JPH08194573A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To easily recognize the screen of an information equipment and surrounding switches in a dark environment by providing light to the input part of the equipment by an illumination means at the time of inputting operation. CONSTITUTION: An input pen 2 and a pen computer (information equipment) 1 is connected by a cord 7. The input pen 2 has a light emitting part 4 around a pen points 5. The part 4 emits light in the direction of the pen point 5 in the coaxial direction. The part 4 is formed by using a compact incandescent lamp or light emitting diode. The illumination range 8 and the light amount from the part 4 can be set according to the size of the machine and the type of the power source. For example, when it is unsed in a dark place, a switch 6 is operated to make the part 4 emit light and the light is given to the prescribed area (illumination range) 8, resulting in effectively viewing the display contents on a display part 3.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pen type input device for inputting to information equipment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a type of so-called pen computer, which is an information device such as a portable personal computer, which performs input by pressing a pen type input device against a display screen. For example, when various images for input are displayed on the display screen of the liquid crystal panel and one of them is pressed by the input pen, it means that the information corresponding to the pressed image is input. Further, there is also a configuration in which a character or a figure is input by writing the character or the figure on the screen with an input pen. As a method for input recognition, a display screen is a mechanical touch panel surface, or an input coordinate position detection method by so-called capacitive coupling is known.

[0003]

By the way, when an information device using such an input pen is used, it is necessary for the user to make the display contents of the liquid crystal screen, which is the display unit of the information device, look good. There is a need. As a liquid crystal display device, a reflection type device using external light and a transmission type device using a backlight are widely used. In a pen computer, for example, it can be used even in a dark environment. In consideration of this, the transmissive type is often adopted.

However, when a transmissive liquid crystal display device using such a backlight is used, the backlight must be turned on at all times, resulting in increased power consumption,
In particular, portable information devices have a problem that battery life is greatly affected.

Since it is considered that the pen computer is usually used in a dark place not so often, a method of turning on the backlight only when necessary can be considered, but in the case of a transmissive liquid crystal panel, As a matter of course, there is little reflection on the back surface of the liquid crystal surface, so it is difficult to turn off the backlight and use external light like a reflection type liquid crystal panel. Will be impossible to see.
Therefore, it is not practical to save power consumption by turning off the backlight.

Further, even when the backlight is turned on, in a very bright place such as outdoors during the daytime, the light quantity of the backlight becomes insufficient, and it may be difficult to recognize the screen. In addition, a space is required at the back of the screen due to the arrangement of the backlight, which makes it difficult to reduce the thickness of the pen computer.

Further, considering the use in the dark, the display contents of the liquid crystal screen can be read by the backlight, but it becomes difficult to read the characters of switches arranged around the liquid crystal screen. . In an actual pen computer, the operation buttons that are frequently used are often arranged as dedicated buttons around the LCD screen, but it is very inconvenient if you need to operate them in the dark. It becomes a thing.

[0008]

The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and realizes reduction in power consumption of a pen computer and ease of screen recognition and operation when used in various environments. The purpose is to do.

For this reason, in a pen-type input device for performing an input operation on an information device, an illuminating means capable of providing illumination to the input section of the information device at the time of the input operation is provided.

At this time, the battery serving as a power source for the light emitting operation of the illumination means is incorporated in the input device. Alternatively, the operation power source for the light emitting operation of the illumination means is configured to be supplied from the information equipment side.

Further, the input device is provided with a switch means for on / off controlling the light emitting operation of the illumination means. Alternatively, the on / off operation of the light emitting operation of the illumination means is executed based on the signal supplied from the information equipment side.

Further, a light amount detecting means for detecting the brightness of the surroundings is provided, and the light emitting operation of the illuminating means is controlled according to the detection result of the light amount detecting means.

[0013]

By providing the lighting means on the pen-type input device side, the screen of the information equipment and the surrounding switches can be easily recognized even in a dark environment. Further, this makes it possible to use a reflective liquid crystal display screen and eliminates the need for a backlight.

Further, by incorporating the battery in the input device, the input device which is not connected to the information equipment side can be adopted. When the information device and the input device are connected to each other, the weight of the input device can be reduced by supplying the illumination power from the information device side. Also,
Since the illuminating means does not require a large power consumption such as a backlight of a liquid crystal panel, the power consumption does not become a problem even if the illuminating power is supplied from the information equipment side. Furthermore, the lighting means is turned on / off as required, thereby realizing further power saving.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Various embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an information device (pen computer) using the input device (input pen) of the embodiment.
Is a pen computer, and 2 is an input pen. A display unit 3 formed of a reflective liquid crystal panel is provided on the upper surface of the pen computer 1. Reference numeral 10 is an operation switch provided around the display unit 3.

The user's input operation to the pen computer 1 is performed by pressing the input pen 2 against various displays on the display unit 3 or by writing characters or figures on the display unit 3 with the input pen 2. Be done. A dedicated switch 10 is provided for frequently used input information, and is executed by the user operating the switch 10.

