JPH08249103A - Coordinate input device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Object] The present invention provides a coordinate input device for inputting coordinates by designating coordinates on an input surface using an input member such as an input pen. The purpose is to provide a good writing quality. In a coordinate input device including a planar input surface 11 and an input member 20 having a hard tip, a plurality of projections are provided on the input surface 11 on the side where the tip of the input member 20 contacts. The minute protrusions 18 are provided, and the friction coefficient value varies between the input surface 11 and the input member 20 depending on the location.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coordinate input device for inputting coordinates on an input surface, and in particular, an input member is used to specify coordinates on the input surface by contact between the input member and the input surface. However, the present invention relates to a coordinate input device for inputting coordinates.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a coordinate input device for inputting coordinates on an input surface, an input member such as an input pen is used as an input screen such as an operation screen such as one used in a personal computer or a word processor. There is known a method of designating coordinates on the input surface and inputting the coordinates by bringing them into contact with each other. Such coordinate input devices include those of a resistance film system, an electrostatic coupling system, an electromagnetic induction system, an electromagnetic transfer system, etc., depending on the difference in operation principle. For example, as a coordinate input device using a resistive film method,
Some include an input panel 10 as shown in FIG.

The input panel 10 includes a flat insulating substrate 12 made of a glass plate or the like, and a sheet 13 arranged so as to face the insulating substrate 12 at a predetermined distance.
And The sheet 13 is made of a flexible polyethylene terephthalate resin (PET) film or the like. The insulating substrate 12 has a sheet 1
A flat electrode 14 made of a uniform resistance film is provided on the surface on the 3 side, while a flat electrode 15 similar to the flat electrode 14 is provided on the surface of the sheet 13 on the insulating substrate 12 side. Then, between the insulating substrate 12 and the sheet 13, that is, between the planar electrodes 14 and 15, the spacers 1 having a predetermined size and arranged at intervals determined by the resolution.
6 is provided. With such a configuration, the plane electrode 14 and the plane electrode 15 are arranged in parallel via the spacer 16.

Further, a smooth input is made on the surface of the sheet 13 opposite to the surface on which the planar electrode 15 is provided so that an input member (not shown) made of hard plastic or the like, so-called an input pen, is brought into contact with the surface. A surface 40 is formed.
Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a protective film 41 is provided on the surface of the sheet 13 opposite to the surface on which the planar electrode 15 is provided, and the surface of the protective film 41 serves as a smooth input surface 40. There is also. In such a coordinate input device, the protective film 41 prevents the input surface 40 from being damaged by the contact between the input member and the input surface 40.

In order to input coordinates with these coordinate input devices, first, the input person (user) manually touches the tip of the input member with a desired point on the input surface 40 and applies a force in that state. The input surface 40 is pressed by. When the input surface 40 is pressed, since the sheet 13 has flexibility, the pressed portion bends, and the planar electrode 14 and the planar electrode 15 partially contact each other. Then, the contacted position is electrically detected, and the position is input as coordinates on the input surface 40. Therefore, by continuously inputting such coordinates, the user uses the input member to input desired characters or figures with a feeling of writing characters or figures on plain paper with a pencil, for example. You can enter it above.

[0006]

However, in the coordinate input device described above, when the user inputs a desired character or figure, for example, it is possible to obtain a writing feel similar to that of writing on plain paper with a pencil, for example. Can not. This is because the input member is rigid and the input surface 40 is formed smooth, so that the coefficient of friction between the input member and the input surface 40 is constant at any location, for example, between pencil and plain paper. This is because there is no variation in the value of the friction coefficient depending on the place, like in the meantime. Therefore, since the user cannot obtain a natural writing feel like a pencil, there is a possibility that a coordinate input error such as sliding the tip of the input member on the input surface 40 may occur. As a result, the operability is poor.

This applies not only to the coordinate input device of the resistance film system described above, but also to the electrostatic coupling system, the electromagnetic induction system, the electromagnetic transfer system and the like. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a coordinate input device that can prevent the occurrence of coordinate input errors by providing a natural writing taste for the user.

