pen 1 by sending control signals to the electronic pen 1 through the wireless communication unit 210.

[0072] [Operation of the electronic pen 1 and operation of the position detection device 200] <Electronic pen 1 operation> 5 and 6 are flowcharts for explaining an example of the flow of operations of the control unit 101 of the electronic pen 1. The operation of the electronic pen 1 configured as described above will be explained below using the flowcharts of FIGS.

[0073] The control unit 101 of the electronic pen 1 monitors the signal level of the output signal of the reception level generating circuit 305 of the electronic pen cartridge 3 received through the contact terminal 13J1 of the connector jack 13J, and determines whether the electronic pen 1 is electromagnetically coupled with the position detection sensor 220 of the position detection device 200 and is in-range based on whether the signal level exceeds a predetermined threshold level (step S101).

[0074] If it is determined in step S101 that the in-range state has not been detected, the control unit 101 returns the process to step S101 and repeats the processes from step S101 onwards. Also, if it is determined in step S101 that the in-range state has been detected, the control unit 101 puts the wireless communication unit 102 into an operating state, and controls the wireless communication unit 102 to generate a wireless communication path with the wireless communication unit 210 of the position detection device 200 and establish a wireless connection (step S102).

[0075] Next, the control unit 101 reads the pen ID from the ID memory 103, and also obtains information on the pen state (such as the tilt, rotation, temperature and humidity of the electronic pen 1) from the pen state detection unit 104, and transmits this information to the position detection device 200 through the wireless communication path created between the wireless communication unit 102 and the position detection device 200 (step S103). At this time, the information wirelessly transmitted from the electronic pen 1 to the position detection device 200 does not include a notification that the electronic pen 1 has entered an in-range state, but it is of course possible to wirelessly transmit this notification to the position detection device 200. Note that the wireless transmission in step S103 is continuously executed, for example at a predetermined cycle, through the wireless communication unit 102 while the in-range state continues.

[0076] The control unit 101 also notifies the user that the in-range state has been achieved by lighting up an LED via the LED drive unit 105. Then, the control unit 101 supplies power supply voltage to the switch circuits 303 and 304 of the electronic pen cartridge 3 via the contact terminal 13J2 of the connector jack 13J and the terminal portion 32a of the connector plug 3P (step S104).

[0077] Next, the control unit 101 determines whether or not a control instruction for the resonant circuit RC has been received from the position detection device 200 via the wireless communication unit 102 (step S105). The control instruction for the resonant circuit RC sent from the position detection device 200 is for realizing a multi-pen function that can simultaneously receive position instructions from two electronic pens 1 in the position detection sensor 220 of the position detection device 200.

[0078] That is, as shown in FIG. 7, even if there are two electronic pens 1 (distinguished as electronic pen 11 and electronic pen 12 in FIG. 7 for convenience) that are electromagnetically coupled to the position detection sensor 220 of the position detection device 200 and are in-range, the electronic pens 11 and 12 each wirelessly transmit their own unique pen IDs to the position detection device 200, and therefore the position detection device 200 can identify each of the electronic pens 11 and 12.

[0079] However, in this embodiment, the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit RC is the same for the electronic pen 11 and the electronic pen 12, so that the position detection device 200 cannot distinguish between the indicated positions of the two pens as they are. Meanwhile, the electronic circuit 100 of the electronic pen 1 in this embodiment is provided with a switch circuit 304 that can control the operating state and non-operating state of the resonant circuit RC.

[0080] Therefore, the position detection device 200 of this embodiment controls the resonant circuits RC of the electronic pens 11 and 12 to operate in a time-division manner by controlling the switch circuit 304 of the electronic pen 1, thereby utilizing the fact that the resonant circuits RC can be controlled to operate or not operate. This realizes a multi-pen function. That is, the position detection device 200 controls one of the resonant circuits RC of the two electronic pens 11 and 12 that are in-range every predetermined unit period to operate and the other to not operate, and alternately switches between the electronic pens whose resonant circuits RC are in the operating state. The position detection device 200 recognizes whether the electronic pen that controls the resonant circuit RC to the not operating state is the electronic pen 11 or the electronic pen 12 based on its pen ID, and can therefore distinguish and detect the positions indicated by the electronic pens 11 and 12 on the position detection sensor 220.

[0081] The control instruction for the resonant circuit RC from the position detection device 200, the reception of which is monitored in step S105, includes an execution instruction to execute the time-division operation of the resonant circuit RC of the electronic pen 1, and a release instruction to end the time-division operation that is in progress. The execution instruction includes an operation instruction signal for one of the electronic pens 11 and 12 to put the resonant circuit RC into an operating state, and a non-operation instruction signal for the other to put the resonant circuit RC into a non-operating state, during a predetermined unit time of time division.

[0082] When it is determined in step S105 that a control instruction for the resonant circuit RC has been received from the position detection device 200, the control unit 101 determines whether the received control instruction for the resonant circuit RC is an execution instruction or a release instruction (step S106).

[0083] When it is determined that the control instruction for the resonance circuit RC received in step S106 is an execution instruction, the control unit 101 generates a switching control signal SW1 according to the operation instruction signal or non-operation instruction signal included in the execution instruction. Then, the control unit 101 supplies the generated switching control signal SW1 to the switch circuit 304 of the electronic pen cartridge 3 through the contact terminal 13J3 of the connector jack 13J and the terminal portion 33a of the connector plug 3P, thereby executing time-division control of the resonance circuit RC (step S107).

