JP4778722B2 - Position indicator and remote control device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a position indicator and a remote control device that can be operated using the position indicator.

Conventionally, remote control devices (so-called remote controllers) have been used in many home appliances (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Many conventional remote control devices have a plurality of keys corresponding to the functions of the device to be operated.
JP 05-056484 A (FIG. 2)

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, home appliances such as DVD recorders have become more multifunctional, and the number of keys mounted on a remote control has increased significantly, making operation extremely complicated. In order to solve this problem, some household electric appliances can be easily operated using a hierarchical menu. However, menu selection operations must be performed with keys mounted on the remote control, and further improvement in operability has been demanded.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to enable easy operation of a device having a plurality of functions.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a position indicator that indicates a position on the detection unit by forming an electromagnetic coupling with a position detection device including the detection unit, and includes at least one coil. A substantially flat circuit accommodating portion that accommodates an electromagnetic induction circuit having the above-described structure, and supports the circuit accommodating portion, and is held in contact with the side surface of the finger while keeping the tip of the user's finger exposed. And a support portion having a shape.
The present invention also includes an electromagnetic induction circuit having at least one coil, and a substantially flat circuit housing portion having a variable inductance structure that changes the inductance of the coil in accordance with a pressing force applied to a protrusion protruding from the surface. And supporting the circuit accommodating portion by projecting from the opposite side of the surface from which the protrusion projects, and maintaining the tip of the user's finger in contact with the side surface of the finger while maintaining the exposed state. And a support part.

  In the present invention, the support portion may be formed in an annular shape into which the finger is inserted.

  Further, in the present invention, the support portion has a configuration in which the finger is sandwiched by two arms extending from the circuit housing portion, and the interval between the two arms is enlarged with respect to the circuit housing portion. It may be attached so as to be operable in the direction of reduction.

The present invention provides a position indicator that indicates a position on the detection unit by forming an electromagnetic coupling with a position detection device including a detection unit, and is provided at the end of the flexible belt at the outside. A belt-shaped circuit housing portion for housing an electromagnetic induction circuit having at least one coil is disposed on the belt. A fastening member for forming a ring by bundling the belts on both sides is arranged to be movable along the length direction of the belt.

  In the above invention, the circuit housing part may have a variable inductance structure that changes the inductance of the coil in accordance with a pressing force applied to the circuit housing part.

  The circuit housing portion may have a protrusion protruding from the surface thereof, and the variable inductance structure may change the inductance of the coil in accordance with a pressing force applied to the protrusion.

The remote control device of the present invention is a remote control device including a position indicator and a remote controller for remotely operating an electronic device having a display screen, and the position indicator contains an electromagnetic induction circuit having at least one coil. The remote controller includes a detection unit that detects a position of the position indicator by forming an electromagnetic coupling with the position indicator, and the remote controller includes a detection unit that detects a position of the position indicator. A position of the position indicator to be detected is associated with a position on the display screen.

  According to the present invention, a position indicator can be attached to a user's finger to perform a position input operation. For example, when performing a menu operation for home appliances or the like, an operation is easily and quickly performed by position input. be able to. Even if the position indicator is attached to the user's finger, the tip of the finger is exposed, so the position indicator does not get in the way when performing operations other than the position input operation (key operation etc.) and there is no sense of incongruity. There is an advantage that a comfortable operation feeling can be provided.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a finger wearable device 10, a television receiver 21, and a remote controller 30 according to a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied.

  The television receiver 21 shown in FIG. The remote control 30 includes a key operation unit 31 including a plurality of keys and a position detection unit 32 as a detection unit that detects the position of the finger-mounted device 10 on the surface (operation surface). An operation signal is generated in accordance with an input operation in the position detection unit 32 and wirelessly transmitted to the television receiver 21.

  The finger-mounted device 10 is mounted on a user's finger (in the example illustrated in FIG. 1) indicated by a symbol A in the drawing and functions as a position indicator. That is, a position input operation is performed when the user moves the finger-mounted device 10 on the position detection unit 32. By this position input operation, for example, the position of the pointer 211A can be instructed while the menu screen is displayed on the display screen 211 of the television receiver 21.

  The television receiver 21 has a GUI (Graphical User Interface) input environment when a menu screen or the like is displayed on the display screen 211. Specifically, a plurality of menu items (not shown) or icons (not shown) corresponding to the respective menu items are displayed on the display screen 211, and a pointer 211A is moved over these menu items or icons to perform a designation operation. The menu item or icon is selected and designated, and the operation corresponding to the menu item or icon is executed.

  In this GUI operation, the pointer 211A can be moved in accordance with the operation of a key provided in the key operation unit 31. Further, by changing the position of the finger-mounted device 10 in the position detection unit 32. The pointer 211A can be moved.

  That is, the position coordinates in the position detection unit 32 are associated with the position coordinates on the display screen 211, and when the finger-mounted device 10 is positioned on the position detection unit 32, the position of the finger-mounted device 10 is set. The pointer 211A is moved to the corresponding position.

  Therefore, when performing an operation of moving the pointer 211A on the display screen 211, the user only has to move the finger wearing the finger-mounted device 10 on the position detection unit 32. This can be done with only one hand.

  Further, after the pointer 211A is moved to the position of the menu item or icon, the operation of selecting and specifying the menu item or icon can be executed by detecting the pressing force applied to the finger-mounted device 10 as will be described later. . Therefore, if the user moves the finger wearing the finger wearable device 10 to an arbitrary position on the position detection unit 32 and presses the finger wearable device 10 against the position detection unit 32, the user can use the television receiver 21. GUI operation can be performed.

