Information Input / Output System

Abstract

To provide an information input-output system capable of acquiring information according to an instruction operation in an instruction operation device and transferring the acquired information to other devices.SOLUTION: An information input-output system comprises an instruction operation device and an information processing device including a sensor. The instruction operation device comprises: a first and a second electrode; a signal generation unit which generates a signal transmitted to the information processing device; a first transmission unit which transmits a signal from the signal generation circuit to a sensor of the information processing device through the first or second electrode; a reception unit which receives information from the information processing device through the first or second electrode; an information storage unit which stores the information received by the reception unit; and a throwing unit which throws the information stored in the reception unit to the outside. The information processing device comprises a processing unit which processes a signal received from the instruction operation device through the sensor, an acquisition unit which acquires information according to the processing results of the processing unit, and a second transmission unit which transmits the information acquired by the acquisition unit to the instruction operation unit through the sensor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information input / output system comprising an instruction operation device such as an electronic pen, and an information processing device that performs processing in response to instructions input by the instruction operation device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, systems have come into use that enable various processes to be performed interactively using an instruction operation device such as an electronic pen and an information processing device such as a computer equipped with a function to detect instruction operations from the instruction operation device, such as a position detection function to detect the position indicated by the electronic pen.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 (JP 2003-323455 A) discloses a related information providing device that provides relevant information appropriate for the information provider at the timing of an instruction given to a subject in a video. In the interactive system of Patent Document 1, the information processing device can conveniently obtain related information for information being processed in response to an instruction operation on an instruction operation device and use the information for display or processing at that time. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-323455 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, it would be convenient if the information processing device could not only use the information corresponding to the instruction operation on the instruction operation device for display or processing at the time, but also transfer it to another device for display or use on another device.

[0006] However, in the past, it was generally assumed that information corresponding to instruction operations on an instruction operation device would be used for processing on the information processing device side, as in Patent Document 1. Therefore, when considering the transfer of such information, it was necessary to temporarily store information acquired in response to instruction operations on the instruction operation device in the information processing device, and then store the information in a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a card-type memory, or to remove the information and use it for transfer, which was troublesome.

[0007] In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide an information input / output system that can easily obtain information corresponding to an instruction operation on an instruction operation device and transfer it to another device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, An information input / output system including an instruction operation device and an information processing device having a sensor, The instruction operation device is a first electrode and a second electrode; a receiving unit that receives information from an information transmitting unit of the information processing device via the sensor through the first electrode or the second electrode; an information storage unit that stores information received by the receiving unit from the information transmitting unit of the information processing device; a sending unit for sending information from the information sending unit of the information processing device stored in the information storage unit to an information processing device other than the information processing device; Equipped with The information processing device includes: Predetermined information to be transmitted to the instruction operation device a storage unit for storing the information; The predetermined information is read from the storage unit. an acquisition unit that acquires the information; a detection unit that detects an instruction operation for transmitting the predetermined information by the instruction operation device through the sensor; an information transmission unit that transmits the predetermined information acquired by the acquisition unit to the instruction operation device through the sensor when the detection unit detects an instruction operation to transmit the predetermined information by the instruction operation device; The present invention provides an information input / output system comprising:

[0009] In the information input / output system having the above configuration, when the information processing device detects, via the sensor, an instruction operation by the instruction operation device to transmit predetermined information, the acquisition unit acquires the predetermined information to be transmitted to the instruction operation device, and the information transmission unit transmits the predetermined information to the instruction operation device via the sensor. The instruction operation device receives the predetermined information transmitted from the information processing device via the first electrode or the second electrode and stores the received information in the information storage unit. The instruction operation device then transmits, via the transmission unit, the information stored in the information storage unit to an information processing device other than the information processing device that transmitted the predetermined information.

[0010] Therefore, according to the information input / output system having the above-described configuration, when an instruction operation to transmit predetermined information is performed using the instruction operation device through the sensor, the predetermined information to be transmitted to the instruction operation device is transmitted from the information processing device to the instruction operation device through the sensor, and the instruction operation device can store the information from the information processing device in the information storage unit and transfer it to another information processing device as appropriate through the transmission unit. In other words, by performing an instruction operation to transmit predetermined information through the sensor, the instruction operation device can receive the predetermined information transmitted from the information processing device through the sensor, store it in the information storage unit, and transfer the stored predetermined information to another information processing device, making it possible to transfer information obtained from the information processing device to another information processing device with a simple operation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a configuration example of a first embodiment of an information processing system according to the present invention. [Figure 2]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information processing device that constitutes a first embodiment of an information processing system according to the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of an electronic pen as an example of an instruction operation device that constitutes a first embodiment of an information processing system according to the present invention; [Figure 4] 2A to 2C are diagrams for explaining the operation of an electronic pen as an example of an instruction operation device constituting the first embodiment of the information processing system according to the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of processing operations in the first embodiment of the information processing system according to the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a part of a flowchart for explaining the flow of operations of an electronic pen as an example of an instruction operation device that constitutes the first embodiment of the information processing system according to the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a part of a flowchart for explaining the flow of operations of an electronic pen as an example of an instruction operation device that constitutes the first embodiment of the information processing system according to the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a part of a flowchart for explaining the flow of operations of an electronic pen as an example of an instruction operation device that constitutes the first embodiment of the information processing system according to the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a part of a flowchart for explaining the flow of operations of the information processing device constituting the first embodiment of the information processing system according to the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a part of a flowchart for explaining the flow of operations of the information processing device constituting the first embodiment of the information processing system according to the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a second embodiment of an information processing system according to the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of an electronic pen as an example of an instruction operation device that constitutes a second embodiment of an information processing system according to the present invention. [Figure 13]FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of a sensor of an information processing device that constitutes a second embodiment of an information processing system according to the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information processing device that constitutes a second embodiment of an information processing system according to the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining another example of the configuration of the sensor of the information processing device constituting the second embodiment of the information processing system according to the present invention. [Figure 16] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating another example of the configuration of the instruction operation device constituting the embodiment of the information processing system according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an information input / output system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] [First embodiment] Fig. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a first embodiment of an information input / output system according to the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the information input / output system 1 of the first embodiment is composed of an information processing device 2, such as a personal computer, and an electronic pen 3 as an example of an instruction operation device. In this embodiment, the information processing device 2 has a configuration as shown in Fig. 2, and the electronic pen 3 has an electronic circuit configuration as shown in Fig. 3.

[0014] [Configuration example of information processing device 2] 1 and 2, the information processing device 2 of this embodiment includes a capacitance-type position detection sensor 21 as an example of a sensor, and also includes a display device 22 that is provided so as to overlap the position detection sensor 21. The display device 22 is configured as a flat display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electroluminescence) display.

[0015] 2, the position detection sensor 21 is disposed overlapping the front side of the display screen of the display device 22. In this case, the position detection area of ​​the position detection sensor 21 is disposed so as to substantially coincide with the display area of ​​the display screen of the display device 22. In FIG. 1, the display area of ​​the display screen of the display device 22 is indicated by a dotted line.

[0016] In this example, the position detection sensor 21 uses a rectangular sheet-like transparent substrate 211 corresponding to the display screen of the display device 22, and on the front side of this transparent substrate 211, a plurality of first conductors 212Y1, 212Y2, ..., 212Y are provided, which extend in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction) in this example. m (m is an integer of 1 or more) are arranged in parallel in the Y-axis direction at a predetermined distance from each other, and a first conductor group 212 includes a plurality of second conductors 213X1, 213X2, ..., 213X extending in the vertical direction (Y-axis direction) perpendicular to the horizontal direction. n (n is an integer of 1 or more) and a second conductor group 213 in which the first conductors 212Y and the second conductors 213X are arranged in parallel in the X-axis direction at a predetermined distance from each other. In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the plurality of first conductors and the plurality of second conductors, they will be referred to as first conductors 212Y and second conductors 213X.

[0017] The position detection sensor 21 and the display device 22 are connected to a processing circuit 200 of the information processing device. The processing circuit 200 is configured by connecting a conductor selection circuit 202, a changeover switch circuit 203, a position detection circuit 204, a transmission information processing circuit 205, a display control circuit 206, a storage unit 207, a short-range wireless communication unit 208, and a communication unit 209 to a control circuit 201 that controls the entire information processing device 2.

[0018] The conductor selection circuit 202 is connected to each of the multiple conductors in the first conductor group 212 and the second conductor group 213 of the position detection sensor 21, and the conductor selection circuit 202 selects one or more conductors from the multiple conductors in the first conductor group 212 and the second conductor group 213 based on a control signal from the control circuit 201.

[0019] The conductor selection circuit 202 is connected to a changeover switch circuit 203. The changeover switch circuit 203 is switched by a changeover control signal from the control circuit 201 between receiving a signal from the position detection sensor 21 (reception mode) and transmitting information from the position detection sensor 21 (transmission mode).

