JPH1115591A - Electrostatic coupling type tablet device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Problem] To reduce the number of layers and make it thin and inexpensive. SOLUTION: On one surface of a tablet input plate 2, an elongated quadrangular electrode X _i (i = 1 to 1) extended in the Y-axis direction.
N) are arranged at equal intervals in the X-axis direction. Each quadrilateral electrode X _i is arranged at a small interval along one diagonal line.
The first, which is divided and gradually widens in the positive direction of the Y axis
Electrode X _11, X ₁₂ ..., the second electrode X ₂₁ gradually width in the negative direction of the X _1N and Y axis becomes wide, X ₂₂ ..., X _2N is formed. The first electrode _X1i (i = 1 to N) and the second electrode _X2i (i = 1 to N)
The input pen is electrostatically coupled to N). The X and Y coordinate positions of the input pen on the tablet input plate are measured from the detection output of the input pen for each voltage of the first electrode X _1i and the second electrode X _2i .

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrostatically-coupled tablet device for inputting a pen to a computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A tablet device sequentially detects the position of an input pen (pen-type detection sensor) moving on a tablet input plate and gives the position data to a computer or the like. The user can know the figures and characters drawn by the pen, display the figures and characters, and use them to change the figures displayed on the screen.

A conventional electrostatic coupling type tablet device 1 shown in FIG. 6 has a tablet input plate 2, an X electrode driving circuit 3, a Y electrode driving circuit 4, a pen type detection sensor (hereinafter referred to as an input pen) 5, and a waveform shaping. It comprises a circuit 6, an X position calculation circuit 7, a Y position calculation circuit 8, and the like. On the tablet input plate 2, X electrodes X1 to XN are arranged in parallel at equal intervals in the X direction, and similarly, Y electrodes Y1 to YM are arranged in parallel at equal intervals in the Y direction. As shown in FIG. 8, the X electrode Xi and the Y electrode Yi are formed on the insulating substrates 13 and 14, respectively, by a method such as printing or vapor deposition, and their electrode patterns are orthogonal to each other with the insulating plate 15 interposed therebetween so as not to contact each other. Are arranged as follows.
Particularly, when a screen input tablet is overlaid on a display screen such as an LCD or CRT, glass is used as the insulating substrates 13 and 14, and a transparent adhesive sheet is used as the insulating plate 15, and the insulating substrates 13 and 14 are made of ITO. It is formed by depositing a transparent film and etching it so as to leave an electrode pattern portion.

In order to measure the position of the input pen 5 in the X direction, a voltage is sequentially applied to the X electrodes X1 to XN at fixed time intervals. Since a capacitance is formed between the input pen 5 and the X electrode, a voltage appears on the input pen 5 when a voltage is applied to an electrode close to the input pen 5. This voltage takes the maximum value when the voltage is applied to the electrode closest to the input pen 5 (FIG. 7). The position of the input pen 5 in the X direction is detected from the relationship between the temporal change of the voltage obtained by the input pen 5 and the voltage application time to each electrode. The same applies to the position detection in the Y direction.

A waveform shaping circuit 6 is a circuit for shaping a voltage waveform detected by the input pen 5 into a waveform suitable for measuring a position. The synchronizing signal of the frequency Fx is supplied from the oscillation circuit 9 to the X electrode drive circuit 3 and the X position calculation circuit 7,
Further, a synchronization signal of the frequency Fy is supplied from the oscillation circuit 10 to the Y electrode drive circuit 4 and the Y position calculation circuit 8.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a conventional electrostatically coupled tablet device, an X electrode Xi
(I = 1 to N) and the Y electrode Yj (j = 1 to M) must be arranged so that their electrode patterns are orthogonal to each other. Therefore, it is necessary to sandwich the insulating plate 15 between them.

Since the input pen 5 slides on the surface of the tablet input plate 2, an insulator for protecting the electrode is required at the uppermost portion. The number of layers constituting the tablet input plate 2 is at least the insulator (for protecting the electrode). ), X (or Y) electrode, insulator, Y
(Or X) Four layers of electrodes are required, and there is a problem that the number of members and the number of working steps are increased. Since at least four layers are required for the tablet input plate, it has been difficult to reduce its thickness.