[0084] In step S107, when the execution instruction from the position detection device 200 includes a non-operation instruction signal, the control unit 101 controls the switch circuit 304 to turn on using the switching control signal SW1. As a result, both ends of the coil 41 of the resonant circuit RC of the electronic pen cartridge 3 are short-circuited via the switch circuit 304, and the resonant circuit RC is brought into a non-operational state.

[0085] Furthermore, when the execution instruction from the position detection device 200 includes an operation instruction signal, the control unit 101 controls the switch circuit 304 to turn off using the switching control signal SW1, so that the switch circuit 304 is turned off and the resonant circuit RC of the electronic pen cartridge 3 is turned on.

[0086] In step S106, when it is determined that the control instruction for the received resonant circuit RC is a release instruction, the control unit 101 supplies a switching control signal SW1 generated based on this release instruction to the switch circuit 304 of the electronic pen cartridge 3 through the contact terminal 13J3 of the connector jack 13J and the terminal portion 33a of the connector plug 3P, controls the switch circuit 304 to maintain the off state, and stops the time-division control for the resonant circuit RC (step S108).

[0087] Then, in step S105, when it is determined that a control instruction for the resonant circuit RC has not been received from the position detection device 200, or after step S107 or step S108, the control unit 101 determines whether or not a pen pressure zero adjustment instruction has been received from the position detection device 200 via the wireless communication unit 102 (step S111 in Figure 6).

[0088] If it is determined in step S111 that a pen pressure zero adjustment instruction has been received, the control unit 101 generates a switching control signal SW2 as a pen pressure zero adjustment signal to turn on the switch circuit 303 for a predetermined time, and supplies it to the switch circuit 303 of the electronic pen cartridge 3 via the contact terminal 13J4 of the connector jack 13J and the terminal portion 34a of the connector plug 3P (step S112).

[0089] In step S112, when the switch circuit 303 is turned on, both ends of the variable capacitor 51C that constitutes the pen pressure detection unit 51 are short-circuited, so that the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit RC becomes the frequency when the variable capacitor 51C is not present, that is, the resonant frequency when the pen pressure is zero.

[0090] In the position detection device 200, it is known that, in the electronic pen 1 that has transmitted the writing pressure zero adjustment instruction, the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit RC will be the resonant frequency at zero writing pressure for a predetermined time based on the instruction. Therefore, the processing control unit 237 of the position detection device 200 can detect the resonant frequency at zero writing pressure of the electronic pen 1 from the output of the writing pressure detection circuit 236 for the predetermined time. Therefore, the processing control unit 237 of the position detection device 200 can accurately detect the amount of variation in the resonant frequency due to writing pressure, making it possible to detect even small writing pressures applied to the electronic pen 1 and widening the dynamic range of detectable writing pressures.

[0091] Following step S112, or if it is determined in step S111 that a pen pressure zero adjustment command has not been received, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the electronic pen 1 has entered an out-of-range state in which it is not electromagnetically coupled with the position detection sensor 220 of the position detection device 200 (step S113). To detect whether or not the electronic pen 1 has entered this out-of-range state, the control unit 101 monitors the signal level of the output signal of the reception level generation circuit 305 of the electronic pen cartridge 3, which is received via the contact terminal 13J1 of the connector jack 13J, and determines whether or not this signal level is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold level.

[0092] However, in this embodiment, the control unit 101 determines that the electronic pen 1 has entered an out-of-range state when the signal level of the output signal from the reception level generation circuit 305 of the electronic pen cartridge 3 remains below a predetermined threshold level for a predetermined period of time or more. This is because even if a user removes the electronic pen 1 that is in use from the state of being electromagnetically coupled with the position detection sensor 220 for only a short period of time, there are many cases where the user immediately thereafter puts the electronic pen 1 back into the in-range state and continues to use the electronic pen 1.

[0093] If it is determined in step S113 that the out-of-range state has not occurred, the control unit 101 returns the process to step S103 and repeats the processes from step S103 onwards.

[0094] Furthermore, when it is determined in step S113 that the state has become out of range, the control unit 101 controls the wireless communication unit 102 to cut off the wireless communication path with the position detection device 200, stopping transmission of information about the pen ID and pen state to the position detection device 200, and controls the LED drive unit 105 to turn off the LED 16 that was on, thereby notifying that the state has changed from the in-range state to the out-of-range state (step S114). Then, the control unit 101 controls the wireless communication unit 102 to an inactive state (step S115). Thereafter, the control unit 101 returns the process to step S101 in Fig. 5 and repeats the process of step S101.

[0095] <Operation of the position detection device 200> 8 and 9 are flowcharts for explaining an example of the flow of operations of the processing control unit 237 of the position detection device 200. The operations of the position detection device 200 configured as described above will be explained below using the flowcharts of Fig. 8 and Fig. 9.

[0096] The process control unit 237 monitors the notification of the monitoring result of the wireless communication state from the wireless communication unit 210, and determines whether or not a wireless communication path has been created between the wireless communication unit 210 and the wireless communication unit 102 of the electronic pen 1 (step S201 in FIG. 8). If it is determined in step S201 that a wireless communication path has not been created, the process control unit 237 maintains the standby state (step S202) and returns the process to step S201.

