Position indicating device, computer, control method

Abstract

To allow a first pressure applied to a first member provided at the tip of a housing to be appropriately transmitted to an external apparatus depending on a situation.SOLUTION: A position indication device is a position indication device for controlling a 3D object in a virtual reality space, and includes: a housing; a first sensor that detects a first pressure that is applied to a first member provided at the tip of the housing and is used to control the 3D object in the virtual reality space; a first communication unit that transmits the first pressure detected by the first sensor through the tip of the housing; and a second communication unit that is different from the first communication unit and transmits the first pressure detected by the first sensor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a position indicating device and an information processing device, and more particularly to a pen-type position indicating device used for indicating both the position within a touch surface and the position within a space, and an information processing device connected to such a position indicating device.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, pen-type position indicating devices (hereinafter referred to as "electronic pens") used in combination with tablet-type computers have attracted attention. This type of electronic pen usually has a pen pressure sensor that detects the pressure (pen pressure) applied to the pen tip. When the computer detects the position of the electronic pen within the touch surface, it receives the pen pressure value from the electronic pen. Then, when drawing a line drawing according to the detected position, it is configured to control the line width and transparency according to the received pen pressure value. By doing so, for example, it is possible to produce a writing feeling similar to that of a conventional pen that ejects ink, such that the stronger the force pressing the pen tip against the touch surface, the thicker the line drawn.

[0003] Further, Patent Document 1 discloses a pen-type input device that does not require a touch surface. This pen-type input device has a pressure sensor on its side surface and is configured to be able to detect the user's grip force. According to the view of Patent Document 1, when drawing characters or figures with a pen, characteristics corresponding to the characters or figures to be drawn appear in the change of the grip force. The technology of Patent Document 1 attempts to enable input of characters and figures without detecting the position of the pen tip within the touch surface by recognizing this characteristic as characters and figures.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Incidentally, the inventor of this application is considering enabling users to write letters or draw pictures on a virtual plane using the aforementioned electronic pen in a virtual reality (VR: Virtual Reality, AR: Augmented Reality, MR: Mixed Reality) space. In this case, since there is no real touch surface, the pressure sensor mentioned above cannot detect the pressure value. Without a pressure value, it is not possible to control the line width and transparency according to the pressure value, making it impossible to create a writing feel similar to that of a conventional pen. Therefore, there was a need for another method that could suitably control the line width and transparency.

[0006] Therefore, one of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a position indicating device and an information processing device that can suitably control line width and transparency even when there is no actual touch surface. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The position indicating device according to the present invention comprises a housing, a position indicating unit for indicating a position, a first sensor for detecting a first pressure applied to the position indicating unit, a second sensor for detecting a second pressure applied to the housing, a first communication unit for transmitting the first pressure detected by the first sensor, and a second communication unit for transmitting the second pressure detected by the second sensor.

[0008] Furthermore, the position indicating device according to the present invention may be a position indicating device comprising: a cylindrical external housing that houses a position indicating unit for indicating the position on the input surface of a planar position sensor; a spatial position detection unit that detects spatial position information for indicating the position of the position indicating device in space through interaction with an external device; a pressure sensor that detects force on the external housing; and a processing unit configured to output the spatial position information detected by the spatial position detection unit, planar position information for indicating the position of the position indicating unit in the input surface, and pressure information related to the force detected by the pressure sensor.

[0009] The information processing apparatus according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a position indicating device having a housing, a position indicating unit for indicating a position, and a pressure sensor for detecting a force applied to the housing, and comprises a communication unit for receiving the pressure detected by the pressure sensor, and a controller for controlling the generation of 3D objects in a virtual reality space based on the position of the position indicating device in space and the pressure received by the communication unit.

[0010] Furthermore, the information processing device according to the present invention may be a computer connected to a position indicating device having a cylindrical external housing that houses a position indicating unit that indicates the position on the input surface of a planar position sensor, and a pressure sensor that detects force on the surface of the external housing, wherein the computer is configured to receive from the position indicating device spatial position information for indicating the position of the position indicating device in space, planar position information for indicating the position of the position indicating unit on the input surface, and pressure information relating to the force detected by the pressure sensor, and when the spatial position information and pressure information are received, the computer detects the spatial position indicating the position of the position indicating device in space based on the received spatial position information, and performs 3D drawing based on the detected spatial position and the received pressure information, and when the planar position information and pressure information are received, the computer detects the planar position indicating the position of the position indicating unit on the touch surface based on the received planar position information, and performs 2D drawing based on the detected planar position and the received pressure information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] When a user writes or draws on a virtual plane, the force (=grip force) detected by the pressure sensor has a certain correlation with the pen pressure detected when writing or drawing on a real touch surface. Therefore, according to the position indicator device of the present invention, which can transmit the pressure detected by the pressure sensor, and the information processing device of the present invention, which can perform 3D drawing based on the pressure detected by the pressure sensor, it becomes possible to suitably control line width and transparency even when there is no real touch surface. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This figure shows the configuration of the spatial position indication system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] (a) is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the electronic pen 5, and Figure 2(b) is a schematic block diagram showing the functional blocks of the electronic pen 5. [Figure 3] This is a processing flow diagram showing the processing performed by the processing unit 50 of the electronic pen 5. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a processing flow diagram showing the details of the tablet input process. [Figure 5] Figure 3 is a processing flow diagram showing the details of the virtual reality space input processing. [Figure 6] This is a processing flow diagram showing the processing performed by the control unit 2a of computer 2. [Figure 7] Figure 6 is a processing flow diagram showing the details of the correlation acquisition process (step S30). [Figure 8] This diagram illustrates the correlation f between pen pressure and grip strength. [Figure 9] (a) and (b) are diagrams showing specific examples of drawing areas, respectively. [Figure 10] Figure 6 is a processing flow diagram showing the details of the tablet drawing process. [Figure 11] Figure 6 is a processing flow diagram showing the details of the virtual reality space rendering process. [Figure 12] This diagram explains the meaning of initial grip force. [Figure 13] It is a diagram showing the structure of the grip force sensor 55 according to the first example. [Figure 14] It is a diagram showing the structure of the grip force sensor 55 according to the second example. [Figure 15] It is a diagram showing the structure of the grip force sensor 55 according to the third example. [Figure 16] It is a diagram showing the structure of the grip force sensor 55 according to the fourth example. [Figure 17] It is a processing flowchart showing the processing performed by the processing unit 50 of the electronic pen 5 when the grip force sensor 55 according to the fourth example is used. [Figure 18] It is a diagram showing the structure of the grip force sensor 55 according to the fifth example. [Figure 19] It is a diagram showing the structure of the grip force sensor 55 according to the sixth example.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the spatial position indication system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the spatial position indication system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a computer 2, a virtual reality display 3, a planar position sensor 4, an electronic pen 5, position detection devices 7a and 7b, and spatial position sensors 8a to 8c. The spatial position sensors 8a to 8c are provided on the planar position sensor 4, the virtual reality display 3, and the electronic pen 5, respectively.