The input pen 2 and the pen computer 1 are connected by a cord 7. However, a configuration in which the input pen 2 and the pen computer 1 are not connected is also possible, and this differs depending on the input method. For example, when the coordinate matrix is formed on the display unit 3 by the capacitance input method and voltage is applied from the input pen 2, the input pen 2 and the pen computer 1 are electrically connected by the cord 7. Further, in the case where the input pen 2 may be a simple conductor, or in the case of a method such as mechanical coordinate position detection or optical coordinate position detection, the input pen 2 may not be electrically connected.

The input pen 2 is shown enlarged in FIG. Reference numeral 5 denotes a pen tip. A light emitting portion 4 is formed around the pen tip 5 in the input pen 2, and the light emitting portion 4 irradiates in a direction coaxial with the direction of the pen tip 5, that is, in the pen tip direction. It is lighting. The light emitting unit 4 may be formed using a small incandescent light bulb, a light emitting diode, or the like. The actual selection of the light emitting device may be performed in consideration of conditions such as the size and purpose of the input pen 2 and the amount of light. Also, the irradiation range and the light amount by the light emitting unit 4 are
It may be set according to the device size and power supply type.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a switch operating section, and the operation of the switch operating section 6 turns on / off the light emission of the light emitting section 4. Although not preferable in terms of power consumption, the input pen 2 may be configured such that the switch operation unit 6 is not provided and the light emitting unit 4 is always in the light emitting state.

FIG. 3 shows a usage state of the pen computer 1 using such an input pen 2. For example, when used in a dark environment, the display contents of the display unit 3 by the reflective liquid crystal panel are almost invisible, but at this time, the user operates the switch 6 to cause the light emitting unit 4 to emit light. Then, as shown as an illumination range 8 in FIG. 3, illumination is given to a predetermined area centered on the pen tip 5 of the input pen 2, and the display content of the display unit 3 can be viewed well.

Further, 9 is an operation button as an image character displayed on the display unit 3, and 10 is a dedicated operation button for a predetermined function which is provided separately from the above-mentioned display unit 3, but of course these are As for the above, the light from the light emitting unit 4 can be provided by moving the input pen 2, and the operation in the dark will not be hindered. For example, since the symbols and characters indicating the function of the buttons, which are added to each of the dedicated operation buttons 10, can be confirmed, the operation will not be mistaken.

When used in a bright place, the display of the display unit 3 by the reflection type liquid crystal panel can be clearly seen, and the lighting function of the input pen 2 when used in a dark state allows the pen to function. Since the computer 1 side does not use a backlight, it is possible to significantly reduce power consumption and reduce the thickness. It is also conceivable that the irradiation range 8 can be varied.

Further, by adding an illumination mechanism to the input pen 2, it can be used not only as an operation for the pen computer 1 but also as an illumination for other operations. For example, when performing some input to the pen computer 1, it can be used as an illumination for reading a note or the like referred to.

4 to 7 show examples of various circuit configurations for the light emitting section 4 of the input pen 2. FIG. 4 shows an example in which a battery 15 such as a dry battery or a rechargeable battery is built in the input pen 2. In this case, for example, a current flows through the resistor R and the switch 11 to the light emitting unit 4 using an LED, and the light emitting operation is performed. In the case of the configuration of FIG. 2, the switch control unit 14 of FIG. 4 corresponds to the switch operating unit 6, and the switch 11 is opened and closed according to the operation of the switch operating unit 6 to cause the light emitting unit 4 to operate.
Is turned on / off. The switch 11 may be a switching element that is electrically turned on / off or a contact that is mechanically connected / disconnected.

It is also conceivable to configure another switch control section without providing the switch operating section 6 as shown in FIG. For example, the switch control unit 14 is used as a touch sensor, and a sensor surface is formed around the outer surface of the input pen 2. Then, the user may detect that the user holds the input pen 2 and cause the light emitting unit 4 to emit light.

Further, it is conceivable to use the switch control section 10 as a light quantity sensor. That is, the input pen 2 is provided with a light amount sensor that faces the outer surface, and the ambient brightness is detected. The switch 11 may be turned on if the detected light amount, that is, the ambient brightness is less than or equal to a certain reference value, and may be turned off if it is greater than the reference value.

When a light quantity sensor is provided, a configuration as shown in FIG. 5 can be considered. In this case, resistors r ₁ , r ₂ and r ₃ having different resistance values are provided so that a current is supplied to the light emitting section 4 via _{one of} the resistors r ₁ , r ₂ and r ₃ via the switch 13. Has been done. And switch 1
The connection terminals T _{0 to} T ₃ of ₃ are switched and controlled based on the detection of the light amount sensor 12. With this configuration, for example, the ambient brightness is divided into four levels, and when it is extremely bright, for example, the switch 13 is connected to the terminal T ₀ . That is, in this case, the light emitting unit 4 is turned off.