[0097] When it is determined in step S201 that a wireless communication path between the wireless communication unit 210 and the wireless communication unit 102 of the electronic pen 1 has been established, the process control unit 237 receives information about the pen ID and pen state sent from the electronic pen 1 (step S203). Then, the process control unit 237 recognizes, based on the received pen ID, the electronic pen that is electromagnetically coupled with the position detection sensor 220 and in an in-range state, and starts pairing management for managing the management state of the in-range electronic pen 1 based on, for example, management table information (step S204). The management table information includes, for example, the electromagnetic coupling state indicating whether the electronic pen 1 is in an in-range state or an out-of-range state, a state of whether time-sharing control is being executed, and, if time-sharing control is being executed, the state of the resonant circuit in that time-sharing control, and a history of pen pressure zero adjustment instructions (including time), which are associated with the pen ID and stored in a storage unit (not shown) built into the process control unit 237.

[0098] Next, the process control unit 237 refers to the pairing management table information and determines whether or not there is another electronic pen 1 that has already entered the in-range state (step S205).

[0099] If it is determined in step S205 that there is another electronic pen 1 in the in-range state, the process control unit 237 transmits an instruction to execute the time-division control described above via the wireless communication unit 210 (step S206). In step S206, an instruction to execute the time-division control is also transmitted to the other electronic pen 1 in the in-range state. That is, the process control unit 237 transmits, as time-division control signals, a control signal to one of the two electronic pens 1 in the in-range state that puts its resonant circuit RC into an operative state, and a control signal to the other electronic pen 1 that puts it into an inoperative state.

[0100] This allows the processing control unit 237 of the position detection device 200 to realize a so-called multi-pen function, which detects position indications by two electronic pens 1 that are in-range through one position detection sensor 220. The processing control unit 237 also performs processing to output information such as pen status information and temperature and humidity information sent together with the pen ID through the wireless communication unit 210 in association with the indication positions by each electronic pen 1 detected using the position detection sensor 220.

[0101] Then, when it is determined in step S205 that there are no other electronic pens 1 that are in the in-range state, and after step S206, the processing control unit 237 determines whether there is any electronic pen for which it is time to perform zero pressure adjustment, for example, by referring to the pairing management table information (step S211 in Figure 9).

[0102] In step S211, when it is determined that there is an electronic pen for which it is time to perform a zero-pressure adjustment, the processing control unit 237 transmits a zero-pressure adjustment instruction to the electronic pen 1 for which it has been determined that it is time to perform a zero-pressure adjustment via the wireless communication unit 210 (step S212).

[0103] In step S211, if there is no electronic pen for which the timing for pen pressure zero adjustment has come, or after step S212, the process control unit 237 determines whether or not there is any electronic pen 1 for which the wireless communication path has been disconnected among the electronic pens 1 under pairing management (step S213). If it is determined in step S213 that there is no electronic pen 1 for which the wireless communication path has been disconnected, the process control unit 237 returns the process to step S203 in Fig. 8 and repeats the processes from step S203 onwards.

[0104] If it is determined in step S213 that there is an electronic pen 1 whose wireless communication path has been disconnected, the process control unit 237 recognizes the pen ID of the electronic pen 1 whose wireless communication path has been disconnected, erases the record of the electronic pen 1 in the pairing management table, and ends pairing management for that electronic pen (step S214).The process control unit 237 then refers to the pairing management table information to determine whether there is another electronic pen 1 that is still wirelessly connected (step S215).

[0105] If it is determined in step S215 that there is no other electronic pen 1 currently connected wirelessly, the process control unit 237 returns the process to step S201 and repeats the processes from step S201 onwards.

[0106] Furthermore, if it is determined in step S215 that there are other electronic pens 1 that are still wirelessly connected, the processing control unit 237 sends a release instruction to stop the time-sharing control that had been carried out up until then to the electronic pen 1 that has become out of range and the electronic pen 1 that is maintaining the in-range state (step S216).

[0107] Next, the processing control unit 237 determines whether a new wireless communication path has been created with the electronic pen (step S217), and if it determines in step S217 that a new wireless communication path has not been created with the electronic pen, it returns the processing to step S213 and repeats the processing from step S213 onwards.

[0108] Furthermore, if it is determined in step S217 that a new wireless communication path with the electronic pen has been created, the process control unit 237 proceeds to step S206 in FIG. 9, and repeats the processes from step S206 onwards.

[0109] [Effects of the electronic pen cartridge 3 and electronic pen 1 according to the embodiment] The connector plug 3P of the electronic pen cartridge 3 configured as described above includes terminal portions 31a, 32a, 33a, 34a, and 35a, each having an annular conductor contact portion exposed at a different axial position. The annular conductor contact portions of the terminal portions 31a, 32a, 33a, 34a, and 35a of the connector plug 3P contact with contact terminals 13J1, 13J2, 13J3, 13J4, and 13J5 of the connector jack 13J provided at the rear end of the hollow portion of the pen housing 2, thereby establishing an electrical connection. Even if a rotational torque is applied to the electronic pen cartridge 3 when the electronic pen 1 is in use, the electrical connection between the terminal portions of the connector plug 3P and the contact terminals of the connector jack 13J is always maintained, thereby preventing electrical disconnection.

[0110] Therefore, it is not necessary to provide all of the functions of the electronic pen 1 in the electronic pen cartridge 3, and even if an electronic circuit equipped with the necessary electrical functional components is provided within the hollow portion of the pen housing 2 of the electronic pen 1, the electronic pen cartridge 3 can be reliably electrically connected to the external electronic circuit.

