JP2010238046A - Pen-type input device - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a pen-type input device capable of inputting information without changing it in any orientation.
Contact detection means disposed over the entire circumference of a grip portion of a pen-type input device, contact position indexing means for determining a contact position of a finger detected by the contact detection means, and the contact position indexing An information input area setting means for setting an information input area on the contact detection means based on a finger contact position determined by the means, and an information input area set by the information input area setting means. Finger movement detecting means for detecting finger movement, and output means for outputting predetermined information to the information terminal device based on the finger movement detected by the finger movement detecting means.

[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a pen-type input device, and more particularly to a pen-type input device capable of inputting information with a finger.

  Conventionally, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like have been used as information input devices for information terminal devices such as personal computers. Among them, the mouse is widely used as a device for inputting information by GUI (Graphical User Interface).

  A mouse usually has a button for determining information to be input. In addition, a mouse is equipped with a wheel mechanism for inputting information such as an information terminal displayed on the screen to scroll up and down. Some have information input means for scrolling the screen up and down by the movement of the wheel mechanism.

  As an information input device having a function similar to that of a mouse, there is a pen-type input device shaped like a pen. Patent Documents 1 and 2 propose that a pen-type information input device is provided with a wheel mechanism so that information relating mainly to a screen scroll operation can be input.

JP 2003-228456 A JP 2004-295495 A

  However, unlike a normal mouse, the pen-type input device provides functions similar to those of a normal mouse when held, and thus wheel functions and buttons are arranged at fixed positions. Then, since the direction to hold is determined, it is necessary to hold the wheel function or button so that the finger touches it. However, it is not always necessary to touch the wheel function or button with a finger.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems and enable information input without changing the pen-type input device in any orientation.

  To achieve the above object, a pen-type input device according to claim 1 of the present invention is a pen-type input device for inputting information to an information terminal device based on the movement of a finger. Contact detection means arranged over the entire circumference of the grip portion of the pen-type input device, contact position indexing means for determining the contact position of the finger detected by the contact detection means, and indexing by the contact position indexing means On the contact detection means, information input area setting means for setting an information input area on the contact detection means, and finger movement on the information input area set by the information input area setting means on the contact detection means. A finger movement detecting means for detecting; and an output means for outputting predetermined information to the information terminal device based on the finger movement detected by the finger movement detecting means. And butterflies.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the invention, the information input area setting means includes a finger indexed by the contact position indexing means. A position on the contact detection means other than the contact position is set as an information input area.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pen-type input device according to the second aspect of the invention, in addition to the configuration of the second aspect of the present invention, the second information includes the finger contact position determined by the contact position determining means. The apparatus further comprises second information input area setting means for determining as an input area, and second finger movement detecting means for detecting finger movement on the second information input area.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the pen-type input device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, when the number of fingers calculated by the contact position calculating means is three, The information input area setting means sets, as the information input area, a position touched by the central finger among the contact positions of the three fingers.

  In addition to the configuration of the invention described in claim 4, the pen-type input device of the invention according to claim 5 of the present invention has this configuration when the number of fingers calculated by the contact position calculating means is three. A third information input area setting means for setting, as a third information input area, a position where any one finger other than the central finger is in contact among the contact positions of the three fingers; And a third finger movement detecting means for detecting a finger movement on the third information input area.

  A pen-type input device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a pen-type input device for inputting information to an information terminal device based on the movement of a finger, on the entire circumference of the grip portion of the pen-type input device. Based on the contact detection means disposed across, the contact position indexing means for determining the contact position of the finger detected by the contact detection means, and the finger contact position determined by the contact position indexing means, On the contact detection means, an information input area setting means for setting an information input area, a finger movement detecting means for detecting a finger movement on the information input area set by the information input area setting means, and the finger Output means for outputting predetermined information to the information terminal device based on the finger movement detected by the movement detecting means. As a result, regardless of the orientation of the pen-type input device, an information input area is set according to how the pen-type input apparatus is held, and information can be input by movement of a finger on the information input area. .

  The pen-type input device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the pen-type input device according to the first aspect, wherein the information input area setting means is other than the contact position of the finger indexed by the contact position indexing means. By setting the position on the contact detection means as the information input area, it is possible to input information by a person other than the finger initially holding the pen-type input device regardless of the direction of holding the pen-type input device.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the second aspect, the pen-type input device determines the contact position of the finger determined by the contact position determining means as the second information input area. By further comprising a second information input area setting means and a second finger movement detecting means for detecting a finger movement on the second information input area, the finger having the pen-type input device is used. Information can also be entered.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, when the number of fingers calculated by the contact position indexing unit is three, the information input area setting unit Sets the position where the center finger touched among the contact positions of these three fingers as an information input area, so that when holding the pen-type input device with three fingers, in which direction However, it is possible to input information with the central finger.

  In addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 4, the pen-type input device of the invention according to claim 5 is configured such that when the number of fingers calculated by the contact position indexing means is three, Third information input area setting means for setting, as a third information input area, a position where any one finger other than the center finger is in contact with the third position, and the third information By further providing third finger movement detecting means for detecting the movement of the finger on the input area, it becomes possible to input information by a finger initially having a pen-type input device.

