Position detecting device, sensor, and pen

Abstract

The objective of the present invention is to improve position detection accuracy when a pen is in a hovering state, at a low cost.　This position detecting device includes: an electromagnetic induction sensor 1 including a coil electrode for detecting an alternating magnetic field generated by a pen on the basis of an electromagnetic induction effect; and a plurality of magnetic sensors 2.

Description

Position detection devices, sensors and pens

[0001] The present invention relates to a position detection device, a sensor and a pen.

[0002] In recent years, electromagnetic induction position input devices have been used as input devices for tablet PCs (personal computers), etc. These position input devices are composed of, for example, a position indicator and a position detection device having an input surface on which pointing operations and input of characters, figures, etc. are performed using the position indicator.

[0003] The position pointer includes a resonant circuit consisting of a coil and a capacitor. On the other hand, the position detection device, in order to determine the coordinate of the position pointer in the X-axis direction within the active area AA, includes: an X sensor coil group including X sensor coils X0, ..., X4 arranged in the X direction, a switch connected to the X sensor coil group, and an X-axis TX / RX circuit that generates an alternating magnetic field (a sending magnetic field, the same applies hereinafter) by passing a current through each of the X sensor coils arranged in the X axis during a sending period, and detects, as a current or voltage, an electromotive force generated in each of the X sensor coils by a pen signal (an alternating magnetic field generated by the circuit of the position pointer, the same applies hereinafter) that is continuously generated from the position pointer that has stored energy in the resonant circuit during the sending period.

[0004] Similarly, in order to determine the coordinate of the position indicator in the Y-axis direction, the position detection device is configured to include: a Y sensor coil group including Y sensor coils Y0, ..., Y4 arranged in the Y direction; a switch connected to the Y sensor coil group; and a Y-axis TX / RX circuit which, during the send period, generates a send magnetic field by passing a current through each of the X sensor coil group arranged on the Y axis, and which, during the detection period after the send period, detects, by current or voltage, the electromotive force generated in each of the Y sensor coil group by a pen signal that is continuously generated from the position indicator that has stored energy in the resonant circuit during the send period.

[0005] In order to determine the X-axis coordinate and the Y-axis coordinate of the position indicator within the active area AA, it is known to use a stylus pen (hereinafter referred to collectively as a pen) as a position indicator configured to be able to transmit to a sensor controller a signal for position detection (position signal) and a signal (data signal) including various data such as a unique ID and pen pressure. Hereinafter, the signals transmitted by the pen to the sensor controller will be collectively referred to as "downlink signals."

[0006] When a user attempts to input characters or pictures using a pen, the pen gradually approaches the touch surface of an electronic device including a sensor controller, and eventually the pen core comes into contact with the touch surface. Input of characters or pictures with the pen is possible when the pen core is in contact with the touch surface. Hereinafter, the state in which the pen core is in contact with the touch surface will be referred to as the "contact" state, and the state in which the pen is not yet in contact with the touch surface will be referred to as the "hover" state.

[0007] As a technology of this type, a pen is disclosed that reduces the transmission strength of a position signal when in a contact state compared to when in a hover state (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0008] U.S. Patent No. 8,773,405

[0009] When comparing the S / N ratio of the downlink signal received by the sensor in the touch surface when the pen is in a hover state and when the pen is in contact with the sensor, the signal level is smaller when the pen is in a hover state. This is because when the pen is in a hover state, the distance between the sensor and the pen is greater, resulting in greater attenuation of the downlink signal. As a result, when the pen is in a hover state, an error in receiving the downlink signal by the sensor controller may occur, and improvement was desired.

[0010] In contrast, according to the technology described in Patent Document 1, the reception strength of the downlink signal when the pen is in a hover state is greater than when the pen is in a contact state, which is thought to reduce the possibility of an error in receiving the downlink signal by the sensor controller when the pen is in a hover state. However, when the technology described in Patent Document 1 is adopted, there is a problem in that the pen needs to be equipped with a special transmitter that supports variable transmission strength.

[0011] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a position detection device, sensor, and pen that are low-cost and improve the position detection accuracy when the pen is in a hover state.

[0012] Form 1: One or more embodiments of the present invention propose a position detection device including an electromagnetic induction sensor including a coil electrode that detects an alternating magnetic field generated by a pen based on electromagnetic induction, and a plurality of magnetic sensors.

[0013] Form 2: One or more embodiments of the present invention propose a position detection device that detects the position of a pen based on electromagnetic induction, wherein the pen is provided with a permanent magnet together with a coil that generates an alternating magnetic field, and the position detection device includes: an electromagnetic induction sensor having coil electrodes arranged in parallel for detecting the alternating magnetic field generated by the pen based on electromagnetic induction; a plurality of first magnetic sensors provided within the detection area of ​​the electromagnetic induction sensor; and an integrated circuit that detects the alternating magnetic field generated by the pen using the output of the first magnetic sensor, which detects the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet, as an auxiliary means, to detect the alternating magnetic field generated by the pen and perform processing to identify two-dimensional position information of the pen.

[0014] Form 3: One or more embodiments of the present invention propose a position detection device that detects the position of a pen based on electromagnetic induction, wherein the pen is provided with a permanent magnet together with a coil that generates an alternating magnetic field, and the position detection device includes an electromagnetic induction sensor having coil electrodes arranged in parallel for detecting the alternating magnetic field generated by the pen based on electromagnetic induction, a plurality of first magnetic sensors provided within a detection area of ​​the electromagnetic induction sensor, a second magnetic sensor provided near the outer periphery of the detection area of ​​the electromagnetic induction sensor, and an integrated circuit that detects the alternating magnetic field generated by the pen using the outputs of the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor, which detect the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet, as an auxiliary means, and performs processing to identify two-dimensional position information of the pen.

[0015] Aspect 4: One or more embodiments of the present invention propose a sensor including an electromagnetic induction sensor including a coil electrode that detects an alternating magnetic field generated by a pen based on electromagnetic induction, and a plurality of magnetic sensors.

[0016] Aspect 5: One or more embodiments of the present invention propose a pen that includes a coil that generates an alternating magnetic field and a permanent magnet.

[0017] Advantageously, one or more embodiments of the present invention provide improved position detection accuracy when the pen is in a hover state at low cost.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a position detection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, which is configured to recognize the position of a pen even at a distance greater than conventionally when the pen hovers over an electromagnetic induction sensor. FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the position detection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, taken along line A-A'. FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the position detection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, taken along line A-A'. FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the position detection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, taken along line A-A'. FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the position detection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, taken along line A-A'. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wiring configuration of a position detection device that embodies the concept in the position detection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wiring configuration of a position detection device that embodies the concept in the position detection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram of a coordinate derivation operation using an electromagnetic induction method in which energy is applied to a pen having an LC resonant circuit by an alternating magnetic field and the position of the pen is derived from the distribution of the alternating magnetic field generated by the energy in a position detection device according to a conventional example. FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram of a coordinate derivation operation using an electrostatic capacitance method that utilizes the mutual capacitance between a transmitting electrode (TX) and a receiving electrode (RX) in a position detection device according to a conventional example. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a coordinate derivation operation when a pen is in hover HV (detecting an object in the air) based on the concept shown in FIG. 8 in a position detection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention that is equipped with a magnetic sensor. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a concept of a coordinate derivation operation when a pen equipped with a permanent magnet is in hover HV. FIG. 16 is a diagram simply illustrating the shape of a permanent magnet mounted on a pen.12 is a schematic diagram showing an arrangement of magnetic sensors in a position detection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the influence of geomagnetism on coordinate derivation when a magnetic sensor and a permanent magnet are located at a relatively short distance in the position detection device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the influence of geomagnetism on coordinate derivation when a magnetic sensor and a permanent magnet are located at a long distance in the position detection device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of solving a problem when detecting a permanent magnet using the magnetic sensor shown in FIG. 11 in the position detection device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of solving a problem when detecting a permanent magnet using the magnetic sensor shown in FIG. 11 in the position detection device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of solving a problem when detecting a permanent magnet using the magnetic sensor shown in FIG. 11 in the position detection device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of solving a problem when detecting a permanent magnet using the magnetic sensor shown in FIG. 11 in the position detection device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 16B is a flowchart showing the specific processing of FIGS. 17 and 18 in the position detection device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16C is a diagram illustrating the processing of an integrated circuit in a position detection device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16D is a diagram illustrating the processing of an integrated circuit in a position detection device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16E is a diagram illustrating the processing of an integrated circuit in a position detection device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16F is a flowchart showing the specific processing of FIGS. 20 and 21 in the position detection device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a pen assumed to be used in a position detection device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an active electrostatic pen assumed to be used in a position detection device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention that uses an electrostatic induction system. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating a case where a pen equipped with a permanent magnet is tilted in a position detection device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention that includes one or more magnetic sensors. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of numerical values ​​detected by being resolved into the X, Y, and Z axes of the magnetic sensor when the pen is positioned perpendicular to the magnetic sensor in the position detection device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of numerical values ​​detected by being resolved into the X, Y, and Z axes of the magnetic sensor when the pen is tilted at an arbitrary angle by a user in the position detection device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of numerical values ​​detected by being resolved into the X, Y, and Z axes of the magnetic sensor when the pen is rotated in direction A (counterclockwise) in the position detection device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of numerical values ​​detected by being resolved into the X, Y, and Z axes of the magnetic sensor when the pen is rotated in direction B (clockwise) in the position detection device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a position detection device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. 35B is a flowchart showing the processing of a position detection device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 35C is a diagram showing the configuration of a position detection device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 35D is a diagram showing the processing of a position detection device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 35E is a diagram showing the configuration of a position detection device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 35F is a diagram showing the processing of a position detection device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 35G is a diagram showing the pen signal level when the pen is at a tilt angle of 90 degrees and an angle of 0 degrees with respect to the normal to the sensor plane in a region where the TX sensor coil and the RX sensor coil cross in the position detection device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 35H is a diagram showing the pen signal level values ​​of FIG. 35A summarized by a moving average. FIG. 35I is a diagram showing the pen signal level data shown in FIG. 35B in a 3D view in a position detection device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.36A is a diagram showing the pen signal level when the pen is at a tilt angle of 30 degrees with respect to the normal to the sensor plane and at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to the sensor plane in a region where the TX sensor coil and the RX sensor coil cross in a position detection device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 36B is a diagram showing the pen signal level when the pen is at a tilt angle of 30 degrees with respect to the normal to the sensor plane and at an angle of 0 degrees with respect to the sensor plane in a region where the TX sensor coil and the RX sensor coil cross in a position detection device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 37A is a diagram showing the pen signal level when the pen is at a tilt angle of 30 degrees with respect to the normal to the sensor plane and at an angle of 0 degrees with respect to the sensor plane in a region where the TX sensor coil and the RX sensor coil cross in a position detection device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 37B is a diagram showing the pen signal level when the pen is at a tilt angle of 30 degrees with respect to the normal to the sensor plane and at an angle of 0 degrees with respect to the sensor plane in a region where the TX sensor coil and the RX sensor coil cross in a position detection device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. 38A is a diagram showing the pen signal level when the pen is at a tilt angle of 30 degrees with respect to the normal to the sensor plane and at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the sensor plane in the region where the TX sensor coil and the RX sensor coil cross in the position detection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 38B is a diagram showing the pen signal level when the pen is at a tilt angle of 30 degrees with respect to the normal to the sensor plane and at an angle of -45 degrees with respect to the sensor plane in the region where the TX sensor coil and the RX sensor coil cross in the position detection device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 39A is a diagram showing the pen signal level when the pen is at a tilt angle of 30 degrees with respect to the normal to the sensor plane and at an angle of -45 degrees with respect to the sensor plane in the region where the TX sensor coil and the RX sensor coil cross in the position detection device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 39B is a diagram showing the pen signal level when the pen is at a tilt angle of 30 degrees with respect to the normal to the sensor plane and at an angle of -45 degrees with respect to the sensor plane in the region where the TX sensor coil and the RX sensor coil cross in the position detection device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 39C.

[0020] First Embodiment A position detection device 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. FIG.

[0021] 1, the position detection device 10 is configured to include an electromagnetic induction sensor 1 including a coil electrode E that detects an alternating magnetic field generated by a pen based on electromagnetic induction, and a plurality of magnetic sensors 2. The position detection device 10 also includes a TX circuit (not shown), a switch, a TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group), an RX sensor coil group (second sensor coil group), an RX circuit, and peripheral circuits such as an amplifier.

[0022] 1, for example, the magnetic sensor 2 is provided at a position where it does not overlap the coil electrode E in a plan view. Also, as shown in Fig. 1, for example, the magnetic sensor 2 is provided at a position where it is not affected by a magnetic field generated by a current flowing through the coil electrode E. Note that in the following embodiments including this embodiment, an electromagnetic induction sensor 1 will be described as an example, but it is also possible to apply it to a mini LED board, an AES, etc.

[0023] The TX sensor coil group is a plurality of conducting wires arranged in a row in a first direction (X-axis direction) of the sensor, and the TX sensor coils constituting the TX sensor coil group (first sensor coil group) are, for example, rectangular loop coils. The TX sensor coils constituting the TX sensor coil group are, for example, arranged side by side at equal intervals.

[0024] The RX sensor coil group is a plurality of conductors arranged in a second direction (Y-axis direction) intersecting the first direction (X-axis direction) of the sensor, and the RX sensor coils constituting the RX sensor coil group (second sensor coil group) are, for example, rectangular loop coils. The RX sensor coils constituting the RX sensor coil group are, for example, arranged side by side at equal intervals.

[0025] The electromagnetic induction sensor 1 includes a group of TX sensor coils and a group of RX sensor coils, generates an alternating magnetic field, receives a pen signal, which is a response alternating magnetic field, from the pen 100, and acquires the level of the pen signal.

[0026] The TX circuit functions as an alternating magnetic field generating unit that transmits a signal to the TX sensor coil group via a switch and causes the TX sensor coil group to generate an alternating magnetic field. That is, in the position detection device 10 according to this embodiment, the TX sensor coils T0, T1, ..., T4 are connected to the TX circuit and used to generate an alternating magnetic field, but are not used to detect pen signals.

[0027] The RX circuit functions as a pen signal level acquisition unit that receives a pen signal, which is a response alternating magnetic field from the pen stored by the alternating magnetic field, using the multiple electrodes of the electromagnetic induction sensor (RX sensor coil group) 1, and acquires the level of the pen signal. In other words, the electromagnetic induction sensor coils R0, R1, ..., R4 are connected to the RX circuit and used to detect the pen signal, but are not used to generate the transmission magnetic field. The RX circuit also functions as an information derivation unit that derives information about the position of the pen using a two-dimensional distribution of the pen signal level at each intersection between the multiple conducting wires of the TX sensor coil group and the multiple electrodes of the electromagnetic induction sensor coil group (RX sensor coil group).