[0008]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a coordinate input device devised to achieve the above object, comprising a flat input surface and an input member having a hard tip. When the input person brings the tip of the input member into contact with the input surface, the contact position is detected and input as coordinates, and further, on the input surface, the side where the tip of the input member comes into contact is detected. It is characterized in that a plurality of projecting fine protrusions are provided.

It is conceivable that the fine protrusions are formed by curing a hardened resin mixed with fine particle powder.

[0010]

According to the coordinate input device having the above structure, since the input surface is provided with a plurality of fine projections protruding toward the side where the tip of the input member comes into contact, the input surface and the input member are separated depending on the location. When the input person moves the input member on the input surface, a natural writing feeling, such as a pencil, can be obtained when the input person moves the input member on the input surface.

Further, when the fine protrusions are formed by curing a hardening resin mixed with fine particle powder, the particle diameter and the mixing ratio of the fine particle powders are preset when forming the plurality of fine protrusions on the input surface. If this is done, there will be a variation in the value of the desired friction coefficient.

[0012]

【Example】

[First Embodiment] A coordinate input device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a resistance film type coordinate input device. The coordinate input device of the present embodiment includes an input panel 10 having an input surface 11 and an input member 20. The user is allowed to specify the coordinates on the input surface 11 by bringing the input member 20 into contact with the input surface 11 and input the coordinates. Note that, in FIG. 1, the same components as those of the conventional resistance film type coordinate input device (see FIG. 7) shown in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The coordinate input device of this embodiment is different from the conventional one in that the cured resin layer having the input surface 11 and the fine protrusions 18 on the surface of the sheet 13 opposite to the surface on which the planar electrode 15 is provided. 17 is formed. Cured resin layer 1
7 is a hardened resin such as a phosphazene-based highly functional hardened resin (for example, PPZ manufactured by Idemitsu Petrochemical Co., Ltd.) with a particle size of 3 to 5
The flat electrode 1 on the sheet 13 is mixed with a fine particle powder of transparent spherical hard plastic particles having a size of about μm.
It is formed by uniformly applying a thickness of about 1 to 4 μm on the surface opposite to the side on which 5 is provided, and then curing the same by irradiating with ultraviolet rays. Due to the fine particle powder mixed in the cured resin, the surface of the resin layer 17, that is, the input surface 11
As shown in FIG. 2, the fine protrusions 18 protruding from the input surface 11 have a bell-shaped size corresponding to the particle size of the fine particle powder.
Are provided in an irregular distribution over the entire input surface 11.

The input member 20 is a so-called input pen (hereinafter, the input member is referred to as an input pen in this embodiment), and an input person (user) can hold a hand and write a character or a graphic. Such a shape, for example, a pencil-like shape. Also, this input pen 20
For example, it is made of a hard plastic such as polyacetal resin, and its tip portion 20a is formed in a spherical shape in consideration of contact, pressing, sliding and the like with respect to the input surface 11.

In order to input coordinates using the coordinate input device configured as described above, first, the user manually inputs the input pen 2
The tip portion 20a of 0 is brought into contact with a desired point on the input surface 11, and a force is applied in that state to press the contacting portion with the input pen 20. When the input surface 11 is pressed,
Since the sheet 13 has flexibility, the pressed portion bends, and the plane electrode 14 and the plane electrode 15 partially contact with each other. Then, the contacted position is electrically detected, and the position is input as coordinates on the input surface 11.
By continuously inputting such coordinates, that is, by moving the input pen 20 while the input surface 11 and the tip portion 20a of the input pen 20 are in contact with each other, the user can, for example, use a pencil on plain paper. A desired character or figure can be input on the input surface 11 by using the input pen 20 as if writing a character or figure on the screen.

Next, a description will be given of how the user writes with the input pen 20 when the user inputs characters or figures on the input surface 11. Generally, the coefficient of friction is expressed by the following equation.