It is a perspective view of pen type input device 1 of a 1st embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the hardware of the pen-type input device 1 of 1st Embodiment. 3 is a conceptual diagram of a planar electrostatic sensor that constitutes the finger contact sensor 11. FIG. It is a figure which shows the use condition of the pen-type input device 1 in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of use of the pen-type input device 1 in 1st Embodiment. In 1st Embodiment, it is a figure which shows a mode that the finger contact sensor 11 of the state which the two fingers 31 and 32 are contacting is expand | deployed planarly. It is a figure which shows the use condition of the pen-type input device 1 in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of use of the pen-type input device 1 in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart regarding the data acquisition of the contact state of the finger | toe 33 in the 1st information input area 51 of the pen-type input device 1 in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart regarding the data acquisition of the contact state of the finger | toe 31 in the 2nd information input area 52 of the pen-type input device 1 in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the use condition of the pen-type input device 1 in 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of pen type input device 1 use in 3rd Embodiment. In 3rd Embodiment, it is sectional drawing of the grip part 10 of the pen-type input device 1 which shows an example of the contact position of three fingers. It is a perspective view of the pen-type input device 101 of 4th Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the pen type input device 101 of 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the use condition of the pen-type input device 101 in 4th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of use of the pen-type input device 101 in 4th Embodiment. In 4th Embodiment, it is the figure which expand | deployed the pen-type input device 101 of the state which the three fingers 31, 32, 33 and the part 35 of the hand are contacting in flat form. It is a flowchart regarding the data acquisition process of the contact state of the finger | toe 33 in the 1st information input area 71 of the pen-type input device 101 in 4th Embodiment. It is a flowchart regarding the data acquisition process of the contact state of the finger | toe 31 in the 3rd information input area 72 of the pen-type input device 101 in 4th Embodiment.

(Configuration overview)
The pen-type input device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pen-type input device 1 according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the pen-type input device 1. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of a planar electrostatic sensor constituting the finger contact sensor 11.

  The main body 1A of the pen-type input device 1 has a hollow cylindrical shape, and its tip has a conical shape. The shape is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be, for example, a polygonal column such as a hexagonal column, and the tip may be a polygonal pyramid shape.

  The pen-type input device 1 is provided with a grip portion 10 that can be touched by a finger, and a finger contact sensor 11 is provided over the entire circumference of the grip portion 10. The finger contact sensor 11 is formed by winding a planar electrostatic sensor around the grip portion 10 that is the outer peripheral portion of the tip of the pen-type input device 1. The grip unit 10 is a place where the user holds the pen-type input device 1 with his / her finger when using the pen-type input device 1. Since the user's finger comes into contact with the grip portion 10, it is possible to detect contact and movement of the user's finger by disposing the finger contact sensor 11 on the grip portion 10. Further, the finger contact sensor 11 may be disposed substantially on the entire circumference of the grip portion 10 and may be separated by a slit thinner than the thickness of the finger.

  In addition, a control unit (not shown) capable of data communication with the finger contact sensor 11 is built in the main body 1A of the pen-type input device 1. The hardware configuration of this control unit will be described later.

  The pen-type input device 1 is provided with a communication cable 12 at the end thereof. The communication cable 12 is for outputting information input in the pen-type input device 1 to the information terminal device 91. Note that the information output method is not limited to the method using the wired communication cable 12 as shown in FIG. 1, and may be a method using wireless communication using various protocols such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

  The information terminal device 91 is a device that captures input data, performs various data processing, and displays the data, such as a personal computer. The data is displayed on a display device (not shown) connected or integrated with the information terminal device 91. In the information terminal device 91, for example, the screen display is scrolled based on the information input from the pen-type input device 1 through the communication cable 12.

  Next, the hardware functional blocks of the control unit of the pen-type input device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The pen-type input device 1 includes a finger contact sensor 11, a CPU 13, a ROM 14, a RAM 15, an input interface 16, and an external interface 17. The CPU 13, ROM 14, RAM 15, input interface 16, and external interface 17 are connected to each other by a bus 20. These control units are built in the main body 1 </ b> A of the pen-type input device 1.

  The finger contact sensor 11 is a sensor that detects the contact of a finger and can specify the location. An electrostatic sensor is used as the finger contact sensor 11. As shown in FIG. 3, the electrostatic sensor has a structure in which a plurality of electrodes are arranged in both vertical and horizontal directions. When an arbitrary point on the sensor is touched with a finger as a conductor, the potential between the electrodes passing in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction changes, so that contact can be detected. The coordinates of the contact position of the finger can be specified by specifying the coordinates of the portion where the potential has changed with the point A shown in FIG. 3 as the origin. For example, in the example of FIG. 3, the finger P is in contact with the third position in the x direction and the sixth position in the y direction with the point A as the origin. In this case, the position of x = 3 and y = 6 is the finger position. It is assumed that the contact coordinates are. When the contact sensor shown in FIG. 3 is wound around the pen-type input device 1, the contact sensor is wound so that the line AA ′ and the line BB ′ shown in FIG. By regarding the BB ′ line as the same location, the coordinates of the finger contact location on the finger contact sensor 11 wound around the cylindrical pen-type input device 1 from the coordinates on the planar electrostatic sensor. Can be determined. Further, when it is detected that the position of the finger in contact with the sensor has continuously changed, it is determined that the finger has moved. By detecting the direction and amount of change in the contact position of the finger, it is possible to detect how much the finger has moved in which direction. For example, in the example of FIG. 3, when the finger P continuously moves to the point P ′ without leaving the electrostatic sensor, the contact coordinates of the point P ′ are x = 3 and y = 3. It is detected that the distance 3 has been moved in the minus direction. Assuming that the A′-B ′ side is the tip direction of the pen-type input device 1, in this case, it is detected that the finger has moved a distance 3 from the tip side of the pen-type input device 1 in the distal direction. The finger contact sensor is not limited to an electrostatic sensor, and may be a pressure sensor or the like.

  A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 13 cooperates with a ROM (Read Only Memory) 14 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 15 to perform various calculations, program execution, and data processing associated therewith. In the ROM 14, data for setting an information input area based on the finger contact data detected by the finger contact sensor 11 and outputting data of finger contact and movement detected in the information input area to the information terminal device 91. Various programs and parameters for performing various processes such as conversion into a format are stored. In the RAM 15, various programs as described above read and executed by the CPU 13, data converted into a data format transmitted to the information terminal device 91 processed by the CPU 13 by the executed program, and the like are stored in the storage area. Stored temporarily.