[0028] 2, for example, the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 and the magnetic sensor 2 are mounted on the upper surface of the electromagnetic induction sensor substrate 1A. In this case, as shown in Fig. 2A, the magnetic sensor 2 is provided in a position that does not overlap the coil electrode E in a plan view. As shown in Fig. 2B, the magnetic sensor 2 is mounted on the upper surface of the electromagnetic induction sensor substrate 1A.

[0029] A magnetic sheet 3 is provided below the electromagnetic induction sensor substrate 1A. This magnetic sheet 3 serves to prevent the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 and the magnetic sensor 2 from being affected by magnets and magnetic metals.

[0030] 3, for example, the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 is mounted on the upper surface of the electromagnetic induction sensor substrate 1A, and the magnetic sensor 2 is mounted on the lower surface of the electromagnetic induction sensor substrate 1A. This type of structure is useful when the magnetic sensor 2 cannot be mounted on the upper surface of the electromagnetic induction sensor substrate 1A or when the flatness of the upper surface of the electromagnetic induction sensor substrate 1A needs to be ensured.

[0031] As another example, as shown in FIG. 3A , the magnetic sensor 2 is disposed in a position that does not overlap the coil electrode E in a planar view. As shown in FIG. 3B , a magnetic sheet 3 is laminated on the lower part of the electromagnetic induction sensor substrate 1A, and a through hole H is formed in the magnetic sheet 3 at a location corresponding to the mounting position of the magnetic sensor 2 in a planar view. The magnetic sensor 2 is disposed so that an end of the magnetic sensor 2 protrudes through the through hole H from the lower part of the electromagnetic induction sensor substrate 1A. This is because the thickness of the magnetic sensor 2 is greater than the thickness of the magnetic sheet 3. Furthermore, the above-described structure is useful from the viewpoint of maintaining the characteristics of the magnetic sheet 3 and ensuring the flatness of the lower surface of the electromagnetic induction sensor substrate 1A.

[0032] As another example, as shown in Figure 4, for example, the substrate on which the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 is mounted (electromagnetic induction sensor substrate 1A) and the substrate on which the magnetic sensor 2 is mounted (magnetic sensor substrate 4) are separate substrates.

[0033] 4A has a structure in which a magnetic sheet 3 is stacked above a magnetic sensor substrate 4 on which a magnetic sensor 2 is mounted, and the electromagnetic induction sensor substrate 1A, the magnetic sheet 3, and the magnetic sensor substrate 4 are stacked in this order. A through hole H is formed in the magnetic sheet 3 at a location corresponding to the mounting position of the magnetic sensor 2 in a plan view.

[0034] As another example, as shown in Figure 5, for example, the substrate on which the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 is mounted (electromagnetic induction sensor substrate 1A) and the substrate on which the magnetic sensor 2 is mounted (magnetic sensor substrate 4) are separate substrates.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the sensor is formed by laminating a magnetic sensor substrate 4, an electromagnetic induction sensor substrate 1A, and a magnetic sheet 3 in this order.

[0036] 6, when the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 and the magnetic sensor 2 are mounted on an electromagnetic induction sensor substrate 1A on which the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 is mounted, the signal wiring, ground wiring, and power supply wiring from the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 and the signal wiring, ground wiring, and power supply wiring from the magnetic sensor 2 are routed on the same layer of the electromagnetic induction sensor substrate 1A. This makes it possible to prevent interference between the wiring from the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 and the wiring from the magnetic sensor 2.

[0037] 7, when the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 and the magnetic sensor 2 are mounted on an electromagnetic induction sensor board 1A on which the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 is mounted, the ground wiring from the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 and the ground wiring from the magnetic sensor 2 are shared. This makes it possible to prevent interference between the wiring from the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 and the wiring from the magnetic sensor 2, and also to reduce the number of external wirings.

[0038] <Actions and Effects> As described above, the position detection device 10 according to this embodiment includes an electromagnetic induction sensor 1 including a coil electrode that detects an alternating magnetic field generated by a pen based on electromagnetic induction, and a plurality of magnetic sensors 2. In other words, by providing a plurality of magnetic sensors 2, even when the intensity of the alternating magnetic field generated by the pen based on electromagnetic induction is low, such as when the pen is in a hover state, the plurality of magnetic sensors 2 can accurately detect that the pen is in a hover state. Therefore, the position detection accuracy when the pen is in a hover state can be improved at low cost. Furthermore, by improving the position detection accuracy when the pen is in a hover state, the accuracy of coordinate derivation when the pen core touches the touch surface can also be improved.

[0039] In the position detection device 10 according to this embodiment, the magnetic sensor 2 is disposed in a position that does not overlap the coil electrode in a planar view. In other words, by disposing the magnetic sensor 2 in a position that does not overlap the coil electrode in a planar view, the magnetic sensor 2 is less susceptible to the influence of the magnetic field generated by the coil electrode. Therefore, by making the magnetic sensor 2 less susceptible to the influence of the magnetic field generated by the coil electrode, false detections can be reduced as much as possible. Furthermore, by reducing false detections by the magnetic sensor 2 as much as possible, it is possible to accurately detect that the pen is in a hover state. Therefore, the position detection accuracy when the pen is in a hover state can be improved at low cost. Furthermore, by improving the position detection accuracy when the pen is in a hover state, the accuracy of coordinate derivation when the pen core touches the touch surface can also be improved.

[0040] In the position detection device 10 according to this embodiment, the magnetic sensor 2 is disposed in a position that is not affected by the magnetic field generated by a current flowing through the coil electrode. In other words, the magnetic sensor 2 is disposed in a position that is not affected by the magnetic field generated by a current flowing through the coil electrode. Therefore, by making the magnetic sensor 2 less susceptible to the magnetic field generated by the coil electrode, false detection by the magnetic sensor 2 can be reduced as much as possible. Furthermore, by reducing false detection by the magnetic sensor 2 as much as possible, it is possible to accurately detect that the pen is in a hover state. Therefore, the position detection accuracy when the pen is in a hover state can be improved at low cost. Furthermore, by improving the position detection accuracy when the pen is in a hover state, the accuracy of coordinate derivation when the pen core touches the touch surface can also be improved.

[0041] In the position detection device 10 according to this embodiment, the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 and the magnetic sensor 2 are mounted on an electromagnetic induction sensor board 1A on which the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 is mounted. In other words, the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 and the magnetic sensor 2 are mounted on the same electromagnetic induction sensor board 1A. Therefore, no new board is required, and therefore an increase in the cost of the position detection device 10 can be suppressed. Furthermore, since no new board is required, an increase in the thickness of the sensor can be suppressed. Therefore, the design of the sensor can be improved.

[0042] In the position detection device 10 according to this embodiment, a magnetic sheet 3 is laminated on the lower part of the electromagnetic induction sensor substrate 1A, and a through hole H is provided in the magnetic sheet 3 at a location corresponding to the mounting position of the magnetic sensor 2 in a planar view. In other words, the sensors are laminated in the following order: the electromagnetic induction sensor substrate 1A, on which the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 and the magnetic sensor 2 are mounted, and the magnetic sheet 3. Therefore, by laminating the magnetic sheet 3 on the lower part of the electromagnetic induction sensor substrate 1A, the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 and the magnetic sensor 2 can be prevented from being affected by magnets and magnetic metals located around the lower parts of the sensor. Furthermore, the magnetic sheet 3 is provided with a through hole H at a location corresponding to the mounting position of the magnetic sensor 2 in a planar view. This is because if the upper end of the magnetic sensor 2 were covered by the magnetic sheet 3, the magnetic field from above would spread in the in-plane direction, degrading the detection accuracy of the magnetic sensor 2. Therefore, by providing the through hole H in the magnetic sheet 3 at a location corresponding to the mounting position of the magnetic sensor 2 in a planar view, degradation of the detection accuracy of the magnetic sensor 2 can be prevented. Therefore, by improving the accuracy of position detection when the pen is in a hover state, it is possible to improve the accuracy of coordinate derivation when the core body of the pen comes into contact with the touch surface.

[0043] In the position detection device 10 according to this embodiment, the electromagnetic induction sensor substrate 1A on which the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 is mounted and the magnetic sensor substrate 4 on which the magnetic sensor 2 is mounted are separate substrates. In other words, the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 and the magnetic sensor 2 are separated by a predetermined distance. Therefore, by using the electromagnetic induction sensor substrate 1A on which the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 is mounted and the magnetic sensor substrate 4 on which the magnetic sensor 2 is mounted as separate substrates, the magnetic sensor 2 can be prevented from being affected by magnets or magnetic metals around the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 or the magnetic sensor 2. This allows for improved position detection accuracy when the pen is in a hover state at low cost. Furthermore, improving the position detection accuracy when the pen is in a hover state also allows for improved coordinate derivation accuracy when the pen core touches the touch surface.

[0044] In the position detection device 10 according to this embodiment, the sensor is formed by stacking the electromagnetic induction sensor substrate 1A, the magnetic material sheet 3, and the magnetic sensor substrate 4 in this order. The magnetic material sheet 3 has a through-hole H formed in a location corresponding to the location where the magnetic sensor 2 is mounted on the magnetic sensor substrate in a planar view. That is, the electromagnetic induction sensor substrate 1A, the magnetic material sheet 3, and the magnetic sensor substrate 4 are stacked in this order from top to bottom. The magnetic material sheet 3, which is provided above the magnetic sensor substrate 4, has a through-hole H formed in a location corresponding to the location where the magnetic sensor is mounted on the magnetic sensor substrate in a planar view. This minimizes the effect of the magnetic field around the sensor on the magnetic sensor 2. Therefore, by providing the through-hole H in the magnetic material sheet 3, which is stacked above the magnetic sensor 2, in a location corresponding to the location where the magnetic sensor 2 is mounted in a planar view, it is possible to prevent degradation of the detection accuracy of the magnetic sensor 2. Furthermore, improving the position detection accuracy when the pen is in a hover state also improves the accuracy of coordinate derivation when the pen core contacts the touch surface.

[0045] In the position detection device 10 according to this embodiment, the sensor is stacked in the following order: magnetic sensor substrate 4, electromagnetic induction sensor substrate 1A, and magnetic sheet 3. That is, the electromagnetic induction sensor substrate 1A is stacked below the magnetic sensor substrate 4, and the magnetic sheet 3 is stacked below the electromagnetic induction sensor substrate 1A. Therefore, the magnetic sensor substrate 4 is isolated from the space in which metals, magnetic materials, and components are disposed in the finished product via the electromagnetic induction sensor substrate 1A and the magnetic sheet 3. This minimizes the magnetic influence of metals, magnetic materials, and components on the magnetic sensor 2 in the finished product, thereby preventing degradation of the detection accuracy of the magnetic sensor 2. Furthermore, improving the position detection accuracy when the pen is in a hover state also improves the accuracy of coordinate derivation when the pen core touches the touch surface.

[0046] In the position detection device 10 according to this embodiment, when the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 and the magnetic sensor 2 are mounted on an electromagnetic induction sensor substrate 1A on which the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 is mounted, the signal wiring, ground wiring, and power wiring from the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 and the signal wiring, ground wiring, and power wiring from the magnetic sensor 2 are routed on the same layer of the electromagnetic induction sensor substrate 1A. That is, as shown in FIG. 6 , when the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 and the magnetic sensor 2 are mounted on the electromagnetic induction sensor substrate 1A on which the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 is mounted, the signal wiring, ground wiring, and power wiring from the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 and the signal wiring, ground wiring, and power wiring from the magnetic sensor 2 are routed on the same layer of the electromagnetic induction sensor substrate 1A. This prevents capacitive coupling between the wiring from the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 and the wiring from the magnetic sensor 2, thereby preventing magnetic interference between the wiring from the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 and the wiring from the magnetic sensor 2. This prevents degradation of the detection accuracy of the magnetic sensor 2. Therefore, improving the position detection accuracy when the pen is in a hover state also improves the accuracy of coordinate derivation when the pen core touches the touch surface.

[0047] In the position detection device 10 according to this embodiment, when the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 and the magnetic sensor 2 are mounted on an electromagnetic induction sensor substrate 1A on which the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 is mounted, the ground wiring from the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 and the ground wiring from the magnetic sensor 2 are shared. That is, as shown in FIG. 7 , when the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 and the magnetic sensor 2 are mounted on the electromagnetic induction sensor substrate 1A on which the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 is mounted, the ground wiring from the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 and the ground wiring from the magnetic sensor 2 are shared. This prevents capacitive coupling between the wiring from the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 and the wiring from the magnetic sensor 2, thereby preventing magnetic interference between the wiring from the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 and the wiring from the magnetic sensor 2 and reducing the number of external wirings. This prevents deterioration of the detection accuracy of the magnetic sensor 2. Therefore, improving the position detection accuracy when the pen is in a hover state also improves the accuracy of coordinate derivation when the pen core touches the touch surface.

[0048] Second Embodiment A position detection device 200 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 19. FIG.

[0049] <Regarding the position detection device 200> The position detection device 200 of this embodiment is composed of a pen having a permanent magnet along with a coil that generates an alternating magnetic field, an electromagnetic induction sensor 1 having coil electrodes arranged in parallel for detecting the alternating magnetic field generated by the pen based on electromagnetic induction, a plurality of first magnetic sensors 300 provided within the electromagnetic induction sensor 1, and an integrated circuit that detects the alternating magnetic field generated by the pen using the output of the first magnetic sensor that detects the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet as an auxiliary means, and performs processing to identify the two-dimensional position information of the pen.

[0050] Before describing the position detection device 200 according to this embodiment, the configuration and problems of a conventional position detection device will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG.

[0051] 8A, a conventional position detection device 200E is, for example, a part of a tablet and is incorporated into the tablet together with a signal generator. The conventional position detection device 200E transmits a signal generated by a signal generator to, for example, a group of TX sensor coils constituting an electromagnetic induction sensor 1 via a switch into an electromagnetic field, thereby generating an alternating magnetic field from the group of TX sensor coils.

[0052] On the other hand, the pen 100E is equipped with a resonant circuit consisting of a position indication coil (shown in the figure as "L"), a resonant capacitor (shown as "C") connected in parallel to the position indication coil, and a variable capacitance capacitor (shown as "CSW") connected in parallel to the resonant capacitor, as shown in the figure.