[0015] Each device shown in FIG. 1 is generally arranged in a room. In the spatial position indication system 1, almost the entire room can be used as a virtual reality space.

[0016] Computer 2 includes a control unit 2a and memory 2b. Each process performed by Computer 2, as described below, is realized by the control unit 2a reading and executing a program stored in memory 2b.

[0017] Computer 2 is connected to the virtual reality display 3, position detection devices 7a and 7b, and the planar position sensor 4 by wire or wireless connection. For wired connections, USB (Universal Serial Bus) is preferred. For wireless connections, Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi®) or Bluetooth (Bluetooth®) is preferred. If the planar position sensor 4 or the virtual reality display 3 incorporates computer functionality, that computer may constitute part or all of computer 2.

[0018] Computer 2 is configured to have the function of displaying a virtual reality space on a virtual reality display 3. This virtual reality space may be a VR (Virtual Reality) space, an AR (Augmented Reality) space, or an MR (Mixed Reality) space. When a VR space is displayed, the user wearing the virtual reality display 3 recognizes the virtual reality and is separated from the real world. On the other hand, when an AR space or an MR space is displayed, the user wearing the virtual reality display 3 will recognize a space in which the virtual reality and the real world are mixed.

[0019] Computer 2 functions as a rendering device that renders various 3D objects in a virtual reality space set based on the positions of the position detection devices 7a and 7b, and is configured to update the display on the virtual reality display 3 based on the rendering results. As a result, various 3D objects will appear in the virtual reality space displayed on the virtual reality display 3. Rendering by Computer 2 is performed based on 3D object information stored in memory 2b. 3D object information is information indicating the shape, position, and orientation of 3D objects in the virtual reality space that represents the virtual reality space set by Computer 2, and is stored in memory 2b for each 3D object to be rendered.

[0020] The 3D objects rendered by computer 2 include 3D objects that exist in reality, such as the planar position sensor 4 and electronic pen 5 shown in Figure 1 (hereinafter referred to as "first 3D objects"), and 3D objects that do not exist in reality, such as a virtual tablet (not shown) (hereinafter referred to as "second 3D objects"). In rendering these 3D objects, computer 2 first detects the position and orientation of the spatial position sensor 8b in real space, and based on the detection results, acquires viewpoint information indicating the user's viewpoint.

[0021] When rendering the first 3D object, computer 2 further detects the position and orientation in real space of spatial position sensors (e.g., spatial position sensors 8a, 8c) attached to the corresponding object, and stores the detection results in memory 2b. Then, based on the stored position and orientation, the viewpoint information described above, and the shape stored for the first 3D object, computer 2 renders the first 3D object in the virtual reality space. Furthermore, with respect to the electronic pen 5 in particular, computer 2 detects operations performed by the user in the virtual reality space by detecting the position of the spatial position sensor 8c, and based on the results, it either creates a new second 3D object (i.e., stores new 3D object information in memory 2b) or moves or updates an already held second 3D object (i.e., updates the 3D object information already stored in memory 2b).

[0022] On the other hand, when rendering a second 3D object, computer 2 is configured to render the second 3D object in the virtual reality space based on the 3D object information stored in memory 2b and the viewpoint information described above.

[0023] Virtual reality display 3 is a VR display (head-mounted display) that is worn on the human head. While commercially available virtual reality displays come in various types, such as "transparent" or "opaque," and "glasses-type" or "hat-type," any of these can be used for virtual reality display 3.

[0024] The virtual reality display 3 is connected to the spatial position sensor 8a and the electronic pen 5 (including the spatial position sensor 8c) by wire or wireless connection. The spatial position sensors 8a and 8c are configured to notify the virtual reality display 3 of the light reception level information described later through this connection. The virtual reality display 3 notifies the computer 2 of the light reception level information notified from each of the spatial position sensors 8a and 8c, along with the light reception level information from the spatial position sensor 8b which is built into the display 3. Based on the light reception level information thus notified, the computer 2 detects the position and orientation of each of the spatial position sensors 8a to 8c in the real space.

[0025] The planar position sensor 4 is a device having an input surface 4a and a plurality of electrodes (not shown) arranged to cover the entire input surface 4a. The input surface 4a is preferably a flat surface and may be made of a material suitable for sliding the tip of the electronic pen 5. The plurality of electrodes play a role in detecting the pen signals (described later) transmitted by the electronic pen 5. The pen signals detected by each electrode are supplied to the computer 2, and the computer 2 acquires the indicated position of the electronic pen 5 within the input surface 4a and various data transmitted by the electronic pen 5 based on the supplied pen signals. The planar position sensor 4 may be built into, for example, a tablet terminal having a display function and a processor, in which case the processor of the tablet terminal can constitute part or all of the computer 2.

[0026] The spatial position sensor 8a is fixedly mounted on the surface of the planar position sensor 4. Therefore, the position and orientation of the spatial position sensor 8a detected by the computer 2 represent the position and orientation of the input surface 4a in the virtual reality spatial coordinate system.

[0027] The electronic pen 5 is a pen-shaped position indicating device that has two functions: an input device for the planar position sensor 4 (hereinafter referred to as the "tablet input function") and an input device for the computer 2 (hereinafter referred to as the "virtual reality space input function"). The tablet input function includes the function of indicating a position within the input surface 4a of the planar position sensor 4. On the other hand, the virtual reality space input function includes the function of indicating a position within the virtual reality space. Details of each function will be described separately.

[0028] The position detection devices 7a and 7b are base station devices that constitute a position detection system for detecting the positions of the spatial position sensors 8a to 8c, and are configured to emit laser signals while changing direction according to control by the computer 2. Each of the spatial position sensors 8a to 8c is composed of multiple light receiving sensors, and is configured to receive the laser signals emitted by each of the position detection devices 7a and 7b with each light receiving sensor, and to acquire light receiving level information including the respective light receiving levels. The light receiving level information thus acquired is supplied to the computer 2 via the virtual reality display 3, as described above. In this embodiment, the position detection devices 7a and 7b are configured to emit laser signals, but are not limited to this configuration. For example, other non-visible light sensors, visible light sensors, or combinations thereof may be used.