  The input interface 16 is a device that converts the finger contact position measured by the finger contact sensor 11 and the physical and logical forms of the finger movement and passes them to the bus 20.

  The external interface 17 is an interface for outputting to the information terminal device 91 data that has been input in the information input area and converted into a data format to be output to the information terminal device 91 by the CPU 13. In FIG. 2, the data is output to the information terminal device 91 through the communication cable 12. However, data can be similarly output by wireless communication.

  Electric power for driving the pen-type input device 1 is supplied from the information terminal device 91 through the communication cable 12. However, the method is not limited, and a battery may be installed inside and supplied from there.

  The finger contact sensor 11 corresponds to the “contact detection unit” of the present invention, and the CPU 13 that executes various programs performs the “contact position determination unit”, “information input area setting unit”, and “finger movement detection unit” of the present invention. The external interface 17 corresponds to the “output unit” of the present invention.

(First embodiment)
Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a usage state of the pen-type input device 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation when using the pen-type input device 1 in the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the finger contact sensor 11 in a state where the two fingers 31 and 32 are in contact with each other as illustrated in FIG.

  In the first embodiment, the user is assumed to hold the pen-type input device 1 of the present invention with two fingers (thumb 31 and middle finger 32) of the hand 30 as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, processing performed by the CPU 13 of the pen-type input device 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the pen-type input device 1 is activated when connected to the information terminal device 91. At that time, each setting is reset (S11). Next, it is determined whether the user has held the pen-type input device 1 with two fingers (thumb 31 and middle finger 32) (S12). At that time, it is determined whether or not the finger contact sensor 11 has detected two contacts. If the finger contact sensor 11 does not detect two touches (when one or less or three or more are detected), it is determined that the user does not hold the pen with the two fingers 31 and 32. (S12: NO) Subsequently, it is determined whether the user has held the pen-type input device 1 (S12). On the other hand, if the finger contact sensor 11 detects two touches, it is determined that the user has held the pen-type input device 1 with the two fingers 31 and 32 (S12: YES). The contact position on the finger contact sensor 11 is determined (S13). The contact position of the finger is determined by calculation by the CPU 13 based on the coordinates on the finger contact sensor 11 where the contact is detected. Next, the calculated finger contact position is stored in an area (not shown) on the RAM 15 (S14). Then, an area on the finger contact sensor 11 other than the calculated finger contact position is set as the information input area 41. (S15).

  Here, the setting method of the information input area 41 is demonstrated in detail using FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the finger contact sensor 11 in a state where the thumb 31 and the middle finger 32 are in contact with each other as illustrated in FIG. In FIG. 6, the vertical direction in the figure indicates the longitudinal direction of the pen input device 1. The areas extending in the longitudinal direction of the pen input device 1 with respect to the contact positions 31a and 32a of the fingers 31 and 32 are set as finger contact areas 31b and 32b. At this time, the circumferential widths 31 bw and 32 bw of the finger contact areas 31 b and 32 b are 1.1 times the widths 31 aw and 32 aw of the finger contact positions 31 a and 32 a, respectively. Thereafter, an area on the finger contact sensor 11 that is not set in the finger contact areas 31 b and 32 b is set as the information input area 41.

  Next, it is determined whether or not a finger touches the information input area 41 (S16). When the finger contact sensor 11 detects contact in the information input area 41 with the two fingers (thumb 31 and middle finger 32) holding the pen-type input device 1 as determined in S12, the third one It is determined that the finger (index finger) 33 has touched the information input area 41 (S16: YES), and then the movement of the finger 33 touched is detected (S17). When it is detected that the contact position of the index finger 33 that has touched the information input area 41 has continuously changed on the information input area 41, it is considered that the movement of the finger has been detected (S17: YES). Data on the amount and direction is acquired (S18). Next, the CPU 13 converts the acquired finger movement data into a format for output to the information terminal device 91 by the CPU 13, and then outputs the converted data to the information terminal device 91 (S20). In the information terminal device 91, the screen is scrolled according to the data regarding the amount and direction of the movement of the index finger 33 by the input pen-type input device 1. Then, the process proceeds to S21.

  On the other hand, when the finger contact sensor 11 does not detect contact in the information input area 41, it is determined that no finger is in contact with the information input area 41 (S16: NO), and the process proceeds to S21. Moreover, also when it detects that there is no movement of a finger (S17: NO), it transfers to the process of S21.

  Next, it is determined whether the user continues to hold the pen-type input device 1 with two fingers (thumb 31 and middle finger 32) (S21). At this time, it is determined whether or not the finger contact sensor 11 has detected contact at the same position as the contact position of the two fingers 31 and 32 stored in an area (not shown) on the RAM 15 in S14. If the finger contact sensor 11 does not detect contact at the same position, it is determined that the user does not hold the pen-type input device 1 with the two fingers 31 and 32 (S21: NO). As a result, it is considered that the use of the pen-type input device 1 is finished, the setting of the information input area 41 is canceled (S22), and the user holds the pen-type input device 1 with the two fingers 31 and 32 again. The process proceeds to processing for determining whether or not (S12). On the other hand, when the finger contact sensor 11 detects contact at the same position as the contact position of the two fingers 31 and 32 stored in the area (not shown) on the RAM 15, the user continues with the two fingers 31 and 32. It is determined that the pen-type input device 1 is held (S21: YES), and the process returns to the operation of determining whether the user's finger has touched the information input area 41 (S16).

  The above process is repeated until the connection of the pen-type input device 1 to the information terminal device 91 is released. If the pen-type input device 1 is no longer connected to the information terminal device 91, the process is terminated at that time.