  2A and 2B are external perspective views showing the configuration of the finger-mounted device 10, wherein FIG. 2A is a view from above, and FIG. 2B is a view from below. 3 is an external view showing the configuration of the circuit housing portion 11 in the finger-worn device 10, wherein (a) is a side view and (b) is a perspective view.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the finger-worn device 10 includes a circuit housing portion 11 formed in a substantially flat plate shape, and a support portion that protrudes from the circuit housing portion 11 and curves so as to form a ring. And the two arm portions 12. The arm portion 12 is made of a material having elasticity such as metal or synthetic resin, and the space between the two arm portions 12 can be expanded by applying a force.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B and FIGS. 3A and 3B, the front surface of the circuit housing portion 11 (the surface on which the arm portion 12 does not protrude) will be described later. The core 101 protrudes.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the circuit housing portion 11. As shown in FIG. 4, a core 101 is inserted into and out of the circuit housing portion 11 in the circuit housing portion 11, and a ferrite core 102 is disposed at the base end portion of the core 101. The tip surface of the substantially cylindrical ferrite core 104 is opposed to the ferrite core 102 through the elastic body 103.

  The elastic body 103 is made of rubber (including synthetic rubber) or synthetic resin, and has sufficient elasticity and flexibility to be elastically deformed when pressed.

  A coil 105 is formed on the side surface of the ferrite core 104 by winding a conducting wire such as a litz wire.

  A substrate 106 is fixed to the base end portion of the ferrite core 104, and a capacitor 107 is mounted on the substrate 106. A coil 105 is electrically connected to the capacitor 107, and the capacitor 107 and the coil 105 form a resonance circuit (electromagnetic induction circuit) 110 described later with reference to FIG.

  Therefore, the position of the finger-worn device 10 can be detected by electromagnetically coupling the resonance circuit 110 in the finger-worn device 10 and an external device (for example, the remote controller 30). The position detection of the finger-mounted device 10 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The ferrite core 104 is supported and fixed to the inner wall of the circuit housing portion 11 via the substrate 106.

  Since the ferrite core 102 and the ferrite core 104 are opposed to each other with the elastic body 103 in between, the elastic body 103 is elastically deformed when a pressing force is applied in a direction in which the core 101 is pushed into the circuit housing portion 11. As a result, the ferrite core 102 approaches the ferrite core 104. As a result, the inductance of the coil 105 wound around the ferrite core 104 changes, and the resonance frequency of the resonance circuit 110 changes.

  This change in inductance is affected by the distance between the ferrite core 102 and the ferrite core 104. The ferrite core 102 has a protrusion on the surface facing the ferrite core 104, and the protrusion is partially inserted into the elastic body 103. For this reason, in a state where no pressing force is applied, the distance between the ferrite core 102 and the ferrite core 104 is smaller than the size of the elastic body 103, and when the pressing force is applied here, the ferrite core 102 further becomes the ferrite core 104. To approach. For this reason, when a pressing force is applied to the core 101, the inductance of the coil 105 changes significantly, and the resonance frequency of the resonance circuit 110 changes greatly.

  Therefore, the magnitude of the force applied to the core 101 in the finger wearable device 10 is detected by combining an apparatus (for example, the remote controller 30) that can detect a change in the resonance frequency of the resonance circuit 110 in the finger wearable device 10. Can do. The detection of the pressing operation by the finger wearable device 10 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The core 101, the ferrite core 102, the elastic body 103, and the ferrite core 104 constitute a variable inductance mechanism that changes the inductance of the coil 105.

  FIGS. 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating examples of usage states of the finger-worn device 10. The finger wearable device 10 can be worn by passing a finger through a ring constituted by two arms 12. It is also possible to increase the distance between the two arm portions 12 by applying force to the arm portions 12.

  For this reason, the finger wearable device 10 can be worn on the thumb as shown in FIG. 5 (a) or on the index finger as shown in FIG. 5 (b). Can be worn on the finger.

  The finger-mounted device 10 has a configuration in which the inductance of the built-in coil 105 is changed by applying a pressing force to the core 101 as described above. When the function using this configuration is used, the core 101 protruding from the circuit housing unit 11 needs to be pressed against the position detection unit 32 (FIG. 1). As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the core 101 may be protruded downward with the circuit housing portion 11 facing downward.

  In addition, when the finger wearable device 10 is not used, the finger wearable device 10 may be stored in a dedicated box or the like. For example, as shown in FIG. You may leave it. The position of the finger-mounted device 10 is usually a position where a ring as an accessory is mounted. That is, the finger wearable device 10 may be used not only as a position indicator, but also as if it were a decorative item. In this case, when the position input operation is not performed, it can be used as a decorative ring, and can be used by moving the finger-mounted device 10 to the fingertip immediately when necessary, which is very convenient.

  2 to 5, the circuit housing portion 11 has a substantially flat plate shape. However, the surface of the circuit housing portion 11 and the arm portion 12 is decorated with more emphasis on the design. It may be applied or a highly decorative material may be used. In this case, there is an advantage that not only an unpleasant aesthetic feeling when the finger-worn device 10 is worn on the finger is eliminated, but also it can be used as a decoration. Further, instead of the two arm portions 12 extending from the circuit housing portion 11, a single closed ring can be used.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing functional configurations of the television receiver 21 and the remote controller 30.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in addition to the display screen 211 described above, the television receiver 21 stores various programs and data executed by the control unit 212 that controls the video displayed on the display screen 211, and the like. Image stored in the ROM 213 and the infrared signal transmitted from the remote controller 30 is received and decoded, and a video signal is output to the display screen 211 under the control of the light receiving unit 214 and the control unit 212 that generate an operation signal indicating an operation in the remote controller 30. A signal generation unit 215 and a tuner unit 216 that generates a video signal based on a broadcast signal input from an externally connected antenna are provided.