[0029] Figure 2(a) is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the electronic pen 5. As shown in the figure, the electronic pen 5 is configured to have a cylindrical external housing 5a that houses the pen tip 5b (position indicator part) for indicating the position on the input surface 4a of the planar position sensor 4. In reality, the surface of the electronic pen 5 will have various components that constitute the grip force sensor 55 and various switches, which will be described later, attached to it, but these are not shown in Figure 2(a).

[0030] When using the tablet input function, the user grasps the external housing 5a with one hand and brings the pen tip 5b into contact with the input surface 4a of the planar position sensor 4. Then, while maintaining contact, the user moves the pen tip 5b on the input surface 4a to perform input with the electronic pen 5. On the other hand, when using the virtual reality space input function, the user grasps the external housing 5a with one hand and moves the electronic pen 5 in the air to perform input with the electronic pen 5. Input using the virtual reality space input function includes input to the virtual tablet as described above.

[0031] Figure 2(b) is a schematic block diagram showing the functional blocks of the electronic pen 5. As shown in the figure, the electronic pen 5 is composed of a processing unit 50, a planar communication unit 51, a spatial communication unit 52, a spatial position detection unit 53, a pen pressure sensor 54, a grip force sensor 55 (pressure sensor), and a force sensor generation unit 56. Note that the electronic pen 5 may have only one of the pen pressure sensor 54 and the grip force sensor 55, and the following explanation will include such cases.

[0032] The processing unit 50 is connected to and controls the other parts of the electronic pen 5, and is composed of a processor that performs various processes described later. The processing unit 50 controls the other parts of the electronic pen 5 and performs various processes described later by reading and executing a program stored in an internal memory (not shown).

[0033] The planar communication unit 51 is a functional unit that transmits and receives signals with the computer 2 via the planar position sensor 4, in accordance with the control of the processing unit 50. In this transmission and reception, multiple electrodes arranged within the input surface 4a of the planar position sensor 4 and a pen tip electrode (not shown) provided near the pen tip 5b of the electronic pen 5 are used as antennas. This transmission and reception includes cases where the electronic pen 5 unilaterally transmits a signal to the planar position sensor 4 and cases where signals are transmitted and received bidirectionally between the electronic pen 5 and the planar position sensor 4. In the following explanation, the latter will be assumed, and the signal transmitted from the planar position sensor 4 to the electronic pen 5 will be referred to as the "beacon signal," and the signal transmitted from the electronic pen 5 to the planar position sensor 4 will be referred to as the "pen signal." Specific methods for signal transmission and reception in this case may include, for example, electromagnetic induction or active electrostatic methods.

[0034] The beacon signal is a signal transmitted by computer 2, for example, at predetermined time intervals, and includes commands for controlling the electronic pen 5 from computer 2. The pen signal includes a burst signal, which is an unmodulated carrier wave (planar position information indicating the position of the pen tip 5b within the input surface 4a), and a data signal obtained by modulating the carrier wave with data requested to be transmitted by the command.

[0035] The spatial communication unit 52 has the function of sending and receiving signals to and from the computer 2 via the virtual reality display 3, in accordance with the control of the processing unit 50. As described above, this signal transmission and reception is achieved by wired or wireless means. The planar position sensor 4 is not involved in the transmission and reception of signals between the spatial communication unit 52 and the computer 2.

[0036] The spatial position detection unit 53 is a functional unit composed of the spatial position sensor 8c shown in Figure 1, and plays the role of detecting the above-mentioned light reception level information (spatial position information indicating the position of the electronic pen 5 in space) through interaction with external devices (specifically, position detection devices 7a and 7b). Specifically, it periodically or continuously performs detection operations of the laser signals transmitted by the position detection devices 7a and 7b, generates light reception level information corresponding to the detected laser signal, and supplies it to the processing unit 50 each time.

[0037] The pressure sensor 54 is a sensor configured to detect the force (pressure) applied to the pen tip 5b, and is composed of, for example, a capacitive sensor (not shown) whose capacitance value changes depending on the pressure. The processing unit 50 has the function of acquiring the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 54 and generating pressure information related to the acquired pressure. The pressure information is a digital value obtained by, for example, performing analog-to-digital conversion on the analog information of the pressure.

[0038] The grip force sensor 55 is a sensor configured to detect the force (=grip force) applied to the surface of the external housing 5a of the electronic pen 5. The specific configuration of the grip force sensor 55 will be explained in detail later with reference to the drawings. The processing unit 50 has the function of acquiring the grip force detected by the grip force sensor 55 and generating pressure information related to the acquired grip force. The pressure information is a digital value obtained, for example, by performing an analog-to-digital conversion on the grip force, which is analog information.

[0039] The force sensation generation unit 56 has the function of generating force sensation in response to a control signal supplied from the computer 2. The force sensation here refers to, for example, the vibration of the external housing 5a. The computer 2 generates force sensation in the force sensation generation unit 56 by supplying the control signal to the electronic pen 5 via the spatial communication unit 52 when, for example, the pen tip 5b is in contact with the surface of the virtual tablet (more precisely, when the pen tip 5b is within a predetermined distance from the surface of the virtual tablet). This allows the user to feel as if the pen tip 5b has collided with the surface of the virtual tablet, which does not actually exist.

[0040] When input is performed using the tablet input function, the processing unit 50 first detects the beacon signal transmitted by the computer 2 via the planar communication unit 51. If a beacon signal is detected, the processing unit 50 sequentially outputs the burst signal and data signal described above to the planar communication unit 51 as a response to the beacon signal. The data signal thus output may include the pen pressure information or pressure information described above. The planar communication unit 51 is configured to transmit the thus input burst signal and data signal to the computer 2 via the planar position sensor 4.

[0041] When computer 2 receives a burst signal via the planar position sensor 4, it detects the planar position of the pen tip 5b within the input surface 4a based on the received intensity of the burst signal at each of the multiple electrodes arranged within the input surface 4a. Furthermore, it acquires the data transmitted by the electronic pen 5 by receiving the data signal using the electrode closest to the detected planar position among the multiple electrodes arranged within the input surface 4a. Computer 2 then performs 2D drawing based on the detected planar position and the received data. Details of the 2D drawing will be described later. The tablet input function is thus realized.