  By performing the above processing, in the pen-type input device 1 held by two fingers (the thumb 31 and the middle finger 32), the area on the finger contact sensor 11 other than the place where the two fingers are in contact Is set as the information input area 41, data based on the contact of the index finger 33 with the information input area 41 can be acquired, and information based on the data can be output to the information terminal device 91.

  In the above description, the pen-type input device 1 is held by the thumb 31 and the middle finger 32 and the index finger 33 is illustrated as being in contact with the information input area 41. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The pen input device 1 may be held by the thumb and the ring finger, and the finger that contacts the information input area 41 may be the middle finger.

  Further, the process of calculating the finger contact position by the finger contact sensor 11 in S13 from the coordinates on the electrostatic sensor used for the finger contact sensor 11 corresponds to the “contact position indexing unit” of the present invention. Further, the process of setting the area on the finger contact sensor 11 other than the determined finger contact position in S15 as the information input area 41 corresponds to the “information input area setting means” of the present invention, and in S16 to S19, The process of detecting data related to the amount and direction of finger movement on the information input area 41 from the data of the electrostatic sensor used in the finger contact sensor 11 corresponds to the “finger movement detection means” of the present invention. .

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment, and detects contact when the user determines whether the pen-type input device 1 is held with two fingers (the thumb 31 and the middle finger 32). The touched area of either of the two fingers 31 and 32 is set as the second information input area. A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the second embodiment of the present invention, only the processing in the CPU 13 is different from the first embodiment. Therefore, the overall configuration and hardware function blocks of the pen-type input device 1 are the same as those in the first embodiment. The description thereof is omitted. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a usage state of the pen-type input device 1 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation when the pen-type input device 1 is used in the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the pen-type input device 1 in the second embodiment in the first information input area. FIG. 10 is a flowchart related to the data acquisition process of the finger contact state in the second information input area of the pen-type input device 1 according to the second embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 13 that executes various programs corresponds to the “second information input area setting unit” and the “second finger movement detection unit” of the present invention.

  In the second embodiment, it is assumed that the user holds the pen-type input device 1 of the present invention with two fingers (thumb 31 and middle finger 32) of the hand 30 as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, processing performed by the CPU 13 of the pen-type input device 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the pen-type input device 1 is activated when connected to the information terminal device 91. At that time, each setting is reset (S31). Next, it is determined whether the user has held the pen-type input device 1 with two fingers (thumb 31 and middle finger 32) (S32). At that time, it is determined whether or not the finger contact sensor 11 has detected two contacts. If the finger contact sensor 11 does not detect two touches (when one or less or three or more are detected), it is determined that the user does not hold the pen with the two fingers 31 and 32. (S32: NO) Subsequently, it is determined whether the user has held the pen-type input device 1 (S32). On the other hand, if the finger contact sensor 11 detects two contacts, it is determined that the user holds the pen-type input device 1 with the two fingers 31 and 32 (S32: YES). The contact position on the finger contact sensor 11 is determined (S33). The contact position of the finger is determined by calculation by the CPU 13 based on the coordinates on the finger contact sensor 11 where the contact is detected. Next, the calculated finger contact position is stored in an area (not shown) on the RAM 15 (S34). Then, an area on the finger contact sensor 11 other than the calculated finger contact position is set as the first information input area 51 (S35). In addition, one of the finger contact areas derived from the calculated contact positions of the two fingers 31 and 32 (shown as the contact position of the thumb 31 in FIG. 7) is set as the second information input area 52 (S36). ). Since the setting method of the information input areas 51 and 52 is the same as the setting method of the information input area 41 and the finger contact area 31b of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Next, it is determined whether or not a finger touches the first information input area 51 (S37). When the finger contact sensor 11 detects contact in the first information input area 51 while holding the pen-type input device 1 with two fingers (thumb 31 and middle finger 32) as determined in S32. It is determined that the third finger (index finger) 33 has touched the first information input area 51 (S37: YES), and then data on the contact state of the finger is acquired (S38). In S38, data acquisition of the contact state of the finger touching the first information input area 51 is performed based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, the movement of the finger touching the first information input area 51 is detected (S381). When it is detected that the contact position of the index finger 33 that has contacted the first information input area 51 determined in S37 has continuously changed on the first information input area 51, the movement of the finger is detected. It is regarded as a thing (S381: YES), and data relating to the amount and direction of the movement is acquired (S382). On the other hand, when it is detected that there is no movement of the finger (S381: NO), no particular processing is performed. This completes the acquisition of data on how the finger touches the first information input area 51, returns to the main flowchart, and proceeds to the process of S39.

  On the other hand, when the finger contact sensor 11 does not detect contact in the first information input area 51, it is determined that the finger is not in contact with the first information input area 51 (S37: NO), and the process proceeds to S39. Transition.

  Next, data on the contact state of the finger in contact with the second information input area 52 is acquired (S39). In S39, data acquisition of the contact state of the finger in contact with the second information input area 52 is performed based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, it is detected whether or not there is a change in the contact state of the thumb 31 that is in contact with the second information input area 52 (S391). When the contact on the second information input area 52 continues at the same location, it is determined that there is no change in the contact state of the thumb 31 (S391: NO), and the detection of the change in the contact state of the finger is finished. To do. On the other hand, if the contact on the second information input area 52 is not continued at the same location, it is determined that the contact state of the thumb 31 has changed (S391: YES), and then the change moves. It is determined whether or not there is any (S392). When it is detected that the contact position of the thumb 31 in contact with the second information input area 52 has continuously changed on the second information input area 52, it is determined that the movement of the finger has been detected. (S392: YES), data on the amount and direction of the movement is acquired (S393). On the other hand, if the change described above is not detected, it is determined that there is no movement (S392: NO), and no particular processing is performed. This completes the data acquisition of the contact state of the finger that is in contact with the second information input area 52 and returns to the main flowchart.