[0053] The resonant circuit including the variable capacitor resonates with the transmission signal received from the position detection device 200E to exchange energy. The pen 100E transmits the resonance signal detected in this resonant circuit to the position detection device 200E to indicate the position of the pen 100E to the position detection device 200E.

[0054] FIG. 8(B) shows a position detection device 200A using a different method from the conventional position detection device 200E shown in FIG. 8(A). The conventional position detection device 200E shown in FIG. 8(B) is a conceptual diagram of a position detection device 200A using a capacitance method that utilizes the mutual capacitance between a transmitting electrode (TX) and a receiving electrode (RX). The capacitance-based position detection device 200A shown in FIG. 8(B) is conductive and can detect an object that can cause a change in the mutual capacitance between TX and RX. Examples of the object include a finger 110, a conductive pen (stylus), or an active electrostatic pen 100A (active electrostatic stylus), as shown in FIG. 8(B). Hereinafter, these will be collectively referred to as a pen 100. Furthermore, the electromagnetic induction-based position detection device and the capacitance-based position detection device will be collectively referred to as a position detection device 200.

[0055] Fig. 9(A) shows an outline of pen detection when the pen 100 shown in Fig. 8 is in the hover HV state. As shown in Fig. 9, the position detection device 200 recognizes the approach of the pen 100 at a distance of about several centimeters from the position detection device 200, and feeds back the approximate position of the pen 100 to a UI (User Interface), or feeds back the information to the pen operation detection process of a sensor system.

[0056] This pre-detection process of the pen 100 using the hover HV is a very important process in the position detection device 200, which is premised on writing with the pen 100. In the detection process in the position detection device 200, which is premised on writing with the pen 100, distinguishing between the tip of the pen 100 and the palm of the hand (hereinafter referred to as the palm) often becomes a major problem. In other words, if the user intends to write with the tip of the pen 100, but touch recognition by the palm takes precedence, unintended writing may be performed. Therefore, the pre-detection process of the pen 100 using the hover HV executes a process for distinguishing between the positions of the pen tip and the palm.

[0057] In the current position detection device 200E, the recognition height of the hover HV of the pen 100 is about several centimeters, but this recognition accuracy is not sufficient to perform the above-mentioned process of distinguishing between the positions of the pen tip and the palm. On the other hand, Figure 9(B) proposes using a magnetic sensor 300 and a permanent magnet 301 for the advance detection process of the pen 100 by the hover HV.

[0058] The magnetic sensor 300 is disposed inside or on the backside of the position detection device 200. In the case of a position detection device 200 having a display function, the magnetic sensor 300 is disposed inside or on the backside of the position detection device 200 in a position that does not obstruct the display. The permanent magnet 301 is disposed on the side of the pen 100 that is the detection target. This enables hover HV detection of the pen 100 at a position farther away from the position detection device 200 in the static magnetic field of the permanent magnet 301 than before.

[0059] 10A shows an example of the shape of the permanent magnet 301 mounted on the pen 100 as the detection target. As such, the shape of the permanent magnet 301 may be any shape that can be mounted on the pen 100 as the detection target, and the distance (height) at which the pen 100 in the hover HV state can be detected and the performance required of the magnetic sensor 300 will change depending on the shape and the strength of the magnetic field. Preferred shapes of the permanent magnet 301 include, for example, a shape with a notch, a C-shape, a polygonal shape, and a flat shape.

[0060] FIG. 10B shows the arrangement of the magnetic sensors 300 mounted on the position detection device 200. Generally, the detection sensitivity of the magnetic sensors 300 ranges from one axis to three axes, and the number of magnetic sensors 300 in this embodiment is one or more. For example, FIG. 10B1 shows an example in which one magnetic sensor 300 is mounted in the center of the position detection device 200. FIG. 10B2 shows an example in which two magnetic sensors 300 are mounted spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the position detection device 200. FIG. 10B3 shows an example in which four magnetic sensors 300 are mounted, one at each corner of the position detection device 200. FIG. 10B4 shows an example in which five magnetic sensors 300 are mounted, one at each corner and one at the center of the position detection device 200. As described above, the number of magnetic sensors 300 may be changed as appropriate depending on the intended use and required performance, such as detection accuracy.

[0061] When detecting the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 301 using the magnetic sensor 300, it is absolutely necessary to consider the influence of the geomagnetism 400 on the Earth. Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining how the geomagnetism 400 affects the detection of the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 301 by the magnetic sensor 300.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 11A, when the magnetic sensor 300 and the permanent magnet 301 are relatively close to each other, the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 301 is detected as a value that is significantly greater than the detected magnetic field value of the geomagnetism 400.

[0063] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 11 (B), when the magnetic sensor 300 and the permanent magnet 301 are located at a relatively long distance, the magnetic field of the geomagnetic field 400 and the detected magnetic field of the permanent magnet 301 may have very similar values, making it difficult to distinguish between them.

[0064] Furthermore, in the above case, it is not just a matter of the distance between the magnetic sensor 300 and the permanent magnet 301, but may also occur when an object that blocks the magnetic field is present between the magnetic sensor 300 and the permanent magnet 301. In other words, if it becomes difficult to distinguish whether the detected magnetic field value is due to the geomagnetism 400 or the permanent magnet 301, it becomes difficult to determine, for example, whether the detected value of the geomagnetism 400 has changed due to the position detection device 200 itself being rotated, or whether the detection target to which the permanent magnet 301 is attached has approached, which may result in erroneous recognition of the detection target.

[0065] 12A and 12B present one proposed solution to the problem of magnetic detection of the permanent magnet 301 by the magnetic sensor 300. As shown in Fig. 12A and 12B, by arranging a plurality of magnetic sensors 300 (two or more) in the position detection device 200, it becomes possible to distinguish between the magnetic field due to the geomagnetism 400 and the magnetic field 401 due to the permanent magnet 301. Here, the magnetic sensors 300 are arranged at a certain distance (for example, several centimeters or more) from each other.

[0066] 12(A), the geomagnetism 400 is distributed spatially over a wide area, and therefore its magnetic field affects many magnetic sensors 300. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 12(B), the effect of the permanent magnet 301 on the magnetic field 401 is not distributed over such a wide area, so it is possible to determine whether the effect is due to the geomagnetism 400 or the permanent magnet 301 mounted on the pen 100. This determination method may include a threshold value for the number of magnetic sensors 300, i.e., how many magnetic sensors 300 detect the magnetic field, and a numerical threshold value, i.e., the detected magnetic field value at which it is determined that a reaction has occurred.

[0067] 13 presents a new solution to the problem of detecting permanent magnets 301 using magnetic sensors 300. In the following solution, magnetic sensors 300 are preferably ones with sensitivity in three axes, i.e., the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, and the number of magnetic sensors 300 need only be one or more if the magnetic sensors 300 have sensitivity in three axes. When focusing on the values ​​detected by decomposing the magnetic field of geomagnetism 400 into the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis of magnetic sensors 300, the detected values ​​for the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis will vary significantly depending on the orientation of magnetic sensor 300 (position detection device 203) relative to geomagnetism 400.

[0068] Therefore, the geomagnetism 400 is regarded as a vector, and the following equation 1 is applied to calculate the norm 402 (magnitude) of the vector for the detected values ​​of the three axes, X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis.

[0069]

[0070] By substituting the X-axis detection value of magnetic sensor 300 for the "magnitude of the vector projected in the X direction" in equation 1, the Y-axis detection value of magnetic sensor 300 for the "magnitude of the vector projected in the Y direction," and the Z-axis detection value of magnetic sensor 300 for the "magnitude of the vector projected in the Z direction," the detection value of the magnetic field due to geomagnetism 400 can be treated as the norm 402 of that vector.

[0071] Because this norm 402 indicates the properties of the geomagnetism 400 itself, it can be said that the norm 402 of the geomagnetism 400 calculated from the numerical values ​​of the detected magnetic fields of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis hardly changes regardless of the direction in which the position detection device 200 is facing. In other words, by performing the calculation using Equation 1, the value of the geomagnetism norm 402 does not change much regardless of the direction in which the position detection device 200 is facing, and the influence of the magnetic field 401 of the permanent magnet 301 mounted on the pen 100, which is the newly approaching detection target, is added to this norm 402.

[0072] Therefore, by monitoring the change in the norm 402, it becomes possible to determine the approach of the permanent magnet 301 to be detected without considering the influence of the change in the geomagnetism 400 due to the rotation of the position detection device 200 (see FIG. 13B). Note that this determination method may also specify a threshold value for the change in the magnetic field 401 due to the permanent magnet 301, i.e., the change in the norm 402.

[0073] 14 presents one further solution to the problem of detecting a permanent magnet 301 in a magnetic sensor 300. Here, the magnetic sensor 300 having sensitivity in three axes, namely the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, is illustrated as an example, but the magnetic sensor 300 may have sensitivity in one or more axes. In addition, the number of the magnetic sensors must be at least two.

[0074] The result obtained by subtracting the detection values ​​of the sensitivities of magnetic sensors 300 and 300A, which have different sensitivities on their axes, is called Diff. For example, in FIG. 15A , as described above, geomagnetism 400 is widely distributed in space, so the detection values ​​of magnetic sensors 300 and 300A are similar, and the Diff value, which is the difference between them, is close to 0. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15A , magnetic sensor 300 detects X-axis = 0.1, Y-axis = 0.4, and Z-axis = −0.5, while magnetic sensor 300A detects X-axis = 0.1, Y-axis = 0.3, and Z-axis = −0.5. Therefore, the detection values ​​of magnetic sensors 300 and 300A are similar, and the Diff value, which is the difference between them, is close to 0.

[0075] 15B, when pen 100 equipped with permanent magnet 301 as the detection target approaches magnetic sensor 300A, the effect of the magnetic field of geomagnetism 400 is reduced to nearly zero by the Diff calculation, and the effect of the magnetic field on magnetic sensor 300A due to the approach of pen 100 as the detection target remains without being offset by the Diff calculation, resulting in the calculation of a numerical value having a certain degree of absolute value as the Diff value. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15B, magnetic sensor 300 detects X-axis = 0.1, Y-axis = 0.4, and Z-axis = -0.5, while magnetic sensor 300A detects X-axis = 0.3, Y-axis = 0.1, and Z-axis = -0.7, resulting in the Diff calculation result being 0.2, which is calculated as a numerical value having a certain degree of absolute value.

[0076] That is, this allows the influence of the magnetic field due to the geomagnetism 400 on the magnetic sensor 300 to be roughly cancelled out, while leaving the influence of the magnetic field due to the approaching detection target as the calculation result of Diff.

[0077] Here, the calculation of Diff is not limited to subtracting the value of the second magnetic sensor 300A from the value of the first magnetic sensor 300, and the reverse subtraction may also be performed. Furthermore, if there are three or more magnetic sensors 300, any one of the sensors 300 may be used as a reference value for subtraction. Furthermore, the average value of the magnetic sensor 300X selected under arbitrary conditions from among the three or more magnetic sensors 300 may also be used.

[0078] 16 defines a problem where an object OB having a magnetic field exists for some reason near the magnetic sensor 300. In the position detection device 203 capable of writing with the pen 100 according to this embodiment, it is assumed that an object OB having a magnetic field, such as a permanent magnet 301 or a speaker, will be mounted in an area where it can affect the magnetic sensor 300.

[0079] In this case, assuming that values ​​such as those shown in FIG. 16(A) (for example, X=0.1, Y=0.4, Z=-0.5) are detected by the magnetic field from the geomagnetic field 400, when an object OB having a magnetic field but not the detection target is in the vicinity of the magnetic sensor 300 as shown in FIG. 16(B), the detected values ​​may be similar to those detected when a pen 100 having a permanent magnet 302 approaches (for example, X=0.3, Y=0.2, Z=-0.8).

[0080] In this case, when determining the approach of the pen 100 using a threshold value or the like in a program, it may be difficult to determine whether the detected value is due solely to the approach of the pen 100 having the permanent magnet 302, or whether it also includes external factors.

[0081] In such a case, since an object OB having a magnetic field that is not the target of detection is present nearby, there is a risk of an erroneous determination that the pen 100 is always approaching (for example, X = 0.3, Y = -0.2, Z = -0.6 is detected and it is determined that the pen 100 is approaching).

[0082] Therefore, as a measure to deal with such cases, we propose acquiring a baseline (reference value) at any timing. This baseline is a value detected by the magnetic sensor 300 that is stored at each moment. When the stored baseline is subtracted (Diff) by the latest detected value (Data), as shown in FIG. 17(A), in a case where only the geomagnetism 400 exists, the influence of the geomagnetism 400 is canceled out by the subtraction by taking in the magnetic field of the geomagnetism 400 as the baseline (for example, Data; X=0.1, Y=0.4, Z=-0.5, Base; X=0.1, Y=0.4, Z=-0.5). = -0.5, Diff; X = 0, Y = 0, Z = 0), and as shown in Figure 17(B), the influence of the magnetic field due to the approach of the pen 100 having the permanent magnet 301 can be detected in close-up as a Diff value (for example, Data; X = 0.4, Y = 0.2, Z = -0.7, Base; X = 0.1, Y = 0.4, Z = -0.5, Diff; X = 0.3, Y = -0.2, Z = -0.2).

[0083] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 18A, even when an object OB having a magnetic field that is not the detection target is present nearby, the influence of the geomagnetism 400 and the influence of the object OB are taken together as a baseline and subtracted, whereby the influence of the geomagnetism 400 and the influence of the object OB are canceled out (for example, Data; X=0.4, Y=0.2, Z=−0.6, Base; X=0.4, Y=0.2, Z=−0.6, 18B, the influence of the magnetic field due to the approach of the pen 100 having the permanent magnet 301 can be detected in close-up as a Diff value (for example, Data; X=0.6, Y=0, Z=-0.8; Base; X=0.4, Y=0.2, Z=-0.6; Diff; X=0.2, Y=-0.2, Z=-0.2), thereby preventing false detection of the pen 100.

[0084] <Processing of Position Detection Device 200> Processing of the position detection device 200 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0085] The integrated circuit of the position detection device 200 turns on the touch sensor, EMR (Electro-Magnetic Resonance) sensor, and magnetic sensor, resets the baseline, and detects magnetism using the magnetic sensor 300 (step S1000).

[0086] The integrated circuit of the position detection device 200 determines whether the magnetic sensor 300 has detected the magnetic field from the permanent magnet 301 (step S1002). If the integrated circuit of the position detection device 200 determines that the magnetic sensor 300 has not detected the magnetic field from the permanent magnet 301 ("NO" in step S1002), the process returns to step S1000 and the device enters standby mode.

