U.S. patent number RE33,740 [Application Number 07/447,327] was granted by the patent office on 1991-11-12 for position detecting device.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Wacom Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Yoshinori Taguchi, Tsuguya Yamanami.
United States Patent |
RE33,740 |
Taguchi , et al. |
November 12, 1991 |
Position detecting device
Abstract
A position detecting device includes a tablet which has a
magnetic sheet and two conductor sheets. The magnetic sheet is
formed by weaving a group of warp elements (or weft elements)
having multiple insulating fibers and a plurality of relatively
long magnetic elements disposed among the fibers at predetermined
regular spacings and a group of weft elements (or warp elements)
having multiple insulating fibers into a plain weave fabric, which
is hardened into a sheet-like configuration. Each of the conductor
sheets has a plurality of linear conductor elements extending
substantially parallel to each other. The two conductor sheets are
respectively overlaid on the upper and lower sides of the magnetic
sheet so that the conductor elements and the magnetic elements
extend orthogonally with respect to each other. The corresponding
conductor elements of the upper and lower conductor sheets are
connected to from alternate exciting and detecting lines. The
device further includes a driving current source for supplying the
exciting lines with a cyclic alternating current designating, a
position designating magnetic generator for generating a stationary
magnetic field, and a position detecting for calculating, from the
voltages respectively induced in the detecting lines, coordinate
values of the position designated by the position magnetic
generator.
Inventors: |
Taguchi; Yoshinori (Saitama,
JP), Yamanami; Tsuguya (Saitama, JP) |
Assignee: |
Wacom Co., Ltd. (Saitama,
JP)
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Family
ID: |
27475969 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/447,327 |
Filed: |
November 3, 1989 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
813446 |
Dec 26, 1985 |
04704501 |
Nov 3, 1987 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Dec 28, 1984 [JP] |
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59-278838 |
Dec 28, 1984 [JP] |
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59-278839 |
Dec 29, 1984 [JP] |
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59-199384 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
178/18.07;
345/177; 349/59; 349/69; 349/12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01B
7/004 (20130101); G06F 3/046 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G01B
7/004 (20060101); G06F 3/033 (20060101); G08C
021/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;178/18,19 ;340/712
;350/331R |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Schreyer; Stafford D.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Lowe, Price, LeBlanc &
Becker
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A position detecting device comprising:
a tablet having a magnetic sheet formed by weaving a group of warp
elements (or weft elements) composed of a multiplicity of
insulating fibers and a plurality of relatively long magnetic
elements disposed among said insulating fibers at predetermined
regular spacings and a group of weft elements (or weft elements)
composed of a multiplicity of insulating fibers into a plain weave
fabric, this fabric being hardened into a sheet-like configuration
by means of an insulating resin, and two conductor sheets each
having a plurality of linear conductor element formed thereon so as
to extend substantially parallel to each other, said two conductor
sheets being respectively overlaid on the upper and lower sides of
said magnetic sheet so that said conductor elements and said
magnetic elements extend orthogonally with respect to each other,
and the corresponding conductor elements of the upper and lower
conductor sheets being connected to each other, thereby alternately
forming exciting lines and detecting lines;
a driving current source for supplying said exciting lines with an
alternating current of a predetermined cycle;
a position designating magnetic generator for generating a
stationary magnetic field; and
a position detecting circuit for obtaining voltages respectively
induced in said detecting lines and calculating, from these induced
voltages, coordinate values of a position designated by said
position designating magnetic generator.
2. A position detecting device according to claim 1, further
comprising another magnetic sheet disposed on each of the outer
sides of said conductor sheets so that its magnetic elements extend
parallel to the magnetic elements of said magnetic sheet interposed
between said conductor sheets.
3. A position detecting device according to claim 2, further
comprising a shielding sheet made of a non-magnetic metal and
disposed on the outer side of said another magnetic sheet.
4. A position detecting device according to claim 1, further
comprising a shielding sheet made of a non-magnetic metal and
disposed on each of the outer sides of said conductor sheets.
5. A position detecting device comprising:
a tablet having two magnetic sheets each formed by weaving a group
of warp elements (or weft elements) composed of a multiplicity of
insulating fibers and a plurality of relatively long magnetic
elements disposed among said insulating fibers at predetermined
regular spacings and a group of weft elements (or warp elements)
composed of a multiplicity of insulating fibers into a plain weave
fabric, this fabric being hardened into a sheet-like configuration
by means of an insulating resin, and four conductor sheets each
having a plurality of linear conductor elements formed thereon so
as to extend substantially parallel to each other, said two
magnetic sheets being disposed such that the magnetic elements of
one of them extend in a direction X, while the magnetic elements of
the other extend in a direction Y, two of said four conductor
sheets being respectively disposed on the upper and lower sides of
the magnetic sheet the magnetic elements of which extend in the X
direction so that the respective conductor elements thereof extend
orthogonally with respect to the X direction, the other two of said
four conductor sheets being respectively disposed on the upper and
lower sides of the magnetic sheet the magnetic elements of which
extend in the Y direction so that the respective conductor elements
thereof extend orthogonally with respect to the Y direction, and
the corresponding conductor elements, extending in the same
direction, of each pair of upper and lower conductor sheets being
connected together, thereby alternately forming exciting lines and
detecting lines for the X direction and exciting lines and
detecting lines for the Y direction;
a driving current source for supplying and exciting lines for the X
and Y directions with an alternating current of a predetermined
cycle;
a position designating magnetic generator for generating a
stationary magnetic field; and
a position detecting circuit for obtaining voltages respectively
induced in said detecting lines for the X and Y directions and
calculating coordinate values of a position designated by said
position designating magnetic generator from these induced
voltages.
6. A position detecting device according to claim 5, further
comprising four other magnetic sheets, two of them being
respectively disposed on the outer sides of said conductor sheets
the conductor elements of which extend orthogonally with respect to
the X direction such that their magnetic elements extend in the X
direction, and the other two of said four magnetic sheets being
respectively disposed on the outer sides of said conductor sheets
the conductor elements of which extend orthogonally with respect to
the Y direction such that their magnetic elements extend in the Y
direction.
7. A position detecting device according to claim 6 further
comprising a shielding sheet made of a non-magnetic metal and
disposed on each of the other sides of the uppermost and lowermost
magnetic sheets of said four other magnetic sheets.
8. A position detecting device according to claim 5, further
comprising a shielding sheet made of a non-magnetic metal and
disposed-on each of the outer sides of the uppermost and lowermost
conductor sheets of said four conductor sheets.
9. A position detecting device comprising:
a tablet having a magnetic sheet formed by weaving a group of warp
elements (or weft elements) composed of a multiplicity of
insulating fibers and a plurality of relatively long magnetic
elements disposed among said insulating fibers at predetermined
regular spacings and a group of weft elements (or warp elements)
having an arrangement similar to that of said group of warp
elements (or weft elements) into a plain weave fabric, this fabric
being hardened into a sheet-like configuration by means of an
insulating resin, and four conductor sheets each having a plurality
of linear conductor elements formed thereon so as to extend
substantially parallel to each other, said magnetic sheet being
disposed such that the magnetic elements in either said group of
warp elements or said group of weft elements extend in a direction
X, while those in the other of the two extend in a direction Y,
said four conductor sheets being laid on the upper and lower sides
of said magnetic sheet in pairs, respectively, such that the
conductor elements of one of each pair of conductor sheets extend
in the X direction, while the conductor elements of the other
extend in the Y direction, and the corresponding conductor elements
of the conductor sheets which extend in the same direction being
connected together, thereby alternately forming exciting lines and
detecting lines for the X direction and exciting lines and
detecting lines for the Y direction;
a driving current source for supplying said exciting lines for the
X and Y directions with an alternating current of a predetermined
cycle;
a position designating magnetic generator for generating a
stationary magnetic field, and
a position detecting circuit for obtaining voltages respectively
induced in said detecting lines in the X and Y directions and
calculating coordinate values of a position designated by said
position designating magnetic generator from these induced
voltages.