In particular, it is necessary to accurately adhere the positional relationship between the X electrode and the Y electrode, and a complicated operation is required. An object of the present invention is to solve these conventional problems and to reduce and simplify the number of layers, the number of members, and the number of working steps of a tablet input board, and to provide a thin, inexpensive tablet device with a small number of layers. And

[0009]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

(1) In the electrostatically-coupled tablet device of the first aspect, an elongated quadrangular electrode X ₁ , X ₂ ..., X _N extended on one surface of the tablet input plate in the Y-axis direction of XY orthogonal coordinates. N
≧ 2) are arranged at equal intervals in the X-axis direction. Each of the quadrangular electrodes X _i (i = 1 to N) is divided into two along a diagonal line at a minute interval, and the first electrodes X ₁₁ and X gradually increase in width in the positive direction of the Y axis. ₁₂ ..., X _1N and second electrodes X ₂₁ , X ₂₂ .
X _2N are formed, and the first electrodes X _1i (i = 1 to N),
The input pen is electrostatically coupled to the second electrode X _2i (i = 1 to N). The X and Y coordinate positions of the input pen on the tablet input plate are measured from the detection output of the input pen for each voltage of the first electrode X _1i and the second electrode X _2i .

(2) In the electrostatically-coupled tablet device according to the second aspect, the rectangular input electrodes X ₁ and X ₂ extended on one surface of the tablet input plate in the Y-axis direction of XY orthogonal coordinates.
.., X _N (N ≧ 2) are arranged at equal intervals in the X-axis direction.
Each of the quadrangular electrodes X _i (i = 1 to N) slightly rotates one diagonal in the direction of the other diagonal with its midpoint as a fulcrum, and with a small interval along the obtained diagonal. The first electrodes X ₁₁ , X ₁₂ ..., X _1N which are divided into two and gradually increase in the positive direction of the Y axis, and the second electrodes X ₂₁ , X which gradually increase in the negative direction of the Y axis. ₂₂ ..., X _2N are formed. The first electrode X _1i (i = 1 to N), the second electrode X
_The input pen is electrostatically coupled to _2i (i = 1 to N).
From the detection output of the input pen for each voltage of the first electrode X _1i and the second electrode X _2i , X,
Measure the Y coordinate position.

(3) The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that (2)
And the first electrode X_1i(I = 1 to N) and the second electrode X_2i(I
= 1 to N) to the voltage applying means,
Arranged along one side parallel to the X axis of the tablet input board
Is done. (4) The electrostatically coupled tablet device according to claim 4 is
Extending in the X-axis direction of the XY rectangular coordinates on one surface of the
A pair of elongated first and second comb-shaped electrodes X₁, X_TwoAre facing
Is arranged. The first and second comb-shaped electrodes X₁, X_Twoteeth of
The electrodes are engaged with each other at minute intervals
It is extended and becomes narrower as it approaches the extended end from the base.
You. First and second comb-shaped electrodes X₁, X_TwoAre shared in parallel with the Y axis.
Divided by N-1 (N ≧ 2) common dividing lines
And N pairs of first and second comb-shaped electrodes (X ₁₁, X_{twenty one}), (X
₁₂, X_{twenty two}) ..., (X_1N, X_2N) Are arranged at equal intervals in the X-axis direction.
Lined up. These N pairs of first and second comb-shaped electrodes X_1i, X
_2iThe input pen is electrostatically coupled to (i = 1 to N).
N pairs of first and second comb-shaped electrodes X_1i, X_2iAgainst the voltage of
Input pen tablet input board from input pen detection output
The upper XY coordinate position is measured.

(5) According to the fifth aspect of the invention, (1),
In any of (2) and (4), N pairs of the first and second pairs
Electrodes or first and second comb-shaped electrodes (X₁₁, X_{twenty one}), (X
₁₂, X_{twenty two}) ..., (X_1N, X_2N), Two pairs of each
First voltage applying means for sequentially applying a voltage to the electrodes simultaneously;
A timing at which the first voltage applying means applies a voltage;
Each pair of electrodes (X_1i, X_2i)
From the detection output of the voltage (i = 1 to N), the X coordinate of the input pen
X coordinate detecting means for detecting the position, N first electrodes or
Is the first comb-shaped electrode X_1i(I = 1 to N) at the same time
Then, N second electrodes or second comb-shaped electrodes X
_2i(I = 1 to N) simultaneously applying a second voltage
Means and the second voltage applying means applied alternately.
Electrode X_1i, X _2iOf detected output of input pen with respect to voltage
Or the means for measuring the ratio and the means for measuring
Y coordinate for detecting the Y coordinate position of the input pen from the measured values
Mark detection means is provided.