  Next, after the finger movement data obtained in the first information input area 51 and the second information input area 52 is converted into a format to be output to the information terminal apparatus 91 by the CPU 13, the information terminal apparatus 91 (S40). In the information terminal device 91, for example, screen scrolling in two directions is performed according to data regarding the amount and direction of movement of two fingers (thumb 31 and index finger 33) by the input pen-type input device 1.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the user continuously holds the pen-type input device 1 with two fingers (thumb 31 and middle finger 32) (S41). At this time, it is determined whether or not the finger contact sensor 11 has detected contact at the same position as the contact position of the two fingers 31 and 32 stored in an area (not shown) on the RAM 15 in S34. If the finger contact sensor 11 does not detect contact at the same position, it is determined that the user does not hold the pen-type input device 1 with the two fingers 31 and 32 (S41: NO). As a result, it is considered that the use of the pen-type input device 1 is finished, the setting of the information input areas 51 and 52 is canceled (S42), and the user holds the pen-type input device 1 with the two fingers 31 and 32 again. The process proceeds to a process for determining whether or not it has been performed (S32). On the other hand, when the finger contact sensor 11 detects contact at the same position as the contact position of the two fingers 31 and 32 stored in the area (not shown) on the RAM 15, the user continues with the two fingers 31 and 32. It is determined that the pen-type input device 1 is held (S41: YES), and the process returns to the operation of determining whether the user's finger has touched the first information input area 51 (S37).

  The above process is repeated until the connection of the pen-type input device 1 to the information terminal device 91 is released. If the pen-type input device 1 is no longer connected to the information terminal device 91, the process is terminated at that time.

  By performing the above processing, in the pen-type input device 1 held by two fingers (the thumb 31 and the middle finger 32), the area on the finger contact sensor 11 other than the place where the two fingers are in contact Can be used as the first information input area 51, data based on finger contact with the first information input area 51 can be acquired, and information based on the data can be output to the information terminal device 91. . In addition, data based on the change in the contact state of the finger to the second information input area 52, which is the area touched by either of the two fingers 31, 32, is acquired, and information based on the acquired data Can be output to the information terminal device 91.

  In the above description, the pen-type input device 1 is held by the thumb 31 and the middle finger 32 and the index finger 33 is in contact with the first information input area 51. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the finger that holds the pen-type input device 1 with the thumb and ring finger and contacts the first information input area 51 may be the middle finger.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the process of S35 for setting the area on the finger contact sensor 11 at the contact position of the two fingers determined in S33 as the second information input area 52 is “second” of the present invention. The information regarding the amount and direction of the movement of the finger on the second information input area 52 in S39 is obtained from the data of the electrostatic sensor used for the finger contact sensor 11. The detection process corresponds to the “second finger movement detection means” of the present invention.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Unlike the first and second embodiments, the third embodiment determines the information input area by holding the pen-type input device 1 with three fingers. In the third embodiment of the present invention, only the processing in the CPU 13 is different from the first embodiment, and the overall configuration and hardware function blocks of the pen-type input device 1 are the same as those in the first embodiment. To do. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a usage state of the pen-type input device 1 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation when the pen-type input device 1 is used in the present embodiment. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the grip portion 10 of the pen-type input device 1 showing an example of the contact position of three fingers.

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 13 that executes various programs corresponds to the “information input area setting unit” of the present invention.

  In the third embodiment, at the start of use, the user holds the pen-type input device 1 of the present invention with three fingers (thumb 31, middle finger 32, and index finger 33) of the hand 30, as shown in FIG. Shall. Hereinafter, processing performed by the pen-type input device 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the pen-type input device 1 is activated when connected to the information terminal device 91. At that time, each setting is reset (S51). Next, it is determined whether the user has held the pen-type input device 1 with three fingers (thumb 31, middle finger 32, and index finger 33) (S52). At that time, it is determined whether or not the finger contact sensor 11 has detected three contacts. If the finger contact sensor 11 does not detect contact at three locations (when two or less locations or four or more locations are detected), the user must hold the pen with the three fingers 31, 32, 33. A determination is made (S52: NO), and it is subsequently determined whether the user has held the pen-type input device 1 (S52). On the other hand, if the finger contact sensor 11 detects contact at three locations, it is determined that the user has held the pen-type input device 1 with the three fingers 31, 32, 33 (S52: YES), and then Then, the contact position on the finger contact sensor 11 is determined (S53). The contact position of the finger is determined by calculation by the CPU 13 based on the coordinates on the finger contact sensor 11 where the contact is detected. Next, the calculated finger contact position is stored in an area (not shown) on the RAM 15 (S54). Then, among the determined three finger contact positions, the center finger, that is, the area touched by the index finger 33 is set as the information input area 61 (S55).

  Details of the setting method of the information input area 61 will be described. The center finger is determined from the size of the distance between the contact positions of the three fingers 31, 32, and 33. Specifically, the finger that is in contact with the opposite region across the main body of the pen-type input device 1 is the center when viewed from the region between the contact positions that is the widest of the three contact position intervals. Is considered a finger. For example, when the determined finger contact positions are three positions 31a, 32a, and 33a shown in FIG. 13, the widest interval is between the contact position 31a and the contact position 32a. The contact position 33a of the index finger 33 that is in contact with the finger contact sensor 11 on the opposite surface across the pen-type input device 1 with respect to the region between the position 31a and the contact position 32a, and the pen-type input device 1 An area extending in the longitudinal direction is set as the information input area 61.

  Note that the center finger (index finger) 33 does not need to be in contact with the finger contact sensor 11 when the setting of the information input area 61 is completed. It is good also as a structure which alert | reports that from the information terminal device 91. FIG.