10. A position detecting device according to claim 9, further
comprising another magnetic sheet disposed on each of the outer
sides of the uppermost and lowermost conductor sheets of said four
conductor sheets such that the magnetic elements in either said
group of warp elements or said group of weft elements extend in the
X direction, with those in the other of the two extend in the Y
direction.
11. A position detecting device according to claim 9, further
comprising a shielding sheet made of a non-magnetic metal and
disposed on each of the outer sides of the uppermost and lowermost
conductor sheets of said four.
12. A position detecting device according to claim 10, further
comprising a shielding sheet made of a non-magnetic metal and
disposed on the outer side of said another magnetic sheet.
13. In a position detecting device for detecting a position on a
tablet designated by a position designating magnetic generator, the
magnetic generator generating a stationary magnetic field, the
detecting device comprising:
a coordinate input device with a display, the input device
including a back light and a liquid crystal display, the back light
and the liquid crystal display superposing over the tablet through
a shielding plate made of a non-magnetic metal, the back light
being interposed between the liquid crystal display and the
shielding plate. .Iadd.
14. Apparatus for detecting and displaying the position of an
implement on a display surface, the implement including a structure
interacting with a position detecting AC field derived from the
apparatus, comprising a housing, an electronic two-coordinate
direction display configured as a plate in the housing, the display
including the display surface as an exterior face of the housing,
an active light source having a light emitting surface positioned
in the housing for illuminating the display surface, a panel
positioned in the housing behind the display for detecting the
position of the implement on the display surface, the position
detecting panel including means for establishing and detecting AC
fields in two coordinate directions, the AC fields interacting with
the structure of the implement to cause conductors in the position
sensor to derive signals indicative of the position of the
implement on the display surface, means responsive to the derived
signals for activating the display so the position of the implement
on the display surface is displayed on the display surface, the
display surface and position detecting panel being superposed and
lying in different parallel planes. .Iaddend. .Iadd.15. The
apparatus of claim 14 wherein the light emitting surface comprises
a planar surface positioned behind and superposed with the display
so it lies in a plane parallel to the display surface and the
position detecting panel. .Iaddend. .Iadd.16. The apparatus of
claim 15 wherein the light emitting surface is positioned between
and superposed with the panel and the display. .Iaddend. .Iadd.17.
The apparatus of claim 15 further including a planar metal shield
plate in the housing, the shield plate lying in a plane that is
parallel to the planes of the display surface, light emitting
surface and position detecting panel. .Iaddend. .Iadd.18. The
apparatus of claim 17 wherein the shield plate includes a metal,
non-magnetic surface positioned between the position detecting
panel and the light emitting surface. .Iaddend. .Iadd.19. In
combination,
a cordless implement adapted to be positioned on a display surface,
the implement including a non-powered structure that interacts with
an AC field,
apparatus for detecting and displaying the position of the
implement on the display surface, the apparatus including:
a housing,
an electronic two-coordinate direction display configured as a
plate in the housing, the display including the display surface as
an exterior face of the housing, and
a panel positioned in the housing behind the display for detecting
the position of the implement on the display surface, the position
sensor including means for establishing AC fields in two coordinate
directions and conductors for deriving signals in two coordinate
directions in response to an interaction between the established AC
fields and the structure of the implement, the AC fields
interacting with the structure on the implement to cause the
conductors in the panel to derive signals indicative of the
position of the implement on the display surface, means responsive
to the derived signals for activating the display so the position
of the implement on the display surface is displayed on the display
surface, the display surface and position detecting panel being
superposed and lying in different parallel planes. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.20. The combination of claim 12 further including a planar
metal shield plate in the housing, the shield plate lying in a
plane that is parallel to the planes of the display surface and
position detecting panel. .Iaddend. .Iadd.21. The combination of
claim 20 wherein the shield plate includes a metal, non-magnetic
surface positioned between the position detecting panel and the
display. .Iaddend. .Iadd.22. The combination of claim 19 wherein
the housing includes an active light source having a light emitting
surface positioned in the housing for illuminating the display
surface. .Iaddend. .Iadd.23. The combination of claim 22 wherein
the light emitting surface is a planar surface positioned behind
the display so it lies in a plane parallel to and is superposed
with the display surface and the position detecting panel.
.Iaddend. .Iadd.24. A tablet for a position detecting device
comprising a magnetic sheet, the magnetic sheet including a woven
group of warp elements (or weft elements) having a multiplicity of
insulating fibers and a plurality of relatively long magnetic
elements disposed among said insulating fibers at predetermined
regular spacings and a group of weft elements (or warp elements)
having a multiplicity of insulating fibers forming a plain weave
fabric, the fabric having a sheet-like configuration, and two
conductor sheets each having a plurality of linear conductor
elements formed thereon so as to extend substantially parallel to
each other, said two conductor sheets being respectively overlaid
on and electrically insulated from the upper and lower sides of
said magnetic sheet so that said conductor elements and said
magnetic elements extend orthogonally with respect to each other,
and the corresponding conductor elements of the upper and lower
conductor sheets being connected to each other, thereby alternately
forming exciting lines and detecting lines for the position of an
implement adapted to be moved on the tablet and including a
structure adapted to interact with a magnetic field derived from
the magnetic elements. .Iaddend. .Iadd.25. The tablet of claim 24
further comprising another magnetic sheet disposed on and
electrically insulated from each of the outer sides of said
conductor sheets so that its magnetic elements extend parallel to
the magnetic elements of said magnetic sheet interposed between
said conductor sheets. .Iaddend. .Iadd.26. The tablet of claim 25
further comprising a non-magnetic metal shield sheet disposed on
the outer side of said another magnetic sheet. .Iaddend. .Iadd.27.
The tablet of claim 24 further comprising a non-magnetic metal
shield sheet disposed on the outer side of said conductor sheets.