[0042] On the other hand, when input is performed using the virtual reality space input function, the processing unit 50 is configured to sequentially output the light reception level information supplied from the spatial position detection unit 53 to the spatial communication unit 52. In addition, the processing unit 50 is configured to output the pen pressure information or pressure information generated as described above to the spatial communication unit 52 along with the output of the light reception level information. The spatial communication unit 52 is configured to transmit each of the input pieces of information to the computer 2.

[0043] When computer 2 receives the above information from the spatial communication unit 52, it detects the spatial position of the electronic pen 5 in space based on the received light reception level information. In this case, the computer 2 may pre-store information indicating the shape of the electronic pen 5 and the relative positional relationship between the spatial position detection unit 53 and the pen tip 5b. Computer 2 may then convert the position directly determined from the light reception level information to the position of the pen tip 5b based on this information, and detect the position obtained by the conversion as the spatial position. Computer 2 performs 3D drawing based on the detected spatial position and the received pen pressure information or pressure information. Details of 3D drawing will be described later. The virtual reality spatial input function is thus realized.

[0044] Figure 3 is a processing flow diagram showing the processing performed by the processing unit 50 of the electronic pen 5. Figure 4 is a processing flow diagram showing the details of the tablet input processing (step S1) shown in Figure 3, and Figure 5 is a processing flow diagram showing the details of the virtual reality space input processing (step S2) shown in Figure 3. The operation of the electronic pen 5 will be explained in detail below with reference to Figures 3 to 5.

[0045] First, as shown in Figure 3, the processing unit 50 performs tablet input processing (step S1) and virtual reality space input processing (step S2) in a time-division manner.

[0046] Next, referring to Figure 4, the processing unit 50 that performs tablet input processing first performs a beacon signal detection operation by the planar communication unit 51 (steps S10, S11). In this detection operation, the planar communication unit 51 attempts to detect the beacon signal by demodulating the signal arriving at the pen tip electrode as described above. If no beacon signal is detected, the tablet input processing is terminated. On the other hand, if a beacon signal is detected, the processing unit 50 outputs a burst signal to the planar communication unit 51, causing the planar communication unit 51 to transmit the burst signal (step S12).

[0047] The subsequent processing differs depending on whether the electronic pen 5 has a pressure sensor 54 or not. In the former case, the processing unit 50 acquires the pen pressure from the output of the pressure sensor 54 (step S13) and transmits a data signal containing the acquired pen pressure information via the planar communication unit 51 (step S14). In the latter case, the processing unit 50 acquires the grip force from the output of the grip force sensor 55 (step S15) and transmits a data signal containing the acquired grip force pressure information via the planar communication unit 51 (step S16). After the transmission in step S14 or step S16, the processing unit 50 terminates the tablet input processing and starts the next virtual reality space input processing (step S2), as can be seen from Figure 3.

[0048] Next, referring to Figure 5, the processing unit 50, which performs virtual reality space input processing, first performs a laser signal detection operation by the spatial position detection unit 53 (steps S20, S21). If no laser signal is detected, the virtual reality space input processing is terminated. On the other hand, if a laser signal is detected, the processing unit 50 obtains light reception level information corresponding to the laser signal from the spatial position detection unit 53 and transmits it to the spatial communication unit 52 (step S22).

[0049] The subsequent processing differs depending on whether the electronic pen 5 has a pressure sensor 54 or not. In the latter case, the processing unit 50 obtains the grip force from the output of the grip force sensor 55 (step S26) and transmits the pressure information related to the obtained grip force via the spatial communication unit 52 (step S27). On the other hand, in the former case, the processing unit 50 obtains the pen pressure from the output of the pressure sensor 54 (step S23) and determines whether the obtained pen pressure exceeds a predetermined value (step S24). This determination determines whether the pen tip 5b is in contact with a real surface, and is performed to prevent the use of pen pressure if it is not in contact. Here, a real surface refers to a surface such as a simple board. According to this, for example, by positioning a real board according to the display position of the virtual tablet, it becomes possible to use the pressure sensor 54 with respect to the virtual tablet as well.

[0050] If it is determined in step S24 that the pressure is higher, the processing unit 50 transmits the acquired pen pressure information via the spatial communication unit 52 (step S25). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S24 that the pressure is not higher, the processing unit 50 moves to step S26 and transmits the pressure information (steps S26, S27). After the transmission in step S25 or step S27, the processing unit 50 terminates the virtual reality space input processing and starts the next tablet input processing (step S1), as can be seen from Figure 3.

[0051] Figure 6 is a processing flow diagram showing the processing performed by the control unit 2a of computer 2. Figure 7 is a processing flow diagram showing the details of the correlation acquisition process (step S30) shown in Figure 6, Figure 10 is a processing flow diagram showing the details of the tablet drawing process (step S35) shown in Figure 6, and Figure 11 is a processing flow diagram showing the details of the virtual reality space drawing process (step S41) shown in Figure 6. The operation of computer 2 will be explained in detail below with reference to these figures.

[0052] As shown in Figure 6, the control unit 2a first performs a correlation acquisition process (step S30).

[0053] The correlation acquisition process is a process that acquires the correlation f between the pen pressure detected by the pen pressure sensor 54 and the grip force detected by the grip force sensor 55. In this process, as shown in Figure 7, the control unit 2a first causes the electronic pen 5 to simultaneously perform the pen pressure detection operation by the pen pressure sensor 54 and the grip force detection operation by the grip force sensor 55 a predetermined number of times, and each time receives pen pressure information and pressure information from the electronic pen 5 (steps S50 to S52).

[0054] After a predetermined number of repetitions, the control unit 2a obtains a correlation f between pen pressure and grip force based on the obtained combinations of pen pressure and grip force (step S53), and terminates the correlation acquisition process. The correlation f thus obtained is, for example, a correlation function that represents the correlation between pen pressure and grip force, and in one example it is expressed in the form pen pressure = f(grip force). The following explanation will continue on the premise that such a correlation f is used.

[0055] Figures 8(a) and 8(b) illustrate the correlation f between pen pressure and grip force. In these figures, P represents pen pressure, G represents grip force, and F represents the frictional force between the user's hand and the surface of the electronic pen 5.

[0056] First, referring to Figure 8(a), when a user attempts to draw a line while holding the electronic pen 5 perpendicular to the input surface 4a, the relationship P ≈ F holds true. Furthermore, the relationship F ≈ μG holds between the gripping force G and the frictional force F, where μ is the coefficient of friction between the user's hand and the surface of the electronic pen 5. Therefore, P ≈ μG holds true.