[0087] On the other hand, if the integrated circuit of the position detection device 200 determines that the magnetic sensor 300 has detected the magnetism from the permanent magnet 301 ("YES" in step S1002), the integrated circuit of the position detection device 200 transitions the process to step S1004. Then, the integrated circuit of the position detection device 200 executes a process to turn off the touch sensor (step S1004).

[0088] Next, the integrated circuit of the position detection device 200 determines whether or not there is any movement of the magnetism detected by the magnetic sensor 300 (movement of the permanent magnet 301) (step S1006). If the integrated circuit of the position detection device 200 determines that there is no movement of the magnetism detected by the magnetic sensor 300 (movement of the permanent magnet 301) ("NO" in step S1006), the integrated circuit of the position detection device 200 transitions the process to step S1010, executes a process of refreshing the baseline (step S1010), transitions the process to step S1000, and enters the standby mode.

[0089] On the other hand, if the integrated circuit of the position detection device 200 determines that there is movement of magnetism detected by the magnetic sensor 300 (movement of the permanent magnet 301) ("YES" in step S1006), it transitions the process to step S1008 and determines whether or not the hover HV state of the pen 100 has been detected (step S1008). If the integrated circuit of the position detection device 200 determines that the hover HV state of the pen 100 has not been detected ("NO" in step S1008), it returns the process to step S1006 and transitions to standby mode.

[0090] On the other hand, if the integrated circuit of the position detection device 200 determines that the hover HV state of the pen 100 has been detected ("YES" in step S1008), it continues EMR scanning with touch sensor scanning turned OFF and continues the process of acquiring drawing information by the pen 100 (step S1012).

[0091] Next, if the integrated circuit of the position detection device 200 continues to be unable to acquire drawing information by the pen 100 through EMR scanning for a predetermined period of time, it transitions the process to step S1000 and enters standby mode (step S1014).

[0092] As described above, in the processing of the integrated circuit of the position detection device 200, as an example of determining whether an object OB having a magnetic field that is not a detection target is a step (step S1006) of determining whether the object OB having a magnetic field that is not a detection target is a moving object like the pen 100, and if the object OB having a magnetic field that is not a detection target is always stationary, the object OB is determined to be not a detection target. Also, in the above processing, when the hover HV state of the pen 100 is detected, a palm rejection function is realized by controlling to temporarily turn off touch by the palm.

[0093] <Actions and Effects> As described above, the position detection device 200 according to this embodiment is a position detection device that detects the position of a pen based on electromagnetic induction, and includes: a pen 100 provided with a permanent magnet 301 together with a coil that generates an alternating magnetic field; an electromagnetic induction sensor 1 having juxtaposed coil electrodes for detecting the alternating magnetic field generated by the pen 100 based on electromagnetic induction; a plurality of first magnetic sensors 300 provided within the electromagnetic induction sensor; and an integrated circuit that performs processing to detect the alternating magnetic field generated by the pen 100 with auxiliary use of the output of the first magnetic sensor 300 that detected the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 301, and to identify two-dimensional position information of the pen 100. In other words, the pen 100 is provided with a permanent magnet 301 together with a coil that generates the alternating magnetic field, and the integrated circuit performs processing to detect the alternating magnetic field generated by the pen 100 with auxiliary use of the output of the first magnetic sensor 300 that detected the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 301, and to identify two-dimensional position information of the pen 100. Therefore, the integrated circuit can capture the movement of the pen 100 from the hover HV state before the pen 100 comes into contact with the touch surface, and when it detects the alternating magnetic field generated by the pen 100, it can execute processing to identify two-dimensional position information of the pen 100. Therefore, by improving the position detection accuracy when the pen is in the hover state, it is also possible to improve the accuracy of coordinate derivation when the pen core comes into contact with the touch surface.

[0094] The output detection of the first magnetic sensor 300 of the position detection device 200 according to this embodiment is used to determine whether the pen 100 is present within a predetermined detection space, and the two-dimensional position identification process is performed based on the alternating magnetic field detected by the electromagnetic induction sensor 1. That is, the output detection of the first magnetic sensor 300 is used to determine whether the pen 100 is present within a predetermined detection space. Therefore, the integrated circuit can capture the movement of the pen 100 from the hover HV state before the pen 100 contacts the touch surface, and upon detecting the alternating magnetic field generated by the pen 100, can perform a process to identify the two-dimensional position information of the pen 100. Therefore, by improving the position detection accuracy when the pen is in the hover state, the accuracy of coordinate derivation when the pen core contacts the touch surface can also be improved.

[0095] The integrated circuit of the position detection device 200 according to this embodiment distinguishes between changes in the geomagnetic field 400 and changes associated with the proximity of the permanent magnet 301, and determines whether the permanent magnet 301 is approaching. That is, the integrated circuit distinguishes between changes in the geomagnetic field 400 and changes associated with the proximity of the permanent magnet 301, and determines whether the permanent magnet 301 is approaching while excluding changes in the magnetic field due to changes in the geomagnetic field 400. Therefore, even under conditions where the geomagnetic field 400 is present, the integrated circuit can capture the movement of the pen 100 from the hover HV state before the pen 100 contacts the touch surface. Upon detecting the alternating magnetic field generated by the pen 100, the integrated circuit can execute a process for identifying two-dimensional position information of the pen 100. Therefore, even under conditions where the geomagnetic field 400 is present, improving the position detection accuracy when the pen is in the hover state also improves the accuracy of coordinate derivation when the pen core contacts the touch surface.

[0096] The position detection device 200 according to this embodiment includes a plurality of first magnetic sensors 300 arranged at predetermined intervals, and the integrated circuit determines whether a predetermined magnetic field change is detected by a number of the first magnetic sensors 300 among the plurality of first magnetic sensors 300 arranged at predetermined intervals. That is, the integrated circuit determines whether a predetermined magnetic field change is detected by a number of the first magnetic sensors 300 among the plurality of first magnetic sensors 300 arranged at predetermined intervals. Here, the geomagnetic field 400 is distributed widely in space, and therefore affects many of the magnetic sensors 300, but the influence of the magnetic field 401 of the permanent magnet 301 is not distributed over such a wide space. Therefore, by determining whether a predetermined magnetic field change is detected by a number of the first magnetic sensors 300 among the plurality of first magnetic sensors 300 arranged at predetermined intervals, it becomes possible to determine whether the influence is due to the geomagnetic field 400 or the influence of the permanent magnet 301 mounted on the pen 100. Therefore, even in a situation where there is the influence of the geomagnetic field 400, by improving the accuracy of position detection when the pen is in a hover state, it is possible to improve the accuracy of coordinate derivation when the core body of the pen comes into contact with the touch surface.

[0097] In the position detection device 200 according to this embodiment, the predetermined interval is greater than the interval between the coil electrodes. Because the geomagnetic field 400 is widely distributed, it affects many magnetic sensors 300. However, the influence of the magnetic field 401 generated by the permanent magnet 301 is not distributed over such a wide space. In other words, by arranging the multiple first magnetic sensors 300 at intervals greater than the interval between the coil electrodes, the magnetic field generated by the geomagnetic field 400 can be detected while minimizing the number of first magnetic sensors 300. Therefore, even in a situation where the geomagnetic field 400 is present, the accuracy of position detection when the pen is in a hover state can be improved, thereby improving the accuracy of coordinate derivation when the pen core touches the touch surface.

[0098] The integrated circuit of the position detection device 200 according to this embodiment regards the geomagnetism 400 as a vector, regards the magnitude of changes in the X-, Y-, and Z-axes of the geomagnetism 400 as the norm of the vector, monitors changes in the norm, and distinguishes between changes due to the geomagnetism 400 and changes due to the proximity of a permanent magnet. In other words, when the magnetic field of the geomagnetism 400 is resolved into the X-, Y-, and Z-axes of the magnetic sensor 300 and the detected values ​​are focused on, the detected values ​​for the X-, Y-, and Z-axes vary greatly depending on the orientation of the magnetic sensor 300 with respect to the geomagnetism 400. Therefore, the integrated circuit perceives the geomagnetic field 400 as a vector, defines the magnitude of the change in the geomagnetic field 400 along the X, Y, and Z axes as the norm of the vector, monitors the change in the norm, and distinguishes between changes due to the geomagnetic field 400 and changes due to the approach of a permanent magnet. Regardless of the orientation of the magnetic sensor 300, the geomagnetic field norm does not change significantly. However, the influence of the magnetic field 401 of the permanent magnet 301 mounted on the pen 100 to be detected that is newly approaching the vector is added to the norm 402. Therefore, by monitoring the change in the norm, it is possible to determine the approach of the permanent magnet 301 to be detected without considering the influence of changes in the geomagnetic field 400 due to the rotation of the magnetic sensor 300 (position detection device 200). Therefore, even under the influence of the geomagnetic field 400, improving the accuracy of position detection when the pen is in a hover state also improves the accuracy of coordinate derivation when the pen core touches the touch surface.

[0099] The integrated circuit of the position detection device 200 according to this embodiment performs identification based on the results of arithmetic processing of output values ​​from the multiple first magnetic sensors 300. That is, the integrated circuit performs, for example, subtraction processing of detected values ​​from multiple magnetic sensors, each with a different sensitivity. Specifically, because geomagnetic field 400 is widely distributed in space, the detected values ​​from the multiple magnetic sensors 300 are similar, and the Diff value, which is the difference between the detected values, is close to zero. On the other hand, when a pen 100 equipped with a permanent magnet 301 as a detection target approaches one magnetic sensor, the influence of the magnetic field of geomagnetic field 400 is calculated to be nearly zero, and the influence of the magnetic field on the other magnetic sensors 300 due to the approach of the pen 100 as a detection target remains without being canceled out by the Diff calculation, resulting in the Diff value being calculated as a numerical value with a certain absolute value. This allows the influence of the magnetic field due to the geomagnetism 400 on the magnetic sensor 300 to be roughly offset, while leaving the influence of the magnetic field due to the approaching detection target as the calculation result of Diff. Therefore, even in a situation where there is the influence of the geomagnetism 400, by improving the position detection accuracy when the pen is in a hover state, it is possible to improve the accuracy of coordinate derivation when the core of the pen comes into contact with the touch surface.

[0100] The integrated circuit of the position detection device 200 according to this embodiment includes a memory unit that stores detection values ​​detected at a given timing by multiple first magnetic sensors 300. The integrated circuit performs arithmetic processing on at least one of the detection values ​​stored in the memory unit, including a detection value detected at a given timing by one first magnetic sensor 300 and a detection value most recently detected by one first magnetic sensor 300, to perform an identification determination. In other words, when the magnetic field from the geomagnetic field 400 is present, and when an object OB that has a magnetic field but is not the target of detection is present near the magnetic sensor 300, the detection value may be similar to the detection value obtained when the pen 100 having the permanent magnet 301 approaches. Therefore, there is a risk that the presence of an object OB that has a magnetic field but is not the target of detection may always be erroneously determined to be the pen 100 approaching. Therefore, a baseline (reference value) is acquired at any given timing. This baseline is a value obtained by storing the detection values ​​of the magnetic sensors 300 at each instant of time. Then, by subtracting the stored baseline from the latest detected value, in cases where only geomagnetism 400 is present, the magnetic field of geomagnetism 400 is taken as the baseline, and the influence of geomagnetism 400 is cancelled out by the subtraction, and the influence of the magnetic field due to the approach of pen 100 having permanent magnet 301 can be closely detected and detected as a detected value. As a result, even when there is the influence of geomagnetism 400 or when an object OB having a magnetic field is near magnetic sensor 300, the accuracy of position detection when the pen is in a hover state can be improved, and the accuracy of coordinate derivation when the core of the pen comes into contact with the touch surface can also be improved.

[0101] The integrated circuit of the position detection device 200 according to this embodiment performs identification and determination based on fluctuations in the output value of the first magnetic sensor 300. In other words, by acquiring a baseline (reference value) at any timing and subtracting the most recent detected value, fluctuations in the output value of the first magnetic sensor 300 can be determined. Obtaining fluctuations in the output value of the first magnetic sensor 300 allows the influence of the magnetic field due to the approach of the pen 100 having the permanent magnet 301 to be detected as a detected value. Therefore, even when there is the influence of geomagnetic field 400 or when an object OB having a magnetic field is near the magnetic sensor 300, improving the accuracy of position detection when the pen is in a hover state also improves the accuracy of coordinate derivation when the pen core touches the touch surface.

[0102] When the output value of the first magnetic sensor 300 does not exhibit a predetermined variation, the integrated circuit of the position detection device 200 according to this embodiment rewrites the detected value stored in the memory unit with the detected value obtained thereafter. In other words, when the output value of the first magnetic sensor 300 does not exhibit a predetermined variation, it is assumed that there is no anomalous disturbance in the magnetic field. Therefore, by rewriting the value in the memory unit with the detected value in this case, it is possible to recognize any subsequent anomalous disturbance. Therefore, by performing such processing, the accuracy of position detection when the pen is in a hover state can be improved, and the accuracy of coordinate derivation when the pen core touches the touch surface can also be improved.

[0103] Third Embodiment A position detection device 200A according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 20 to 22. FIG.

[0104] <Regarding the position detection device 200A> The position detection device 200A of this embodiment is configured to include a pen 100 having a permanent magnet 301 provided together with a coil that generates an alternating magnetic field, an electromagnetic induction sensor 1 having coil electrodes arranged in parallel for detecting the alternating magnetic field generated by the pen 100 based on electromagnetic induction, a plurality of first magnetic sensors 300 provided within the electromagnetic induction sensor 1, and an integrated circuit that detects the alternating magnetic field generated by the pen 100 using the output of the first magnetic sensor that detects the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 301 as an auxiliary means to detect the alternating magnetic field generated by the pen 100 and perform processing to identify two-dimensional position information of the pen 100.

[0105] The integrated circuit of the position detection device 200A according to this embodiment changes the scan mode of the pen 100 using the electromagnetic induction sensor 1, particularly depending on the manner in which the magnetism is detected by the first magnetic sensor 300. More specifically, when the integrated circuit detects the magnetism by the first magnetic sensor 300, it executes control to turn on the global scan mode. Furthermore, when a state in which position information of the pen 100 cannot be acquired continues for a predetermined time even after the global scan mode is turned on, the integrated circuit executes control to turn off the global scan. Furthermore, the position detection device 200A according to this embodiment includes an alarm unit that notifies the user of a message, and the alarm unit notifies the user of a message to rotate the body of the position detection device 200A. When the user rotates the body of the position detection device 200A, the integrated circuit changes the scan mode based on the amount of change in the output detection value of the first magnetic sensor 300.