.Iaddend. .Iadd.28. A tablet for a position detecting device
comprising a two magnetic sheets, each magnetic sheet including a
woven group of warp elements (or weft elements) having a
multiplicity of insulating fibers and a plurality of relatively
long magnetic elements disposed among said insulating fibers at
predetermined regular spacings and a group of weft elements (or
warp elements) having a multiplicity of insulating fibers forming a
plain weave fabric, the fabric having a sheet-like
configuration,
and four conductor sheets each having a plurality of linear
conductor elements formed thereon so as to extend substantially
parallel to each other, said two magnetic sheets being disposed
such that the magnetic elements of one of them extend in a
direction X, while the magnetic elements of the other extend in a
direction Y, two of said four conductor sheets being respectively
disposed on and electrically insulated from the upper and lower
sides of the magnetic sheet having magnetic elements which extend
in the X direction so that the respective conductor elements
thereof extend orthogonally with respect to the X direction, the
other two of said four conductor sheets being respectively disposed
on and electrically insulated from the upper and lower sides of the
magnetic sheet having magnetic elements which extend in the Y
direction so that the respective conductor elements thereof extend
orthogonally with respect to the Y direction; the corresponding
conductor elements, extending in the same direction, of each pair
of upper and lower conductor sheets being connected together,
thereby alternately forming exciting lines and detecting lines for
the X direction and exciting lines and detecting lines for the Y
direction for the position of an implement adapted to be moved on
the tablet and including a structure adapted to interact with a
magnetic field derived from the magnetic elements. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.29. The tablet of claim 28 further comprising four other
magnetic sheets, two of them being respectively disposed on and
electrically insulated from the outer sides of said conductor
sheets having conductor elements which extend orthogonally with
respect to the X direction such that their magnetic elements extend
in the X direction, and the other two of said four magnetic sheets
being respectively disposed on and electrically insulated from the
outer sides of said conductor sheets having conductor elements
which extend orthogonally with respect to the y direction such that
their magnetic elements extend in the Y direction. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.30. The tablet of claim 29 further comprising a shielding
sheet made of a non-magnetic metal and disposed on each of the
outer sides of the uppermost and lowermost magnetic sheets of said
four other magnetic sheets. .Iaddend. .Iadd.31. The tablet of claim
28 further comprising a shielding sheet made of a non-magnetic
metal and disposed on and electrically insulated from each of the
outer sides of the uppermost and lowermost conductor sheets of said
four conductor sheets. .Iaddend.
.Iadd. 2. A tablet for a position detecting device comprising a
magnetic sheet including a woven group of warp elements (or weft
elements) having a multiplicity of insulating fibers and a
plurality of relatively long magnetic elements disposed among said
insulating fibers at predetermined regular spacings and a group of
weft elements (or warp elements) having a multiplicity of
insulating fibers forming a plain weave fabric, the fabric having a
sheet-like configuration,
and four conductor sheets each having a plurality of linear
conductor elements formed thereon so as to extend substantially
parallel to each other, said magnetic sheet being disposed such
that the magnetic elements in either said group of warp elements or
said group of weft elements extend in a direction X, while those in
the other of the two extend in a direction Y, said four conductor
sheets lying on and being electrically insulated from the upper and
lower sides of said magnetic sheet in pairs, respectively, such
that the conductor elements of one of each pair of conductor sheets
extend in the X direction, while the conductor elements of the
other extend in the Y direction, and the corresponding conductor
elements of the conductor sheets which extend in the same direction
being connected together, thereby alternately forming exciting
lines and detecting lines for the X direction and exciting lines
and detecting lines for the Y direction for the position of an
implement adapted to be moved on the tablet and including a
structure adapted to interact with a magnetic field derived from
the magnetic elements. .Iaddend. .Iadd.33. The tablet of claim 32
further comprising another magnetic sheet disposed on and
electrically insulated from each of the other sides of the
uppermost and lowermost conductor sheets of said four conductor
sheets such that the magnetic elements in either said group of warp
elements or said group of weft elements extend in the X direction,
while those in the other of the two extend in the Y direction.
.Iaddend. .Iadd.34. The tablet of 33 further comprising a
non-magnetic metal shield sheet disposed on the outer side of said
another magnetic sheet. .Iaddend. .Iadd.35. The tablet of claim 32
further comprising a non-magnetic metal shield sheet disposed on
the outer side of said uppermost and lowermost conductor sheets.
.Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a position detecting device for
detecting a position designated by a position designating magnetic
generator on the basis of a change in magnetic permeability of
magnetic elements to which a magnetic field is applied by the
magnetic generator.
2. Description of the Related Art
A typical conventional position detecting device is arranged such
that a driving coil is provided either at one end of a
magnetostrictive transmission medium or at the distal end of a
position designating pen, while a detecting coil is provided on the
other of the two, and a pulsating current is applied to the driving
coil so as to cause the transmission medium to generate a
magnetostrictive oscillatory wave which is turn causes a voltage
corresponding thereto to be induced in the detecting coil. The
period of time beginning at the time when the oscillatory wave is
generated and ending at the time when the induced voltage is
detected is measured by a processor or other similar means, and the
position designated by the position designating pen is calculated
on the basis of the measured period of time. This device has a
relatively high degree of accuracy in position detection, but
suffers from the following problems. Namely, since a timing signal
and the like are transferred between the pen and the processor or
the like, a cord is needed to connect the pen and the device, which
remarkably limits the range within which the pen can be handled. In
addition, the cord is easily affected by induction caused by
external devices, which leads to an erroneous operation and also
involves a risk of the cord becoming a noise generating source.
Further, the conventional device requires the pen to be held
perpendicular with respect to the plane of the magnetostrictive
transmission medium and in close proximity with the surface of the
transmission medium when a position is designated using the
pen.
There is another conventional position detecting device wherein a
plurality of driving lines and a plurality of detecting lines are
disposed orthogonally with respect to each other, and the driving
lines are successively supplied with a current, while the detecting
lines are successively selected in order to detect voltages induced
therein, whereby a position designated by a position designating
pen having a magnetic material such as ferrite is detected from the
position of the detecting line having a relatively large induced
voltage. This device enables the position designating pen to be
cordless, but still suffers from the following problems. Namely,
the resolution of coordinate positions is determined by the
distance between each pair of adjacent lines, and if this distance
is reduced in order to improve the resolution, then SN ratio and
stability deteriorate. For this reason, if is difficult to improve
the resolution. It is also difficult to detect the positions
directly above the intersections between the driving and detecting
lines. Further, the pen needs to be brought in close proximity with
the lines, which makes it impossible to place a thick member on the
input surface when the pen is used.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a first object of the present invention to provide a position
detecting device including a tablet which has a magnetic sheet
formed by weaving a group of warp elements (or weft elements)
composed of a multiplicity of insulating fibers and a plurality of
relatively long magnetic elements disposed among the insulating
fibers at predetermined regular spacings and a group of weft
elements (or warp elements) composed of a multiplicity of
insulating fibers into a plain weave fabric, and hardening this
fabric into a sheet-like configuration by means of an insulating
resin, and two conductor sheets each having a plurality of linear
conductor elements formed thereon so as to extend substantially
parallel to each other, the two conductor sheets being respectively
overlaid on the upper and lower sides of the magnetic sheet so that
the conductor elements and the magnetic elements extend
orthogonally with respect to each other, and the corresponding
conductor elements of the upper and lower conductor sheets being
connected to each other, thereby alternately forming exciting lines
and detecting lines. By virtue of the above arrangement, it is
possible to reduce the thickness of the magnetic sheet by a large
margin, so that the thickness of the tablet can be reduced as a
whole. In addition, the tablet can readily be massproduced.
Further, changes in magnetic flux between the exciting and
detecting lines take place only within the magnetic elements, and
their close connection provides a large detected voltage and good
SN ratio. Further, this device is not likely to be affected by
induction caused by external devices or to cause noise to be
induced in external devices. Since a position can be designated by
applying only a small bias magnetic field to the magnetic elements,
it is not necessary to bring a position designating magnetic
generator in close proximity with the magnetic elements, and the
effective read value can be increased. In addition to the advantage
that the thickness of the tablet can be reduced, it is possible to
designate a position from the reverse side of the tablet, and the
tablet can be interposed between metal sheets other than
ferromagnetic materials. Further, since it is not necessary to
transfer a timing signal and the like between the position
designating magnetic generator and a processor or other similar
means, the magnetic generator can be made cordless, which makes it
possible to greatly improve the operability.