[0017]

## EQU1 ## F = μW (1) (However, F: horizontal load, μ: friction coefficient, W: vertical load.)

In this embodiment, the vertical load is the writing pressure of the user, and the horizontal load is the force required to move the input pen 20. As can be seen from this equation, the force required to move the input pen 20, that is, the ease of writing for the user, greatly depends on the friction coefficient between the input surface 11 and the input pen 20. The friction coefficient is a value determined by the material and surface roughness of the input surface 11 and the input pen 20. However, the value of this friction coefficient varies depending on the surface condition of the friction surface.

For example, between the pencil (HB) and the plain paper, the width of variation in the value of the friction coefficient, that is, the amplitude of the friction coefficient is about 0.02 to 0.03 as shown in FIG. Has become. In other words, between the pencil (HB) and plain paper,
Whatever the user's writing pressure (vertical load) is,
The value of the friction coefficient varies depending on the place with a width of about 0.02 to 0.03. On the contrary,
In the conventional coordinate input device (see, for example, FIGS. 7 and 8),
The friction coefficient between the input surface 11 and the input pen 20 is constant at any place, and the amplitude of the friction coefficient is zero. Therefore, in order to obtain a natural writing feeling between the input surface 11 and the input pen 20 such as between a pencil and plain paper, the material and surface roughness of the input surface 11 and the input pen 20 are selected. According to this, for example, in addition to obtaining a friction coefficient similar to that between a pencil and plain paper, the value of the friction coefficient may vary depending on the place.

In the coordinate input device of this embodiment, the input surface 11
Since the fine protrusions 18 are irregularly provided on the upper side, the value of the friction coefficient between the input surface 11 and the input pen 20 varies depending on the location. The variation in the value of the friction coefficient is determined by the size and distribution of the fine protrusions 18, that is, the particle size of the fine particle powder mixed in the cured resin and the mixing ratio of the fine particle powder. The particle size of the fine particle powder is preferably about 3 to 5 μm in order to secure a friction coefficient similar to that between a pencil and plain paper. However, in order to form the fine protrusions 18 with this fine particle powder, the thickness of the cured resin to be applied must be equal to or smaller than the particle diameter of the fine particle powder (for example, about 1 to 4 μm).

As shown in FIG. 4, the mixing ratio of the fine particle powder is 0.015 g of the fine particle powder per 1 ml of the cured resin.
In the case of, the amplitude of the friction coefficient between the input surface 11 and the input pen 20 is 0.02 or more. Further, even when the fine particle powder is 0.007 g or 0.003 g per 1 ml of the cured resin, the amplitude of the friction coefficient is a value of about 0.01 to 0.03. That is, if the hardened resin layer 17 is formed of the hardened resin having the mixing ratio of the fine particle powder as described above, the friction coefficient between the input surface 11 and the input pen 20 is the same as that between the pencil and the plain paper. The width of the variation of the value of

As described above, in the coordinate input device of the present embodiment, since the plurality of fine projections 18 are irregularly provided on the input surface 11, the input surface 11 and the input pen 20 are selected depending on the place. The coefficient of friction varies between the two, and a suitable amplitude of the coefficient of friction is obtained. Therefore, when the user inputs a character or a figure, it is possible to obtain a natural writing feeling similar to that of writing on plain paper with a pencil, for example, so that the tip 20a of the input pen 20 on the input surface 11 is It is possible to prevent an input error caused by slipping. Further, a cured resin mixed with fine particle powder is used as the input surface 11
Since a plurality of fine projections 18 are provided by coating on the top,
The fine protrusions 18 can be easily formed, and the desired friction coefficient and its amplitude can be obtained by setting the particle size and the mixing ratio of the fine particle powder.

In this embodiment, the case where the fine particle powder is a spherical hard plastic particle has been described. However, for example, even if it is not a spherical type, the particle size is not uniform. However, as long as it has a particle size of about 3 to 5 μm and is transparent and hard, it is not limited to the above case. Further, in this embodiment, the case where the curable resin is a phosphazene-based highly functional curable resin has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this as long as it is a transparent and hard material. Similarly, the case where the curable resin is cured by irradiation with ultraviolet rays has been described, but the present invention can be implemented with a thermosetting resin that is cured by heat. Further, although the case where the sheet 13 is made of a PET film has been described in the present embodiment, for example, even when the sheet 13 is made of glass, a plastic plate or the like, the fine protrusions 18 are formed on the input surface 11.
By providing, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the above case.