[0106] During hover detection, which detects the approach of the pen 100 in the air, the distance to the sensor of the pen 100 is greater than when writing. Therefore, in a sensor system (e.g., EMR, capacitive touch) that detects the pen 100, the sensor consumes a certain amount of power to perform a scan GS (hereinafter referred to as a global scan) to search for the pen 100. This global scan GS is performed before the pen 100 approaches, and if the pen 100 is located away from the surface of the position detection device 200A and the user has no intention of writing, this global scan GS to search for the pen 100 is nothing but a waste of power.

[0107] Therefore, if the global scan GS for searching for the pen 100 is replaced with a scan MS by the magnetic sensor 300 and a determination of whether or not a detection target is approaching using the detected value, power consumption can be significantly reduced. Specifically, if the permanent magnet 301 is not detected by the scan MS of the magnetic sensor 300, the above replacement can be made possible by turning off the global scan GS or controlling it to a very low rate.

[0108] However, the above control is effective for the pen 100 equipped with the permanent magnet 301, and cannot be applied to a standard pen that does not have the permanent magnet 301. In other words, for example, if a standard pen that does not have the permanent magnet 301 approaches when control is being executed to turn the global scan GS OFF or at a low rate, a situation may arise in which the standard pen that does not have the permanent magnet 301 is not recognized, or it takes a long time to be recognized.

[0109] Therefore, in order to switch the control mode to a writing mode in a standard pen that does not have a permanent magnet 301, the user can be prompted to perform a gesture action on the position detection device 200A that uses the detection value of the magnetic sensor 300, for example, thereby making it possible to perform mode control without requiring any additional elements other than the first magnetic sensor 300, and it becomes possible to maintain compatibility between a standard pen that does not have a permanent magnet 301 and a pen 100 that has a permanent magnet 301.

[0110] Here, the gesture action on the position detection device 200A using the first magnetic sensor 300 is a gesture action that takes advantage of the fact that rotation of the position detection device 200A temporarily changes the positional relationship between the geomagnetism 400 and the sensor, and captures a quick rotational movement of the position detection device 200A or a movement not limited to rotation as a characteristic change in the detection value, and uses this as a trigger to change the control mode. Note that the scan PS is defined as an action for scanning the pen 100 on the surface of the position detection device 200A.

[0111] That is, as shown in Fig. 20, the integrated circuit of the position detection device 200A according to this embodiment controls to turn on the global scan GS when the pen is off the surface of the position detection device 200A for a standard pen that does not have a permanent magnet 301. Also, as shown in Fig. 20, the integrated circuit of the position detection device 200A according to this embodiment controls to turn on the scan PS when the pen is on the surface of the position detection device 200A for a standard pen that does not have a permanent magnet 301.

[0112] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 21, the integrated circuit of the position detection device 200A according to this embodiment turns off the global scan GS when the pen 100 equipped with the permanent magnet 301 is off the surface of the position detection device 200A and magnetism can be detected by the magnetic sensor 300, and reduces power consumption by replacing this control with a determination of whether or not a detection target is approaching using the scan MS and its detected value. Also, as shown in Fig. 21, the integrated circuit of the position detection device 200A according to this embodiment controls the scan PS to be on when the pen 100 equipped with the permanent magnet 301 is on the surface of the position detection device 200A.

[0113] <Processing of Position Detection Device 200A> Processing of the position detection device 200A according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0114] The integrated circuit of the position detection device 200A executes control to turn off the EMR global scan GS and turn on the scan by the magnetic sensor 300, thereby detecting magnetism (step S1200).

[0115] The integrated circuit of the position detection device 200A determines whether the magnetic sensor 300 has detected the magnetic field from the permanent magnet 301 (step S1202). If the integrated circuit of the position detection device 200A determines that the magnetic sensor 300 has detected the magnetic field from the permanent magnet 301 ("YES" in step S1202), it executes control to turn on the EMR global scan GS (step S1204).

[0116] Next, the integrated circuit of the position detection device 200A determines whether the pen 100 has not been detected (step S1208). Specifically, for example, the integrated circuit of the position detection device 200A determines whether the pen 100 has not been detected based on whether a state in which drawing information by the pen 100 cannot be acquired has continued for a predetermined time in the global scan GS mode.

[0117] If the integrated circuit of the position detection device 200A determines that the pen 100 has not been detected ("YES" in step S1208), the process proceeds to step S1200. On the other hand, if the integrated circuit of the position detection device 200A determines that the pen 100 has been detected ("NO" in step S1208), the process proceeds to step S1204.

[0118] If the integrated circuit of the position detection device 200A determines that the magnetic sensor 300 has not detected the magnetism of the permanent magnet 301 ("NO" in step S1202), it determines whether or not a gesture motion such as a motion to rotate the position detection device 200A has been performed (step S1206). If the integrated circuit of the position detection device 200A determines that a gesture motion such as a motion to rotate the position detection device 200A has not been detected ("NO" in step S1206), it transitions the process to step S1200.

[0119] On the other hand, if the integrated circuit of the position detection device 200A determines that it has detected a gesture action such as rotating the position detection device 200A ("YES" in step S1206), it sets the control mode to the normal mode that is applied to a standard pen that does not have a permanent magnet 301, and executes control to turn on the global scan GS mode (step S1210).

[0120] The integrated circuit of the position detection device 200A then determines whether the pen 100 has not been detected (step S1208). Specifically, for example, the integrated circuit of the position detection device 200A determines whether the pen 100 has not been detected based on whether a state in which drawing information by the pen 100 cannot be acquired has continued for a predetermined time in the global scan GS mode.

[0121] If the integrated circuit of the position detection device 200A determines that the pen 100 has not been detected ("YES" in step S1208), the process proceeds to step S1200. On the other hand, if the integrated circuit of the position detection device 200A determines that the pen 100 has been detected ("NO" in step S1208), the process proceeds to step S1210.

[0122] <Operations and Effects> As described above, the integrated circuit of the position detection device 200A according to this embodiment executes control to turn on the global scan mode when the first magnetic sensor 300 detects the magnetism caused by the permanent magnet 301. In other words, when the integrated circuit detects the magnetism caused by the permanent magnet 301 by the first magnetic sensor 300, the pen 100 is a pen 100 equipped with the permanent magnet 301, and therefore the detection of the magnetism triggers the control to turn on the global scan mode. Conversely, when the integrated circuit does not detect the magnetism caused by the permanent magnet 301 by the first magnetic sensor 300, the pen 100 is a standard pen not equipped with the permanent magnet 301, and therefore the integrated circuit executes control to continue the global scan mode until the scan mode transitions to scan PS. Therefore, when the pen 100 is a pen 100 equipped with the permanent magnet 301, the time spent in the global scan mode, which consumes a lot of power, can be shortened, thereby reducing power consumption.

[0123] The integrated circuit of the position detection device 200A according to this embodiment executes control to turn off global scan if a state in which pen position information cannot be obtained continues for a predetermined time even when global scan mode is turned on. In other words, if a state in which pen 100 position information cannot be obtained continues for a predetermined time even when global scan mode is turned on, the integrated circuit can determine that the user has no intention of writing, and in such a case, turns off global scan, which consumes a lot of power. Therefore, if the pen 100 is equipped with a permanent magnet 301, turning off the global scan mode that was turned on can further shorten the time in global scan mode, which consumes a lot of power, thereby achieving a greater effect in reducing power consumption.

[0124] The integrated circuit of the position detection device 200A according to this embodiment includes an alarm unit that notifies the user of a message. The alarm unit notifies the user of a message to rotate the body of the position detection device 200A, and when the user rotates the body of the position detection device 200A, the scan mode is changed based on a change in the output detection value of the first magnetic sensor. That is, the message to rotate the body of the position detection device 200A is notified to the user, and the user is prompted to rotate the body of the position detection device 200A, thereby changing the output detection value of the first magnetic sensor. By utilizing the fact that the rotation of the position detection device 200A temporarily changes the relationship between the geomagnetism 400 and the sensor, it is possible to determine whether the pen is the pen 100 equipped with the permanent magnet 301 or a standard pen without the permanent magnet 301. Therefore, by accurately and simply determining the type of pen, power consumption can be optimized.

[0125] Fourth Embodiment A pen 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 23 to 28. FIG.

[0126] <Regarding the Pen 100> As shown in FIG. 23, the pen 100 according to this embodiment includes a permanent magnet 301 near a core 102 exposed to the outside of a cylindrical housing 101 made of resin, for example.

[0127] Fig. 24(a) is a cross-sectional view of an active electrostatic pen 100A intended for use in a position detection device 200A that uses the electrostatic induction method. In Fig. 24(a), a permanent magnet 301 is provided near a core body 102 that is exposed to the outside of a cylindrical resin housing 101 of the active electrostatic pen 100A. As shown in Fig. 24(a), the active electrostatic pen 100A has a configuration similar to that of a known active electrostatic pen that uses the electrostatic induction method, except that the permanent magnet 301 is provided near the core body 102.

[0128] 24(a), the permanent magnet 301 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, but may also be a shape with a notch, a C-shape, a polygonal shape, or a flat shape. Furthermore, the permanent magnet 301 is not limited to being provided around the entire circumference of the active electrostatic pen 100A, but may be provided around half or a portion of the circumference. Furthermore, when the permanent magnet 301 is provided near the core 102 exposed to the outside of the cylindrical resin housing 101, its shape is preferably, for example, a cylindrical shape, a shape with a notch, a C-shape, or the like. When the permanent magnet 301 is provided inside the cylindrical resin housing 101, its shape is preferably, for example, a polygonal shape, a flat shape, or the like.

[0129] 24(b), 24(c), and 24(d) are cross-sectional views of a pen 100E that is intended to be used in a position detection device that utilizes an electromagnetic induction method.

[0130] The pen 100E shown in FIG. 24(b) has a configuration similar to that of a known electromagnetic induction pen, except that it includes a permanent magnet 301 near the core body 102. The pen 100E shown in FIG. 24(b) includes an LC resonant circuit including a magnetic core 103. The position detection device 10, 200, 200A receives a pen signal, which is a response alternating magnetic field generated by the LC resonant circuit, to detect the position or writing pressure of the pen 100E. In the pen 100E shown in FIG. 24(b), to avoid interference of the permanent magnet 301 with the magnetic characteristics of the magnetic core 103, the end 301A of the permanent magnet 301 is positioned rearward of the end 103B of the magnetic core 103 in the axial direction of the core body 102.

[0131] The permanent magnet 301 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, but may be a shape with a notch or a C-shape. Also, the permanent magnet 301 may be provided on half or a part of the circumference of the pen 100E, not limited to the entire circumference of the pen 100E shown in FIG.

[0132] Pen 100E shown in Fig. 24(c) has a configuration similar to that of a known electromagnetic induction type pen, except that it has permanent magnet 301 in the vicinity of core 102 and a magnetic shielding member 304 on permanent magnet 301 facing magnetic core 103. In pen 100E shown in Fig. 24(c), permanent magnet 301 is provided via magnetic shielding member 304 in the vicinity of core 102 exposed to the outside of cylindrical resin housing 101 of pen 100E.

[0133] The magnetic shielding member 304 may be configured to be provided in a position where interference with the magnetic properties of the magnetic core 103 can be avoided, such as by being provided on the inner or outer wall of the housing 101 rather than on the permanent magnet 301.

[0134] The permanent magnet 301 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, but may be a shape with a notch, a C-shape, a polygonal shape, a flat shape, etc. Also, the permanent magnet 301 is not limited to being provided around the entire circumference of the pen 100E shown in Figure 24(c), but may be provided around half the circumference or a part of it.

[0135] The pen 100E shown in FIG. 24(d) has a configuration similar to that of a known electromagnetic induction pen, except that it includes a permanent magnet 301 near the core 102. As described above, in the pen 100E shown in FIG. 24(d), the permanent magnet 301 is disposed near the magnetic core 103, thereby interfering with the magnetic characteristics of the magnetic core 103 and changing the inductance value. Therefore, even if the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit is set equal to the frequency of the AC signal transmitted from the position detection device 10, 200, or 200A, the effective resonant frequency changes with the amount of change in the inductance value. Therefore, the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit can be set to a value different from the frequency of the AC signal transmitted from the position detection device 10, 200, or 200A, taking into consideration the amount of change in the inductance value of the magnetic core 103 due to the permanent magnet 301.

[0136] Furthermore, the permanent magnet 301 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, but may be a shape with a notch or a C-shape. Furthermore, the permanent magnet 301 is not limited to being provided around the entire circumference of the pen 100E, but may be provided around half the circumference or a part of it.

[0137] As described above, according to the active electrostatic pen 100A and pen 100E shown in Figures 23 and 24, the position detection devices 10, 200, and 200A that use the electrostatic induction method or the electromagnetic induction method are equipped with a permanent magnet 301, so that the coordinate position indicated by the active electrostatic pen 10A and pen 100E can be detected with the same accuracy as conventional methods.

[0138] 25 shows a case where a pen 100 equipped with a permanent magnet 301 is tilted relative to a position detection device 10, 200, 200A equipped with one or more magnetic sensors 300. In the following description, the permanent magnet 301 has anisotropy, and the magnetic sensor 300 is described as, for example, a three-axis magnetic sensor.

[0139] FIG. 26 shows example values ​​detected by decomposing the magnetic field of the pen 100 equipped with the permanent magnet 301 into the X, Y, and Z axes of the magnetic sensor 300. In FIG. 26, the magnetic sensor 300 is illustrated as a three-axis magnetic sensor. FIG. 26(a) shows example values ​​detected by decomposing the magnetic field into the X, Y, and Z axes of the magnetic sensor 300 when the pen 100 is positioned perpendicular to the magnetic sensor 300. In the case of FIG. 26(a), the detected values ​​after decomposing into each axis are X=0, Y=0, and Z=-1. FIG. 26(b) shows example values ​​detected by decomposing the magnetic field into the X, Y, and Z axes of the magnetic sensor 300 when the pen 100 is tilted arbitrarily by the user, as in the case of the pen 100 shown in FIG. 25. In the case of FIG. 26(b), the detected values ​​after decomposing into each axis are X=0, Y=0.5, and Z=-0.5.

[0140] Here, in Figure 26(a), the value indicated by the Y axis is "0", but in Figure 26(b), the value indicated by the Y axis has changed to "0.5", so the tilt information of the pen 100 can be detected by the magnetic sensor 300.

[0141] The magnetic sensor 300 may be provided, for example, near the outer periphery of the drawing area of ​​the position detection device 200. This makes it possible to detect the pen 100 that is outside the drawing area of ​​the pen 100 before it enters the drawing area.