It is a second object of the present invention to provide a
position detecting device including a tablet which has two magnetic
sheets each formed by weaving a group of warp elements (or weft
elements) comprised of a multiplicity of insulating fibers and a
plurality of relatively long magnetic elements disposed among the
insulating fibers at predetermined regular spacings and a group of
weft elements (or warp elements) composed of a multiplicity of
insulating fibers. The resulting plain weave fabric is hardened
into a sheet-like configuration by means of an insulating resin.
Four conductor sheets are employed. Each includes linear conductor
elements formed thereon so as to extend substantially parallel to
each other. The two magnetic sheets are disposed such that the
magnetic elements of one of them extend in a direction X, while the
magnetic elements of the other extend in a direction Y, two of the
four conductor sheets being respectively disposed on the upper and
lower sides of the magnetic sheet, the magnetic elements of which
extend in the X-direction so that the respective conductor elements
thereof extend orthogonally with respect to the X-direction. The
other two of the four conductor sheets are respectively disposed on
the upper and lower sides of the magnetic sheet, the magnetic
elements of which extend in the Y-direction so that the respective
conductor elements thereof extend orthogonally with respect to the
Y-direction, and the corresponding conductor elements, extending in
the same direction, of each pair of upper and lower conductor
sheets being connected together, thereby alternately forming
exciting lines and detecting lines for the X-direction and those
for the Y-direction. According to this device, it is possible to
effect two-dimensional position detection, in addition to the
various advantages mentioned in the description of the first object
of the present invention.
It is a third object of the present invention to provide a position
detecting device including a tablet which has a magnetic sheet
formed by weaving a group of warp elements (or weft elements)
composed of a multiplicity of insulating fibers and a plurality of
relatively long magnetic elements disposed among the insulating
fibers at predetermined regular spacings and a group of weft
elements (or warp elements) having an arrangement similar to that
of the group of warp elements (or weft elements) into a plain weave
fabric. This fabric is hardened into a sheet-like configuration by
means of an insulating resin. The tablet further including and four
conductor sheets each having a plurality of linear conductor
elements formed thereon so as to extend substantially parallel to
each other, the magnetic sheet being disposed such that the
magnetic elements in either the group of warp elements or the group
of weft elements extend in a direction X, while those in the other
of the two extend in a direction Y, the four conductor sheets being
laid on the upper and lower sides of the magnetic sheet in pairs,
respectively. The conductor elements of one of each pair of
conductor sheets extend in the X-direction, while the conductor
elements of the other extend in the Y-direction, and the
corresponding conductor elements of the conductor sheets which
extend in the same direction are connected together, thereby
alternately forming exciting lines and detecting lines for the
X-direction and those for the Y-direction. By virtue of the above
arrangement, the thickness of the tablet can be further reduced, in
addition to the various advantages mentioned in the description of
the first and second objects of the present invention.
It is a fourth object of the present invention to provide, in a
position detecting device for detecting a position on a tablet
which is designated by a position designating magnetic generator
which generates a stationary magnetic field, a coordinate input
device with a display which includes a back light and a
liquid-crystal display which are laid on the tablet through a
shielding plate made of a non-magnetic metal. According to this
device, it is possible to reduce the thickness of an input/output
panel, input any desired character or figure with high accuracy
simply be operating the position designating magnetic generator
(input pen) on the liquid-crystal display, and permit the results
of input to be immediately checked on the display. The back light
enables a clear display to be obtained even when the surrounding
area is relatively dark. Further, the shielding plate can shut off
any noise, and this prevents lowering of the degree of accuracy in
position detection. Since the display is laid on the tablet, the
device is free from the disadvantage of having a displayed
character or figure seen in double by parallax. The device is not
likely to be affected by induction caused by external devices or to
cause noise to be induced in external devices. Further, since a
position can be designated by applying only a small bias magnetic
field to the magnetic elements, it is not necessary to bring the
magnetic generator in close proximity with the magnetic elements.
It is therefore possible to increase the effective read value. It
is also possible to interpose the tablet between metal sheets other
than ferromagnetic materials. In addition, since it is not
necessary to transfer a timing signal and the like between the
position designating magnetic generator and a processor or other
similar means, the magnetic generator can be made cordless, which
makes it possible to greatly improve the operability of inputting
coordinates.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become clear from the following description of the
preferred embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings show in combination the present
invention, in which:
FIG. 1 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of a first
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 shows a practical structure of the tablet in the first
embodiment;
FIG. 3 shows the way in which each of the magnetic sheets in the
first embodiment is produced;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one of the conductor sheets in the
first embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a characteristic chart showing the relationship between
magnetic bias and magnetic permeability;
FIG. 6 is a graph showing one example of the induced voltage
produced in each of the detecting lines for the X-direction;
FIG. 7 shows the magnetic flux produced around each of the exciting
lines;
FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of the driving current source in the
first embodiment, which shows a practical arrangement thereof;
FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the position designating magnetic
generator in the first embodiment, which shows a practical example
thereof;
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the electric circuit of the magnetic
generator;
FIG. 11 is a circuit block diagram of the position detecting
circuit, which shows a practical arrangement thereof;
FIG. 12 shows the tablet of a position detecting device in
accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 13 shows the way in which each of the magnetic sheets in
accordance with the second embodiment is produced;
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a coordinate
input device with a display;
FIG. 15 is a partially-omitted enlarged sectional view of the
input/output panel in this embodiment;
FIG. 16 shows one of the magnetic sheets in this embodiment;
and
FIG. 17 is a circuit block diagram of an essential position of the
device.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring first to FIG. 1 which is a fragmentary exploded
perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention,
the reference numeral 100 denotes a tablet, 200 a driving current
source, 301, and 302 multiplexers, 400 a position designating
magnetic generator, e.g., a bar magnet, and 500 a position
detecting circuit.
The tablet 100 is, as shown in FIG. 2, composed of twelve layers
which are respectively constituted by a shielding sheets 110a
magnetic sheets 120a, 120b, conductor sheets 130a, 130b, magnetic
sheets 120c, 120d, conductor sheets 130c, 130d, magnetic sheets
120e, 120f, and a shielding sheet 110b, these layers being disposed
in that order from the upper side to the lower side thereof.
Each of the shielding sheets 110a and 110b is constituted by a
printed board formed by bonding a non-magnetic metal sheet, e.g., a
copper sheet 112, to one surface of an insulating substrate 111
made of, for example, a glass epoxy resin.
Each of the magnetic sheets 120a to 120f is, as shown in FIG. 3,
formed by weaving a group of warp elements (or weft elements) 123
and a group of weft elements (or warp elements) 125 into a plain
weave fabric, and hardening this fabric into a sheet-like
configuration by means of an insulating resin such as an epoxy
resin. The group of warp elements (or weft elements) 123 consists
of a multiplicity of insulating fibers 121 disposed such as to
extend substantially parallel to each other, and a plurality of
relatively long magnetic elements 122 disposed among the insulating
fibers 121 at predetermined regular spacings, while the group of
weft elements (or warp elements) 125 consists of a multiplicity of
insulating fibers 124. The insulating fibers 121 and 124, may for
example, be glass fibers may. Each of the magnetic elements 122 is
preferably made of a material which is only magnetized very
slightly by any magnet brought close to it, that is, a material
which has small retentiveness and high magnetic permeability
(.mu.), e.g., an amorphous alloy wire having a circular
cross-section and a diameter of about 0.1 mm. As an amorphous alloy
wire, it is appropriate to employ, for example, (Fe.sub.1-x
Co.sub.x).sub.75 Si.sub.10 B.sub.15 (atomic %) (x represents the
ratio between Fe and Co and takes a value between 0 and 1). It is
to be noted that although the fibers and the magnetic elements
shown in FIG. 3 are drawn in such a manner that they are spaced
apart from those adjacent thereto, they are arranged without any
gap therebetween in practice. Further, although two fibers are
disposed between each pair of adjacent magnetic elements in the
example shown in FIG. 3, a number of fibers required for
maintaining a predetermined spacing between each pair of adjacent
magnetic elements is disposed in practice.