  The control unit 212 reads and executes a program and data stored in the ROM 213, controls the video signal generation unit 215 based on an operation signal input from the light receiving unit 214, and displays a predetermined video on the display screen 211. Let For example, when the operation signal input from the light receiving unit 214 is a signal for instructing channel switching, the control unit 212 controls the video signal generation unit 215 to obtain a video signal from the broadcast signal of the designated channel. Generate and output to the display screen 211. When the operation signal input from the light receiving unit 214 is a signal for instructing display of the menu screen, the control unit 212 outputs display information for displaying the menu screen to the video signal generation unit 215. Then, a menu screen including menu items (not shown) or icons (not shown) is displayed on the display screen 211. When an operation on the menu screen (selection of an item on the menu screen, etc.) is performed from the remote controller 30 with the menu screen displayed on the display screen 211, the control unit 212 newly responds to this operation. Such as displaying a specific menu screen or displaying an image of a specific channel.

  On the other hand, the remote controller 30 includes a control unit 33 that generates an operation signal to be transmitted to the television receiver 21, a light emitting unit 34 that encodes the operation signal generated by the control unit 33 and transmits an infrared signal, and a key operation unit. A key operation detection unit 35 that outputs an operation signal indicating the operated key when 31 is operated, and a position at which the position detection unit 32 detects the position and operation of the finger-mounted device 10 and generates an operation signal A detection circuit 36 is provided.

  Here, the configuration and operation of the position detection circuit 36 will be described in detail.

  FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of the position detection circuit 36 in detail. For convenience of understanding, FIG. 7 shows the configuration of the position detection unit 32 (FIG. 1) together with the position detection circuit 36.

  In the position detection unit 32, an XY orthogonal coordinate system composed of an X axis and a Y axis in directions corresponding to the horizontal direction and the vertical direction is virtually set, and a loop corresponding to the XY orthogonal coordinate system is set. Coil groups 3321 and 322 are provided.

  The loop coil group 321 includes a plurality of (for example, 48) loop coils 321-i (i = 1, 2,..., 48) arranged in the X-axis direction. The loop coil 321-i is a one-turn loop coil extending along the Y axis, and the loop coils 321-i are arranged in parallel so as to overlap each other. The loop coil group 322 includes a plurality of (for example, 48) loop coils 322-i (i = 1, 2,..., 48) arranged in the Y-axis direction, and extends 1 along the Y-axis direction. Each loop coil 322-i is parallel to each other and is arranged side by side so as to overlap each other.

  The loop coil groups 321 and 322 are realized by one or a plurality of layers of print patterns of the position detection unit 32. Each loop coil 321-i, 322-i is not limited to one configured with one turn, and may be configured with a plurality of turns as necessary.

  The loop coil groups 321 and 322 are laid over almost the entire surface of the position detection unit 32 so that the position of the finger-mounted device 10 in the position detection unit 32 and the pressing operation by the finger-mounted device 10 can be detected.

  The position detection circuit 36 includes a control circuit 361, a signal generation circuit 362, a selection circuit 363, a selection circuit 364, a transmission / reception switching circuit 365, 366, an XY switching circuit 367, a reception timing switching circuit 368, and a band filter (BPF: Band Pass Filter). 369, detector 370, low pass filter (LPF) 371, phase shift detector (PSD) 372, 373, low pass filters (LPF) 374, 375, drive circuits 376, 377, amplifier 378 379.

  The position detection circuit 36 repeatedly performs a transmission operation and a reception operation at a predetermined cycle in order to detect the finger-mounted device 10. In the transmission operation, radio waves are transmitted from the loop coil groups 321 and 322 included in the position detection unit 32 to the resonance circuit 110 of the finger wearable device 10, and an induced current is generated in the resonance circuit 110 by the radio waves. In the resonance circuit 110, a radio wave is emitted from the coil 105 based on the induced current. This radio wave is received by the loop coil groups 321 and 322 in the receiving operation, and based on the radio wave, the position of the finger wearable device 10, the presence or absence of a pressing operation on the core 101, and the pressing force (writing pressure) applied to the core 101 are detected. Is done.

  The control circuit 361 controls the signal generation circuit 362 and also controls the switching of each loop coil of the loop coil groups 321 and 322 by the selection circuits 363 and 364. In addition, the control circuit 361 controls the XY switching circuit 367 and the reception timing switching circuit 368 to switch the coordinate detection direction (X direction, Y direction). Further, the control circuit 361 performs analog-digital (A / D) conversion on the output values from the low-pass filters 374 and 375, executes predetermined arithmetic processing, and obtains the coordinate value of the position designated by the finger-worn device 10. At the same time, the phase of the received signal is detected and output.

  The selection circuit 363 selects one loop coil 321-i from the X direction loop coil group 321 under the control of the control circuit 361. The selection circuit 363 selects one loop coil 322-i from the loop coil group 322 in the Y direction under the control of the control circuit 361.

  The transmission / reception switching circuit 365 alternately connects the loop coil 321 -i selected by the selection circuit 363 according to the transmission / reception switching signal C input from the signal generation circuit 362 to the drive circuit 376 and the amplifier 228. The loop coil 322-i selected by the selection circuit 363 according to the transmission / reception switching signal C is alternately connected to the drive circuit 377 and the amplifier 229.

  The signal generation circuit 362 generates a rectangular wave signal A having a predetermined frequency f0, a signal B obtained by delaying the phase of the rectangular wave signal A by 90 degrees, a transmission / reception switching signal C having a predetermined frequency fk, and a reception timing signal D. Output. The rectangular wave signal A output from the signal generation circuit 362 is sent to the phase detector 372, converted to a sine wave signal E by a low-pass filter (not shown), and further driven through an XY switching circuit 367. 376 or 377. The rectangular wave signal B output from the signal generation circuit 362 is sent to the phase detector 223, the transmission / reception switching signal C is sent to the transmission / reception switching circuits 365 and 366, and the reception timing signal D is received by the reception timing switching circuit 368. Is sent out.