[0111] Therefore, the electronic pen cartridge 3 only needs to accommodate the minimum number of circuit components required to realize the position indication function for the position detection device 200. In addition, the battery that supplies the power supply voltage can also be provided outside the electronic pen cartridge 3. As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, the electronic pen cartridge 3 can be made slim while maintaining electrical connection between the electronic pen cartridge 3 and the outside.

[0112] Furthermore, the electronic pen 1 of the above-described embodiment is equipped with a wireless communication unit 102 for wireless communication with the position detection device 200, and is also equipped with an ID memory for the pen ID, and is capable of transmitting the pen ID to the position detection device 200. Therefore, it is possible to manage the position indication information by the electronic pen 1 detected through the position detection sensor of the position detection device 200 in association with the pen ID.

[0113] Furthermore, in the electronic pen 1 of the above-described embodiment, the control unit 101 detects the signal level of the electromagnetic induction signal based on the resonance circuit RC of the electronic pen cartridge 3 becoming electromagnetically coupled (in-range state) with the position detection sensor 220, and notifies the position detection device 200 of the in-range state together with the pen ID via a wireless communication path. Therefore, the position detection device 200 can recognize the electronic pen 1 that is electromagnetically coupled with the position detection sensor 220 by the pen ID received via wireless communication.

[0114] Furthermore, the electronic pen cartridge 3 of the electronic pen 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment is equipped with a switch circuit 304 as a control circuit for controlling the resonant circuit RC to switch between an operating state and a non-operating state, and is configured to be able to control the state of the switch circuit 304 by a control signal from outside.

[0115] Since the electronic pen cartridge 3 is equipped with a switch circuit 304 and the position detection device 200 can recognize the electronic pen 1 that is in range by its pen ID, the position detection device 200 can simultaneously detect and manage position instructions on the position detection sensor 220 by two electronic pens 1 by time-sharing control of the operating and non-operating states of the resonant circuit RC of the electronic pen cartridge 3 through the wireless communication unit.

[0116] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the variable capacitance capacitor 51C configured in the pen pressure detection unit 51 can be controlled to be disabled for the resonant circuit RC of the electronic pen cartridge 3 by a control instruction from the position detection device 200, so that the pen pressure zero adjustment of the electronic pen 1 can be performed at an appropriate timing from the position detection device 200 side.

[0117] Furthermore, in the electronic pen 1 of the above-described embodiment, when it is determined that the electronic pen 1 has entered an in-range state where it is electromagnetically coupled with the position detection sensor 220, the wireless communication unit 102 is put into an operating state and a wireless communication path is created with the position detection device 200. This allows the position detection device 200 to determine that the electronic pen 1, for which a wireless communication path has been created, is in an in-range state where it is electromagnetically coupled with the position detection sensor 220. In other words, the position detection device 200 can determine that the electronic pen 1 is in an in-range state even without the electronic pen 1 sending notification information of the in-range state to the position detection device 200.

[0118] Note that the wireless communication unit 102 of the electronic pen 1 may be configured to always be able to connect a wireless communication path to the wireless communication unit 210 of the position detection device 200, so that the electronic pen 1 can wirelessly connect to the position detection device 200 before the electronic pen 1 enters an in-range state. In this case, when the electronic pen 1 detects that it has entered an in-range state, it wirelessly transmits a notification to that effect to the position detection device 200 via the wireless communication path.

[0119] [Other embodiments] <First Alternative Embodiment> In the above embodiment, the process control unit 237 of the position detection device 200 also controls communication via the wireless communication unit 210 and manages pairing, but it goes without saying that these controls and managements may be performed by a control unit separate from the process control unit 237. However, even in that case, it goes without saying that the separate control unit and the process control unit 237 are connected to each other and operate in cooperation with each other.

[0120] Furthermore, in the electronic pen 1 of the above-described embodiment, the electronic pen cartridge 3 is configured to be able to control the switching between the operating state and the non-operating state of the resonant circuit RC, and the position detection device 200 is configured to realize the multi-pen function by time-division control. However, instead of controlling the operating state and the non-operating state of the resonant circuit RC, the position detection device 200 may be configured to realize the multi-pen function by time-division control by controlling the switching of the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit RC.

[0121] 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an electronic circuit of the electronic pen cartridge 3A of the electronic pen 1A that can switch and control the resonance frequency of the resonance circuit RC. In this Fig. 10, parts that are the same as those in the circuit configuration of the electronic pen cartridge 3 of the electronic pen 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0122] 10, a series circuit of a switch circuit 304 and a capacitor 310 is connected to the coil 41 of the resonant circuit RC. The rest of the circuit configuration is the same as that of the electronic pen cartridge 3 of the electronic pen 1 of the above-described embodiment.

[0123] 10, when the switch circuit 304 is off, the capacitor 310 is disconnected from the resonant circuit RC, and therefore its capacitance is ineffective. When the switch circuit 304 is turned on, the capacitor 310 is connected in parallel to the coil 41, and the frequency of the resonant circuit RC is shifted to a frequency different from that when the switch circuit 304 is off.

[0124] 10, the position detection device 200 transmits a resonance frequency shift control signal to the electronic pen 1A. Upon receiving this shift control signal, the control unit 101 of the electronic pen cartridge 3A controls the on / off of the switch circuit 310. Then, in the position detection device 200, a band-pass filter or multiple band-pass filters with a variable pass frequency are provided in the subsequent stage of the receiving amplifier 234, so that the pass frequency of the band-pass filter is varied or the band-pass filters are switched in accordance with the shift control of the resonance circuit RC of the electronic pen 1.