Each of the conductor sheets 130a to 130d is, as shown in FIG. 4,
constituted by a printed board 131 formed by bonding a copper sheet
to one surface of an insulating substrate made of, for example a
glass epoxy resin, the printed board 131 being subjected to etching
so as to form a plurality (seventeen, in the illustrated example)
of linear conductor elements 132 each having land holes
respectively provided at both end thereof.
Each pair of adjacent magnetic sheets 120a and 120b, 120c and 120d,
and 120e and 120f is rigidly bonded together by means of heat
contact bonding or an adhesive sheet, while each pair of other
adjacent sheets is rigidly bonded together by means of an adhesive
sheet. At this time, the magnetic elements 122 of the magnetic
sheets 120a, 120c and 120e are disposed such as to extend in a
direction Y, while the magnetic elements 122 of the magnetic sheets
120b, 120d and 120f are disposed such as to extend in a direction
X. The conductor elements of the conductor sheets 130a and 130c are
disposed such as to extend in a direction orthogonal to the
Y-direction, while the conductor elements of the conductor sheets
130b and 130d are disposed such as to extend in a direction
orthogonal to the X-direction.
Another tablet-manufacturing method may be employed wherein two
adjacent magnetic sheets are bonded together by, for example, heat
contact bonding such that their respective magnetic elements extend
orthogonally to each other, and printed boards are respectively
bonded to the outer sides of the two magnetic sheets. Thereafter,
conductor elements are formed on the printed boards by etching,
thereby producing a set of the conductor sheet 130b, the magnetic
sheets 120c, 120d and the conductor sheet 130c, conductor elements
are formed on only one of the two printed boards by etching,
thereby producing a set of the shielding sheet 110a, the magnetic
sheets 120a, 120b and the conductor sheet 130a, and a set of the
conductor sheet 130d, the magnetic sheets 120e, 120f and the
shielding sheet 110b. Then, these sets are bonded together.
Although the overall thickness of the tablet 100 is practically 2
to 4 mm, the tablet 100 shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 is drawn in such a
manner that it is enlarged only in the direction of thickness.
The conductor sheets 130b and 130d are disposed such that the
conductor elements of the sheet 130b and those of the sheet 130d
respectively coincide with each other vertically, and each pair of
corresponding conductor elements is connected together at the land
holes each provided at one end of each conductor element by means
of through-hole contact, thereby alternately forming exciting lines
140a to 140i and detecting lines 150a to 150h for the X-direction
which wind around the magnetic elements 122 in the magnetic sheet
120d. The other end of each of the exciting lines 140a to 140i on
the conductor sheet 130b is connected to the other end of the
adjacent one of the exciting lines 140a to 140i on the conductor
sheet 130d, that is, the exciting lines 140a to 140i are connected
in series. The other or second end of the exciting line 140a and
that of the exciting line 140i are connected to the driving current
source 200. The other end of each of the detecting lines 150a to
150h on the conductor sheet 130b is connected to the multiplexer
301, while the other end of each of the detecting lines 150a to
150h on the conductor sheet 130d is grounded.
The conductor sheets 130a and 130c are disposed such that the
conductor elements of the sheet 130a and those of the sheet 130c
respectively coincide with each other vertically, and each pair of
corresponding conductor elements is connected together at the land
holes each provided at one end of each conductor element by means
of through-hole contact, thereby alternately forming exciting lines
160a to 160i and detecting lines 170a to 170h for the Y-direction
which wind around the magnetic elements 122 in the magnetic sheet
120c. The other end of each of the exciting lines 160a to 160i on
the conductor sheet 130a is connected to the other end of the
adjacent one of the exciting lines 160a to 160i on the conductor
sheet 130c that is, the exciting lines 160a to 160i are connected
in series. The other or second end of the exciting line 160a and
that of the exciting line 160i are connected to the driving current
source 200. The other end of each of the detecting lines 170a to
170h on the conductor sheet 130a is connected to the multiplexer
302, while the other end of each of the detecting lines 170a to
170h on the conductor sheet 130c is grounded.
The driving current source 200 constantly supplies the exciting
lines 140a to 140i and 160a to 160i with an alternating current of
a predetermined cycle (e.g., a sine-wave alternating current). The
multiplexers 301 and 302 selectively deliver the output signals
from the detecting lines 150a to 150h and 170a to 170h to the
position detecting circuit 500 in accordance with a control signal
from the circuit 500.
In the above arrangement, the detecting lines 150a to 150h and 170a
to 170h have an induced voltage produced therein by electromagnetic
induction caused by the alternating current flowing through the
exciting lines 140a to 140i and 160a to 160i. Since this
electromagnetic induction takes place through the magnetic elements
122 in the magnetic sheets 120a to 120f, the larger the magnetic
permeability of the magnetic elements 122, the larger the value of
the induced voltage. The magnetic permeability of the magnetic
elements 122 greatly varies in accordance with the magnitude of the
magnetic bias externally applied thereto. The degree by which the
magnetic permeability changes differs depends upon the composition
of the magnetic material employed for the magnetic elements 122,
the frequency of the above-described alternating current, and
whether or not a heat treatment is applied to the magnetic
material. It is therefore possible to set the magnetic permeability
so that it reaches its maximum when a predetermined magnetic bias
is applied, as shown in FIG. 5. Accordingly, the application of a
predetermined magnetic bias to the magnetic elements 122 in this
case increases the voltage induced in the detecting lines 150a to
150h and 170a to 170h by the alternating current flowing through
the exciting lines 140a to 140i and 160a to 160i.
It is now assumed that, in FIG. 1, the position designating bar
magnet 400 with its N pole directed downward is at a position A on
the tablet 100 which is a distance x.sub.s away from the detecting
line 150a in the X-direction and which is a distance y.sub.s away
from the detecting line 170a in the Y-direction. The bar magnet 400
applies the predetermined magnetic bias to the magnetic elements
122.
At this time, induced voltages V.sub.1 to V.sub.8 shown in FIG. 6
are produced in the respective detecting lines 150a to 150h for the
X-direction. In the graph shown in FIG. 6, the axis of abscissa
represents coordinate positions x.sub.1 to x.sub.8 in the
X-direction which correspond to the respective positions of the
detecting lines 150a to 150h, while the axis of ordinate represents
the value of induced voltages. The largest (maximum) value among
the voltages V.sub.1 to V.sub.8 is obtained directly below the
position A. Since the voltages V.sub.1 to V.sub.8 can be obtained
from the multiplexer 301, it is possible to obtain the X-coordinate
value x.sub.s of the position of the bar magnet 400 by calculating
an X-coordinate value at which the maximum induced voltage is
obtained from these induced voltages by means of the position
detecting circuit 500.