(6) In the sixth aspect of the present invention, in the above (5), the first voltage applying means and the second voltage applying means may be a first electrode or a first comb-shaped electrode X _1i (i = 1 to N ), And a second shift register for applying a voltage to the second electrode or the second shift register.
The second shift register applies a voltage to the comb-shaped electrodes X _2i (i = 1 to N). (7) In the invention of claim 7, in (5), the X coordinate detecting means and the Y coordinate detecting means are constituted by a microprocessor.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A tablet input plate 2 used in the present invention is, as shown in FIG. 1, a pair of first and second electrodes (X _1i , X _2i ) (two divided along one diagonal). i = 1
N) were arranged in parallel at equal intervals in the X direction, and were shaped such that the width varied in the Y direction according to the distance from the base point of the electrode.

In the X direction, a conventionally used method is used.
Then, the X coordinate position x of the input pen is detected as follows.
Each electrode pair (X_1i, X_2i) For a certain period of time as shown in FIG.
Voltage is applied sequentially at intervals. That is, the electrode X shown in FIG.
₁₁, X_{twenty one}At the same time, and then X₁₂And X _{twenty two}At the same time
Voltage. Similarly, X_1N, X_2NMark the voltage up to
As a result, the input voltage becomes the same as the applied voltage shown in FIG.
Change of the voltage waveform obtained by applying voltage to each electrode
Detects the position of the input pen in the X direction based on time
You.

Next, the first electrode group X _1i of the tablet input plate 2
(I = 1 to N) and a voltage are alternately applied to the second electrode group X _2i (i = 1 to N), and the input pen detects the ratio of the voltage of the first and second electrode groups detected by electrostatic coupling or By measuring the difference, the coordinate position y of the input pen in the Y direction is detected. That is, at the same time a voltage is applied to the first electrode X ₁₁ to X _1N, a voltage obtained from the input pen at this time is V1. This voltage V1 is expressed as a function as V1 = f ₁ of the area S1 of the first electrode occupying the effective sensitivity range of the input pen (S1). The area S1 is given by S1 = f as a function of the coordinate position y of the input pen on the tablet input plate 2 in the Y direction.
Because represented by ₂ (y), the V1 = f ₃ (y).

Next, a voltage is simultaneously applied to the second electrodes X _{21 to} X _2N, and the voltage obtained from the input pen at this time is set to V2.
This voltage V2 is the second voltage in the effective sensitivity range of the input pen.
It is expressed as V2 = f ₄ (S2) as a function of the electrode area S2. The area S2 is calculated as a function of the coordinate position y of the input pen on the tablet input plate 2 in the Y direction.
Because represented by f ₅ (y), the V2 = f ₆ (y).

Here, V1 = f ₃ (y) or V2 = f
_{6 It} is possible to determine the coordinate position y from either one of (y), but the voltage V
It is desirable to obtain the coordinate position y from the difference or ratio between 1 and V2. That is, the position y of _{V1-V2 = f 3 (y} ) -f 6 (y) = f 7 (y) V1 / V2 = f 3 (y) / f 6 (y) = f 8 (y) input pen Figure 2 shows the relationship between the ratio or the difference between the two voltages.
Shown in

In this example, the voltages are simultaneously applied to the first electrode groups X _{11 to} X _1N or the second electrode groups X _{21 to} X _2N respectively. However, since the X coordinate position x of the input pen has already been detected, , One or more first coordinates having an X coordinate near x
A voltage may be simultaneously applied to the electrode or the second electrode. Since the detection accuracy of the position y is not affected by the position x, the pitch of the electrodes in the X direction needs to be sufficiently smaller than the effective sensitivity range of the input pen. The electrode shape shown in FIG. 5A takes this into consideration. In this case,
In place of the first and second electrodes of FIG. 1, first and second comb-shaped electrodes X _1i and X _2i (i = 1 to N) are used. Also the first
Since the second electrodes X _1i and X _2i do not intersect with each other, as shown in FIG. 5B, the shape of the first and second electrodes X _1i and X _2i is deformed, and a terminal C for connecting to the shift registers 21 and 22 is formed.
May be formed on only one side of the tablet input plate 2. In this way, the restrictions on the mounting of the computer and the like are reduced, and the usability is improved.