[0125] 10 and transmitting a frequency shift control signal from the position detection device 200 to the electronic pen cartridge 3A via a wireless communication path, the position detection device 200 can simultaneously detect positions indicated by the two electronic pen cartridges 3A. In this case, it goes without saying that time-division control of the electronic pens is not necessary.

[0126] When changing the resonant frequency of resonant circuit RC in this way, by connecting multiple series circuits of switch circuit 304 and capacitor 310 in parallel as shown in Fig. 10, the resonant frequency of resonant circuit RC can be changed by the number of connected series circuits. This makes it possible to increase the number of electronic pens 1A whose positions can be detected simultaneously via position detection sensor 220 of position detection device 200 to two or more.

[0127] <Second Alternative Embodiment> The knock-type electronic pens 1, 1A of the above-described embodiments are provided with a knock cam mechanism 10, and each time the knock rod is pressed down, the electronic pen cartridge 3 is brought into a state in which the pen tip side protrudes from the opening 2a of the pen housing 2, and a state in which the pen tip side of the electronic pen cartridge 3 is housed within the pen housing 2. However, the electronic pen of this invention is not limited to a knock-type pen that uses a knock cam mechanism.

[0128] 11 shows another example of a knock-type electronic pen. In this example, electronic pen 1B, a knock movement portion 17 that moves axially in response to a knock operation is provided in hollow portion 2Ba of pen housing 2B shown in cross section. This knock movement portion 17 is made of, for example, resin, and, as with electronic pen 1 described above, a printed circuit board 14 and a battery 15 are disposed in the hollow portion of knock movement portion 17.

[0129] In this example, an axially elongated hole 2Be and a locking hole 2Bf are formed in the side peripheral surface of the pen housing 2B of the electronic pen 1B in a portion where the knock moving portion 17 moves in the axial direction. Two protrusions 17a and 17b that protrude in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction are provided on the knock moving portion 17, aligned in the axial direction but at different positions in the axial direction. As shown in Fig. 11, the protrusion 17a is configured to be able to slide and move within the elongated hole 2Be of the pen housing 2B, and the protrusion 17b is configured to be able to fit into the locking hole 2Bf.

[0130] A ring-shaped protrusion 2Bd is provided on the inner wall surface at a predetermined position in the axial direction of the hollow portion 2Ba of the pen housing 2B, and a coil spring 18 is suspended between this ring-shaped protrusion 2Bd and the protrusion 17a of the knock moving portion 17. This coil spring 18 causes the knock moving portion 17 to be constantly elastically displaced toward the opening 2Bc on the rear end side of the pen housing 2B. However, the knock moving portion 17 is configured so that either the protrusion 17a or the protrusion 17b abuts against the wall portions on the rear end side of the elongated hole 2Be and the locking hole 2Bf, respectively, to lock in place so as not to fall out of the opening 2Bc on the rear end side of the pen housing 2B.

[0131] In this case, the protrusion 17b on the rear end side is made lower in protrusion height than the protrusion 17a on the pen tip side, as shown in Fig. 11. The protrusion height of the protrusion 17b on the rear end side is set to a height such that when the protrusion 17a is pressed in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, toward the hollow portion 2Ba of the pen housing 2B, the engagement between the protrusion 17b and the locking hole 2Bf is released and the knock moving portion 17 can move axially into the hollow portion 2Ba of the pen housing 2B.

[0132] In this example, a connector jack 17J into which the connector plug 3P of the electronic pen cartridge 3 is inserted and coupled is provided at the end of the knock moving part 17 on the pen tip side in the axial direction. The electronic pen cartridge 3 is coupled to the knock moving part 17 by being inserted through the opening 2Bb of the pen housing 2B and the connector plug 3P is inserted into and coupled to the connector jack 17J of the knock moving part 17.

[0133] 11 shows a state in which rear end side 17c of knock moving portion 17 of electronic pen 1B of this example is pressed down by the user, and knock moving portion 17 moves toward the pen tip against the elasticity of coil spring 18, and protrusion 17b enters and engages with locking hole 2Bf, thereby locking knock moving portion 17. In this state, tip end 30a side of core body 30 of electronic pen cartridge 3 protrudes to the outside through opening 2Bb of pen housing 2B.

[0134] 11, when protrusion 17a is pressed down, protrusion 17b disengages from locking hole 2Bf, and the elasticity of coil spring 18 causes knock moving portion 17 to move toward the rear end of pen housing 2B, where protrusion 17a engages with the wall portion on the rear end side of elongated hole 2Be in pen housing 2B, thereby locking the movement of knock moving portion 17. At this time, tip 30a of core body 30 of electronic pen cartridge 3 is also housed within hollow portion 2Ba of pen housing 2B, and rear end side 17c of knock moving portion 17 protrudes from opening 2Bc on the rear end side of pen housing 2B more than in the state shown in FIG. 11. In this state, rear end side 17c of knock moving portion 17 is pressed down, resulting in the state shown in FIG.

[0135] The electronic pen 1B of the example in FIG. 11 also provides the same effects as those described above.

[0136] <Third Alternative Embodiment> It should be noted that the electronic pen according to the present invention is not limited to the knock-type configuration described above. Figure 12 is a diagram showing a schematic example of an electronic pen configured such that the connector jack is provided at the rear end of the pen housing itself, rather than at the part that moves within the hollow portion of the pen housing as in the knock-type electronic pen described above.