There may be various methods of calculating the coordinate value
x.sub.s. One of them is a method wherein the waveform in the
vicinity of the maximum value shown in FIG. 6 is approximated by an
appropriate function, and the coordinate corresponding to the
maximum value of the function is obtained. For example, when the
induced voltages from the coordinate x.sub.3 to the coordinate
x.sub.5 are approximated by a quadratic function (shown by the
solid line in FIG. 6), the following formulae are formed from the
induced voltages in the detecting lines and the coordinate values
thereof, where the spacing between each pair of adjacent detecting
lines 150a to 150h is assumed to be .DELTA.x.
where a and b are constants (a<0)
Further, the following formulae hold:
The formulae (4) and (5) are substituted into the formulae (2) and
(3), respectively, and the formulae (2) and (3) are rearranged to
obtain the following formula:
Accordingly, it is possible to obtain the X-coordinate value
x.sub.s of the position of the bar magnet 400 by substituting the
voltages V.sub.3, V.sub.4 and V.sub.5 induced in the detecting
lines 150c, 150d and 150e and the coordinate value x.sub.3 (known)
of the detecting line 150c into the formula (6) and calculating the
same in the position detecting circuit 500. The same X-coordinate
value is obtained when the bar magnet 400 is moved along the
Y-axis.
Induced voltages similar to those shown in FIG. 6 are also obtained
in the detecting lines 170a to 170h in the Y-direction, and it is
possible to obtain a Y-coordinate value y.sub.s by carrying out
calculations similar to the above.
It is to be noted that the magnetic sheets 120a, 120b, 120e and
120f in the tablet 100 are provided for the purpose of obtaining
increased electromagnetic induction by constituting the path of
magnetic flux produced around each exciting line by means of the
magnetic elements 122 in the sheets; therefore, it is not always
necessary to provide them. Further, since the shielding sheets 110a
and 110b are provided for the purpose of preventing any external
noise from entering the tablet 100 and also any noise from being
induced in external devices, it is not always necessary to provide
them.
The piling order of the sheets is not necessarily limited to that
described above. For example, the piling order may be such that the
magnetic sheet 120b, the conductor sheet 130b, the magnetic sheet
120d, the conductor sheet 130d and the magnetic sheet 120f are laid
one upon the other in the mentioned order to thereby constituted an
X-direction position detecting unit, while the magnetic sheet 120a,
the conductor sheet 130a, the magnetic sheet 120c, the conductor
sheet 130c and the magnetic sheet 120e are laid one upon the other
in the mentioned order to thereby constitute a Y-direction position
detecting unit, and these units are then laid one upon the other.
It will be clear that it is possible to arrange a position
detecting device for only one direction by employing either the X-
or Y-direction position detecting unit.
Referring next to FIG. 8 which shows a practical example of the
driving current source 200, the reference numeral 201 denotes an
integrating circuit which is supplied with, as an input signal,
clock pulses (or pulses obtained by frequency-dividing the clock
pulses) from a processing unit in the position detecting circuit
500, described later, and which integrates the input signal and
converts the same to a triangular-wave signal. A band-pass filter
202 converts the triangular-wave signal into a sine-wave signal. A
power driver 203 is composed of an operational amplifier and a
current amplifier and is arranged such as to current-amplify the
sine-wave and deliver the thus amplified signal to the exciting
lines 140a to 140i and 160a to 160i. The reason why clock pulses
are employed as the reference (input) signal is that it is
necessary to obtain synchronism with the position detecting circuit
500.
FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a practical example of the position
designating magnetic generator 400, while FIG. 10 is a diagram
showing the electric circuit of the magnetic generator 400. In FIG.
9, the reference numeral 401 denotes a pen-shaped container made of
a synthetic resin or the like. A bar magnet 402 with a tapered tip
is housed at one end of the container 401 so as to be slidable
axially of the container 401. An infrared-transparent window 403
made of a transparent plastic or the like is circumferentially
provided at the other end of the container 401. Inside the window
403 are accommodated a reflecting member 404 constituted by a
conical member having its peripheral surface plated with chromium
or the like and an infrared-emitting diode 405. A control switch
406 is mounted on one side of a portion of the container 401 closer
to the distal end thereof, while a control switch 407 is mounted
inside the container 401 so as to face the inner end of the bar
magnet 402. A signal generating circuit 408 and a battery 409 are
housed at appropriate positions inside the container 401. The
signal generating circuit 408 converts a plurality (three, in this
case) of commands given to the position detecting circuit 500, such
as those for starting measurement and inputting a coordinate
position, into a plurality of code signals constituted by
combinations of some pulse signals, respectively. The signal
generating circuit 408b has a decoder 408a, a code signal generator
408, and a diode driving transistor 408c and generates code signals
in accordance with combinations of ON/OFF of the control switches
406 and 407 to drive the infrared-emitting diode 405. Thus, when
the control switch 406 is turned ON, an infrared signal
representing a code which indicates the start of measurement is
transmitted from the diode 405 through the reflecting member 404
and the infrared-transparent window 403. When, in this state, the
tip of the bar magnet 402 covered with a cover 410 is pressed
against the input surface, the bar magnet 402 slides so as to turn
ON the switch 407. Consequently there develops, an infrared signal
representing a code signal which indicates the inputting of a
position.
FIG. 11 is a circuit block diagram of the position detecting
circuit 500, which shows a practical arrangement thereof. Referring
to FIG. 11, when an infrared signal representing the code which
indicates the start of measurement is transmitted from the
infrared-emitting diode 405 of the position designating magnetic
generator 400, the infrared signal is received by an
infrared-receiving diode 501 and is delivered to a receiver 502
where it is amplified, wave-shaped and converted into the previous
code signal and is further returned to the measurement start
command signal, which is then delivered to an input buffer 503.
When a processing unit 504 recognizes the start of measurement by
reading out the command signal from the input buffer 503, the unit
504 delivers a control signal to the multiplexer 301 through an
output buffer 505 so that the respective induced voltages in the
detecting lines 150a to 150h for the X-direction are successively
input to an amplifier 506. Each of the induced voltages is
amplified by the amplifier 506 and rectified by a detector 507 so
as to be converted into a DC voltage, which is further converted
into a digital value by an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 508
and is then delivered to the processing unit 504 through the input
buffer 503. In the processing unit 504, the induced voltages
(digital values) are temporarily stored in a memory 509, and an
induced voltage V.sub.k having the maximum voltage value among
these induced voltages is detected. The processing unit 504 further
takes out the induced voltages V.sub.k from the memory 509,
together with the induced voltage V.sub.k-1 which immediately
precedes the voltage V.sub.k and the voltage V.sub.k+1 which is
immediately subsequent to the voltage V.sub.k, and calculates the
formula (6) with these voltages respectively employed as the
voltages V.sub.3, V.sub.4 and V.sub.5 in the formula (6), thereby
obtaining an X-coordinate value.
Next, the processing unit 504 delivers a control signal to the
multiplexer 302 through the output buffer 505 so that the
respective induced voltages in the detecting lines 170a to 170h for
the Y-direction are successively input to the processing unit 504,
and the unit 504 obtains a Y-coordinate value by carrying out a
processing operation similar to that described above.
The thus obtained X- and Y-coordinate values, which are
respectively represented by digital values, are temporarily stored
in the memory 509, and they are renewed as a result of the above
measurement and calculation repeated at predetermined regular
intervals while the signal indicating the start of measurement is
available. Next, an infrared signal representing a code which
indicates the inputting of a position is transmitted from the
position designating magnetic generator 400. When that is
recognized by the processing unit 504 through the infrared-emitting
diode 501, the receiver 502 and the input buffer 503, the above X-
and Y-digital coordinate values are delivered, as input values,
through the output buffer 510 to a digital display (not shown) so
as to be displayed, or to a computer (not shown) where they are
properly processed, or the values are converted into analog values
through a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter 511 so as to be
subjected to necessary processing.