[0020] That is, in a reception mode in which the position detection sensor 21 receives a signal from the electronic pen 3, as will be described later, the changeover switch circuit 203 is switched to the terminal R side by a switching control signal from the control circuit 201, and switches so that the conductor selected by the conductor selection circuit 202 is connected to the input terminal of the position detection circuit 204. In a transmission mode in which information is transmitted from the position detection sensor 21, the changeover switch circuit 203 is switched to the terminal T side by a switching control signal from the control circuit 201, and switches so that the conductor selected by the conductor selection circuit 202 is connected to the output terminal of the transmission information processing circuit 205. In this embodiment, the control circuit 201 of the information processing device 2 is configured to synchronize timing with the electronic pen 3, as will be described later, and to execute the transmission mode and the reception mode in a time-division manner.

[0021] The position detection circuit 204 detects the signal level of the signal received from the conductor selected by the conductor selection circuit 202, and from the detection result, detects the position indicated by the electronic pen 3. The position detection circuit 204 then supplies information on the detected position to the control circuit 201. The control circuit 201 executes processing as described below based on the received information on the position indicated by the electronic pen.

[0022] In this embodiment, the position detection circuit 204 detects writing pressure information and pen identification information (hereinafter referred to as pen ID) sent from the electronic pen 3 from the received signal from the conductor selected by the conductor selection circuit 202, and also performs processing to supply the detected writing pressure information and pen ID to the control circuit 201. Furthermore, the position detection circuit 204 also performs processing to detect the tilt of the electronic pen 3 from the received signal from the conductor selected by the conductor selection circuit 202, and also performs processing to supply information on the detected tilt to the control circuit 201.

[0023] The transmission information processing circuit 205 converts (modulates) the transmission information from the control circuit 201 into a signal suitable for transmission to the electronic pen 3 via the position detection sensor 21, and supplies the converted (modulated) signal to the conductor selected by the conductor selection circuit 202 via the changeover switch circuit 203, so that it is sent to the electronic pen 3.

[0024] The display control circuit 206 is connected to the display device 22, receives display image information from the control circuit 201, and controls the display device 22 to display an image corresponding to the display image information on its display screen.

[0025] The storage unit 207 stores and reads information under the control of the control circuit 201. In this embodiment, a plurality of partial detection areas are set in advance in the detection region of the position detection sensor 21, which corresponds to the display region of the display device 22. That is, in the example of FIG. 1, three rectangular partial detection areas AR1, AR2, and AR3 are set in the detection region of the position detection sensor 21. In this embodiment, an area AR0 other than these three partial detection areas AR1, AR2, and AR3 is used as a detection area for handwriting input by the electronic pen 3. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, area frame images AR1p, AR2p, and AR3p are displayed on the display screen of the display device 22 to allow the user to visually recognize the partial detection areas AR1, AR2, and AR3.

[0026] In this embodiment, the control circuit 201 is configured to be able to execute pre-set functional processes corresponding to the respective areas, which differ depending on which area within the detection region of the position detection sensor 21 the position pointed to by the electronic pen 3 is in. The storage unit 207 has storage areas corresponding to the handwriting input detection area AR0 and the partial detection areas AR1, AR2, and AR3, respectively.

[0027] The control circuit 201 performs processing control according to which area within the detection region of the position detection sensor 21 the position pointed to by the electronic pen 3 is located, and also performs processing control for writing or reading data to or from a storage region corresponding to the area in the storage unit 207. The control circuit 201 has a processing control program installed therein.

[0028] Examples of function processes set corresponding to the handwriting input detection area AR0 and the partial detection areas AR1, AR2, and AR3 within the detection region of the position detection sensor 21 will be described in detail later. The partial detection areas are not limited to three partial detection areas AR1, AR2, and AR3 as in this example, but may be one, two, or four or more. The size and shape of each partial area are also arbitrary, and the position, size, and shape can be specified on the position detection sensor 21 using, for example, the electronic pen 3. Furthermore, functions to be set in each partial detection area can be set by, for example, the information processing device 2 displaying a menu list of settable functions on the display screen of the display device 22 and selecting and instructing a function from the list using the electronic pen 3.

[0029] As will be described later, the short-range wireless communication unit 208 is for wireless communication with a short-range wireless communication unit provided in the electronic pen 3, and in this embodiment is configured as a wireless communication unit conforming to the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard. The control circuit 201 is configured to store information acquired through the short-range wireless communication unit 208 in the storage unit 207, and to supply an image corresponding to the acquired information to the display control circuit 206 and display it on the display screen of the display device 22.

[0030] In this embodiment, the communication unit 209 is used to connect to the Internet via a communication line and to communicate (email, etc.) with specific parties. The control circuit 201 is configured to store information acquired through the communication unit 209 in the storage unit 207, and to supply an image corresponding to the acquired information to the display control circuit 206 and display it on the display screen of the display device 22.

[0031] [Electronic Pen 3 Configuration Example] The electronic pen 3 of this embodiment has a capacitive configuration that interacts with the capacitive position detection sensor 21 of the information processing device 2. As shown in Fig. 1, the electronic pen 3 of this example has a pen-shaped cylindrical housing 30, with one end side in the axial direction of this housing 30 being the pen tip side, and a core body (center electrode) 31 that constitutes the first electrode and a peripheral electrode 32 that constitutes the second electrode are provided on this pen tip side. The peripheral electrode 32 is disposed so as to surround the periphery of the core body 31 while being insulated from the core body 31, and has a tapered shape that tapers toward the tip side of the core body 31 as shown in the figure.

[0032] 1, provided within the hollow portion of the housing 30 are a writing pressure detection unit 33 that detects the pressure (writing pressure) applied to the tip of the core body 31, an information storage unit 34, a short-range wireless communication unit 35, and a pen ID storage unit 36, as well as an electronic pen circuit 300 disposed on a printed circuit board (not shown). The writing pressure detection unit 33 is configured as a well-known variable capacitance capacitor that detects the applied writing pressure as a change in capacitance, for example.

[0033] Figure 3 is a circuit diagram for explaining an example configuration of the electronic pen circuit 300 of the electronic pen 3 of this embodiment, including the connection relationship between the electronic pen circuit 300 and the pen pressure detection unit 33, information storage unit 34, short-range wireless communication unit 35, and pen ID storage unit 36.

[0034] 3, the electronic pen circuit 300 includes a control circuit 301 configured with an IC (Integrated Circuit) mounted on a printed circuit board. A signal transmission circuit 302 and a signal reception circuit 303 are connected to the control circuit 301, and a variable capacitor 33C configured in the pen pressure detection unit 33 is also connected to the control circuit 301. A resistor 33R is connected in parallel to the variable capacitor 33C. An information storage unit 34, a short-range wireless communication unit 35, and a pen ID storage unit 36 ​​are also connected to the control circuit 301.

[0035] A signal output terminal of the signal transmission circuit 302 is connected to the core body 31 via the switch circuit 304. In this example, the signal output terminal of the signal transmission circuit 302 is also connected to a terminal S of the changeover switch circuit 305. A movable terminal M of this changeover switch circuit 305 is connected to the peripheral electrode 32. A terminal R of the changeover switch circuit 305 is connected to an input terminal of the signal receiving circuit 303. A terminal G of the changeover switch circuit 305 is also connected to an earth electrode (ground electrode).

[0036] The control circuit 301 then supplies the switch circuit 304 with a control signal SW1 that controls the on / off of the switch circuit 304. The control circuit 301 also supplies the changeover switch circuit 305 with a switching control signal SW2 that switches whether the movable terminal M is connected to the terminal S, the terminal R, or the terminal G.

[0037] When the changeover switch circuit 305 is switched to terminal R, the signal receiving circuit 303 monitors whether or not a signal has been received from the position detection sensor 21 through the peripheral electrode 32. When the signal receiving circuit 303 does not detect the reception of a signal from the position detection sensor 21 through the peripheral electrode 32, it supplies a detection result to that effect to the control circuit 301. When the signal receiving circuit 303 detects the reception of a signal from the position detection sensor 21 through the peripheral electrode 32, it performs processing such as demodulation according to the received signal and sends a signal resulting from this processing to the control circuit 301.

[0038] The signal transmission circuit 302 outputs, as a signal to be transmitted from the core body 31, a signal for position detection (burst signal) of a predetermined frequency for position detection by the position detection circuit 204 of the information processing device 2, and a signal including writing pressure information corresponding to the writing pressure detected by the writing pressure detection unit 33 and a pen ID as additional information. The signal transmission circuit 302 also outputs, as a signal to be transmitted from the peripheral electrode 32, a signal for detecting the tilt angle of the electronic pen 3. The tilt angle of the electronic pen 3 is the angle of the axial direction of the electronic pen 3 with respect to the detection surface of the position detection sensor 21.