In the slightly bright state, the contact T ₁ is connected so that a small amount of current flows through the resistor r ₁ to the light emitting section 4 so that the light emitting section 4 performs a light emitting operation at a low level. In addition, contact point T
₂ is connected, and a medium amount of current is applied to the light emitting unit 4 via the resistor r _2.
Then, the light emitting section 4 is caused to perform a middle-level light emitting operation. Further, when it is detected that it is in a very dark state, the contact T ₃ is connected to allow a large amount of current to flow to the light emitting unit 4 through the resistor r ₃ and cause the light emitting unit 4 to perform a high level light emitting operation. That is, in this case, the light emission level of the light emitting unit 4 is switched according to the surrounding brightness condition, and the light emitting operation can be performed without waste according to the condition.

Although the input pen 2 has the battery 15 built therein in FIGS. 4 and 5, when the input pen 2 is electrically connected to the pen computer 1 by the cord 7, the input pen 2 has the structure shown in FIG. As described above, the operating power of the light emitting unit 4 may be supplied from the pen computer 1 side. That is, by forming a power supply line and a ground line from the pen computer 1 to the light emitting unit 4 via the cord 7, the power supply voltage from the battery housed in the pen computer 1 is supplied to the input pen 2 and the light emitting unit 4 is supplied. The light emitting operation of is executed.

Further, not only the power supply from the pen computer 1 side but also the light emitting operation ON / OFF control of the light emitting section 4 may be executed from the pen computer 1 side. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a power supply line and a ground line for the light emitting unit 4 are formed via the cord 7, and a control line for supplying a control signal SS to the switch 11 is provided. Then, the switch 11 is turned on / off by the control signal SS so that the light emitting operation of the light emitting unit 4 is turned on / off. The control signal SS may be generated on the side of the pen computer 1 by a switch operation by a user, a light amount sensor, or the like.

It should be noted that FIGS. 4 to 7 described above are merely examples of circuit configurations, and various other configuration examples are actually conceivable.
Of course, a composite circuit configuration of these may be adopted.

[0032]

As described above, according to the present invention, the lighting means is provided on the pen type input device side.
Even in a dark environment, the screen of the information equipment and the switches around it can be easily recognized, and the effect that the input operation can be performed well can be obtained. Further, it can be used not only as an input site but also as illumination for surrounding objects, which leads to improvement in operability as a whole. The addition of such illumination means is easy in terms of circuitry and mechanism, and can be realized without increasing costs.

Further, as a result, a liquid crystal display screen can be used as a reflection type and a backlight is not required, so that a great power saving can be realized on the information equipment side, and a battery life is provided on a battery driven type information equipment. Can be significantly extended. Furthermore, by using a reflective liquid crystal display screen,
There is also an advantage that the screen contents can be viewed well even in a very bright environment. Further, since the reflective liquid crystal display screen can be used, it is suitable for thinning the information equipment side.

Further, by incorporating a battery in the input device, the input device which is not connected to the information equipment side can be adopted. When the information device and the input device are connected to each other, the effect of reducing the weight of the input device can be obtained by supplying the illumination power from the information device side. Further, the lighting means is turned on / off as necessary, so that the power consumption of the lighting means can be saved. In particular, the ON / OFF or the illumination level is controlled in accordance with the detection result of the light amount detecting means for detecting the ambient brightness, so that the most efficient illumination operation can be achieved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a pen computer using an input pen according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an input pen according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a usage state of the pen computer by the input pen according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a circuit configuration example of the input pen according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a circuit configuration example of the input pen of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a circuit configuration example of the input pen according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a circuit configuration example of the input pen of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pen computer 2 Input pen 3 Display section 4 Light emitting section 5 Pen tip 6 Switch operation section 7 Code 8 Irradiation range 9 Image character operation button 10 Special operation button 11, 13 switch 12 Light intensity sensor 14 Switch control section

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A pen-type input device for performing an input operation on an information device, wherein an input means is provided, which is capable of providing illumination to an input section of the information device during the input operation. apparatus. 2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein a battery serving as a power supply for the light emitting operation of the lighting means is built in the input device. 3. The input device according to claim 1, wherein an operating power source for the light emitting operation of the lighting unit is configured to be supplied from the information equipment side. 4. The input according to claim 1, wherein the input device is provided with switch means for controlling ON / OFF of a light emitting operation of the lighting means. apparatus. 5. The on / off operation of the light emitting operation of the illuminating means is executed based on a signal supplied from the information equipment side, according to claim 1, claim 2, or claim 3. The input device described. 6. The light emitting device according to claim 1, further comprising a light amount detecting unit for detecting ambient brightness, wherein the light emitting operation of the illuminating unit is controlled according to a detection result of the light amount detecting unit. The input device according to claim 2, claim 3, claim 4, or claim 5.