JPH0786805B2 - Vibration input pen - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vibration input pen, and more particularly to a vibration input pen for inputting vibration to a predetermined member.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, a coordinate input device using various input pens, tablets, and the like has been known as a device for inputting handwritten characters, figures, and the like into a processing device such as a computer. In such a method, the input image information including characters and figures is output to a display device such as a CRT display or a recording device such as a printer.

The following various methods are known for detecting the coordinates of the tablet of this type of device.

1) A method of detecting a change in resistance value of a sheet material that is arranged to face the resistance film.

2) A method of detecting electrodes or electrostatic induction of conductive sheets or the like arranged opposite to each other.

3) A method of detecting ultrasonic vibration transmitted from the input pen to the tablet.

In the above methods 1) and 2), it is difficult to form a transparent tablet because a resistance film or a conductor film is used. On the other hand, in the method of 3), the tablet can be made of a transparent material such as an acrylic plate or a glass plate, so that the input tablet can be placed on top of the liquid crystal display etc. and used as if writing an image on paper. A good information input / output device can be configured.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In this type of device, a vibrating pen is used to perform a vibration input to an input tablet including a vibration transmission plate provided with a vibration sensor.

A vibrator including a piezoelectric element is built in the vibrating pen, and the vibration generated by the vibrator is input to the vibration transmitting plate via a transmitting unit such as a horn at the tip of the vibrating pen. The vibrator must be fixed inside the pen by a predetermined method, and in order to input a drive signal, the electrode of the vibrator and the tip of the cable must be electrically connected by a predetermined method and led out to the outside of the pen.

Conventionally, the vibrator is fixed inside the vibrating pen by adhesion, and the electrodes are led out by soldering lead wires to the electrodes of the vibrator. However, the size of the vibrator incorporated in the vibrating pen is not so large,
There is a problem in that the transmission characteristics of vibrations significantly change depending on the amount of adhesive and solder attached, which greatly affects the coordinate detection accuracy. In applications where input accuracy is important, it may be necessary to make adjustments for each of the assembled vibration pen and vibration transmission plate so as to obtain input / output characteristics of a predetermined vibration. In addition, coordinate input control must be performed so as to cover the variations caused by the adhesive and solder as described above, which inevitably complicates and increases the cost of the control unit of the apparatus.

In view of this point, it is considered that the vibrator inside the vibrating pen and the horn portion at the tip of the vibrating pen are pressure-bonded to each other by an elastic member such as a spring instead of bonding. Further, as a structure for leading out the drive electrode of the vibrator without using solder or the like, a structure in which the lead-out electrode is pressed against the vibrator can be considered.

At this time, when the vibrating pen receives a large force due to an impact such as a drop, the positional relationship between the tip of the pen and the vibrator may be momentarily displaced because the vibrator is in pressure contact. If the lead-out electrode is fixed to the vibrating pen itself, the electrode may be bent or the vibrator may be displaced so that the positional relationship between the vibrator and the electrode pressed into contact with the vibrator may be lost. Since the position change of the pressure contact object with respect to the vibrator naturally disturbs the vibration transfer characteristic of the vibration system, there is a problem that the coordinate detection accuracy based on the vibration detection deteriorates.

[Means for Solving Problems] In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, in a vibration input pen for performing a vibration input to a predetermined member, a vibrator and a pen with which the vibrator contacts A horn member forming a tip, an electrode member that presses the drive electrode of the vibrator to supply a drive signal to the vibrator, and a press-fitting position of the electrode member that is fitted to the vibrator to the drive electrode of the vibrator. A configuration is employed in which a sleeve is provided that keeps the vibrator constant and the horn member is coaxially arranged, and an elastic member that presses and holds the vibrator to the horn member via the sleeve.

[Operation] According to the above configuration, the electrode is brought into pressure contact with the drive electrode of the vibrator, so that the drive electrode can be led out without using solder or the like. Moreover, since the pressure contact position of the electrode with respect to the vibrator is controlled to be constant, there is no problem that the vibration transfer characteristic of the vibration system changes.

[Examples] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on examples shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the structure of an information input / output device adopting the present invention. The information input / output device of FIG. 1 causes the input tablet composed of the vibration transmission plate 8 to input coordinates by the vibrating pen 3, and the display 11 'composed of a CRT arranged on the input tablet in accordance with the input coordinate information. The input image is displayed on.