It is to be noted that the number of the magnetic elements,
exciting lines and designating lines described in the embodiment is
only an example and is, as a matter of course, not necessarily
limittive thereto. It has experimentally been confirmed that
position detection can be effected with relatively high accuracy
when the spacing between each pair of adjacent detecting lines is
about 2 to 6 mm. In addition, the position designating magnetic
generator is not necessarily limited to a bar magnet and may be a
magnet in the form of a plate, ring or rectangular parallelepiped,
or an electromagnet.
FIG. 12 shows the tablet 100 of a position detecting device in
accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. This
tablet 100 is composed of nine layers which are respectively
constituted by a shielding sheet 110a, a magnetic sheet 120g,
conductor sheets 130a, 130b, a magnetic sheet 120h, conductor
sheets 130c, 130d, a magnetic sheet 120i and a shielding sheet 110b
these layers being disposed in that order from the upper side to
the lower side thereof.
Each of the magnetic sheets 120g to 120i as shown in FIG. 13,
formed by weaving a group of warp elements (or weft elements) 123
and a group of weft elements (or warp elements) 126 into a plain
weave fabric, and hardening this fabric into a sheet-like
configuration by means of an insulating resin such as an epoxy
resin. The group of warp elements 123 consists of a multiplicity of
insulating fibers 121 disposed such as to extend substantially
parallel to each other, and a plurality of relatively long magnetic
elements 122a disposed among the insulating fibers 121 at
predetermined regular spacings, while the group of weft elements
126 consists of a multiplicity of insulating fibers 124 disposed
such as to extend substantially parallel to each other, and a
plurality of relatively long magnetic elements, 122b disposed among
the insulating fibers 124.
Each pair of adjacent sheets is bonded by means of an adhesive
sheet as described with respect to the first embodiment. In this
case the magnetic elements 122a of the magnetic sheets 120g to 120i
are disposed such as to extend in the Y-direction, and the magnetic
elements 122b in the X-direction. The conductor elements of the
conductor sheets 130a and 130c are disposed such as to extend in a
direction orthogonal to the Y-direction, and the conductor elements
of the conductor sheets 130b and 130d in a direction orthogonal to
the X-direction.
Another tablet-manufacturing method may be employed wherein printed
boards are respectively bonded to the outer sides of each of the
magnetic sheets and, thereafter, conductor elements are formed on
the printed boards by etching, thereby producing a set of the
conductor sheet 130b, the magnetic sheet 120b and the conductor
sheet 130c. Conductor elements are formed on only one of the two
printed boards, thereby producing a set of the shielding sheet
110a, the magnetic sheet 120a and the conductor sheet 130a; and a
set of the conductor sheet 130d, the magnetic sheet 120c and the
shielding sheet 110b. Then, these sets are bonded together.
The conductor sheets 130b and 130d are disposed such that the
conductor elements of the sheet 130b and those of the sheet 130d
respectively coincide with each other vertically, and each pair of
corresponding conductor elements is connected together at land
holes each provided at one end of each conductor by means of
through-hole contact, thereby alternately forming exciting lines
140a to 140i and detecting lines 150a to 150h for the X-direction
which wind around the magnetic elements 122b in the magnetic sheet
120h. The other end of each of the exciting lines 140a to 140i on
the conductor sheet 130b is connected to the other end of the
adjacent one of the exciting lines 140a to 140i on the conductor
sheet 130d, that is, the exciting lines 140a to 140i are connected
in series. The other or second end of the exciting lines 140a and
that of the exciting line 140i are connected to the driving current
source 200. The other end of each of the detecting lines 150a to
150h on the conductor sheet 130b is connected to the multiplexer
301, while the other end of each of the detecting lines 150a to
150h on the conductor sheet 130d is grounded in common.
The conductor sheets 130a and 130c are disposed such that the
conductor elements of the sheet 130a and those of the sheet 130c
respectively coincide with each other vertically, and each pair of
corresponding conductor elements are connected together at land
holes each provided at one end of each conductor by means of
through-hole contact, thereby alternately forming exciting lines
160a to 160i and detecting lines 170a to 170h for the Y-direction
which wind around the magnetic elements 122a in the magnetic sheet
120h. The other end of each of the exciting lines 160a to 160i on
the conductor sheet 130a is connected to the other end of the
adjacent one of the exciting lines 160a to 160i on the conductor
sheet 130c, that is, the exciting lines 160a to 160i are connected
in series. The other or second end of the exciting line 160a and
that of the exciting line 160i are connected to the driving current
source 200. The other end of each of the detecting lines 170a to
170h on the conductor sheet 130a is connected to the multiplexer
302, while the other end of each of the detecting lines 170a to
170h on the conductor sheet 130c is grounded.
The arrangement of the other portions in this embodiment is the
same as that in the first embodiment. It is possible according to
this embodiment to make the thickness of the tablet 100 similar
than that of the first embodiment.
Referring next to FIG. 14 which schematically shows one embodiment
of the coordinate input device with a display according to the
present invention, the reference numeral 1 denotes an input/output
panel, 2 a position designating magnetic generator (input pen), 3 a
power unit, and 4 a controller.
The input/output panel 1 is, as shown in FIG. 15, composed of a
tablet 100, a black light 12 and a liquid-crystal display (display
panel) 13. Back light 12 and display panel 13 are placed on the
tablet 100 through a shielding plate 11, these members being housed
within a casing 14 all together in one unit. An
infrared-transparent window 15 is provided in the rear portion of
the casing 14, and an infrared-emitting diode (described later) is
provided inside the window 15.
The tablet 100 is, as shown in FIG. 2, composed of twelve layers
which are respectively constituted by a shielding sheet 110a,
magnetic sheets 120a, 120b, conductor sheets 130a, 130b, magnetic
sheets 120c, 120d, conductor sheets 130c, 130d, magnetic sheets
120e, 120f, and a shielding sheet 110b, these layers being disposed
in that order from the upper side to the lower side thereof.
Each of the shielding sheets 110a and 110b is constituted by a
printed board formed by bonding a copper sheet 112 to one surface
of an insulating substrate 111 made of, for example, a glass epoxy
resin.
Each of the magnetic sheets 120a to 120f is, as shown in FIG. 16,
formed by disposing a plurality (eight, in the illustrated example)
of relatively long magnetic elements 126 substantially parallel to
each other, clamping these magnetic elements 126 between two
insulating substrates 127, 128 made of, for example, a glass epoxy
resin, and integrating them together by means, for example, of heat
contact bonding.
The arrangement of the other portions of the tablet 100 is similar
to that of the above embodiments.
The shielding plate 11 may be constituted by a metallic plate made
of a non-magnetic metal, e.g., aluminum or copper, or a synthetic
resin plate material having a non-magnetic metal deposited on the
surface thereof by evaporation.
The back light 12 may, for example, be constituted by a known
illuminator which utilizes electroluminescence (EL) (field
emission) and in which a fluorescent layer which is formed by
dispersing a fluorescent powder into a medium with a high
dielectric constant is interposed between a transparent planar
electrode and a back electrode, and an AC voltage is applied
between the electrodes to emit light. The AC voltage is supplied
from the power unit 3.
As the liquid-crystal display 13, a known matrix-type
liquid-crystal display cell may, for example, be employed in which
a liquid crystal medium is interposed between a plurality of
horizontal and vertical electrodes disposed orthogonally with
respect to each other. The drive control of the display 13 will be
described later.