[0057] Next, referring to Figure 8(b), when a user attempts to draw a line while holding the electronic pen 5 at an angle θ with respect to the normal direction of the input surface 4a, the relationship F ≈ P' = Pcosθ holds true. Here, P' is the component of the pen pressure P in the direction of the pen axis. Therefore, from the relationship F ≈ μG mentioned above, in this case, Pcosθ = μG holds true.

[0058] The relationship Pcosθ = μG also encompasses the case shown in Figure 8(a). Therefore, by setting f(G) = μG / cosθ, it becomes possible to universally express the correlation f. However, since the friction coefficient μ and angle θ that appear in this can differ depending on the user, it is ultimately necessary to determine the pen pressure = f (grip force) for each user. Therefore, it becomes necessary to perform the correlation acquisition process as explained with reference to Figure 7.

[0059] Returning to Figure 6, the control unit 2a, having completed the correlation acquisition process, then sets a drawing area within the virtual reality space (step S31). The drawing area is the area where 3D drawing by the electronic pen 5 is performed.

[0060] Figures 9(a) and 9(b) show specific examples of drawing areas, respectively. Figure 9(a) shows an example in which an area within a predetermined distance from the display surface of the virtual tablet B is set as the drawing area A. In this example, the drawing area A is the area that enables input to the virtual tablet B. If the detected spatial position is within this type of drawing area A, the control unit 2a replaces the detected spatial position with a spatial position projected onto the display surface of the virtual tablet B during the virtual reality space drawing process shown in step S35 later, and then performs 3D drawing. This makes it possible for the user to draw planar figures on the display surface of the virtual tablet B. It is preferable that the predetermined distance be a value greater than 0. This is because when a user tries to input to the display surface of the virtual tablet B with the electronic pen 5, it is difficult to keep the electronic pen 5 in contact with the display surface, which does not physically exist.

[0061] Figure 9(b) shows an example where an arbitrary three-dimensional space is set as the drawing area A. If the detected spatial position is within this drawing area A, the control unit 2a performs 3D drawing without performing the substitution shown in the example in Figure 9(a). This allows the user to draw three-dimensional shapes within the drawing area A.

[0062] Returning to Figure 6, the control unit 2a then performs the operation to detect the light reception level information and the burst signal (step S32). Specifically, this process includes receiving the light reception level information from the electronic pen 5 via a wired or wireless connection, and receiving the burst signal from the electronic pen 5 via the planar position sensor 4. If the control unit 2a detects a burst signal as a result of performing step S32 (positive determination in step S33), it proceeds to step S34; otherwise, it proceeds to step S36.

[0063] In step S34, the control unit 2a detects the planar position (the position of the pen tip 5b within the input surface 4a) based on the detected burst signal (step S34), and then performs tablet drawing processing for 2D drawing on the display of a tablet terminal including a planar position sensor 4 (step S35).

[0064] In the tablet drawing process, as shown in Figure 10, the control unit 2a first detects the data signal transmitted by the electronic pen 5 via the planar position sensor 4 (step S60). Then, it determines whether the data signal contains pen pressure information or pressure information (step S61).

[0065] If it is determined in step S61 that pressure information is included, the control unit 2a further determines whether the pressure indicated by the pressure information is less than or equal to a predetermined normal ON load (e.g., 0) (step S68). If it is determined that the pressure is less than or equal to the normal ON load, the process is terminated without performing 2D drawing. This is the process for when the pen tip 5b of the electronic pen 5 is not in contact with the input surface 4a (the so-called hover state). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S68 that the pressure is greater than the normal ON load, the control unit 2a performs 2D drawing on the display of the tablet terminal, which is a plane position sensor 4, based on the plane position detected in step S34 and the pressure indicated by the pressure information (step S69).

[0066] To explain the 2D drawing performed in step S69 in more detail, the 2D drawing includes rendering and display processes. In the rendering process, the control unit 2a places a circle with a radius corresponding to the pen pressure at each of the sequentially detected planar positions. Then, by smoothly connecting the circumferences of each circle, it generates two-dimensional curve data (ink data) with a width corresponding to the pen pressure. The display process is the process of displaying the thus generated curve data on, for example, the display of a tablet terminal which is a planar position sensor 4.

[0067] If it is determined in step S61 that pressure information is included, the control unit 2a performs processing to convert the grip force indicated by the pressure information into pen pressure (steps S62 to S67). Specifically, the control unit 2a first determines whether reset flag A is true or false (step S62). Reset flag A is a flag that indicates whether or not the electronic pen 5 has just entered the range where the burst signal can reach the planar position sensor 4. If it has just entered, the determination result in step S62 is false.

[0068] If the control unit 2a determines in step S62 that the result is false, it further determines whether the grip force indicated by the pressure information is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (step S63). If it determines that the grip force is less than the predetermined value, it sets the grip force indicated by the pressure information to the initial grip force (step S64). If it determines that the grip force is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, it sets that predetermined value to the initial grip force (step S65). The initial grip force is a variable used to treat the grip force as 0 when the electronic pen 5 enters the range where the burst signal reaches the planar position sensor 4 (when the pen is down). Step S65 sets an upper limit for the initial grip force, and is used, for example, to prevent the grip force required to thicken the line width from becoming too large, preventing the user from applying sufficient pressure.

[0069] Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating the meaning of initial grip force. The figure shows a graph with the force on the surface of the external housing 5a on the horizontal axis and the grip force detected by the grip force sensor 55 on the vertical axis. The control unit 2a is configured to use the grip force obtained by subtracting the initial grip force from the grip force detected by the grip force sensor 55, rather than the grip force itself, as the grip force. In this way, the user can input pen pressure by increasing or decreasing the grip force based on the grip force at the time of pen down.

[0070] Return to Figure 10. If step S64 or step S65 is executed, the control unit 2a sets the reset flag A to true (step S66), and then performs a process to convert the grip force into pen pressure using the correlation f (step S67). Step S67 is also executed if true is determined in step S62. In step S67, the control unit 2a substitutes the value obtained by subtracting the initial grip force from the grip force indicated by the pressure information into the correlation f as the grip force. This makes it possible for the user to input pen pressure by grip force by increasing or decreasing the grip force based on the grip force at the time of pen down, as explained with reference to Figure 12.

[0071] Having obtained the pen pressure in step S67, the control unit 2a uses this pen pressure to execute steps S68 and S69. This enables 2D drawing similar to that performed when the data signal includes pen pressure information.