In the figure, reference numeral 8 is a vibration transmission plate made of acrylic, glass plate or the like, and transmits the vibration transmitted from the vibration pen 3 to the vibration sensor 6 provided at three corners thereof. In this embodiment, the coordinate of the vibration pen 3 on the vibration transmission plate 8 is detected by measuring the transmission time of the ultrasonic vibration transmitted from the vibration pen 3 to the vibration sensor 6 via the vibration transmission plate 8.

The vibration transmitting plate 8 has its peripheral portion supported by an antireflection material 7 made of silicon rubber or the like in order to prevent the vibration transmitted from the vibrating pen 3 from being reflected at the peripheral portion and returning toward the central portion. ing.

The vibration transmission plate 8 is a CRT (or a liquid crystal display, etc.),
It is arranged on a display device 11 'capable of dot display, and dot display is performed at a position traced by the vibrating pen 3. That is, a dot display is performed at a position on the display 11 ′ corresponding to the detected coordinates of the vibrating pen 3, and the image composed of elements such as points and lines input by the vibrating pen 3 is written on paper. Appears after the locus of the vibrating pen as you did.

Further, according to such a configuration, a menu is displayed on the display 11 ', and the vibrating pen is used to select the menu item, or a prompt is displayed to bring the vibrating pen 3 into contact with a predetermined position. Can also be used.

The vibration pen 3 that transmits ultrasonic vibrations to the vibration transmission plate 8 is
It has a vibrator 4 composed of a piezoelectric element or the like inside, and transmits the ultrasonic vibration generated by the vibrator 4 to the vibration transmission plate 8 via the horn portion 5 having a sharp tip.

2A and 2B are a sectional view and an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the tip portion of the vibrating pen according to the present embodiment. The structure of the tip of the vibrating pen 3 will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 2 (A) and 2 (B).

In both figures, the oscillator 4 has a hollow cylindrical shape as shown, and its polarization is formed in the inner and outer directions of the cylinder. Therefore, the electric field is applied in this direction, and vibration is generated in the direction of the length of the cylinder by the piezoelectric lateral effect. The vibrator 4 is bonded to the tip of the pen holder 25 by a mechanism described later,
Alternatively, it is pressed against the horn 5 fixed by a screwing method.

The latter half of the vibrator 4 is housed inside a mortar-shaped sleeve 24. A circular through hole 24b is provided at the center of the bottom of the sleeve 24. Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve 24, rectangular notches 24a, 24a are provided in the length direction thereof. An electrode member 23 made of a conductive material such as a metal material is incorporated in the rear portion of the sleeve 24. The electrode member 23 includes a ring-shaped base portion 23b formed by bending and the like, and outer electrodes 23a, 23a provided on the base portion 23b so as to face each other. The outer electrodes 23a, 23a are respectively provided with notches 24a, 2a of the sleeve 24.
It is housed inside 4a and is pressed against the electrode on the outside of the vibrator 4 as shown in FIG. 2 (A).

On the other hand, the electrode inside the vibrator 4 is exposed by the electrode member 21. The electrode member 21 includes a straight rear portion 21c, a central coil spring portion 21b, and an inner electrode 21a.
The electrode member 23 includes a coil spring portion 22b and a straight portion 2 which are concentrically formed with the coil portion 21b of the electrode member 21.
It is led out by the lead-out member 22 composed of 2c.

In the completed state of FIG. 2A, the vibrator 4 housed in the sleeve 24 is pressed against the rear end of the horn 5 at the tip of the pen holder 25 by the coil spring portions 21b and 22b of the electrode member 21 and the lead-out member 22. At this time, the inner electrode 21 of the electrode member 21
The a and the outer electrode 23a of the electrode member 23 are in pressure contact with the inner and outer electrodes of the vibrator 4, respectively.

Further, the electrode member 21 and the coil spring portions 21b, 22b of the lead-out member 22 arranged concentrically are supported so as not to contact each other. That is, the coil spring portion 21b is positioned inside the recess 24c provided at the center of the rear end of the sleeve 24,
It does not come into contact with the coil spring portion 22b.