[0039] Under the control of the control circuit 301, the signal transmission circuit 302 generates and transmits a signal to be transmitted from the core body 31 and a signal to be transmitted from the peripheral electrode 32. In this case, the control circuit 301 charges and discharges the variable capacitor 33C during the period when the signal transmission circuit 302 transmits a burst signal for position detection as a signal to be transmitted from the core body 31, and measures the time from the start of discharge until the voltage across the variable capacitor 33C reaches a predetermined voltage, thereby detecting the capacitance of the variable capacitor 33C at that time, and detecting the writing pressure based on the detected capacitance.

[0040] Then, the control circuit 301 converts the detected writing pressure into a multi-bit digital signal in this example, and controls the signal transmission circuit 302 so that writing pressure information corresponding to this digital signal is output from the signal transmission circuit 302 following a burst signal for position detection. The control circuit 301 also converts the pen ID read out from the pen ID storage unit 36 ​​into a multi-bit digital signal in this example, and controls the signal transmission circuit 302 so that it is output from the signal transmission circuit 302 following the writing pressure information.

[0041] The information storage unit 34 stores information received from the information processing device 2 through the position detection sensor 21 and the peripheral electrode 32 under the control of the control circuit 301. The information stored in the information storage unit 34 is read out under the control of the control circuit 301 and sent to the outside from the short-range wireless communication unit 35. In this example, when the information stored in the information storage unit 34 is transmitted through the short-range wireless communication unit 35, the control circuit 301 confirms that the transmission has been completed and then erases the information stored in the information storage unit 34.

[0042] Instead of automatically erasing the information stored in the information storage unit 34 after transmission, the electronic pen 3 may be provided with an operating means such as a side switch, and a specific operation such as a long press on the operating means may be considered as an erasure instruction operation, and the information stored in the information storage unit 34 may be erased based on the erasure instruction operation.

[0043] The short-range wireless communication unit 35 is an example of a sending unit, and in this example, as described above, a wireless communication means conforming to the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard is used to wirelessly communicate with the short-range wireless communication unit 208 of the information processing device 2. It goes without saying that the short-range wireless communication unit 35 can communicate wirelessly not only with the information processing device 2, but also with personal computers and the like that use wireless communication means conforming to the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard.

[0044] Although not shown in Figures 1 and 3, a power supply unit consisting of a primary or secondary battery is provided within the hollow portion of the housing 30 of the electronic pen 3, and the power supply voltage from this power supply unit is supplied to each part under the control of the control circuit 301.

[0045] The operation of the electronic pen circuit 300 of the electronic pen 3 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0046] In the electronic pen circuit 300 of this embodiment, when the electronic pen and the position detection sensor 21 are not in a state where they are electrostatically coupled, the control circuit 301 switches the changeover switch circuit 305 to terminal R using a changeover control signal SW2 (see FIG. 4(E)), connecting the peripheral electrode 32 to the signal receiving circuit 303 via the changeover switch circuit 305. Then, the control circuit 301 monitors the reception of a signal from the position detection sensor 21 based on the monitoring output (see FIG. 4(A)) of the signal receiving circuit 303. At this time, the control circuit 301 keeps the switch circuit 304 off using a changeover control signal SW1 (see FIG. 4(D)).

[0047] In this embodiment, the control circuit 301 and the signal receiving circuit 303 do not constantly monitor the signals received from the position detection sensor, but only during intermittent signal reception monitoring periods that are repeated at predetermined intervals, as shown in the first half of Figure 4(B).

[0048] When the control circuit 301 detects from the monitor output of the signal receiving circuit 303 that a signal has been received from the position detection sensor 21, it switches the electronic pen circuit 300 from the standby state to the active state and controls the electronic pen circuit 300 to supply power supply voltage from the power supply unit to each unit. Then, as shown in Fig. 4(B), the control circuit 301 controls the electronic pen circuit 300 to switch its operation mode between a signal receiving mode and a signal transmitting mode in a time-division manner. In this case, the time-division control is set to start from the signal receiving mode.

[0049] In the signal reception mode, the control circuit 301 switches the changeover switch circuit 305 to the fixed terminal R side using the changeover control signal SW2, as shown in Fig. 4(E). Therefore, the signal reception circuit 303 receives a signal from the position detection sensor received by the peripheral electrode 32 through the changeover switch circuit 304, performs processing such as demodulation according to the received signal, and sends the signal resulting from this processing to the control circuit 301. Then, in this signal reception mode, the control circuit 301 turns off the switch circuit 304 using the changeover control signal SW1, as shown in Fig. 4(D), so that no signal is sent from the core body 31 serving as the center electrode.

[0050] The control circuit 301 analyzes the signal received from the position detection sensor based on the signal from the signal receiving circuit 303, determines the specifications of the partner position detection device, and determines the timing of signal interaction with the position detection sensor of the partner position detection device based on the determination result.The control circuit 301 then controls the format of the signal output from the signal transmission circuit 302 so that it matches the specifications of the partner information processing device 2, and interacts with the position detection sensor at the determined timing.

[0051] In addition, in this signal reception mode, when the control circuit 301 receives information from the information processing device 2 sent via the peripheral electrode 32 through the position detection sensor 21 from the signal reception circuit 303, the control circuit 301 also performs a process of storing the received information in the information storage unit 34.

[0052] In this embodiment, in the signal transmission mode, the control circuit 301 executes a position detection period Ta, in which a burst signal for position detection, writing pressure information, and pen ID are transmitted to the information processing device 2, and a tilt detection period Tb, in which the tilt angle of the electronic pen 3 is detected, multiple times in a time-division manner.

[0053] During the position detection period Ta, the control circuit 301 turns on the switch circuit 304 using a control signal SW1 (see FIG. 4(D)), and the changeover switch circuit 305 connects the movable terminal M to the fixed terminal G using a changeover control signal SW2 (see FIG. 4(E)). Therefore, the peripheral electrode 32 is connected to the ground terminal.

[0054] During the position detection period Ta, the control circuit 301 controls the signal transmission circuit 302 to supply a signal including a position detection signal (burst signal) of a predetermined frequency for position detection in the information processing device 2, writing pressure information corresponding to the writing pressure detected by the writing pressure detection unit 33, and a pen ID to the core body 31 via the switch circuit 304, and transmits the signal to the position detection sensor by capacitive coupling. At this time, the peripheral electrode 32 is connected to the earth terminal, and therefore acts as a shield electrode for the core body 31 serving as the central electrode, preventing noise from entering the core body 31.

[0055] During the tilt detection period Tb, the control circuit 301 turns off the switch circuit 304 using the control signal SW1 (see FIG. 4(D)), and controls the changeover switch circuit 305 to connect the movable terminal M to the fixed terminal S using the changeover control signal SW2 (see FIG. 4(E)). During this tilt detection period Tb, the control circuit 301 controls the signal transmission circuit 302 to generate a burst signal for detecting the tilt angle of the electronic pen 3 and send it from the peripheral electrode 32.

[0056] The position detection circuit 204 of the information processing device 2 detects the distribution of the detection positions of the signals from the peripheral electrode 32 in the position detection sensor 21, and detects the tilt of the electronic pen 3 from the detection results.

[0057] [Example of functional processing corresponding to partial detection areas AR1, AR2, and AR3] Before describing the functional processes set corresponding to the partial detection areas AR1, AR2, and AR3, the processing operation of the information processing device 2 when the pointing position of the electronic pen 3 is within the handwriting input detection area AR0 will be described.

[0058] That is, in this embodiment, when the position detection circuit 204 detects that the pointing position of the electronic pen 3 is within the handwriting input detection area AR0, the control circuit 201 of the information processing device 2 stores information about the detected pointing position as handwriting input information in a storage area of ​​the storage unit 207 corresponding to the handwriting input detection area AR0. At this time, in this embodiment, the control circuit 201 also stores the writing pressure information and pen ID sent from the electronic pen 3 as handwriting input information. Then, the control circuit 201 generates image information of the handwriting based on the detected information about the pointing position and supplies it to the display control circuit 206. The display control circuit 206 displays the image Ps of the handwriting on the display screen of the display device 22, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The writing pressure information is reflected in the thickness of the lines of the handwriting, etc., and is displayed.

[0059] Next, an example of functional processes set corresponding to the partial detection areas AR1, AR2, and AR3 within the detection region of the position detection sensor 21 of the information processing device 2 in this embodiment will be described.