[0072] Having executed step S69, the control unit 2a terminates the tablet drawing process. Then, it returns to step S32 in Figure 6 and performs the next operation to detect the light reception level information and burst signal.

[0073] In step S36 of Figure 6, the control unit 2a first sets the reset flag A to false (step S36). This makes it possible to return the reset flag A to false when the electronic pen 5 moves out of the range where the burst signal can reach the planar position sensor 4.

[0074] Next, the control unit 2a determines whether or not it has detected light reception level information based on the detection operation in step S32 (step S37). If it determines that it has detected the information, the control unit 2a detects the spatial position (the position of the electronic pen 5 (or its pen tip 5b) in space) based on the detected light reception level information (step S38). Next, the control unit 2a determines whether or not the detected spatial position is within the drawing area set in step S31 (step S39).

[0075] If the control unit 2a determines in step S39 that the position is within the drawing area, it executes virtual reality space drawing processing to perform 3D drawing in the virtual reality space (step S41). Here, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 6, a process may be inserted between step S39 and step S41 to replace the detected spatial position with a spatial position projected onto the display surface of the virtual tablet (step S40). This step S40 is a process that can only be executed if the drawing area including the detected spatial position is an area set on the display surface of the virtual tablet B as shown in Figure 9(a). This makes it possible for the user to draw planar figures on the display surface of the virtual tablet, as described above.

[0076] In the virtual reality space rendering process, the control unit 2a first performs an operation to receive pen pressure information or pressure information, as shown in Figure 11 (step S70). Then, it determines whether pen pressure information or pressure information has been received (step S71).

[0077] If the control unit 2a determines in step S71 that pressure information has been received, it further determines whether the pressure indicated by the pressure information is less than or equal to a predetermined normal ON load (e.g., 0) (step S80). If it determines that the pressure is less than or equal to the normal ON load, it terminates the process without performing 3D drawing. This is the process when it is considered that the pen tip 5b of the electronic pen 5 is not in contact with the aforementioned real-world board (e.g., one positioned to match the display position of the virtual tablet). On the other hand, if it determines in step S80 that the pressure is greater than the normal ON load, the control unit 2a performs 3D drawing in the virtual reality space based on the spatial position detected in step S38 (or the spatial position acquired in step S40) and the pressure indicated by the pressure information (step S81).

[0078] Similar to 2D drawing, the 3D drawing performed in step S79 also includes rendering and display processes. In the rendering process, the control unit 2a places spheres with radii corresponding to the pen pressure at each of the sequentially detected spatial positions. Then, by smoothly connecting the surfaces of each sphere, it generates three-dimensional curve data with a cross-sectional diameter corresponding to the pen pressure. The display process is the process of displaying the thus generated curve data in the virtual reality space. However, if the spatial position is fixed to a position within the display surface of the virtual tablet by executing step S40, 2D drawing within the display surface may be performed instead of 3D drawing.

[0079] If it is determined in step S71 that pressure information has been received, the control unit 2a performs a process to convert the grip force indicated by the pressure information into pen pressure (steps S72 to S77). The details of this process are the same as those in steps S62 to S67 shown in Figure 10, and in step S77, the pen pressure as a result of the conversion is obtained. However, in steps S72 to S77, reset flag B is used instead of reset flag A. Reset flag B is a flag that indicates whether or not the electronic pen 5 has just entered the drawing area, and if it has just entered, the determination result in step S72 is false.

[0080] Having obtained the pen pressure in step S77, the control unit 2a uses this pen pressure to execute steps S78 and S79. Steps S78 and S79 are the same processes as steps S80 and S81, except that instead of the normal ON load, a spatial ON load is used, which is set to a value different from the normal ON load, preferably a value greater than the normal ON load (i.e., in step S78, it is determined whether the pen pressure indicated by the pressure information is less than or equal to a predetermined spatial ON load (> normal ON load)). This enables 3D drawing similar to that when pen pressure information is received.

[0081] In step S78, a spatial ON load is used instead of a normal ON load because when operating the electronic pen 5 while it is suspended in the air, the gripping force required to support the electronic pen 5's own weight is greater than when operating it while it is in contact with a fixed surface such as the input surface 4a. By using a spatial ON load greater than the normal ON load in step S78, it becomes possible to perform 3D drawing appropriately despite this increase in gripping force.

[0082] After executing step S79, the control unit 2a terminates the virtual reality space drawing process. Then, it returns to step S32 in Figure 6 and performs the next operation to detect the light reception level information and burst signal. Furthermore, if the control unit 2a determines in step S37 in Figure 6 that it has not detected the light reception level information, or if it determines in step S39 in Figure 6 that the position is not within the drawing area, it sets the reset flag B to false (step S42), returns to step S32, and performs the next operation to detect the light reception level information and burst signal. By executing step S42, it becomes possible to return the reset flag B to false when the electronic pen 5 leaves the drawing area (including when the electronic pen 5 leaves the virtual reality space).

[0083] As described above, according to this embodiment, the electronic pen 5 is configured to output pressure information related to grip force, and the computer 2 is configured to perform 3D drawing and 2D drawing based on the pressure information related to grip force. Therefore, even when there is no actual touch surface, it becomes possible to suitably control the line width and transparency.

[0084] The specific configuration of the grip force sensor 55 will be explained in detail below, with reference to the drawings.

[0085] Figure 13 shows the structure of the grip force sensor 55 according to the first example. The grip force sensor 55 in this example is composed of a touch sensor configured to detect pressing force by, for example, a pressure-sensitive method, and is placed on the side of the external housing 5a. In this case, the processing unit 50 acquires the pressing force detected by the grip force sensor 55 as the grip force.

[0086] Figure 14 shows the structure of the grip force sensor 55 according to the second example. The grip force sensor 55 in this example is composed of a button mechanism configured to detect the amount of pressure applied in steps or continuously, and is located on the side of the external housing 5a. In this case, the processing unit 50 acquires the amount of pressure applied by the grip force sensor 55 as the grip force. Specific examples of the button mechanism include actuators, Hall elements, strain gauges, etc.

[0087] Figure 15 shows the structure of the grip force sensor 55 according to the third example. In this example, the grip force sensor 55 also functions as a pen pressure sensor 54 and is composed of a capacitor having a structure in which a dielectric 11 is placed between two electrode plates 10 and 12. One end of electrode plate 10 is connected to the other end of the core body 13 that constitutes the pen tip 5b. The electrode plate 12 is connected to a button mechanism 14 located on the side of the external housing 5a.