  Next, it is determined whether or not a finger touches the information input area 61 (S56). When the finger contact sensor 11 detects contact in the information input area 61, it is determined that the third finger (index finger) 33 has again contacted the information input area 61 (S56: YES), and the movement of the next touched index finger 33 Is detected (S57). When it is detected that the contact position of the index finger 33 that has contacted the information input area 61 determined in S16 has continuously changed on the information input area 61, it is considered that the movement of the finger has been detected (S57: YES), data on the amount and direction of the movement is acquired (S58). Next, after converting the acquired finger contact data into a format to be output to the information terminal device 91 by the CPU 13, it is output to the information terminal device 91 (S60). In the information terminal device 91, for example, the screen is scrolled in accordance with the data input by the pen-type input device 1. Then, the process proceeds to S61.

  On the other hand, when the finger contact sensor 11 does not detect contact in the information input area 61, it is determined that no finger is in contact with the information input area 61 (S56: NO), and the process proceeds to S61. Moreover, also when it detects that there is no movement of a finger (S57: NO), it transfers to the process of S61.

  Next, it is determined whether the user continues to hold the pen-type input device 1 with two fingers (thumb 31 and middle finger 32) (S61). At that time, the index finger 33 determined by the finger contact sensor 11 as the center finger among the contact positions of the three fingers (thumb 31, middle finger 32, and index finger 33) stored in an area (not shown) on the RAM 15 in S54. It is determined whether or not contact is detected at the same position as the two fingers 31 and 32 except for. If the finger contact sensor 11 does not detect contact at the same position, it is determined that the user does not hold the pen-type input device 1 with the two fingers 31 and 32 (S61: NO). As a result, it is considered that the use of the pen-type input device 1 is finished, the setting of the information input area 61 is canceled (S62), and the user holds the pen-type input device 1 with the three fingers 31, 32, 33 again. The process proceeds to a process for determining whether or not it has been performed (S52). On the other hand, when the finger contact sensor 11 detects contact at the same position as the contact position of the two fingers 31 and 32 stored in the area (not shown) on the RAM 15, the user continues with the two fingers 31 and 32. It is determined that the pen-type input device 1 is held (S61: YES), and the process returns to the operation of determining whether the user's finger has touched the information input area 61 (S56).

  The above process is repeated until the connection of the pen-type input device 1 to the information terminal device 91 is released. If the pen-type input device 1 is no longer connected to the information terminal device 91, the process is terminated at that time.

  By performing the above processing, in the pen-type input device 1 held by three fingers (thumb 31, middle finger 32, and index finger 33), the middle finger (index finger 33) of the three fingers contacts. The information input area 61 is set as the information input area, data based on finger contact with the information input area 61 is acquired, and information based on the data can be output to the information terminal device 91.

  In the above description, the pen-type input device 1 is held by the thumb 31, the middle finger 32, and the index finger 33, and the index finger 33 is illustrated as being in contact with the information input area 61. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the finger that holds the pen-type input device 1 with the thumb, middle finger, and ring finger and contacts the information input area 61 may be the middle finger.

  In addition, the process of S55 in which the area on the finger contact sensor 11 corresponding to the contact position of the center finger is set as the information input area 61 from the contact positions of the three fingers determined in S54 is “information input” of the present invention. This corresponds to “region setting means”.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the pen-type input device 101 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram of the pen-type input device 101 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a usage state of the pen-type input device 101 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an operation when the pen-type input device 101 is used in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing that the three fingers 31, 32, 33 and a part 35 of the hand are in the fourth embodiment. It is the figure which expand | deployed the pen type input device 101 of the state in contact in planar shape. FIG. 19 is a flowchart regarding data acquisition processing of a finger contact state in the first information input area of the other input device 101 according to the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 20 is a pen-type input device 101 according to the fourth embodiment. It is a flowchart regarding the data acquisition process of the contact state of the finger in the third information input area.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the pen-type input device 101 according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which a hand contact sensor 118 is added in the vicinity of the end portion of the pen-type input device 1 according to the first to third embodiments. It has become.

  FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram of the control unit of the pen-type input device 101 according to the fourth embodiment. The finger contact sensor 111, the CPU 113, the ROM 114, the RAM 115, the input interface 116, the external interface 117, and the bus 120 are respectively the finger contact sensor 11, the CPU 13, the ROM 14, the RAM 15, the pen-type input device 1 of the first to third embodiments. The input interface 16, the external interface 17, and the bus 20 have the same configuration. All of these control units are built in the main body 101A of the pen-type input device 101. The detailed description is the same as in the first to third embodiments, and will not be repeated.

  Similar to the finger contact sensor 11 of the first to third embodiments, the hand contact sensor 118 is installed by winding a flat electrostatic sensor. The point that other planar sensors such as a pressure sensor can be applied is the same as the finger contact sensor 11 of the first to third embodiments. Normally, when holding the pen, a part of the hand corresponding to the base of the finger (portion indicated by 35 in FIG. 16) contacts with a position corresponding to the hand contact sensor 118. The detection of the contact position of the part 35 of the hand can also be performed in the same manner as the finger contact sensor 11 of the first to third embodiments. Similarly to the finger contact sensor 111, the hand contact sensor 118 is connected to the CPU 113 and the like through the input interface 116 and the bus 120.

  In this embodiment, the finger contact sensor 111 is the “contact detection means” of the present invention, and the CPU 113 that executes various programs is the “contact position indexing means”, “information input area setting means”, “ 3 information input area setting means ”,“ finger movement detection means ”and“ third finger movement detection means ”, and the external interface 117 is the“ output means ”of the present invention.