  When information for selecting the X direction is output from the control circuit 361 and is input to the XY switching circuit 367 and the reception timing switching circuit 368, the sine wave signal E output from the signal generation circuit 362 is sent to the drive circuit 376. Then, it is converted into a balanced signal and further sent to the transmission / reception switching circuit 365. Here, since the transmission / reception switching circuit 365 switches and connects either the driving circuit 376 or the amplifier 228 based on the transmission / reception switching signal C, the signal output from the transmission / reception switching circuit 365 to the selection circuit 363 is the time T The signal F is repeatedly output / stopped every (= 1/2 fk). The signal F output from the transmission / reception switching circuit 365 is sent to the loop coil 321-i selected from the loop coil group 321 via the selection circuit 363, and based on the signal F in the loop coil 321-i. Radio waves are generated.

  The position detection circuit 36 performs the transmission operation while the signal F is being output, and performs the reception operation while the signal F is not being output. This transmission operation and reception operation are alternately repeated every time T.

  When the finger wearable device 10 is kept in use in the position detector 32 (FIG. 1), the coil 105 of the finger wearable device 10 is excited by the radio wave generated from the loop coil 321-i, and the resonance circuit 110 An induced voltage G synchronized with the signal F is generated.

  Thereafter, the position detection circuit 36 shifts to a reception operation by the operation of the transmission / reception switching circuit 365. Here, when the loop coil 321-i is switched to the amplifier 228 side, the radio wave from the loop coil 321-i immediately disappears, while the induced voltage G generated in the resonance circuit 110 of the finger-worn device 10 is changed to the resonance circuit 110. Attenuates gradually according to the loss. A radio wave is transmitted from the coil 105 by a current flowing through the resonance circuit 110 based on the induced voltage G. The radio wave transmitted from the coil 105 excites the loop coil 321-i connected to the amplifier 228, and an induced voltage due to the radio wave from the coil 105 is generated in the loop coil 321-i. This induced voltage is sent from the transmission / reception switching circuit 365 to the amplifier 228 only during the reception operation, amplified and sent to the reception timing switching circuit 368 as a reception signal H.

  Information for designating either the X direction or the Y direction and a reception timing signal D that is substantially an inverted signal of the transmission / reception switching signal C are input to the reception timing switching circuit 368. The reception timing switching circuit 368 outputs the reception signal H during the period when the signal D is at the high level and outputs nothing during the period when the signal D is at the low level, so that the signal I substantially the same as the reception signal H is output to the band filter 369. To do.

  The band-pass filter 369 is a filter (for example, a ceramic filter) having a frequency f0 as a natural frequency, and a signal J having an amplitude corresponding to the energy of the frequency f0 component in the signal I is detected by the detector 370 and the phase detector 372. , 373. Strictly speaking, the band filter 369 transmits these signals J to the detector 370 and the phase detectors 372 and 373 in a state where several signals I are input to the band filter 369 and converged.

  The signal J input to the detector 370 is detected and rectified to be a signal K, and then a DC signal L having a voltage value Vxi corresponding to approximately ½ of the amplitude by a low-pass filter 371 having a sufficiently low cutoff frequency. And sent to the control circuit 361.

  The voltage value Vxi of the signal L is based on the induced voltage induced in the loop coil 321-i, and is a value depending on the distance between the finger-worn device 10 and the loop coil 321-i, here, approximately the distance. A value inversely proportional to the fourth power of. For this reason, when the loop coil 321-i is switched to a different loop coil, the voltage value Vxi of the signal L in the loop coil becomes a different value.

  Therefore, the control circuit 361 converts the voltage value Vxi obtained for each loop coil into a digital value, and executes the arithmetic processing described later to obtain the positional relationship between each loop coil and the finger wearable device 10. Thus, the coordinate value in the X direction of the indicated position by the finger-mounted device 10 is obtained. Further, the coordinate value in the Y direction of the designated position by the finger wearable device 10 is obtained in the same manner. Thereby, the coordinate which shows the position of the finger mounting type device 10 in the position detection part 32 is obtained.

  On the other hand, the rectangular wave signal A generated by the signal generation circuit 362 is input to the phase detector 372 as a detection signal, and the rectangular wave signal B whose phase is 90 degrees behind the rectangular wave signal A is input to the phase detector 373. Is input as a detection signal. When the phase of the signal J substantially coincides with the phase of the rectangular wave signal A, the phase detector 372 outputs a signal M1 having the same waveform as when the signal J is full-wave rectified, and the phase J The detector 373 outputs a signal M2 having a symmetrical waveform on the positive side and the negative side. The signal M1 output from the phase detector 372 is substantially the same as the signal K. Similarly to the signal K, the signal M1 is converted into a DC signal N1 having a voltage value corresponding to approximately half of the amplitude of the signal J by the low-pass filter 374, that is, Vxi, and sent to the control circuit 361. Here, the DC signal N1 is substantially the same as the signal L. Similarly, the signal M 2 is converted into a DC signal N 2 by the low-pass filter 375 and sent to the control circuit 361.

  The control circuit 361 converts the output values of the low-pass filters 374 and 375, here the signals N1 and N2 into digital values, and executes predetermined arithmetic processing using the obtained digital values, thereby performing the phase detector 372. , 373, here, the phase difference θ between the signal J and the rectangular wave signal A is obtained.

  Here, the phase of the signal J corresponds to the resonance frequency in the resonance circuit 110 of the finger-worn device 10. That is, when the resonance frequency in the resonance circuit 110 coincides with the predetermined frequency f0, an induced voltage of the frequency f0 is generated in the resonance circuit 110 during the transmission operation and the reception operation, and the induced current synchronized with this is generated. Therefore, the frequency and phase of the received signal H (or I) coincide with the rectangular wave signal A, and the phase of the signal J also coincides with the rectangular wave signal A.