It is to be noted that, as the input pen 2, one such as that shown
in FIGS. 9 and 10 may be used, FIG. 9 being a sectional view
thereof, and FIG. 10 being a diagram showing the electric circuit
thereof.
FIG. 17 is a circuit block diagram of the controller 4, which shows
a practical arrangement thereof. The same constituent members or
positions shown in FIG. 17 as those in the above-described
embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals. The
operation of the device will be described below in detail by way of
explanation of each circuit block.
When the power supply for the controller 4 is turned ON, a
sine-wave alternating current is supplied to the exciting lines
140a to 140i and 160a to 160i in the tablet 100 from the driving
current source 200. At this time, the detecting lines 150a to 150h
and 170a to 170h have an induced voltage produced therein by
electromagnetic induction caused by the alternating current flowing
through the exciting lines 140a to 140i and 160a to 160i. Since
this electromagnetic induction takes place through the magnetic
elements 126 in the magnetic sheets 120a to 120f, the larger the
magnetic permeability of the magnetic elements 126, the larger the
value of the induced voltage. The magnetic permeability of the
magnetic elements 126 greatly varies in accordance with the
magnitude of the magnetic bias externally applied thereto. The
degree by which the magnetic permeability changes differs depending
upon the composition of the magnetic material employed for the
magnetic elements 126, the frequency of the above-described
alternating current, and whether or not a heat treatment is applied
to the magnetic material. It is therefore possible to set the
magnetic permeability so that it reaches its maximum when a
predetermined magnetic bias is applied, as shown in FIG. 5.
Accordingly, the application of the predetermined magnetic bias to
the magnetic elements 126 in this case increases the voltage
induced in the detecting lines 150a to 150h and 170a to 170h by the
alternating current flowing through the exciting lines 140a to 140i
and 160a to 160i.
It is now assumed that, in FIG. 14, the tip of the bar magnet 402
of the input pen 2 is pressed against the input surface (the upper
surface of the liquid-crystal display panel 13, in this case) at a
position which is a distance x.sub.s away from the detecting line
150a in the X-direction and which is a distance y.sub.s away from
the detecting 170a in the Y-direction, and the predetermined
magnetic bias is thereby applied to the magnetic elements 126.
At this time, induced voltages V.sub.1 to V.sub.8 shown in FIG. 6
are produced in the respective detecting lines 150a to 150h for the
X-direction. In the graph shown in FIG. 6, the axis of the abscissa
represents coordinate positions x.sub.1 to x.sub.8 in the
X-direction which correspond to the respective positions of the
detecting lines 150a to 150h, while the axis of the ordinate
represents the value of induced voltages. The largest (maximum)
value among the voltages V.sub.1 to V.sub.8 is obtained directly
below the position A.
When the switch 406 of the input pen 2 is turned ON, an infrared
signal representing a code which indicates the start of measurement
is transmitted from the infrared-emitting diode 405. The infrared
signal is received by the infrared-receiving diode 501 provided
inside the infrared-transparent window 15 of the input/output panel
1. The infrared signal is further delivered to the receiver 502
where it is amplified, wave-shaped and converted into the previous
code signal and is further returned to the measurement start
command signal, which is then delivered to the input buffer 503.
When the processing unit 504 recognizes the start of measurement by
reading out the measurement start command signal from the input
buffer 503, the unit 504 delivers a control signal to the
multiplexer 301 through the output buffer 505 so that the
respective induced voltages in the detecting lines 150a to 150h for
the X-direction are successively input to the amplifier 506. Each
of the induced voltages is amplified by the amplifier 506 and
rectified by the detector 507 so as to be converted into a DC
voltage, which is further converted into a digital value by the
analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 508 and is then delivered to the
processing unit 504 through the input buffer 503. In the processing
unit 504, the induced voltages (digital values) are temporarily
stored in the memory 509, and a coordinate value x.sub.s of the
position A in the X-direction is obtained from these induced
voltages.
The coordinate value x.sub.s may be calculated by a method similar
to that described above.
More specifically, the processing unit 504 first detects an induced
voltage V.sub.k having the maximum value (the largest voltage
value, in this case) among the above induced voltages. The
processing unit 504 then takes out the input voltage V.sub.k from
the memory 509, together with the induced voltage V.sub.k-1 which
immediately precedes the voltage V.sub.k and the voltage V.sub.k+1
which is immediately subsequent to the voltage V.sub.k, and
calculates the formula (6) with these voltages respectively
employed as the voltages V.sub.3, V.sub.4 and V.sub.5 in the
formula (6), thereby obtaining the X-coordinate value x.sub.s.
Next, the processing unit 504 delivers a control signal to the
multiplexer 302 through the output buffer 503 so that the
respective induced voltages in the detecting lines 170a to 170h for
the Y-direction are successively input to the processing unit 504,
and the unit 504 obtains a Y-coordinate value by carrying out a
processing operation similar to the above.
The thus obtained X- and Y-coordinate values, which are
respectively represented by digital values, are temporarily stored
in the memory 509, and they are renewed as a result of the above
measurement and calculation repeated at predetermined regular
intervals while the signal indicating the start of measurement is
available. Then, when the tip of the input pen 2 is strongly
pressed against the input surface so that the switch 407 is turned
ON, an infrared signal representing a code which indicates the
inputting of a position is transmitted from the infrared-emitting
diode 405. When this is recognized by the processing unit 504
through the infrared-receiving diode 501, the receiver 502 and the
input buffer 503, the above X- and Y-digital coordinate values at
that time are delivered to a processor 41 as input values.
Thereafter, this operation is repeated, whereby data about
positions successively designated can be obtained.
The position data composed of coordinate values in the X- and
Y-directions and delivered to the processor 41 are successively
delivered through a display control circuit 42 to a display memory
43 where the position data are arranged in accordance with a
predetermined order and stored. The position data are successively
read out in response to timing pulses delivered from the display
control circuit 42 and are output to an X-direction driver 44 and a
Y-position driver 45. The X- and Y-direction drivers 44 and 45 are
further supplied with, as inputs, scanning pulses generated by a
scanning circuit 46 in synchronism with the above-described timing
pulses so that the drivers 44 and 45 drive the electrodes of the
display 13 which correspond to the coordinate values in the X- and
Y-directions, whereby the position designated on the tablet 100 is
displayed at the same position on the display panel 13.
Accordingly, a character or figure handwritten with the input pen 2
from the upper side of the input/output panel 1 is displayed on the
display panel 13 as it is by means of light. If, at this time, the
back light 12 is simultaneously activated, it is possible to obtain
a clear display even when the surrounding area is relatively dark.
In addition, the shielding plate 11 enables any noise to be shut
off, which prevents lowering of the degree of accuracy in position
detection.
If the processor 41 is additionally given a character editing
function, it is possible to effect correction, addition and
deletion of a character or the like which has already been input.
Further, if a figure processing function is additionally given to
the processor 41, it is possible to utilize CAD, CAM and the like.
In addition, the device can be used as a menu input device. It is
to be noted that the above position data or the like can be sent to
a known plotter or printer through the processor 41 to obtain a
hard copy.
The magnetic sheets in this coordinate input device may be
constituted by those shown in the aforementioned first and second
embodiments. Further, the structure of the tablet 100 is not
necessarily limited to that described above, and other types of
structure may be employed, provided that the structure employed is
able to satisfy the functional requirements of the device.
* * * * *