[0142] Furthermore, since the magnetic sensor 300 detects the hover HV state of the pen 100 within the drawing area, it may have sensitivity in one or more axes, and when multiple magnetic sensors 300 are arranged in the position detection device 10, 200, 200A, they are arranged at a predetermined distance (for example, 1 cm or more) from each other. This allows the magnetic sensor 300 to distinguish the magnetic field 401 of the permanent magnet 301, which is distributed in a range narrower than the geomagnetism 400, from the magnetic field caused by the geomagnetism 400.

[0143] Furthermore, the permanent magnet 301 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, but may be a shape with a notch, a C-shape, a polygonal shape, or a flat shape. Furthermore, the permanent magnet 301 is not limited to being provided around the entire circumference of the pen 100, but may be provided around half the circumference or a part of it.

[0144] Fig. 27 shows an example of the detected values ​​when the magnetic field when the pen 100 is rotated in the A direction (counterclockwise) is resolved into the X, Y and Z axes of the magnetic sensor 300. In the case of Fig. 27, the detected values ​​resolved into each axis are X = 2, Y = -5, and Z = -1.

[0145] Fig. 28 shows an example of the detected values ​​when the magnetic field when the pen 100 is rotated in the direction B (clockwise) is resolved into the X, Y and Z axes of the magnetic sensor 300. In the case of Fig. 27, the detected values ​​resolved into each axis are X = 2, Y = 5, and Z = -1.

[0146] Here, in FIG. 27, the value indicated by the Y axis is "-5", but in FIG. 28, the value indicated by the Y axis has changed to "5", so that the rotation information of the pen 100 can be detected by the magnetic sensor 300.

[0147] Furthermore, since the magnetic sensor 300 detects the hover HV state of the pen 100 within the drawing area, it may have sensitivity in one or more axes, and when multiple magnetic sensors 300 are provided in the position detection device 10, 200, 200A, they are arranged at a predetermined distance (for example, 1 cm or more) from each other. This allows the magnetic sensor 300 to distinguish the magnetic field 401 of the permanent magnet 301, which is distributed over a narrower range than the geomagnetic field, from the magnetic field of the geomagnetic field 400.

[0148] The permanent magnet 301 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, but may be a shape with a notch, a C-shape, a polygonal shape, or a flat shape. The permanent magnet 301 is not limited to being provided around the entire circumference of the pen 100, but may be provided around half the circumference or a part of it.

[0149] <Functions and Effects> As described above, in the pen 100 according to this embodiment, the permanent magnet 301 is disposed at a position away from the coil in the axial direction and rearward. In other words, the permanent magnet 301 and the coil are disposed at a distance rearward in the axial direction. This makes it possible to suppress the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 301 from having a magnetic effect on the coil. This makes it possible to improve the position detection accuracy when the pen is in a hover state at low cost.

[0150] In the pen 100 according to this embodiment, the permanent magnet 301 is disposed inside the housing of the pen 100, rearward of the coil in the axial direction. In other words, the permanent magnet 301 is disposed inside the housing of the pen 100, separated rearward from the coil in the axial direction by a certain distance. This makes it possible to suppress the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 301 from having a magnetic effect on the coil. This makes it possible to improve the position detection accuracy when the pen is in a hover state at low cost.

[0151] In the pen 100 according to this embodiment, a magnetic shielding member 304 is disposed between the coil and the permanent magnet 301. In other words, by disposing the magnetic shielding member 304 between the coil and the permanent magnet 301, it is possible to prevent the permanent magnet 301 from interfering with the magnetic characteristics of the magnetic core 103. This makes it possible to improve the accuracy of position detection when the pen is in a hover state.

[0152] The pen 100 according to this embodiment includes a resonant circuit, and the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit is different from the resonant frequency without a magnet. That is, when the permanent magnet 301 is placed near the magnetic core 103, it is expected that the permanent magnet 301 will interfere with the magnetic characteristics of the magnetic core 103, causing a change in the inductance value. If the inductance value changes, the effective resonant frequency will change in accordance with the change in the inductance value, even if the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit is set equal to the frequency of the AC signal transmitted from the position detection device 10, 200, or 200A. Therefore, it is necessary to consider in advance the change in the inductance value of the magnetic core 103 due to the permanent magnet 301, and set the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit different from the resonant frequency without the permanent magnet 301. Therefore, by setting the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit different from the resonant frequency without a magnet, the position detection accuracy when the pen is in a hover state can be improved while maintaining the conventional performance.

[0153] In the pen 100 according to this embodiment, the permanent magnet 301 is anisotropic, and the integrated circuit detects the rotation of the permanent magnet 301. In other words, if the permanent magnet 301 is anisotropic and the magnetic sensor 300 has sensitivity in one or more axes, the integrated circuit can resolve the values ​​acquired by the magnetic sensor 300 into multiple axes and acquire them. The integrated circuit can then detect the rotation of the permanent magnet 301 by capturing the values ​​from the magnetic sensor 300 resolved into multiple axes as a change over time. Therefore, it is possible to improve the position detection accuracy when the pen is in a hover state while maintaining the conventional performance.

[0154] In the pen 100 according to this embodiment, the permanent magnet 301 has any one of a shape with a notch, a C-shape, a polygonal shape, and a flat shape. That is, when the permanent magnet 301 is provided on the outside of the housing, it needs to have a C-shape that matches the shape of the housing or a shape with a notch to prevent it from falling off from the outside of the housing. When the permanent magnet 301 is provided on the inside of the housing, it is preferable that it has a shape that is enclosed within the housing and ensures the required magnetic force, and it needs to have a polygonal or flat shape. That is, by using a pen 100 in which the permanent magnet 301 having the above-described shape is provided on the inside and outside of the pen housing, it is possible to improve the position detection accuracy when the pen is in a hover state while ensuring conventional performance.

[0155] In the pen 100 according to this embodiment, the permanent magnet 301 is detachably attached to the outside of the housing of the pen 100. In other words, since the permanent magnet 301 is detachably attached to the outside of the housing of the pen 100, the permanent magnet 301 used in the pen 100 can be selected according to, for example, the application and the required specifications. Furthermore, if the magnetic force of the permanent magnet 301 is weakened, the permanent magnet 301 can be easily replaced. Therefore, it is possible to improve the position detection accuracy when the pen is in a hover state while maintaining the conventional performance.

[0156] In the pen 100 according to this embodiment, the exterior of the housing of the pen 100 includes a locking portion having a diameter different from the diameter of the housing of the pen 100, which prevents the permanent magnet 301 from falling off. By providing such a locking portion, the permanent magnet 301 can be physically fixed to the housing of the pen 100, and therefore the permanent magnet 301 can be prevented from falling off even if an impact is applied to the pen 100. Therefore, by maintaining the performance originally required of the pen 100, it is possible to improve the position detection accuracy when the pen 100 is in a hover state while ensuring the conventional performance of the position detection devices 10, 200, and 200A.

[0157] Fifth Embodiment A position detection device 200B according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 29 and 30. FIG.

[0158] <Configuration of position detection device 200B> As shown in Figure 29, the position detection device 200B of this embodiment is configured to include a pen 100, an electromagnetic induction sensor 1, a first magnetic sensor 300A, a second magnetic sensor 300B, and an integrated circuit 500.

[0159] The pen 100 includes a resonant circuit and a permanent magnet 301, and outputs an alternating magnetic field as a pen signal.

[0160] The electromagnetic induction sensor 1 includes a plurality of conductors each having a plurality of electrodes arranged in a first direction (X-axis direction) and a plurality of conductors each having a plurality of electrodes arranged in a second direction (Y-axis direction) intersecting the first direction (X-axis direction), and generates an alternating magnetic field, receives a pen signal, which is a response alternating magnetic field, from the pen 100, and acquires the level of the pen signal. The pen signal level is output to an integrated circuit, which will be described later.

[0161] A plurality of first magnetic sensors 300A are provided within the detection area of ​​the electromagnetic induction sensor 1, and capture the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 301 provided in the pen 100. The sensor output of the first magnetic sensor 300A is output to an integrated circuit, which will be described later.

[0162] The second magnetic sensor 300B is provided near the outer periphery of the detection area of ​​the electromagnetic induction sensor 1, and captures the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 301 provided in the pen 100. The sensor output of the first magnetic sensor 300A is output to an integrated circuit, which will be described later.

[0163] The integrated circuit 500 generates position information of the pen 100 in the hover HV state within the detection area of ​​the electromagnetic induction sensor 1, by auxiliary use of the output of the first magnetic sensor 300A that detects the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 301 provided in the pen 100. The integrated circuit 500 also generates position information of the pen 100 in the hover HV state outside the detection area of ​​the electromagnetic induction sensor 1, by auxiliary use of the output of the second magnetic sensor 300B that detects the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 301 provided in the pen 100. The integrated circuit 500 also detects the alternating magnetic field generated by the pen 100 and identifies two-dimensional position information of the pen 100.

[0164] <Processing of Position Detection Device 200B> The integrated circuit 500 determines whether or not the pen 100 has been captured based on the output of the second magnetic sensor 300B (step S2100). If the integrated circuit 500 determines based on the output of the second magnetic sensor 300B that the pen 100 has not been captured ("NO" in step S2100), the process returns to standby mode.

[0165] On the other hand, if the integrated circuit 500 determines based on the output of the second magnetic sensor 300B that the pen 100 has been captured ("YES" in step S2100), it then determines based on the output of the first magnetic sensor 300A whether the pen 100 has been captured (step S2200).If the integrated circuit 500 determines based on the output of the first magnetic sensor 300A that the pen 100 has not been captured ("NO" in step S2200), it returns to the processing and transitions to standby mode.

[0166] On the other hand, if the integrated circuit 500 determines that it has captured the pen 100 based on the output of the first magnetic sensor 300A ("YES" in step S2200), it executes a two-dimensional position determination process and generates coordinate information of the point where the tip of the pen 100 is in contact within the detection area of ​​the electromagnetic induction sensor 1.

[0167] <Actions and Effects> As described above, the position detection device 200B according to this embodiment is a position detection device that detects the position of the pen 100 based on electromagnetic induction, and the pen 100 is provided with a permanent magnet 301 together with a coil that generates an alternating magnetic field, and includes an electromagnetic induction sensor 1 in which coil electrodes are arranged in parallel for detecting the alternating magnetic field generated by the pen 100 based on electromagnetic induction, a plurality of first magnetic sensors 300A provided within the detection area of ​​the electromagnetic induction sensor 1, a second magnetic sensor 300B provided near the outer periphery of the detection area of ​​the electromagnetic induction sensor 1, and an integrated circuit 500 that executes processing to detect the alternating magnetic field generated by the pen 100 by auxiliary use of outputs from the first magnetic sensors 300A and the second magnetic sensors 300B that detect the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 301, and to identify two-dimensional position information of the pen 100. That is, the integrated circuit 500 generates position information of the pen 100 in the hover HV state outside the detection area of ​​the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 by auxiliary use of the output of the second magnetic sensor 300B that detects the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 301 provided in the pen 100, and generates position information of the pen 100 in the hover HV state within the detection area of ​​the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 by auxiliary use of the output of the first magnetic sensor 300A that detects the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 301 provided in the pen 100. The integrated circuit 500 then detects the alternating magnetic field generated by the pen 100 and identifies two-dimensional position information of the pen 100. Therefore, by auxiliary use of the output of the second magnetic sensor 300B, it is possible to capture the pen 100 that enters the detection area of ​​the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 from outside the detection area of ​​the electromagnetic induction sensor 1. Therefore, since it is possible to capture the pen 100 that enters the detection area of ​​the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 from outside the detection area of ​​the electromagnetic induction sensor 1, it is possible to improve the position detection accuracy of the pen 100 in a hover state within the detection area of ​​the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 at low cost.

[0168] In the fourth embodiment, if the magnetic sensor 300 is a multi-axis magnetic sensor, the tilt of the pen 100 can also be detected. Therefore, by correcting the output value of the second magnetic sensor 300B on the position detection device 200B side taking into account the tilt of the pen 100, it is possible to capture the pen 100 from a certain distance outside the detection area of ​​the electromagnetic induction sensor 1. Furthermore, by utilizing the posture information of the pen 100 outside the detection area of ​​the electromagnetic induction sensor 1, it is possible to predict the posture of the pen 100 when it enters or after it enters the detection area of ​​the electromagnetic induction sensor 1. Therefore, by acquiring the posture information of the pen 100 outside the detection area of ​​the electromagnetic induction sensor 1, it is expected that the position detection accuracy of the pen 100 in a hover state can be improved at low cost.

[0169] Sixth Embodiment A position detection device 200C according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 31 and 32. FIG.

[0170] <Configuration of position detection device 200C> As shown in Fig. 31, the position detection device 200B according to this embodiment is configured to include a pen 100, an electromagnetic induction sensor 1, a first magnetic sensor 300A, a second magnetic sensor 300B, and an integrated circuit 500A. Note that components with the same reference numerals as those in the fifth embodiment have similar functions, and therefore detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0171] <Configuration of Integrated Circuit 500A> As shown in FIG. 31 , the integrated circuit 500A includes a pen signal level acquisition unit 510, a tilt amount detection unit 520, a storage unit 530, a correction unit 540, and an information derivation unit 550.

[0172] The pen signal level acquisition unit 510 acquires the level of the pen signal, which is a response alternating magnetic field from the pen 100, using the electromagnetic induction sensor 1. The pen signal level acquired by the pen signal level acquisition unit 510 is sent to a control unit (not shown) in the integrated circuit 500A.

[0173] The tilt amount detection unit 520 detects the amount of tilt of the pen based on the output values ​​of the first magnetic sensor 300A. Specifically, the tilt amount detection unit 520 detects the amount of tilt of the pen 100 by calculating the difference between the three-axis sensor output values ​​acquired from the first magnetic sensor 300A and the three-axis sensor output values ​​obtained when the pen 100 is oriented vertically relative to the electromagnetic induction sensor 1, for example. The tilt amount detection unit 520 sends the detected amount of tilt of the pen 100 to a control unit (not shown) in the integrated circuit 500A.

[0174] The storage unit 530 stores a database linking the amount of tilt with the amount of correction for the pen signal. A control unit (not shown) in the integrated circuit 500A accesses the storage unit 530 at the necessary timing, reads out the amount of correction for the pen signal corresponding to the amount of tilt, and sends it to the correction unit 540 (described later).

[0175] The correction unit 540 corrects the level of the pen signal based on the correction amount of the pen signal corresponding to the amount of tilt and the database stored in the storage unit 530. Information about the level of the pen signal corrected by the correction unit 540 is sent to a control unit (not shown) in the integrated circuit 500A.