  On the other hand, when the resonance frequency in the resonance circuit 110 does not coincide with the predetermined frequency f0, for example, when the frequency f1 is slightly lower than the frequency f0 (f1 <f0 and f1 is substantially equal to f0), the transmission operation is being performed. In addition, an induced voltage having a frequency f0 is generated in the resonant circuit 110, and an induced current with a phase delay flows in the resonant circuit 110 due to the induced voltage. During the reception operation, an induced voltage having a frequency f1 is generated and an induced current synchronized therewith flows. Therefore, the frequency of the received signal H (or I) is slightly lower than the frequency of the rectangular wave signal A, and The phase will also be slightly delayed. As described above, since the band-pass filter 369 has only the frequency f0 as a specific frequency, the frequency shift toward the lower side of the input signal is output as a phase lag, and therefore the signal J Is delayed further than the received signal H (or I).

  On the contrary, when the resonance frequency in the resonance circuit 110 is slightly higher than the predetermined frequency f0, for example, when the frequency is f2 (f1> f0 and f2 is substantially equal to f0), the resonance circuit 110 has a frequency during the transmission operation. An induced voltage of f0 is generated, and an induced current with phase advance flows through the resonance circuit 110. In addition, during the reception operation, an induced voltage having a frequency f2 and an induced current synchronized therewith flow, so that the frequency of the received signal H (or I) is slightly higher than the frequency of the rectangular wave signal A and the phase thereof is also high. Slightly advanced. In the band-pass filter 369, the frequency shift to the higher side of the input signal is output as a phase advance contrary to the case described above, and therefore the phase of the signal J is higher than that of the received signal H (or I). It goes even further.

  As described above, the coil 105 included in the resonance circuit 110 has a configuration in which the inductance is changed by the pressing force applied to the core 101, and the inductance increases when the pressing force is applied to the core 101. Therefore, when the operation of pressing the core 101 of the finger-worn device 10 against the position detection unit 32 is performed, the inductance of the coil 105 increases, and the resonance frequency of the resonance circuit 110 changes to a low frequency. Therefore, as described above, based on the value of the phase difference θ obtained by the arithmetic processing of the control circuit 361, the core 101 is determined by the presence / absence of the operation of the finger-mounted device 10 and the pressing operation of the finger-mounted device 10. The magnitude of the force (writing pressure) applied to the can be detected.

  Then, the position detection circuit 36 generates an operation signal indicating the position coordinate (absolute position coordinate) of the finger-mounted device 10 in the position detection unit 32 and the pressing force applied to the core 101, and the control unit 33 (FIG. Output to 6).

  Thereby, signals related to the position coordinates and the pressing operation are transmitted from the remote controller 30 to the television receiver 21, and the GUI operation in the television receiver 21 is realized.

  If the finger-mounted device 10 and the remote controller 30 configured as described above are used, when operating the television receiver 21, the finger with the finger-mounted device 10 is moved to an arbitrary position on the position detection unit 32. By doing so, the position input operation can be easily performed. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, this operation can be performed while holding the remote control 30 with one hand if the finger-mounted device 10 is attached to the finger of the hand holding the remote control 30 (the thumb in the example in the figure). Is very convenient.

  Further, since the fingertip (tip) of the finger wearing the finger-mounted device 10 is exposed, the finger-mounted device 10 does not get in the way when operating the key operation unit 31 with the finger, and there is no sense of incongruity. There is an advantage that a comfortable operation feeling can be provided.

  Further, the finger wearable device 10 has a core 101 protruding from the tip surface thereof. Therefore, when the finger-worn device 10 is pressed against the position detection unit 32, a feeling when the core 101 contacts the position detection unit 32 is transmitted to the user's finger. For this reason, the user can perform position input by relying on the feeling that the core 101 is in contact with the position detection unit 32, so that even if the area of the position detection unit 32 is small, an accurate and fine position input operation can be performed.

  The circuit housing unit 11 includes a mechanism that changes the inductance of the coil 105 by the pressing force applied to the core 101 and changes the resonance frequency of the resonance circuit 110. The change in the resonance frequency of the resonance circuit 110 is determined by the position of the remote controller 30. By detecting with the detection circuit 36, the pressing force applied to the circuit accommodating part 11 is detectable. Thereby, since the remote controller 30 can detect an operation of pressing the finger wearable device 10 against the position detection unit 32, the user performs a position input operation and a push operation simply by moving the finger wearing the finger wearable device 10, The GUI operation in the television receiver 21 can be performed.

  Furthermore, when a position input operation is performed in the position detection unit 32, the finger-mounted device 10 does not necessarily need to be in close contact. That is, if it is possible to transmit and receive signals between the loop coil groups 321 and 322 of the position detection unit 32 and the resonance circuit 110 of the finger wearable device 10, the finger wearable device 10 on the position detection unit 32. Therefore, even when the finger-mounted device 10 is lifted from the surface of the position detector 32, position input is performed. Accordingly, it is not necessary to bring the finger-worn device 10 into close contact with the position detection unit 32, and it is possible to realize a peculiar and light operational feeling that cannot be experienced with a normal pointing device, and the burden on the finger wearing the finger-worn device 10 is extremely high. Very light.

  In the first embodiment, a hole is formed in the distal end surface of the circuit housing portion 11 included in the finger-worn device 10, and the core 101 protrudes from the hole. For example, the circuit housing portion 11 may have a sealed structure, and a protrusion may be provided in place of the core 101 integrally with the front end surface. In this case, by matching the position of the protrusion with the position of the ferrite core 102, the pressing force applied to the protrusion is indirectly transmitted to the ferrite core 102 through the surface of the circuit housing portion 11, and therefore the coil is applied by the pressing force applied to the protrusion. A mechanism for changing the inductance of 105 can be realized. In this case, a part of the front end surface of the circuit housing portion 11 may be raised instead of the protrusion.

In the first embodiment, the remote control device for operating the television receiver has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a remote control for controlling a personal computer. The present invention may be applied to an apparatus. Furthermore, the present invention may be applied to a remote control device for operating a display for display connected to a personal computer.
[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a portable electronic device 22 according to a second embodiment to which the present invention is applied.