[0088] In this example, the capacitor is configured such that the distance between electrode plate 10 and electrode plate 12 changes in response to the force applied to the pen tip 5b, and as a result, the capacitance also changes. Furthermore, as can be seen by comparing Figures 15(a) and 15(b), the capacitor in this example is configured such that the electrode plate 12 moves laterally in response to the amount the button mechanism 14 is pressed, and as a result, the capacitance changes. In the tablet input processing shown in Figure 4, the processing unit 50 in this example considers the capacitor in this example as a pen pressure sensor 54 and obtains pen pressure from its capacitance. On the other hand, in the virtual reality space input processing shown in Figure 5, the capacitor in this example is considered as a grip force sensor 55 and obtains grip force from its capacitance. According to this example, it is possible to realize both a grip force sensor 55 and a pen pressure sensor 54 with a single capacitor.

[0089] Although Figure 15 illustrates an example using a capacitor, a load cell can also serve as both the grip force sensor 55 and the pen pressure sensor 54. Since a load cell can individually measure stress in the X, Y, and Z directions, it is possible to individually calculate the pen pressure (force in the direction of the pen axis) and the grip force (force perpendicular to the direction of the pen axis) based on the measured individual stresses.

[0090] Figure 16 shows the structure of the grip force sensor 55 according to the fourth example. The grip force sensor 55 according to this example has a structure in which a pressure sensor 15, a substrate 16, and a dome button 17 are stacked, and is positioned on the side of the external housing 5a such that the surface on the dome button 17 side is exposed. The pressure sensor 15 is a sensor configured to be able to sense the pressing force applied to the surface of the external housing 5a, and the dome button 17 is a button mechanism configured to be turned on and off by the user.

[0091] Figure 17 is a processing flow diagram showing the processing performed by the processing unit 50 of the electronic pen 5 when using the grip force sensor 55 according to the fourth example. Figure 17(a) is the processing flow diagram shown in Figure 3 with steps S90 to S95 added. Figure 17(b) is the processing flow diagram shown in Figure 4 or Figure 5 with step S96 added. The operation of the electronic pen 5 equipped with the grip force sensor 55 according to the fourth example will be described below with reference to Figure 17.

[0092] First, as shown in Figure 17(a), the processing unit 50 first determines whether the dome button 17 is on or off (step S90). If it determines that it is off, it sets the reset flag C to false (step S95) and starts the tablet input processing in step S1. The reset flag C is a flag that indicates whether or not the dome button 17 has just been pressed. If it has just been pressed, the determination result in step S91, which will be described later, will be false.

[0093] Having determined in step S90 that the reset flag C is ON, the processing unit 50 then determines whether the reset flag C is true or false (step S91). If it determines that the reset flag C is true, the processing unit 50 immediately starts the tablet input processing in step S1. On the other hand, if it determines that the reset flag C is false, the processing unit 50 obtains the grip force from the grip force sensor 55 (step S92) and sets the obtained grip force as the initial grip force (step S93). The initial grip force here is a variable used to treat the grip force when the dome button 17 is pressed as 0, and is unrelated to the initial grip force used within the computer 2 (the one used in the processing flow shown in Figure 10 or Figure 11). After executing step S93, the processing unit 50 sets the reset flag C to true (step S94) and starts the tablet input processing in step S1.

[0094] Next, as shown in Figure 17(b), the processing unit 50 uses the grip force obtained by subtracting the initial grip force from the grip force obtained in step S15 of Figure 4 and the grip force obtained in step S26 of Figure 5 as the grip force (step S96). In other words, it transmits pressure information related to the grip force obtained by subtraction in step S96, rather than the grip force itself obtained in steps S15 and S26, to the computer 2.

[0095] By having the processing unit 50 perform the above-described process, the user of the electronic pen 5 in this example will be able to input pen pressure based on grip strength by increasing or decreasing the grip strength based on the grip strength at the moment the dome button 17 is turned on at their own discretion.

[0096] Figure 18 shows the structure of the grip force sensor 55 according to the fifth example. The grip force sensor 55 in this example is composed of a capacitor having a structure in which a dielectric 19 and rubber 20 are arranged between two electrode plates 18 and 21, and is placed on the side of the external housing 5a. The processing unit 50 in this example is configured to acquire the capacitance of the capacitor, which is the grip force sensor 55, as the grip force.

[0097] In this example, when the user presses on the outer electrode plate 21, the rubber 20 compresses in proportion to the pressure applied, shortening the distance between the electrode plate 18 and the electrode plate 21, and consequently increasing the capacitance. In addition, when the user applies force in the pen axis direction to the outer electrode plate 21, the deformation of the rubber 20 causes the electrode plate 21 to slide in the pen axis direction as shown in Figure 18(b), resulting in a decrease in capacitance. Therefore, with the grip force sensor 55 in this example, it is possible to detect not only the pressing force but also the force in the pen axis direction as grip force. If d is the distance between the electrode plate 18 and the electrode plate 21, S is the overlap area of ​​the electrode plates 18 and 21 when there is no sliding, ΔS is the change in overlap area due to sliding, and ε is the dielectric constant of the material composed of the dielectric 19 and the rubber 20, then the capacitance of the capacitor in this example is expressed by the following equation (1). C = ε(S - ΔS) / d···(1)

[0098] Figure 19 shows the structure of the grip force sensor 55 according to the sixth example. As shown in the figure, the electronic pen 5 according to this example has a grip member 22 attached to the external housing 5a, and the grip force sensor 55 according to this example is built into this grip member 22. Figure 19(a) shows the side view of the electronic pen 5 with the grip member 22 attached, Figure 19(b) shows the top view of the electronic pen 5 with the grip member 22 attached, and Figure 19(c) shows the electronic pen 5 in use with the grip member 22 attached.

[0099] As shown in Figures 19(a) to (c), the grip member 22 is composed of a cylindrical base 22a that fits into the external housing 5a, and a finger rest 22b that extends in an arch shape from one end of the base 22a. As shown in Figure 19(c), the user will use the electronic pen 5 with their index finger resting on the finger rest 22b. Although Figure 19 shows an example where the grip member 22 is separate from the external housing 5a, they may also be integrally formed.

[0100] The grip force sensor 55 is, for example, a strain gauge embedded in the finger rest 22b, and is configured to detect the force applied by the user's index finger (pressure on the finger rest 22b). The processing unit 50 in this example is configured to acquire the force thus detected as the grip force.