  In the fourth embodiment, at the start of use, the user holds the pen-type input device 101 of the present invention with three fingers (thumb 31, middle finger 32, and index finger 33) of the hand 30, as shown in FIG. It shall be. Hereinafter, processing performed by the pen-type input device 101 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the pen-type input device 101 is activated when connected to the information terminal device 91. At that time, each setting is reset (S81). Next, it is determined whether or not the user holds the pen-type input device 101 with three fingers (thumb 31, middle finger 32, and index finger 33) (S82). At that time, it is determined whether or not the finger contact sensor 111 has detected three contacts. If the finger contact sensor 111 does not detect contact at three positions (when two or less positions or four positions or more are detected), the user holds the pen-type input device 101 with the three fingers 31, 32, 33. It is determined that the user has not held the pen-type input device 101 (S82: NO). If the finger contact sensor 111 detects contact at three locations (S82: YES), it is determined that the user has held the pen-type input device 101 with the three fingers 31, 32, 33, and then The contact position on the finger contact sensor 111 is determined (S83). The contact position of the finger is determined by calculation by the CPU 113 based on the coordinates on the finger contact sensor 111 where the contact is detected. Next, the calculated finger contact position is stored in an area (not shown) on the RAM 15 (S84).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the user's hand is in contact with the hand contact sensor 118 installed at the base of the pen-type input device 101 (S85). If the hand contact sensor 118 detects contact even at one location, it is determined that the hand part 35 is in contact with the hand contact sensor 118 (S85: YES), and then the contact position of the hand part 35 is determined. Determine (S86). The contact position of the part of the hand 35 is determined by calculating by the CPU 113 based on the coordinates on the hand contact sensor 118 where the contact is detected. Next, out of the three fingers (the thumb 31, the middle finger 32, and the index finger 33) that are in contact with the finger contact sensor 111, contact is made on the same side as the position of the part 35 of the hand that is in contact with the hand contact sensor 118. The contact position of the middle finger 32 is set as a base point (S87).

  Here, the setting method of a base point is demonstrated. 18 is a plan view of the pen-type input device 101 in a state where three fingers (thumb 31, middle finger 32, and index finger 33) and a part of the hand 35 are in contact with the pen-type input device 101 as shown in FIG. FIG. In FIG. 18, the vertical direction in the figure is the longitudinal direction of the pen-type input device 101, and the horizontal direction is the circumferential direction of the pen-type input device 101. The contact position of the finger that is in contact with the position closest to the contact position of the part of the hand 35 in the circumferential direction is set as the base point. When three fingers 31, 32, 33 and a part of the hand 35 are in contact with the pen-type input device 101 as shown in FIG. 16, as shown in FIG. 18, a part of the hand 35 in the circumferential direction. The finger in contact with the finger contact sensor 111 closest to the contact position is the middle finger 32. Therefore, the contact position of the middle finger 32 is set as the base point.

  Next, of the contact positions of two fingers (thumb 31 and index finger 33) other than the finger set as the base point, the contact position of the index finger 33 that is the contact position close to the base point is set as the contact position of the center finger. The area extending in the longitudinal direction of the pen input device 1 is set as the first information input area 71 with respect to the contact position (S88). Also, one of the finger contact areas derived from the contact positions of the two fingers 31 and 32 other than the index finger 33 set as the center finger (shown as the contact position of the thumb 31 in FIG. 16) is the third finger. The information input area 72 is set (S89). Since the setting method of the information input areas 71 and 72 is the same as the setting method of the information input area 41 and the finger contact area 31b of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted. Then, the process proceeds to S90.

  Note that the center finger (index finger) 33 does not need to be in contact with the finger contact sensor 111 at the stage where the setting of the information input areas 71 and 72 is completed. It is good also as a structure which alert | reports that from the information terminal device 91. FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the hand contact sensor 118 cannot detect any contact and the hand contact sensor 118 is not in contact with a part of the hand 35 (S85: NO), the finger contact sensor 111 is touched. Since it is not possible to determine which of the three fingers is the center finger, the information input area is not set, and the process proceeds to determination of whether or not the pen-type input device 101 is continuously held (S94).

  Next, it is determined whether or not a finger has touched the first information input area 71 (S90). When the finger contact sensor 111 detects contact on the first information input area 71, it is determined that the index finger 33, which is the center finger, has again contacted the first information input area 71 (S90: YES), and then The movement of the touching index finger 33 is detected (S91). In S91, data acquisition of the contact state of the index finger 33 that has touched the first information input area 71 is performed based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, the movement of the finger touching the first information input area 71 is detected (S911). When it is detected that the contact position of the index finger 33 that has contacted the first information input area 71 determined in S90 has continuously changed on the first information input area 71, the finger has movement Is detected (S911: YES), and data relating to the movement is acquired (S912). On the other hand, when it is detected that there is no movement of the finger (S911: NO), no particular processing is performed. This completes the acquisition of data on how the finger has touched the first information input area 71, returns to the main flowchart, and proceeds to the process of S92.

  On the other hand, when the finger contact sensor 111 does not detect contact on the first information input area 71, it is determined that the finger does not touch the first information input area 71 (S90: NO), and the process of S92 Migrate to

  Next, data on the contact state of the finger in contact with the third information input area 72 is acquired (S92). In S92, data acquisition of the contact state of the finger in contact with the third information input area 72 is performed based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, it is detected whether or not there is a change in the contact state of the thumb 31 that is in contact with the third information input area 72 (S921). If the contact on the third information input area 72 continues at the same location, it is determined that there is no change in the contact state of the thumb 31 (S921: NO) and data acquisition of the finger contact state change is acquired. finish. On the other hand, when the contact on the third information input area 72 is not continued at the same location, it is determined that the contact state of the thumb 31 has changed (S921: YES), and then the change moves. It is determined whether or not there is any (S922). When it is detected that the contact position of the thumb 31 that has contacted the third information input area 72 has continuously changed on the third information input area 72, it is determined that there is movement (S922: YES). Then, data regarding the movement is acquired (S923). On the other hand, when the change mentioned above is not detected, it determines with there being no movement (S922: NO) and does not perform a process in particular. This completes the data acquisition of the contact state of the finger that is in contact with the third information input area 72, and the process returns to the main flowchart.