[0137] Figures 12(A), (B), and (C) are schematic diagrams of three examples of electronic pens 1C, 1D, and 1E, each of which is configured to have a connector jack at the rear end of the pen housing itself, and show cross sections of the respective pen housings 2C, 2D, and 2E.

[0138] 12(A), (B), and (C), no openings are formed at the rear ends of the pen housings 2C, 2D, and 2E of the electronic pens 1C, 1D, and 1E, and connector jacks 2CJ, 2DJ, and 2EJ are provided at the rear ends of the hollow portions 2Ca, 2Da, and 2Ea, respectively, into which the connector plug 3P of the electronic pen cartridge 3 is inserted and coupled. In the electronic pens 1C, 1D, and 1E of this example, rechargeable batteries 15C, 15D, and 15E are provided at the rear ends of the pen housings 2C, 2D, and 2E, and, although not shown, an electronic circuit 100 similar to that of the electronic pen 1 described above is also provided, and contact terminals of the connector jacks 2CJ, 2DJ, and 2Ej are connected to a control unit 101 of the electronic circuit 100.

[0139] As shown in Figures 12(A), (B) and (C), in the electronic pens 1C, 1D and 1E, when the connector plug 3P of the electronic pen cartridge 3 is inserted into and coupled to the connector jack 2CJ, 2DJ and 2EJ at the rear end of the hollow portions 2Ca, 2Da and 2Ea of the pen housings 2C, 2D and 2E, the tip 30a side of the core body 30 of the electronic pen cartridge 3 protrudes to the outside through the openings 2Cb, 2Db and 2Eb of the pen housings 2C, 2D and 2E.

[0140] 12(A), in the electronic pen 1C of the first example, terminals 19a and 19b of the charging terminal 19 are provided at the rear end of the pen housing 2C in a state where they are exposed to the outside. The charging terminal 19 is connected to the contacts of a dedicated charger, and the battery 15C is configured to be charged by this dedicated charger.

[0141] 12(B), in the electronic pen 1D of the second example, a core 20 is fitted and attached to the outer peripheral side surface of the pen housing 2D, and a charging coil 21 is wound around this core 20. The electronic pen 1D of this example is configured so that the charging coil 21 receives electromagnetic energy supplied from the outside and charges the battery 15D.

[0142] 12(C), in the electronic pen 1E of the third example, a core 20 around which a charging coil 21 is wound is provided on the outer peripheral side surface of a pen housing 2E, and a side switch 22 is also provided. The side switch 22 is connected to a control unit 101 of an electronic circuit 100 provided in the pen housing 2E. In the electronic pen 1E of the third example, the control unit 101 is configured to also wirelessly transmit operation information of the side switch 22 to the position detection device 200.

[0143] The electronic pens 1C, 1D, and 1E shown in FIGS. 12(A), (B), and (C) also provide the same effects as those of the electronic pen 1 of the above-described embodiment.

[0144] 12, the pen housings 2C, 2D, and 2E are assumed to be provided with an electronic circuit 100 similar to that of the electronic pen 1 of the above-described embodiment. However, it is not necessary for all components of the electronic circuit 100 to be provided, and the electronic circuit provided in the pen housings 2C, 2D, and 2E may consist of only the battery 15C or 15D, or only the battery 15E and the control unit 101, as shown in FIGS. 12(A), (B), and (C).

[0145] <Fourth Alternative Embodiment> In the electronic pen of the above embodiment, a connector plug is provided on the electronic pen cartridge, but a connector jack may be provided on the electronic pen cartridge side. Also, although the electronic pen of the above embodiment is an electromagnetic coupling type electronic pen, the present invention can also be applied to an electrostatic coupling type electronic pen.

[0146] Fig. 13 shows an example in which a connector jack is provided on the electronic pen cartridge side and the present invention is applied to an electrostatic coupling type electronic pen. The example in which a connector jack is provided on the electronic pen cartridge side is of course applicable to the above-mentioned knock-type electronic pen, but the example shown in Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example in which the electronic pen cartridge is fixedly attached to the pen housing, similar to the example shown in Fig. 12. Then, as shown in Figs. 13(A), (B), and (C), in this example, three examples of electronic pens 1F, 1G, and 1H will be described as corresponding to the configuration examples shown in Figs. 12(A), (B), and (C).

[0147] 13(A), (B), and (C), the electronic pen cartridge 3AS is provided with a conductive core 30AS, and a printed circuit board 52AS is provided within the cartridge housing 60AS on which electronic circuits including a signal generating circuit are arranged that supplies a signal to be sent to a position detection sensor of the electrostatic coupling type position detection device through the core 30AS. Also, in the example of Fig. 13, a rechargeable battery 53B is arranged within the electronic pen cartridge 3AS to supply power supply voltage to the signal generating circuit and the like arranged on the printed circuit board 52AS.

[0148] A connector jack 3J is formed on the side opposite the pen tip side of the electronic pen cartridge 3AS, to which the electronic circuit of the printed circuit board 52AS and the battery 53B are connected at contact terminals. Although not shown in Fig. 13, a writing pressure detection unit is provided within the electronic pen cartridge 3AS, into which the end of the core body 30AS is fitted and which detects the writing pressure applied to the core body 30AS.

[0149] In this example, as shown in Figures 13(A), (B) and (C), no openings are formed at the rear end sides of the pen housings 2F, 2G and 2H of the electronic pens 1F, 1G and 1H, and connector plugs 2FP, 2GP and 2HP are provided at the rear end sides of the hollow portions 2Fa, 2Ga and 2Ha, which are inserted into and coupled to the connector jack 3J of the cartridge 3 for the electronic pen.