  The portable electronic device 22 is a portable electronic device called a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) and has various functions such as a schedule management function and a communication function. The portable electronic device 22 has a display screen 221 formed of a liquid crystal display panel or the like, and displays characters, images, and the like related to the above functions on the display screen 221. In addition, the portable electronic device 22 has a GUI input environment, and by performing an input designating the position of the pointer 221A displayed on the display screen 221, it is possible to instruct execution or switching of the above function.

  The portable electronic device 22 includes a position detection unit 222 as a detection unit for performing a position input operation. In the position detection unit 222, the finger-mounted device 10 (described in the first embodiment) 1 to 4) can be used.

  That is, a plurality of loop coils are laid in the position detection unit 222 in the same manner as the position detection unit 32 (FIG. 1) in the first embodiment, and the finger-worn device 10 is configured using these loop coils. A position detection circuit 36 (FIG. 7) for detecting the position of the camera is incorporated.

  Therefore, the position input operation in the portable electronic device 22 shown in FIG. 8 can be easily performed by mounting the finger-mounted device 10 on the finger.

In particular, when the portable electronic device 22 is highly portable, the portable electronic device 22 is configured to be lightweight and small and operated with one hand. If the finger-mounted device 10 is used in such a portable electronic device 22, as shown in FIG. 8, a position input operation can be performed with one hand while supporting the main body of the portable electronic device 22 with one hand. . As a result, both hands are not blocked when the portable electronic device 22 is operated. Therefore, the portable electronic device 22 can be easily used even in a standing posture, and the convenience of the portable electronic device 22 can be improved.
[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a mobile phone 23 according to a third embodiment to which the present invention is applied.

  The mobile phone 23 is a mobile phone, and establishes a communication line with a destination device by performing wireless communication with a base station (not shown), thereby realizing a call function and the like. Is. The cellular phone 23 includes a display screen 231 for displaying a telephone number of a call partner and a key operation unit 232 having various keys for inputting a telephone number, turning on / off the power, and the like.

  Furthermore, the mobile phone 23 has a position detection unit 233 as a detection unit for designating a position in the area displayed on the display screen 231. In the position detection unit 233, the finger-mounted device 10 (FIGS. 1 to 4) described in the first embodiment can be used.

  That is, the position detection unit 233 is provided with a plurality of loop coils similarly to the position detection unit 32 (FIG. 1) in the first embodiment, and the finger-worn device 10 using these loop coils. A position detection circuit 36 (FIG. 7) for detecting the position of the camera is incorporated.

  Therefore, the position input operation in the mobile phone 23 shown in FIG. 9 can be easily performed by mounting the finger-mounted device 10 on the finger.

  The mobile phone 23 can execute various functions such as an address book management function in addition to a telephone call function, and includes a GUI input environment for instructing execution of these functions. Menu items and icons (characters, images, etc.) relating to various functions including a call function are displayed on the display screen 231, and a position input operation for designating the position of the cursor or pointer displayed on the display screen 231 is performed. Thus, the execution or switching of the above functions can be instructed.

  The position input operation for designating the position of the cursor or pointer can be performed by pressing a key provided in the key operation unit 232. However, in the cellular phone 23, the finger-mounted device 10 is operated on the position detection unit 233. The position input operation can be performed by moving.

  The mobile phone 23 is usually operated with one hand. Here, when the user holds the mobile phone 23 in one hand as shown in FIG. 9, the position detection unit 233 is attached to the finger-mounted device 10 on the finger of that hand (thumb in the example of FIG. 9). In this case, the finger can be placed within the reach of the finger, and the position input operation can be performed with the hand while holding the mobile phone 23 with one hand. Thereby, even if it is unstable postures, such as the state where the user stood, position input operation can be performed reliably. Further, when a position input operation is performed using the key of the key operation unit 232, the key must be pressed many times, a burden on the user's finger is heavy, and it is difficult to perform the operation quickly. On the other hand, since the mobile phone 23 according to the fourth embodiment can perform a position input operation by simply moving the finger-mounted device 10 on the position detection unit 233, the position input operation can be performed very quickly. Furthermore, there is an advantage that the burden on the user's finger is very light.

The mobile phone 23 has any size and shape that can be carried, and has at least a call function and a display screen, and its communication method is arbitrary. Further, the shape of the casing of the mobile phone 23 is not limited to a so-called straight type as shown in FIG. 9, but may be a folding type.
[Fourth Embodiment]
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a notebook computer 24 according to a fourth embodiment to which the present invention is applied.

The notebook computer 24 is a personal computer configured to be portable and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random).
A main board on which (Access Memory) and the like are mounted and devices such as a hard disk drive are built in the main body, and a display screen 241 is further provided. The notebook computer 24 includes a keyboard 242 for performing an input operation, and a position detection unit 243 as a detection unit.

  The keyboard 242 includes a plurality of keys, and inputs are performed by pressing these keys.

  Further, the position detection unit 243 detects the position of the finger-mounted device 10 (FIGS. 1 to 4) described in the first embodiment and the pressing operation performed by the finger-mounted device 10. The configuration of the position detector 243 is the same as that of the position detector 32 (FIG. 1) described above.

  The notebook computer 24 can execute various functions by executing various application programs, and includes a GUI input environment for instructing execution of these functions. Icons (characters, images, etc.) relating to the above various functions are displayed on the display screen 241, and the functions are executed by performing a position input operation for designating the position of the cursor or pointer displayed on the display screen 241. And can be switched.

  The position input operation for designating the position of the cursor or pointer can be performed by the key operation unit of the keyboard 242, but in the notebook computer 24, by moving the finger-mounted device 10 on the position detection unit 243, Position input operation can be performed.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the position detection unit 243 is disposed at a position where the user's thumb can reach when the casing of the notebook computer 24 is held with one hand, and the user holds the notebook computer 24. A position input operation can be performed by attaching the finger-mounted device 10 to the finger of the other hand. Thus, the position input operation can be performed with only one hand while holding the notebook computer 24.