[0060] In this example, partial detection area AR1 is set with a function of reading handwriting input information that has been detected in handwriting input detection area AR0 from storage unit 207 and transmitting it to electronic pen 3. That is, in this example, when position detection circuit 204 detects that the pointing position of electronic pen 3 is within partial detection area AR1, control circuit 201 reads handwriting input information that has been detected in handwriting input detection area AR0 from storage unit 207 and supplies it to transmission information processing circuit 205.

[0061] In this case, in this example, the handwriting input information is configured to be read from a storage area corresponding to handwriting input detection area AR0 in storage unit 207. Therefore, in this example, it is not necessary to set a separate storage area corresponding to partial detection area AR1 in storage unit 207, and the storage area corresponding to handwriting input detection area AR0 also serves as the storage area corresponding to partial detection area AR1. Note that a storage area corresponding to partial detection area AR1 may be set in storage unit 207, and handwriting input information may be stored in this set storage area as well, and the handwriting input information may be read from this storage area.

[0062] Then, the control circuit 201 switches the changeover switch circuit 203 to the terminal T side, and controls the conductor selection circuit 202 to select the first conductor 212Y and the second conductor 213X having an intersection in the partial detection area AR1. As a result, the handwriting input information stored in the memory unit 207 is transmitted to the electronic pen 3 located in the partial detection area AR1 of the position detection sensor 21. The peripheral electrode 32 of the electronic pen 3 receives the handwriting input information transmitted through the position detection sensor 21 and stores it in the memory unit 34.

[0063] By using the function set for this partial detection area AR1, information handwritten and input with the electronic pen 3 in the information processing device 2 can be handed over to another information processing device, allowing handwritten input to be continued.

[0064] That is, as shown on the left side of Figure 5(A), when a user performs handwriting input, for example forming a handwriting trace Ps, using the electronic pen 3 in the handwriting input detection area AR0 on the position detection sensor 21 of the information processing device 2, and then moves the position indicated by the core body 31 of the electronic pen 3 to the partial detection area AR1, the information processing device 2 transmits the handwriting input information up to that point from the partial detection area AR1 of the position detection sensor 21 to the peripheral electrode 32 of the electronic pen 3, and the electronic pen 3 receives the handwriting input information via the peripheral electrode 32 and stores it in the memory unit 34.

[0065] Next, the user moves the electronic pen 3, which has stored the handwriting input information in the storage unit 34 as described above, to the vicinity of another information processing device 2′ that has a communication unit capable of communicating with the near-field wireless communication unit 35, as shown on the right side of FIG. 5(A), and causes near-field wireless communication to be performed between the electronic pen 3 and the information processing device 2′. The electronic pen 3 then reads out the handwriting input information stored in the storage unit 34 and transmits it to the information processing device 2′. Therefore, the information processing device 2′ can display the handwriting Ps on the display screen of its display device 22′ based on the handwriting input information received from the electronic pen 3, and the user can input handwriting following the handwriting Ps to the position detection sensor 21′ of the information processing device 2′.

[0066] In addition, the electronic pen 3 may transmit the handwriting input information stored in the memory unit 34 to the information processing device 2' from the core body 31 or the peripheral electrode 32 through the position detection sensor 21', as shown by the dotted line on the right side of Figure 5, rather than through the short-range wireless communication unit 35.

[0067] In this case, when the information processing device 2' detects electric field coupling between the position detection sensor 21' and the electronic pen 3, it sends a request to the electronic pen 3 to acquire the stored information in the memory unit 34, and receives information sent from the electronic pen 3 via the position detection sensor 21' in response to the acquisition request. When the electronic pen 3 receives a request to acquire the stored information in the memory unit 34 from the information processing device 2', it determines whether or not there is stored information to transfer in the memory unit 34, and if there is stored information to transfer, it reads the stored information from the memory unit 34 and sends it via the position detection sensor 21', and if there is no stored information, it sends a message to that effect via the position detection sensor 21'.

[0068] In addition, the electronic pen 3 may be configured to send the stored information in the memory unit 34 to the information processing device 2' via the position detection sensor 21' when it detects electric field coupling with the position detection sensor 21' of the information processing device 2', rather than when it receives an acquisition request from the information processing device 2'.

[0069] Next, in this example, a function is set for the partial detection area AR2 to read information stored in association with the pen ID from the storage unit 207 and transmit it to the electronic pen 3. If it is assumed that a different electronic pen 3 is used for each user, the pen ID is equivalent to user identification information. Therefore, in this example, information to be communicated to each user is pre-stored in a storage area of ​​the storage unit 207 corresponding to the partial detection area AR2, in association with the pen ID of the electronic pen 3 used by each user. The information to be communicated to each user may be information input using the electronic pen 3 and specifying a recipient managed by the information processing device 2 in association with the pen ID, or may be information acquired via the communication unit 209. In this case, the information acquired via the communication unit 209 includes received email information addressed to a recipient managed by the information processing device 2 in association with the pen ID.

[0070] By using the function set for this partial detection area AR2, it is possible to transfer information prepared in advance in association with a specific user from the information processing device 2 to the user of the electronic pen 3. The user of the electronic pen 3 can view and understand the transferred information on another information processing device 2'.

[0071] That is, as shown on the left side of Figure 5 (B), when the user moves the position indicated by the core body 31 of the electronic pen 3 to the partial detection area AR2 on the position detection sensor 21 of the information processing device 2, the information processing device 2 transmits information corresponding to the pen ID of the electronic pen 3 from the partial detection area AR2 of the position detection sensor 21 to the peripheral electrode 32 of the electronic pen 3, and the electronic pen 3 receives the information corresponding to the pen ID through the peripheral electrode 32 and stores it in the memory unit 34.

[0072] Next, the user brings the electronic pen 3, which has stored information corresponding to the pen ID in the storage unit 34, close to another information processing device 2' that has a communication unit capable of communicating with the near-field wireless communication unit 35, as shown on the right side of FIG. 5(B), and causes near-field wireless communication to be performed between the electronic pen 3 and the information processing device 2'. The electronic pen 3 then reads out the information stored in the storage unit 34 and transmits it to the information processing device 2'. Therefore, the information processing device 2' can display information corresponding to the pen ID on the display screen of its display device 22' based on the information received from the electronic pen 3. Therefore, the user can access information prepared for the user in the information processing device 2' on the other information processing device 2'.

[0073] Although not shown in the example of Figure 5(B), in this example as well, if the information processing device 2' is equipped with a position detection sensor 21', the electronic pen 3 may transmit information corresponding to the pen ID stored in the memory unit 34 to the information processing device 2' from the core body 31 or the peripheral electrode 32 via the position detection sensor 21' rather than via the short-range wireless communication unit 35.

[0074] Next, in this example, a function is set for the partial detection area AR3 to read out information stored in association with a predetermined keyword from the storage unit 207 and transmit the information to the electronic pen 3. In this example, correspondence information between one or more predetermined keywords and information corresponding to each keyword is stored in advance in a storage area of ​​the storage unit 207 corresponding to the partial detection area AR3. In this case, the information stored in association with the keyword may be information input using the electronic pen 3 or may be information acquired via the communication unit 209.

[0075] By using the function set for this partial detection area AR3, information corresponding to the keyword can be transferred from the information processing device 2 to the electronic pen 3. The user of the electronic pen 3 can view and understand the transferred information on another information processing device 2'.

[0076] That is, as shown on the left side of Figure 5(C), when the user moves the position indicated by the core body 31 of the electronic pen 3 on the position detection sensor 21 of the information processing device 2 to the partial detection area AR3, the information processing device 2, in this example, displays a message prompting the user to select and input a keyword in the display area corresponding to the handwriting input detection area AR0, and also displays a list of keywords stored in the memory unit 207 in the display area corresponding to the partial detection area AR3, although this is not shown.

[0077] When a keyword is selected from this list of keywords by the electronic pen 3, the information processing device 2 transmits information corresponding to the keyword from the partial detection area AR3 of the position detection sensor 21 to the peripheral electrode 32 of the electronic pen 3. The electronic pen 3 receives the information corresponding to the selected keyword through the peripheral electrode 32 and stores it in the memory unit 34. Note that by selecting multiple keywords with the electronic pen 3, the information processing device 2 can transmit information corresponding to the selected multiple keywords to the electronic pen 3, and the electronic pen 3 can store it in the memory unit 34.

[0078] Next, the user brings the electronic pen 3, which has stored the information corresponding to the keyword in the storage unit 34, close to another information processing device 2' that has a communication unit capable of communicating with the near-field wireless communication unit 35, as shown on the right side of FIG. 5(C), and causes near-field wireless communication to be performed between the electronic pen 3 and the information processing device 2'. The electronic pen 3 then reads out the information stored in the storage unit 34 and transmits it to the information processing device 2'. Therefore, the information processing device 2' can display the information corresponding to the keyword on the display screen of its display device 22' based on the information received from the electronic pen 3. Therefore, the user can obtain information corresponding to the keyword prepared in the information processing device 2 on the other information processing device 2'.