[0150] In the electronic pens 1F, 1G and 1H of this example, rechargeable batteries 15F, 15G and 15H are provided at the rear ends of the pen housings 2F, 2G and 2H, and these batteries 15F, 15G and 15H are connected to terminal portions having circular conductive contact portions of the connector plugs 2FP, 2GP and 2HP.

[0151] 13(C), a control unit 101H made up of an IC is provided at the rear end of a pen housing 2H, and a side switch 22AS is also provided. Although not shown, a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication according to the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard is also provided and connected to the control unit 101H in the electronic pen 1H of this example. As in the above-described embodiment, this wireless communication unit is used for wireless communication between the electronic pen 1H and a position detection device that employs electrostatic coupling. The control unit 101H is connected to terminal portions that include annular conductor contact portions of the connector plugs 2FP, 2GP, and 2HP.

[0152] As shown in Figures 13(A), (B) and (C), in the electronic pens 1F, 1G and 1H, when the connector jack 3J of the electronic pen cartridge 3AS is inserted into and coupled to the connector plugs 2FP, 2GP and 2HP at the rear end of the hollow portions 2Fa, 2Ga and 2Ha of the pen housings 2F, 2G and 2H, the tip 30ASa side of the core body 30AS of the electronic pen cartridge 3AS is configured to protrude to the outside through the openings 2Fb, 2Gb and 2Hb of the pen housings 2F, 2G and 2H.

[0153] 13A, in the electronic pen 1F of the first example, terminals 19ASa and 19ASb of the charging terminal 19AS are provided at the rear end of the pen housing 2F in a state where they are exposed to the outside. The charging terminal 19AS is connected to the contacts of a dedicated charger, and the battery 15F and the battery 53B of the electronic pen cartridge 3AS are configured to be charged by this dedicated charger.

[0154] 13(B), in the electronic pen 1G of the second example, a core 20AS is fitted and attached to the outer peripheral side surface of the pen housing 2G, and a charging coil 21AS is wound around this core 20AS. The electronic pen 1G of this example is configured so that the charging coil 21AS receives electromagnetic energy supplied from the outside and charges the battery 15G. The battery 53B of the electronic pen cartridge 3AS is charged by the voltage of the battery 15G.

[0155] 13(C), a third example of an electronic pen 1H includes a core 20AS around which a charging coil 21AS is wound, and a side switch 22AS, provided on the outer peripheral side of a pen housing 2H. The side switch 22AS is connected to a control unit 101H provided in the pen housing 2H. In the third example of an electronic pen 1H, the control unit 101H is configured to wirelessly transmit operation information of the side switch 22AS to the electrostatic coupling position detection device. The electronic pen 1H of this example is also configured to receive electromagnetic energy supplied from the outside via the charging coil 21AS to charge the battery 15H, and the battery 53B of the electronic pen cartridge 3AS is charged by the voltage of the battery 15H.

[0156] The electronic pens 1F, 1G and 1H shown in FIGS. 13(A), (B) and (C) also provide the same effects as those of the electronic pen 1 of the above-described embodiment.

[0157] In the electrostatic coupling type electronic pens 1F, 1G, and 1H of Figure 13 described above, the electronic pen cartridge 3AS is provided with a rechargeable battery 53B, but this battery 53B may not be provided and the power supply voltage may be supplied from batteries 15F, 15G, and 15H provided in the pen housings 2F, 2G, and 2H through a connector jack and connector plug.

[0158] 13C, a pen ID memory may be connected to the control unit 101H, and the pen ID may be notified to the position detection device via the wireless communication unit, as in the electronic pen 1 of the above-described embodiment. In that case, as in the electronic pen 1 of the above-described embodiment, the operation of the signal generating circuit of the electronic pen cartridge 3AS is controlled to be turned on and off by a time-division control signal sent from the position detection device via the wireless communication unit, thereby allowing the position indicated by the two electronic pens to be detected substantially simultaneously by the position detection device.

[0159] 13C, a receiver for detecting a signal transmitted from a position detection sensor of the position detection device may be provided in the electronic pen cartridge 3AS or the pen housing, and the control unit 101H may detect the signal level of the signal received by the receiver to determine whether the position is in range or out of range, and wirelessly transmit the detected signal to the position detection device. In this case, the signal from the position detection sensor may be received by, for example, switching the use of the core body 30AS of the electronic pen cartridge 3AS between transmission and reception in a time-division manner. Alternatively, a receiving conductor may be provided on the pen tip side of the pen housing, and the receiving conductor may be connected to the control unit 101H, allowing the received signal to be monitored.

[0160] 13(C), the signal from the electronic pen cartridge 3AS is a frequency signal from an oscillator circuit, and the writing pressure is transmitted to the position detection device by changing the oscillation frequency using a variable capacitance capacitor configured in the writing pressure detection unit. In this case, the electronic pen cartridge 3AS is provided with a control circuit that disables the variable capacitance capacitor configured in the writing pressure detection unit, and the position detection device, in the same way as in the example of the electronic pen 1 described above, can perform writing pressure zero adjustment by sending a control signal for writing pressure zero adjustment to the electronic pen 1H via the wireless communication unit.