Therefore, the notebook computer 24 can be operated with one hand while holding it. For example, the notebook computer 24 can be reliably operated even when the user is in an unstable posture such as a standing position. Since the position input operation can be performed simply by moving the finger-mounted device 10, there is an advantage that the position input operation can be performed very quickly and the burden on the user's finger is light. Furthermore, since the fingertip of the user wearing the finger wearable device 10 is exposed, the finger wearable device 10 does not get in the way when the keyboard 242 is operated. realizable.
[Fifth Embodiment]
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a tablet 25 according to a fifth embodiment to which the present invention is applied.

  The tablet 25 is an input device externally connected to a personal computer (not shown) such as the notebook computer 24 shown in FIG. 10, and is used for performing a position input operation on the personal computer. The tablet 25 is a position detection unit serving as a detection unit for detecting the position of the finger-mounted device 10 (FIGS. 1 to 4) and the pressing operation performed by the finger-mounted device 10 described in the first embodiment. 251. The configuration of the position detection unit 251 is the same as that of the position detection unit 32 (FIG. 1) described above.

  The position input operation is realized in the GUI input environment provided in the personal computer to which the tablet 25 is connected.

  In this position input operation, the user wears the finger wearable device 10 on a finger as shown in FIG. 11, and moves the finger wearable device 10 on the position detection unit 251. The tablet 25 generates an operation signal indicating the position coordinates of the finger-mounted device 10 in the position detection unit 251 and outputs the operation signal to the personal computer.

If a position input operation is performed using the finger-mounted device 10 on the tablet 25, the position input operation can be performed very quickly by simply moving the finger-mounted device 10 on the position detection unit 253. There is an advantage that the burden on fingers is light. Further, since the fingertip of the user wearing the finger wearable device 10 is exposed, the finger wearable when operating another device such as a keyboard (not shown) connected to the personal computer, for example. The device 10 does not get in the way, and a very comfortable operation feeling can be realized.
[Sixth Embodiment]
12A and 12B show the configuration of a strap type device 15 according to a sixth embodiment to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 12A is an external perspective view, and FIG. 12B is a main part side view showing a use state. .

  The strap type device 15 shown in FIG. 12 is obtained by fixing an end cap 154 to an end portion of a flexible belt 153 made of cloth, paper, synthetic resin or the like, and attaching a wire 155 to the end cap 154. For example, the wire 155 is connected to an electronic device such as a mobile phone or a PDA, and may have a simple loop shape as shown in FIG. The end cap 154 and the wire 155 constitute a connecting portion.

  The belt 153 has both ends fixed to the end cap 154 to form a ring, and is bound by a fastener 156 in the middle of the ring. The fastener 156 is a ring-shaped member disposed so as to wrap around the side surface of the belt 153, and is movable in the length direction of the belt 153.

  A part of the belt 153 is bound by a fastener 156 to form a smaller ring. The diameter of the ring can be freely adjusted by moving the fastener 156.

  In addition, in a part of the ring formed by the fastener 156, the belt 153 is provided with a circuit accommodating portion 151. The circuit housing 151 is configured to incorporate a resonance circuit including a coil, similarly to the circuit housing 11 (FIG. 4) in the first embodiment. In addition, the core 152 protrudes from the front end surface of the circuit housing portion 151. The core 152 is in contact with the ferrite core built in the circuit accommodating portion 151, similarly to the core 101 (FIG. 4) in the first embodiment. And the circuit accommodating part 151 has the mechanism which changes the resonant frequency of the resonance circuit incorporated according to the pressing force added to the circuit accommodating part 151 similarly to the circuit accommodating part 11. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 12B, the strap type device 15 can be worn on the user's finger. In this state, the circuit accommodating portion 151 is located on the belly side of the user's finger, and the core 152 protrudes downward. Here, by appropriately moving the fastener 156 according to the size (thickness) of the user's finger, the strap-type device 15 can be held so as not to fall off the user's finger.

  The strap-type device 15 is a position indicator that can be used in place of the finger-mounted device 10 (FIGS. 1 to 4) described in the first to fifth embodiments.

  In this case, in addition to the effects obtained when the finger-worn device 10 is used, the belt 153 is a flexible belt made of cloth, paper, synthetic resin, etc., so that the wearing feeling is soft and comfortable. Moreover, it is excellent in storage property when not in use, and there is no fear of breakage.

  Further, since the wire 155 can be attached to a mobile phone, a PDA, a remote control device or the like, if the wire 155 is connected to an electronic device to be operated by the strap type device 15, the strap type device 15 can be used immediately at any time. It is very convenient because it can.

  Moreover, since the strap type device 15 has the shape of a strap used for a mobile phone or the like in appearance, it can be used without a sense of incongruity.

  In the seventh embodiment, instead of the belt 153, a cloth string may be used, and a metal or synthetic resin chain may be used. The belt 153, the fastener 156, or the like may be used. Various decorations can also be applied. Further, the wire 155 may have various shapes such as a chain, a string, and a belt, and a metal ring or hook may be used.

[Seventh Embodiment]
FIG. 13 is a side view showing the configuration of a finger-worn device 10A according to the seventh embodiment to which the present invention is applied.

  A finger-worn device 10A shown in FIG. 13 is a position indicator configured similarly to the finger-worn device 10 (FIGS. 1 to 4) in the first embodiment, and includes an arm portion 12 (FIG. 2). Instead of (a)), an arm portion 12A is provided. Note that in the seventh embodiment, portions that are configured similarly to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  The arm portion 12 </ b> A is two metal or synthetic resin arms that are erected on the circuit housing portion 11 similarly to the arm portion 12, and function as a support portion. Each of the two arm portions 12A is connected to the circuit housing portion 11 via an elastic connection portion 111.