[0079] Although not shown, in the example of Figure 5(C), if the information processing device 2' is equipped with a position detection sensor 21', the electronic pen 3 may transmit information corresponding to the keyword stored in the memory unit 34 to the information processing device 2' from the core body 31 or the peripheral electrode 32 via the position detection sensor 21' rather than through the short-range wireless communication unit 35.

[0080] In addition, by using the electronic pen 3 to indicate the position of not just one of the partial detection areas AR1 to AR3, but multiple or all of them, the information storage unit 34 can store all of the information corresponding to each of the indicated partial detection areas.

[0081] It goes without saying that the information processing device 2' does not have to have the same configuration as the information processing device 2. However, it goes without saying that it is better for the information processing device 2' that transfers handwritten input information to be equipped with a position detection sensor 21'. Furthermore, the information processing device 2' to which the information corresponding to the pen ID in the example of FIG. 5(B) and the information corresponding to the keyword in the example of FIG. 5(C) are transferred does not need to be equipped with the position detection sensor 21', but only needs to be equipped with at least a display device 22' equipped with a display screen for displaying that information.

[0082] [Explanation of the operation of the electronic pen 3 and the information processing device 2] Next, the flow of processing operations in the electronic pen 3 and the information processing device 2 for realizing the above-mentioned functions will be described.

[0083] <Explanation of operation examples of electronic pen 3> 6 to 8 are flowcharts illustrating an example of a processing flow for realizing operations including the functional processing described above in the electronic pen circuit 300 of the electronic pen 3. The operation of each step in this flowchart is performed by the control circuit 301 of the electronic pen circuit 300.

[0084] That is, the control circuit 301 determines whether or not the electronic pen 3 is in a state of being electrically coupled with the position detection sensor 21 of the information processing device 2 (step S1). The state in which the electronic pen 3 is electrically coupled with the position detection sensor 21 of the information processing device 2 is a state in which they can interact with each other by signal, and includes not only a state in which the core body 31 of the electronic pen 3 is in contact with the detection surface of the position detection sensor, but also a hover state in which the detection surface is slightly spaced and close to each other.

[0085] If it is determined in step S1 that the information processing device 2 is in a state of being electrically coupled with the position detection sensor 21, the control circuit 301 determines whether or not the period is a signal reception mode (step S2). If it is determined in step S2 that the period is not a signal reception mode, the control circuit 301 determines whether or not the period is a signal transmission mode (step S4). If it is determined in step S4 that the period is not a signal transmission mode, the control circuit 301 returns the process to step S1 and repeats the process from step S1.

[0086] If it is determined in step S4 that the period is the signal transmission mode period, the control circuit 301 determines whether the period is the position detection period Ta or the tilt detection period Tb (step S11 in FIG. 7). If it is determined in step S11 that the period is the position detection period Ta, the control circuit 301 controls the switch circuit 304 to be on and the changeover switch circuit 305 to be connected to terminal G (step S12). Next, the control circuit 301 controls the signal transmission circuit 302 to transmit a position detection signal, writing pressure information, and a pen ID from the core body 31 serving as the central electrode (step S13). After step S13, the control circuit 301 returns the process to step S1 and repeats the process from step S1.

[0087] If it is determined in step S11 that the tilt detection period Tb is in progress, the control circuit 301 controls the switch circuit 304 to be turned off and the changeover switch circuit 305 to be connected to the terminal S (step S14). Next, the control circuit 301 controls the signal transmission circuit 302 to send a tilt detection signal from the peripheral electrode 32 (step S15). After step S15, the control circuit 301 returns the process to step S1 and repeats the process from step S1.

[0088] 6, if it is determined that the period is the signal reception mode period, the control circuit 301 controls the switching circuit 304 to be turned off and the changeover switch circuit 305 to be connected to the terminal R (step S3). Next, the control circuit 301 determines whether or not a received signal has been detected based on the output of the signal reception circuit 303 (step S5). If it is determined in step S5 that a received signal has not been detected, the control circuit 301 returns the process to step S1 and repeats the process from step S1.

[0089] Then, when it is determined in step S5 that a received signal has been detected, the control circuit 301 receives and processes the signal through the position detection sensor 21 and the peripheral electrode 32 (step S6). Then, through the processing in step S6, the control circuit 301 determines whether the received signal is information that needs to be transferred (step S7). Whether the information needs to be transferred is determined based on whether the received signal is a signal and timing control signal that conforms to the specifications of the information processing device 2. If it is determined that the received signal is not a signal and timing control signal that conforms to the specifications of the information processing device 2, it is determined that the information needs to be transferred. Note that the information from the information processing device 2 may include information indicating whether the information needs to be transferred, and the electronic pen 3 may determine whether the information needs to be transferred based on that information.

[0090] Then, in step S7, if it is determined that the received signal is not information that needs to be transferred, but is a signal and timing control signal that conforms to the specifications of the information processing device 2, the control circuit 301 controls the specifications of the electronic pen 3 to conform to the information processing device 2 in accordance with the received signal, and performs processing in accordance with the received signal, such as controlling the timing of time-division processing (step S8).

[0091] Furthermore, when it is determined in step S7 that the received signal is information that requires transfer, the control circuit 301 performs a process of storing the received information from the information processing device 2 in the storage unit 34 (step S9). After step S9, the control circuit 301 returns the process to step S1 and repeats the process from step S1.

[0092] If it is determined in step S1 that the information processing device 2 is not in a state of being electrically coupled with the position detection sensor 21, the control circuit 301 determines whether or not it has entered a pairing state for short-range wireless communication with another device (step S21 in FIG. 8). If it is determined in step S21 that the information processing device 2 is not in a pairing state for short-range wireless communication with another device, the control circuit 301 returns the process to step S1 and repeats the process from step S1.

[0093] If it is determined in step S21 that the device has been paired with another device for short-range wireless communication, the control circuit 301 reads out the information stored in the information storage unit 34 and transmits it to the other device in the paired state (step S22). After the transmission is completed, the control circuit 301 returns the process to step S1 and repeats the process from step S1.

[0094] <Explanation of an example of operation of information processing device 2> 9 and 10 are flowcharts illustrating an example of a processing flow for realizing operations including the functional processing described above in the processing circuit 200 of the information processing device 2. The operation of each step in this flowchart is performed by the control circuit 201 of the processing circuit 200.

[0095] The control circuit 201 sends a signal (including a timing signal and a signal indicating specifications) for capacitive coupling with the electronic pen 3 (step S31). In response to the sending of this signal, a signal such as a position detection signal is sent from the capacitively coupled electronic pen, so the control circuit 201 determines whether or not a signal has been received from the electronic pen 3 (step S32). If it determines that a signal has not been received from the electronic pen 3, the process returns to step S31 and the processes from step S31 onwards are repeated.

[0096] When it is determined in step S32 that a signal has been received from the electronic pen 3, the control circuit 201 processes the received signal, i.e., detects the position indicated by the electronic pen 3 on the position detection sensor 21, detects the inclination of the electronic pen 3, and acquires writing pressure information and a pen ID (step S33).

[0097] Next, the control circuit 201 determines whether the detected position pointed to by the electronic pen 3 is within the handwriting input detection area AR0 (step S34). If it is determined in step S34 that the detected position pointed to by the electronic pen 3 is within the handwriting input detection area AR0, the control circuit 201 stores the detected pointed position, the tilt angle of the electronic pen 3, and the acquired writing pressure information and pen ID in the storage unit 207 (step S35). After step S35, the control circuit 201 returns the process to step S32 and repeats the processes from step S32 onwards.

[0098] If it is determined in step S34 that the position pointed to by the detected electronic pen 3 is not within the handwriting input detection area AR0, the control circuit 201 determines whether the position pointed to by the detected electronic pen 3 is within the partial detection area AR1 (step S36). If it is determined in step S36 that the position pointed to by the detected electronic pen 3 is within the partial detection area AR1, the control circuit 201 reads out the previously stored position pointed to by the electronic pen 3, the tilt angle of the electronic pen 3, writing pressure information, and pen ID from the storage unit 207, and sends them from the partial detection area AR1 of the position detection sensor 21 (step S37). After step S37, the control circuit 201 returns the process to step S32 and repeats the processes from step S32 onwards.

[0099] If it is determined in step S36 that the position pointed to by the detected electronic pen 3 is not within the partial detection area AR1, the control circuit 201 determines whether or not the position pointed to by the detected electronic pen 3 is within the partial detection area AR2 (step S41 in FIG. 10). If it is determined in step S41 that the position pointed to by the detected electronic pen 3 is within the partial detection area AR2, the control circuit 201 determines whether or not information corresponding to the pen ID acquired in step S33 is stored in the storage unit 207 (step S42).