Therefore, the electrodes on the inside and outside of the vibrator 4 are led out to the outside by the electrode member 21 and the electrode member 23 and the lead-out member 22 press-contacted thereto. If a lead wire, a circuit board, or the like is attached to the straight portions 21c and 22c at the rear of the electrode member 21 and the lead-out member 22 by soldering or other methods, a drive signal can be input to the vibrator 4 via each electrode member. You can

The electrode member 21 and the lead-out member 22 each function as a conductor for inputting a drive signal, and at the same time, have a function of positioning the vibrator 4 at a predetermined position and pressing the horn 5 with a predetermined pressing force. That is, the electrode member
The elastic force of the coil spring portion 21b of 21 and the coil spring portion 22b of the lead-out member 22 causes the sleeve 24 and the vibrator 4 to move.
Receives a biasing force toward the horn at the tip of the pen. Sleeve 24
Is fitted inside the pen holder 25, and is positioned so that the vibrator 4 is not displaced from the centers of the pen holder 25 and the horn 5.

Further, in this embodiment, the inner electrode 21a and the outer electrode 23a are supported via the coil spring portions 21b and 22b. If only the inner and outer electrodes 21a and 23a are brought into pressure contact with the vibrator 4, such a structure is not necessary.

In the structure in which the coil spring portions 21b and 22b are not provided and the inner and outer electrodes 21a and 23a are brought into pressure contact with the electrodes of the vibrator 4 only by the pressure contact force in the swing direction, the vibrating pen 3 exerts a large force due to an impact such as dropping. If received, the electrode may bend or the oscillator 4
There is a problem in that the positional relationship between the vibrator 4 and the electrode pressed against the vibrator 4 is deviated due to the positional deviation. The change in the position of the pressure contact object with respect to the vibrator 4 naturally disturbs the vibration transfer characteristic of the vibration system, and thus there is a problem that the coordinate detection accuracy based on the vibration detection deteriorates.

However, according to this embodiment, the coil spring portions 21b and 22b are
Acts to press the vibrator 4 or the sleeve 24 from the rear side, and the inner and outer electrodes 21a and 23a follow so as to always press the predetermined position of the vibrator 4 especially along the axial direction. When a large impact is applied to the vibrating pen 3 when it is dropped or the like, the coil spring portions 21b and 22b act to cause the electrode 21 to move.
Since the a and 23a follow so as to come into contact with the predetermined position of the vibrator 4, the positional relationship between the vibrator 4 and the electrodes pressed against the vibrator 4 does not change. Therefore, the vibration transfer characteristics of the vibration system are not disturbed, and accurate coordinate input can always be performed.

Of course, according to the above configuration, it is not necessary to attach an adhesive for fixing the vibrator 4 or solder for leading out the drive electrode to the vibrator 4 and the vibrating system around the vibrator 4, unlike the conventional case. There is no problem that the vibration transmission characteristics may be changed due to the amount of the adhered material and the product may vary.

Again, in FIG. 1, it is constituted by mechanical-electrical conversion elements such as piezoelectric elements of the vibration sensor 6 provided at the corners of the vibration transmission plate 8. The output signals of the three vibration sensors 6 are input to the waveform detection circuit 6 and converted into detection signals that can be processed by the arithmetic control circuit 1 in the subsequent stage. Arithmetic control circuit 1
Performs the process of measuring the vibration transmission time, and detects the coordinate position of the vibration pen 3 on the vibration transmission plate 8.

The detected coordinate information of the vibrating pen 3 is processed in the arithmetic and control circuit 1 according to the output system by the display 11 '. That is, the arithmetic control path controls the output operation of the display 11 'via the video signal processing device 10 based on the input coordinate information.

FIG. 3 shows the structure of the arithmetic control circuit 1 of FIG.
Here, the structure of the drive system of the vibration pen 3 and the vibration detection system by the vibration sensor 6 is mainly shown.

Microcomputer 11 has internal counter, ROM and RAM
Built in. The drive signal generation circuit 12 outputs a drive pulse of a predetermined frequency to the vibrator drive circuit 2 of FIG. 1, and is activated by the microcomputer 11 in synchronization with the coordinate calculation circuit.