FIG. 3 is an overall block diagram of the embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a timing chart thereof. Tablet input board 2
_{Has a} first electrode X _1i (i = 1 to N) and a second electrode X _2i , and a voltage is sequentially applied by the first and second shift registers 21 and 22, respectively. First and second shift registers 2
The reference numerals 1 and 22 are driven by a CPU (for example, a microprocessor) 27 and shifted in order from the left electrode to the right in order to detect the coordinate position x of the input pen 5 in the X direction. At this time, the first electrode X _1i and the second electrode X _2i are simultaneously driven as if they were one electrode. During the detection period in the X direction, the output waveform of the input pen 5 is shaped by the waveform shaping circuit 6, and the output signal Vx is input to the microprocessor 27. The microprocessor 27 calculates the position x of the input pen 5 in the X direction from the relationship between the Vx waveform and the drive timing of the first and second shift registers 21 and 22.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the tablet input plate 2 has a first electrode X _1i and a second electrode X _2i on a single insulating substrate 13.
Are formed. The first electrode X _1i is the tablet input plate 2
The upper side is formed such that the upper side is wider and the lower side is narrower. The second electrode X _2i is formed vertically symmetrically with the first electrode X _{1i so} that the upper side is narrower and the lower side is wide. When the position detection in the X direction is completed, the microprocessor 27 gives a full output ON command ON1 to the first shift register 21 so that all the first electrodes _X1i are in a voltage applied state. The output waveform of the input pen 5 during this period is input to the sample and hold circuits 31, 32 through the waveform shaping circuit 6. The microprocessor 27 applies a hold command (signal) S1 to the sample and hold circuit 31 so as to hold the data after a lapse of a predetermined time Ta from the start of applying the voltage to all the first electrodes _X1i .

Next, the microprocessor 27 gives a full output ON command ON2 to the second shift register 22 so that all the second electrodes _X2i are in a voltage applied state. The output waveform of the input pen during this period is input to the sample and hold circuits 31, 32 through the waveform shaping circuit 6. The microprocessor 27 gives a hold command (signal) S2 to the sample-and-hold circuit 32 so as to hold it after a lapse of a predetermined time Tb from the start of applying a voltage to all the second electrodes _X2i .

The sample hold circuit 31 and the sample
The output of the hold circuit 32 is input to a differential amplifier (generally a difference circuit) 33, and the difference signal ΔVy obtained here is input.
Is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 34 and input to the microprocessor 27. Microprocessor 2
7 calculates the position y of the input pen 5 in the Y direction from the A / D converted difference value ΔVy.

In the above description, the horizontal direction is the X direction and the vertical direction is the Y direction in the drawings, but the horizontal direction may be the Y direction and the vertical direction may be the X direction.

[0025]

Since the electrodes in the X and Y directions do not cross each other, an insulating layer between the electrodes is not required. Since it can be composed of two layers of the insulating base material and the electrode, the number of members and the number of working steps can be reduced.

The tablet input plate 2 can be made thin because it can be composed of two layers of an insulating base material and electrodes. Therefore, in the case of a transparent tablet, a high transmittance can be obtained. The step of bonding each layer while maintaining the positional accuracy of the X electrode and the Y electrode as in the related art is not required, and the working process is extremely simplified. As described above, a lightweight, thin, high transmittance, and inexpensive tablet device with less restrictions on mounting than before can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1A and 1B are a plan view and a perspective view, respectively, of a tablet input plate used in a tablet device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a graph showing a relationship between a ratio or a difference between detected output voltages when voltages of a first electrode and a second electrode of FIG. 1 are detected by an input pen and a coordinate position y of the input pen.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the tablet device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a modification of the tablet input plate of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a conventional electrostatic coupling type tablet device.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart of FIG. 6;

8 is an exploded perspective view of the tablet input plate 2 of FIG.