[Second Embodiment] Next, another embodiment according to the present invention will be described. The coordinate input device of this embodiment is
As shown in FIG. 5, the region where the fine protrusions 18 are provided is not provided over the entire input surface 11 as in the first embodiment described above, but is provided only in a part of the input surface 11. It is what has been. With such a configuration, the input surface 11 has, for example, a character input area 11a for inputting characters using the input pen 20 and a point operation area for instructing only a predetermined point such as a touch panel or a key panel. It can be applied even if it is divided into 11b.

That is, in the coordinate input device of the present embodiment,
Since the fine protrusions 18 are partially provided on the input surface 11, when the input surface 11 is divided into several areas, different writing characteristics can be set for each area as needed. You can Therefore, the required part (character input area 11
(a) etc., it is possible to obtain a natural writing taste, and since it is possible to save the labor of providing the fine protrusions 18 in unnecessary portions (point operation area 11b), it is possible to input efficiently and functionally. It is possible to eliminate the cause of occurrence of mistakes and the like.

[Third Embodiment] Next, in another embodiment related to the present invention, unlike the first and second embodiments described above, coordinates having a protective plate of an electromagnetic induction system, an electromagnetic transfer system, etc. The input device will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the coordinate input device of the present embodiment has a protective plate 31 having an input surface, a backlit LCD (liquid crystal display) 32, and an input panel in order from the side where the user inputs with an input pen. And 33. The protective plate 31 having an input surface is for preventing the occurrence of scratches by the input pen and is made of a plastic plate or the like, and the minute projections 18 similar to those in the first embodiment are irregular on the input surface. It is provided in. The area where the fine protrusions 18 are provided may be the entire area on the input surface as in the first embodiment or a specific area on the input surface as in the second embodiment. .

In the coordinate input device thus constructed,
When the user touches the desired point on the protective plate 31 with the input pen while referring to the display on the LCD 32 with the backlight, the position is detected by the input panel 33 and input as coordinates. At this time, since the plurality of fine protrusions 18 are irregularly provided on the surface of the protective plate 31, it is possible to obtain a natural writing feel as in the first embodiment, and an input error or the like occurs. The effect of being able to prevent That is, the present invention can be applied even when the protective plate 31 is provided separately, and in that case, the same effect can be obtained. In the resistance film system or the like, the protective plate 31 is a film-like one (protective film or the like) made of, for example, a PET film or the like.
Becomes In this case, in FIG. 6, the protective film 31 and the input panel 3 are shown.
2. The LCD 33 has a backlight.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the present invention is mainly applied to the resistance film type coordinate input device has been described.
Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to other coordinate input devices such as an electromagnetic induction system, an electromagnetic transfer system, and an electrostatic coupling system.

[0029]

As described above, in the coordinate input device of the present invention, since the plurality of fine projections are irregularly provided on the input surface, the space between the input surface and the input member may be changed depending on the location. The value of the friction coefficient of No. varies. Therefore, for example, it is possible to obtain a natural writing taste similar to writing on plain paper with a pencil, and it is possible to remarkably improve the writing taste as compared with the conventional case. As a result, it is possible to prevent an input error such as the tip of the input member slipping on the input surface and improve the operability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the configuration of an embodiment of a coordinate input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an input surface of the coordinate input device of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an amplitude of a friction coefficient between a pencil and plain paper.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an amplitude of a friction coefficient between an input surface and an input member (input pen).

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an input surface of another embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the configuration of another embodiment including a protection plate.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a conventional coordinate input device.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of another conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 input surface 18 fine protrusion 20 input member (input pen)

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A flat input surface, and an input member having a hard tip. When an input person touches the input surface with the tip of the input member, the contact position is detected and coordinates are detected. The coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein the input surface is provided with a plurality of fine protrusions protruding toward the side where the tip of the input member contacts. 2. The coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein the fine protrusions are formed by curing a hardening resin mixed with fine particle powder.