The count value of the counter 13 is latched in the latch circuit 14 by the microcomputer 11.

On the other hand, the waveform detection circuit 9 outputs detection signal timing information for measuring the vibration transmission time for coordinate detection from the output of the vibration sensor 6 as described later. These pieces of timing information are input to the input ports 15, respectively.

The timing signal input from the waveform detection circuit 9 is input to the input port 15 and stored in the storage area in the latch circuit 14 corresponding to each vibration sensor 6, and the result is transmitted to the microcomputer 11.

That is, the vibration transmission time is expressed as a latch value of the output data of the counter 13, and the coordinate calculation is performed based on this vibration transmission time value. At this time, the determination circuit 16 determines whether or not all the waveform detection timing information from the plurality of vibration sensors 6 has been input, and notifies the microcomputer 11 of this.

The output control processing of the display 11 'is performed via the input / output port 17.

FIG. 4 illustrates a detection waveform input to the waveform detection circuit 9 of FIG. 1 and a vibration transmission time measuring process based on the detection waveform. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 41 indicates a drive signal pulse applied to the vibrating pen 3. The ultrasonic vibration transmitted to the vibration transmission plate 8 from the vibration pen 3 driven by such a waveform passes through the inside of the vibration transmission plate 8 and is detected by the vibration sensor 6.

The time corresponding to the distance to the vibration sensor 6 in the vibration transmission plate 8
After traveling through tg, the vibration reaches the vibration sensor 6. Reference numeral 42 in FIG. 4 indicates a signal waveform detected by the vibration sensor 6. The plate wave used in this embodiment is a dispersive wave, and therefore the relationship between the envelope 421 and the phase 422 of the detected waveform changes according to the vibration transmission distance.

Here, let the group velocity be Vg and the phase velocity Vp be the velocity at which the envelope advances. The distance between the vibration pen 3 and the vibration sensor 6 can be detected from the difference between the group velocity and the phase velocity.

First, focusing only on the envelope 421, its speed is V
g, and when a point on a certain specific waveform, for example, a peak is detected as indicated by reference numeral 43 in FIG. 4, the distance d between the vibration pen 3 and the vibration sensor 6 is d = Vg with its vibration transmission time being tg. .Tg (1) This equation relates to one of the vibration sensors 6, but the same equation can indicate the distance between the other two vibration sensors 6 and the vibrating pen 3.

Further, in order to determine the coordinate value with higher accuracy, processing based on the detection of the phase signal is performed. Phase waveform 42 in Fig. 4
If the time from the application of the vibration to the zero cross point after the peak is passed at 2 specific detection points is tp, the distance between the vibration sensor and the vibration pen is d = n · λp + Vp · tp (2). Here, λp is the wavelength of the elastic wave, and n is an integer.

From the expressions (1) and (2), the integer n is expressed as n = [(Vg · tg−Vp · tp) / λp + 1 / N] (3). Here, N is not 0 but a real number, and an appropriate numerical value is used. For example, if N = 2 and n is within ± 1/2 wavelength, n can be determined.

By substituting n obtained as described above into the equation (2), the distance between the vibration pen 3 and the vibration sensor 6 can be accurately measured.

For measuring the two vibration transmission times tg and tp shown in FIG. 3, the waveform detection circuit 9 can be configured as shown in FIG. 5, for example.

In FIG. 5, the output signal of the vibration sensor 6 is amplified to a predetermined level by the above-mentioned amplifier circuit 51.

The amplified signal is input to the envelope detection circuit 52,
Only the envelope of the detection signal is taken out. The timing of the peak of the extracted envelope is detected by the envelope peak detection circuit 53. The peak detection signal is an envelope delay time detection signal of a predetermined waveform by the signal detection circuit 54 composed of a mono multivibrator or the like.
Tg is formed and input to the arithmetic and control circuit 1.

Also, the timing of this Tg signal and the delay time adjustment circuit 57
The phase delay time detection signal Tg is formed by the detection circuit 59 from the original signal delayed by and is input to the arithmetic and control circuit 1.