[0176] The information derivation unit 550 derives position information of the pen 100 based on the level of the corrected pen signal. For example, the information derivation unit 550 derives, as position information of the pen 100, coordinate information of a position showing the highest pen signal level on the plane of the electromagnetic induction sensor 1.

[0177] <Processing of Position Detection Device 200C> The integrated circuit 500A determines whether or not the pen 100 has been captured based on the output of the second magnetic sensor 300B (step S2100). If the integrated circuit 500A determines that the pen 100 has not been captured based on the output of the second magnetic sensor 300B ("NO" in step S2100), the process returns to standby mode.

[0178] On the other hand, if the integrated circuit 500A determines based on the output of the second magnetic sensor 300B that the pen 100 has been captured ("YES" in step S2100), it then determines based on the output of the first magnetic sensor 300A whether the pen 100 has been captured (step S2200).If the integrated circuit 500A determines based on the output of the first magnetic sensor 300A that the pen 100 has not been captured ("NO" in step S2200), it returns to the processing and transitions to standby mode.

[0179] On the other hand, when the integrated circuit 500A determines based on the output of the first magnetic sensor 300A that it has captured the pen 100 ("YES" in step S2200), it causes the pen signal level acquisition unit 510 to execute a process of acquiring the pen signal level. The pen signal level acquisition unit 510 executes a process of acquiring the level of the pen signal, which is the response alternating magnetic field from the pen 100, using the electromagnetic induction sensor 1, and sends information about the acquired pen signal level to a control unit (not shown) in the integrated circuit 500A (step S3100).

[0180] Next, integrated circuit 500A causes tilt amount detection unit 520 to execute a tilt amount detection process. Tilt amount detection unit 520 executes a process to detect the amount of tilt of the pen based on the output value of first magnetic sensor 300A, and sends the detected amount of tilt to a control unit (not shown) within integrated circuit 500A (step S3200).

[0181] Integrated circuit 500A causes correction unit 540 to execute correction processing. Correction unit 540 executes processing to correct the level of the pen signal based on the correction amount of the pen signal corresponding to the amount of tilt and the pen signal level acquired by pen signal level acquisition unit 510, and sends level information of the corrected pen signal to a control unit (not shown) in integrated circuit 500A (step S3300).

[0182] The integrated circuit 500A causes the information derivation unit 550 to execute information derivation processing. The information derivation unit 550 executes processing to derive position information of the pen 100 based on the level of the corrected pen signal, and sends the derived coordinate information to a control unit (not shown) in the integrated circuit 500A (step S3400). Then, when the user's drawing operation with the pen 100 is completed, all processing is terminated.

[0183] <Functions and Effects> As described above, the position detection device 200B according to this embodiment is a position detection device that detects the position of the pen 100 based on electromagnetic induction, and the pen 100 is provided with a permanent magnet 301 together with a coil that generates an alternating magnetic field, and the position detection device 200B includes an electromagnetic induction sensor 1 having coil electrodes arranged in parallel for detecting the alternating magnetic field generated by the pen 100 based on electromagnetic induction, a plurality of first magnetic sensors 300A provided within the detection area of ​​the electromagnetic induction sensor 1, a second magnetic sensor 300B provided near the outer periphery of the detection area of ​​the electromagnetic induction sensor 1, and a magnetic field generated by the pen 100, which is detected by auxiliary use of outputs from the first magnetic sensors 300A and the second magnetic sensors 300B. and an integrated circuit 500A that detects the alternating magnetic field from the pen 100 and executes a process of identifying two-dimensional position information of the pen 100. The integrated circuit 500A includes a pen signal level acquisition unit 510 that acquires the level of a pen signal, which is a response alternating magnetic field from the pen 100, using the electromagnetic induction sensor 1; a tilt amount detection unit 520 that detects the amount of tilt of the pen 100 based on the output value of the first magnetic sensor 300A; a memory unit 530 that stores a database linking the amount of tilt with a correction amount for the pen signal; a correction unit 540 that corrects the level of the pen signal based on the correction amount and the pen signal level acquired by the pen signal level acquisition unit 510; and an information derivation unit 550 that derives position information of the pen 100 based on the level of the corrected pen signal. That is, the integrated circuit 500A generates position information of the pen 100 in the hover HV state outside the detection area of ​​the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 by auxiliary use of the output of the second magnetic sensor 300B that detects the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 301 provided in the pen 100, and generates position information of the pen 100 in the hover HV state within the detection area of ​​the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 by auxiliary use of the output of the first magnetic sensor 300A that detects the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 301 provided in the pen 100. The integrated circuit 500A then detects the alternating magnetic field generated by the pen 100 using the information derivation unit 550, and identifies two-dimensional position information of the pen 100. Therefore, by auxiliary use of the output of the second magnetic sensor 300B, it is possible to capture the pen 100 that enters the detection area of ​​the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 from outside the detection area.Therefore, since it is possible to capture the pen 100 that enters the detection area of ​​the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 from outside the detection area, it is possible to improve the position detection accuracy of the pen 100 in a hover state within the detection area of ​​the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 at low cost. Furthermore, the position detection device 200B according to this embodiment acquires the level of a pen signal, which is a response alternating magnetic field from the pen 100, detects the tilt amount of the pen 100 based on the output value of the first magnetic sensor 300A, identifies the correction amount using a database that links the tilt amount with the correction amount for the pen signal, corrects the level of the pen signal, and derives position information of the pen 100 based on the level of the corrected pen signal. Therefore, it is possible to derive highly accurate position information regardless of the orientation of the pen 100.

[0184] Seventh Embodiment A position detection device 200D according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 33 to 39C.

[0185] 33, the position detection device 200D according to this embodiment is configured to include a pen 100, an electromagnetic induction sensor 1, a first magnetic sensor 300A, a second magnetic sensor 300B, and an integrated circuit 500B. Note that components having the same reference numerals as those in the fifth and sixth embodiments have similar functions, and therefore detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0186] <Configuration of Integrated Circuit 500B> As shown in FIG. 33, the integrated circuit 500B includes a pen signal level acquisition unit 510A and an information derivation unit 550A.

[0187] The pen signal level acquisition unit 510A acquires the level of the pen signal, which is a response alternating magnetic field from the pen 100, using the electromagnetic induction sensor 1. Specifically, the pen signal level acquisition unit 510A detects the level value of the pen signal in an area where the TX sensor coil T1 and the RX sensor coils R1, R2, ... R4, which are part of the electromagnetic induction sensor 1, cross (hereinafter referred to as the coil crosspoint area), and generates two-dimensional heat map data RXdata from the signal level at each coil crosspoint by sequentially switching the selection of the TX sensor coil.

[0188] The information derivation unit 550A uses the two-dimensional distribution of the levels of the pen signal to derive information about the position of the pen 100. Specifically, the information derivation unit 550A derives either the tilt of the pen with respect to the normal to the sensor plane or the direction of the tilt of the pen with respect to the sensor plane based on the asymmetry of the two-dimensional distribution.

[0189] The information derivation unit 550A acquires a first reference position, which is the position indicated by the pen tip, acquires a second reference position that is convex upward or convex downward, and derives the direction of inclination of the pen relative to the sensor plane based on the direction of the second reference position relative to the first reference position.

[0190] The information derivation unit 550A derives the inclination of the pen with respect to the normal to the sensor plane based on the level intensity of the pen signal at the first reference position and the level intensity of the pen signal at the second reference position.

[0191] Here, Figures 35A, 36A, 37A, 38A, and 39A are map data that quantifies the levels of the pen signals at the positions where the RX sensor coils R0, R1, ..., R15 intersect with the TX sensor coils T0, T1, ..., T15 on the sensor plane of the electromagnetic induction sensor 1, Figures 35B, 36B, 37B, 38B, and 39B are data that summarizes the data of Figures 35A, 36A, 37A, 38A, and 39A using a moving average, and Figures 35C, 36C, 37C, 38C, and 39C are graphs that represent Figures 35B, 36B, 37B, 38B, and 39B in 3D.

[0192] Figures 35A to 35C show level changes when the pen tilt (tilt angle) relative to the normal to the sensor plane is 90 degrees and the pen tilt direction (angle angle) relative to the sensor plane is 0 degrees. Figure 35A shows peak values ​​at (TX6, RX7), and Figure 35B shows peak values ​​at (MATX6, MARX7), with similar concentric changes in pen signal level observed. Figure 35C also shows a similar state. Figures 35A and 35B show that (TX6, RX7) or (MATX6, MARX7) is the first reference position, which is the position indicated by the pen tip. The method for deriving the pen tilt (tilt angle) relative to the normal to the sensor plane and the pen tilt direction (angle angle) relative to the sensor plane in this case is the same as in the conventional example, so details will be omitted.

[0193] Figures 36A to 36C show level changes when the pen tilt (tilt angle) relative to the normal to the sensor plane is 30 degrees and the pen tilt direction (angle angle) relative to the sensor plane is 90 degrees. In Figure 36A, a peak value is shown at (TX6, RX7), and in Figure 36B, at (MATX6, MARX7), and the pen signal level changes significantly upward from this point. Figure 36C shows a similar state. From Figures 36A and 36B, (TX6, RX7) or (MATX6, MARX7) is the first reference position, which is the position indicated by the pen tip. The method of deriving the pen tilt (tilt angle) relative to the normal to the sensor plane and the pen tilt direction (angle angle) relative to the sensor plane in this case is the same as in the conventional example, so details will be omitted.

[0194] Figures 37A to 37C show level changes when the pen tilt (tilt angle) relative to the normal to the sensor plane is 30 degrees and the pen tilt direction (angle angle) relative to the sensor plane is 0 degrees. In Figure 37A, a peak value is shown at (TX6, RX7), and in Figure 37B, at (MATX6, MARX7), and the pen signal level changes significantly from this point toward the right, and Figure 37C shows a similar state. From Figures 37A and 37B, (TX6, RX7) or (MATX6, MARX7) is the first reference position, which is the position indicated by the pen tip. The method of deriving the pen tilt (tilt angle) relative to the normal to the sensor plane and the pen tilt direction (angle angle) relative to the sensor plane in this case is the same as in the conventional example, so details will be omitted.

[0195] 38A to 38C show level changes when the pen is tilted 30 degrees relative to the normal to the sensor plane (tilt angle) and the pen is tilted 45 degrees relative to the sensor plane. In FIG. 38B, the peak value is shown at (MATX6, MARX7), which is the first reference position, the position indicated by the pen's tip. In FIG. 38B, the second peak value is shown at (MATX9, MARX9), which is the second reference position. The information derivation unit of the RX circuit 20 then acquires the first reference position, the position indicated by the pen's tip, and acquires the second reference position, which is convex upward or convex downward. Based on the orientation of the second reference position relative to the first reference position, the tilt direction of the pen relative to the sensor plane is derived.

[0196] 39A to 39C show level changes when the pen is tilted (tilt angle) relative to the normal to the sensor plane at 30 degrees and the pen is tilted (angle) relative to the sensor plane at -45 degrees. In FIG. 39B, the peak value is shown at (MATX6, MARX7), which is the first reference position, the position indicated by the pen's tip. Also, in FIG. 39B, the second peak value is shown at (MATX9, MARX4), which is the second reference position. The information derivation unit of the RX circuit 20 then acquires the first reference position, the position indicated by the pen's tip, and acquires the second reference position, which is convex upward or convex downward. Based on the orientation of the second reference position relative to the first reference position, the tilt direction of the pen relative to the sensor plane is derived.

[0197] After acquiring the two-dimensional heat map data RXdata generated by the pen signal level acquisition unit 510A, the information derivation unit 550A executes a coordinate processing process to derive the pen coordinates, pen tilt (angle from the normal to the sensor surface), or pen orientation (tilt direction) based on the two-dimensional heat map data RXdata.

[0198] <Processing of Position Detection Device 200D> Processing of the position detection device 200D according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0199] The integrated circuit 500B determines whether or not the pen 100 has been captured based on the output of the second magnetic sensor 300B (step S2100). If the integrated circuit 500B determines that the pen 100 has not been captured based on the output of the second magnetic sensor 300B ("NO" in step S2100), the integrated circuit 500B returns to the standby mode.

[0200] On the other hand, if the integrated circuit 500B determines based on the output of the second magnetic sensor 300B that the pen 100 has been captured ("YES" in step S2100), it then determines based on the output of the first magnetic sensor 300A whether the pen 100 has been captured (step S2200).If the integrated circuit 500B determines based on the output of the first magnetic sensor 300A that the pen 100 has not been captured ("NO" in step S2200), it returns to the processing and transitions to standby mode.

[0201] On the other hand, if the integrated circuit 500B determines based on the output of the first magnetic sensor 300A that the pen 100 has been captured ("YES" in step S2200), it causes the pen signal level acquisition unit 510 to execute a process of acquiring the pen signal level. The pen signal level acquisition unit 510 executes a process of acquiring the level of the pen signal, which is the response alternating magnetic field from the pen 100, using the electromagnetic induction sensor 1, and generates two-dimensional heat map data RXdata (step S4100).

[0202] The integrated circuit 500A causes the information derivation unit 550A to execute information derivation processing. After acquiring the two-dimensional heat map data RXdata generated by the pen signal level acquisition unit 510A, the information derivation unit 550A executes a coordinate processing process to derive the pen coordinates, pen tilt (angle from the normal to the sensor surface), or pen orientation (tilt direction) based on the two-dimensional heat map data RXdata (step S4200). Then, when the user's drawing operation with the pen 100 is completed, all processing is terminated.

[0203] In the above embodiment, the second magnetic sensor 300B provided near the outer periphery of the detection area of ​​the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 is used to capture the pen 100 entering the detection area of ​​the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 from outside the detection area. After acquiring the two-dimensional heat map data RXdata generated by the pen signal level acquisition unit 510A, a coordinate processing process is executed to derive the pen coordinates, pen tilt (angle from the normal to the sensor surface), or pen orientation (tilt direction) based on the two-dimensional heat map data RXdata. In this modification, a plurality of first magnetic sensors 300A are provided within the detection area of ​​the electromagnetic induction sensor 1. When the pen 100 enters the detection area of ​​the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 and is in a hover HV state, the pen signal level acquisition unit 510A, which is normally activated, is activated to determine the coordinates of the pen 100 projected onto the touch surface when the pen 100 touches the touch surface. This makes it possible to obtain coordinate information more accurately than before when the pen 100 in the hover HV state is projected onto the touch surface, thereby enabling more accurate position information to be derived regardless of the posture of the pen 100.