Claims (7)

[Claims] An XY straight line is provided on one surface of a tablet input plate.
An elongated quadrilateral electrode X extending in the Y-axis direction of the cross coordinates
₁, X_Two…, X_N(N ≧ 2) are arranged at equal intervals in the X-axis direction
And each quadrangular electrode X_i(I = 1 to N) is one pair
It is divided into two along the angle line at a minute interval,
The first electrode X gradually becomes wider in the direction of₁₁, X ₁₂…, X
_1NAnd a second electrode X whose width gradually increases in the negative direction of the Y-axis.
_{twenty one}, X_{twenty two}…, X _2NAre formed, and the first electrodes X_1i(I = 1 to N), second electrode X_2i(I
= 1 to N), the input pen is electrostatically coupled to the first electrode X_1i, Second electrode X_2iFor each voltage of
From the detection output of the input pen, the tablet of the input pen
Measuring the X and Y coordinate positions on the input board.
Electrostatic tablet device. 2. An XY straight line on one surface of a tablet input plate.
An elongated quadrilateral electrode X extending in the Y-axis direction of the cross coordinates
₁, X_Two…, X_N(N ≧ 2) are arranged at equal intervals in the X-axis direction
And each quadrangular electrode X_i(I = 1 to N) is one pair
With the middle point as the fulcrum, move the diagonal slightly in the direction of the other diagonal.
At a small interval along the diagonal line
It is divided into two and the width gradually increases in the positive direction of the Y-axis.
One electrode X₁₁, X ₁₂…, X_1NAnd gradually in the negative direction of the Y axis
2nd electrode X which becomes wide_{twenty one}, X_{twenty two}…, X _2NAre formed, and the first electrodes X_1i(I = 1 to N), second electrode X_2i(I
= 1 to N), the input pen is electrostatically coupled to the first electrode X_1i, Second electrode X_2iFor each voltage of
From the detection output of the input pen, the tablet of the input pen
Measuring the X and Y coordinate positions on the input board.
Electrostatic tablet device. 3. The first electrode X according to claim 2, wherein
A terminal for connecting _1i (i = 1 to N) and the second electrode X _2i (i = 1 to N) to the voltage applying means is connected along one side parallel to the X axis of the tablet input plate. An electrostatically coupled tablet device, which is arranged. 4. A pair of first and second comb-shaped electrodes X ₁ and X ₂ extending in the X-axis direction of XY orthogonal coordinates are arranged on one surface of the tablet input plate so as to face each other. , The tooth electrodes of the second comb-shaped electrodes X ₁ , X ₂ mesh with each other at a small interval and extend in the Y-axis direction, and become narrower as approaching the extended end from the base. X ₁ and X ₂ are divided into N by common N−1 (N ≧ 2) dividing lines parallel to the Y axis, and N pairs of first and second comb-shaped electrodes (X ₁₁ , X ₂₁ ), (X
_{12, X 22) ..., (} X 1N, X 2N) are arranged at equal intervals in the X-axis direction, the first of which N pairs, second child comb electrodes X _1i, X _2i (i = 1
To N), the input pen is electrostatically coupled to the input pen, and the tablet input plate of the input pen is obtained from the detection output of the input pen with respect to the voltage of the N pairs of first and second comb-shaped electrodes X _1i and X _2i. An electrostatically-coupled tablet device for measuring an upper XY coordinate position. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein:
Said first N pairs, the second electrode or the first, second child comb electrodes (X _11, X _21), with respect to _{(X 12, X 22) ...} , (X 1N, X 2N), each pair First voltage applying means for sequentially applying a voltage to the two electrodes at the same time; timing at which the first voltage applying means applies a voltage;
X coordinate detection means for detecting an X coordinate position of the input pen from a detection output of a voltage of each of the pair of electrodes (X _1i , X _2i ) (i = 1 to N) detected by the input pen; First electrodes or first comb-shaped electrodes X _1i (i = 1
To N), and a second voltage applying means for simultaneously applying a voltage to the N second electrodes or second comb-shaped electrodes X _2i (i = 1 to N). the electrode X _1i applied alternately by second voltage applying means, means for measuring the detected output difference or ratio of the input pen with respect to the voltage of the X _2i, the input from the measurements obtained by means of the measurement pen And a Y coordinate detecting means for detecting a Y coordinate position of the tablet. 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the first voltage applying means and the second voltage applying means apply a voltage to the first electrode or the first comb-shaped electrode X _1i (i = 1 to N). 1 shift register and the second electrode or the second comb-shaped electrode X _2i.
And a second shift register for applying a voltage to (i = 1 to N). 7. The electrostatically coupled tablet device according to claim 5, wherein said X coordinate detecting means and Y coordinate detecting means comprise a microprocessor.