That is, the Tg signal is converted into a pulse having a predetermined width by the monostable multivibrator 55. Further, the comparator level supply circuit 56 forms a threshold value for detecting the tp signal according to the pulse timing. As a result, the comparator level supply circuit 56 forms the signal 44 having the level and timing as indicated by reference numeral 44 in FIG. 3, and inputs it to the detection circuit 57.

That is, the monostable multivibrator 55 and the comparator level supply circuit 56 are for allowing the measurement of the phase delay time to operate only for a fixed time after the envelope peak is detected.

This signal is detected by the detection circuit 58, which is composed of a comparator.
And is compared with the detection waveform delayed as shown in FIG. 4, and as a result, a tp detection pulse such as reference numeral 45 is formed.

The circuit shown above is for one of the vibration sensors 6, and the same circuit is provided for each of the other sensors.
If the number of sensors is generalized to be h, then h detection signals of envelope delay times Tg1 to h and phase delay times Tp1 to h are input to the arithmetic and control circuit 1.

In the arithmetic control circuit of FIG. 3, the signals Tg1 to h and Tp1 to h are input from the input port 15, and the count value of the counter 13 is fetched into the latch circuit 14 with each timing as a trigger. As described above, since the counter 13 is started in synchronization with the driving of the vibrating pen, the latch circuit 14 receives the data indicating the delay time of each of the envelope and the phase.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the three vibration sensors 6 are arranged at the corners of the vibration transmission plate 8 at the positions S1 to S3, the processes described with reference to FIG. The straight line distances d1 to d3 to the position of the vibration sensor 6 can be obtained. Further, in the arithmetic control circuit 1, this linear distance d1 to d3
Based on, the coordinates (x, y) of the position P of the vibrating pen 3 can be obtained from the Pythagorean theorem as in the following equation.

x = X / 2 + (d1 + d2) (d1-d2) / 2X (4) y = Y / 2 + (d1 + d3) (d1-d3) / 2Y (5) where X and Y are the positions of S2 and S3. This is the distance along the X and Y axes between the vibration sensor 6 and the sensor at the origin (position S1).

As described above, the position coordinates of the vibrating pen 3 can be detected in real time.

[Advantages of the Invention] As is apparent from the above, according to the present invention, in a vibration input pen that performs a vibration input to a predetermined member,
A horn member which is in contact with the vibrator and constitutes a pen tip, an electrode member which is in pressure contact with a drive electrode of the vibrator and supplies a drive signal to the vibrator, and the vibrator which is fitted to the vibrator and is the electrode member A constant pressure contact position with respect to the drive electrode, a sleeve that coaxially arranges the vibrator and the horn member, and an elastic member that holds the vibrator in contact with the horn member via the sleeve, Since the internal electrode and the external electrode are brought into pressure contact with the drive electrodes inside and outside the vibrator by pressure contact, the drive electrodes can be led out without using solder or the like. Moreover,
Since the pressure contact positions of the inner and outer electrodes with respect to the vibrator are controlled to be constant, there is no problem that the vibration transfer characteristics of the vibration system change, and the excellent advantage of always being able to perform vibration input under constant vibration input conditions. is there.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing the configuration of an information input / output device adopting the present invention, FIG. 2 (A) is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the vibrating pen of FIG. 1, and FIG. 2 (B) is vibration. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the pen, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the structure of the arithmetic control circuit of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a detection waveform for explaining the distance measurement between the vibration pen and the vibration sensor. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the waveform detection circuit of FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of vibration sensors. 1 ... Arithmetic control circuit, 3 ... Vibration pen 4 ... Oscillator, 5 ... Horn 6 ... Vibration sensor, 8 ... Vibration transmission plate 21 ... Electrode member, 21a ... Inner electrodes 21b, 22b. Coil spring part 23 …… electrode member, 23a …… outer electrode

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A vibration input pen for inputting vibration to a predetermined member, comprising: a vibrator; a horn member which is in contact with the vibrator to form a pen tip; An electrode member that supplies a drive signal, and a sleeve that is fitted to the vibrator and maintains a constant pressure contact position of the electrode member with respect to the drive electrode of the vibrator, and that arranges the vibrator and the horn member coaxially. A vibration input pen, comprising: an elastic member that press-holds the vibrator to the horn member via the sleeve. 2. The vibration input pen according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve is integrally formed with an inner or outer electrode member of the electrode member.