[0100] If it is determined in step S42 that information corresponding to the pen ID acquired in step S33 is stored in memory unit 207, control circuit 201 reads out information corresponding to the pen ID from memory unit 207 and transmits it from partial detection area AR2 of position detection sensor 21 (step S43). After step S43, control circuit 201 returns the process to step S32 and repeats the processes from step S32 onwards. Also, if it is determined in step S42 that information corresponding to the pen ID acquired in step S33 is not stored in memory unit 207, control circuit 201 also returns the process to step S32 and repeats the processes from step S32 onwards.

[0101] Furthermore, if it is determined in step S41 that the position pointed to by the detected electronic pen 3 is not within the partial detection area AR2, the control circuit 201 determines whether the position pointed to by the detected electronic pen 3 is within the partial detection area AR3 (step S44).If it is determined in step S44 that the position pointed to by the detected electronic pen 3 is within the partial detection area AR3, the control circuit 201 displays a list of selectable keywords and a message prompting the user to select and input a keyword on the display screen of the display device 22 (step S45).

[0102] Next, the control circuit 201 determines whether or not a selected keyword has been input (step S46), and if it determines that a selected keyword has been input, it reads out information stored in the memory unit 207 corresponding to the selected keyword and outputs it from the partial detection area AR3 of the position detection sensor 21 (step S47). After step S47, the control circuit 201 returns the process to step S32 and repeats the processes from step S32 onwards. Also, if it determines in step S44 that the position pointed to by the detected electronic pen 3 is not within the partial detection area AR3, the control circuit 201 returns the process to step S32 and repeats the processes from step S32 onwards.

[0103] [Advantages of the first embodiment] As described above, in the information input / output system 1 of the first embodiment described above, by specifying the position of a partial detection area that is preset within the detection area of ​​the position detection sensor 21 of the information processing device 2 with the electronic pen 3, information that is associated with the partial detection area and stored in the memory unit 207 is sent to the electronic pen 3 and stored in the information memory unit 34 of the electronic pen 3.

[0104] Then, by pairing the short-range wireless communication unit 35 of the electronic pen 3 with the short-range wireless communication unit of another information processing device, it is possible to transmit information stored in the information storage unit 34 to the other information processing device. That is, according to the information input / output system of this embodiment, it is possible to transfer information stored in the storage unit 207 of the information processing device 2 to the other information processing device via the electronic pen 3. Therefore, the information input / output system of this embodiment enables various useful information transfers.

[0105] For example, in the first embodiment described above, by storing handwriting input information in association with the partial detection area AR1, handwriting input information that is being written on the information processing device 2 can be transferred to another information processing device via the information storage unit 34 of the electronic pen 3. This makes it possible to perform handwriting input on another information processing device following the handwriting input information that is being written on the information processing device 2, which is very convenient.

[0106] Furthermore, by storing information associated with the pen ID in the partial detection area AR2, the information associated with the pen ID of the electronic pen 3 can be transferred to another information processing device via the information storage unit 34 of the electronic pen 3. This makes it possible to easily transmit information to the user of the electronic pen 3 via the electronic pen 3.

[0107] Furthermore, by storing information associated with keywords in the partial detection area AR3 and allowing the user of the electronic pen 3 to select keywords, information corresponding to the keyword desired by the user can be transferred to another information processing device via the information storage unit 34 of the electronic pen 3.

[0108] [Modification of the first embodiment] In the above-described first embodiment, it has been described that not only handwriting input information but also all information to be transmitted to the electronic pen 3 is stored and held in advance in the storage unit 207 of the information processing device 2, but the storage unit may be a storage unit of an external device connected via the communication unit 209. In other words, when a predetermined partial detection area is designated by the electronic pen, the information processing device 2 may send an acquisition request for information corresponding to the designated partial detection area to another device having a storage unit, acquire information sent from the other device in response to the acquisition request, and transmit the information to the electronic pen.

[0109] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, information associated with keywords is also stored in advance in the storage unit 207, but keywords selected with the electronic pen 3 or keywords handwritten and input with the electronic pen 3 may be sent to an Internet search site via the communication unit 209, and search results sent from the search site may be transmitted to the electronic pen 3. In other words, information corresponding to keywords may not be stored in advance, but may be searched for and acquired in real time and transmitted to the electronic pen.

[0110] The information transferred to the electronic pen is not limited to the display information as in the above-described embodiment, but may be audio information, a predetermined program, or the like.

[0111] [Second embodiment] In the first embodiment, a position detection sensor capable of detecting an indicated position is used as the sensor connected to the information processing device, but a sensor without a position detection function may be used. In the second embodiment, a sensor is used that detects an indication operation of an indication operation device such as an electronic pen by detecting reception of a signal from the indication operation device and sends the signal to the information processing device, and that can also send a signal from the information processing device to the electronic pen, but does not have a position detection function.

[0112] 11 is a diagram for explaining an outline of an example of the configuration of this second information input / output system 1 A. This information input / output system 1 A of the second embodiment is made up of an information processing device 2 A and an electronic pen 3A.

[0113] 12, the electronic pen 3A of this example is intended for use with a highly functional mobile phone terminal 5 called a smartphone. The electronic pen 3A of this example has a configuration similar to that of the electronic pen 3 of the first embodiment, and therefore a description of that configuration will be omitted. In the following description, the suffix A will be added to the components of the electronic pen 3A that are similar to those of the electronic pen 3 of the first embodiment.

[0114] Although not shown, the highly functional mobile phone terminal 5 is equipped with a capacitive position detection sensor 5S superimposed on the display screen 5D, which is configured to be capable of electric field coupling with the core body 31A and peripheral electrode 32A of the electronic pen 3A, and is capable of detecting the position pointed by the core body 31A of the electronic pen 3A and the tilt angle of the electronic pen 3A. The highly functional mobile phone terminal 5 is also equipped with a short-range wireless communication unit, which is capable of wireless communication with the short-range wireless communication unit 35A of the electronic pen 3A. The electronic pen 3A is also equipped with an information storage unit 34A, and is configured to be able to transmit information stored in this information storage unit 34A to the information processing device 2A via the short-range wireless communication unit 35A.

[0115] One to a plurality of sensors 21A can be connected to an information processing device 2A in an information input / output system 1A of the second embodiment. In the example of Fig. 11, four sensors 21A are connected to the information processing device 2A.

[0116] Fig. 13 shows an example of the configuration of sensor 21A, with Fig. 13(A) being a plan view of sensor 21A of this example and Fig. 13(B) being a cross-sectional view of sensor 21A of this example. As shown in Figs. 13(A) and (B), sensor 21A of this example is configured by arranging sensor main body 210A, which has first electrode 212A formed on the front side of substrate 211A made of an insulating material and second electrode 213A formed on the back side, in box-shaped case 214A with an open top side.

[0117] 13, the first electrode 212A and the second electrode 213A are each composed of one electrode. However, the first electrode 212A and the second electrode 213A may each be composed of a plurality of electrodes. Furthermore, the first electrode 212A and the second electrode 213A may not be in the form of lines or strips as in the example of FIG. 13, but may be formed over the entire area on the front surface side and the entire area on the back surface side of the substrate 211A.

[0118] 13(A) and 13(B), in sensor 21A of this example, sensor main body 210A is housed in case 214A with first electrode 212A on the surface side of substrate 211A exposed to the outside. In sensor 21A of this example, terminal 215A connected to first electrode 212A and terminal 216A connected to second electrode 213A are provided to be led out of case 214A, as shown in FIG.

[0119] As shown in FIG. 11, the information processing device 2A includes an input / output port group 221 having a plurality of input / output ports, a signal transmission / reception circuit 222 connected to the input / output port group 221, a processing control unit 223 to which the signal transmission / reception circuit 222 is connected, and a memory unit 224 connected to the processing control unit 223.

[0120] A sensor 21A can be connected to each of the multiple input / output ports in the input / output port group. A port number is assigned to each of the multiple input / output ports in the input / output port group. In this example, four sensors 21A are connected to the input / output ports with port numbers PO1, PO2, PO3, and PO4, respectively. In this case, in the example of FIG. 11, terminals 215A and 216A of each sensor 21A are connected to the input / output ports with port numbers PO1, PO2, PO3, and PO4, respectively, by connecting lines shown by dotted lines.

[0121] The sensors 21A and the information processing device 2A may be connected wirelessly. In this case, identification information (ID) for identifying each sensor 21A is added to the information sent from the sensors 21A to the information processing device 2A. Furthermore, the identification information (ID) of the sensor 21A that is the recipient of the information is added to the information sent from the information processing device 2A to the sensor 21A, and the sensor 21A determines whether the received information is addressed to itself based on the identification information (ID) added to the information.