  Next, the finger contact data obtained in the first information input area 71 and the third information input area 72 is converted into a format to be output to the information terminal device 91 by the CPU 113, and then to the information terminal device 91. Output (S93). In the information terminal 91, for example, screen scroll processing or the like is performed according to the input data from the pen-type input device 101. Then, the process proceeds to S94.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the user continuously holds the pen-type input device 101 with two fingers (thumb 31 and middle finger 32) (S94). At that time, the index finger 33 determined by the finger contact sensor 111 as the center finger among the contact positions of the three fingers (the thumb 31, the middle finger 32, and the index finger 33) stored in an area (not shown) on the RAM 115 in S84. It is determined whether or not contact is detected at the same position as the two fingers 31 and 32 except for. If the finger contact sensor 111 does not detect contact at the same position, it is determined that the user does not hold the pen-type input device 101 with the two fingers 31 and 32 (S94: NO). As a result, it is considered that the use of the pen-type input device 101 is finished, the setting of the information input areas 71 and 72 is canceled (S95), and the user again uses the three fingers 31, 32, and 33 for the pen-type input device 101. (S82). On the other hand, when the finger contact sensor 111 detects contact at the same position as the contact position of the two fingers 31 and 32 stored in the area (not shown) on the RAM 115, the user continues to use the two fingers 31 and 32 with the pen. It is determined that the mold input device 101 is held (S94: YES), and the process returns to the operation of detecting whether or not the user's finger has moved on the first information input area 71 (S90).

  The above process is repeated until the connection of the pen-type input device 101 to the information terminal device 91 is released. If the pen-type input device 101 is no longer connected to the information terminal device 91, the process is terminated at that point.

  By performing the above processing, in the pen-type input device 101 held by three fingers (thumb 31, middle finger 32, and index finger 33), the center finger (index finger) 33 of the three fingers contacts. The contact position that is being used is set as the first information input area 71, data based on the contact of the index finger 33 with the first information input area 71 is acquired, and information based on the data is output to the information terminal device 91. It becomes possible to do. In addition, data based on a change in the contact state of the finger to the third information input area 72, which is an area touched by any one of the remaining two fingers 31, 32, is acquired, and based on the acquired data Information can be output to the information terminal device 91.

  In the above description, the pen-type input device 101 is held by the thumb 31, the middle finger 32, and the index finger 33, and the index finger 33 is illustrated as being in contact with the first information input area 71. For example, the pen-type input device 101 is held by the thumb, middle finger, and ring finger, and the finger that contacts the first information input area 71 may be the middle finger.

  In this embodiment, the process of calculating the finger contact position by the finger contact sensor 111 in S86 from the coordinates on the electrostatic sensor used for the finger contact sensor 111 is the “contact position indexing unit” of the present invention. Equivalent to. Of the three fingers (the thumb 31, the middle finger 32, and the index finger 33) in contact with the finger contact sensor 111 based on the finger and hand contact positions to the finger contact sensor 111 and the hand contact sensor 118 in S86-88. The process of setting the index finger 33 as the center finger and setting the contact position as the first information input area 71 corresponds to the “information input area setting means” of the present invention. The process of setting one of the contact positions of the fingers 31 and 32 on the finger contact sensor 111 as the third information input area 72 corresponds to the “third information input area setting means” of the present invention. . Further, the process of detecting the movement of the finger on the first information input area 71 in S91 by detecting whether or not the finger contact position on the first information input area 71 has changed continuously. Corresponds to the “finger movement detecting means” of the present invention, and the movement of the finger on the third information input area 72 in S92 and the contact position of the finger on the third information input area 72 are continuous. The processing that is detected by detecting whether or not the change has occurred corresponds to the “third finger movement detection means” of the present invention.

1 Pen-type input device 11 (of the first to third embodiments) Finger contact sensor 13 CPU
31 thumb 32 middle finger 33 index finger 41 information input area 51 (first embodiment) first information input area 52 (second embodiment) second information input area 61 (second embodiment) (third embodiment) Information input area 71 (in the fourth embodiment) first information input area 72 (in the fourth embodiment) third information input area 91 information terminal device 101 (in the fourth embodiment) Pen-type input device 111 finger contact sensor 113 CPU
118 Hand contact sensor

Claims (5)

A pen-type input device for inputting information to an information terminal device based on finger movements,
Contact detection means disposed over the entire circumference of the grip portion of the pen-type input device;
Contact position indexing means for determining the contact position of the finger detected by the contact detection means;
Information input area setting means for setting an information input area on the contact detection means based on the contact position of the finger determined by the contact position indexing means;
Finger movement detection means for detecting finger movement on the information input area set by the information input area setting means;
A pen-type input device comprising: output means for outputting predetermined information to the information terminal device based on finger movement detected by the finger movement detecting means.   2. The pen according to claim 1, wherein the information input area setting unit sets a position on the contact detection unit other than a finger contact position calculated by the contact position determination unit as an information input area. Type input device. Second information input area setting means for determining a contact position of the finger determined by the contact position indexing means as a second information input area;
The pen-type input device according to claim 2, further comprising: second finger movement detecting means for detecting finger movement on the second information input area.   When the number of fingers determined by the contact position indexing unit is 3, the information input area setting unit determines the position of the center finger touched among the three finger contact positions as the information input area. The pen-type input device according to claim 1, wherein the pen-type input device is set as follows. When the number of fingers indexed by the contact position indexing unit is 3, the position where any one of the fingers other than the central finger is in contact with each other among the contact positions of the three fingers, A third information input area setting means for setting as a third information input area;
The pen-type input device according to claim 4, further comprising third finger movement detection means for detecting finger movement on the third information input area.