  In the elastic connecting portion 111, a hole is provided in the arm portion 12A, and a pin erected on the circuit accommodating portion 11 is engaged with the hole, and as indicated by an arrow in the figure with the pin as a center. The arm portion 12A is rotatable. When the arm portion 12A rotates, the interval between the two arm portions 12A is enlarged or reduced.

  Furthermore, a torsion coil spring (not shown) is disposed in the elastic connecting portion 111, and is biased by the torsion coil spring in a direction in which the interval between the two arm portions 12A is reduced.

  The finger wearable device 10A configured as described above can be used instead of the finger wearable device 10 described in the first to sixth embodiments, and the finger wearable device 10 is used. The same effect as the case can be obtained.

  Furthermore, when the finger wearable device 10A is worn on the user's finger, the arm 12A is pressed against the user's finger by the biasing force of the torsion coil spring simply by expanding the arm 12A and passing the user's finger. It is held in that state. Therefore, it can be easily attached and detached regardless of the thickness of the user's finger, and a good wearing feeling can be realized.

  The first to seventh embodiments described above show one embodiment of the present invention, and it is needless to say that modifications and applications can be arbitrarily made within the scope of the present invention.

It is a figure showing composition of a finger wearing type device and a remote control concerning a 1st embodiment to which the present invention is applied. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows the structure of a finger mounting type | mold device, (a) is the figure seen from upper direction, (b) is the figure seen from the downward direction. It is an external view which shows the structure of the circuit accommodating part in a finger mounting | wearing type | mold device, (a) is a side view, (b) is a perspective view. It is sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of a circuit accommodating part. It is a figure which shows the example of the use condition of a finger mounting type device. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of a television receiver and a remote control. It is a circuit diagram which shows the structure of the position detection circuit with which a remote control is provided in detail. It is a figure which shows the structure of the finger mounting type device and portable electronic device which concern on 2nd Embodiment to which this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows the structure of the finger | toe mounting | wearing type device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment to which this invention is applied, and a mobile telephone. It is a figure which shows the structure of the finger mounting type device and notebook computer which concern on 4th Embodiment to which this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows the structure of the finger mounting type device and tablet which concern on 5th Embodiment to which this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows the structure of the finger mounting type device which concerns on 6th Embodiment to which this invention is applied, (a) shows a perspective view, (b) is a principal part side view which shows a use condition. It is a side view showing composition of a finger wearing type device concerning a 7th embodiment to which the present invention is applied.

Explanation of symbols

10, 10A finger wearable device (position indicator)
11 Circuit housing part 12, 12A Arm part (support part)
15 Strap type device (position indicator)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Television receiver 22 Portable electronic device 23 Cellular phone 24 Notebook computer 25 Tablet 30 Remote control 32, 222, 233, 243, 251 Position detection part (detection part)
36 position detection circuit 101 core (variable inductance mechanism)
102 Ferrite core (variable inductance mechanism)
103 Elastic body (variable inductance mechanism)
104 Ferrite core (variable inductance mechanism)
105 coil 106 substrate 107 capacitor 110 resonance circuit (electromagnetic induction circuit)
111 Elastic connection portion 151 Circuit housing portion 152 Core 153 Belt 154 End cap (connection portion)
155 wire (connection part)
156 Fastener (fastening member)
211, 221, 231, 241 Display screen 211A, 221A Pointer

Claims (8)

A position indicator that indicates a position on the detection unit by forming an electromagnetic coupling with a position detection device including the detection unit,
A substantially flat circuit accommodating portion for accommodating an electromagnetic induction circuit having at least one coil;
A support portion having a shape that supports the circuit housing portion and is held in contact with a side surface of the finger while maintaining a state in which a tip of a user's finger is exposed;
A position indicator characterized by comprising.   The position indicator according to claim 1, wherein the support portion is formed in an annular shape into which the finger is inserted.   The support portion has a configuration in which the fingers are sandwiched by two arms extending from the circuit housing portion, and the two arms operate in a direction of expanding and reducing the interval with respect to the circuit housing portion. The position indicator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the position indicator is detachably attached. A position indicator that indicates a position on the detection unit by forming an electromagnetic coupling with a position detection device including the detection unit,
It has a strap shape with a connecting part that can be connected to an external device fixed to the end of the flexible belt,
A substantially flat circuit accommodating portion that accommodates an electromagnetic induction circuit having at least one coil is disposed on the belt,
A fastening member for bundling the belts on both sides of the circuit housing portion to form a ring is disposed so as to be movable along the length direction of the belt;
A position indicator characterized by.   5. The position indicator according to claim 1, wherein the circuit housing portion has a variable inductance structure that changes an inductance of the coil in accordance with a pressing force applied to the circuit housing portion. The circuit housing portion has a protrusion protruding from the surface thereof,
The position indicator according to claim 5, wherein the variable inductance structure changes an inductance of the coil in accordance with a pressing force applied to the protrusion. A position indicator that indicates a position on the detection unit by forming an electromagnetic coupling with a position detection device including the detection unit,
A substantially plate-like circuit housing portion that includes an electromagnetic induction circuit having at least one coil and includes a variable inductance structure that changes the inductance of the coil in accordance with a pressing force applied to a protrusion protruding from the surface;
A support portion having a shape that supports the circuit accommodating portion by projecting from the opposite side of the surface from which the protrusion projects and is held in contact with the side surface of the finger while keeping the tip of the user's finger exposed. When,
A position indicator characterized by comprising. In a remote control device including a position indicator and a remote control for remotely operating an electronic device having a display screen,
The position indicator has a substantially flat circuit accommodating portion that accommodates an electromagnetic induction circuit having at least one coil,
The remote controller includes a detection unit that detects a position of the position indicator by forming an electromagnetic coupling with the position indicator, and the position of the position indicator detected by the detection unit; The position on the display screen is associated with the display screen;
A remote control device characterized by.

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