[0122] In the following description, when it is necessary to distinguish between the sensors 21A connected to the input / output ports of port numbers PO1, PO2, PO3, and PO4, they will be referred to as sensor 21A-1, sensor 21A-2, sensor 21A-3, and sensor 21A-4, respectively, as shown in Figure 11.

[0123] As shown in FIG. 14, the storage unit 224 of the information processing device 2A stores in advance information to be provided INFO1, INFO2, INFO3, and INFO4 corresponding to port numbers PO1, PO2, PO3, and PO4, respectively.

[0124] In the example of Figure 11, sensors 21A-1, 21A-2, 21A-3, and 21-4 are arranged on a board 4 on which a map of Japan is displayed, and topic information, tourist information, and other information related to the locations on this map of Japan where sensors 21A-1, 21A-2, 21A-3, and 21-4 are installed are pre-stored in memory unit 224 as provided information INFO1, INFO2, INFO3, and INFO4.

[0125] That is, in the example of FIG. 11, for each of sensors 21A-1, 21A-2, 21A-3, and 21-4, information about the locations where each is installed, for example, "Ishikawa Prefecture," "Gifu Prefecture," "Kanagawa Prefecture," and "Fukushima Prefecture," is pre-stored in memory unit 224 as provided information INFO1, INFO2, INFO3, and INFO4.

[0126] In this case, the map of Japan may be printed on paper and pasted onto a plate-shaped board 4, with sensors 21A-1, 21A-2, 21A-3, and 21-4 each being pasted onto the paper map with, for example, double-sided tape, or board 4 may be configured as a display device, with sensors 21A-1, 21A-2, 21A-3, and 21-4 each being pasted onto the paper map with, for example, double-sided tape, on top of the display screen on which the map of Japan is displayed.

[0127] In addition, a mark indicating an identifier such as the number of the location where the provided information INFO1, INFO2, INFO3, and INFO4 is stored in the memory unit 224 may be added or displayed on the map, and the sensors 21A-1, 21A-2, 21A-3, and 21-4 may each be assigned a corresponding number in an identifiable manner and placed separately from the map.

[0128] 13(B), when the pen tip side of the electronic pen 3A is brought into contact with or close to (hover state) any of the four sensors 21A, a signal (a position detection signal or a tilt detection signal) from the electronic pen 3A is sent to the sensor 21A via the core body 31A or the peripheral electrode 32A. The sensor 21A receives the signal from the electronic pen 3A at a terminal 215A connected to the first electrode 212A and a terminal 216A connected to the second electrode 213A, and sends the signal to the information processing device 2A.

[0129] In the information processing device 2A, the signal from the sensor 21A is received through the input / output port of the input / output port group 221 to which the sensor 21A is connected, and is supplied to the signal transmitting / receiving circuit 222.

[0130] When the signal transmission / reception circuit 222 receives a signal from the input / output port group 221, it determines which of the port numbers PO1 to PO4 the received signal is from, and supplies the port number information resulting from the determination to the processing control unit 223.

[0131] When the processing control unit 223 receives information about the port number that received the received signal from the signal transmission / reception circuit 222, it reads and acquires the information stored in the memory unit 224 in association with the port number that received the received signal, and sends the acquired information to the signal transmission / reception circuit 222.

[0132] The signal transmitting / receiving circuit 222 sends the information received from the processing control unit 223 through the input / output port of the input / output port group 221 corresponding to the port number from which the received signal was received, to the sensor 21A to which the input / output port is connected.

[0133] The sensor 21A receives information from the information processing device 2A through the terminals 215A and 216A, and transmits the information from the first electrode 212A and the second electrode 213A to the electronic pen 3A via electric field coupling.

[0134] As described above, in the signal reception mode, the electronic pen 3A receives information from the sensor 21A via the peripheral electrode 32A and stores the information in the memory unit 34A. Then, the electronic pen 3A can send the information stored in the memory unit 34A to the advanced mobile phone terminal 5 using the short-range wireless communication unit 35A, as shown by the arrow in Fig. 12, and display the information on the display screen 5D.

[0135] Therefore, in the information input / output system 1A of the second embodiment, a user of the advanced mobile phone terminal 5 can store information related to a location from the information processing device 2A in the information storage unit 34A of the electronic pen 3A by touching or bringing the pen tip of the electronic pen 3A into contact with or close to a sensor 21A installed at the location where the user wishes to view information. Then, the user can then set the electronic pen 3A and the advanced mobile phone terminal 5 to a state where they can communicate wirelessly using the short-range wireless communication unit 35A of the electronic pen 3A, and can view the information stored in the information storage unit 34A of the electronic pen 3A on the display screen 5D of the advanced mobile phone terminal 5.

[0136] In addition, in the case of this second embodiment, as shown by the dotted line in Figure 12, the electronic pen 3A can also be configured to transmit the information stored in the memory unit 34 to the high-function mobile phone terminal 5 from the core body 31A or the peripheral electrode 32A via the position detection sensor of the high-function mobile phone terminal 5, rather than through the short-range wireless communication unit 35.

[0137] [Modification of the sensor of the second embodiment] FIG. 15 shows another example of the configuration of a sensor connected to an information processing device 2A in the information input / output system 1A of the second embodiment.

[0138] Fig. 15 shows an example of the configuration of sensor 21B in this example, and Fig. 15(A) is a cross-sectional view of sensor 21B in this example. A plan view of sensor 21B in this example is similar to the plan view of sensor 21A described above. Fig. 15(B) is a diagram showing a state in which an instruction operation is performed on sensor 21B with electronic pen 3A.

[0139] 15(A) and 15(B), sensor 21B of this example is configured by arranging two substrates 211B1 and 211B2 in a box-shaped case 214B with an open top, the two substrates being spaced apart and facing each other in parallel with an air layer, which is an insulator, interposed therebetween. In this example, at least substrate 211B1 is configured from a flexible member.

[0140] A first electrode 212B and a second electrode 213B are formed on the surfaces of the substrates 211B1 and 211B2 that face each other with an air gap between them. In the example of FIG. 15, the first electrode 212B and the second electrode 213B each consist of one electrode. However, the first electrode 212B and the second electrode 213B may each consist of a plurality of electrodes. Furthermore, the first electrode 212B and the second electrode 213B may not be formed in the shape of a line or a strip as in the example of FIG. 15, but may be formed over the entire area of ​​the surfaces of the base substrates 211B1 and 211B2 that face each other.

[0141] 15(A) and 15(B), in this example, sensor 21B is housed in case 214B with the surface of substrate 211B1 opposite to the surface on which first electrode 212B is formed exposed to the outside. Although not shown, sensor 21B has a terminal connected to second electrode 213B that is led out to the outside of case 214B. The terminal connected to second electrode 213B of sensor 21B is connected to an input / output port of information processing device 2A.

[0142] 15B, when a pointing operation is performed with the pen tip of the electronic pen 3A, the flexible substrate 211B1 bends, and the first electrode 212A and the second electrode 213A come into contact with each other. Therefore, a signal sent from the core body 31A or the peripheral electrode 32A of the electronic pen 3A is transmitted to the information processing device 2A through the contact point between the first electrode 212A and the second electrode 213A and the terminal of the sensor 21B. Furthermore, information sent from the information processing device 2A is transmitted to the peripheral electrode 32A of the electronic pen 3A through the contact point between the first electrode 212B and the second electrode 213B of the sensor 21B. The other configurations and operations are the same as those of the second embodiment described above.

[0143] [Other examples of pointing and operating devices] In the above embodiment, the instruction operation device is a pen-shaped electronic pen, but the instruction operation device of the present invention is not limited to a pen-shaped device.

[0144] Fig. 16 shows another example of the configuration of an instruction operation device. The instruction operation device of Fig. 16 is not pen-shaped, but has a rectangular parallelepiped puck-like configuration in this example. Fig. 16(A) is a side view of an instruction operation device 3B of this example, and Fig. 16(B) is a bottom view of the instruction operation device 3B of this example.

[0145] In order to facilitate understanding of the configuration of the instruction operation device 3B in this example, functional parts of the instruction operation device 3B that are similar to the components of the electronic pen 3 in the first embodiment described above will be described using the same reference numbers with the suffix B added.

[0146] As shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, the instructing operation device 3B of this example includes an electronic circuit 300B, an information storage unit 34B, and a short-range wireless communication unit 35B inside a rectangular housing 30B. The instructing operation device 3B also includes a first electrode 31B that protrudes from a bottom surface 30Ba of the rectangular housing 30B in a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface 30Ba. The first electrode 31B has a disk-like shape, and the end surface that protrudes outward has a dome-like bulge. The instructing operation device 3B also includes a second electrode 32B that is ring-shaped and surrounds the first electrode 31B, and is exposed from the bottom surface 30Ba of the rectangular housing 30B.