[0204] <Actions and Effects> As described above, the position detection device 200B according to this embodiment is a position detection device that detects the position of the pen 100 based on electromagnetic induction, and the pen 100 is provided with a permanent magnet 301 together with a coil that generates an alternating magnetic field, and the position detection device 200B includes an electromagnetic induction sensor 1 in which coil electrodes are arranged in parallel to detect the alternating magnetic field generated by the pen 100 based on electromagnetic induction, a plurality of first magnetic sensors 300A provided within the detection area of ​​the electromagnetic induction sensor 1, and a second magnetic sensor 300B provided near the outer periphery of the detection area of ​​the electromagnetic induction sensor 1, and an integrated circuit 500 that detects the alternating magnetic field generated by the pen 100 with the auxiliary use of outputs from a first magnetic sensor 300A and a second magnetic sensor 300B that detect the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 301, and executes processing to identify two-dimensional position information of the pen 100. The integrated circuit 500B includes a pen signal level acquisition unit 510A that acquires the level of a pen signal, which is the response alternating magnetic field from the pen 100, using the electromagnetic induction sensor 1, and an information derivation unit 550A that derives information about the position of the pen using a two-dimensional distribution of the level of the pen signal. Specifically, after acquiring two-dimensional heat map data RXdata generated by the pen signal level acquisition unit 510A, the information derivation unit 550A executes a process in coordinate processing to derive the pen coordinates, pen tilt (angle from a normal to the sensor surface), or pen orientation (tilted direction) based on the two-dimensional heat map data RXdata. That is, the integrated circuit 500B auxiliary uses the output of the second magnetic sensor 300B, which detects the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 301 provided in the pen 100, to generate position information of the pen 100 in the hover HV state outside the detection area of ​​the electromagnetic induction sensor 1, and auxiliary uses the output of the first magnetic sensor 300A, which detects the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 301 provided in the pen 100, to generate position information of the pen 100 in the hover HV state within the detection area of ​​the electromagnetic induction sensor 1. The integrated circuit 500B then detects the alternating magnetic field generated by the pen 100 and identifies two-dimensional position information of the pen 100.Therefore, by auxiliary use of the output of the second magnetic sensor 300B, it is possible to capture the pen 100 entering the detection area of ​​the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 from outside the detection area. Therefore, since it is possible to capture the pen 100 entering the detection area of ​​the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 from outside the detection area of ​​the electromagnetic induction sensor 1, it is possible to improve the position detection accuracy of the pen 100 in a hover state within the detection area of ​​the electromagnetic induction sensor 1 at low cost. Furthermore, after acquiring the two-dimensional heat map data RXdata generated by the pen signal level acquisition unit 510A, the position detection device 200D according to this embodiment executes a coordinate processing process to derive the pen coordinates, pen tilt (angle from the normal to the sensor surface), or pen orientation (tilt direction) based on the two-dimensional heat map data RXdata. Therefore, highly accurate position information can be derived regardless of the orientation of the pen 100. Furthermore, highly accurate position information can be derived regardless of the orientation of the pen 100 through simple processing.

[0205] The position detection devices 10, 200, 200A to 200D of the present invention can be realized by recording the processing of the integrated circuits 500A and 500B on a recording medium readable by a computer system, and having the integrated circuits 500A and 500B read and execute the program recorded on this recording medium. The computer system here includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices.

[0206] Furthermore, if the WWW (World Wide Web) system is used, the "computer system" also includes the homepage providing environment (or display environment). The above program may be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by transmission waves in the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" that transmits the program refers to a medium that has the function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line.

[0207] The program may also be a program for implementing some of the functions described above, or may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can implement the functions described above in combination with a program already stored in the computer system.

[0208] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, all position detection devices that can be implemented by a person skilled in the art through appropriate design modifications based on the position detection devices 10, 200, 200A-200D described above as embodiments of the present invention also fall within the technical scope of the present invention as long as they incorporate the gist of the present invention. Within the scope of the concept of the present invention, a person skilled in the art may conceive of various modifications and alterations, and it is understood that these modifications and alterations also fall within the technical scope of the present invention. For example, even if a person skilled in the art appropriately adds, deletes, or modifies the design of components, or adds, omits, or modifies processes in the above-described embodiments, these modifications will also fall within the technical scope of the present invention as long as they incorporate the gist of the present invention.

[0209] Furthermore, other effects brought about by the aspects described in the present embodiment that are apparent from the description in this specification or that can be appropriately conceived by a person skilled in the art are naturally understood to be brought about by the present invention. Various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining multiple components disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all of the components shown in the embodiments. Furthermore, components across different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

[0210] <Supplementary Item 1> A position detection device that detects the position of a pen based on electromagnetic induction, wherein the pen is provided with a permanent magnet together with a coil that generates an alternating magnetic field, and includes one or more processors, one or more memories communicably connected to the one or more processors, an electromagnetic induction sensor in which coil electrodes are arranged in parallel to detect the alternating magnetic field generated by the pen based on electromagnetic induction, and a plurality of first magnetic sensors provided within the electromagnetic induction sensor, wherein the processor detects the alternating magnetic field generated by the pen by auxiliary use of the output of the first magnetic sensor that detects the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet, and executes a process to identify two-dimensional position information of the pen.

[0211] <Supplementary Item 2> A position detection device that detects the position of a pen based on electromagnetic induction, wherein the pen is provided with a permanent magnet together with a coil that generates an alternating magnetic field, and includes one or more processors, one or more memories communicatively connected to the one or more processors, an electromagnetic induction sensor in which coil electrodes are arranged in parallel to detect the alternating magnetic field generated by the pen based on electromagnetic induction, a plurality of first magnetic sensors provided within the electromagnetic induction sensor, and a second magnetic sensor provided near the outer periphery of a detection area of ​​the electromagnetic induction sensor, wherein the processor detects the alternating magnetic field generated by the pen by auxiliary use of an output of the first magnetic sensor that detects the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet, and executes a process to identify two-dimensional position information of the pen.

[0212] 1; electromagnetic induction sensor 2; magnetic sensor 10; position detection device 100; pen 200; position detection device 200A; position detection device 200B; position detection device 200C; position detection device 200D; position detection device 300; first magnetic sensor 300A; first magnetic sensor 300B; second magnetic sensor 301; permanent magnet 400; geomagnetism 500; integrated circuit 500A; integrated circuit 500B; integrated circuit 510; pen signal level acquisition unit 510A; pen signal level acquisition unit 520; tilt amount detection unit 530; memory unit 540; correction unit 550; information derivation unit 550A; information derivation unit

Claims

1. A position detection device including an electromagnetic induction sensor including a coil electrode that detects an alternating magnetic field generated by a pen based on electromagnetic induction, and a plurality of magnetic sensors.

2. A position detection device according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic sensor is provided at a position that does not overlap the coil electrode in a plan view.

3. A position detection device according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic sensor is provided at a position where it is not affected by a magnetic field generated by a current flowing through the coil electrode.

4. A position detection device according to claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic induction sensor and the magnetic sensor are mounted on an electromagnetic induction sensor board on which the electromagnetic induction sensor is mounted.

5. A position detection device according to claim 4, wherein the magnetic sensor is provided at a position that does not overlap the coil electrode in a plan view.

6. A position detection device as described in claim 4, wherein a magnetic sheet is laminated on the lower part of the electromagnetic induction sensor board, and a through hole H is provided in the magnetic sheet at a position corresponding to the mounting position of the magnetic sensor when viewed in a plane.

7. A position detection device according to claim 1, wherein an electromagnetic induction sensor board on which the electromagnetic induction sensor is mounted and a magnetic sensor board on which the magnetic sensor is mounted are separate boards.

8. A position detection device as described in claim 7, in which the electromagnetic induction sensor board, a magnetic sheet, and the magnetic sensor board are laminated in that order, and the magnetic sheet 3 has a through hole at a location on the magnetic sensor board that corresponds to the position where the magnetic sensor is mounted when viewed in a plane.

9. A position detection device according to claim 7, wherein the magnetic sensor board, the electromagnetic induction sensor board, and a magnetic sheet are laminated in this order.

10. A position detection device as described in claim 4, wherein when the electromagnetic induction sensor and the magnetic sensor are mounted on the electromagnetic induction sensor board on which the electromagnetic induction sensor is mounted, the signal wiring, ground wiring, and power wiring from the electromagnetic induction sensor and the signal wiring, ground wiring, and power wiring from the magnetic sensor are routed on the same layer of the electromagnetic induction sensor board.

11. A position detection device as described in claim 10, wherein when the electromagnetic induction sensor and the magnetic sensor are mounted on the electromagnetic induction sensor board on which the electromagnetic induction sensor is mounted, the ground wiring from the electromagnetic induction sensor and the ground wiring from the magnetic sensor are shared.

12. A position detection device that detects the position of a pen based on electromagnetic induction, wherein the pen is provided with a permanent magnet together with a coil that generates an alternating magnetic field, and includes: an electromagnetic induction sensor in which coil electrodes are arranged in parallel for detecting the alternating magnetic field generated by the pen based on electromagnetic induction; a first magnetic sensor provided in plurality within the electromagnetic induction sensor; and an integrated circuit that detects the alternating magnetic field generated by the pen using the output of the first magnetic sensor, which detects the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet, as an auxiliary means, and performs processing to identify two-dimensional position information of the pen.

13. A position detection device as described in claim 12, wherein the output detection of the first magnetic sensor is used to determine whether or not the pen is present within a specified detection space, and the process of identifying the two-dimensional position information is performed based on the alternating magnetic field detected by the electromagnetic induction sensor.

14. The position detection device according to claim 13, wherein said integrated circuit executes control to turn on a global scan mode when said first magnetic sensor detects a magnetism.

15. A position detection device as described in claim 14, wherein the integrated circuit executes control to turn off the global scan mode if a state in which the pen position information cannot be obtained continues for a predetermined period of time even when the global scan mode is turned on.

16. The position detection device described in claim 13, wherein the integrated circuit includes an alarm unit that notifies a user of a message, and the alarm unit notifies the user of a message to rotate the main body, and when the user performs the action of rotating the main body, the scan mode is changed based on the amount of change in the output detection value of the first magnetic sensor.

17. The position detection device according to claim 12, wherein the integrated circuit distinguishes between a change in the earth's magnetic field and a change caused by the proximity of the permanent magnet, and determines whether or not the permanent magnet is in proximity.

18. A position detection device as described in claim 17, wherein the first magnetic sensors are arranged at a predetermined interval, and the integrated circuit determines whether or not a predetermined change in the magnetic field is detected in any number of the first magnetic sensors among the plurality of first magnetic sensors arranged at the predetermined interval.

19. A position detection device according to claim 18, wherein the predetermined interval is greater than the interval at which the coil electrodes are disposed.

20. A position detection device as described in claim 17, wherein the integrated circuit captures the geomagnetic field as a vector, defines the magnitude of change in the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis of the geomagnetic field as the norm of the vector, monitors changes in the norm, and discriminates between changes due to the geomagnetic field and changes due to the proximity of the permanent magnet.

21. The position detection device according to claim 20, wherein the integrated circuit performs the identification determination based on a result of arithmetic processing performed on output values ​​from a plurality of the first magnetic sensors.

22. A position detection device as described in claim 17, wherein the integrated circuit includes a memory unit that stores detection values ​​detected at a certain timing by a plurality of the first magnetic sensors, and the integrated circuit performs arithmetic processing of at least the detection value detected at a certain timing by one of the first magnetic sensors and the detection value most recently detected by the one of the first magnetic sensors, among the detection values ​​stored in the memory unit, to perform an identification judgment.

23. The position detection device according to claim 22, wherein the integrated circuit performs the discrimination based on a variation in an output value of the first magnetic sensor.

24. A position detection device as described in claim 22, wherein the integrated circuit, if no predetermined fluctuation is detected in the output value of the first magnetic sensor, rewrites the detection value stored in the memory unit to the detection value obtained thereafter.

25. A position detection device according to claim 12, wherein said permanent magnet is disposed in said pen at a position spaced rearward from said coil in the axial direction.

26. A position detection device according to claim 25, wherein said permanent magnet is disposed inside the pen housing and axially rearward from said coil.

27. A position detection device according to claim 12, further comprising a magnetic shielding member disposed between said coil and said permanent magnet.

28. A position detection device according to claim 12, wherein the pen includes a resonant circuit, the resonant frequency of which is different from the resonant frequency when the magnet is not provided.

29. The position detection device according to claim 12, wherein the permanent magnet has anisotropy, and the integrated circuit detects the rotation of the permanent magnet.

30. A position detection device according to claim 12, wherein the permanent magnet has any one of a notched shape, a C-shape, a polygonal shape, and a flat shape.

31. The position detection device according to claim 12, wherein the permanent magnet is removably attached to the outside of the pen housing.

32. The position detection device according to claim 12, further comprising a locking portion on the outside of the pen housing, the locking portion having a diameter different from that of the pen housing, for preventing the permanent magnet from falling off.

33. A position detection device that detects the position of a pen based on electromagnetic induction, wherein the pen is provided with a permanent magnet together with a coil that generates an alternating magnetic field, and the position detection device includes: an electromagnetic induction sensor having juxtaposed coil electrodes for detecting the alternating magnetic field generated by the pen based on electromagnetic induction; a first magnetic sensor provided in a plurality of locations within a detection area of ​​the electromagnetic induction sensor; a second magnetic sensor provided near the outer periphery of the detection area of ​​the electromagnetic induction sensor; and an integrated circuit that detects the alternating magnetic field generated by the pen using the outputs of the first magnetic sensor and the second magnetic sensor, which detect the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet, as an auxiliary means, and performs processing to identify two-dimensional position information of the pen.

34. The position detection device described in claim 33, wherein the integrated circuit includes: a pen signal level acquisition unit that acquires a level of a pen signal, which is a response alternating magnetic field from the pen, using the electromagnetic induction sensor; a tilt amount detection unit that detects an amount of tilt of the pen based on an output value of the first magnetic sensor; a memory unit that stores a database linking the amount of tilt with a correction amount for the pen signal; a correction unit that corrects the level of the pen signal based on the correction amount and the pen signal level acquired by the pen signal level acquisition unit 510; and an information derivation unit that derives position information of the pen based on the level of the corrected pen signal.

35. A position detection device as described in claim 33, comprising: a pen signal level acquisition unit that acquires a level of a pen signal, which is a response alternating magnetic field from the pen, using the electromagnetic induction sensor; and an information derivation unit that derives information regarding the position of the pen using a two-dimensional distribution of the level of the pen signal.

36. A sensor comprising: an electromagnetic induction sensor including a coil electrode that detects an alternating magnetic field generated by a pen based on electromagnetic induction; and a plurality of magnetic sensors.

37. A pen comprising: a coil for generating an alternating magnetic field; and a permanent magnet.

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