[0101] By incorporating an acceleration sensor within the electronic pen 5 or grip member 22, the processing unit 50 can also detect user actions such as shaking the electronic pen 5. By combining this with the detection of the pressing force of the finger rest 22b by the grip force sensor 55, it is also possible to simulate tapping on the touch surface.

[0102] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited in any way to these embodiments, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from its essence. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0103] 1. Spatial position indication system 2 Computers 2a Control section 2b memory 3. Virtual reality display 4 Planar position sensor 4a Input side 5 Electronic pen 5a External enclosure 5b nib 7a, 7b Position detection equipment 8a~8c Spatial position sensor 10,12 Electrode plate 11 Dielectrics 13 Core body 14 Button Mechanism 15. Pressure-sensitive sensor 16 circuit boards 17 Dome Buttons 18,21 Electrode plate 19 Dielectrics 20 Rubber 22 Grip component 22a base 22b Finger rest 50 Processing Unit 51 Planar Communication Unit 52 Spatial Communications Department 53 Spatial position detection unit 54. Pen pressure sensor 55 Grip force sensor 56 Force sensation generation part A drawing area B Virtual Tablet

Claims

1. This is a positioning device for controlling 3D objects in a virtual reality space. The casing and A first sensor that detects a first pressure applied to a first member provided at the tip of the housing, which is used to control the 3D object in the virtual reality space, A first communication unit that transmits the first pressure detected by the first sensor through the tip of the housing, A second communication unit, which is different from the first communication unit, transmits the first pressure detected by the first sensor, A position indicating device equipped with the following features.

2. The system further includes a second sensor that detects a second pressure applied to a second member located between the vicinity of the center of the housing and the first member, which is used to control the 3D object in the virtual reality space. The second communication unit transmits the second pressure detected by the second sensor. The position indicating device according to claim 1.

3. The second pressure is the pressure applied to the second member by the user gripping the housing. The position indicating device according to claim 2.

4. The first pressure is the pressure applied to the first member by the contact surface when the first member is in contact with the contact surface. The position indicating device according to claim 1.

5. The aforementioned housing is a pen-shaped housing. The position indicating device according to claim 1.

6. The first pressure is the pressure applied to the first member by the contact surface when the first member comes into contact with the contact surface located on the sensor that receives the first pressure transmitted from the first communication unit. The position indicating device according to claim 1.

7. The first pressure transmitted from the second communication unit is the pressure used to control the 3D object in the virtual reality space. The position indicating device according to claim 2.

8. A position indicating device for controlling a 3D object in a virtual reality space, comprising a housing, a first sensor for detecting a first pressure applied to a first member provided at the tip of the housing which is used to control the 3D object in the virtual reality space, a first communication unit for transmitting the first pressure detected by the first sensor through the tip of the housing, and a second communication unit different from the first communication unit for transmitting the first pressure detected by the first sensor, and a computer capable of communicating with the position indicating device, A communication unit that receives the first pressure transmitted by the second communication unit of the position indicator device, A controller that controls the 3D object in the virtual reality space based on the first pressure transmitted by the second communication unit of the position indicator and received by the communication unit, A computer that has

9. The controller controls the 3D object in the virtual reality space based on the position of the position indicator in space and the first pressure transmitted by the second communication unit of the position indicator and received by the communication unit. The computer according to claim 8.

10. The communication unit is configured to receive the first pressure transmitted by the first communication unit of the position indicating device via the planar position sensor. The computer according to claim 8.

11. The position indicating device further includes a second sensor that detects a second pressure applied to a second member located between the vicinity of the center of the housing and the first member, which is used for controlling the 3D object in the virtual reality space. The second communication unit of the position indicating device transmits the second pressure detected by the second sensor. The communication unit receives the second pressure transmitted by the second communication unit of the position indicator device. The controller controls the 3D object in the virtual reality space based on the second pressure transmitted by and received by the second communication unit of the position indicator device. The computer according to claim 9.

12. The aforementioned controller, When the first member of the position indicator device is in contact with the contact surface, the 3D object is controlled based on the first pressure transmitted by the second communication unit of the position indicator device and received by the communication unit. When the first member of the position indicator device is not in contact with the contact surface, the 3D object is controlled based on the second pressure transmitted by and received by the second communication unit of the position indicator device. The computer according to claim 11.

13. A position indicating device for controlling a 3D object in a virtual reality space, comprising a housing, a first sensor for detecting a first pressure applied to a first member provided at the tip of the housing which is used to control the 3D object in the virtual reality space, a first communication unit for transmitting the first pressure detected by the first sensor through the tip of the housing, and a second communication unit different from the first communication unit for transmitting the first pressure detected by the first sensor, and a control method implemented by a computer capable of communicating with the position indicating device, the position indicating device comprising a housing, a first sensor for detecting a first pressure applied to a first member provided at the tip of the housing which is used to control the 3D object in the virtual reality space, a first communication unit for transmitting the first pressure detected by the first sensor, and a second communication unit different from the first communication unit for transmitting the first pressure detected by the first sensor, wherein the control method is implemented by a computer capable of communicating with the position indicating device, The first pressure transmitted by the second communication unit of the position indicator device is received. The 3D object in the virtual reality space is controlled based on the first pressure transmitted by the second communication unit of the position indicator device. Control method.

14. Based on the position of the position indicator device in space and the first pressure transmitted by the second communication unit of the position indicator device, the 3D object in the virtual reality space is controlled. The control method according to claim 13.

15. The first pressure transmitted by the first communication unit of the position indicating device is received via the planar position sensor. The control method according to claim 13.

16. The position indicating device further includes a second sensor that detects a second pressure applied to a second member located between the vicinity of the center of the housing and the first member, which is used for controlling the 3D object in the virtual reality space. The second communication unit of the position indicating device transmits the second pressure detected by the second sensor. The control method described above is The second pressure transmitted by the second communication unit of the position indicator device is received. The device is configured to control the 3D object in the virtual reality space based on the second pressure transmitted by the second communication unit of the position indicator. The control method according to claim 15.

17. When the first member of the position indicator device is in contact with the contact surface, the 3D object in the virtual reality space is controlled based on the first pressure transmitted by the second communication unit of the position indicator device. When the first member of the position indicator device is not in contact with the contact surface, the 3D object in the virtual reality space is controlled based on the second pressure transmitted by the second communication unit of the position indicator device. The control method according to claim 16.

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