[0147] The electronic circuit 300B of the instruction operation device 3B in this example includes a signal generating circuit that generates a signal to be sent from the first electrode 31B or the second electrode 32B, and also includes a processing function that stores information received by the first electrode 31B or the second electrode 32B in an information storage unit 34B. In the electronic circuit 300B, the sending of signals from the signal generating circuit and the receiving of information from the information processing device are configured to be performed by time-division control, as in the above-described embodiment.

[0148] When the instruction operation device 3B of this example is used in place of the electronic pen 3 of the information input / output system of the first embodiment, the signal from the signal generating circuit is sent from either the first electrode 31B or the second electrode 32B, or both, and when received from the information processing device via a sensor, it is received via the second electrode 32B.

[0149] When the instruction operation device 3B of this example is used in the information input / output system 1A of the second embodiment and is not used for position indication in a position detection sensor, the signal from the signal generating circuit may be sent from either the first electrode 31B or the second electrode 32B, or from both. Also, when receiving a signal from an information processing device via a sensor, the signal may be received by either the first electrode 31B or the second electrode 32B, or from both.

[0150] In addition, the indicator device 3B in this example may also be provided with a pressure detection unit that detects the pressure applied to the first electrode 31B and an ID storage unit that stores device identification information corresponding to the pen ID, and these may be included in the transmission signal.

[0151] [Other embodiments or modifications] In the above-described embodiment, the sending unit of the instruction operation device is configured using a short-range wireless communication unit, but other wireless communication means can also be used. Furthermore, the sending unit of the instruction operation device is not limited to wireless communication means, and for example, the electronic pen 3, 3A or the instruction operation device 3B may be provided with an output terminal such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal for sending information stored in the information storage unit to the outside. [Explanation of symbols]

[0152] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1,1A...information input / output system, 2,2A...information processing device, 3,3A...electronic pen, 3B...pointing operation device, 21...position detection sensor, 21A...sensor, 31,31A...core body, 32,32A...peripheral electrode, 31B...first electrode, 32B...second electrode, 34,34A,34B...information storage unit, 35,35A,35B...near-field wireless communication unit

Claims

1. An information input / output system including an instruction operation device and an information processing device having a sensor, The instruction operation device is a first electrode and a second electrode; a receiving unit that receives information from an information transmitting unit of the information processing device via the sensor through the first electrode or the second electrode; an information storage unit that stores information received by the receiving unit from the information transmitting unit of the information processing device; a sending unit for sending information from the information sending unit of the information processing device stored in the information storage unit to an information processing device other than the information processing device; Equipped with The information processing device includes: a storage unit for storing predetermined information to be transmitted to the instruction operation device; an acquisition unit that acquires the predetermined information from the storage unit; a detection unit that detects an instruction operation for transmitting the predetermined information by the instruction operation device through the sensor; an information transmission unit that transmits the predetermined information acquired by the acquisition unit to the instruction operation device through the sensor when the detection unit detects an instruction operation to transmit the predetermined information by the instruction operation device; An information input / output system comprising:

2. An information input / output system including an instruction operation device and an information processing device having a sensor, The instruction operation device is a first electrode and a second electrode; a receiving unit that receives information from an information transmitting unit of the information processing device via the sensor through the first electrode or the second electrode; an information storage unit that stores information received by the receiving unit from the information transmitting unit of the information processing device; a sending unit for sending information from the information sending unit of the information processing device stored in the information storage unit to an information processing device other than the information processing device; Equipped with The information processing device includes: an acquisition unit that acquires predetermined information to be transmitted to the instruction operation device; a detection unit that detects an instruction operation for transmitting the predetermined information by the instruction operation device through the sensor; an information transmission unit that transmits the predetermined information acquired by the acquisition unit to the instruction operation device through the sensor when the detection unit detects an instruction operation to transmit the predetermined information by the instruction operation device; Equipped with The information processing device includes a communication unit for connecting to a communication network, and when an instruction operation for transmitting the predetermined information by the instruction operation device is detected through the sensor, the acquisition unit acquires the predetermined information through the communication network using the communication unit, and the information transmission unit transmits the predetermined information acquired by the acquisition unit to the instruction operation device. An information input / output system comprising:

3. An information input / output system including an instruction operation device and an information processing device having a sensor, The instruction operation device is a first electrode and a second electrode; a receiving unit that receives information from an information transmitting unit of the information processing device via the sensor through the first electrode or the second electrode; an information storage unit that stores information received by the receiving unit from the information transmitting unit of the information processing device; a sending unit for sending information from the information sending unit of the information processing device stored in the information storage unit to an information processing device other than the information processing device; Equipped with The information processing device includes: an acquisition unit that acquires predetermined information to be transmitted to the instruction operation device; a detection unit that detects an instruction operation for transmitting the predetermined information by the instruction operation device through the sensor; an information transmission unit that transmits the predetermined information acquired by the acquisition unit to the instruction operation device through the sensor when the detection unit detects an instruction operation to transmit the predetermined information by the instruction operation device; Equipped with the sensor of the information processing device is composed of two types of conductor groups facing each other via an insulating layer, one of the conductor groups having a plurality of electrodes arranged on a first plane in a state where the electrodes are parallel to each other in a first direction, and the other conductor group having a plurality of electrodes arranged on a second plane in a state where the electrodes are parallel to each other in a direction intersecting the first direction; the information processing device includes a position detection circuit that detects a position indicated by the indicating operation device on a plane parallel to the first plane and the second plane of the sensor; a specific partial area is set within a position detection area of ​​a position indicated by the indicating operation device on a plane parallel to the first plane and the second plane of the sensor, The detection unit of the information processing device detects the pointing operation of the pointing operation device at a position within the specific partial area, detected by the position detection circuit, as a pointing operation of the pointing operation device to transmit the predetermined information. An information input / output system comprising:

4. the information processing device receives, from the instruction operation device via the sensor, identification information of the instruction operation device or identification information of a user of the instruction operation device; the predetermined information is stored in the storage unit in association with identification information of the instruction operation device or identification information of a user of the instruction operation device; The acquisition unit reads and acquires the predetermined information associated with the received identification information of the instruction operation device or the same identification information as the identification information of the user of the instruction operation device from the storage unit, and the information transmission unit transmits the predetermined information read from the storage unit to the instruction operation device.

2. The information input / output system according to claim 1.

5. the information processing device includes a storage unit that stores the predetermined information, and stores information on the position indicated by the indicating operation device detected by the position detection circuit in the storage unit as handwriting input information; The acquisition unit reads and acquires the handwritten input information from the storage unit, and the information transmission unit transmits the handwritten input information read from the storage unit to the instruction operation device.

4. The information input / output system according to claim 3.

6. The first electrode and the second electrode of the instruction operation device are provided so as to be capable of electric field coupling with the sensor of the information processing device.

4. The information input / output system according to claim 1, wherein the information input / output system is a computer program.

7. The sensor of the information processing device is composed of at least one set of at least two types of electrodes facing each other via an insulating layer.

4. The information input / output system according to claim 1, wherein the information input / output system is a computer program.

8. The insulating layer of the sensor is an air layer, and the two types of electrodes are electrically contacted by pressing the sensor with the pointing operation device.

8. The information input / output system according to claim 7.

9. The instruction operation device is a signal generating circuit for generating a signal to be transmitted to the information processing device; a signal transmitting unit that transmits a signal from the signal generating circuit to the sensor of the information processing device through the first electrode or the second electrode; Equipped with The detection unit of the information processing device detects an instruction operation for transmitting the predetermined information by the instruction operation device based on the signal received through the sensor.

9. The information input / output system according to claim 6, wherein the information input / output system is a computer program.

10. The sensor is connected to the information processing device by a connection line or wirelessly.

4. The information input / output system according to claim 1, wherein the information input / output system is a computer program.

11. The number of the sensors is plural, and the plural sensors are connected to the information processing device so as to be identifiable from each other; The information processing device transmits to the instruction operation device different predetermined information corresponding to each of the sensors that detected an instruction operation for transmitting the predetermined information by the instruction operation device.

11. The information input / output system according to claim 10.

12. The sending unit of the instruction operation device is a wireless communication unit.

4. The information input / output system according to claim 1, wherein the information input / output system is a computer program.

13. The sending unit of the instruction operation device sends the predetermined information to the other information processing device through the first electrode or the second electrode.

4. The information input / output system according to claim 1, wherein the information input / output system is a computer program.

14. The pointing operation device is a pen-type device.

4. The information input / output system according to claim 1, wherein the information input / output system is a computer program.

15. The instruction operation device is a puck-type device.

4. The information input / output system according to claim 1, wherein the information input / output system is a computer program.

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