[0161] [Other variations] In the above embodiment, one electronic pen cartridge is provided in the hollow portion of the pen housing, but by configuring it in the same way as a so-called multi-color ballpoint pen, the electronic pen of this invention can also be configured so that multiple electronic pen cartridges are attached to the pen housing.

[0162] In addition, this type of multi-color ballpoint pen structure may be configured to use one electronic pen cartridge and one ballpoint pen cartridge. [Explanation of symbols]

[0163] 1, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H... Electronic pen, 2, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H... Pen housing, 3, 3AS... Cartridge for electronic pen, 3P, 2FP, 2GP, 2HP... Connector plug, 13J, 17J, 3J... Connector jack, 15, 15C, 15D, 15E, 15F, 15G, 15H... Battery, 30, 30AS... Core body, 41... Coil, 51... Pen pressure detection unit, 52... Electronic circuit, 100... Electronic circuit, 101... Control unit, 102, 210... Wireless communication unit, 103... ID memory, 104... Pen state detection unit, 200... Position detection device, 220... Position detection sensor

Claims

1. An electronic pen in which an electronic pen cartridge is housed in a hollow part of an electronic pen housing having an opening at one end side of the axial center, that is, a pen tip side, The electronic pen cartridge comprises: a conductive core body whose tip protrudes or can protrude to the outside through the opening; a first electronic circuit including a signal generating circuit that generates a signal to be sent to a position detection sensor through the core body; a rear end connector provided at a rear end of the core body opposite to the tip end side in the axial direction, electrically connected to the first electronic circuit, and coupled to a coupling connector provided at the rear end side of the hollow portion of the electronic pen housing; Equipped with The electronic pen housing includes: a second electronic circuit is provided to which the mating connector is electrically connected; When the rear end connector and the coupling connector are coupled together, the first electronic circuit and the second electronic circuit are electrically connected together. An electronic pen characterized by:

2. The first electronic circuit includes a power supply that supplies a power supply voltage to the signal generating circuit.

2. The electronic pen according to claim 1 .

3. The second electronic circuit includes a power supply, and a power supply voltage is supplied from the power supply to the first electronic circuit via the rear end connector and the coupling connector.

2. The electronic pen according to claim 1 .

4. The first electronic circuit includes a rechargeable battery that supplies a power supply voltage to the signal generating circuit, and the second electronic circuit includes a power supply and a charging circuit, and charging current from the charging circuit is supplied to the rechargeable battery via the rear end connector and the mating connector.

2. The electronic pen according to claim 1 .

5. the first electronic circuit includes a first rechargeable battery that supplies a power supply voltage to the signal generating circuit; the second electronic circuit includes a power source and a charging circuit for charging the first rechargeable battery, the power source being a second rechargeable battery; The first rechargeable battery receives charging current from the power source, which is the second rechargeable battery, via the rear end connector and the mating connector.

2. The electronic pen according to claim 1 .

6. The second electronic circuit is activated when it receives a signal from the electronic pen cartridge through the rear end connector and the mating connector.

6. The electronic pen according to claim 1, wherein the electronic pen is a pen having a plurality of electrodes.

7. the first electronic circuit of the electronic pen cartridge includes a receiver for receiving a signal from the position detection sensor, and a circuit unit for generating information indicating a signal level of the signal received by the receiver; information indicating the signal level is supplied to the second electronic circuit through the rear end connector and the mating connector; The second electronic circuit is activated when the information indicating the signal level from the electronic pen cartridge through the rear end connector and the coupling connector is equal to or greater than a predetermined signal level.

7. The electronic pen according to claim 6.

8. The electronic pen housing is provided with a light emitting element for emitting light to the outside, The second electronic circuit includes a circuit that causes the light-emitting element to emit light when the information indicating the signal level from the electronic pen cartridge through the rear end connector and the coupling connector is equal to or greater than a predetermined signal level.

8. The electronic pen according to claim 7.

9. The second electronic circuit includes a control circuit that supplies a control signal to control the signal generating circuit of the first electronic circuit through the mating connector and the rear end connector.

2. The electronic pen according to claim 1 .

10. The control signal from the control circuit of the second electronic circuit controls the transmission of a signal from the signal generating circuit of the first electronic circuit to the position detection sensor.

10. The electronic pen according to claim 9.

11. The second electronic circuit includes a communication unit for wirelessly communicating with a device including the position detection sensor.

2. The electronic pen according to claim 1 .

12. the second electronic circuit includes a communication unit for wirelessly communicating with a device including the position detection sensor; The second electronic circuit supplies a control signal for controlling the signal generating circuit of the first electronic circuit through the coupling connector and the rear end connector based on a signal received by the communication unit from the device equipped with the position detection sensor.

10. The electronic pen according to claim 9.

13. The second electronic circuit includes a storage unit that stores identification information for identifying the electronic pen itself, and a control unit that controls the identification information to be transmitted to the device that includes the position detection sensor via the communication unit.

12. The electronic pen according to claim 11.

14. The second electronic circuit includes an attitude detection unit that detects the attitude of the electronic pen, including the tilt and rotation angle, and a control unit that controls the information on the attitude detected by the attitude detection unit to be transmitted to a device that includes the position detection sensor via the communication unit.

12. The electronic pen according to claim 11.

15. the electronic pen housing includes a mechanism that moves the tip of the core of the electronic pen cartridge through the opening by a knocking mechanism; The coupling connector is provided in the mechanism portion.

2. The electronic pen according to claim 1 .

16. The second electronic circuit is provided in the mechanism unit.

16. The electronic pen according to claim 15.

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